November 30 - Christmas Shopping

Christmas is coming and although it is one of my favourite seasons, I really don’t like the shopping aspect.  If I didn’t enjoy the end result of a shopping trip so much, perhaps it wouldn’t matter. However, once we are home from the store, I like taking out the special gifts and treats that Lyle and I have purchased.

You might be asking then, what is my problem. The problem is that when I am in the store, I simply lose any ability to focus or “see”. The variance of lighting – bright or dim, fluorescent white or dazzling colour, flickering or steady beam - is simply blinding. At Christmas the rush of people hurrying to and fro is unnerving. The multitude of special items on display while tantalizing to those who can see, for me is blurred and confusing.

Fortunately, Lyle is patient. One of his suggestions is that I make a list of what I need and he will fill the order. This works reasonably well with groceries but it doesn’t work with the gift list. For the most part, we don’t give many gifts but I would like for the ones that we do choose to give to have some special meaning. It is hard to make this list out of a vacuum not knowing what there is available.

So, that is my complaining done for today. Tomorrow is Advent Sunday and I know that I must prepare in other ways for the “Reason for the Season”. Today, Lyle and I put up our little Christmas tree and the string of lights along the outside roof of our house and garage. As I type this, there is a CD of Christmas music playing in the background. I have a special red tablecloth for our dining room table and a nativity arrangement and candles for the coffee table. Often Lyle and I will sit in comfortable chairs in our living room and reminisce about the many happy family times we have enjoyed at this time of year. I think that I will procrastinate just a little longer about the idea of shopping and enjoy the many good things of the holiday season.

November 7 - Worth the Effort?

This morning when Lyle and I went to see my mother, there was a music therapy program happening. Mum lives in a care facility about an hour north of Sydney and spending time with Mum is the main reason for our frequent trips Down Under. One of the renditions in this morning’s program was Now is the Hour, a traditional Maori song of farewell. In my generation, nearly every Australian schoolchild would have known the words and tune so it was a nostalgic moment when I heard the song again.

However, this morning’s song triggered another memory.  Several years ago when Lyle and I were travelling in New Zealand, we stopped to see the Glowworm Caves at Waitomo. This was one of the top tourist destinations on my list and I was quite excited...that is, until we actually arrived at the ticket booth. It was only then that I fully realized the challenges that might face a person with little vision when touring an underground cave with uneven steps in the dark. With my eye condition, I cannot see in the dark. I hesitated, procrastinated, but finally decided to go ahead. 

The first part of the tour was indeed tricky and I was wondering if I had made the right decision.  I couldn’t see the little lights of the glowworms and I was uncertain of my steps.  Lyle and I fell a little behind the main group and so missed out on some of the commentary as well.  Then we came to a large cave.  I still could see very little but the tour guide explained that this particular cave had the most amazing natural acoustics. She asked if anyone in the group would like to sing to demonstrate the sound. There was a significant pause. I am not sure what exactly came over me – I am not a singer – but perhaps it was just a bit of pent up frustration letting loose. Suddenly I was singing Now is the Hour. 

It was an amazing experience.  I sounded even better than when I happen to sing in the shower, and all the Kiwi and Aussie tourists joined in. Our guide seemed to notice me and my white cane for the first time and from then until we resurfaced I was led to the front of the group.

I am telling you this story because it was such a good lesson for me. Somehow, I had changed my thinking from I can’t do this to I can do this if I try. I overcame my initial apprehension and went on to have an extraordinary experience in the underground caves at Waitomo.  Was it worth the effort?  Totally!

There are lots of instances like this in our lives. I try to remember my own experience with Now Is the Hour.  My experience might not be the same as that of someone with sight, but I can still draw on other senses to gain my own measure of enjoyment from any experience or activity.

November 2 - Melbourne Cup Day in Australia

The Melbourne Cup is the premier horse racing event in Australia. You might be wondering how one city, Melbourne, can be the focus of such national interest, but trust me when I say that every Australian would know about Melbourne Cup Day. In fact, the country practically comes to a standstill during the running of the 3200 metre thoroughbred horse race. Already as I am writing this the excitement of this particular day and week is building. The Melbourne Cup Race is always held on the first Tuesday in November at 3:00 p.m.  It attracts international attention in horse racing, financial and fashion circles.

On a personal level, I have already been invited to three different Melbourne Cup parties.  I have decided to attend the one that starts with a lunch, has a fashion show, a best hat contest, and of course, a sweepstake opportunity on the race. So, why am I writing this in my White Cane Connections blog?  Like many other women, I have been considering what I might wear to the party. It is a dress-up occasion, and for some reason I feel a little odd in my dress-up clothes and holding my white cane.  I’m not sure just what the difference is to be using my cane while I am dressed in semi-formal wear and using my cane when I am dressed in casual gear and sturdy shoes. Perhaps it is the latter piece of attire that makes the difference. For those of us who have difficulty seeing what is in front of us, decent footwear can make a difference. Running shoes don’t lend themselves to skirts and long dresses for the women or formal suits for the guys. 

I did investigate the possibility of using a coloured cane to further coordinate my outfit. My sister, Jill, told me that coloured canes were available through Vision Australia. Out of curiosity, I called the organization with an inquiry. The mobility agent there told me that indeed coloured canes were available on request, but the request was mostly made by young children who wanted something in a primary colour.  The agent said that sometimes young adults would order a black cane so that they weren’t so visible. However, he hastened to inform me that the international colour of the cane for the blind was definitely white with a contrasting red tip. I decided that the red on the end of my cane would do nicely for the Melbourne Cup celebration. 

Below is a picture of me in my chosen outfit.  I am holding my cane in front of me.  The red tip of my cane is coordinated with my flame colored dress.