Spring really came on in a rush when we had four days in a row of 80ยบ+ temps. There was barely a green haze in the woods and then almost overnight everything was green.
I saw honeysuckles in bloom, which is really unusual for the end of April/beginning of May. The redbuds are magnificent this spring, but other flowering trees like the weeping cherry seem to be sparsely flowered. Our red flowering crab was very good, though. It came on in about two days.
I hate when we have these really hot spells this early. I like things to develop apace, so you can savor each thing as it blossoms. When you have four days of 85-87, it just forces everything out at once and you're overwhelmed by it all.
But we can't change the weather, so what's the point in complaining. It's sure a lot better than a late freeze like we had two years ago that nipped a lot of plants and trees in the bud, so to speak. Did a real number on the peaches that season and they were very scare here locally.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
DANDELION SEASON
Things are finally starting to green up around here. The willow is leafing out, the lilacs have lots of buds on them, and the grass is greening up and starting to grow quickly--that last isn't necessarily a good thing.
And those little yellow sunspots we call dandelions are popping up all over the yard. Makes a nice contrast with the greening grass.
If you live in the 'burbs you're expected to run right out and kill all the dandelions. Or put crap on that will keep them from coming up at all. But out here in the sticks we're a bit more tolerant of them. They add a bit of color and are far from the worst weeds we have to battle. I've gone through a lot of Roundup trying to keep some of them from taking over everywhere.
Once again I have the urge to plant an acre or so of prairie grasses and wildflowers, but I'd have to kill off all the existing grass--weeds, really--and drill it into the soil. Things would be pretty ugly and muddy for a year or two until the prairie plants got going good.
There's also the issue of a pond, which I want to put in in the worst way. These days with the laws the way they are, the SWCD does the deciding on where you can put it and how it's going to be done. So there's no point wasting time and money starting a little prairie if I'm going to have to rip it out to put in a pond.
And those little yellow sunspots we call dandelions are popping up all over the yard. Makes a nice contrast with the greening grass.
If you live in the 'burbs you're expected to run right out and kill all the dandelions. Or put crap on that will keep them from coming up at all. But out here in the sticks we're a bit more tolerant of them. They add a bit of color and are far from the worst weeds we have to battle. I've gone through a lot of Roundup trying to keep some of them from taking over everywhere.
Once again I have the urge to plant an acre or so of prairie grasses and wildflowers, but I'd have to kill off all the existing grass--weeds, really--and drill it into the soil. Things would be pretty ugly and muddy for a year or two until the prairie plants got going good.
There's also the issue of a pond, which I want to put in in the worst way. These days with the laws the way they are, the SWCD does the deciding on where you can put it and how it's going to be done. So there's no point wasting time and money starting a little prairie if I'm going to have to rip it out to put in a pond.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
SECOND DAY OF SNOW--MUST BE BASEBALL SEASON
For two days now we've had lake-effect snow. At times the squalls have been extremely intense, nearly whiteout conditions. The fields are all white--for the moment. Won't last long because it's gonna warm up gradually as the week wears on.
Turned out to be a good day for walking, however, because the snow, wind, and cold kept the bicycle fairies indoors. The dog got to chase a red squirrel--twice. The ditch was nearly overflowing with water from the quarry, so of course the mutt had to get in and splash around.
Had some nice conversations with a couple of Chickadees. They're always fun to fool around with. Then I saw a Tufted Titmouse and figured, why not try conversing with him, also. Well shut my mouth, that bird just went wild. I don't know if he thought I was another male trying to horn in on his territory or if he thought I was a female who sounded damned sweet, but whatever he thought he sure sang like there was no tomorrow. He flew over my head to a tree about 20 feet away and proceeded to sing at the top of his lungs. And he kept on singing even after I stopped and walked away. Interesting.
Turned out to be a good day for walking, however, because the snow, wind, and cold kept the bicycle fairies indoors. The dog got to chase a red squirrel--twice. The ditch was nearly overflowing with water from the quarry, so of course the mutt had to get in and splash around.
Had some nice conversations with a couple of Chickadees. They're always fun to fool around with. Then I saw a Tufted Titmouse and figured, why not try conversing with him, also. Well shut my mouth, that bird just went wild. I don't know if he thought I was another male trying to horn in on his territory or if he thought I was a female who sounded damned sweet, but whatever he thought he sure sang like there was no tomorrow. He flew over my head to a tree about 20 feet away and proceeded to sing at the top of his lungs. And he kept on singing even after I stopped and walked away. Interesting.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
TOWHEES, TOWHEES, EVERYWHERE
I meant to write this the other day, but I felt like shit when I got back from my walk, so it never got written until today.
As spring gradually creeps forward we're seeing more neo-tropical migrants starting to arrive to join the brave birds that spend the entire year here. Lots more songs to hear and colors to see.
Eastern Towhees are pretty, gregarious birds that are often heard before they're seen. I saw one the other day that I didn't recognize at first because of the way the light was hitting it and also because I wasn't thinking Towhee. They're usually around in the summer and I've never seen them this early.
At any rate, I saw this bird that looked familiar but out of place, then I heard it sing and I knew immediately what it was. I don't claim to know too many bird songs, but once you've heard a Towhee, you'll never forget that lilting drink-your-tea. Once when I lived in Toledo I was walking in one of their Metroparks when I heard a Towhee very close by. He was in a tree, but not terribly high up and he was singing to beat the band. I decided to try to whistle his song back to him, and we had at least a ten minute conversation before one of us--can't remember which--got bored and moved on.
So once I heard drink-your-tea I pulled out my iPhone and fired up birdJam and began talking back to him. As I walked along, he followed, flitting from one side of the trail to the other. At first I thought there was but one bird, but then I saw three within about 40 feet and heard others a bit farther away. I'm guessing there were at least five Towhees in about a 100 yard patch.
Some birds respond to canned calls, while others don't seem to like them. Cardinals seem to be in the latter category. I've called male Cardinals any number of times and they always seem to fly away rather quickly. Chickadees, on the other hand, will almost always respond. They're curious little birds and have little fear of people and many of us have had them eat out of our hands. I'm convinced if I held my iPhone out flat and stayed perfectly still a Chickadee would eventually land on it to see where that singing was coming from.
Friday, March 20, 2009
IT'S SPRING (SORT OF)
The vernal equinox came and went this morning; now it's official. So of course it's only 36 degrees and the wind makes it feel even colder. Didn't bother the dog--she jumped in the water-filled ditch like she always does. But my ears were damned chilly and my eyes and nose were running to beat the band.
Of course it's been spring here--mostly--for a while. The red-winged blackbirds came back a couple of weeks ago. Everywhere you go in the woods you hear a cacophony of bird song and wherever there's standing water in the woods you hear the din of horny frogs.
