The blog is on hiatus for a couple of days — UPDATED
I get to celebrate my birthday, Thursday morning, under the hands of a plastic surgeon specializing in eye repair. Courtesy of age – and my Italian grandma’s genes. 
I won’t be allowed to peer at a computer screen or television for a few days afterwards – and this is not the time for experiments with dictating blog posts to my iMac or iPad.
I should be back by the beginning of next week, Monday, 18 February.
UPDATE: 16/Feb — Peering out from inside this gray head, the surgery appears to have gone well. I can see better, a more complete field of vision than I have had in a number of years. Prognosis from the experts – doctor’s visit next week.
UPDATE: 18/Feb — Eyes appear to be working better than ever. Next Tuesday morning – the 26th – will tell the in-depth medical side of the procedures. And the removal of stitches [ouch].
Meanwhile, I’m resuming a limited schedule of posting – extending back out to all the blogs where I contribute over the next few days.
UPDATE: 26/Feb — Stitches removed this afternoon. I’m happy with progress. The doctor is happy with progress. Complete field of vision – and it will only continue to improve over next few months. The doc is going to use me as his poster child.
Holler at your Congress-critter to support Bernie Sanders' bill to 
Good luck my friend.Do not criticize too much your mother genes. Perhaps your sight will be a bit weak, bur your span of life wikk be longer…..A big hug
exult49
February 13, 2013 at 7:18 pm
Eideard, good luck with the surgery and best wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope the surgeon wan’t trained in a country with socialized medicine:)
Malcolm Greenhill
February 13, 2013 at 7:27 pm
Those Canadian doctors are so dangerous compared to the doc raising funds for membership in the Palm Springs Country Club.
PEI Pete
February 15, 2013 at 11:56 am
May the surgery go well and may you be back to normal before you know it.
tomsimard
February 13, 2013 at 11:37 pm
Happy birthday Eideard!
If it makes you feel any better, I spent my 21st birthday getting plastic surgery to remove a cyst from my face. Let’s just say I exercised my newfound lawful privilege to the fullest extent that night.
James Kalìwæ
February 14, 2013 at 1:55 am
Happy Birthday Ed~
Take this time to enjoy your other senses to the fullest ~
explore sounds (great music is enhanced by closing your eyes ~ active listening ~ when I practice this, I see fantastic patterns weaving in my mind),
scents (subtle scents can become delightful surprises..
Taste comples foods,
And touch ~ enjoy the feeling of the wind, the sun, the brisk coolness of a moonlit night.
As always ~ live, learn, love & laugh
Be well, my friend ~
Ursa ~
February 14, 2013 at 3:22 am
ahem ~ that would be ‘complex’ foods ~ (sighing at my ‘type O’ – typo genes).
Ursa ~
February 14, 2013 at 3:38 am
Best wish, Eideard.
I hope that the operation goes well, and that your recovery is speedy and complete. As others have said, let your other senses take the strain while you are without sight. I had an operation on my eyes about 50 years ago, and found my sense of smell, touch and hearing were vastly enhanced for that short period. Helped by a lovely nurse, I may say: I was a much younger man, of course.
I’m sure I speak for all when I say we look forward to the resumption of normal services in due course.
martynwilson
February 14, 2013 at 5:16 am
My best wishes Eideard for a successful surgery and speedy recovers.
rickbraveheart
February 14, 2013 at 1:48 pm
good luck with your eyes precious things indeed, hope to see you posting away again soon!
morgansherrah
February 17, 2013 at 6:28 am