Friday, September 25, 2009

This is not a sob story….

I was born legally blind. My parents did not know until I was four. From that day on, I wore glasses. I remember getting them and the whole world looked brighter. When I was in high school, I got contacts and wore those for almost 35 years. When I was very little one of the doctors told my parents, if she is lucky she will get cataracts when she is older. Well, I did! Every time, I went to the eye doctor I would secretly hope they would say,” We have a miracle for you, after today you will see”. Alas, that did not happen. About 10 years ago, I did have cataract surgery. I flew from Chicago to New Hampshire to see this wonderful doctor. I did not know that a lens is inserted in you eye; to me it is like having a permanent contact in your eye. For the first time in my life, I could see the clock by my bed without glasses! I was ecstatic!! Therefore, I flew back out to do the other eye. Now, one in a bazillion have a problem, oh yes, it was me! After the second eye, I lost the central vision in that eye. If I use just that eye, I will see the shape of a face but no features. Yikes, no more driving at night! No more cross-stitching! No more middle vision! But, life goes on and you deal with what God hands you and I did. I now wear glasses again and bi-focals so I can do my work. Life is fine, I can see, I can drive, I can quilt.
HOWEVER,…
One of my special loves was gone, the joy of reading! Audio books were not for me, I like to be the voice of the character, and I like to be in that world. Large print books, no, a 400-page book becomes 800 pages, man that is heavy,
Today at my door, arrived my saving grace.
I got the “Amazon Kindle” for my birthday!!
I do not even know where to start it has been so long since I read a good book.
Hmmm ,War and Peace?
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin?
Romance, na’ not for me
What a wish I could read are the National Treasure movies! I love history, especially American history, but in a story form.
I have no idea where to start!
Hey, have you read any good books lately???
Have a great weekend!


38 comments:

  1. uh...watch out for your pocketbook! it's just a little too easy to go download a book and have the magic fairy charge your credit card ;)

    there's a lot of "classics" that should be available for free...

    on a less classy note, there are a bunch of free Harlequins available: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Deals-Kindle/b/ref=amb_link_84305771_21?ie=UTF8&node=1268197011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-1&pf_rd_r=0W9CXCFXVXWMQD6K6MDN&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=489668811&pf_rd_i=133141011

    if you haven't read them yet, I suggest Marley & Me and the Twilight Saga

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  2. I was so glad to get to the end of your story to find that you can read again. If you like history in story form, have you tried any of Thom's books? Whatever you choose I'm sure you're going to enjoy the company of an old friend in a new form.

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  3. My grandson was diagnosed as legally blind at age 2. He has fovial hypoplasia. He is now 6 and seems to do ok with glasses.

    I am so glad that the Kindle is yours so you can enjoy your books....

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  4. Howe wonderful for you to be able to read. Oh no, this is no sob story, it is a story of someone who accepts what we are dealt in this world with grace, and strives to make the most of every minute. This is not a sob story, this is a success story! Suzie. xxx

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  5. yayy for you! oh, so many good books out there...be sure to go to amazon and start an account and sign in...then pick just a few titles that you like (just pick - you don't even have to order yet)...after that, amazon will make recommendations based on your interests! like a personal shopper! how cool is that?

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  6. the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a wonderful book. It has history and geography and a little romance surrounding the Island of Guernsey following the Second World War. I loved it. Read it, it is so worth it.

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  7. Right now I am reading The Time Travelors Wife and really enjoying it! If you love history one to try, if they have it, is a book called "Down the Common" by Ann Baer. It's a fictionalized version of what life was really like during the medieval times. I loved it!

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  8. I am so glad you found something that works for you! Ok, best books I have read lately...The Hunger Games and its sequel Catching Fire. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was wonderful. And Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cover Series and Blossom Street Series. That should get you started! Hooray for Jane!

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  9. All 11 books in the Horatio Hornblower series are a fabulous read. That was my reading for one summer a few years ago. Mark Twain's Joan of Arc is also one of my favorites. Don't know if these are available for your new gadget, but might be worth a look.

    Glad to hear you can enjoy reading again!

    MGM

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  10. The end of your story was fantastic. I love mysteries. Right now I'm reading "A Clubbable Woman" by Reginald Hill.

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  11. So does the kindle let you zoom in? is that why it would work for you?

    I've been reading East of Eden for the last few weeks, I'm almost done with it and I love it!

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  12. Good for you! My aunt was born blind in one eye and does quite well drives, reads, everyday things etc. I applaud you for doing what you like and sticking with it!! As for recommendations, where to start... I love the Jennifer Chiaverini Elm Creek Quilts books, currently reading my favorite author Mary Higgins Clark if you like a good mystery. I have lots more if you would like me to e-mail you more suggestions. I would love to know how you like the Kindle.

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  13. I really enjoyed reading your story. We all have stories, and sometimes it's hard to know how to tell them...you told yours beautifully and honestly - it was a pleasure to share a little bit of your life.

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  14. How fascinating! You will love the Kindle from what I have heard. Isn't it a great time to have vision problems? Imagine if you were born 50 years earlier.