As much as I like summer, spring really is the most glorious season. The reawakening of a lifeless land. New life all around you. Can't beat it with a stick.
This time of year I always kick myself for not having planted lots of bulbs the previous fall so I could enjoy the early colors of crocuses, hyacinths, daffodils and tulips. But come fall I always forget. There are always some things in our lives we never seem to get quite right and for me this is one of them.
Of course it's been spring here--mostly--for a while. The red-winged blackbirds came back a couple of weeks ago. Everywhere you go in the woods you hear a cacophony of bird song and wherever there's standing water in the woods you hear the din of horny frogs.
As much as I like summer, spring really is the most glorious season. The reawakening of a lifeless land. New life all around you. Can't beat it with a stick.
This time of year I always kick myself for not having planted lots of bulbs the previous fall so I could enjoy the early colors of crocuses, hyacinths, daffodils and tulips. But come fall I always forget. There are always some things in our lives we never seem to get quite right and for me this is one of them.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
IT AIN'T QUITE SPRING, BUT...
Saw the first red-winged blackbirds of the year yesterday. Three of them were mixed in with a bunch of grackles under the feeders. There was also a huge swarm of starlings eating grubs in the backyard.
Robins are hardly a reliable harbinger of spring. There are plenty of them that stay around here all winter. But red wings are a sure signal that we're not far away from the end of the big sleep.
I notice this is the first post in about 15 months. Shame on me. I should do better and I tell myself that I will. But I never do.
Robins are hardly a reliable harbinger of spring. There are plenty of them that stay around here all winter. But red wings are a sure signal that we're not far away from the end of the big sleep.
I notice this is the first post in about 15 months. Shame on me. I should do better and I tell myself that I will. But I never do.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
I THINK MY GUESS WAS RIGHT
I think the hawk I've been seeing is in fact a Cooper's Hawk. He was back in the near maple tree again today and I got a pic of him. If I'm reading the bird book properly, the band of white at the bottom of the tail is diagnostic.
THIS WEATHER IS FOR THE BIRDS
The variety of birds at the feeders has been very interesting so far this winter. I put out three large thistle feeders for the Goldfinches and for a time I could hardly keep them filled. One day there must have been 40 Goldfinches hanging all over the feeders at the same time.
But they must have been just passing through or else they found greener pastures, because for the last 2-3 weeks there have been hardly any Goldfinches around and the feeders have remained largely full.
One of the more interesting additions this year has been a group of Red-breasted Nuthatches. Last winter we had a few White-breasted Nuthatches, but this is the first time I've seen their red cousins. The red-breasted variety is much smaller and livelier and they hang around much longer. The white-breasted species usually comes in and grabs a sunflower seed and immediately flies back into the neighbor's pine trees to eat it. The red-breasted birds stay for extended periods of time, climbing all over the suet feeders as well as the seed feeders. They're very active and are often seen upside down much like Brown Creepers. Their behavior is very much like a combination of the Chickadee and the Brown Creeper. They're almost tame and will stay in the tree when you're filling feeders. I've been within 3 feet of them and they showed no fear.
There's a medium-sized hawk that has been making himself at home here, hanging out in the trees with feeders on them. All the songbirds make themselves scarce when he's around, of course. I think it's a Cooper's Hawk, but I'm not entirely certain. I don't mind him being around--everybody's gotta make a living--but I don't like him scaring away the other birds for long periods of time.
Here's a list of what I've seen so far this winter:
- Cardinal
- Chickadee
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Cooper's Hawk
- Bluejay
- House Sparrow
- White-throated Sparrow
- Tree Sparrow
- House Finch
- Common Redpoll
- American Goldfinch
- Downy Woodpecker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Slate-colored Junco
- Mourning Dove
- Starling
Gotta make sure all the feeders are full because there's a big storm coming, maybe as much as 6-12" of snow. Tough on the birds when it gets that deep.
But they must have been just passing through or else they found greener pastures, because for the last 2-3 weeks there have been hardly any Goldfinches around and the feeders have remained largely full.
One of the more interesting additions this year has been a group of Red-breasted Nuthatches. Last winter we had a few White-breasted Nuthatches, but this is the first time I've seen their red cousins. The red-breasted variety is much smaller and livelier and they hang around much longer. The white-breasted species usually comes in and grabs a sunflower seed and immediately flies back into the neighbor's pine trees to eat it. The red-breasted birds stay for extended periods of time, climbing all over the suet feeders as well as the seed feeders. They're very active and are often seen upside down much like Brown Creepers. Their behavior is very much like a combination of the Chickadee and the Brown Creeper. They're almost tame and will stay in the tree when you're filling feeders. I've been within 3 feet of them and they showed no fear.
There's a medium-sized hawk that has been making himself at home here, hanging out in the trees with feeders on them. All the songbirds make themselves scarce when he's around, of course. I think it's a Cooper's Hawk, but I'm not entirely certain. I don't mind him being around--everybody's gotta make a living--but I don't like him scaring away the other birds for long periods of time.
Here's a list of what I've seen so far this winter:
- Cardinal
- Chickadee
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Cooper's Hawk
- Bluejay
- House Sparrow
- White-throated Sparrow
- Tree Sparrow
- House Finch
- Common Redpoll
- American Goldfinch
- Downy Woodpecker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Slate-colored Junco
- Mourning Dove
- Starling
Gotta make sure all the feeders are full because there's a big storm coming, maybe as much as 6-12" of snow. Tough on the birds when it gets that deep.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
ROYAL WALNUT MOTH
I don't know what it is about this place, but I've seen more big insects here than I've ever seen anywhere else in Ohio. First it was a luna moth in the driveway. This time it was a Royal Walnut moth on the side of the house.
As impressive as the luna was, the Royal Walnut was even more impressive. You think so?
As impressive as the luna was, the Royal Walnut was even more impressive. You think so?
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
LUNA
I've been busy doing real work lately, so I've been sitting on this one for about a month. On May 11, this showed up in the driveway:
I just today looked it up and verified that it was a luna moth. It's a big, beautiful thing--the dog thought it was especially appealing because she tried to eat it. They're one of the largest moths in North America. Unfortunately for them, their life as an adult lasts only about one week.
As they say, beauty is often so evanescent.
Oh, yeah, here's the dog that tried to eat the moth. Her name is Dea and she's a rescue Lab:
I just today looked it up and verified that it was a luna moth. It's a big, beautiful thing--the dog thought it was especially appealing because she tried to eat it. They're one of the largest moths in North America. Unfortunately for them, their life as an adult lasts only about one week.
As they say, beauty is often so evanescent.
Oh, yeah, here's the dog that tried to eat the moth. Her name is Dea and she's a rescue Lab:
Friday, May 25, 2007
LITE PEACHES
Al likes Spam. A lot. He likes it cold, he likes it hot--he just likes Spam. Now and then he looks in his recycling bin and notices a lot of empty Spam cans in it and wonders what people would think if they saw his recycling.
