Eclipse got people talking — in a good way

Eclipse got people talking — in a good way

I hope you got a glimpse of the solar eclipse. Did you use the protective eyewear to protect your eyes from harm? I watched the solar eclipse of 2017 on TV. Since cataract surgery on both eyes and the laser procedure a year later; I pay more attention to eye care advice.

Readers sufficed for a short while thereafter. Now these tired eyes must be tested again.

I wore glasses since my late teens prior to the surgery. No doubt, a wall of frames is somewhere in Brownsburg or close-by waiting for me to pick and choose.

This senior will never forget the first glasses that I owned. I knew in high school that I needed glasses. I was beginning to hug my books too close. I loved to read and loved to write. I did not own sun glasses in those days nor set foot in an optometrist’s office.

My family worked out-of-doors on our place under the sun many hours and admired it with naked eyes. Our eyes were exposed to acrid smoke from several sources and sweat and tears served as stinging eyewash. We did not purchase anything deemed unnecessary My complaint had no listeners, so I just batted my blood-shot eyes and buried my troubles.

A few months after my marriage, Paul was reassigned to a new duty station in San Diego, California. One day he looked at me and suggested that I should have my eyes checked as soon as possible. I did not argue the fact. We found an optometrist close-by the downtown plaza and a date and time was set for the exam. The office visit came and results followed. The eye doctor informed us I did need glasses. He said that would help me so much. I picked out a pair of cat eyes, the corners covered with sparkly rhinestones, the design of the day. I liked the frame choice, but never learned to love them. The best of all of that, those specks and others that followed took care of my ocular problems over 55 years until the cataracts clouded my vision.

Some people were unaware of the damage the eclipse might have on the retinas of their eyes without knowledge and proper protection. It was nice to see so many across our beautiful America excited and communicating about something besides chaos, hate, bigotry and other woes, if it just lasted a few moments. That truly was a blessing in disguise, in the sky!

I want to thank the folks that sent this writer letters last week! It means a lot to me to hear from my hometown friends, old and new. Now I must close and check on the kids.

I can be reached by phone at 317-286-7352 or drop me a line to 649 South Grant Street, Brownsburg, IN.,46112.