It is with new eyes that I prepare this post, and I am more delighted than I can adequately express to be able to say that I am seeing everything more clearly than I have in many years. My second old, deteriorated lens was replaced with a new prosthetic one yesterday, and I heard today, during my post-surgical evaluation, that my progress is nothing short of excellent. I have so much to be grateful for at this time that I will not even attempt (at this time) to recount them here. Suffice it to say that, when I put all that the year has brought into the balance, the positive side easily outweighs the negative.
And so it is with profound pleasure that I wish you all the happiest of holidays and the very best for the new year–and yes, we have a (partially) white Christmas!
krikitarts 
Hi Gary, it has been a while since I last visited your blog. Beautiful images as always. It looks like you and I have the same thoughts about how to see life. When all is said and done, the positives definitely outweighs the negatives. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and another wonderful New year full of opportunities. :)
Oh, Emily, how good it is to hear from you again! I sincerely hope that all is going well for you and that your fortune has continued on its path for the better. Please keep in touch, and have a most productive new year, and a big warm hug from me.
So delighted to hear such a positive outcome!!! I hope you and your family have a perfectly wonderful Christmas and that you enjoy all the beauty around you through your “new” eyes :).
I have already begun to do so, Cindy. I’m adjusting to my newly-restored resources by the hour. I wish you and your family wonderful days together!
Wonderful news, Gary…I hope your recovery continues at this speedy pace….and happy Christmas to you. :)
Thank you, Scott, and a very happy Christmas to you and all of yours, too!
You’re most welcome…..and thank you, too. :)
Great news, and all the best for an even better New Year (if you can top an improvement in vision which might be tough).
That will be hard to beat for sure, but I have a number of other irons in the fire that have me very excited indeed. I expect a wonderful New Year here, and wish you the same!
What could be better for a photographer than to see the world with new eyes, to have a new vision? Seriously, Gary, I am happy to hear that things are going well with the eye surgery and that you are recovering well. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happy, healthy new year.
It’s hard to imagine what might be better. Things are so bright and clear, I’m in a constant state of awe at this beautiful world around me. Hope your Christmas was fantastic!
That’s wonderful news, Gary. I hope you and your family are having a super Christmas!
Thanks so much, M! May the New Year bring you continued health, happiness, and all you hope for!
Hi Gary, glad to hear of your good visual progress! I very much like the lower picture here – very simple, Minimal, very beautiful! Adrian
I am nothing short of delighted with the progress–it just keeps getting better each day, and it’s a constant source of wonder. I made that second shot while I still had one old lens, and I could see the subject so much more clearly with the new one. What a treat!
So glad to hear it all went well for you. All the very best for 2014!
Thanks a lot, Alicia; hope you have a great New Year, too!
Your photo of the leaf in the snow is so gorgeous…Have a wonderful holiday season, enjoy it all thoroughly.
Thank you, Charlie. I’m enjoying it very much, and hope that you are, too.