This morning, a new chapter in my so far successful campaign to stay healthy and look to the bright future, the chronicles of rational aging I call it. You know the drill, I am open about my life, even when it makes me queasy. That’s the deal.

So here’s the story for today.

In recent years, I’ve developed a retinal problem in one eye that could result in blindness if not diagnosed and treated.

One challenge of aging is that your body needs more attention and maintenance, and I am not one of those people given to thinking much about my body, unless it grabs me by the throat and shakes me.

This happened a few months ago, when I was reading and noticed the tops of letters on the pages had gone away. I did get to the eye people quickly, and it was a good thing I did. I may have saved my eyesight.

I’ve been treating this condition with drops and medications, and my eyesight is excellent, a good thing for a writer and a photographer.

I don’t wish to lose my sight.

So today, a new procedure – the doctors call it a “miracle” –  than can forestall  deterioration of the retina and prevent blindness and keep my very  good sight.

It helps to have good eyesight when you take pictures and sit at a computer for  hours a day and drive all over the country.

You can look at it either way, really, it’s unfortunate to have to deal with it – multiple visits to specialists, and some shock when the tops of letters in books disappear – but I am fortunate to be able to deal with it at all.

Many people on this earth can’t, and if our political leaders get their way, those numbers will grow here in our country.

I think of this when anyone commiserates with me about my open heart surgery. Too bad I needed it,  but just 30 years ago, I’d be dead, not running around like a fool writing, taking photos, loving my wife, prowling around thrift shops, watching soccer games, hauling Red into assisted care facilities, writing books and blogging.

This morning, some medical work on my eye, including a needle injection into the retina. I know it sounds a bit creepy, and I hesitated to mention it,  but things that seemed unthinkable just a few years ago are often routine in our time. Change is life itself.

I’ll share the process, if anyone really wants to read about it.

As always, I’m not looking for help, advice,  sympathy, or medical diagnosis from the vast universe of social media.  There is nothing to be sorry about, quite the opposite. My case is unique to me, and my body and my genes,  not really relevant to your sister or Uncle Harry.

Maria’s driving me and I expect to be back blogging by lunch, if not sooner, and off to the Mansion for my final clothes delivery before Christmas. The doctor says I am very lucky.

A few years ago, there would have been nothing for me to do

And more good news. On Christmas Day, we will go and see the “Darkest Hour,” the new Winston Churchill movie starring Gary Oldham. Maria is taking me, a sweet Christmas gift for me. And how grateful I will l be able to be able to see it clearly.

As you know, I love almost everything about Winston Churchill, his life got rolling  when he was just about my age. And he drank a quart of brandy every night.

I am lucky. Talk to you soon. We are on the ride of life together, for all of its hills and valleys, and I do love every day of it.