Dorothy AKA chuckles17

I was born in 1937 in Gladwin, Mich, and grew up the oldest of 10 kids on an 80-acre farm 10 miles north of Midland, Michigan (Dow Chemical country then). Dad worked at Dow and saw plastics and styrofoam come into being. Later I took a steno job at Dow in the latex paint development division. Starting 1960 I taught English and journalism in Michigan and Wisconsin high schools. By 1968 I had frozen through too many midwest winters and moved bag and baggage to California. Met hubby Richard in late 1969 and married in 1973. He's been a life and health insurance agent since 1958. After helping him in his office for 16 years, I started researching our family trees. Two years later I published two books (sold all copies!) and numerous pamphlets on our various family lines. In 1990 I went into real estate as the market started skidding into a serious slump. I'm happy to say I helped lots of folks buy and sell houses and kept my sense of humor! I live in southern California. My 'Net name was inspired by three major surgeries for ovarian cancer and 200 hours of chemotherapy in 1994. I adopted the motto: "17 chuckles a day, whether you need them or not." I've collected many pages of bumperstickers and one-liners. I send them to folks who need a chuckle. On Nov. 14, 2000, I had the first of my two corneal transplants because of an inherited eye disease. My website about that resulted in the spontaneous formation of an Internet support group now numbering over 1,350 members from all over the world. I'm very proud of my accomplishment in starting this support group called Fuchs' (pronounced FOOKS or FEWKS) Friends. As of this date, we've already had meetings in Hot Springs, ARK; Louisville, KY; Las Vegas, NV; Atlanta, GA; and Orlando, FL. The next two are scheduled for San Jose, CA, and Schaumberg, IL. Eye specialists know about us, and they are eager to speak to our group at these gatherings. I am so proud of this all-volunteer support group. In 2004 we formed The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation, which was fully approved by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) in 2005, making all contributions to The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation now tax-deductible. In Sept. 2003 my dear husband of 30 years died of liver cancer. In November, 2003, I had a recurrence of ovarian cancer, followed by surgery. I sold my house in May, 2004, downsizing to a mobile home that I love, in a pleasant park with lake, fountains, and meandering pathways. In Sept. 2004 the ovarian cancer returned, and I began chemotherapy in Oct., which continues off and on to this day. I treasure every day and live my life to the top. I'm a firm believer that we do not go until our work here is done. The story of my experience with ovarian cancer is told here: Ovarian Cancer. The story of my journey with Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy is told here: Through A Glass Darkly. In my spare time I enjoy growing roses in my tiny yard. I write verse, collect cat stamps from around the world, build displays of 1/2" scale miniature rooms. I have several pet birds (parakeets) and I like hearing their chirps and chatter, not to mention watching their acrobatics. I enjoy trips to scenic mountain areas, glass-art studios, any place with interesting rocks to collect (including lapidary shops), craft stores with their candles, florals, and aromas. One of my favorite sayings is, "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

No one is useless in this world
who lightens the burdens of others.
C. Dickens

Pansy Banner from IconBazaar

I'd like the memory of me
To be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow
Of smiles when day is done.
I'd like to leave an echo
Whispering softly down the ways
Of happy times and laughing times
And bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve
To dry before the sun
Of happy memories I leave behind
When my day is done.

Author Dr. John A. Baker

1997

Drop a pebble in the water,
And its ripples reach out far;
And the sunlight dancing on them
May reflect them to a star.

Give a smile to someone passing,
Therefore make his morning glad;
It may reach you in the evening
When your own heart may be sad.

Do a deed of simple kindness;
Though its end you may not see,
It may reach, like widening ripples,
Down a long eternity.

by Joseph Norris

COLORS OF MY LIFE

My heart will sing the colors of my life.
My eyes have seen the rainbow days of life.
Amber glow, scarlet flame, lilac fade.
All the colors I've lived I have made.

They cross o'er the years like a sigh,
Like a rainbow there etched in the sky.
Like a bridge all across my life.
Rainbow bridge reaching across my life.

Dorothy C Acton
(c) 2000.

Original midi "Sunrise" by Andy Klapwyk

Butterfly-by-Shezam

Page updated by Dorothy July 7, 2006.

Dorothy says "Hi" from Louisville, KY, Fuchs' meeting.

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