Seeing clearly again
Two word, printed in black on a yellow background. Insignificant in most contexts, but for those who have to travel the Island byways, they are a phrase that actually means relief: Construction ends. This year
we’ve been roving to and fro between Eastern Kings and Charlottetown, so there’s been ample
opportunity to experience the sites near Mount Stewart and St. Peter’s. As vacation ends, I can bid them
farewell, adieu.
It’s not that there have been long delays, or particularly rough stretches. Rather, it’s the sensation as you
come through at night that it might be worse than yesterday. Longer, bumpier, a touch of mudspice. No
flag people to count or observe. Just bad road. So, when construction ends, it will be a reason to
celebrate.
Our new glasses were ready today. Suddenly the world is a brighter, more detailed place. THe brain
won’t keep that impression for long, but it does reward one for a visit to the optometrist. In passing, I
gleaned the factoid (while waiting my turn for adjustments) that 76% of Canadians wear some vision
correction device. For those of you in the minority, we also suffer less from dust in the eyes and sunburn
of the cornea. Take that, the kid that used to call me “foureyes”. And as you get older, you might just join
those of us who bring the gleam into family portraits.
Vacation is just about over. If current forecasts hold, we’ll sail away to New Scotland tomorrow and then
make our way westward to the big birthday party. Celine is still coming. Paul has come and gone. The
Olympics are only hours away from the opening ceremonies which we’ll miss. Given the smog levels
shown on TV, so will the people in the stadium.
