A View from the Beach

Thursday, March 26, 2026

The Morning Reading Assignment

At Ace’s, JJ Sefton’s The Morning Report — 3/26/26

Stacy McCain, G uess What Time It Is, ‘Iranian Leaders

Hopefully, I’ll be back to using my regular computer instead of the iPad, and I can resume the normal “Flotsam and Jetsam” posts.

Tattoo Thursday

Buzzfeed, 22 Famous Persons Who Fooled the F*** Out Of Us By Hiding Their Massive Back Tattoos

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

A brief update on the status of my left eye’s recovery from retinal detachment and the surgery to repair it. Briefly, almost a week ago I saw the first symptoms, and on Thursday of last week, underwent surgery to repair the retina and remove the vitreous humor (vitrectomy). On Friday I had a follow up with one of the two surgeons, who declared herself satisfied with the workmanship, and sent me off with a small packet of instructions and prescriptions for 5 eye drops and a lotion.

As of last night I still had a black spot in the vision in that eye, apparently inactive retina. This morning it was significantly smaller, and shaped like a crouching cat. By the afternoon, while I was walking on the beach it was still dark purple but images could be made out through the aura. I take that as a sign the the attached retina is starting to reconnect to the nerves

I have one more day of the full eye drop regiment, eye shield at night, and strict positioning requirements. The next follow up appointment with the surgeon is on Monday, and I hope the Doctor will be satisfied with progress so far.

The vision in that eye is still blurry to near the point of uselessness, and will remain so until enough gas from the bubble has been absorbed that most of the light goes through eye fluid and not the gas before we will see how close to normal focus it is. The gas is expected to last a total of six weeks. I think I can see some small decline of the size if the bubble, but that may just de wishful thinking. I’m pretty sure my old prescription won’t be right any longer, but that’s Okay, I was 2 days from getting a new one when this whole affair started

Beach Report 03/19/26

A cool, overcast day, with a stiff breeze from the southeast.

The tide was high, above HAT (highest astronomical tide) but ebbing. I managed to get past the rocks to Matoaka, but couldn't go up all the way.

Not a great day for teeth, 7 teeth (2 of which I gave away to family at Matoaka), but including this nice little White Shark tooth.

Maryland, My Maryland

At Breitbart, Maryland Law Would Require Tampons in Men’s Restrooms at Orioles Park, Ravens Stadium

A bill requiring the placement of tampons and tampon dispensers in men’s restrooms inside&nbsppublic buildings is currently being debated in the Maryland legislature.

The bill is sponsored by Howard County Delegate Terri Hill, D-District 2A, WBAL-11 reports. The measure has received mixed reactions from Marylanders.

“I see no reason for it,” said Mark Esposito, via WBAL-11.Others think the new law could be convenient for them.

“Sometimes people get embarrassed to ask and tell their partner, ‘Hey, I don’t have any tampons, I ran out.’ And you have a loving boyfriend or husband, ‘Wait, there’s some in the men’s bathroom. I’ll go get them,'” said Anne Arundel County resident Marla Henderson.

One person who has no mixed reaction is Baltimore County Delegate Kathy SzeligR-District 7A. “There is some conversation about transgender women using men’s bathrooms,” Szeliga said. “So, I’ve dubbed this bill ‘Tampons for Timmy’ because it explains what this bill does. This bill puts tampons in men’s bathrooms across the state in Maryland — including the Ravens’ stadium, Oriole Park, men’s prisons. I just think it’s very, very expensive — and most importantly, totally unnecessary.

“Tampon Wes “ doesn’t have quite the cache that “Tampon Timmy” does, but if the glove fits…