Quick cat update…

Posted by Photonstopper on July 4, 2007
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Visiting Dr. B. yesterday, Missy's blood sugar came in at a surprising 87! It means the insulin therapy is working very, very well putting her sugar level inside the "normal" range. Blood was screened for other issues as she still has some skin problems and it was found she has an elevated white count. So now Missy gets daily doses of insulin, thyroid medication, and an antibiotic. Meanwhile Tasha threw up three times yesterday (July 3) which has me worried. Continuing her cortisone. So far, she has eaten today without regurgitating so I'm hoping it was a fluke.

Missy had better results at her vet's than I had at my physician's. The technician couldn't get a blood sample from me for my own screening! So it was basically a wasted appointment for me. Like we say around this house… the cats get better medical care than do we.

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Venus, Saturn, and camera matters

Posted by Photonstopper on July 3, 2007
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Venus & Saturn
Venus & Saturn

Tonight I dragged out my Meade 390 refractor and took a look at the pairing of planets Venus and Saturn in the twilight sky. With the 32mm eyepiece I was just able to fit both planets in the same field of view and got a very nice look at Venus in crescent phase –perhaps the best I've seen it– with Saturn tiny but distinct. The twilight actually helped by controlling the contrast of brilliant Venus. Swung the telescope around and got a nice look at Jupiter, as well, viewed through openings between the trees here at home.

Once done with the short viewing session I decided to try and imitate a wonderful photo someone else did: their telescope silhouetted against the sky with star-like Venus and Saturn visible. I took too long and lost my ambient light so all I got was what you see here. Not near as good as the other fellow's but not bad, either! It felt good to get out and experiment and learn a little more about my camera. Earlier in the day I played with attachments and got my Canon Digital Rebel XT mated to an adapter that will fit 1.25-inch telescopes! Got easy focus using the Meade 390. Now I can use the camera with the 6-inch Meade and the 9-inch scope! Can hardly wait to try it out with the Moon as subject. But that's for another night .

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I like U2 more than I knew

Posted by Photonstopper on July 2, 2007
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We spent Sunday afternoon on a 34-mile bicycle ride that took us from Oberlin to Vermilion. It was a nice trip and more of an effort than one might think: terrain is rolling and we had to fight a strong wind out of the north. It was a mostly-sunny day and, as predicted, the temps rose only into the low 70s. Also, as I predicted, I came out of the weekend still in need of rest.

I'm on vacation this week. Today I spent running a couple of errands. I have no definite plans but hope, before the week is out, to have done a little astronomy, installed a light switch in the utility room, maybe experimented with TV antenna placement for better HDTV reception, maybe have done a Web site update or two. Oh yes, and relaxed a bit. I had wanted to do more cleaning at the observatory but we'll see — there are other demands on my time. Tomorrow is all medical: annual physical and dentist for me, diabetes checkup for Missy. And the week will be half shot by then!

Picked up U2's U218 Singles CD at Target for only $9.99. It has several songs I know and like and, it seems, I like more of their music than I knew!

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Less med for kitty; nice to be away

Posted by Photonstopper on June 29, 2007
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The day ended with this
The day ended with this

Speaking with the vet today, Dr. B. said Tasha's cortisone dose is to be reduced by half. Then, after another week with no symptoms, we're to reduce the dosage by half again. The goal is to eliminate the treatment entirely but the only way to see if we can do that is to see if her illness flares up again as the cortisone is cut back! The cat is getting really good at ejecting the pill these days; she runs her tongue in reverse and pushes on my hand with her paws. It's impressive how strong a little animal can be! Sometimes I can get that tiny tablet in on the first try but often it's taking several tries. For several good reasons I'll be happy if we can discontinue the medication.

At work I've been rehabbing an existing PC for use by our new webmaster — a current staffer taking a new post which will incorporate portions of my job. He starts in a couple of weeks and I'll transition my Web duties to him as quickly as I can. The enjoyable part: I haven't rebuilt a PC from bare metal in a while. It's tedious but rewarding as even older computers run very well with the OS cleaned out and freshly-loaded, current software. I've finished with the basics and the old PC is good as new and maybe better.

