Saturday Spotlight #9 - Making Up for Last Week

Last week, with all the preoccupations of attending a five-day swim meet, I neglected to publish a “Saturday Spotlight” post.  It was a disappointing week to miss publishing this series, because there have been a lot of wonderful things happening “in the blogosphere.” 

Just in case you missed these, today I'm going to “shine my spotlight” on a few of the very special posts I've come across the past few weeks.

#1000 Voices Speak for Compassion.

On February 20th, 2015, 1000-plus bloggers and videographers came together to raise their voices for compassion; each sharing a post about caring and compassion on that day.  I was honored to be a part of this campaign with my post, Eight Questions About Compassion #1000Speak. 

For more inspiring posts, just search the hashtag #1000Speak.

#Across Women's Lives.

PRI's Across Women's Lives campaign is highlighting women's and girl's issues, and global issues of gender equality all year long.  Bloggers are joining in the conversation by writing and sharing posts using the hashtag #womenslives. 

The post, Who Is Farzana Parveen? (by my friend Rena from thediaryofanalzheimerscaregiver.com) is a sad and chilling account of the death of a young woman. It illustrates the inability to make choices for themselves, that some women still experience. Like Rena, I continued to think about this story long after I finished reading it. 

In addition to the two important campaigns mentioned above, I read many other posts this week that I found very moving. 

Here are just a few of them. (Just click on the numbered post titles, to view each post):

I'll Get the Next One

“I'll get the next one.” This sentence is a quote from a paragraph my daughter wrote last weekend on an Instagram post. Just typing it caused my eyes to fill with tears, as it summarizes who my daughter is - and how we should all strive to live life.

“I'll get the next one.” Sometimes we don't have to say it. Sometimes life allows us to achieve our goals. Sometimes we can celebrate or even just take our life successes for granted.

There are other times, however, when circumstances get in the way and our goals are not met. These missed goals can be of any sort one can imagine - from a grade on a test, a job opportunity, a weight loss goal, a scheduled flight connection, or even a failed recipe. Responses to these disappointments can be varied, and it is easy to give up. But, a lesson both my kids seem to have learned (and that I am learning from them) - the very best response is, “I'll get the next one.”

Swimming is an unkind sport. It is unrelenting in its demands. A competitive swimmer is no stranger to early (very early!) morning practices, cold pools, chlorine-ravaged hair and skin, and races determined by sometimes a one-hundredth of a second. The higher the level of competition, the greater the demand. In college swimming, it all comes down to a few races at the end of the season. Nothing else up to that point really matters that much. There is a lot of pressure to be at your very best on the days of the championship races.

When it comes to swimming, my daughter has had to tell herself often that she will “get the next one.” A year-round swimmer for many years, she has had seasons cut short by pneumonia, appendicitis, injuries and other illnesses. Quitting the sport she loves never entered her mind. Wallowing in her disappointment (as I sometimes have done for her) has never been her style. Although her swimming career has sometimes seemed like a series of one-step-forward and two-back; instead of quitting she just keeps working until she can finally leap ahead in a three-giant-steps stride. Watching her has been a wonderful example of how to live life.

I was in San Antonio, TX last week to watch my daughter and her team compete in their college championship meet. Her teammates broke many school records and had some terrific swims. My daughter’s first race ended on a bad note, when she snagged and ripped her brand new (expensive!) racing suit while climbing out of the pool. Whether it was related to the influences of wearing a ripped suit, nerves, or other circumstances is unclear, but her subsequent middle-distance swims were not as fast as she had hoped. Still, she and her coaches remained excited and optimistic for the mile, her best event.

Her mile swim started off with swimmers taking their marks, like any other race. And then, it happened. Immediately on impact, after diving into the water, my daughter’s goggles broke at the nose piece. Snapped and flew off her face - still caught in her cap but dangling, useless, behind her neck.

As soon as she surfaced from her dive, it was apparent that something was wrong.

