Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Some Good News and Much Gratitude


First, let me say thanks to all who have offered support and suggestions during this relatively minor tribulation. As lucky as I am overall, kind words during this upsetting period mean a lot.

In good news, my four Dalmatian mollies are still alive, a miracle. Let’s hope the water treatment I’m planning to administer doesn’t kill them. Chemicals automatically lethal to the now extinct loaches should be delivered today.

(and the product arrived, the first of five daily doses given)

A Desolate Sight (5 Tetra Lifeguard Tabs at L and R)
I am happy that my smaller tank remains clear, despite the fact my guppies (all deceased, I am sad to report) from that same ill-fated pet store visit spent time there before being moved. You see, I thought the high speed water flow in the smaller tank overcame one of those three tiny fish right away, the reason I relocated them that very first night.

It’s a mystery if ich or something else killed off the one who survived the longest. That guppy was so small and fast I couldn’t get a good look at its scales. And I didn’t have the heart for a postmortem examination.

Their size alone should have kept me from letting the sales gal talk me into them. ~sigh~ That albino coloration was such a pretty shade of orange. And guppies always seemed so hardy in past.

Live and learn.

On the topic of ‘looking’, my eyeglasses have indeed been fixed. As last fall, the man crafted what he needed from spare parts using a tiny dental drill bit. I spent a total of two hours’ time, an entire Chevy Volt battery charge, three tenths of a gallon of gasoline (the cold weather lowered the battery’s range), and $45.15 (US) paid to Specialeyes, Inc.

It’s not like the lenses can be popped into different frames, so I consider all that well worthwhile considering the hundreds spent on filling this prescription last autumn.

On that note, both failures occurred after the lenses were inserted. So I have a new theory as to why. Those young gals working at the Sam’s Club optical department may well have never handled vintage frames. Their complex inner workings might have received undue stress.

For all I know, old aluminum could weaken over the decades, too. All I can say for sure is that long ago I took my recent eBay purchase to an optician who collected antique eyeglasses. In fact, the enthusiast refitted a newer set of very old nose pads for me back then.

Unfortunately for me, Woody retired from the business.

The only problem remaining is that while this craftsman worked great magic yesterday, he tightened the frames to the point they don’t fit my slightly asymmetric face quite right. I didn’t realize this until almost home because it was disorienting switching from a really outdated optical prescription back to new. Last night I found myself fiddling with their fit to optimize clarity.

The Specialeyes, Inc. artist doesn’t impress me as someone who knows or cares how to make an organic fit. During both visits he acted almost like I didn’t exist until showing mild enthusiasm after his success, and sharing some obscure facts in that regard and the optical business in general.

Question of the day is, do I take them to Sam’s Club Optical or somewhere else?

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14 comments:

  1. Sorry about your fish. I know nothing about caring for fish and I guarantee that if I was to care for them they wouldn't last a week, if that long. I have priors on this.

    I have huge issues with my eyes so when the glasses don't fit I have a pro get new frames and then make sure they work before I leave. Any slight change and I'm in trouble. That's why I said go for new frames and have them fitted to your eyes.

    Have a fabulous day and week, Darla. Big hug. ♥

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    1. Oh, no! I'm sorry you've dealt with losses. Thank you for the kindness. I hope your vision is good now. ~hugs back~ Take care, my dear.

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  2. Metal can weaken with handling. Sounds like the repair guy is a bit of a jerk, but if he can do the job, he's probably the guy for it. The Sam's Club people probably don't have that kind of experience.

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    1. Thank you for the suggestion. I think he might be autistic rather than a jerk. ~nods~ Be well!

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  3. Glad some of your fish survived. I am sorry you lost so many though. Definitely not to Sam's Club.

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    1. Thank you. It's so ironic that three of the four were the source of the parasite. ~sigh~ I appreciate the opinion. Be well!

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  4. You paid for a repair, I say take them back and get him to fit them to your face. But, prepare yourself for having to totally replace the frames sooner than later.
    But, then again, the trip is costing you quite a bit. Only you can say "too much," and get new frames.
    I am not sure the history of these frames. I thought these had been yours for ages, but you refer to a "recent" eBay purchase... If these came to you used, who knows what stress and bending they were already put under. Maybe time to cut your losses.

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    1. Sorry, I meant 'recent' as in back in the day. Heh... I really want to keep them because of the lenses bought just last fall. ~sigh~ But so far, the fit has relaxed and seems okay, so that's a plus. Be well!

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  5. I don't know. I only just realized the dollar store reading glasses I get break because they are too narrow for my face, exerting pressure on the frame around the lenses and at the hinges. It's like they are made for much smaller faces, almost child size, probably Asian.

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    1. Oh, no! But that is interesting. My problem is the opposite, headphones are always too large for me. You see, I have a rather small head (but not brain, I hope). ~grin~

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  6. Have had fishes before, several times but have not had one in a lot of years. More then I want to deal with these days.

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    1. Understood! I couldn't handle a horse. And bless you for taking on your mother's three dogs. You're a dear person. Take care.

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  7. It's hard to find anyone who cares about their craft anymore. Did you tell that pet shop how badly they affected you and your fish? I hope so!! A reputable store would want to know.

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    1. That's a good point. I don't know if I have the heart, sad to say. They'd probably just deny responsibility and tell me I need to have a quarantine tank, anyway, I have a feeling. It's their suppliers we can't trust. ~sigh~ But thank you.

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