The weather is supposed to be darned near perfect this weekend. Sunny with temperatures in the 70s — my ideal summer weather. All I want to do is rest and get centered; stuff at work is throwing me off balance — yes, I know it is up to me to let such things flow past me and not affect my being but I never said I had myself under control. I'm tired. Between self-inflicted stress (gotta start meditating) and not getting enough sleep last night, I'm draggin'. I'd also like to know where my sense of humor went and how to get it back! Believe it or not, I used to be pretty funny! I'm taking vacation time this coming week so maybe I can look for some of those things during the first week of July. I'll bet that doesn't happen, though. Still, it will be nice to be away from the office.

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A nice way to start the day

Posted by Photonstopper on June 27, 2007
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The Sun, June 27
The Sun, June 27

This morning the Observatory hosted a group of 18 from a local church camp, vising as part of a "Space Week" program. Despite the hazy, hot, and humid conditions, seeing was surprisingly good. I pointed the grand old 9-inch scope, with its nice new Baader solar filter in place, at the sun and shared the view. We had a nice spidery little sunspot to look at and could also make out granulation in the solar atmosphere. (View similar to the SOHO photo at right but in white light, not orange.) I'd never seen granulation with my own eyes and enjoyed the experience as much as or more than did the kids … though they certainly were an enthusiastic and bright group. Just before I left I learned a respected previous Observatory director had sneaked in for a personal visit to see what I've been up to. He left a note in the Observatory log to that effect and that he liked what he saw; also leaving his contact info. Oh, and by the way, I finally feel fully recovered from my recent illness. Overall a very nice way to start the day!

I learned yesterday that my favorite television show, Scrubs, is to begin filming its final 18 episodes this August. I also learned they took over a real, decommissioned hospital for their production. Three floors are used in filming and other areas are dedicated to offices and workspace! That's why it looks so real… it is real! I learned much of this from Zach Braff's personal blog. How refreshing and unusual for a young, rising actor/director to take time out and keep fans informed with personal news, observations, and comments. A far cry from the old Hollywood publicity mill and way better than the tabloids which thoroughly suck. I'll be sorry to see the show go out of production but what a run they've had — what a body of work. Thanks to all involved!

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Sick weekend and needling the cat

Posted by Photonstopper on June 25, 2007
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It was a very quiet weekend, almost a waste. I hadn't recovered fully from whatever gripped my insides last week. I spent most of the day Saturday and Sunday firmly planted in my reclining chair, not eating, not drinking, rarely moving. Just totally whipped. Too bad, too. Fantastic weather both days … would have been wonderful to be out. Oh well, I just needed to recover. I had planned a vacation day for today, which was fortunate, because while I started out tired, my energy has been returning. Now, at about 5:00 PM, except for persistent heartburn (felt for the duration of this illness) I'm feeling much more myself. I managed to make a run to the Salvation Army and a recycling place to rid us of unwanted goods and trash. I also managed some overdue updates to a couple of my Web sites. I need to get back to that old chair, though, as I'm feeling like there's a risk of overrunning my recovery. No relapses, please!

Managed to stick a needle clean through Missy this morning! It sounds way worse than it was, but it was uncomfortable both for the cat and me. The insulin needle is only 5/16th of an inch in length. I stuck it in at the wrong angle and penetrated into her skin on one side of a pinched fold and out the other side, squirting the insulin dose out and on to her fur! I really felt badly for her –it obviously gave her a little hurt– but did manage to give her a full dose successfully, and nearly without pain, a few minutes later. I thought I'd gotten to the point where that particular mistake (not that uncommon) wouldn't happen to Missy and me, but there you are!

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Yellow flowers of peace

Posted by Photonstopper on June 22, 2007
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Yellow Flowers of Peace
Yellow Flowers of Peace

Jan's funeral is today. As a matter of fact, it starts in a few minutes. I won't be going. I'm sure people will wonder why I didn't go to this one, or two others I can think of. I don't have a pat answer so it will also go unaddressed here. Strangely, just before I awoke this morning, I had a dream in which Jan appeared! I don't recall that ever happening. For whatever reason I was in a big box electronics store and was buying a complete replacement for my car's stereo receiver, speakers, etc. I had just finished examining the merchandise and worrying about whether I would be able to install the system when I looked up. There, standing in the checkout line, was Jan, smiling at me. There was some sort of bright red stain on her temples, otherwise she seemed happy and healthy. What was that about?

