One of my favorite commercials on TV goes something like this:

Whenever I hear those iconic words, “O say can you see…” I always say to myself, “Not that good!”

So many times people whom I haven’t seen in awhile come up to me and say, “How are your eyes? How’s your vision?” usually I tell people, “I have good days and not-so-good days.”

Mostly, though, I don’t even think about it!

So I was a little surprised to be reminded of my macular degeneration when I opened this morning’s paper and saw this article on the Religion Page:

I have worn contact lenses for nearsightedness since I was a teenager. About the time I passed the half-century mark, like many other people my age, I couldn’t see things that were close either and needed reading glasses over my contact lenses. Reading music on an organ rack became a big challenge because I needed to tilt my head up to use the bifocal parts of the glasses, resulting in a stiff neck and shoulders. Recently I got a new pair of monovision reading glasses which extends my reading vision UP so I don’t need to tilt my head so far.

But guess what! I have decided to “go bare” for my concerts! That means I will not wear my contacts! I will not wear my reading glasses! (Were you thinking I meant something else?!) My best near vision is when I go completely natural, and don’t use either contact lenses or reading glasses. I won’t be able to identify you across the room, so please don’t mind if I don’t smile back. I just can’t see you (!) but I will be able to see the music.

Here again are the links to RSVP on the FaceBook Event page: August 18 and August 25.
(The programs are NOT identical but different. Half of the Great Eighteen Chorales will be played on August 18th; the balance will be played on August 25th).

You can also buy tickets online by clicking this link or tickets will also be available at the door.