Al also likes canned peaches. He says he buys the lite canned peaches but then figures if it’s light something must be missing, so he dumps a bunch of sugar in them.
Of course you have to know that Al lives by himself. His wife died a couple years ago and now it’s just him, a cat and a Jack Russell terrier that chews his hearing aids and false teeth.
Al also likes canned peaches. He says he buys the lite canned peaches but then figures if it’s light something must be missing, so he dumps a bunch of sugar in them.
Of course you have to know that Al lives by himself. His wife died a couple years ago and now it’s just him, a cat and a Jack Russell terrier that chews his hearing aids and false teeth.
Friday, April 27, 2007
A SWEET DOUBLEHEADER (NOTHING TO DO WITH BASEBALL)
It's always nice when good things happen to you. For me it's always unexpected because I tend to be a pessimist and, frankly, lots of stuff--of the bad variety--has happened to me. Not as much as some, but maybe more than most.
But today I did my duty to myself and my health and had a colonoscopy and the doctor said everything looked great, see you in ten years. Of course I automatically thought I won't be around in another ten years to see him again, but when you've had a quintuple heart bypass on your 39th birthday--following a heart attack when you were still 38--you figure now that you've made it to 54, you're really on borrowed time.
Be that as it may, when I got home and was able to eat solid food for the first time in more than 36 hours I was feeling doubly fine. Then the day got even better.
I glanced out the patio doors to check the birds as I do numerous times every day and on one feeder I saw a bird I hadn't seen in at least 20 years. There was Pheucticus ludovicianus--the red-breasted grosbeak--one of God's most beautiful creatures. It was facing away from me at first and its primrose breast couldn't be seen, but I knew from the white bars on the black wings and the white marks on the black rump what it was.
As you can see, it finally rewarded me with a full frontal view. Just wish I had a better zoom on my digital camera. But I'm not complaining. On this day I have nothing much to complain about.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
STARRY, STARRY NIGHT
Friday night was an incredible night for stargazing. It's pretty rare to have a completely cloudless night here, but Friday it was perfect for scanning the heavens.
I hadn't had the SkyScout out for quite a while--last time it was the middle of winter and cold as the dickens. For some reason I thought about getting it out Friday, but I couldn't find the damn thing. I looked everywhere I thought it could be, but it wasn't there. Finally I located the damn thing in the closet in our bedroom, next to my camera gadget bag.
The sky was so dark and the stars were so bright that it was hard to know where to start. The moon was just a sliver, so it didn't throw too much light and spoil things. Pollux and Castor, the planet Saturn, Aldebaran, you name it, they were all just leaping out of the darkness. For some reason, though, Polaris always seems to be not very bright here, maybe because pole light on the barn pollutes the view to the north. I"ve noticed it's also hard to see the Ursa constellations, maybe for the same reason.
The cleanest views here are to the northwest, west, southwest and south. The southeast isn't bad, either. But there's light pollution from Oberlin to the east and northeast and the barn light to the north. From about 315˚ around to 135˚ is almost pure darkness, which is very hard to find these days unless you really live in the boonies.
I would have stayed out for an hour, but it was actually kinda chilly--about 45˚--and I had my shorts on because it had been a warm day. Should have just changed into something warmer, but there you have it. I wish I had had a telescope, but I have curbed the urge to buy one thus far. Probably just be another expensive toy that would collect dust. Or not.
I hadn't had the SkyScout out for quite a while--last time it was the middle of winter and cold as the dickens. For some reason I thought about getting it out Friday, but I couldn't find the damn thing. I looked everywhere I thought it could be, but it wasn't there. Finally I located the damn thing in the closet in our bedroom, next to my camera gadget bag.
The sky was so dark and the stars were so bright that it was hard to know where to start. The moon was just a sliver, so it didn't throw too much light and spoil things. Pollux and Castor, the planet Saturn, Aldebaran, you name it, they were all just leaping out of the darkness. For some reason, though, Polaris always seems to be not very bright here, maybe because pole light on the barn pollutes the view to the north. I"ve noticed it's also hard to see the Ursa constellations, maybe for the same reason.
The cleanest views here are to the northwest, west, southwest and south. The southeast isn't bad, either. But there's light pollution from Oberlin to the east and northeast and the barn light to the north. From about 315˚ around to 135˚ is almost pure darkness, which is very hard to find these days unless you really live in the boonies.
I would have stayed out for an hour, but it was actually kinda chilly--about 45˚--and I had my shorts on because it had been a warm day. Should have just changed into something warmer, but there you have it. I wish I had had a telescope, but I have curbed the urge to buy one thus far. Probably just be another expensive toy that would collect dust. Or not.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
THE SIMPLE GIFTS OF COUNTRY LIVING
The township snowplow just went up the road past the house, clearing away another layer of global warming. It may seem like an insignificant thing that I know the guy who drives that truck, but in today's tangled-up, anonymous world, it's really sort of comforting.
My road isn't cleared by some nameless, faceless civil service turd who has more loyalty to AFSCME than he does to the people who pay his salary. It's cleared by Jim, the township road man, and I can count on him to plow and salt pretty much whenever we need it. If things get really bad I can call him down at the township garage or, if he's out in the truck somewhere, I can get him on his cell phone.
Try that in your big city or suburb. Good luck getting somebody to answer the phone at the street department, and if you do get through, good luck getting somebody to give a shit about you and your problem.
It's different here because for the most part, this is an actual community, where everybody--mostly--knows everybody else and everybody--mostly--figures we're all in this thing together out here in the boonies. Ain't no suits from the city gonna come out and save us; we have to take care of ourselves and each other.
We have 17.3 miles of township roads in Camden Township and there's nary a pothole on any of those 17.3 miles. And Jim the township road man and the township trustees are damned proud of that. Might seem like real small change to you, but think about my pothole-free roads the next time you bust a ball joint in one of Cleveland's axle-breakers.
There goes Jim down the road, finishing his circuit over here. Snow's still coming down pretty good, so I guess I'll be seeing him a new more times before it's all said and done. Call me silly, but I take comfort in that. As the old Shaker hymn said, 'tis a gift to be simple.
My road isn't cleared by some nameless, faceless civil service turd who has more loyalty to AFSCME than he does to the people who pay his salary. It's cleared by Jim, the township road man, and I can count on him to plow and salt pretty much whenever we need it. If things get really bad I can call him down at the township garage or, if he's out in the truck somewhere, I can get him on his cell phone.
Try that in your big city or suburb. Good luck getting somebody to answer the phone at the street department, and if you do get through, good luck getting somebody to give a shit about you and your problem.