The night's rest left me feeling much better today. Still very little appetite but the heartburn, body aches, and headaches have all eased. Though not fully recovered from whatever illness gripped me yesterday, I came in to work. I've got a few easy tasks I can accomplish without pushing too hard.

Heading out the door this morning I noticed the sun shining on some beautiful flowers at the front of the house. I took a couple of minutes and shot a few pictures.

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Feeling lousy today

Posted by Photonstopper on June 21, 2007
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I never should have come in to work. Had a bad night's sleep, probably due to physical discomfort, and got up with upset stomach, general aches and malaise, no appetite. Still, I felt I could make it. Now, getting on towards the end of the work day, I'm dog tired and just want to get home and sleep! I'll soldier on and hopefully make it to the end of the day (90 minutes from now) before going home. Wasn't a total waste here as I did get a little work done and helped solve a technical issue or two. I really feel lousy!

Right now Tasha seems to be doing better than me. Spoke with Dr. G. today –Dr. B. was ill– and she reduced Tasha's cortisone doses from two tablets per day to one. I call back in a week and see about further reduction. This is pretty much standard protocol where inflammatory bowel disease is suspected. Of course, there never was a definite diagnosis so we'll see if and when symptoms return. At any rate, Tasha is doing much better and, if she lost any weight during her ordeal, she gained back every ounce during her recovery!

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Jan died today

Posted by Photonstopper on June 20, 2007
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Today we received word that Jan had died. Jan was a most remarkable coworker and fought an exceptionally brave battle against cancer that ended at 6:00 this morning. Within the past several years Jan helped her daughter through surgery, treatment, and therapy for oral cancer. Within the past several months Jan's mother died at home of stroke, in her arms. Within the past weeks Jan suffered pain most of us don't even want to think about. Any one of those torments would have visited years' worth of distress upon a person; nobody should have to endure what she did in the closing chapter of her short life. It makes me angry, sad, and fearful all at one time.

The last time I spoke with Jan, when she was still coming to work, she quietly mentioned as an aside that "I'm losing my fight." I knew at once what she was talking about. I remembered when and how she said it. I had nothing to say to her in response, however. I didn't say, "what do you mean?" I knew what she meant. I didn't say, "oh, I'm sure you are wrong." I was sure she was right. I didn't say, "that's all right." It wasn't all right. I didn't say a thing. I just went on with the work we were doing and treated her just the same as I always had: with great respect for her skillful and meticulous work, with silent admiration for her courage, but with the knowledge that she would soon no longer be a part of my work life. She was gentle, strong, patient, intelligent, quiet, happy, and a joy to be around. I hope she knew how I felt about her: one of the finest people it has been my honor to have been associated with. I've always told everyone who would listen what I thought of her. I just never told her. Now I can't.

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People still love the starry realm

Posted by Photonstopper on June 17, 2007
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The sky had a thin covering of milky clouds all day. I had, however, announced a daytime Observatory open house and nighttime stargazing session for Alumni Day and I had to honor my commitment. The daytime open house solar viewing session didn't do much. We had 12 visitors between 9 AM and Noon and we didn't look at the Sun — the clouds made for an indistinct solar disk and the Sun itself was a blank showing no sunspots at all. Visitors, however, did seem to enjoy seeing the telescope and talking about it and the Observatory. The adult daughter of a former Observatory director stopped by with her dog and recollected spending many pleasant nights under the dome with her father. Time passed quickly. I closed up and headed home at Noon.

The evening saw a somewhat thinner cloud layer. It was, however, in evidence. I headed to the Observatory knowing that people would see stars overhead and wonder why we weren't open for the evening if I didn't show up. I knew that whatever we might look at would run the risk of being quite unimpressive. As darkness fell more and more stars appeared but, as expected, close examination with telescope and binoculars revealed the filtering effect of those, now invisible, high clouds. Then the people started arriving. The Observatory dome was full of visitors before Jupiter rose above the trees. Still they waited patiently and expectantly as the bright planet inched its way into visibility. The view was not very distinct but, with patience, we could just make out Jupiter's two major cloud bands. The Galilean moons shown like golden stars in a pattern to the left of the planet. By the time the evening finished at 11 PM –with a man and his two young daughters, all on bicycles– we had entertained 36 nighttime visitors. Even though Jupiter was all we could view on this night of murky skies, our guests left apparently happy and impressed. People still love the starry realm and it's a pleasure to share it with them.

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