“Crissy! Do you want your eggs blinded?” Blinded? What in the world was Aunt Lila talking about? “I don’t know. Do I? What do you mean, blinded?” “Well, you see these big yellow egg eyes staring at you? I just splash some of the hot grease on them.“ I wasn’t that particular about my fried eggs, so I let her go ahead and “blind” them. *** There are all kinds of physical blindness. I’m so nearsighted that I’m considered legally blind. I truly can’t discern much without my glass

“Christine, go into the bathroom and check the soap dish. Be sure there isn’t any dirt on the soap or in the dish and certainly no hair!” We were expecting guests at any minute, and my mother was frantically tidying up our home. Everyone was expected to pitch in. My job always seemed to be the slimy soap. Our everyday household atmosphere when I was growing up was beyond casual. Oh, we weren’t dirty… just cluttered. Newspapers and magazines and mail scattered around. Clothes

“Now if you’re really careful, I’ll let you address the Christmas card envelopes. Just be sure you write smoothly so you don’t leave any blots. And don’t forget to blot the wet ink after you’re done with each one.” I was so excited to use my mom’s fountain pen, the one she kept in its special round, gray holder on her desk. This was in the days before ballpoint pens, and not everyone had the skills to write a blot-free letter or address. I was only ten, but she knew I’d do my