It's different here because for the most part, this is an actual community, where everybody--mostly--knows everybody else and everybody--mostly--figures we're all in this thing together out here in the boonies. Ain't no suits from the city gonna come out and save us; we have to take care of ourselves and each other.
We have 17.3 miles of township roads in Camden Township and there's nary a pothole on any of those 17.3 miles. And Jim the township road man and the township trustees are damned proud of that. Might seem like real small change to you, but think about my pothole-free roads the next time you bust a ball joint in one of Cleveland's axle-breakers.
There goes Jim down the road, finishing his circuit over here. Snow's still coming down pretty good, so I guess I'll be seeing him a new more times before it's all said and done. Call me silly, but I take comfort in that. As the old Shaker hymn said, 'tis a gift to be simple.
Monday, November 13, 2006
FOR THE BIRDS
The bird feeders are busier than ever now that the cold weather has moved in. I was hoping the platform feeder I put on the ground would help to attract some new denizens and it seems to be working. The bluejays that hang out in the neighbor's pine trees are coming to the new feeder almost every day and I've seen a few more chickadees. The cardinals don't seem to come often, but if you're lucky you'll see them making quick feeding trips in the morning and evening.
I sat down and made a list of all the birds I've had here since we moved in 10 months ago, and I'm impressed with what we've seen. Here it is:
- Robin
- Bluebird
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Common Grackle
- Brown-headed Cowbird
- Cardinal
- Chickadee
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Cooper's Hawk
- Bluejay
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- House Sparrow
- House Finch
- American Goldfinch
- Downy Woodpecker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Slate-colored Junco
- Mourning Dove
Eighteen species ain't too bad. There may have been a couple more that I've forgotten. And that's not counting the little Horned Grebe that landed in the driveway by mistake last winter and then couldn't leave (they can only take off from water, not from dry land).
When you add in all the garter snakes, moles, voles, mice and rabbits, we have quite the little menagerie going here. Needless to say, I'm pleased. It would be cool to have deer as well, but there aren't any woods near enough for them or for squirrels. At least I don't have to fight to keep the squirrels off my bird feeders. They're no worry at all because there aren't any of them around.
I sat down and made a list of all the birds I've had here since we moved in 10 months ago, and I'm impressed with what we've seen. Here it is:
- Robin
- Bluebird
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Common Grackle
- Brown-headed Cowbird
- Cardinal
- Chickadee
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Cooper's Hawk
- Bluejay
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- House Sparrow
- House Finch
- American Goldfinch
- Downy Woodpecker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Slate-colored Junco
- Mourning Dove
Eighteen species ain't too bad. There may have been a couple more that I've forgotten. And that's not counting the little Horned Grebe that landed in the driveway by mistake last winter and then couldn't leave (they can only take off from water, not from dry land).
When you add in all the garter snakes, moles, voles, mice and rabbits, we have quite the little menagerie going here. Needless to say, I'm pleased. It would be cool to have deer as well, but there aren't any woods near enough for them or for squirrels. At least I don't have to fight to keep the squirrels off my bird feeders. They're no worry at all because there aren't any of them around.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
SNOWFLAKES ARE FLYING
Sure, it's just snow flurries and the occasional snow shower, but it's only October 12. Seems a bit early for this nonsense. But after a strong cold front moved through last night, it was clear that Indian Summer was over or in hiatus. When the mercury is barely above 40 even with the sun shining, you know a change has come.
How long will it stay this way? God, let's hope not until April. It's supposed to start warming up a bit every day, beginning tomorrow, and by Tuesday it could be in the mid-60s. I can live with that. There's a world of difference between the 40s and the 60s. One means we're still in the pleasant part of autumn, while the other means winter is coming faster than most of us would like.
How long will it stay this way? God, let's hope not until April. It's supposed to start warming up a bit every day, beginning tomorrow, and by Tuesday it could be in the mid-60s. I can live with that. There's a world of difference between the 40s and the 60s. One means we're still in the pleasant part of autumn, while the other means winter is coming faster than most of us would like.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
HARVEST
When I plowed up part of the yard for a garden earlier this year I was more or less resigned to not having a great crop. When you go from grass to garden it takes time to get rid of all the grass and weeds that were there and to get the soil built up with organic material and so forth. I hoped for the best, of course, but I knew all my hard work and expense might go largely for naught.
That turned out largely to be the case. The tomatoes did pretty well, as did the zucchini, but that was about it. Four of the five kinds of pole beans failed spectacularly and that’s actually pretty hard to do. Both types of cucumbers failed completely, as did the bitter melons, winter melons and Hami melons. The gourds actually did pretty well, but they sort of don’t count because they’re for decoration, not eating.
I planted a boatload of corn—10-12 rows each of six different varieties. Two were decorative corn, but the others were for eating. Only one variety—Mirai—did anything and what it did wasn’t much. But the few good ears we had were outstanding—sweetest corn I have ever eaten. Of course it helps when it goes right from the garden to the pot, but this stuff was so sweet I’m certain it would have been good a day after picking. The Japanese developed Mirai and it is still a bit hard to find here, but if you can find it, plant it. You will not be sorry.
I rototilled the garden at least three times and worked about 20 cubic yards of really high quality soil into it. I disked it and harrowed it and did everything I could to make it smooth and level. But I never could get it leveled properly and every time it rained hard I had standing water in parts of the corn patch. No wonder the corn never developed properly.
After the initial shot of Roundup to kill the grass before tilling, I didn’t put any additional herbicides on the garden. And boy did I have weed problems. Weeds and grass everywhere. Grew a great crop of weeds, in fact.
The raised beds did much better, especially the peppers. We’ve harvested a bumper crop of hot peppers and there are probably a hundred or more flowers still on the 10 or 12 plants. The Asian eggplant didn’t do too badly, but we only had three plants of it. The herb garden is still going strong, especially the lemon grass, parsley and lemon basil. The dill and cilantro grew like crazy, but I stupidly let them go to seed, so they sorta died off after flowering.
Once everything is done growing I’m going to rototill the ground again, but this time I’m planting grass seed. No more conventional gardens for me. I’m adding at least two more raised beds next to the two I already have and that’s the way we’re going to grow stuff from here on out. They work and they’re much easier to take care of.
The funniest thing was the asparagus. I bought 10 crowns each of two varieties, but they came—mail order—much earlier than I was ready for them. So they sat in the barn until they were pretty sad looking specimens. I thought they were beyond hope, but we decided to plant them—those not completely rotten—anyway just in case there was still some life there.
Nearly all of them grew. Go figure. So now we should have a nice little crop of asparagus next spring.
The strawberries grew pretty nicely, but we didn’t expect to get too many berries this first year and we didn’t. If they survive the winter in decent shape we might have a few quarts of berries next June.