She surfaced from her dive and began to swim with her head well above the water, screaming to her teammates on the pool deck to get her new goggles. They sprang into action. Goggles were offered and passed hand-to-hand, until her coach met her with them at the end of the lane as she finished the 75th yard of this 1,650 yard race. Treading water, without touching the bottom or lane lines, she caught the goggles as they were thrown to her. She whipped off her broken ones, settled the new lenses over her eyes, and resumed the race. By this point the rest of the swimmers were easily a length or so ahead of her.

I can't describe how sad I felt for her. All that work, obliterated by the snap of a thin piece of plastic. I watched her continue to swim, and imagined an increase in the salinity of the pool. I was sure her tears were leaking from the borrowed goggles (which could not possibly fit as well as her own) and mingling with the chlorine. To keep myself from crying for her, I began to watch and cheer on her teammate, who I also hoped would swim well.

After a few laps, I focused again on my daughter. The gap was closing between her and the other swimmers. I just stared at her for a while, unable to dare hope that instead of being lapped, she was actually gaining on the field of swimmers. Instead of giving up, her pace was steady. Not only did finish a race that from the start seemed impossible; she did not come in last. Her time was not what she had hoped for or even a personal best - but it was such a courageous swim that she gained the respect of everyone at the pool.

Yes. My daughter will keep this promise to her team and to herself, and she will “get the next one.” But she “got this one” too. Sometimes the victories in life are not the ones we seek.


Having goggles break is just one obstacle life can throw at us.  How do you deal with challenges and disappointments?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

GI Distress.

This post is late going up today, because in my electrolyte-imbalanced state yesterday, I just couldn't muster up the energy to write it! 

Last Wednesday I wrote about my fears that I have become a “helicopter parent” to my pets. This week, it wasn't me who called the vet!

Twice a day - for ten days.

On Monday, just back from traveling, I picked the dog up from the kennel.  I was told she had developed diarrhea the night before.  The kennel we use is wonderfully conscientious about providing good care, and had called the vet. There was medication waiting there for me to pick up.  Pills. To be taken twice daily for ten days.  Tablets I would have to shove down my dog's throat, until her gut settled enough to ingest any food or “pill pockets” that could be used to disguise them.  Sigh.

I commented on how pretty the dog was, and thanked the kennel staff for grooming her before we drove away.

I was nearly to the vet when the stench wafted up to me from the back of the car.  Masked somewhat by the smell of shampoo, I realized why my dog had been groomed - but it seemed she again needed her hind quarters to be washed.  Poor dog.

Since Monday, the dog has had to outside or confined to our laundry room.  There has been no point in giving her a bath quite yet.  I did try, quite unsuccessfully to scrub her with some towels, but her soiled fur resists cleaning of that type.  

Yesterday, in addition to dealing with all this, the cat coughed up a present on the rug, and seems to be eating less. Sigh.  Probably time for another cortisone shot. To top it all off, I also developed GI symptoms. I will spare you the details, but is it coincidence or could I have caught this from my dog?!

Fortunately, we all seem better today.  I think it is time to give the dog a bath!

This is not the first time our dog has critically needed a bath - this photo was taken a few years ago during a hike!

When pets share our indoor living space, they can present some challenges. Do your pets live inside or out?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

A Sheepdog Named Buddy - and His Dish

I recently wrote about my pets, past and present.  Doing so, I was reminded of the antics of the Old English Sheepdog we had when I was growing up.

A dog with two names

His name was Buddy.  Well, actually he was registered as "Somebody's Bluebeard," but we only ever called him Buddy.  His bloodlines were pure, but hip dysplasia was prominent in his genes.  I am a little foggy on the details, but he became ours on several conditions. My parents had to agree that: 

• we would give him a good home
• never sell him or allow him to sire a litter
• never neuter him.  

Strange and potentially difficult requirements - but true.  We honored the agreement. 

My Mom and Buddy

My parents probably lived to regret the "never neuter" clause. If any dog needed his hormones to be calmed a notch, it was Buddy.  But - that's another story!

Our dogs lived on a large fenced area of our property in a beautiful big doghouse my dad built for them. We fed them heartily out of big metal dishes.  Almost as soon as Buddy came to live with us, he developed two habits which we could never break.  I remember them well, because they had a direct affect on me.