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  15. How exciting to be able to read books again! My favorite book of late is Time Travelers wife.

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  16. I have fairly good eyesight (except for reading glasses) and I'm ready to buy a kindle. What amazing technology we are offered nowdays.
    I just read Guernsey Society too, and would recommend it.

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  17. One would never know about your problems. You are always so upbeat and positive, your piecing is great, and your blogging is fantastic. You have touched others with your fun swaps. You are an inspiration. Yeah, Jane!!!

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  18. What a wonderful story...inspiring...you are one amazing lady. I can not drive at night...nope..if I want to live I stay home.

    I love historical novels....Have fun reading!!!

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  19. Reading is one of my favourite things and I am so happy that you can do it again.

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  20. I am so glad for you! Yippee to be able to read...a great gift and passtime.

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  21. I'm so happy for you! I was just reading about the Kindle. Great invention. I think James Michener writes historical novels. If you would like historical biographies I know some good ones. Blessings

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  22. Jane I am so so so ecstatic for you...I can't imagine a day with out a book at least a few pages...so I'm so happy for you that you have that Kindle now...

    AmazingAunt got one last year and she loves it...has been trying to convince me...but I love the smell of books too much...(is that weird??)...anyhoo...she has read some really great books by suggestion of new releases and the others how bought this also bought section by looking up some of her favorites...

    I can suggest some authors that I love and why/what they write....but that would be too much to include in this comment as i'm rambling already...i'll email you my author list...

    Happy Reading!!!

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  23. what a sad but happy story. I'm glad you can read again, not being able to read would be horrible, I can't imagine it!

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  24. Let us know how you like the Kindle. My stepdaughter says it's really, really cool!

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  25. I am so happy for you!Your quilting is just another example of what we can do if we but put our mind to it. I have two people in my life that are very creative, but can hardly see unless there are bright lights or magnifying glasses available.
    But man, a Kindle giving you a glimpse into books again, I have to share this with them, both are/were readers, too.

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  26. I am so glad this story had a happy ending. I love to read and will read just about anything. But right now all I can see are the large print books. Some them are so heavy I can hardly hold them. Never heard of the Amazing Kindle before. Maybe I should get one.

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  27. What a wonderful ending to your story!!!

    Some of my favorite books are history-based fiction. Margaret George authors come good ones (with lots of pages :D): "The Autobiography of Henry VIII," "Mary Queen of Scotland...," and some others. Then there is Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End." For a non-fiction, "John Adams" was quite good.

    Enjoy and congratulations!!

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  28. I love your attitude, Girlfriend! Wow, you lack nothing in colour vision!
    Hugs - Lurline♥

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  29. What do you like to read? I've read about 45 books this year so far and I really enjoy Young Adult and I've read a lot of middle grade with my 10 year old. If you look at my blog you can click on Good Reads on my side bar and that will take you to my page. There you can see all the books I've read and it's a great place to find other recommendations based on what you like to read. Hope that helps. Hugs, Kim

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  30. Jane,
    It sounds like Kindle was made just for you- the perfect way to read-
    I am sure you are going to have a fantastic time with your new present.
    Happy birthday too.
    Warmest regards.
    Anna

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  31. I am so happy you have found a way to enjoy books again. I know what a joy they bring in my life. I just finished The Help. And throughly enjoyed it.

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  32. wow! Life is a challenge.
    You have a great attitude!
    I was diagnosed "not well seeing" at 4 years old. After that, I have always worn fat glasses. (problems at school with the other children, cause they saw me like a freak; I see myself not special. I had always felt the refuse.)
    My eye doctor told me at 14, that I could have surgery nearly my 20's anniversary.
    I'm now 25 and I can't have the surgery because my sight is getting worse and worse.
    but i'm a little glad: I can read, sew and see the face of my lovely boyfriend and my family.

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  33. Wow, that is an amazing little gadget. My daughter loves living in this electronic age.
    Have fun reading again and how great that you got it for your birthday.

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  34. Well god bless you Jane! I had no idea of your life and it's little testings.
    I won't ever read a book without counting my blessings again!
    I had laser surgery about 10 years ago to correct and astigmatism and even though I use readers now, it was a miracle when I too could see the clock without glasses.

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  35. Wow - I'm so impressed over what you do with having your vision limitations, Jane! Bravo! And a belated Happy Birthday!!! I know so many who really enjoy their Kindle!
    Cheers!

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  36. Oh, how about Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. It's about a German family during WW2. It's very good.

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  37. My book suggestion: I just read Sandra Dallas' "Prayers for Sale" Its about a very cool woman from Civil War through early 1900's and there is a quilt theme that runs thru it. I dearly love listening to audio CD's while I sew, and just finished this story. Let us know how the Kindle works for you. Enjoy.

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  38. My grandma is developing macular generation and having a really hard time seeing and isn't able to read anymore. I immediately thought of you and your Kindle and was wondering how big you can make the font. Would you mind telling me a little bit more? Thanks, Jane!

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I always love to hear your thoughts!