The Eyes Tell More Than Words Could Ever Say.....

 November, 2022....Site: "mootchdocking" (family has hookups for the RV) in Elkhart, IN

Highs: 60's  Lows: 40's-50's

We-l-l-l-l-l...Sparky had her second cataract removed. It was almost as bad as the first one, (the left eye). It was also a brunescent cataract, having turned brown (like brunette, hence brunescent) and crusty behind the lens. The left eye is still swollen, but coming along, the second eye is not swelling as bad as the first. Two weeks after the first eye, one week after the second eye, and Sparky's far vision is suffering. She is seeing double, separate images when looking a ways ahead, like when we are driving down the road. If there is ONE car approaching, Sparky sees TWO of them--one in the other lane where it's supposed to be, and one coming right for us head on. Hard as she tries to make it one image, both eyes can't seem to bring it together. She can see things all around her, and in the distance, but they are just not crystal clear, just kind of fuzzy and a little blurry. She is using "readers" from the drugstore to read and do things close up. She is grateful to still be able to do her crafts and grateful to be able to at least see things all around her. It's just frustrating to have that double vision. Back to the doctor for another followup checkup. They say wait another two weeks, it should be better by then. If not, then glasses will probably have to try and correct the distance problem. Sigh....So hard to wait it out not knowing if it's going to get any better or not, even with glasses.

We love staying at Eldy's son's house. The rooster crows every morning pretty regularly at 7:45 but we're already up by then anyway. Fresh eggs every day if we want some, still warm in the coop when we collect them!

Eldy is trip planning...We have to decide whether we want to go back to Maine for a third summer or not. Not being beach resort town people, we are thinking a different destination this time for the summer. Stay tuned, it's up in the air right now!

Sparky is getting in the fall crafting mode with the cooler weather...Although her eyes are not functioning well for distance, they are fine with reader glasses for close up work. Her favorites are the ornament series from Ebeneezer Scrooge from the designer of the patterns at MMMCrafts, Larissa Holland. Actually, all the holiday ornaments are a favorite from this designer. Check out the little gingerbread house with a little surprise inside-completely hand sewn all the way through.

Besides crafting, there's always the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail available to hop on about 15 minutes from Brian's house, just a short drive to get on the trail at Abshire Park in Goshen, IN. Sparky got her cholesterol down this past year by a lot of bike riding, so she's going to keep that up. Dietary changes, too?  Not so much. Sparky loves her steak and dairy too much! 

Nothing like being passed on the bike trail by Amish on ELECTRIC bikes! But Sparky loves her traditional Trek bike and so she doesn't mind. The Amish are certainly loosening up their living standards a bit with electric bikes, solar panels, and more colorful clothes. Check out the laundry colors on the line at this Amish farmhouse.

The Pumpkinvine bike trail is beautiful no matter what time of year it is. The scenery changes from farms to horse pastures, to town riding, to county road riding, to heavily forested areas, then back out in the open again. Paved all the way, it's very well maintained, no potholes!

Sparky went out for a long ride today, and if you ride mid to late afternoon, you will see the Amish school kids outside at recess, playing baseball in their bare feet! You can also see a sculpture along the trail, depending on what section you ride.

It's so pretty even with most of the leaves gone....

Eldy took a tour of the MORryde plant. MORryde makes RV steps, the kingpin box for hitches, RV railings, chassis, sliding bay trays, battery trays, suspension systems, the drop down doors that are on the back of the big toy haulers (the ones that have patios on the back) , TV mounts, outdoor kitchens, and lots more. He didn't get any because he was so in awe of the factory and their quality and the cool robots were behind walls. Eldy's brother works in product research and development and led the tour this morning. MORryde uses a lot of robotics and Eldo was so impressed by their facilities, he couldn't stop talking about the plant tour when he got back. They have the latest and greatest equipment coming in, he said. (Eldy's brother was a key designer of the steps that are standard MORryde steps on so many RVs now and has been an integral part of the start of almost every new product). There are some really cool modifications to existing steps and railings, etc. and new products coming from MORryde in the near future.

Sparky stayed back and finished up an ornament request from one of her brothers. Mr. Marley....tada! This pattern is one of the Ebenezer Scrooge series from MMMCrafts mentioned previously.

Then on to a folded star Thanksgiving pot holder pattern from Shabby Fabrics for Sparky's Etsy shop, JeanBeanGifts.

We squeezed in a visit with Eldy's family at a great Mexican restaurant in Elkhart, called El Maguey. Eldy's sister and brother-in-law drove all the way from Kokomo to see us for dinner. It was great to visit with his brother and his wife, Shell, too, who live in this area.

Sparky squeezed in a couple of visits with her best friend, also named Jeannie, (who went RVing with us to Alaska) who has been a good friend for over 40 years. So great to reconnect with family and friends!

With all the doctor, dentist, eye doctor and physical therapy (for Sparky's sciatica) pretty much out of the way for now, we head towards Texas to spend Thanksgiving with Sparky's daughter and grandson. Happy fall, y'all!

American Sycamore Leaf It's HUGE!