A Summer State Of Mind: Seeing Clearly, Feeling Mellow

/ Ally Bean

I finally got some new eyeglasses, as seen in the photo above.

I got the prescription in January, but held off getting new spectacles because I find the whole process of choosing them and paying for them and adjusting to them to be FRAUGHT WITH PERIL.

[Yes, I capitalized those words because I’m shouting them.]

However, now that I’ve had these spectacles for a few weeks, I can say IN ALL HONESTY that these are the best eyeglasses I’ve ever had.  And that’s saying something considering I’ve worn eyeglasses since I was 5 years old.

What I like about these spectacles, beyond the obvious fact that I am seeing details now, is that they are lightweight but sturdy.

This is new for me.

My last pair of eyeglasses were also rimless, but they were kind of weak and wonky.  Taking them off, say to read a magazine whilst drinking a glass of wine, WASN’T EASY TO DO.  The bows of those spectacles would bend and fight me as I removed them from my face.

Annoying little wobbly buggers, actually.

[Wordsmith Alert: please note that I just spontaneously wrote a phrase using five words that each contain double letters. Be in awe.]

However, this new pair of spectacles is cooperative, and stylish, and has a coating on the lenses so there’s less glare.  Meaning THERE’S MORE CLARITY.  And you know I like to see things clearly.

Especially when it comes to pouring myself another glass of wine.  Wouldn’t want to spill any of it, now would I?

~ ~ ☀ ~ ~

QUESTION OF THE DAY 

What is your summer state of mind? I’d love to know. Tell all in the comments below.

~ ~ ☀ ~ ~

101 thoughts on “A Summer State Of Mind: Seeing Clearly, Feeling Mellow”

  1. My “summer state of mind” this year is to remind myself to have a summer state of mind. I need to mellow, relax, STOP LOOKING AT SCREENS and enjoy nature. And enjoy Madame Bean’s fine company. And wear my new sunglasses more. And sit in all of our sitty-spots. Boy, it’s going to be busy.

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    • Zen-Den, yes, you do need to get into an official summer state of mind! I second that idea. Also, so cool in your new shades. Why not go outside so you can wear them more? Hmmm…

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  3. Summer & mellow are another 2 with double letters – in case you missed it. Funnily enough Ally Bean, i’ve lost a pair of specs in last day or so, broken about 2 pairs of readers and just this morning was thinking that when I’m home next week to get my a into g and get a decent pair of specs. Though truth be told I’ve been thinking this since the beginning of this year –

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  5. I’ve been enjoying a refreshing and light rose’ wine lately on the hottest of summer days. Even without my glasses that little bit of pink color helps to signal that I might just be getting a bit heavy handed with my pour. I need new glasses as well, but am waiting on the insurance coverage to kick over in September so some of the expense is covered. I cannot handle the spectacles such as your new ones with the eye pad things…just too uncomfortable on my nose so rimless is out for me. Yours look very sleek and modern for summer reading…and drinking.

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    • Deb, I was all about rose wine last summer. Loved it, but this summer, for some reason, I’ve switched to chardonnay. I take your point about how that pale pink color could stop me from pouring too much. Maybe. 😉

      Eyeglasses cost so much now that I can understand why you’re waiting to get new ones. I’m the opposite of you when choosing frames. I need to have nose pads to keep the glasses from sliding down my scrawny nose. Plastic frames are difficult for me.

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      • Chardonnay is too oaky (oakey?) for me. If I go white I go with a slightly fizzy vino verde or even pinot grigio, but yes- I think this summer will be my summer of the rose!

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        • I know what you mean about the oak flavor. I don’t like those chardonnays either, but I like the ones that are buttery. Although… as the summer gets hotter… I may go back to chilled rose.

          [Years ago a friend explained chardonnays to me. Up until then I didn’t know there were two different flavor profiles for chardonnay.]

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            • Read the label on the bottle [or the little advertising blurb about the wine on the shelf], IF the words say buttery or creamy or vanilla AND don’t say wood, you’ve found your chardonnay.

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              • Excuse me, Wine Nerd here. If you’re looking for no oakiness, confine yourself to a Steel Chardonnay. It’s fermented in just that, steel. It won’t have the oaky profile; rather, it will have the tropical and citrusy notes.

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                  • It should say so right on the label. “Steel Chardonnay” is a thing. Or it could say “aged in steel”, “unoaked chardonnay”, “vinified in steel,” or anything like that. Steel chards are made pretty much everywhere. You can also look for “lightly oaked”–less than 6 months in the barrel, or even barrel-aged in neutral barrels.

