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For all the talk about health care, insurance, and the like, let's not forget that some medical miracles have now become available to us on an out-patient basis. Last Thursday, Sandra had cataract surgery. Through a 22mm incision, the doctor removed the clouded lens in her right eye and insert a new, clear lens. We went to the hospital at 7:30 in the morning with the surgery scheduled for 9:00. She was back in her room by 10:45 and we went out for lunch shortly after noon.

Big kudos go to our wonderful ophthalmologist, Dr. Susan Yoemans, and the truly wonderful nursing and support staff at Marlborough (MA) hospital. They have a blanket warmer so that you can get, um, warmed blankets for the relatively brief time that you're in bed.

Sandra was back at her sewing machine later that afternoon, albeit wearing a patch that stayed on until the next morning.

"I can see out of this eye," Sandra remarked as we rode around the next day. Colors that had gone missing were visible again.

Arthur C. Clarke said, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."