I can see clearly now.........

    I had the 2nd cataract done 10 days ago.   Again, a non-event procedure wise...this one seemed even quicker.    I arrived at 6:45 am,  eye drops for about an hour while I knit with a warm blanket over me, procedure at 8 after a bit of Versed in my IV (didn't even feel any sedation....was hoping for a nice trip or nap )...... and P  was there by 8:30ish and I was home well before 9 am.   All very efficient.       

The next morning, I noticed that I could read without glasses !!!    After the first eye was done, my distance vision had improved dramatically.    I did not notice the  brightness of colors that others have mentioned.     But to be able to read unaided was like a miracle !!   I have worn glasses or readers since my mid-40's and this is such an amazing and unexpected happening.   Maybe he told me somewhere along the way that the lens would help both near and far but I apparently missed that part.   I just expected better distance.   When I saw him the day after surgery and mentioned my delight, he said that it might be too soon to expect it to last.    But, it has and I am so pleased.   I notice that I prefer glasses in the evening if reading or knitting when my eyes become tired.    And I will get a new prescription in a couple weeks to have on hand.    All in all, a perfect outcome that I really wasn't expecting and so glad I didn't put it off.  

Meanwhile, not much going on our here in the high desert.    We have had wild fires non stop much of the summer and the smell of smoke lingers most days and the mountain views are obscured.   The Hiking club has curtailed some of it's activities and the Rec Center is encouraging the Pickleball players to stay inside.      We're in monsoon season but so far have had very little afternoon rain.   The mountains have had some deluges but the lightening causes more fires.    The rain does seem to clear the air for a bit so we could really use our more normal weather.    But until we are all working to do what needs to be done to fight climate change, I"m doubtful that our planet is going to return to the old normal.   It is a scary thing.   

 I'm a member of the Montrose Center for the Arts and we held a Plein Air event ...... about 24 artists, local and from around Utah and Colorado, came, painted out in the elements and displayed their work to an appreciative crowd.    All works had to be completed on site and in two days.    One guy said he fought off ants crawling on him...but not biting ones.

    The show was held at the Ute Museum, just down the road from us.    It's a beautiful place with a reverent and colorful tribute to the Ute nation that is a part of our state and region.    There are teepees on the grounds and the burial site of Chief Ouray's wife, Chipeta.    He fought for the rights of his people with the Federal government and altho treaties were signed, they were all broken.   He died on a reservation in OK  and his homestead is the site of the museum.    I guess I'm on a soapbox this morning but if you have the time and interest, Ken Burns "The West" is a sobering look at the development of the West.   It is not a proud time in our history and the treatment of the Native people, or of any minority was appalling and unrelenting......    And what we don't learn from history, we tend to repeat.

 This was my favorite piece.   He won 2nd place.   He was the one who fought off the ants at the bottom of the Black Canyon.

This is a similar take on almost the same place....again a favorite but it wasn't entered as he didn't complete it in the required time and instead, finished it during the show.     These are lousy pictures but I snapped them quickly to take back home to show P.    

Otherwise, life is good and we enjoy watching the ducks and the occasional heron.