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                    • Got it. I’ve had unoaked chardonnays, but they don’t seem to be popular around here. I’ll look for these other terms, too. Thanks. The more you know, the farther [drunker?] you’ll go.

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  6. Nice glasses! I had a pair that I really liked a lot, so when it came time to have my prescription adjusted I bought pretty much the same ones (the old ones were black, these are silver). Picked them in about five seconds, and had no trouble adjusting to them. Given that eyeglass styles tend to change every ten minutes, I was lucky…

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    • John, you were lucky to find the same eyeglass style again. And aren’t you a wild one going from black to silver, like a rebel! I agree that the eyeglass frame styles change every 10 minutes. Or so it seems. I love having new glasses, but I hate the process of getting them.

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  7. I’m glad you found a pair of glasses that you love, Ally. I have had glasses since age four, so I know of the peril and EXPENSE. Yeah, that last one. I got a new pair in February and even with some insurance, they were pretty expensive. It’s the price I have to pay in order to see anything clearly that’s not within a foot of my face (very near-sighted).

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    • Mary, you said it! Style is one thing to consider, but the EXPENSE is incredible. I cannot even begin to tell you how many pairs of glasses I’ve had over the years and I’m thrilled to have had them– but paying for them now is getting to the point that a person needs to take out a home equity loan! 😉

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  8. New glasses are a love-hate relationship for me. I love the concept but rarely find the right combination of lightweight and comfy. In the end it’s the cost that throws me off. My last pair was on sale for $500 (50% off! seriously?) If they cost less I’d get less stressed about making the wrong decision and consider more pairs. I much prefer frameless but I’d much prefer to have perfect vision and not have sliding pieces of plastic on my nose!

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  9. I’m still wearing just one contact for distance. It works pretty well for me. I do have a pair of eye glasses that I wear every evening. It’s just a pain to take them off every time I want to read something.
    Summer has kicked off in high gear for me. Our daughter got married June 2nd. Our oldest and family are moving to a new house in a couple of weeks, so I’ll be helping them. They are expecting their second baby in Sept, and our other son and wife are due with their first baby in August. I’ve been trying to get out to my studio as often as I can….while I can! Time just marches a little too fast….please slow down, summer!

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    • Beth, I gave up on contacts decades ago. Now I’m a spectacled chick– or bean, if you prefer. I really, really like these new eyeglasses because, as you alluded to, unlike my yours this pair is easy to take off and put on. A new fun experience for me.

      Yes, you have it all going on there. I suggest you move to the other side of the country, so you’ll be far away from the mayhem and have all the time you need to paint. Just think how slowly time would pass for you then! 😉

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  10. Right now, I’m in High Anxiety over the impending Heat Wave. Ugh. Why, why, WHY?! I hate being cooped up indoors in AC, and I cannot stand the soupy humidity.

    I am waiting to get my new glasses because I am the Victim Of A Bad Haircut. SIGH. I asked for a TRIM, but got…not that. I have no idea What Happened. It’s complete devastation. Like some bad NBA teams, I am now in a Rebuilding Year.

    Definitely looking into frameless specs, though; contacts are no longer an option for me. Too much dry-eye damage.

    Liked by 1 person

    • nance, it’s hot and humid here already. We’re having predictable late afternoon thunderstorms like you do in southern FL. There the storms are charming because OCEAN with beach. But here, they’re just a pain in the patootie.

      I’m sorry about your haircut fiasco. I can understand why you’re waiting before getting new specs. I’m enjoying these frameless ones because they’re lightweight to wear and because I like the idea that everyone can see my eyes. With dark plastic frames I feel like I’m trying to hide my soul, my eyes being the window into it.

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  11. I just got new sturdy glasses too! They’re black frames, which seems to be the rage now, but it took me a while to get used to the new look. Now I love slipping them on after a day of wearing my contact lenses.

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    • Carrie, my new dark glasses have black frames so I’m hip when I’m in the sun. I bet that you look wonderful in that style, much more with trendy than my traditional rimless eyeglasses. Of course, when it comes down to it, whatever works, works– especially with eyeglasses.