A Dog Who Liked to Play Tag 

Buddy would finish eating, then immediately pick up his metal dish and run away with it.  It was often my job to feed the dogs and bring their dishes inside, so they would be ready to be filled for the next meal.  A game of chase would ensue, which was exactly what Buddy hoped for. I would rarely be the winner.  

I would try playing with our other dog and pretend to be indifferent, with the hope that Buddy would drop the dish where I could snatch it. Sometimes this would work.  Sometimes it was just too cold out to wait for that to happen.  I would go back inside, knowing the dish would have to be collected before I fed the dogs again.

We would be tired of this game of chase long before Buddy ever was!

Dirty Dishes

The second habit was the reason it was so important to bring the dishes indoors after the dogs finished eating. If a dish was left outside, the next thing Buddy would do was pee in it.  Yes - he urinated regularly in his own food dish!  Sometimes he filled our other dog's dish as well. We could not figure out why.  

I will never forget having to knock slushy, frozen urine out of the dog dishes before bringing them inside. Fortunately, we had a sink in our mud room where I could scrub them with hot and soapy water, prior to filling them again with dog food.

Our Buddy Dog - just as I remember him! A black nose buried in a mass of fur!

My family and I loved Buddy, and so did our other dog.  He was a pet with numerous good qualities - and a few really strange quirks!

Have you ever heard of a dog doing something like this?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Sharing a Story of Success Against All Odds

I have been having Internet difficulties, so today's post did not happen as I planned. I hope to be “back in the blogosphere” in full force next week, catching up on as much as I can that I have missed reading over the past few weeks. 

In the meantime, today I am sharing something that made me smile.  I saved this link after seeing it on Facebook one day.  I don't think you even have to be a passionate animal lover to appreciate it. Be sure to read the story that accompanies the photos.

I hope it makes you smile, and reminds you of how sometimes the seemingly impossible really is impossible.

Unfortunately, I can't find a way to embed the full story here, but click on the following link or paste it into your browser to view the uplifting video that I saw posted by boredom therapy.com:

Man Rescues Newborn Flying Squirrel Against All Odds.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Am I a Helicopter Parent - to My Pets?

I just finished instilling eye drops in my dog's eyes. Thought I don't really consider myself a parent to my pets, her recent bout of canine conjunctivitis inspired me to write this post.

My family had numerous pets while I was growing up:

• Several dogs.  
• Quite a few cats  
• Baby chicks (Yes, baby chicks. You read that right - we brought them home after they were incubated in the classroom, but gave them away when they became chickens!)
• A frog
• 3 (maybe more?) turtles
• 4 rabbits
• A horse

My children have had a few pets, but not nearly as many as my sisters and I did:

• 3 fish
• 1 turtle
• 1 cat
• 1 dog

I have no memory of where or who the vet my parents used might have been. The only times that I know of when they took our pets to the vet were the following:

• My grandmother's cat (transported, hissing in a fabric laundry bag) when he was severely injured in a fight.  
• Our sheepdog, after he pounced on and bit a porcupine. He had so many quills in his paws and throat, anesthesia had to be given before they could be removed.
• My Irish Setter, a tumor (found to be benign) was removed from her shoulder.

I'm sure that perhaps our pets received immunizations and some check-ups, of which my memory is just hazy.  I do know, however, that my parents never visited a veterinarian with anywhere close to the same sort of frequency that I have.

I drew the line at fish. They never saw a vet!  But, when our goldfish became ill, I did scour the Internet for a cure, and treated them with a variety of medications.  One fish  survived (for a few more years) and the other did not. The Beta fish‚ lived only a short life with us, and was greatly mourned.

The turtle was a summer pet, released back into the wild by my small children in time to hibernate,  probably better nourished and healthier than when he wandered into our lives!

Our cat and dog?  Let's just say I could probably set my car on auto-pilot and it would find its way to the vet! You won't believe what their medical history entails:

• Annual checkups and vaccinations. 
• A series of steroid injections for the cat, due to a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.  
• A barium swallow, X-rays and special dog food when the dog was a puppy.
• Several rounds of eye drops; and I've become skilled at obtaining urine samples from the dog!
• A horrible bout of kennel cough (dog) and a wet sneezy cold (cat). 
• Surgeries (4 for the cat and 2 for the dog.) Even as I write this, I can hardly believe that myself! 

