Exploring More of My Backyard

How well do you know your hometown? When was the last time you explored your own, proverbial backyard?

Probably the worst thing about vision loss is it has really “shortened my leash.” Most of the time I am limited to traveling from home to work and back again. From home to the Y. If I get to go to Walmart...what a treat! Pitiful.

Night travel is challenging

Today I am breaking out. To begin with, I am out at night! Being out after dark - unless I am walking the dogs - has become unheard of in my life. My husband does not see well after dark and the transportation company turns into a pumpkin at 7. After dark, I can’t get there from here. Or, if I get there, I cannot get home.

A night out at the theatre

Why am I out after dark, you may ask. I am going to the theatre! Our town is fortunate enough to have a professional theatre. One of the principal actors takes yoga with me. I asked if they would ever have a matinee that I could get to and get home before dark. Not a pushy request. I just wanted to put a bug in his ear.

My actor acquaintance responded by suggesting his wife take me to a performance. OK! I even get to be his guest and get in for free! People really are kind. Give them a chance and they almost always exceed expectations. (Of course, a nice thank you gift will be going out to them.)

Running errands with a ride

The friend I generally walk with picked me up at work and brought me into town. We ran a couple of errands before the cold drove us inside at the library. After my friend left, I stopped at the cash machine. Kitty-corner from the cash machine, I saw the new “cat cafe.” I had been wanting to go there!

A stop at the cat cafe

The cat cafe does not serve food although you can bring your lunch in with you if you wish. It is actually just a place to come in and get a kitty fix. For a donation to the animal rescue group, you can sit for an hour or so and pet a purring cat. Not such a bad way to spend some time.

Dinnner and a show

I had a little while to wait after my stay at the cat cafe and before the theatre. That meant I could get something to eat. Right now I am sitting in my favorite pizzeria/Italian restaurant with a chocolate-drizzled cannoli in front of me. Yummy. Soon I will be off to the show!

Breaking the normal routine

My point is this: Today I got to do these things that I don’t normally do and they are all pretty much in my own backyard. Maybe I don’t know how to live, but cat cafes, cannolis, and the theatre are not my usual fare. My own home town offered me something new and different. I got to break the monotony right here at home.

I am now inspired! I love to travel, but sometimes travel is not possible and I am still going crazy with the monotony. This experience suggests it is possible to find new things close by. Vision loss may not be the end of life as I know it.

Trying new things

Where would I go? I am not sure yet. Maybe a different restaurant or a shop I have never been in. Maybe a spring little league game even though I know none of the players. Maybe I will do something a little more “out there” like float in an immersion tank (and, yes, we have one in town). Maybe I will go see simulcast...opera in the local theatre. Hard to tell what I may find in this little town of mine.

When was the last time you took stock of your own town? Not being able to get out of Dodge can be incredibly frustrating. Maybe taking a different viewpoint of your town can help.