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  12. Summer State of Mind? Hmmmm. I don’t like summer. I love Spring and I admire Fall, but Summer and Winter? Nope. Too hot on the one hand and too cold on the other. Things act up when my body temp rises and as soon as the 80 degree and above temps show up, my temp rises. Someone (in jest) said I have an extra layer of skin to balance out those who are perpetually cold all the time who are missing one. Summer State of Mind: Crabby. Yeah.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Embeecee, crabby is a perfectly understandable summer state of mind for you. I’m not overly thrilled about being too hot, either. I like how pretty the yard and flowers look in the summer– and I like being warm, but hot, with humidity, no thank you. I hope that you’ll be able to stay cool enough this summer so that you feel, if not joyful, at least ok.

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  13. As a long time rimless wearer, I so agree with you. The first few sets of glasses I got were very flimsy and bent extremely easily. We won’t talk about the time I sat on them. These last two pair are still light but sturdy. I love how they blend into my face. Being able to take them off while drinking a glass of wine(or beer in my case) is definitely a priority! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, I like how much more stable this pair of glasses is than previous ones. Plus the lenses are oval now, instead of rectangular, so that I’m seeing more things more easily. I didn’t realize how much better rimless glasses are now, so a pleasant surprise.

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  14. I’m in need of some new glasses. I’ve tried so many different frames but I can’t find ones that look good on me. First off, apparently I have a little face so I need to find “petite-sized” frames, which isn’t easy. Second, I’m fair so frames that are dark look horrible on me. I tried those wobbly, frameless buggers but they felt so fragile. I’m glad you found ones you love… I hope to have the same success one of these days.

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    • Janis, I sympathize. The bridge of my nose is narrow so most adult frames slide right off my face, hence my love of nose pads. I’m fair, too– and look like a total goof in those dark heavy plastic frames. I like this new pair of frameless glasses because they are much sturdier than the previous ones. Sending positive vibes your way as you continue to search for a pair of glasses that works for you. Who’d have thought that such a thing could be so difficult?

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  15. Love your new glasses. The whole process is a bit daunting. How can you tell what looks good on you when you can’t see clearly? I wore one contact for distance when I was working at Michaels so I could see the people in line but still be able to see the computer screen in front of me. It worked well. Now that I am not at Michaels anymore it is back to just glasses for distance. When I’m typing on the computer, I just make the screen print bigger 🙂

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    • Janet, you nailed the problem with shopping for glasses. Fortunately I had a sharp/stylish optician help me and I had Z-D with me. I don’t wear contacts but you’re the second commenter to mention wearing one contact for distance. I didn’t know about such a thing. I made the print bigger on my desktop computer screen this last winter, but even with the new specs I’m keeping the letters big. I like it like this.

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    • nancy, I like summer song lyrics, too. They are a delightful antidote to anything pulling you down. Yes, my eyeglass no-frame frames suit me, better than I ever would have expected.

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  19. My summer state of mind right now is overwhelmed, but I am hoping to move to productive while I’m working this semester and then relaxed/carefree during the three weeks off between semesters.

    I’m glad you can see clearly now with sturdy glasses! So exciting!

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    • Akilah, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately too. Between family issues and political chaos it’s been difficult to focus. However, now that I can see clearly, I’m ready to mellow out. Am hoping that you’ll be able to do the same thing soon.

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  20. Glasses! UGH! I hated wearing glasses so much that 2 years ago I spent a great deal of money for lens replacement surgery to have my prescription imbedded in my eyes.
    Ok – I admit just writing that sentence kind of creeped me out, but it was soooo worth it!!
    Yes, I need readers for fine print, but I’m ok with that 🤓

    I haven’t ever given a summer-state-of-mind any thought. My first reaction would be that this summer is all about going BIG! This isn’t going to be a summer about relaxing and being mellow!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Joanne, I’ve never heard of the surgery you had. It’s a fascinating idea, but… yes, it does sound a bit creepy. I’m glad that you’re happy with the results. I, of course, rather like eyeglasses [see title of this blog], but understand that many people do not.

      I’ll be rooting for your big summer and hope that you’ll find the time to write about whatever bigness you do throughout it. I adore reading about your adventures, living vicariously through you, you know? ❤️

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      • I had never heard of the surgery either until my ophthalmologist suggested it. She specializes in people with unusual or difficult prescriptions (yes, I’m one of those 😕)
        Being glasses free has been wonderful. I’ve hated glasses from the first day I got them when I was 11 and have worn contact lenses most of my life.