Are these pets just sicker than the ones of my youth? Are we more tuned in to their health because they live indoors, in close proximity with us? Or - did we just treat animals differently in the past, and allow more of their ailments to heal themselves?

I'm not sure. But, I do know that every pet I have every owned has been extremely well-loved!

How well do you know your vet?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Why We MUST Say “Like a Girl” - #women'slives

On February 3rd, 2015, a journalism project called Across Women's Lives was launched. It is the result of a media partnership between She Knows Media and Public Radio International.  I accepted an invitation from Blogher to participate. I am embarrassed that my involvement has gotten off to a slow start, but I am looking forward to sharing and writing more posts on this topic in the future.

Today I am adding my voice to the #womenslives campaign by sharing a link to an article I wrote earlier, and expanding on the theme of gender equality.

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On June 30th, 2014, I published a blog post “Like a girl and Proud of It.” In it, I shared the video for the Always "Like a Girl" campaign that I had just seen on Facebook.  The phrase “like a girl” has traditionally (sadly) referred to doing something weaker or with less ability than a boy/man could do. In my article, I proudly gave an example of how my daughter, as a competitive swimmer, has challenged this ridiculous stereotype.

You can read my previous blog post and see the Always campaign video by clicking here: Like a Girl and Proud of It.

Writing and journalism are now common career choices for women, although they were not always an option. My daughter has written several published articles, so perhaps it could be said that she not only swims "like a girl," but writes "like one" too!

In one of her recent swimming articles for Swimming World, my daughter pointed out that Olympian Katie Ledecky, a high school senior, is so fast she owns an Olympic Trials qualifying time in the men's 1500m freestyle event. As my daughter eloquently put it, “all but the very best male swimmers typically understand that somewhere out there, there is a girl who can beat them.”  I would expand upon that by saying that most boys/men should probably understand that somewhere out there, there is a girl/woman who can accomplish as much or more of nearly anything that they can do.  (I said “nearly” because there are a few things in life that biologically only men can do, and others that only women can do!)

Our society is beginning to understand that accomplishments are not often defined by gender.  Efforts such as the “Like a Girl” campaign are in-part responsible for this changing mindset. Proof of this is how tremendously popular the hashtag #likeagirl became, when the video aired as a commercial during Super Bowl Sunday.

I read a written criticism of the "like a girl" slogan by someone who pointed out that “athletes are athletes,” and since we don't say “like a boy” why should we say “like a girl”?  My argument would be that we must say it. It is only by associating these words with what a girl can truly accomplish, that we can break the previous stereotype associated with the phrase.

Ideally, hopefully soon, there will be no limitation of accomplishments imposed, implied or assumed by gender; and efforts - whether male or female - will be equally recognized and compensated.

What is an example of gender inequality you feel needs to be changed?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Saturday Spotlight #8: German Chocolate Cake.

I know quite a few people who consider German Chocolate cake their favorite cake, including both my husband and a friend we had over for dinner last night. Our guest's birthday is tomorrow, so deciding what to make for dessert yesterday was easy.

The recipe I use to make German Chocolate cake is unusual, and always such a hit that I have chosen to “shine my Saturday Spotlight” on it today!

A dear friend has given my husband and me a subscription to a cooking magazine every year since we have been married - first Gourmet, until it was no longer published, and most recently Fine Cooking.  I have discovered many good recipes from these magazines over the years. When I saw the Inside-Out German Chocolate Cake recipe published in the March 2000 edition, I knew I had to make it for my husband's upcoming birthday.  I have made it nearly every year since!

This recipe differs from the traditional German chocolate cake, as the cake is coated in a thick fudgey semi-sweet ganache. The toasted-coconut and pecans in homemade caramelized filling is delicious enough

Eight Questions About Compassion. #1000Speak

When I decided to add my words to the 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion campaign, it seemed it would be an easy article to write. Once I began, however, I realized compassion is more complicated than I thought.

