Take a look at our December newsletter!
The
3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
DECEMBER 2024
An Unforgettable Family Getaway Olaf and the Island Cow
The world is a complex place, but there’s still room in it for the simple things.
Naturally, no vacation is complete without sampling
Like many families, mine tries its best to pause our everyday commitments and go on a winter vacation every December. Although our schedules haven’t always allowed us to reach this goal, we’ve shared countless memories that will last a lifetime. When I look back at some of the trips we’ve taken together over the years, few compared to 10 years ago. In December 2014, my wife and our two children went to Sanibel Island, a spot off the west coast of Florida, close to Fort Myers. After the hustle and bustle of the preceding year, we wanted an opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company before the demands of the new year set in. To say we chose the best place to do this would be an understatement! When we weren’t riding bikes around the island, we drove through the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, stopping at key points along the way to see the alligators and other animals — from a safe distance, of course. Beyond these activities, there wasn’t much else to do on the island, which suited us just fine. This vacation was about unwinding and keeping things simple. Instead of following a strict itinerary, we let the days unfold as they did and enjoyed the beautiful sunsets that greeted the evenings. It was nice to feel life slow down.
the local eateries, and we found our perfect
destination at a favorite of Sanibel Island, The Island Cow. You could easily drive by the place and think nothing of it, but it was worth every second we spent there. It was a cute place with colorful chairs outside and some of the most amazing meals we’ve ever had. Considering how great it was, it’s no surprise that the restaurant has served more than 7 million customers over 21 years. We spent a lot of quality time there, as the kids wanted to go to this restaurant every morning for breakfast — experiences they still discuss today. Being there made for a spectacular memory. Sadly, The Island Cow burned to the ground in 2022. The good news is that it’s being rebuilt — and expanded by about 1,000 square feet — on its original site. Although the completion of this project is still a few years away, we’re already planning to go there when it reopens. We’ve been on other adventurous journeys over the years — including mountain climbing in Switzerland — but there was something super-special about simply walking on the beach, riding bikes, seeing nature, and thinking about where we’d enjoy our next fantastic meal. Perhaps best of all, we spent that New Year’s Day in shorts and T-shirts.
For me, the biggest highlight of our time on the island was how much the kids enjoyed it. The Disney film “Frozen” was a big deal back then, so they decided to create their version of one of its most memorable characters, Olaf the Snowman. To my absolute amazement, they collected shells and created a five-star “work of art” of him on the beach. I love that they found such joy in doing something that required only sand,
Even if we’re lucky to have plenty of presents under the tree this year, stealing away a little time to experience new things with our family is one of
the greatest gifts we can receive. I hope the coming weeks provide your family with new memories — and perhaps new travel adventures — that will add color to your time together.
shells, and their imaginations. These photos of “Olaf” always make me smile.
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EUROPE’S MOST EXCLUSIVE ESCAPES
CAT-APULTING INTO HISTORY Throughout military history, you’ll find strategic experiments ranging from the genius to the downright bizarre. But few can top the zany brainchild of Franz Helm, a 16th-century German artillery aficionado whose bright The Feline-Flying Military Tactic That Never Took Off
inferno. One can only wonder about how they would train cats to become arsonists. The method was straightforward: kidnap an enemy cat, strap it into a gunpowder-laden backpack, light the fuse, and hope Mr. Whiskers doesn’t get cold paws about blowing up its evil overlords.
idea left historians — and cat lovers — utterly bewildered. Let’s set the scene with Helm’s magnum opus, the “Feuer Buech,” published in 1584, a treasure trove of ( literally ) explosive innovations in warfare.
Preserved for posterity at the University of Pennsylvania, the “Feuer Buech” reminds us of the lengths human creativity can go — especially when combined with a profound misunderstanding of cat behavior. As any cat owner will tell you, cats have their own agendas. The chances of a cat completing its fiery mission are about as high as it bringing you the morning newspaper. Thankfully, we have no evidence that this pyrotechnic plan ever came to pass. Considering cats’ notorious independence, we can rest assured that no self-respecting felines took part in these explosive escapades. So, next time you’re cuddling with your cat, be thankful its biggest inclination is to knock pens off your table rather than infiltrate enemy castles with fire.
Imagine this: a battlefield in the Renaissance, not just filled with the clang of swords and the thunder of cannons, but also — wait for it — flying, flaming cats. Yes,
you read that right. Franz Helm’s groundbreaking military tactic involved jetpacks for cats. Picture a kitty, strapped with a sack of gunpowder, zipping through the air like a furry missile aimed at enemy strongholds.
The hope? These feline projectiles would scamper back to their homes — presumably in enemy territory — and start a blazing
How a Kitten Helped Samson Unleash His Inner Pup A PURR-FECT MATCH
Golden retriever Samson takes his job as a medical service response dog very seriously, maybe even too seriously. For owner Lea Hendy, it became apparent quickly that the loveable giant didn’t know how to dog. On their days off at the dog park, Samson was the odd man out, sitting alone in the corner while the other pups played. It seemed like he couldn’t turn off work mode or form bonds with other dogs. Samson joined Lea’s family to train as a service dog. When she noticed his seeming lack of social skills with other dogs, she was determined to find a way to bring him out of his shell. Little did she know that a chance encounter with a cat would change everything.
wanted to play. It was an “aha!” moment that Samson could indeed make deep bonds; it just had to be with the right animal. A couple of months later, they brought home a tiny kitten named Cleo, and the instant friendship surprised everyone. They gently placed the backpack with the little kitten inside in the middle of the room, and Samson immediately sprung into excited barks and tail wags. Lea said they were never expecting him to be so excited about his new friend, and the two have been inseparable since. “It was so heartwarming to see him come out of his shell and immediately form a connection with Cleo,” Lea said.
other’s company. Cleo has become an avid adventurer since the family started taking her on hikes. When the kitty tires out, she takes a ride on her older brother Samson, who looks so proud to be transporting his sister. Cleo, a tiny kitten with a big heart, allowed Samson, a workaholic looking for a friend, to break out of his shell and explore his world in ways his family never thought possible. Now, thousands of people worldwide watch their friendship and adventures on the animal-odd couple’s Instagram page @calvin.andco .