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        • What a great doc you have there– to suggest a way for you to ditch that which you hated. If this surgery is going on around here [and I’d guess that it is], I’ve never heard of it. Maybe I’m too locked into wearing glasses, so no doc suggests it. Or I’m not a candidate, which is my situation with lasik surgery. Thanks for telling me about it. I feel better informed, and you know I like that feeling.

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  21. Love the new rimless specs! I hate shopping for glasses, too. And somehow they always end up costing $600 where I live (no bargain dealers).
    My summer state of mind is loving fresh produce from the garden, wondering when I’ll actually get the gumption to pull weeds, as I sit on the porch with my cabernet and swat at mosquitoes.

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    • Eilene, thank you. I like my new spectacles, too– more than any other pair I’ve had, which is good considering the price I paid for them. Oy vey. Your summer state of mind sounds lovely, except for the mosquitoes. I need to get weeding, too– but my wine-infused mellowness has convinced me to do that sort of chore… later.

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  22. I’m in awe ~ of your new spectacles, and your clarity of vision in other ways too. I got new glasses in January. While I like how they look, they don’t fit quite right after several adjustments.. I guess Ralph Lauren has trouble with angles.

    What is my summer state of mind? I’ve been shussing around all week, and I hope the weekend will slow down. Make that s l o w d o w n! 🙂

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    • marian, I’m sorry your new specs aren’t comfortable. I’ve been through that problem and it’s frustrating, like a pebble in your shoe annoying. There are only so many adjustments that the optician can make before I’m ready to scream. [Not literally, figuratively.]

      I hope that you get your slow weekend. This coming week, with the 4th in the middle of it disrupting everything, is going to be a weird one, so rest up accordingly. I’ll be on our deck [or porch] grooving on my summer state of mind, sending mellow vibes your way.

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  23. My summer state of mind is counting down the days until Fall. That is, assuming we will have an autumn season this year since Spring decided to skip out on us entirely. The extreme seasons are just fine with me as long as the moderate seasons in between stick around long enough to make the transition a bit smoother…

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    • evilsquirrel13, I do hope that we have a proper Fall, too. Our Spring just about wasn’t, making this Summer even longer than it normally would be. I like Fall the best of all the seasons, so counting down to it has a certain charm for me, too.

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    • Elen, thank you. I like these new glasses, too. So comfy and stylish, I do believe. Plus I’m seeing so clearly for the first time in years. Your summer state of mind is wonderful. I need to get some things done around the house, so my summer state of mind isn’t going to be wine on the deck all the time… but much of it. 😊

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  26. I am so glad you’re happy with your new spectacles! 🙂
    I love anti-glare. It’s my very best friend.
    Nice wordsmithing, Mrs Bean!
    My summer state of mind is honestly one of “Let it keep flyin by”. One, it’s been too hot. Two, by fall work will be smoother. Three, I hate summer. And four, a bunch of great things happen this fall.

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  27. My thoughts for the summer: glad we are still here in the same house and glad that I have several interesting prospects work wise for the fall and glad I live in Florida although the heat is mummifying and the thunderstorms fierce.

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    • Cupcakecacheblog, you’ve made me smile with your summer thoughts. All good ones, I do believe. I’m looking forward to fall, too– but first I have to mellow out and survive the heat and humidity of summer.

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  28. Oh I so relate to the ordeal of buying (well, that part is relative easy). … of finding glasses. I’ve worn them since I was 12, back when plastic hornrimmed were in. Oh those school photos!! MY summer? We live on 30 acres of Vermont woodland and take our role of steward seriously. Summers are our busy time. At the moment I’m looking forward to visits from my Ohio family: sons and g’kids arriving soon. Ecstatic. Thanks for a great post

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    • Janet, as a child I had those plastic horn-rimmed glasses. They weren’t the most flattering, but they were durable. Your land sounds wonderful, but I can imagine that it takes a lot of time to keep it up properly. Our summers involve gardening, but on a much smaller scale. Have a wonderful time with your kids and grandchildren. I’m sure you’ll have fun stories to tell after they leave. 😊

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  29. New glasses are on my summer agenda. The better to see all the fabulousity I expect summer will bring. Similar to your mindset, I like thinking of energetic addresses, and I’m planning on hanging out at the crossroads of Leisurely Lighthearted and Cranking Creativity.

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  30. I have a love-hate relationship with the summer. Kids out of school? Good. Vacation? Good. Heat? Bad, bad, bad. I tend to feel ill in the heat, and where I live the real feel is routinely in the 90s.

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    • Erika, I’m not enthusiastic about the summer heat either. I turn into a slug, but I enjoy seeing the summer colors so I try to groove on them. More so this year with new glasses.