Considering this topic, I ended up with more questions than answers. I am sharing them and my thoughts here, but I'm curious about other people's opinions. I hope you'll write some of your ideas and experiences with compassion in the comment section after reading this post.

An article published in the University of California, Berkley e-newletter Greater Good, states that compassion can be defined as: “the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another's suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering.”

1. Can an infant be compassionate?

Babies may not be capable of being compassionate to others, but they are self-compassionate. They recognize their own sufferings, and cry as a way to obtain relief.   

I have heard of twins born holding hands, and I know that some sets of twin newborns seem to be comforted by each other's presence.  I wonder if these behaviors originate from concern for each other, a result of their own needs, or are they simply due to proximity?

2. Is a child born with a caring personality or is it learned? If so, how?

I remember compassion shown by both my children at an early age, perhaps nearly as soon as they could talk. I don't know if caring for others is an innate component of a child's personality, learned by example, or developed through a process of teaching and reinforcement? 

My best guess is that small children have the ability to recognize that others can have feelings similar to theirs, and their compassion stems from treating others as they themselves would want to be treated. 

3. Are some people more compassionate than others?

As a nurse, my feelings of compassion were a vital motivation for providing good care to my patients every day. I tend to be compassionate much of the time in my personal life as well.  I wonder if the compassionate nature of many nurses is reinforced by the suffering they encounter daily, or is it simply the reason she/he became a nurse in the first place?   

Do some people feel a greater degree of discomfort than others, when faced with suffering they perceive is being experienced? 

4. Can compassion occur between humans and other species? 

I think two examples may answer this:

During a long hike, our dog's paw became sore and bleeding. We placed an extra hiking sock on her foot to protect it, and my husband carried her 50 pounds down part of the trail, increasing his discomfort to relieve hers. 

That same dog, rushed over and licked tears from my face, the day I sat surrounded by Halloween decorations - sobbing because I just realized my child who had moved away might never be home again during the time of year Halloween decorations are displayed. I'm pretty sure she was comforting me, not just craving salt!

5. Is society compassionate enough?

When we realize a beloved dog has no good days left, we may end her misery with euthanasia. Human lives are more complicated and therefore not often treated as kindly.

Poverty, hunger, mental illness, homelessness, human differences: these issues do not  receive the compassion they deserve. Yet, sometimes humans as a community really do rise to the occasion.  An example of this is the response to a recent Montana tragedy: “After rancher's death, help pours in for wife, 7 daughters.”

 6. Is being compassionate ever a bad thing?

Sometimes I suspect my compassionate tendencies may be a fault.

I can be too quick to rush in and try to solve another person's problem.  It is important to recognize when a person just wants someone to listen - to not give advice or fix whatever it is that is making them suffer.   

My first tendency is often to reassure another person that everything will be okay - when perhaps that may not be the case. At times, this type of hope can be helpful, but I realize that offering it may be my way of making myself feel better, and it may not be what is best for that person at the time.

7. What is the most compassionate thing I have ever done?

I have been thinking about this for a while, and my honest answer is that I truly have no idea! I read somewhere that the recipient of an act of compassion is much more likely to remember it than the provider.

I suspect my most compassionate actions have been tied to my roles of nurse or mother. The following examples are typical of many people in these positions:  

• Working a full shift without taking a food or bathroom break to ensure the comfort and safety of hospital patients.  
• Working double shifts on Christmas, so a coworker won't have to miss being home with her small children.  
• Staying up all night with a child who is sick or needs the comforting presence of a parent.  

I told my son I was having difficulty deciding what my most compassionate act has ever been. He immediately replied with humor, “Giving birth to me!” While childbirth is hard, it is not an act of compassion, but a wonderful gift!

8. What is the most compassionate thing anyone has ever done for me?

Again, I do not have just one answer for this.  What first came to mind, however, was something that happened when I was a freshman in college.  

I had broken my leg, and was on crutches. It was the very beginning of my second semester of college, and it became evident that I was not mobile enough to benefit from remaining at school.  My parents were overseas, and it was decided that I would fly to England to be with them. 

