Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 4/31: Progressive Lenses

 For the month of March, I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 4/31: 

Progressive Lenses

Sometime last spring I had an appointment with my optometrist. He and I had the talk. I imagine that our exchange went a little like this: 

"Tell me about your vision when you are reading?"

"Oh. It's fine, but I take my glasses off, just like when I am using my phone or the computer."

"Is that because you cannot see very well?"

I paused. A LONG pause.

"Oh, You mean blurry? Yeah, I guess that's why I take my glasses off. It's really just when I need to see my phone, the Chromebook, and books. So yeah, I guess that I do this often."

"Your prescription has changed a little bit." (Readers, trust me. He gave me all of the optometrist jargon that I cannot currently pull out of my memory.) 

"You will likely be able to get by for a while by just talking off your glasses for reading text up close. However, you may want to think about Progressive Lenses the next time you buy new glasses."

"Progressive Lenses? Like bifocals?" 

"I am not recommending a lined bifocal. We now have the option of Progressive Lenses. It helps transition between near and far prescriptions within the lens."

"For your glasses prescription, I will indicate that Progressive Lenses are optional. You can take some time and think about it."

**************************************

I definitely took my time in ordering a new pair of glasses, mostly because I was putting off the decision of whether or not to order Progressive Lenses. I was warned it would be an adjustment and a significant cost increase. 

The hinge point was when the screws kept coming loose on one side of my glasses - something that I haven't experienced before. I thought that it was just time to get a new pair of frames. However, when I went in recently for an adjustment, the technician asked me if I took off my glasses a lot. Immediately, I realized that I was taking off my glasses multiple times a day for when I needed to read text up close. She gently reminded me that investing in Progressive Lenses would help with this problem.

This past Thursday I picked up my new pair of glasses, complete with Progressive Lenses.  Friday was the first day that I wore my new Progressive Lenses. My depth perception is still a bit weird. I am still learning where to look through my new glasses. I am using my old prescription for driving until I get used to my new lenses.

My Progressive Lenses are a gentle reminder that we are not immortal. After all, our bodies won't last forever. Just like getting my colonoscopy screening, it makes me feel a bit a lot more seasoned. Yet, I cannot help but be grateful that I can afford Progressive Lenses and there are options to bifocal lenses. 

  

My new frames (and Progressive Lenses)

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 3/31: Herbert's Security

For the month of March, I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 3/31:

Herbert's Security

"Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really wants to see." Paul Strand

At times, when I feel stuck in my writing, I head to my phone. Challenging myself to stay away from doom scrolling (as that is one of the most counterproductive things that I do to myself), I scan through my photos and use a writing technique called writing from a photo. Not surprisingly, my camera roll has a lot of cat photos - an easy writing inspiration.

Below is a recent photo of one of my cats, Herbert. Along with his brother Binx, he loves to burrow in boxes and bags. 

Based on this photo, I wrote a Haiku:

An open suitcase-/

Invitation to nestle./

Cat security.

Click here to see last year's slice about writing from a photo.

What gives you inspiration to write? 

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 2/31 Writing Hiatus

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 2/31

Writing Hiatus

On Wednesday, while I was reading Elisabeth's post, a line of her writing resonated with me: 

The past year has felt like an extended hiatus from writing. I last blogged eleven months ago in April. The writer’s notebook I started in July is still only half full in March.

I felt like Elisabeth took the words right out of my mouth. This year has felt like an extended writing hiatus for me, too. 

Prior to my February 28th post, I had not blogged since April of 2022. Like Elisabeth, I began a new notebook in July, and I still haven't quite filled it. In fact, there have been a handful of weeks when the only time I wrote in my notebook was when I led a Literary Club session. 

My current writer's notebook - not even 100 pages long

I tried to ignite my writing through the NaNoWriMo challenge last November. I wrote about 10,000 words out of the 50,000 word goal. When I found myself getting too stressed out about finding time to write, I gave myself permission for a short break and never returned to my novel. 

In December, I challenged myself to write a Haiku-A-Day for a month. I wrote a Haiku every day for about two weeks. I am not sure what happened, as a haiku-a-day is a reasonable and attainable goal. I didn't have an audience or any kind of accountability, so maybe this was my problem. 

Perhaps my lack of writing this year has had to do with my school year. Honestly, it has been a tough school year for me. Most days I have returned from school exhausted, only to work in the evening to make sure that I am ready for the next day of teaching. Only to do it again the next day. And the day after that. It's been a hamster wheel. I have felt so overwhelmed as an educator this year. 

