The Dackel Princess

Another week has gone by, and here we are, the last Friday of March. I think that 2026 will fly by. It seems the older I get, the faster time goes by. So without further ado, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. We’re at the point in the year where, although snow may fall, the sun’s angle and the gradual warming of the ground mean the snow will melt quickly.Such was the case the past week. We had snow one day, and now, a few days later, it’s pretty much gone.
2. My taxes are done, filed, and Uncle Sam has already cashed my check. Another year is in the books.
3. A week from today, I will be heading to my two sons’ home for Easter. I am really looking forward to this time. It is my hope that the government will stop ignoring the TSA, pay these people, and get our airports up and running again. I am happy that Delta has suspended its special program for the Senate and Congress, under which they receive special treatment on its planes. Let them stand in lines that are five hours long!
4. After writing a book of short family stories a few years ago, I am back to writing the second one. The books contain my memories and the pictures that go with them.
5. I have been including recipes as well and pictures of the finished product. These books will be a little bit of me to leave behind for my grandchildren.

Well, that’s it for this week. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the beautiful Springtime!

It was another snowy week in New Hampshire. This week, we actually got most of the snow, although it was certainly unlike the blizzards nearby recently. So here goes this week’s Friday Five.

1. 1. At the start of the week, I went in search of a push shovel. I just needed something to provide a short path for my vertically challenged friend, Heidi.
   2. The shovel does alright, as long as you don’t have deep snow. I make 1-2 passes and then let her out. There I am in my hat, coat, boots, gloves, and pajamas! Ha!
      
   3. Moulton’s Farm opened yesterday! Yay! I stopped in and picked up a few things. They are my go-to place for fresh fruit and vegetables in the summer!
   4. I’m going to my sister’s house for a few days. The puppy Nanny is moving in to care for Heidi. Am I the only one who has a Nanny for the pup?
   5. I made an appointment with H&R Block to do my taxes when I get back. Oh, how I hate tax season!

I’ve been thinking about writing this post since the start of the week. What delayed my writing was that I simply wasn’t sure where to start. It came to me this afternoon, so here goes.

1. Last summer, while innocently watching TV, I suddenly noticed that I had double vision in my left eye. After seeing several doctors, I was finally referred to a true specialist who handles problems with intraocular lenses. An intraocular lens is what they put into your eye during cataract surgery. The doctor would operate, remove the old lens, and replace it with a new one. Surgery was scheduled, and my cousin, Janet, was there to stay with me at the hotel next door. The next day, she would drive me home, and all would be well.
2. When he opened the eye to retrieve the folded lens, he found so much scar tissue that he could not remove it. Since removal was not possible, he was able to unfold it and tack down the edges.
   

   When we spoke in the recovery room, I could tell he was not pleased. However, under the circumstances, we all crossed our fingers that all would be well.

3. Janet and I went to the hotel, rested, watched some TV, and had a takeout supper. I was tired and fell asleep, but woke in the night when I felt dampness on my face. I got up and went to look at the bathroom mirror, where I could see blood coming down my cheek. I tried not to panic, but when I saw him the next morning, and the packing was removed from my eye, I could not see anything in it. Everyone in the office didn’t quite know what to say. My doctor looked into my eye and told me I’d had an intraocular bleed. I was put on 5 different eye drops, every four hours, and also given medication (a pill) to bring the pressure down. He told me that we needed to give it time. He didn’t want to open the eye again to drain it, if he could help it.
4. The days went by, and then the weeks. I would wake in the morning, open my eyes, and hope that somehow the sight had returned. It didn’t. I wondered if my vision would ever return. About the time I had given up all hope (October), I woke up and could see. Not well, but the blood had drained from my eye. I remained on a lot of eye drops, but with each passing day, things were getting better.
5. In January 2026, I went in to see my Optometrist. Yes, the left eye’s vision was very poor. About 20/200. But with time, he was able to get that eye to 20/40. I selected new glasses frames and off I went. They came in, and I went down to pick them up. I put them on, and it felt like the first time I got glasses back in seventh grade! I could see leaves, twigs, and absolutely everything! I am grateful for so much!

Me with my new glasses!

I’ve been lazy the last few weeks; thus, no Friday Five. However I actually have things to write about so here goes…

1. The last few days have been warmer and sunnier! Talk about a real moral boost! Here we are in the middle of February, and the world is not as dark and dreary at is was a month ago. Maybe that rotten groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, was wrong!
2. Miss Heidi had her yearly exam. She is nearly perfect in every way, but her Luxating Patellas have gotten worse, and she will need the first surgery in April, and the second is set for August. She is maintaining her slim figure, which will benefit her recovery.
3. We have had so much snow that I hired a man to come with his mini-tractor to push it back, making more room for another snowfall. I also had another man snowblow a good path for Heidi to use.
4. I went to the Optician today to be tested and fit for new glasses. My right eye has held up pretty well, doing all the work for both eyes, but my left eye has lost a lot of vision. It was 20/200 before he started fitting the new prescription, and even then, the letters were fuzzy and shadowy. I knew my vision in the left eye was bad, but I had no idea it was this bad.
5. So I ordered two pairs of glasses, one for wearing and one for driving (sunglasses). The fact is, I need to wear my glasses all the time now. However, I remind myself that at least I have vision. Last summer, when I was blind in my left eye, it was a very scary time for me. My vision may not be perfect, but at least it’s usable.

So that’s it for this week. I hope you are all happy, healthy, and staying warm.