I forget many of the details, but I remember that my twin sister left her campus several states away to travel (by bus, I think?) to mine. She spent several days packing up the belongings in my dorm room and offering me the emotional support that I so desperately needed at the time. Her actions were the true definition of compassion.

I love the fact that over 1000 bloggers from around the globe are coming together today to speak about compassion. The world just feels a little kinder! You can read the words of others under the hashtag #1000Speak on various social media sites, such as Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Can you answer the last two questions I asked myself? If we all make a commitment to being more aware of any compassion shown to us, and take advantage of opportunities to provide compassion, our world will become a kinder place.

Your turn!  Do you agree with what I have said here? Please share your thoughts about compassion. 

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out! #1000Speak

Fat Tuesday - Mardi Gras in Montana

Today is Ash Wednesday, and the first day of Lent, the season before Easter which many Christians observe as a time to reflect, repent, fast - or refrain from various indulgences.

Yesterday, however, was Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday.” Some of the pagan traditions of this holiday became incorporated in the Christian calendar. As the Christian faith spread through the Roman Empire, these festivities became a prelude to Lent, because the leaders of the newly-forming religion decided it was wisest not to prohibit them!

Fat Tuesday is the last day to indulge before the season of penance. Over the years, according AmericanCatholic.org, it has been known to be “a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event.” Even in New Orleans, (the American city synonymous with Mardi Gras) the huge street party apparently ends at midnight, in observance of Lent. I could devote several pages to information about Mardi Gras, but if you are interested in learning more, the links I provided here are informative.

Various countries around the world celebrate Mardi Gras, but History.com states that Louisiana (the State where New Orleans is located) is “the only state in the USA where it is a legal holiday.” Celebrations and various sorts of observances of this tradition do occur, however, all over the United States.

Helena, MT is no exception. For example, Helena Food Share throws an annual fundraising dinner which is an elaborate Mardi Gras party. And this year, the annual Helena Night to Shine Talent Show had a Mardi Gras theme.

The 22nd annual Night to Shine talent show took place last night at the Helena Civic Center. High school students from the Helena area, no matter where they go to school and with abilities ranging from music, dance, juggling, martial arts, etc., may audition for this event. This year eighteen performances were selected. In addition to their talent, the confidence these performers must have to perform before a sold out crowd of 2000 people is remarkable. (Ticket prices ranged from $10 to $25, and the show always seems worth much more!) Night to Shine is sponsored by the Helena Community Credit Union, and produced by the Helena High School and Capital High School DECA clubs.

This annual Helena event is always a wonderful evening.

My son sings and plays guitar, and he has participated in various acts in Night to Shine for the past three years. This year, the band he belongs to performed a song incorporating piano, rap, beatbox, vocal, and guitar.

My Fat Tuesday overindulgence was perhaps pride, as I watched to my son and the other performers dance, sing, and make music last night.

Did you do anything to celebrate "Fat Tuesday" this year?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

I Ordered Prescription Glasses On-Line!

This is a sponsored post for which I have received an item to write about. However, what I have written here is an honest expression of my opinions. 

I've always hated buying glasses. Until recently!

When I was in fifth grade, it became apparent that my twin sister and I were both having difficulty seeing the blackboard.  A visit to the eye doctor confirmed that my sister and I were quite nearsighted, and needed glasses with nearly identical prescriptions! My first pair of glasses did not make me feel pretty, and I dreaded the attention they would draw the first time I wore them. I was quite shy, and the attention I always seemed to receive as an identical twin was more than enough as it was!

Me -wearing my first pair of glasses!

My new glasses had blue frames and I clearly remember the first day I wore them.  I had decided I would quietly slip them on in math class, when I needed them. A good plan, except that a split-second after I did so, my teacher (not realizing my angst) called me to the board to solve a problem. My new accessory was immediately noticed by my classmates; my memory is that they were kind, but there was definitely a reaction! 

I was overjoyed to switch to contact lenses in tenth grade, and I've never really liked any of my subsequent back-up pairs of glasses ... until my most recent purchase!

