Do You Know What the White Cane Means?

In a recent Wall Street Journal Article, I learned that people under the age of 35 don't know what the white cane means. http://www.wsj.com/articles/hey-whats-with-the-white-cane-1476228132 Back in school, we were told that a white cane means the person is blind or visually impaired. I knew a man that went to college with me that was 75% blind. He could see a little during the day, but he needed his cane for nighttime. Most people use the white cane to scan the sidewalk ahead for obstacles. It's not unusual to see the person clicking the cane ahead of him with his cane. He's scanning the area ahead like you and I would scan with our eyes. He clicks with the cane to determine where the steps and curbs are. I came across a woman on our recent cruise that had a white cane. So, I know people are still using them. If you see someone with a white cane, grant them some courtesy and give them some room. I may even try to point out obstacles for them.

Light Flashes in the Eye Can Result in Blindness.

I have been experiencing light flashes in my eye for quite some time. And called the doctor about it. The last time I saw the doctor was back in March. So, I called the doctor to ask about them, and the nurse told me to come in same day. When they work one in same day, it's something potentially bad. I arrived early, and while sitting in the waiting room, a couple left the exam room, and the nurse got on the phone with our local retina expert. She set them up for later that afternoon. When they left, she said the patient had had flashes yesterday, and was blind in one eye today. So, if you have light flashes, or they're getting more frequent, call today. Because it could mean a detached or detaching retina.

Computer Hassle! What? No DVD Drives?

We tried to upgrade a Windows 7 to Windows 10. It had been getting crankier and crankier. We thought it had done it, but asked for a restart. Then it crashed. My husband had lost the recovery drive long ago, and somehow it had removed all my restore points in the so called upgrade. I know I had restore points at one time, because I'd had to use them a few times. So, off to Best Buy for another computer. Our sales man pointed at a machine and said it still had a DVD drive. My first question: You mean some don't? Apparently the notebooks haven't had a DVD drive for some time, and they're phasing them out for the Desktop models. Fortunately, we could still get a computer with a DVD Drive. Good thing too, because we had just purchased Quicken and Turbotax in DVD format! Move forward to installing my Quicken and Turbotax on the new machine. I couldn't find a button anywhere on the machine to open the DVD drive! Been using computer for over 35 years, and I couldn't open that annoying drive! Finally, I remembered we could open it by going into explorer and right clicking on the drive and pressing EJECT. But be careful! EJECT is right next to FORMAT. Now the kicker! I won't be able to install a lot of my software on newer systems, because they won't have DVD drives!

Driver's License No Longer Enough in Five States

If you're in Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Washington, a driver's license will no longer considered acceptable identification for going between state lines. You'll need a passport. Only half of our states have the proper identification, and the other half were given an extension into October. So, if your from one of the five aforementioned states, be sure to take your passport, just in case you need to fly back. Not sure how they're going to check everyone traveling, but Fox News mentioned needing the correct identification to enter army bases. We renewed our passports this summer, and it took about eight weeks. Be sure to check the photo rules, because they're gotten more strict since the last time we renewed.

Lost Art of Thank You Notes

Now the holidays are over, it's time to send those Thank You cards. It's becoming a lost art. My mother insisted I send out thank you cards for each gift. And that's what we did. She's passed on now, but I still hear her reminding me to send them. She and her sister used to mail letters every week back and forth. Thank you notes are better with the write stationary. I like Carol Wilson Blue Hydrangeas 10 ct Embossed Note Card Set For Arts Sake. Been using it for years!

Christmas Shopping

Back in my working days, I would get one afternoon off for Christmas shopping. And I would have been pretty unhappy to have to walk through a bunch of shouting people only to find the stores closed, like what happened yesterday at the Mall of America. Instead of yelling, why not sing carols and give them a gift? A gift with their group and a slogan printed on it with a website may further their cause in a good way.

Christmas Baking

I've made my mincemeat squares, and this year, with the help of the OXO Good Grips Measuring Cup for Sticky Stuff, 2 Cup it was much easier! Just scoop the mincemeat into the cup, push down on the plunger and it pops right into the pan! It separates for easy cleaning!