So the final reckoning is about what I’d expected—not too hot, but not a complete waste of time and effort. If nothing else, I got plenty of exercise doing all the work in the gardens, so that’s worth something. And there’s always next year, God willing and the creeks don’t rise. These days that's as good a thing to look forward to as anything. Because if the Democrats with their 9/10 mentality take control of Congress, we might not be around next summer.
That turned out largely to be the case. The tomatoes did pretty well, as did the zucchini, but that was about it. Four of the five kinds of pole beans failed spectacularly and that’s actually pretty hard to do. Both types of cucumbers failed completely, as did the bitter melons, winter melons and Hami melons. The gourds actually did pretty well, but they sort of don’t count because they’re for decoration, not eating.
I planted a boatload of corn—10-12 rows each of six different varieties. Two were decorative corn, but the others were for eating. Only one variety—Mirai—did anything and what it did wasn’t much. But the few good ears we had were outstanding—sweetest corn I have ever eaten. Of course it helps when it goes right from the garden to the pot, but this stuff was so sweet I’m certain it would have been good a day after picking. The Japanese developed Mirai and it is still a bit hard to find here, but if you can find it, plant it. You will not be sorry.
I rototilled the garden at least three times and worked about 20 cubic yards of really high quality soil into it. I disked it and harrowed it and did everything I could to make it smooth and level. But I never could get it leveled properly and every time it rained hard I had standing water in parts of the corn patch. No wonder the corn never developed properly.
After the initial shot of Roundup to kill the grass before tilling, I didn’t put any additional herbicides on the garden. And boy did I have weed problems. Weeds and grass everywhere. Grew a great crop of weeds, in fact.
The raised beds did much better, especially the peppers. We’ve harvested a bumper crop of hot peppers and there are probably a hundred or more flowers still on the 10 or 12 plants. The Asian eggplant didn’t do too badly, but we only had three plants of it. The herb garden is still going strong, especially the lemon grass, parsley and lemon basil. The dill and cilantro grew like crazy, but I stupidly let them go to seed, so they sorta died off after flowering.
Once everything is done growing I’m going to rototill the ground again, but this time I’m planting grass seed. No more conventional gardens for me. I’m adding at least two more raised beds next to the two I already have and that’s the way we’re going to grow stuff from here on out. They work and they’re much easier to take care of.
The funniest thing was the asparagus. I bought 10 crowns each of two varieties, but they came—mail order—much earlier than I was ready for them. So they sat in the barn until they were pretty sad looking specimens. I thought they were beyond hope, but we decided to plant them—those not completely rotten—anyway just in case there was still some life there.
Nearly all of them grew. Go figure. So now we should have a nice little crop of asparagus next spring.
The strawberries grew pretty nicely, but we didn’t expect to get too many berries this first year and we didn’t. If they survive the winter in decent shape we might have a few quarts of berries next June.
So the final reckoning is about what I’d expected—not too hot, but not a complete waste of time and effort. If nothing else, I got plenty of exercise doing all the work in the gardens, so that’s worth something. And there’s always next year, God willing and the creeks don’t rise. These days that's as good a thing to look forward to as anything. Because if the Democrats with their 9/10 mentality take control of Congress, we might not be around next summer.
Monday, August 21, 2006
HELP ME WITH AN ID HERE
Now that I've looked through my book on North American wildlife I'm less sure that my frog in the umbrella is a Northern Cricket Frog. I think it is, but the description of the Green Treefrog worries me.
Can any frog expert or naturalist out there help me with an ID?
Can any frog expert or naturalist out there help me with an ID?
AND THEN THERE WAS ONE
I don’t know what happened to the frog I scared the shit out of, but it appears he has decided to relocate to another part of the property. Yesterday (Thursday) afternoon there was only one frog in the umbrella and I have to assume it was the one who didn’t jump down to the deck—a significant leap, by the way.
In fact, last night there were no frogs left that I could see, so I closed the umbrella and put the bungee cord around it. I couldn’t know if this was a permanent condition, but I was hoping one or both would come back. Cleaning a little frog shit off the tabletop seemed like a small price to pay for having them as companions.
This afternoon I took the bungee cord off and lifted up a panel of the umbrella to see what I could see, and there was one frog, looking not unhappy. It was weird, though, because he seemed to be almost all tan and had little if any green on him. I’d seen this before and it might be that they can change color a bit when they want or need to.
I didn’t want to crank the umbrella up and disturb him, but I looked around as best I could and didn’t see another frog anywhere. So maybe the other guy did decide he’d rather live somewhere a guy didn’t shine a flashlight in his eyes and scare him into making a seven foot jump into the darkness. He might have hurt himself making that leap—I can’t be sure one way or the other. I saw no evidence of him on the deck, so if he died, he didn’t die where he landed. I hope he’d okay, but I’d give odds he won’t be back in the umbrella.
I’ve done a lot of damage to my local wildlife this week. None of it was intentional, but you know the old saying about good intentions. Seems it often happens that way when humans interact with wild things. We don’t mean to do them harm, but we end up doing it in spite of ourselves.
08/18/06
In fact, last night there were no frogs left that I could see, so I closed the umbrella and put the bungee cord around it. I couldn’t know if this was a permanent condition, but I was hoping one or both would come back. Cleaning a little frog shit off the tabletop seemed like a small price to pay for having them as companions.
This afternoon I took the bungee cord off and lifted up a panel of the umbrella to see what I could see, and there was one frog, looking not unhappy. It was weird, though, because he seemed to be almost all tan and had little if any green on him. I’d seen this before and it might be that they can change color a bit when they want or need to.
I didn’t want to crank the umbrella up and disturb him, but I looked around as best I could and didn’t see another frog anywhere. So maybe the other guy did decide he’d rather live somewhere a guy didn’t shine a flashlight in his eyes and scare him into making a seven foot jump into the darkness. He might have hurt himself making that leap—I can’t be sure one way or the other. I saw no evidence of him on the deck, so if he died, he didn’t die where he landed. I hope he’d okay, but I’d give odds he won’t be back in the umbrella.
I’ve done a lot of damage to my local wildlife this week. None of it was intentional, but you know the old saying about good intentions. Seems it often happens that way when humans interact with wild things. We don’t mean to do them harm, but we end up doing it in spite of ourselves.
08/18/06
LIFE & DEATH IN THE BACKYARD
You can get yourself into trouble sometimes if you believe your own hot air (politicians, take note). I had just finished writing about how mating season was mostly over for the birds, so I decided to clean out my bluebird houses.
The first one has had any number of sparrow families nest in it this year and it was filled nearly to the top with nesting material. Feathers from God only knows how many species of birds, leaves, straw, grass, pieces of plastic bags—you name it. I suspect each successive family didn’t bother to clean up what the last outfit had left, they just built on top of what was already there.