In the past, I have rated picking out a new pair of glasses just slightly better than shopping for a bathing suit or the right fit of jeans. Selecting my latest pair of frames was actually fun, however - and painless! I accomplished the whole process on-line, from a company called Firmoo!

The glasses come with a hard and a soft case, a mini screwdriver, and a cleaning cloth.

Firmoo has quite a large selection of frames to choose from, and the customer assistance I received via emails was excellent. I took advantage of the option to upload a photo of myself, and see how each frame would look if I was wearing it. This was a wonderful feature. It worked so well, a person must look closely at the photos to know they were photo-shopped!  I got a really good idea of just how each frame would look!

The photo I uploaded to Firmoo (with the glasses I purchased photo-shopped onto my face) is on the left below, and the photo taken with me actually wearing the glasses is on the right. You can see that the pattern of colors on the frames I received is slightly different than the pair I tried on “virtually.” However, I am very happy with them!

Photo of me with the glasses added to it. / Photo of me actually wearing the glasses.

I found the directions for providing my prescription and correct size information easy to follow. It helped that I was able to look at the writing on my last pair of glasses for size measurements.

The only glitch was that it took 21 days from the time I placed my order (January 14) until I received my glasses on February 4th. The company was very apologetic for the delay. 

Apparently they were having a problem with their standard shipping courier company, and have been trying to solve it. In recognition of this inconvenience and until they can get it fixed, I was told they would be offering discounted express shipping for all US customers.

Here is a screen shot of the discount:

I am amazed that these glasses are so reasonably priced. This was a sponsored post but, had I paid full price, my total cost for these prescription glasses would have only been $36 plus $6.95 for shipping. Most frames without the lenses cost more than that!

My new glasses are very comfortable, seem sturdy, and have a spring hinge. My college-aged daughter really likes how they look on me - and even encouraged me to wear them instead of my contact lenses when I recently spent a day with her! 

I have been thinking about getting a pair of computer glasses for when I am wearing my contact lenses and working on the computer. Once I visit my eye doctor and obtain a prescription of this type, I will be ordering them from Firmoo! 

Here's a few pictures (front view, left and right angles) of me wearing my new glasses. My husband took the photos - he patiently kept shooting until I finally relaxed! (Modeling would not be a career for me!) The fact that I am comfortable sharing these photos says a lot about how much I like these frames - I've always been self-conscious wearing my glasses around anyone that wasn't immediate family!

Next time you need glasses, I feel comfortable suggesting that you shop on-line at Firmoo as well. I am very happy with my new glasses!

Have you ever ordered glasses online? Would you?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out! Note: In the spirit of full disclosure, I received a product in exchange for writing this post and it contains affiliate links, for which I may receive compensation if any purchases are made. All opinions expressed, however, are entirely my own.                                     Post edited 1/23/21

Saturday Spotlight #7: A Life-Saving Valentine.

Valentine's Day has been dubbed by some people a "Hallmark Holiday." While it is true that sometimes cards are bought more out of obligation and timing than loving sentiment, February 14th can be a nice opportunity for expressions of love. The romance of the holiday can be special, but having been a cardiac nurse I see Valentine's day as an opportunity to promote something even more important.

Valentine's Day is synonymous with pink or red hearts. The colorful heart shapes of the holiday can be easily created, by folding a sheet of paper, then drawing half an elliptical shape that comes down to a point,with either end of the line touching the fold.  Cut along the line and open the paper, and voila, a heart shape appears.

The human heart, however, looks nothing like a Valentine's Day heart.  It is about the size of a fist: a hollow pump with four chambers and vessels coming out both the top and bottom.  Most people would not consider it pretty, but it is truly a beautiful piece of human machinery. My Saturday Spotlight today shines upon this remarkable body part!

Valentine's Day presents the perfect occasion to pay attention to more than just hearts of the artistic or emotional variety. This “heart holiday” is the perfect reminder to us all to pay some attention to the thick muscular organ that lies in our chests, and works rhythmically to keep our oxygenated blood circulating throughout our bodies. Just like the muscles that enable us to lift heavy objects, run, or appear lean and fit; our heart muscle deserves attention.

Perhaps Valentine's Day could be a reminder for us all to: