People occasionally tell me I have a good eye for things. And maybe I do. But I also have a bad eye. This eye, my bad eye, is plum tuckered out. And I don’t blame it. It’s been through a lot. A virus has plagued my left eye for over a decade. Sometimes it quiets down and behaves itself, but even still, years of medication use have led to other complications. It’s doing everything it can to keep up with my good eye, but frankly, it is losing the battle. And so this week, my bad eye is at the University of Minnesota for a little surgical intervention.
There was so much I wanted to write about before giving my attention over to my bad eye. I was hoping to give the inaugural spring garlic report. I will let slip that the brave new shoots were nearly buried in 3 inches of snow Saturday night. But that’s the beautiful thing about garlic. It doesn’t mind so much. And even I had to admit that the green and white contrast was striking. And I was going to tell you all about the ingenious “Bloody Mary Burgers” that my husband Mark grilled up – in spite of the wintery April weather. Think Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, Tabasco, a dash of cajun salt, and a squeeze of sun dried tomato paste mixed in with the ground chuck. Mix yourself an umbrella drink and you could almost pretend it is summer.
But some weeks, no matter how hard I will it to be otherwise, time gets the better of me. And this past week was one of those weeks. I guess I’m not holding my breath for the week ahead either. I’m afraid all I have to offer up is a couple of photos I took at the Franconia Sculpture Park en route to Minneapolis. I was instantly attracted to – or rather into – a big, rusty barrel of a sculpture. Once inside, the bright sunshine and gusty winds were blocked, but small rays of light seeped through the seams at odd angles. It felt safe and comforting inside the tube. It felt like a good place to be.
I had one of those moments of brilliance that typically last only a split second and are not easy to express. But in a nutshell, I felt so glad, so lucky, to be standing in a dark tube and seeing light. And that was it. It sounds hokey, I know. But it was the little push I needed to get myself on down the road towards my destination.
Good and bad aside, the one constant that both of my eyes provide me is perspective. And I’ll never turn down a serving of that.
Garlic Pig 
Jill, I hope the wonder docs at the U can work some of their magic on your eye. We will be thinking about you. Judy
Thinking about you Jill. Thanks for the post.
Jill – we love your perspective. Good thoughts being sent your way.
Love you, Jill!
Sorry to hear of your eye troubles. My prayers will be with you. Let me tell you again how very much I enjoy your writings!! Love, Marlys J. {First cousin once removed!! :-)}
Thanks everyone for your kind words and thoughts. I’m glad to be home and recovering. The surgery itself went really well. I go back next week for another follow up and am hoping for good news!
Hey girl. I’m a bit behind but hope your surgery and followup go exceedingly well. I admire your way of seeing things!