The second house was just as full of stuff, but this time there were eggs mixed in with it. Four small buff eggs with brown spots. Oops. Sorry folks, but it was time to clean house.
The last house was absolutely packed full of stuff. And it was packed in hard, so I had to really yank it to get it out. Well…when I yanked I got more than nest. Three little chicks tumbled to the ground, too.
Oh shit. Not what I wanted to have happen. My black Lab got all excited and by the time I shooed her away, two of them took off into the weeds. The last one I grabbed quickly and stuffed it and the nest back into the box as best I could.
I had a pretty good idea of where the other two had gone, but the weeds were thick and high. So I pointed the dog to where I knew bird number two had gone in and told her to find the bird. She’s not trained as a bird dog, but she has a pretty good nose and damned if she didn’t find it. I could hear it peeping as she nosed around in the weeds. But she got a little too excited and stepped on the damned thing before I could grab it, so we had little tragedy. I grabbed the dead bird and threw it into the cat o’ nine tails before the dog decided she had to eat it.
I dug around in the weeds where I had seen the third chick enter, but couldn’t find it, so I went back in the house feeling bad about the whole episode.
A couple hours later we were out picking tomatoes in the garden and I decided to try again to find the last chick. I set the dog where I thought it might be and damned if she didn’t find it right away. It took some time to dig down through the brush to find it, but I finally grabbed it and popped it into the hole in the box where I had previously deposited its nestmate.
I don’t know if they’ll live or die, but putting them back in the nest was the only real option I had. I may check on them in the next day or two, or I may just leave well enough alone. I’ve done enough damage to my birds for one week.
08/15/06
The first one has had any number of sparrow families nest in it this year and it was filled nearly to the top with nesting material. Feathers from God only knows how many species of birds, leaves, straw, grass, pieces of plastic bags—you name it. I suspect each successive family didn’t bother to clean up what the last outfit had left, they just built on top of what was already there.
The second house was just as full of stuff, but this time there were eggs mixed in with it. Four small buff eggs with brown spots. Oops. Sorry folks, but it was time to clean house.
The last house was absolutely packed full of stuff. And it was packed in hard, so I had to really yank it to get it out. Well…when I yanked I got more than nest. Three little chicks tumbled to the ground, too.
Oh shit. Not what I wanted to have happen. My black Lab got all excited and by the time I shooed her away, two of them took off into the weeds. The last one I grabbed quickly and stuffed it and the nest back into the box as best I could.
I had a pretty good idea of where the other two had gone, but the weeds were thick and high. So I pointed the dog to where I knew bird number two had gone in and told her to find the bird. She’s not trained as a bird dog, but she has a pretty good nose and damned if she didn’t find it. I could hear it peeping as she nosed around in the weeds. But she got a little too excited and stepped on the damned thing before I could grab it, so we had little tragedy. I grabbed the dead bird and threw it into the cat o’ nine tails before the dog decided she had to eat it.
I dug around in the weeds where I had seen the third chick enter, but couldn’t find it, so I went back in the house feeling bad about the whole episode.
A couple hours later we were out picking tomatoes in the garden and I decided to try again to find the last chick. I set the dog where I thought it might be and damned if she didn’t find it right away. It took some time to dig down through the brush to find it, but I finally grabbed it and popped it into the hole in the box where I had previously deposited its nestmate.
I don’t know if they’ll live or die, but putting them back in the nest was the only real option I had. I may check on them in the next day or two, or I may just leave well enough alone. I’ve done enough damage to my birds for one week.
08/15/06
CICADA SONGS
You can tell summer is on the wane these August afternoons by what you hear—and what you don’t hear.
Gone for the most part is birdsong. Mating season has largely come and gone, so there’s no reason to be singing for a mate now. You still hear some calls and twitters, but the melodies of spring are long gone.
On most afternoons, the dominant sound is the clatter of cicadas. Their time on this Earth as adults is short to begin with and by now it’s much shorter still. But they do not go quietly. They let us loudly know of their presence before leaving the stage.
➢ Eight buzzards—yes, I know they’re correctly called vultures—are circling about a half-mile away, rising the late afternoon thermals. Must be something BIG and dead there.
➢ Big day for big butterflies today—Black Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail and a Monarch.
N.B. The frogs are still there, nearly six hours after I left them. One has a big turd hanging out his ass. I shined a flashlight on him and he jumped. The frog went one way and the turd went another. Guess you could say I scared the shit out of him.
08/15/06
Gone for the most part is birdsong. Mating season has largely come and gone, so there’s no reason to be singing for a mate now. You still hear some calls and twitters, but the melodies of spring are long gone.
On most afternoons, the dominant sound is the clatter of cicadas. Their time on this Earth as adults is short to begin with and by now it’s much shorter still. But they do not go quietly. They let us loudly know of their presence before leaving the stage.
➢ Eight buzzards—yes, I know they’re correctly called vultures—are circling about a half-mile away, rising the late afternoon thermals. Must be something BIG and dead there.
➢ Big day for big butterflies today—Black Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail and a Monarch.
N.B. The frogs are still there, nearly six hours after I left them. One has a big turd hanging out his ass. I shined a flashlight on him and he jumped. The frog went one way and the turd went another. Guess you could say I scared the shit out of him.
08/15/06
TWO FROGS IN THE UMBRELLA
The umbrella stayed down until Sunday, when we wanted to put tung oil on the patio table and chairs to keep the wood well preserved and good looking. So after I wiped the table with mineral spirits to clean the surface, I opened the umbrella up to shade the table.
A frog fell out of the umbrella onto the table as soon as I started cranking and I figured that was the one I had seen on Friday evening. But when I got the umbrella fully open, I noticed a second frog on the metal collar that connects the struts of the umbrella and rides up and down on the pole. So now there were two frogs living in the umbrella. A regular frog family in there. Or at least there had been until I rather rudely dislodged one from his perch.
I tried to catch the little guy on the table so I could return him to his pal, but he would have none of it. The first hop was off the table onto the deck, where we repeated our little pantomime and he ended up in the bed around the deck with the Rose of Sharon bushes. Okay, fine, be that way. You found your way up into the umbrella once, so now we’ll see if you can repeat that performance.
Today (Tuesday) I wanted to put a second coat of tung oil on the table and chairs, so once more I opened the umbrella (I had to close it Monday because a line of thunderstorms was approaching). This time there were two frogs on the umbrella collar and both held on bravely as I raided them up with the umbrella.
They didn’t stay on the collar long, though. Both crawled out onto the aluminum struts of the umbrella and watched me do my work. They’re probably still there, though I am not.
It’s interesting how they made a home out of the inside of a patio umbrella. Certainly it provides good protection from predators, which must be numerous considering their size. Can’t be much food in there for them, so maybe they come out at night and hunt insects or whatever it is they eat. Whatever they do, they must know their way to and fro, because the frog I inadvertently chased into the garden is back. I can’t prove it’s him, but it must be.
08/15/06
A frog fell out of the umbrella onto the table as soon as I started cranking and I figured that was the one I had seen on Friday evening. But when I got the umbrella fully open, I noticed a second frog on the metal collar that connects the struts of the umbrella and rides up and down on the pole. So now there were two frogs living in the umbrella. A regular frog family in there. Or at least there had been until I rather rudely dislodged one from his perch.
I tried to catch the little guy on the table so I could return him to his pal, but he would have none of it. The first hop was off the table onto the deck, where we repeated our little pantomime and he ended up in the bed around the deck with the Rose of Sharon bushes. Okay, fine, be that way. You found your way up into the umbrella once, so now we’ll see if you can repeat that performance.
Today (Tuesday) I wanted to put a second coat of tung oil on the table and chairs, so once more I opened the umbrella (I had to close it Monday because a line of thunderstorms was approaching). This time there were two frogs on the umbrella collar and both held on bravely as I raided them up with the umbrella.
They didn’t stay on the collar long, though. Both crawled out onto the aluminum struts of the umbrella and watched me do my work. They’re probably still there, though I am not.
It’s interesting how they made a home out of the inside of a patio umbrella. Certainly it provides good protection from predators, which must be numerous considering their size. Can’t be much food in there for them, so maybe they come out at night and hunt insects or whatever it is they eat. Whatever they do, they must know their way to and fro, because the frog I inadvertently chased into the garden is back. I can’t prove it’s him, but it must be.
08/15/06
THE FROG IN THE UMBRELLA
It’s been so hot and nasty this summer that we’ve spent almost zero time on the deck. Just too damned uncomfortable out there. So the umbrella over the table has been cranked down and buttoned up for months.
But in the last week or so the heat has moderated and we’ve had a string of bluebird days with low humidity, reasonable temps and a fresh breeze. Nice enough, in fact, to eat dinner on the deck Friday night.
Before firing up the grill to burn some burgers, I took the bungee cord off the umbrella and cranked it up to give us some additional shade. As I was finishing up the chore, I happened to look at the crank handle and there sat a tiny frog, scrunched up between the inside of the crank and the pole.
When I say tiny, I mean downright miniscule. Tiniest frog I’ve ever seen…maybe twice the size of my thumbnail. An inch long at most. He—or she or it—was light brown and green. At first I thought it was a toad, but a little poking around on the Internet showed it was a Northern Cricket Frog.
Not wanting to disturb our little lodger any more than I had already, I left the umbrella up when we were done eating. Seemed like the least I could do for our guest.
By dusk there was no sign of the frog anymore, so I cranked the umbrella back down.
08/13/06
But in the last week or so the heat has moderated and we’ve had a string of bluebird days with low humidity, reasonable temps and a fresh breeze. Nice enough, in fact, to eat dinner on the deck Friday night.
Before firing up the grill to burn some burgers, I took the bungee cord off the umbrella and cranked it up to give us some additional shade. As I was finishing up the chore, I happened to look at the crank handle and there sat a tiny frog, scrunched up between the inside of the crank and the pole.
When I say tiny, I mean downright miniscule. Tiniest frog I’ve ever seen…maybe twice the size of my thumbnail. An inch long at most. He—or she or it—was light brown and green. At first I thought it was a toad, but a little poking around on the Internet showed it was a Northern Cricket Frog.
Not wanting to disturb our little lodger any more than I had already, I left the umbrella up when we were done eating. Seemed like the least I could do for our guest.
By dusk there was no sign of the frog anymore, so I cranked the umbrella back down.
08/13/06
Friday, October 21, 2005
AS WELL AS WE COULD HAVE HOPED
Xiao Li is in the final course of his chemo treatments and every test thus far has shown no recurrence of cancer. He's even gained a little weight lately, which is good news, because he's a pretty skinny guy to begin with and the chemo has made him pretty sick and eating wasn't a high priority.
Of course there are no guarantees the good news will continue, but if we had known six months ago he'd be in this shape right now, we'd have taken that bet in a hurry.
Li's problems aren't the only ones in the family. Xiao Hong's husband tried to kill himself with an overdose of sleeping pills recently. Most of us were wondering why she bothered to take him to the hospital to save his life. The guy's a loser and I don't trust him as far as I can throw him. The first time I went to China in '97 he was in jail for being involved with selling stolen cars. I just don't like the guy. This is her second loser husband. She seems to have a knack for attracting them and then marrying them. Maybe that makes her a loser, too.
Monday, August 08, 2005
STARTING DOWN THE ROAD
Xiao Li has started chemo treatments. He didn't have much reaction at first and I think he perhaps thought we had misled him about the nastiness of chemotherapy. Then he got sick as a dog and now he knows we did not exaggerate.
But he's getting through it. He's getting the treatments at a hospital in Qinhuangdao, so at least he's in his hometown and not 350 km away in Tianjin. Something to be said for that.
Once he's done with his course of treatment I want to try to get him a B-2 visa so he can come to visit. Who knows what his longterm outlook is, so let's at least give him a chance to see the USA now. He's in the queue for a green card, but the quota has been exhausted for this year and there's no telling how long that process might take. Let's not wait. It would only be a short stay, but that's okay.
But he's getting through it. He's getting the treatments at a hospital in Qinhuangdao, so at least he's in his hometown and not 350 km away in Tianjin. Something to be said for that.
Once he's done with his course of treatment I want to try to get him a B-2 visa so he can come to visit. Who knows what his longterm outlook is, so let's at least give him a chance to see the USA now. He's in the queue for a green card, but the quota has been exhausted for this year and there's no telling how long that process might take. Let's not wait. It would only be a short stay, but that's okay.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
SOME HOPEFUL NEWS
Xiao Li went back to the cancer hospital in Tianjin yesterday for a checkup. The doctors told him things look good thus far. They've decided to start his chemo treatments in September.
So things are looking up a bit for Li. I hope this positive news will make him start thinking more positively about his future. I don't think you can ever get well if you don't think good thoughts.
So things are looking up a bit for Li. I hope this positive news will make him start thinking more positively about his future. I don't think you can ever get well if you don't think good thoughts.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
LITTLE STEPS
Xiao Li took a taxi to Maia's house today by himself. Doesn't sound like much but it's a small step forward for him. He still gets tired quickly and since he's now missing part of one lung I expect that won't change.
The thing we have to do now is to get him to think good thoughts and not dwell on his disease. None of us is guaranteed any days on this Earth, so there's no reason why he should sit around thinking morbid thoughts, which is what he's been doing. Maybe he'll be dead in five years, maybe he won't. Maybe we'll all be dead in five years. Who knows? I sure don't think I'm guaranteed the next five, so just live them one day at a time and thank God every morning when you wake up and it's a new day and you're still alive. Works for me.
