Here in spirit.

I AM still around, but my blogging time has been dramatically curtailed as of late. (They actually want me to work at work. Go figure!)

So know that I'm popping in on occasion and forgive me for my absence!



(The handsome beast to the right is Bentley, he is sorely missed.)

Hey, four-eyes!

I've been wearing glasses since I was 8. And believe me, I've heard just about every derogatory remark ever know to man and pissy grade three's you could ever hope to hear.

About 7 years ago I went to see if I could have laser eye surgery to once and for all have my eyes corrected.

"Your cornea is too thin. Wait a few years, the technology is always improving."

So it was with bated breath that I went to my preliminary exam for laser surgery last week. "Your cornea's too thin. Your prescription is too high. Wait a few years. The...."

Yeah yeah yeah. Heard it before.

Oh, and Doctor? Your technology is no match for how fast my eyes are deteriorating.

So. That's it. I'm not going to bother again. After the eye doctor suggested I apply to have lens replacement surgery I walked out thinking, "Nah. I'll just have to be sexy in my specs. I think I can do that."

But I'd be lying if I told you I was wasn't terribly disappointed. Because I was. I just wanted a chance. An option. An opportunity to have this magical treatment that would allow me to see.

And when I finally stumbled outside into the light, I must admit, I wept inwardly for a moment at not having the choice.

And then I had to feel my way into a store to have the shopkeeper dial whatshisface's number to come pick me up.

Those dilating eye drops are murder.

Pictures from the weekend.

Plenty of flowers this Mother's Day weekend!

My Mom and I spent the day wandering on trails and enjoying the intermittent sunshine.

The large splintered tree blocking the path didn't come any where near my car! It was a good day.

And speaking of books.

Here's a list of books I've read in April. Just in case anyone was wondering what I do with my time.

"Brother Cadfael's Penance" ~ Ellis Peters

"The Blind Watchmaker" ~ Richard Dawkins

"Affinity" ~ Sara Waters

"Stolen" ~ Kelly Armstrong

"Alchemy and Alchemists" ~ Sean Martin

"Children of Kali" ~ Kevin Rushby

"Pilgrim" ~ Timothy Findley This is by far one of my favorite books.

"Industrial Magic" ~ Kelly Armstrong

"Madame de Pompadour" ~ Nancy Mitford

"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" ~ Helen Fielding

"Friend of My Youth" ~ Alice Munro

"Gutenberg: How One Man Remade the World With Words" ~ John Man

"Haunted" ~ Kelly Armstrong All of these Kelly Armstrong titles are about supernatural women; vampires, werewolves etc; set for the most part in the present day. The stories are good and the plot races along but all of her main characters are identical. Kind of a pity, because otherwise I recommend them.

"The Island of Lost Maps: A True Story of Cartographic Crime" ~ Miles Harvey

"Touching the Void" ~ Joe Simpson Joe Simpson suffered a nearly fatal fall while climbing in the Peruvian Andes. I've read this book several times and it has never failed to have a chilling impact.