Tag: #writing

“I SEE,” SAID THE BLIND MAN…

karenringalls17 Comments

There are a few versions of this phrase:

  • …and picked up his hammer and saw.
  • and waved his wooden leg.
  • to his deaf wife.

The phrase is known as Wellerism, named after Sam Weller in Charles Dickens ’ “ The Pickwick Papers. ” A Wellerism is a sentence or saying written to poke fun at pre-established clichés and proverbs. The mind behind Wellerism is to show that they’re wrong in certain situations, and enough can be made in this paradoxical tone. https://gnurtpro.com/i-see-said-the-blind-man-1646203357

Why am I sharing this phrase? The reason is that since my diagnosis of Adult Macular Degeneration (AMD), six years ago, it has become progressively worse to the point that reading, writing, and such activities are quite challenging. Large fonts (18-24)are now required. I see a retina specialist, take AREDS eye vitamins and wear sunglasses outside and even in the house if the sun is shining brightly through the windows. Otherwise, there is no preventive treatment for the dry form which is what I have.

On the right side of this photo is what my eyes could become if the AMD advances much further. I pray that it does not happen.

Lakeshore Eye Care

I share this only to explain why I have been less active with writing blogs, reading books, and leaving reviews. It has been challenging to read the blogs and emails I receive daily. However, I have learned about adaptive tools on my computer, Kindle, and iPhone to make these activities less challenging.

Just as when I received the diagnosis of cancer and had a 50% chance to live five more years, I chose to live each moment with as much love as I could AND bring awareness to women about gynecological cancers. When my eyes became dramatically worse in a two-month period of time, I chose to continue the same lifestyle of love and awareness. Being bitter and angry does not promote healing or contentment.

I pray that the AMD does not progress any further, but if it does, I pray for the strength to “adjust my sails” like a ship in a storm. It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go. Jim Robin (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/sails-quotes).

My new phrase and motto are: I see, said Karen, as she picked up her book and read.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Your comments are always welcome and give me joy.

YOUR LIFE’S QUILT

karenringalls23 Comments

If you were to create a quilt with each patch representing your life, what would it look like? Would you have the patches represent the lows as well as the highs of your life? Would it show mistakes or failures? What colors would you choose? Would you include lessons you learned, role models who influenced you, or life-changing events?

My life quilt’s background is of many colors. My patches include a central patch with a heart representing my wonderful husband. I have a square of just black, which represents the child abuse. It is small now though it was quite large earlier in life. There are squares for my 3 sons, 8 grandchildren, and 1 for my great grandson. I danced (not always smoothly or easily) through the storm of cancer. Earning my master’s degree was an important goal that impacted my career. Aunt Arleigh has always been an inspiration and there for me. The four stars represent steps in my growing faith and spiritual path from childhood to now.


Writing this blog stimulated my imagination and many memories. Have you begun to design the quilt of your life? I encourage you to do so because it will put your life in perspective, give you a symbolic way to look at it, and for others to perhaps learn something new about you. Just know you can always add or take off a patch. No matter what, the quilt is YOU; that special gift from God.