I haven't heard when they're going to start the chemo treatments. I would assume it would be pretty soon. We gave him a bunch of folic acid tablets, which should help his body deal with the insult from the chemo. At least that's what I've been told by other people who have had relatives go through chemo.
\
The thing we have to do now is to get him to think good thoughts and not dwell on his disease. None of us is guaranteed any days on this Earth, so there's no reason why he should sit around thinking morbid thoughts, which is what he's been doing. Maybe he'll be dead in five years, maybe he won't. Maybe we'll all be dead in five years. Who knows? I sure don't think I'm guaranteed the next five, so just live them one day at a time and thank God every morning when you wake up and it's a new day and you're still alive. Works for me.
I haven't heard when they're going to start the chemo treatments. I would assume it would be pretty soon. We gave him a bunch of folic acid tablets, which should help his body deal with the insult from the chemo. At least that's what I've been told by other people who have had relatives go through chemo.
\
Thursday, July 07, 2005
MORE WAIT AND SEE
It's been nearly a week now since Xiao Li's surgery. They've finally gotten him out of bed. They keep you forever in Chinese hospitals, both before and after surgery. Not like here where they have you up and out ASAP.
I'm sure we sometimes send people home too soon to save money, but keeping someone in hospital for weeks after surgery when they have no complications is equally stupid. A large number of people end up getting sick in hospitals from all the germs circulating there and more than a few end up worse than when they came in the door. And trust me, Chinese hospitals have a lot to learn when it comes to cleanliness.
Still no word on the post-surgery biopsy to see if they got all the tumor. Let's pray they did. They're supposed to start him on chemo pretty soon, I think; I'll have to get the complete story on that when my wife gets home from China tonight.
But so far, so good.
I'm sure we sometimes send people home too soon to save money, but keeping someone in hospital for weeks after surgery when they have no complications is equally stupid. A large number of people end up getting sick in hospitals from all the germs circulating there and more than a few end up worse than when they came in the door. And trust me, Chinese hospitals have a lot to learn when it comes to cleanliness.
Still no word on the post-surgery biopsy to see if they got all the tumor. Let's pray they did. They're supposed to start him on chemo pretty soon, I think; I'll have to get the complete story on that when my wife gets home from China tonight.
But so far, so good.
Friday, July 01, 2005
CROSS YOUR FINGERS
The surgery is over and done and now all we can do is wait. If the surgeons did their job properly it's now up to Xiao Li and his will to live. I hope his will to live is strong.
The cancer is non-small cell, which is good news, if there can be any good news about lung cancer. If they got all the tumors and the cancer hasn't spread to places they haven't found, the odds of Li living at least another five years are pretty good. But what's needed now is follow-on chemo treatment and that may be a problem over there. The doctors there may not be up to snuff on the latest treatments and the drugs currently being used very successfully in the US may not be available.
All we can do is push them, but even that may not be enough. Let's hope it is.
The cancer is non-small cell, which is good news, if there can be any good news about lung cancer. If they got all the tumors and the cancer hasn't spread to places they haven't found, the odds of Li living at least another five years are pretty good. But what's needed now is follow-on chemo treatment and that may be a problem over there. The doctors there may not be up to snuff on the latest treatments and the drugs currently being used very successfully in the US may not be available.
All we can do is push them, but even that may not be enough. Let's hope it is.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
MORE BAD NEWS
The news from China is not any better. Doctors have found Xiao Li's cancer has spread to at least two other locations. The initial diagnosis came from the cancer hospital in Tianjin.
He wanted a second opinion, so he found someone with some good guanxi who could get him into some sort of military hospital in Beijing that's supposed to be tops in the field. But today the doctors there confirmed the diagnosis.
Everyone is depressed and scared to death that he'll never survive the surgery. Understandable. I can hardly think of a more frightening sentence than "You need surgery in a Chinese hospital."
But there may be no alternative. No one is even talking about chemo or radiation. It's like they don't exist there. Maybe they don't. It would come as no great surprise.
Maybe all that's left is prayer.
He wanted a second opinion, so he found someone with some good guanxi who could get him into some sort of military hospital in Beijing that's supposed to be tops in the field. But today the doctors there confirmed the diagnosis.
Everyone is depressed and scared to death that he'll never survive the surgery. Understandable. I can hardly think of a more frightening sentence than "You need surgery in a Chinese hospital."
But there may be no alternative. No one is even talking about chemo or radiation. It's like they don't exist there. Maybe they don't. It would come as no great surprise.
Maybe all that's left is prayer.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
THE BIG C
My Chinese brother in-law--only brother in-law I have, actually--has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Beyond that I don't know too much. Whether it's small cell or non-small cell and whether it's spread beyond the lung--I don't have a clue. All I know is they found a spot in a chest X-ray, checked it again with a CT scan and told him it was lung cancer. I don't know if they've even done a biopsy, which you'd think would have been an immediate thing, but this is China, not the USA.
Lung cancer is sure not something you'd ever want to have, but if you had to have it, you'd sure rather have it just about anywhere other than China. I've seen their medical care up close and personal and it still sends shivers down my spine to think about it.
Fortunately for Xiao Li, his sister--my wife--knows a lot of Chinese doctors in the US and she contacted one who is a cancer expert--oncologist, I assume--and as luck would have it, he's just gone back to China. So this doctor is going to take a look at Li on Wednesday, June 22, at a hospital in Tianjin, which is about 250 km from Qinhuangdao. There's also a cancer hospital in Tianjin that is supposedly the #1 facility in China. At least that's what they claim.
I got my first look at Chinese medicine in 1988. One of these days I'll write about that experience, which changed my life forever.
In the meantime if you would, please say a prayer for my brother in-law. He's a righteous guy and the kind of person I'd want as a brother if only I had one.
Lung cancer is sure not something you'd ever want to have, but if you had to have it, you'd sure rather have it just about anywhere other than China. I've seen their medical care up close and personal and it still sends shivers down my spine to think about it.
Fortunately for Xiao Li, his sister--my wife--knows a lot of Chinese doctors in the US and she contacted one who is a cancer expert--oncologist, I assume--and as luck would have it, he's just gone back to China. So this doctor is going to take a look at Li on Wednesday, June 22, at a hospital in Tianjin, which is about 250 km from Qinhuangdao. There's also a cancer hospital in Tianjin that is supposedly the #1 facility in China. At least that's what they claim.
I got my first look at Chinese medicine in 1988. One of these days I'll write about that experience, which changed my life forever.
In the meantime if you would, please say a prayer for my brother in-law. He's a righteous guy and the kind of person I'd want as a brother if only I had one.
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