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  32. Please share the details on your new glasses. I got new glasses last year, and I HATE THEM. They are not as cute as I wanted them to be, and they are indeed flimsy. They mostly stay in their case, while I wear the ones that I intended to throw away. I need a new pair, AGAIN, and I’m eligible starting next month. I would love to know the make and model of those lovely specs, they look like just what I would like to have, esp as they are STURDY.

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    • J, the glasses are a brand called Kazuo Kawasaki. They have [what I believe to be the model #] “710” printed on the inside of the bow and were a color the optician referred to as “brown.” I picked the shape of the lens, in my case oval, then the optician measured and told me how wide the glasses would be.

      I’ve got progressive bi-focals in them, so no lines. And I’ve got anti-glare coating with rolled and polished edges on the lenses. Everything I’ve mentioned here was an upcharge, of course. However, they are wonderful glasses, that are comfy and flattering.

      Hope this helps you. Nothing worse than investing in spectacles, then hating them.

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      • Thank you Ally! Indeed, it sucks. I waited years for new glasses, because I am a cheapskate. Even with insurance, they are expensive, as you know. The thought of paying for them AGAIN makes me grumpy. Not sure if I will buy them this year or next, but I have written down the info you gave me, so I can decide and will get proper, sturdy glasses when I do. 🙂

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        • Best of luck when you go to find your next pair of eyeglasses. I’m grateful that I can afford new ones every few years, but not always so pleased with my choice. Ain’t it the way?

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  33. Love your new glasses, Ally. 😀 I need some new ones too. As for my summer state of mind, my head is in the clouds. I love looking at clouds–seeing what shapes they are. (I have seen a lot of heart-shaped clouds lately.) I like to avoid sock wearing at all costs too. Sandals–yes, sandals and capris. The summer uniform.

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    • L. Marie, I wish you well in your search for new eyeglasses. They’re out there, but require a leap of faith when you go to buy them. Our clouds have been spectacular lately. In fact, Z-D & I were talking about that this morning as we looked at them while sipping coffee on the deck. I’m all about sandals and capris, too. So comfy.

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  34. So far I’m managing with readers (stronger and stronger ones – ordered ion a 6 pack from Amazon – 3 styles and better lenses that locally – now that’s odd as they are cheap in price , too!), but everyone one else here is, to put it kindly, is blind as a bat from childhood – it must be genetic. I hate it when husband has to buy new glasses… such an ordeal – style, colors, where to buy. (Warby Parker has great styles, but not always put together as precisely as needed, he’s bought frames once place and to fit lenses from another – not always as easy as it sounds..although who thought that would go well? And then there’s the “Oh, these look good and cool” when they turn out to be too thin to put up with his everyday abuse – which may not be normal, but it is what it is. HAHA)
    Maybe I’ll just train Molly to be a really good service dog is my eyes go…I can’t take the stress! HAHA
    (Clouds /sunset great here – the Saharan dust cloud made it across…now if I could only breathe)

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    • philmouse, if I could get along with only readers I would, but my eyeballs need much more than that. I know of Warby Parker, but have never met anyone who has a pair of glasses from them. I would need bifocals and all sorts of personalized tweaks on my glasses, so I don’t think online is for me. If you can get Molly to lead you around [safely] I’ll be impressed. The idea of it makes me smile.

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  37. My summer state of mind, to be honest, is a bit out of sorts. I have no idea why and I’m sure I sound a bit woo-woo, but my energy is just…off. I don’t feel much like being a grown up. I’ve spent a lot of time swimming, playing games, going to the park and on other adventures with my kids and very little time adult-ing. I’m sure it will catch up to me this fall, but lately when every I’m around adults, I just kind of want to punch people in the face which is kind of unnerving. (And why I’m not spending a lot of time with adults.)

    Unrelated, I am in complete awe of your sentence – in part because of the double lettered words – but also because it’s just a GOOD sentence wobbly and buggers are two really, really good words.

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    • Kate, I feel that my energy is a bit off, too. This summer has been trying, in the sense of the weather [too humid] and people… well, hypocrisy makes me cranky. I’m intentionally being mellow, having decided that I won’t be pulled into drama, seeing clearly, I guess. I get why you’re avoiding any & all things adulting. Makes sense to me.

      Wobbly and buggers are wonderful words that I need to add to my personal lexicon. One can never have too many words with double letters. 🙂

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