July 23 - Front Row Seats

When our cruise chip docked in Skagway, Lyle and I decided to go the local musical show.  Rather than take the bus excursion from the ship we decided to walk.  We had allowed lots of time and arrived at the theatre quite early.  Seating was on a first come basis and when Lyle asked, I naturally chose the front row.

Front row seating is great for me.  While I can’t see details of faces, costumes, or stage sets, I can still see movement.  I am so grateful for this.  It does add to my enjoyment of most live theatre and movie productions.

This week we are in Cardston, a small town in southern Alberta.  Each summer the local theatre group here stages three different performances.  Usually this involves a musical, a play, and something more geared towards kids.  I love the variety and we always book early so that we can sit near the very front. Because Cardston has a relatively small theatre, all seats are the same price.  I find it unfortunate that in the large city theatres the front row seats are generally much more expensive than other seats in the theatre. While concessions are often made to people with wheelchairs there doesn’t seem to be a similar seating concession for those of us with low vision.

The other night in Cardston, we saw Nice Work If You Can Get It.  The singing, dancing, and acting of the entire cast was very entertaining, and the voices of the two leads were exceptional.  The whole show was a lot of fun.

After the performance the cast members all lined on the sidewalk outside to greet the audience.  I like this close-up interaction with the performers.  In the picture below I am posed between the two lead performers.

 

 

Sue in between two cast members 

 

 

 

July 16 - Telling Time

This past week the battery in my favourite clock died. Fortunately, Lyle had another battery stored away and he was able to set the clock going again. I say the clock is my favourite because it chimes. While other people might find the chiming annoying, I find the chimes almost essential. While I can’t read the hands on the clock face, I can hear the time it is telling.

It’s a strange thing about needing to know the time. I am a bit of a stickler for punctuality and I dislike being late. As the minutes tick by towards an appointment or even a casual meet up with friends, I find myself constantly checking the time on my audible watch. While the clock gives me the time to the quarter hour, my watch gives me the time to the minute.  My watch also tells the day and date. I found this especially helpful when we were on holidays last week. I find it difficult to keep track of the days when I am in vacation mode. I know that my phone has all the audible settings I have mentioned, but then again, I don’t like to carry my phone around when I am on holidays.

What a boon it is for us with low or no vision that we are living in this time of advanced technology. I would be lost or at least severely inconvenienced if it wasn’t for my audible devices. Telling or hearing the time is just one such technological advantage.

 

 

 

July 8 - Low Vision Confusion

Actually this is a two part post.  I wasn’t sure to title it “Low Vision Confusion” or “Glacial Splendour.”  Let me explain.  Lyle and I are on an Alaska cruise, and today we sailed into Glacier Bay.

The scenery in this part of the state is spectacular. Because the vista is so vast, I am at least able see some of it.  Margerie’s Glacier, where we sailed today, was a definite highlight.  Although others in our group have also seen whales and sea otters, I am waiting and hopeful that one will surface close enough to the ship so that I can also have this visual experience.

Now to the low vision confusion.  I have been wearing my low vision badge and using my white cane.  It is surprising how few people seem to recognize their significance.

Today in the dining room, I was pleased when waiter #1 realized that I didn’t need a print menu.  Then waiter #2 approached to hand me the print menu.  Then waiter #3, realizing I couldn’t see, possibly imagining that I couldn’t speak either, asked Lyle for my lunch order. While the waiters seemed unsure of how to approach a person with low vision, they were also working with the handicap of speaking English as a second language.  It was all very confusing.  However, waiter #1 wins the medal for the best attempt when he delivered my food. He identified each plate as he placed it in front me.

Back to glacial splendour.  There are two pictures with this post.  In the first, Lyle and I are standing on our balcony with the waters of the bay and mountains in the background.  In the second, I am standing alone on the balcony with the expanse of snow and ice of Margerie’s Glacier behind me.

Sue and Lyle on the balcony in Glacier Bay 

Sue in front of Mergerie Glacier