AARRRGG!

Let me make a little report for friends and family on my cataract surgery. On 8/17 the ophthalmologist worked on the right eye and on 8/24 the left. The whole experience was unsettling, from initial diagnosis, insurance worries, research on the procedure (very common, rarely complications reported, BUT on occasion “blindness and death”!!), and through the actual surgery. Mom was even more upset. The Doc did the worse eye first. He found it to be thick and a little difficult to remove. The result was very cloudy vision on the first few days after the surgery. The Doctor described it as trying to see through “wax paper”. I had purchased a pirate patch when we went to see Jon’s performance of “Pirates of Penzance” The Doc wasn’t too happy when I put it on in his office, but was a good sport letting Mom take a picture . (Mom thinks he looks like what actor?) But he declared the operation successful and predicted the cloudiness would disappear. And it did. By last Friday, the vision was clear and I was able to see the brown tint of the cataract still in the left eye. So Monday I went in again. That cataract was less serious so the procedure went better and the recovery is going faster. Mom’s consternation has continued because of the post surgery drops regimen. Three types of drops are to be given four times a day in each eye for four weeks. Very inconvenient! I hate drops of any kind and Mom has accepted the duty to help me out. I appreciate her nursing efforts, but we have agreed that she probably shouldn’t “quit her day job”.  We laugh a lot as drops run down my cheeks into my ears. Bottom line is both eyes are recovering (and Mom is calming down). No lingering complications but as Curly replies to Billy Crystal when asked if he killed anyone today, “The day ain’t over yet".

Mahalo to Ganon. Jon, Rycharn and Elder Kevin Connelly for giving me a Priesthood blessing. And Many thanks to all who offered prayers in my behalf.  

Happy Birthday Pie

To help celebrate my 66th birthday Kelly brought me this fun pie. Thanks to her, and to all who sent cards and well wishes. I began that day in a surgical room having a cataract removed from my right eye. If Piglet had offered to me,  as he offered to Eeyore, "Many happy returns of the day", I would have replied, as sad Eeyore did, "I'm having them".  And all things considered, I was.  I am well blessed and I know it.

David's Family at the Ocean

May 2nd the Auswanderers accompanied Ganon and his family to the Marina del Ray Beach in Los Angeles.  Becca knew it was a place to write her initials in the sand.  It was the first time that the children had seen an ocean.  David's reaction is exactly what you would love for a child to do on their first trip to see the Mighty Pacific Ocean.  Definitely a glimpse of joy in your posterity.  

King Louie

Mom fixed one of her specialty dinners.

It's called Crab Louie Salad but I call it King Louie because it is fit for royalty.  Tres Delicious & Healthy.

Dodger Spring Training, March '09

Here we are at the Dodgers' new Glendale AZ Spring Training facility, "Camelback Ranch". Last Spring was their last year at "Dodger Town", in Vero Beach, FL. The winter before that Gramma, Becca and I visited there. Good memories
We got to Camelback early--imagine that--before the gates opened. Gramma and Becca waited in the shade at a table where later the "comp" tickets were to be distributed to visiting baseball scouts, etc.
This grey haired guy is one of the actual baseball scouts we met at that table.  He was a scout for the Mets and showed off his World Series Ring.
Here are the Auswanderers seated in Section 114, top row (shade from the hot AZ sun, plus no steps to negotiate--good seats). Photo taken by the fan below after he had us take his picture.
Lots of baseball action in the two games we attended, including many of the new guys trying to make the season roster. We lost the first game by 2 runs but won the second one on an exciting walk off single with a close play at the plate. Go Blue!
This is a view of the boys in blue.  The cameramen are at the left end and the Bat Boy is on the steps at the right.  The Bat Boy had a big job and he was very serious about it.
Drum roll, please. I know you are all relieved that we finally signed Manny for another year. Here he is the morning the deal was finalized, among the first photos taken. He is on the office balcony which overlooks left field--well timed to wave to the Connellys. Exciting moment in our Spring Training Adventure