Alas, the past few months have been tough for a person that loves to read. Back in Sept, I went to my eye doctor for a checkup and was told I have cataracts. A trip to an eye surgeon followed with numerous tests etc since there were 'issues' with one of the optic nerves. Finally, all things being sorted, in mid Oct I went under the laser. First, I didn't know that I'd lose my near vision (seems the only multi focal lenses I could opt for cost almost $3000 per eye OVER insurance pay out), so that was a total shock after everything was said and done. Then, the saga began. My eye continued to feel 'off'. I had extreme sensitivity to light and even pain. Everyone kept telling me that cataract surgery was suppose to be 'a piece of cake', but it wasn't turning out that way for me!
Finally, after dealing with everything for a month, I reached the end of my patience and called the surgeon and basically said we need to fix the eye or just remove it! Everyone acted so shocked...of course, they weren't in my skin, enduring the pain and total disruption of their lives! I figured the eye wasn't functioning, might as well ditch it and go on from there!
Well, after another trip into the surgeon's office it was determined that I have iritis. Thereupon started a rather aggressive spat of steroid eyedrops, followed by even more eye drops and eye lubricates. I am finally down to doing 1 steroid drop a day, with another drop 4 times a day and an eye lubricate 4 times a day, combined with warm compresses morning and night.
The eye is a bit better (crossing my fingers here!). The light sensitivity is still here, but seems a bit better most days. I can't deal with fluorescent lighting...it is like pins being drilled through my eyes. I've not gotten new glasses yet because of all the issues with the eye, so am relying on the over the counter 'readers' for any close up work. It is definitely a learning curve to remember that I have to have an artificial assistance to do something as simple as read the instructions on a box mix! The eyes feel weak and just not up to par. It is a struggle to read, so I find myself doing less and less reading. For someone who never went anywhere without at least one book, this is probably the biggest adjustment of all. I am hoping and praying that eventually things are going to level out and I will be able to reestablish some level of reading in my life.
I postponed indefinitely the planned surgery on the other eye. Couldn't bring myself to place myself in a position where both eyes would be totally out of commission. If I could only have known what I do now, I'd have taken my chances with the cataracts!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Thursday, December 16, 2010
A Contest!
I love contests! I don't often win them, but I do so love them!
One of my favorite authors, Yasmine Galenorn, posted about a really cool contest being held at
http://palmcoasttwilightbookclubreviews.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/sharing-my-favorite-things-for-the-holidays/
I'd never found their site before, but am really enjoying exploring it. I am also adding it to my bookmarks so I can cruise by later.
This contest is for 7 days, with a different bundle of goodies available each day. No draining entry required either, just a comment with which day you want to enter. You can enter as many days as you want, but only can win once.
So, it's definitely worth a checkout!
One of my favorite authors, Yasmine Galenorn, posted about a really cool contest being held at
http://palmcoasttwilightbookclubreviews.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/sharing-my-favorite-things-for-the-holidays/
I'd never found their site before, but am really enjoying exploring it. I am also adding it to my bookmarks so I can cruise by later.
This contest is for 7 days, with a different bundle of goodies available each day. No draining entry required either, just a comment with which day you want to enter. You can enter as many days as you want, but only can win once.
So, it's definitely worth a checkout!
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Warded Man
Well, I said I wanted to talk about books, so, I will start with the one I just finished. I had seen this book for a few months in my book club catalog, but could not decide if I wanted to read it or not. About 2 weeks ago, I stopped by the library and while browsing the new books, saw that it was in the library. Well, hey, a chance to read the book without expense!
_____________________________________________
From google books:
This book started slowly for me. Brett spends alot of time building his characters and his world. At times, I wondered if the story was going to gel. Having read that Brett is a gamer, I was able to understand a bit more the process he was going through, since it is very similar to AD&D campaigns I have played in the past. When the storyline finally reaches a point that the 3 main characters join together, the book is nearing the end, but the pace picks up splendidly from that point onward. At the end of the story, I definitely was not ready to stop reading! I wanted more!
The world Brett has created is pretty dark. For much of the book, it seems that mankind is doomed to end as the corelings seem untouchable by most. Even inside the cities, the wards fail and there is no real safety. Heroes are largely unknown. People seem content to huddle inside their wards and allow the corelings to own the night. Losses are hard, but even then most seem to have the attitude "at least it wasn't me or mine!". Arlen, Rojer and Leesha take a stand that is totally outside of the norm, and by doing so begin to inspire others with possibilities.
