Presbyopia (old mans eyes)

Today I was working in the basement just cleaning things up when it occurred to me that I could not see worth a damn. Yesterday while doing yard work in the bright sun I had no difficulty seeing; of course I wasn’t doing any detailed work just cleaning out the shed and yard. Today’s work is being done inside on a rainy day and involves the use of tools such as screwdrivers, saws and hammers and the plain truth is I can not see what I am doing clearly. I noticed this indoor seeing discrepancy way back in June while at work, I had picked up a medication bottle and while I could easily read the name of the med (with my arms fully extended) I could not read the fine print even with my over-the-counter reading glasses. The time had come to get an eye exam. I went to the doctor took the exam and informed him that I had no problem with my far distance sight but that I was having difficulty with reading close up and the computer screen. He told me that I did have problems with my far distance sight and that I needed trifocal glasses. Humph…..

So ever since I got those stupid glasses I have come to realize more and more that weather I like it or not I “may” need to wear my glasses just about all the time, unless of course it is a bright sunny day and I’m out side doing something that is not all that detailed or important.

mountain top mining

I was tooling around the blogs tonight, haven’t been able to do that much lately and wound up spending quite a bit of time at Fred Firsts blog “Nameless Creek” well you see Fred goes on these tangents, bird flu, water conservation and now he’s up in arms about folks blowing the tops off mountains for coal, give these two entries a few minutes of your time I think you will find them enlightening http://namelesscreek.blogspot.com/2007/08/no-more-high-places-forever.html

http://namelesscreek.blogspot.com/2007/08/stop-banking-on-coal.html

then check out this you tube site http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziuFW-7h1LM

then for a better understanding of what exactly is being done to these mountains check out this site http://www.mountainjusticesummer.org/facts/steps.php

This Mandevilla is a happy plant and has given me a lot of pleasure in the three years since I discovered it. I bought 2 others this year. One climbs a post on the pergola and the other hides the trash can. These plants have to be brought in when it starts to get cold, temps in the mid 40’s (7C) which around here means sometime in November.

What can I say fall on the Outer Banks

Can’t complain about the weather on the Banks lately, other than the lack of rain it’s been perfect. I’ve been devoting an hour every day to yard work and it shows. I’m going to take on the shed next week, that a scary job. I’m also getting things in the house ship shape for the winter. I just seem to have soooo much energy in the fall!

I’m going to be heading up to the mountains in October to get my fall fix. Hopefully there will be some fall color. From what I’ve been hearing the fall colors could be here early and be gone fast. Anyone thinking about hitting the parkway should check out their site for park information Welcome to the Blue Ridge Parkway and this site for peak information Virtual Blue Ridge Parkway Guide .

It has been nice on the banks this week. We had the Gabrielle “scare” last weekend but come Monday it was fair skies and clear water.

On another note:

This is why I hate to go to the doctor and have to be just about dying before I go. I had a head cold and a “touch” of bronchitis so I spent the early part of Monday looking for a doctor to see me. I had to go to Manteo to help my mom so I figured I would go to “Outer Banks Urgent Care” in Nags Head. I had never been there but I had taken my mom and kids and I knew a few of the nurses so I thought what the heck it’s on the way. Boy did I get a rude awakening; they would not see me because I forgot my driver’s license. I’ll admit it pissed me off when the “lady” rudely tapped on a sign they had taped on the receptionist window. I did not see the sign when I filled out the paper work; I did not know I did not have my license until I went to look for it. When I told her that some of the nurses in the back would know me all she said was that she was sure they would but there “are no exceptions”. That pissed me off I had been nursing a cough, sore throat and stuffy head for 10 days, I had left work early the night before and I needed some meds. I don’t remember saying much but I’m sure my body language was not nice. I had the receptionist return the paper work I had filled out, I could see no reason they would need it and headed on up to “Beach Medical” in Kitty Hawk. Now I had not been up there for myself in years, (I haven’t been to the doctor in years) but I had taken my mom and the kids so the folks knew who I was; they wanted ID also BUT instead of saying no they saw me. Every one was nice. The provider was great. I was able to catch up with some folks I had not seen in years (I know some of the staff). Had a quick exam and was on my way. Now I’m better. Next time I go to “Beach Medical” I’ll show them some ID. I will not say that I will never go to “Outer Banks Urgent Care” again but I will have to be desperate. I’m not the first one to have problems with them. I’ve had others tell me of their problems getting in to see the practitioners. It doesn’t matter how good the medical staff is when the front staff is less than likable.

I expected to wake up this afternoon to wind and rain but as you can see as of 5:30pm not much happening in Colington/KDH. The Banks could sure use some rain. I'll see how things are a 3am when I get off work.

Sub tropical storm Gabrielle

We have some excitement forming off the coast right now. most people are like me, just hoping for a good steady rain to give us some relief from this drought. Personally I sorry its not forecast to go more inland, they need rain even more than we do.

• To me it feels so calm on the Outer Banks right now. The air is “cooler” (a relative term), the sun is sinking further in the south and has gone from a harsh white to a more friendly soft white. There has been a steady NE wind and when I drive on the beach road or bypass the air smells of sea spray. Even on the bypass my Jeep windows become soiled with sea spray. There are far fewer people on the beach this week and traffic is much better. I went to the grocery store and did not have to wait in line. I love this time of year!!
  

• I was looking at the girl dog yesterday and noticed a faint touch of white on her muzzle that I had not seen before. She is so active that I never think of her as being “middle aged” but she will be 6 years old next month. The only disadvantage that I can see to having a dog is that they age to fast.
  

• I am a planner and my mother has talked my sister-n-law and me into taking her to Las Vegas we will be going in February. I am also planning a trip to Wheat Ridge Colorado in either the late spring or early fall of 2008. If any one who reads this has any to do’s or not to do’s or any advice on where to stay and what to do feel free to comment.

Kids at the Wright Brothers memorial and at the beach

Folks from New Jersey enjoying the holiday

It has been quite a summer, one of the busiest and hottest that I can remember. It has gone by fast but for me it ended well. My niece and her children came down last Monday for a few days during the week and my neighbors came into town for the weekend. The “piece de resistance” was the weather, you could not have asked for better. At the beach every one we meant #1 was nice and #2 seemed to be from New Jersey. Summer ended on a good note but the best time of year is yet to come. Fall on the outer banks nothing could be better.