December 27- Playing with My Phone

Holidays are often family times and when families get together, often out comes the camera. These days the camera is usually incorporated in the cell phone. While I have learned to text and phone with this device, I am only just learning the art of taking pictures.  This Christmas was a good time to practice. In fact, I took my first selfie.

I held the phone at arm’s length and pointed the phone towards my head. Of course, those of you who read my last post will know the question I asked Lyle, “ How do I look?”

By this time, Lyle was a bit tired of my amateur photo taking attempts, and looking up a little distractedly, replied, “Stunned!“ When he saw my crestfallen face, he immediately revised this to, “ I mean, stunning!“ Such a difference between those two words – stunned or stunning. When I tried to look at the picture later under my CCTV Reader, I think that the first opinion might have been more accurate. Yes, I will post the picture here so that you can form your own opinion.

We had a very good Christmas with family and my hope is that each of you had the same. I am also posting a picture of Lyle and I with our little granddaughter, Lexi. It has been a great year watching her grow. She is a delight.

Soon it will be New Year’s and the time for some of us to make resolutions for 2017. Mine will be the same as last year. I want to upgrade my technical skills so that I can be more in line with the times. Playing with my phone was fun, but I know that there is far more that I can accomplish with my computer if I really put my mind to it.

Following are the two promised pictures – my selfie and the one of Lyle, Lexi and myself.

Sue's first selfie

 

Sue, Lyle and Lexi

December 20 - How Do I Look?

As a partially sighted person, I do rely a bit on other people as to my appearance. Obviously I can’t change the basics, but when it comes to details of hair and clothing I turn to people I can trust.  For instance, I have recently had my hair cut and I am almost totally in the hands of my hairdresser. Linda knows that I can’t see myself in the mirror and she is careful to follow my verbal directions as to what I would like her to do. My question for Lyle when I come out of the salon is usually the same -  “ How do I look?”

I am also a little dependent on others when it comes to colour coordinating my clothes. I am able to see primary colours fairly well but not necessarily shades and patterns. Just a month or so ago I was trying to decide between two outfits for a special occasion. My choices – or so I thought, were between a black patterned skirt and black top or a green patterned skirt with a green top. I had worn both combinations several times in the past.  I was quite surprised when I asked my daughter to help choose. Apparently the first skirt was brown and the second was gray. While my original choices didn’t clash too terribly, Jennifer said that switching to the gray skirt and black top was a much better option. I wish she lived closer!

I miss the small clothing store that used to operate in our town. The assistants there were so helpful, but in the larger stores it is sometimes tricky to find someone to take your money much less offer advice on clothing selections. It is at times like this that I am grateful to Lyle or our daughter Jennifer. They know my tastes and have learned to be honest in their comments on my choices. That critical honesty is exactly what I need.

One of the best pieces of advice was something my friend Norma gave me about socks.   I cannot tell the difference between black, brown or navy.  White and beige are also difficult. Norma said that she only bought black or white and stuck to the same brand or design. This small suggestion took away much of my frustration in matching socks. I now do the same thing. It makes for a much easier choice when getting dressed in the morning.

So, how do I look? Well, I will probably never know for sure again, but thanks to trusted friends and family, I think that my appearance passes the test.

December 6 - Being a Grandma

We have just come back from a short holiday with our daughter, son-in-law and beautiful little granddaughter. How wonderful it was to spend that time with them all and what a great experience to be able to hold baby Lexi each day. She is now ten months old and a perfect bundle of joy.

I was always grateful that I was able to see when our own children were born, but I now realize that seeing doesn’t always involve twenty-twenty vision.  In my mind I have a picture of Lexi. I can feel her little warm body when I hold her in my arms. I can feel her soft skin and touch her delicate fingers and toes. I can brush the fine hair on her head. I can listen to her baby babble and hear her laugh. With my partial sight I can see when her big brown eyes are looking up at me.

There are challenges of course. I find it difficult to see her mouth and her parents are quite happy to leave me out of the feeding process. My friend who is blind says that the more difficult time is now when her granddaughter is a toddler. She is unable to see her come rushing across the room to jump into her lap. Toys on the floor are also a bit tricky.

I was prompted to write this small piece on the blog after listening to a book by Peter White, a blind BBC broadcaster and father of four. When White was asked if he was disappointed that he couldn’t see his children, he expressed puzzlement at the question. After all, he had a perfect tactile picture of each of them - seeing them as he experienced other pictures in his life. Tony had a long angular face with small features, Robin with a flatter face and with small plump hands like White’s own. Kathy, their daughter, had a much smaller frame and appeared almost doll like. With white’s articulate descriptive powers, I could almost see these children myself.

Lyle and I are now looking forward to a visit with our grandson, and I can hardly wait. Benji is now five months old and I am eager for this next visit. Being a grandma is indeed a special time of life.

Following are two pictures. The first is of Lyle and I holding our granddaughter. There are some large pelicans in the background. The second picture shows Lexi with her Dad. They are standing on the rocks at the shore. It was a great holiday. 

Sue, Lexi, and Lyle

Lexi with her dad