Saturday, August 25, 2007

Speak up, sonny, I can't hear you... or see you...

When I was younger, I noticed that sometimes "older" people would have trouble reading things like a magazine or a newspaper. They'd have to hold it out away from them for a moment until the words came into focus.
I never understood this. It seemed silly. What difference could a few inches make?
[Insert relevant sex joke here]
But today, while I was trying to read the side of a cereal box, I caught myself moving the box just a little further away to bring the words into focus. I couldn't help it; they were... blurry somehow... even though I was wearing my glasses at the time.
**sob**
I am getting old.
Do they make retirement homes for 37-year-old people?
If not, can I just come live with YOU?
.

13 comments:

Travis Cody said...

I've been doing that with directions on various items. Sometimes it's the angle and sometimes it's the distance that brings it into focus.

I keep saying I need to get an eye exam. Maybe I should stop saying it and just do it!

Janna said...

Travis: Maybe we can have rooms next to each other in the old-age home! Wanna play some bingo?

Desert Songbird said...

Are you kidding? I have reading glasses in many parts of the house so I don't have run around looking for a single pair.

Marilyn said...

I'm going to need a hearing aid soon... I just know it, and when I do I'm going to get one and wear the darned thing. I hate it when older people get mad because they can't hear you and then get mad because you are yelling.

Liz Hill said...

Ugh--I hate that. I've never worn glasses at all and now I 'need' the damn things *sigh*

Oh well--in the giant scheme of things it's not that bad I guess.

We have several pair (they are cheapos from WalMart) around the house.

Janna said...

Desert Songbird: I have my regular glasses, but sometimes they aren't enough...

Marilyn: I know what you mean!!

Turnbaby: Oh, sure, in the giant scheme of things, it could be MUCH worse... we could all be missing half our limbs, Bush could find a way to get re-elected for another four years of misery, McDonalds could reveal that it's been using rats for its burgers, Doritos could become poisonous, and crocodiles could take over the world, but still...

The Ferryman said...

You read cereal boxes?

Janna said...

Mr. Fab: I was trying to see how much fiber it had... which, by the way, is further proof that I am old.

Travis Cody said...

I don't mind the thought of wearing glasses so much. As long as Willie and The Twins keep going strong, I'm a happy man!!

Anonymous said...

Do you ever tilt your glasses on your face to make things look clearer? I used to do that all the time. My eye doctor made me feel old when he told me I needed glasses to wear while reading IN ADDITION to the contac lenses I wear all the time. Curse him! (No wait, don't - without him I wouldn't see at all...)
--Peggy

Janna said...

Travis: Willie and The Twins? Sounds like a country music band...

Anonymous: I haven't tilted my glasses yet, but I'm sure that day is coming soon...

katherine. said...

needing reading glasses is not-IS NOT-a sign of getting old...and at 37 you are just a baby (she says fondly remembering 37....)

Janna said...

Katherine: I'm a loooooong way from being a baby. Hear that? That was my bones creaking.