Nobody needs to be reminded of the importance of focus, especially anyone who toys with photographic instruments. It’s an obvious no brainer - if it’s not in focus, something went wrong. Although, I must admit, blurriness does seem to be trending.

Many things can conspire to challenge focus. Movement. Distraction. Poor vision. Too much coffee! And I’m not just talking about photographs.

Consider my own lack of focus. In the past I have mentioned my dance with attention – definitely not the “Texas two step.” And, as I age, fuzziness becomes more obvious as my memory waxes and wanes. My drift between that which is and that which is not, becomes less clear. Please keep this in mind and don’t be upset if you see me trying to get into someone else’s car at the Hannaford! I hope it won’t be yours! Some of what I share here actually happened. Be patient.

I lost my sunglasses three times and found them twice. Went from the den to the kitchen and forgot why.

Ate two scoops of yogurt and some humus to help me remember. Failed. Couldn't recall what I'd forgotten.

Went to the grocery store but had misplaced shopping list. I don't think I need to explain that outcome. Found my sunglasses in the trunk of the car next to my cell phone with a dead battery. Figured since things were going so well I'd try to check at the dump for discarded scrap wood for kindling. Dump closed on Sundays.

Found grocery list and realized that I'd made some big mistakes. Decided against returning Oreos. Couldn't find phone charger, but did find some old mail and a note from my wife to get toilet paper if I went to the grocery store. I couldn't call her on my cell phone to tell her that they were all out of toilet paper at Hannaford and that I found that VERY unusual. She would have understood and suggested that I go back and look again. I would have told her that I was afraid to go back.

Things seemed to level out a bit by the time I got home until I noticed a strange dog in the back seat of my car eating Oreos and chewing on the phone charger. Thank goodness it didn't find my sunglasses which I realized I was wearing.

In the words of the great John Prine “You is what you is, and you ain't what you ain't.”