Neanderpundit

to have a decent “name” chainsaw, but I never could afford one, so I made do with my crappy old Craftsman (Poulan). I lost a ring in it last fall but was able to repair it, and I managed to get quite a few more hours out of it last winter cutting firewood.

I went out last night hoping to get to work on the fallen trees in the yard, and the Craftsman seems to have finally given up the ghost.

So, against my better judgement, being the cheap bastard I am, I went out today and bought a spanking new Husqvarna. It was expensive, but I expect that it shold be the last damned saw I ever have to buy. Plus, as I’m supplementing my heating with wood it makes sense to have a reliable saw.

Still. I wish it had been a purchase I’d had some time to plan for. Thank God I have friends with log splitters etc.

Met with my optometrist and opthalmologist yesterday, and have been given assurances that the recoil I experience with the double will not detach my retinas- at least not at the present. There will be ongoing and further examinations, but there is no sign of damage from the recoil I have already experienced and no sign that any is forthcoming.

Myopia is a factor but a minor one, age is as well, but again, it all has (or so they assure me) more to do with the health of my eyes, which are apparently very healthy.

THe predominant risk factors are glaucoma, diabetes, untreated hypertension, and some specific types of genetic disorders, none of which affect me. And I will be going to some length to make that keep being the case.

I will be monitoring this, of course, going so far as to take my opthalmologist to the range with me to do some before-and-after testing as well. I’m not taking any chances, but as my MD tells me:

“Thousands of people own and shoot heavy recoiling rifles and shotguns. The vast majority of them are in more danger from scope eye. You’re shooting iron sights, right? Stick with irons and don’t crowd your scope and you’ll be fine. And add some weight to the stock” which I need to do anyway. So the next time I can scrape up $40, I’ll go shoot both barrels.