A sight for sore eyes

Mack has all the classic traits of a Maine Coon tabby kitten. He is affectionate, loves to snuggle, plays vigorously with his toys, talks, purrs, and desperately wants to go outside when the big cats go out the door. Someday we will let him, but for now he has brief outings with a halter and leash. Somehow he got away from someone during the university's spring break, and they did not check the lost pet websites for him. He is too wonderful to be lost again, so we are very careful with him.

My damaged eye is finally healing. Still dealing with extreme eye dryness, but it is no longer painful.

One-eyed English Teacher

I have been reading with one eye for about six weeks. I gashed my cornea with a dried branch of salvia in the garden on April 8. A week ago I had a procedure to correct scar tissue that was blurring my vision. The results of that procedure are yet to be determined.

Compelled to carry some sort of lesson away from this experience, I have figured out several things.

First, it is amazing how frequently gardening endangers my eyes. There are branches sticking out everywhere, and regular eyeglasses are not protection. Now I wear safety glasses over my prescription glasses if I am putting my face near sticks.

Second, as a result of the necessity to slow down and be less active, I have finally found time to read H is for Hawk, which has been waiting patiently for months on my bedside table. I knew I didn't have time to read it when I put it there. I just wanted to admire the cover last thing before going to sleep and first thing at waking. I am about two thirds of the way through the book and relishing every word.  It is the right book at the right time. If I am moved to tears by a particularly poignant moment in the narrative, no one is the wiser because my eyes are already red and weeping.

Third, it only takes a second of inattention for damage to drive its wedge.

Fourth, people have been generous with sympathy, which is doubly impressive since I did this to myself. The cats have also been a comfort, especially Nurse Daisy. Now we are back up to capacity with four--Nick, Daisy, Bonnie, and the kitten Mack. Mack's healing powers come from his incredible cuteness, which seems boundless. And my husband has been beyond supportive, driving me to the doctor every day during his week of vacation. Now that's a good man.