I highly recommend this book. Don't give up on it in the beginning, even when it seems to be moving along slowly. The end is worth the wait! Now, I hope Brett has a sequel ready soon!
_____________________________________________
From google books:
The time has come to stand against the night.
As darkness falls each night, the corelings rise–demons who well up from the ground like hellish steam, taking on fearsome form and substance. Sand demons. Wood demons. Wind demons. Flame demons. And gigantic rock demons, the deadliest of all. They possess supernatural strength and powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards–symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and mystery, and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile.
It was not always this way. Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms. Once, under the leadership of the legendary Deliverer, and armed with powerful wards that were not merely shields but weapons, they took the battle to the demons . . . and stopped their advance.
But those days are gone. The fighting wards are lost. Night by night the demons grow stronger, while human numbers dwindle under their relentless assault.
Now, with hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past.
Arlen will pay any price, embrace any sacrifice, for freedom. His grim journey will take him beyond the bounds of human power.
Crippled by the demons that killed his parents, Rojer seeks solace in music–only to discover that music can be a weapon as well as a refuge.
Beautiful Leesha, who has suffered at the hands of men as well as demons, becomes an expert healer. But what cures can also harm. . . .
Together, they will stand against the night.
____________________________________________________As darkness falls each night, the corelings rise–demons who well up from the ground like hellish steam, taking on fearsome form and substance. Sand demons. Wood demons. Wind demons. Flame demons. And gigantic rock demons, the deadliest of all. They possess supernatural strength and powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards–symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and mystery, and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile.
It was not always this way. Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms. Once, under the leadership of the legendary Deliverer, and armed with powerful wards that were not merely shields but weapons, they took the battle to the demons . . . and stopped their advance.
But those days are gone. The fighting wards are lost. Night by night the demons grow stronger, while human numbers dwindle under their relentless assault.
Now, with hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past.
Arlen will pay any price, embrace any sacrifice, for freedom. His grim journey will take him beyond the bounds of human power.
Crippled by the demons that killed his parents, Rojer seeks solace in music–only to discover that music can be a weapon as well as a refuge.
Beautiful Leesha, who has suffered at the hands of men as well as demons, becomes an expert healer. But what cures can also harm. . . .
Together, they will stand against the night.
This book started slowly for me. Brett spends alot of time building his characters and his world. At times, I wondered if the story was going to gel. Having read that Brett is a gamer, I was able to understand a bit more the process he was going through, since it is very similar to AD&D campaigns I have played in the past. When the storyline finally reaches a point that the 3 main characters join together, the book is nearing the end, but the pace picks up splendidly from that point onward. At the end of the story, I definitely was not ready to stop reading! I wanted more!
The world Brett has created is pretty dark. For much of the book, it seems that mankind is doomed to end as the corelings seem untouchable by most. Even inside the cities, the wards fail and there is no real safety. Heroes are largely unknown. People seem content to huddle inside their wards and allow the corelings to own the night. Losses are hard, but even then most seem to have the attitude "at least it wasn't me or mine!". Arlen, Rojer and Leesha take a stand that is totally outside of the norm, and by doing so begin to inspire others with possibilities.
I highly recommend this book. Don't give up on it in the beginning, even when it seems to be moving along slowly. The end is worth the wait! Now, I hope Brett has a sequel ready soon!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
And, so it begins...
Okay, I've resisted the urge to blog for quite awhile. Today, on a bit of a whim, I decided to give it a shot.
I have NO idea what I am actually doing here...hmmm, could you tell that already?
My goals are to use this as a place to talk about things that interest me, mostly books. I will probably include other things too such as TV Shows, crafty things and life as time goes by....if I manage to keep it going that is!
So, for now, I have begun. On to the next phase!
I have NO idea what I am actually doing here...hmmm, could you tell that already?
My goals are to use this as a place to talk about things that interest me, mostly books. I will probably include other things too such as TV Shows, crafty things and life as time goes by....if I manage to keep it going that is!
So, for now, I have begun. On to the next phase!
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