Saturday, April 20, 2013

Sunshine on my shoulder

Daffodil field behind tulip gardens
After what has seemed like days of rain ever since I returned from southern California (where it was cloudy most of the time), I see the sun peeking out from behind this morning's clouds. The forecast says it will be quite nice this week. The pictures in today's post were taken when Judy and I visited RoozenGaarde on the Monday before I left. Most of the tulips were in bloom, but between the daffodils and the tulips you can see a muddy section; we squished around in rather soggy conditions at the gardens almost two weeks ago. Linda Letters visited the area a bit later and wrote about it here, with some stunning pictures to boot. She had sunshine, which was more than we got.
Gray skies couldn't dampen the festive colors
It's been a stressful week, with the strain of travel plus the awful goings-on in Boston and my disappointment about the background-check bill not passing. But I'm not going there, since there is simply nothing I can do about it. Monday I will see a retina specialist about my eyesight, which is more pressing. I've got AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and my eye doctor wants me to see a specialist. There is no treatment for it that I know about, unless it develops into wet AMD and then they can inject something into my eyeballs (shudder!) to treat that form of it.
Such a pretty pink, don't you think?
Instead, I'm going to concentrate on my garden and look at all the things in bloom around me. Almost every tree is covered in blossoms; many of the earliest rhododendrons are out; and there is much to be grateful for. The sun is shining, brightening up the landscape. It boils down to what I spend my limited attention on, and I'm choosing to look at the positive side of life, even if it takes some effort.
:-)

27 comments:

  1. You are very good at turning negatives into positives. Beautiful flowers can always bring a smile to my face - it's just a pity they are in someone else's garden and not mine. Anyway good luck with your eye appointment.

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  2. The tulips are beautiful... especially the pink ones! And I agree with you that if there's nothing one can do about it, there's no reason to dwell on it.

    And I'm sorry to hear about your eyes. I only recently found out that I have Narrow Angle Glaucoma. Had the laser surgery done back in 2005, but thought it was 'preventative'surgery...?? Anyway, because of this condition, I'm not allowed to use any seasick meds while on the cruise. I did buy a sea-band bracelet. Hope it works!

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  3. a big amen to that sentiment! loved your tulip photos.

    sorry about the eye condition, though. who knows what advancements they're making every day...

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  4. My eye doctor told me that my cataracts are so tiny that it will take "many, many, many" years before I will need surgery. Then I asked him about macular degeneration. He said, "There's no guarantee that you will not get it when you are in your 70s or 80s. That's when a lot of people get it." Best wishes to you, DJan, and good luck to me!

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  5. Good luck at the specialist..macular degeneration..sometimes it is slow going and sometimes quite fast...I hope you find out good news.
    They did background checks on the Boston Bombers years ago..it didn't make that situation any different.
    What I find really scary is that felons are not supposed to have guns..and they do. In our area most everyone has several guns..and permit to carry is quite popular. I can go to a garage sale and buy a gun..how are background checks going to stop those sales? I am not sure what the answer is..if people want a gun bad enough they will find one someplace:(

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  6. Love the tulips! They are my favorite flower. I only live an hour from the Skagit Valley, but have never been up there in the springtime.

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  7. Sunshine on your shoulder indeed. In spite of all you got the right attitude DJ...:)

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  8. I never tire of looking at tulip pictures. I know three people with AMD and they're puttering along nicely with it. That does not mean I'm making light of it. It's nothing you want to ignore but with so much advancement in eye care they do seem to be doing a better job with it these days. I do hope in time they will find a cure.

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  9. It seems that most of us have been missing the sun this spring. It will come. I'm sorry to hear about the eye problems. I hope they can do something for you.

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  10. Love the tulips! Hope your eye appointment goes well. It was good that there was some resolution in Boston.

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  11. Jan....feel the bit of sadness in your voice today and wish I had something profound to say in order to help, but realize that some days are simply like that and sometimes the best things friends can do Is listen and be here. I am here and I would give you a hug if I could
    I was able to see a daffodil "up close and personal" last week when we headed north for a few days. They are such beautiful flowers. To see them WITH tulips like you did would have been stimulatory overload in a fantastic way for me. They are gorgeous in your photos.
    As Monday approaches and you see your retina specialist, I hope you don't mind if I whisper a prayer for a miraculous visit. My prayer is that the news you get will be good news...and that your sight will continue to be strong and mighty.
    Love being here.... Looking forward to a new day tomorrow. Take care, my friend.
    Love,
    J.

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  12. I know it's been raining down your way, but at least your snow is gone.

    Hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting

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  13. Cyber hugs to one of the most positive bloggers I know. I am sending caring wishes through the blogosphere to land firmly at your side.
    Lots of luck with the eye appointment. And fingers and toes crossed that some day soon those background checks will get up.

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  14. Macular degeneration is something that I fear. My mother was nearly blind due to it before she passed. By all means get the best care and advice you can. And then continue to appreciate the beauty around us.

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  15. Those fields of flowers were almost a sensory overload. Just beautiful.
    I just read recently about the amazing hope there is with a new stem cell treatment for age-related macular degeneration. I read it in the Google News, Health section. The article stated they were very close to an actual cure. Have faith.

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  16. We have really strict gun laws in Canada, however; all the criminals and low lifes have guns. Ordinary people like myself have to take courses, apply for license etc. It is so easy to buy a gun if you really want one though.
    I couldn't picture you any other way except positive DJan and hope all your tests are positive too. You entertain us with your stories, your hikes, your sky adventures and I am thrilled to read your posts.

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  17. Sending all the love, light and honeysuckle I can muster...to one of my favorite people on the west side of the country !!

    We've been really blessed, haven't we, to have seen all we have seen and done all we could do. I think I need to go have my eyes looked at too...just got new glasses and other things seem to be happening. Sigh...gettin' old ain't for sissies.

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  18. Good luck with your eye appointment tomorrow D-Jan. Hope it goes well. The tulips are beautiful. We don't have any flowering here as yet.

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  19. Stay positive!!! I do hope the doctor can do something for your eyesight! Hugs!

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  20. Gorgeous tulips, DJan. Yes, this has been a distressing time, news-wise. And no doubt you are concerned about your eyes. Not long ago, there wasn't a single thing they could do about macular degeneration of any kind. I understand your concern but they've come a long way and will hopefully continue to do so. I'll think best thoughts for you.

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  21. These are just beautiful. I've yet to see any tulips or daffodils in bloom. It has been such a cold spring here.

    I'm so sorry to hear about your eyes. Please let us know what you find out. Thinking of you...

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  22. I'm glad you are getting a peek at the sun, maybe the coming week will bring more your way. Those tulips are gorgeous.

    This has been a disturbing week and I was also upset that the background check bill did not pass. But as you said there is no reason to dwell on that we cannot change.

    Good luck with the eye appointment tomorrow. I hope the news is good.

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  23. Wow, these flowers are enough to brighten up any day! Best of everything at the specialist, DJan.

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  24. good luck with the eye doc

    the tulips are amazing

    hugs from me and Hope

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  25. I'm sending positive energy to you for your eye eval. Your attitude is wonderful and will carry you far.

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  26. The world seems like a pretty scary place sometimes. Especially one week ago today. Thank goodness there is still so much beauty around us.

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  27. I'm always so amazed to see all those gorgeous tulips in the northwest. You guys have the most spectacular floral season. Fantastic photos, DJan!

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