C'est La Vie (That's Life--En Anglais)

Wow! I think I just made it to a new milestone in my life and I'm having a bit of trouble getting used to it. Over the last few years, I've noticed my eye sight has become increasingly worse. Debbie finally convinced me to make an appointment at Costco with the the eye doctor. He discovered what I had been recently realizing. My vision had digressed to the point where a pair of prescription glasses would be a true benefit.

The lenses that we purchased are what is described as progressive and transitional. Apparently that means that they are multi-focal and they darken a bit when I'm out in the sun. The transitional part seems to be good so far. I'm actually ok with the idea of needing corrective lenses but I've discovered that getting used to wearing them all of the time is a little difficult. I don't know if it will always be this way or if my brain will at some point figure out how to compensate. Often, my surroundings including the ground are moving around. It's kind of like being under the influence of some kind of narcotic. Another thing that is difficult for now is that things that I know are perfect 90 degree right angles appear to be 15-20 degrees off. I cut a board the other day and the angle looked so off that I had to check the saw to see what angle I'd cut. I sure hope that my brain will at some point figure out how to compensate. The frames that I chose were from the Randy Jackson eyewear collection. Who in the world is Randy Jackson? I really asked that question. Yeah, now I know, he's one of the judges from American Idol. I guess I'm the only guy in America who's never watched the show! Sorry.

One of the frustrations that I'd been having was trying to see well enough to tie a fishing fly on my leader. Hopefully, that is a frustration that will never be realized again. I also purchased a pair of polarized progressives. I can hardly wait to try them out on the water.

A Weekend To Remember

This was a most remarkable week end! Though it wasn't the actual 80th anniversary of my father's birth, we had chosen to celebrate it this weekend in order that more of the people important to him would be able to attend. Here he is floating around with his charming bride.

I have three other siblings and of the three,it originally looked like only two of us were going to be able to get away for this event. Eventually, a third member of this four member group was going to be able to be there, at least for a short time. When I arrived, I was surprised to find that the fourth sibling was already there and was going to be able to complete the surviving members of the family group with which I grew up. I want to specifically thank Tanna, his wife, for allowing him to come and share this weekend with us.

Here he is teaching some of the younger members of the family to eat crawfish. Try to imagine how fortunate those kids are!!!

Since many miles and personal complications separate us most of the time, this complete reunion was a remarkable and forever memorable event.

We had four generations of family plus a number of friends together for a delightful weekend of celebration and catching up on each other's lives. I see some seemingly flagrant ommisions of pictures of important people who were here but unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of them. I am very sorry for not getting a picture of every attendee. Each person who was here was valued and I wish that I could have posted an image of them as well but alas, I am amazingly fallable and apparently, didn't get a picture of everyone. Oops!!

At one point, I was thinking of how fortunate we were to be able to have all of us there and be getting along. I know that many families do not have that luxury.

God has been and continues to be gracious.

Twenty Seven Already?

Tomorrow is the twenty seventh anniversary of our wedding. It is actually pretty amazing that God has been so gracious as to allow this relationship to weather all of the storms that typically can scuttle a marriage like ours. I love the lyrics the song "What God Has Joined Together" by Paul Overstreet.

Yeah! I know that I've posted these lyrics before but they still ring true!

With shaky knees and my old nervous grin We stood before the Lord and all our friends. Your daddy cried a teardrop as he gave his girl away. I promised to keep lovin' you until my dying day.

--chorus--

And what God has joined together let no one come between Or try to put asunder lovers building their dreams. The light that shines forever is now burning in our hearts. What God has joined together, let no one ever part.

Well that was several years ago today. And we walked some rocky roads along the way. But the Lord has helped us make it through the crazy ups and downs And when we took the wrong road he turned us both around.

When the evening of our lives on earth is near, And our eyes grow weak and words are hard to hear; Well, I pray the Lord is tender when he comes to call us home, And he lets us go together so we'll never be alone.

--chorus-

What God has joined together, let no one come between; Or try to put asunder lovers building their dreams. The light that shines forever is now burning in our hearts. What God has joined together let no one ever part.

What God has joined together let no one ever part...

I couldn't find Paul singing it on Youtube but this guy does an adequate job. At least you get a feeling for what the song should sound like.

I took tomorrow off to be with my bride! I wonder what will come of that?