Regardless of the reason for my lack of writing this year, I have missed writing. I have missed the connection with other writers. I have missed all of the things that I notice when I am actively writing. I have missed sharing a small slice of my writing. I need to make time for myself to write.  

 

 

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 1/31 Since Last March

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 1/31

Since Last March

Since last March, I've done some traveling

Traveling to Kentucky on a youth mission trip

Traveling to Hayward and Door County to be with family

Traveling to new and familiar places.

Since last March, I've been strengthening my skills in crocheting

Crocheting with color changes

Crocheting a small handbag

Crocheting amigurumi creatures.

Since last March, I've been working on letting go

Letting go of unhealthy relationships

Letting go of the drive for constant production 

Letting go of unhealthy work and home balance. 

Since last March, I've realized unexpected blessings

Blessings from neighbors who helped me with snow removal

Blessings from students who make me laugh

Blessings from loving and being loved. 

I used this format to begin my SOLC challenge last year. You can read this slice here. For me, this is a wonderful way to reflect on this past year.  

Slice of Life #23: Why Not, Trina?

 On Tuesdays I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life #23:

Why Not, Trina? 

"Tomorrow is the last day of February. I am still on the fence about blogging this year." 

"You should do it."

"But it's SO much time. I haven't blogged since last April!"

"I know you can do it. You always talk about what you notice and learn about yourself. It will only help you grow as a writer."

"It does make March go really fast, which is an added bonus." 

"It's fun for me to read what you write. Why not, Trina?"

"I will make a decision when I wake up tomorrow, I guess."

**********************************************************************************

This was part of our nightly Face Time exchange between me and my boyfriend, Steve, last night. Can I tell you how fortunate that I feel that I have a boyfriend who is not only loving and my best friend, but supportive of me as a writer? 

Our conversation lingered in my mind when I woke up this morning. OF course, one of the first things that I did this morning was sign up for the 2023 Slice of Life Challenge. I feel really good about this decision.

If you are coming back from a writing hiatus, know that you are not alone! 

Slice of Life #22: Nintendo Elevator Music

 On Tuesdays I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life #22:

Nintendo Elevator Music

"Do you want to listen to music as you work on your projects?" I asked a group of engineering students. It was a group that I have subbed for before.

"Elevator music!" A senior shouted.

I smiled, "Really?"

"We usually listen to awful jazz elevator music. It's comical." Another student shared.

Using the View Sonic, I logged onto YouTube for a music selection. I asked students to help me select music. I was surprised to see all of the options for elevator music. Nintendo Elevator Music appeared.

"NINTENDO ELEVATOR MUSIC!" A group of students cheered.

I clicked on Nintendo Elevator Music. An image of Nintendo characters appeared on the screen. For the rest of the class hour we listened to elevator music from Nintendo games. For the class hour, most of the students were on task. They were a great group to substitute for today. 

To me, it's amazing at how a little choice, like selecting music, can set a positive tone. 

What kind of music do you listen to with your students?  

 

Slice of Life #22: Happy 98th Birthday

On Tuesdays I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life #22:

Happy 98th Birthday

"Hello?" 

 

"Happy Birthday, Grandma!" 

Last night I was delighted that my grandma picked up the phone so that I could wish her a happy birthday. At times, Grandma has a difficult day and she cannot quite figure out how to get her phone to work. She does not consistently remember how to check voicemail on her cell phone, so I would not have been able to get birthday greetings to her. (Grandma also has an Echo Show to help communicate. Sometimes she thinks that the Alexa voice is an operator "patching us through." I think that this is adorable.) 

Unfortunately, Grandma's Alzheimer's disease robs her of clarity. As usual, I reminded her that I was her granddaughter. Often I try to ask her about experiences from long ago. She seems to remember events from her childhood, time as a young adult, and from her marriage and when her children were small the most clearly. 

Yesterday was Grandma's 98th birthday. Yes friends, 98 years old! Since Grandma lives more than four hours away in an assisted living center, I was not able to visit her on her birthday. However, I visited her a few weeks ago with my kids.

A visit with Grandma at the end of March

Yesterday's conversation was a gift. I could almost hear Grandma smiling through the phone. 

As always, our conversation ended with these two phrases, "I love you and I am so proud of you!" These phrases always fill me with joy and deep gratitude.