While they were out traveling, Samson spotted a kitten in the window of a building and immediately
Now, the pair spend every moment they can together, playing, napping, and enjoying each
“It shows that friendship has no bounds,” Lea said. “Anyone can be friends.”
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How to Manage Styes and Recurring Chalazions
BLEPHAROPLASTY BASICS The Lowdown on Eye Lifts
Although humanity has yet to discover the fountain of youth, it is possible to dial back the clock and look refreshed, especially if your eyelids show strong signs of aging. If you’re tired of looking in the mirror and seeing your mom or dad stare back at you, it may be time to consider blepharoplasty. WHAT THE HECK IS BLEPHAROPLASTY? “Blepharoplasty” (or an “eye lift”) comes from the Greek words blephar (eyelid) and plasty (to mold or to change). It accounts for about 80% of the medical procedures we perform, and the process typically begins with a patient wanting to improve their droopy upper or lower eyelids. It is common for the upper eyelid to develop redundant folds of skin that cause fullness, particularly at the lid’s inside corner (also known as the nasal portion). These folds are caused by bulges of herniated fat that can give the area a tired appearance. Upper-eyelid blepharoplasty can address this redundant fat (along with excess skin and muscle) so that it folds into a patient’s existing crease. The required incision is nearly invisible, and within a few months, most patients won’t show any signs of having undergone the procedure.
make a controlled incision. Fractional laser resurfacing has been a huge advantage in preventing the remaining skin from looking like a deflated balloon with extra wrinkles and folds.
RISKS AND RECOVERY The basic recovery after a blepharoplasty typically takes 10 to 14 days. While there is a small, but real risk of vision loss — bruising, and swelling tend to be the most common side effects. Patients should anticipate having blurred vision for three to five days, so don’t plan on reading “War and Peace” immediately after surgery! As for the initial healing process — particularly during the first few days — act as if you’re walking around gently holding a sleeping newborn baby that you’re not allowed to wake up. If whatever you’re doing would disturb them, there’s a good chance it would disrupt your recovery as well.
A lower-eyelid blepharoplasty, meanwhile, is performed by approaching bulges (herniated fat) from the inside surface of the eyelids with a laser to
Contact us today to give your lids the rejuvenating makeover they deserve!
Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce
Inspired by Delicious.com
INGREDIENTS
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3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
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3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped 1/2 cup hot water
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
•
A referral is the highest compliment we can receive! Thank you for sending us three referrals this month!
1 tsp baking powder 3/4 cup self-rising flour
Toffee sauce •
1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup dried figs, roughly chopped
• •
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 6-cup ovenproof bowl and line the bottom with waxed paper. 2. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, and flour until smooth. Stir in pecans and figs, then add 1/2 cup hot water. 3. Pour batter into prepared bowl, cover with a circle of waxed paper, then cover tightly with foil. Bake for 50–60 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. 4. For toffee sauce, put butter and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Stir in cream and increase heat to medium. Bring to just below boiling, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until thickened. 5. Turn pudding onto a plate and drizzle with toffee sauce.
“Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion.” –Leigh Hunt
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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
Inside This Issue
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Simple Joys and Sweet Moments
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Unravel the Myth of the 16th-Century Rocket Cat
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Samson and Cleo’s Tail-Wagging Tale
Eye Elevation Essentials
Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce
Tips for a Tidier Life
HOW TO BECOME A TIDIER PERSON DECLUTTER YOUR LIFE
CLEAN SLATE Keeping a clean home can help you be more physically fit. According to a study by Indiana University, a tidier living space contributes to higher levels of physical activity. Keeping things clean means keeping active, and even if you don’t exercise for 30 minutes daily, 30 minutes of vacuuming or any kind of scrubbing is still a great way to keep yourself moving. DAILY DECLUTTER While tidying up the home may seem daunting at first, it can be much easier if you break it down into smaller tasks. Doing a bit of laundry every other day helps prevent you from having to do a massive load later. Picking up around the kitchen when you get a snack or cook a meal can prevent that space from looking like a scene out of “Kitchen Nightmares.” Wherever you go in your home, if you pick up a thing or two cluttering the area and put it away, you are well on your way to becoming a neater person.
If the top of your desk looks like a photo op for an “I Spy” book, chances are you could benefit from tidying up. It isn’t easy saying goodbye to your familiar clutter, but it’s for the better. A messy environment can be stressful and frustrating, as it makes finding anything more difficult and worsens the overall attractiveness of your home. While change can be challenging, it is worth the effort for your home and health. FIRST THING’S FIRST Growing up, your mom probably reminded you to make your bed. There is a good reason to prioritize that first thing in the morning, as it helps set an intention to accomplish the little things and get your day off to a more productive start. It also contributes to better sleep hygiene; a cluttered bedroom and undone bed could be hindering your sleep. So, eliminating potential distractions, including an unmade bed, could enhance your sleep.
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