Thursday, September 13, 2012

Day 12

I went to see the retina specialist today. Fortunately, I have run-of-the-mill senile retinoschisis (tearing of the retina that comes with age). They're going to measure it again in six months, and then annually afterwards to make sure there's no worse damage. Even though it is called "senile" retinoschisis, I was the youngest person in the waiting room by like 40 years. And we piled up in there because the doctor was over an hour late this morning. He was kind of special. He said, I should only worry if I start seeing fireworks in that eye, "but at least you have a retina specialist now." I felt like saying, well, buster, you were an hour late and I have choices about where they poke and prod my eyeballs. (But I probably won't go somewhere else because they'd have to do the baseline all over again. And I did not like having my eyeballs prodded.)

While I was waiting, I was stitching. This old lady says to me, "Well, that's a good sign, you sitting here doing that." And she's right. I can see; I've got to keep it all in perspective. Later, after my eyes were dilated, and I couldn't see to stitch, I was reading the new JCS Ornament Issue (full report soon). She says to me, "you can find that stuff" in the little shop in her "home" where they sell dead people's things*. (She didn't actually say dead people. She said, "where they sell things after people " and she acted out dying.) Anyway, she continued, "you can get ornaments like that for twenty cents." My heart felt a little stab. She made sure to tell me they clean everything with Lysol so you're not getting their germs. I'm pretty sure that I'm not dying from what they're dying from for 50 years or so, you know? She kept going, "There's also Waterford and antique furniture...not just junk" she says waving her hand in the direction of my magazine. The old people certainly can turn a phrase...and one that makes you feel extra special for doing needlework. 

There were a couple of older nuns in too. The younger one asked if I was working on Hardanger fabric, and when I told her it was 35 count, she told me it didn't look that small. She said she had a basket of needlework in her closet. She thinks she'll start carrying it around. Really? I thought stitchers just automatically carried it around. Anyway, she had brought a book but wouldn't read while the older sister was sitting there even though she had encouraged it. They sat together in silence. Yeah, definitely bring the needlework next time, Sister.

Today's post is illustrated by Liz Turner Diehl's Sixteenth Century English Knot Garden, stitched on a random khaki evenweave with the Madeira threads and Glissen Gloss I bought in 19dickety2. There's a lot of confetti stitching in these outer borders...

*White Horse Village's "The Stall." Open Thursdays 9-1.

13 comments:

Deb said...

One of my biggest pet peeves with doctors visits is the waiting. Like there is a sign at one that if you're 15 minutes late for an appointment then you will have to reschedule. But what if he's late - do I get my money back - or get my visit for free? Not gonna happen. Since when is our time not valuable.

Anyway, enough rant. I'm glad that everything is fine with your eyes and I love your stitching! It looks quite complicated, but I love the specialty stitches that I see.

And why did my skin break out in goosebumps when the woman was talking about "where they sell dead people's things"?

Heather said...

I'm glad to hear that it isn't anything particularly dire with your eye. Finger crossed that it doesn't get any worse ever.

Very strange story about the lady.

Beth said...

It is pretty common for really near-sighted people to get retinal tears. I beat you though cuz I got 'em in my mid-20's! I'd encourage you not to worry as mine have not changed at all in over 25 years. Hang in there!

Andrea said...

Aw, fireworks aren't so bad.. One time I saw the light bulb go off in the pantry. Then I remembered. There is no light in the pantry. Bonus, b*tches!
Hasn't slowed my stitching down however. So that's good. Wouldn't want my kids to miss on on that 50 cents they'll get for the stuff when I'm, you know (dead).

Hazel said...

You are seriously one funny dude! I think I need to go get my eyes tested. They have been blurry for ages but i just keep thinking it's sleep in them or something.

Kristen said...

I hope your vision doesn't deteriorate. Losing sight is a scary idea for anyone, but for a stitcher? I have considered this scenario and it gives me nighmares!

Love your knot garden! Looking forward to seeing your progress on this piece: maybe it will motivate me! I have this one and most of the LTD gardens, and haven't stitched a single one. As much as I love them, I guess I'm a little intimidated by all the specialty stitches.

Margaret said...

Senile? Definitely not. Maybe those retinas are but not you!! I am inspired to pull out my kit of the same knot garden and commence ... after I finish off the current two projects. All the best.

Catherine said...

Yuck on poking and prodding of any kind!!!
Too funny about how the old lady described all that to you!

Jennifer said...

I loathe waiting in doctor's offices, but at least at the eye doctors, you're not sitting around listening to sick people hack and cough and feeling like you're trapped in a germ infested room.

Vision problems scare me. I've worn glasses since I was 7, my grandparents had cataracts, and my mother has macular degeneration. I'm pretty sure I'm screwed at some point.

I'd love to have a witty comeback for people that make rude comments about stitching, but the most I can manage is to give them an impatient look. Probably because I can't understand the motivation that would prompt someone to think it's okay to make said comments in the first place.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the senile eye problems. Like it's not bad enough we love an "old lady" craft, you've got to have senility problems before your time, too? I've always liked this design.

Needle Nicely said...

May you stay with the average on this ailment, though we all know you're far above the curve in many other aspects.

Coral said...

I love your garden!

I'm sad your eyes are senile - ahem!!

I'd have asked where they sold all the dead peoples stuff and be down there like a shot! Thread and fabric for 50c? I'm in!!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

I love old people LOL!
My favourite is where they run down an entire segment of the population (teenagers, single mums, red haired people etc). Then look at you and say "I didn't mean you, you're not like all the rest of them".
I wonder if there is an Order of Stitching Nuns?