tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190811802024-03-25T07:43:18.993-04:00Ron's Rec RoomThis is a journal, or a log, or maybe just a diary, detailing my treatment for Prostate Cancer by use of Proton Therapy. My treatment was done at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, Florida.Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-20136701650958544212010-08-06T10:01:00.001-04:002010-08-06T10:03:47.154-04:00Greetings from Hamilton County, Tennessee<object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7zCS9IBHp20&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7zCS9IBHp20&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-34269670210702255172010-07-21T12:09:00.000-04:002010-07-21T12:12:09.957-04:00Foggy Mountain Breakdown!<object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/icMTVV5Lwaw&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/icMTVV5Lwaw&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-7867243827108764342010-03-25T16:26:00.000-04:002010-03-25T16:28:13.030-04:00God is Faithful...<object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hRT08LdEstw&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hRT08LdEstw&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-48022111694864212022010-03-22T14:22:00.000-04:002010-03-22T14:23:18.619-04:00The Nickel Plate Railroad...<object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lcQ19n5kKXg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lcQ19n5kKXg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-88549132060614516212010-03-04T17:24:00.003-05:002010-03-04T17:44:08.204-05:00Two-year Cancer Checkup<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In late January, Anita and I headed out the door for Florida and a follow-on examination for the Proton Therapy I had back in 2007-08 for my prostate cancer. We'd decided to make a trip of it, so we started by visiting Vince and Legare in Birmingham, Alabama on our way down to Niceville. Was great to see them again, likewise the folks in Niceville amongst whom we'd lived for eight wonderful years. After three days there, we drove over to Daytona Beach and took a condo on the beach for a couple more great days. Then on to Kissimmee for a couple more days, on south to Pompano Beach for three (church and lunch with Chattanooga friends Everett and Gayle there), then back up to Orlando. We were able to spend one evening with some of Anita's cousins David and Stacy (and their four kids, including newly-born triplets) in Lakeland. The next evening we drove to Wildwood for dinner with Steve and Laurie and their beautiful daughters. Finally on February 4th we highballed for Jacksonville and had my checkup. I passed with flying colors so we're very happy about that. We were also glad that friends Gary and Patty from Lewiston, Idaho were there at the same time, so we could enjoy some time catching up. BTW, whenever you go to JAX, try to stop at Clark's Fishcamp; they have the best catfish you'll ever eat ;-) I should add that we stayed at the Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra - a very nice place for a reasonable price if you use PriceLine.com.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Best wishes...</span></span></div>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-43539317050050304172010-02-09T11:17:00.000-05:002010-02-09T11:19:34.698-05:00Awaken, O America<object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2fzKY0hS_Pw&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2fzKY0hS_Pw&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-62434405108082525242010-01-19T16:54:00.000-05:002010-01-19T16:56:04.963-05:00Navy Drill Team in Norway<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xWGU3mpfRoM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xWGU3mpfRoM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object></span>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-37372899067647054052010-01-12T11:34:00.000-05:002010-01-12T11:35:03.599-05:00Hard-Workin' Railroad Man<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PnWUvkZozeo&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PnWUvkZozeo&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object></span>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-68161952869031125302010-01-03T15:05:00.001-05:002010-01-03T15:06:39.082-05:00Lord of the Dance<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_4K9G2xTs3Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_4K9G2xTs3Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object></span></span>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-208709159826686632010-01-02T22:22:00.001-05:002010-01-02T22:24:43.866-05:00the Belfast Polka<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eUzQIgBaTR4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eUzQIgBaTR4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object></span></span>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-2912334858030949372010-01-02T22:15:00.005-05:002010-01-02T22:26:29.260-05:00Celtic Violins<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; "><object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ywMPtwM8avs&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ywMPtwM8avs&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object></span></span>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-28296538214064174172009-09-16T22:55:00.002-04:002009-09-16T23:18:11.218-04:00Badgers? We don't need...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You may be familiar with the 1948 movie, </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsdZKCh6RsU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Treasure of the Sierra Madre</i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, starring Humphrey Bogart. You may also be familiar with the 1974 movie, </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFwprS_L6tg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Blazing Saddles</i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, made by Mel Brooks.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This particular clip is dedicated to all my friends from Wisconsin. Check the links above for the original and the first parody, then watch this parody by "Weird Al" Yankovic in the 1989 movie <i>UHF</i>.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gx6TBrfCW54&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gx6TBrfCW54&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Best wishes...</span></span></span></div>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-12266105175503793322009-08-08T17:52:00.002-04:002009-08-08T19:55:35.200-04:00Year-and-a-half Cancer Check-up<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">Anita and I returned Friday from a trip to Jacksonville where we enjoyed the beauty of the Florida Atlantic coast and also spent a few hours at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute for my 18-month checkup. Thanks and praise to God, all is well. My PSA was/is now at 0.4, so I'm a happy camper. We stayed out in Ponta Vedra at the Marriott...a very nice place.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwygjDEALVY7Q2ytDO_zHIVVNRbUOyWeE2Uw2CrugtNjyCgqnCRVLA6BGXFxSAtSGXd6HCelTlhzOXkgw59etzQOqzoAi4l4uTytzbZgxEp9f-kceadq27bSXT7LFmlcTdfbzl/s1600-h/2009-08-04_04_SawgrassSpa_1024x600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwygjDEALVY7Q2ytDO_zHIVVNRbUOyWeE2Uw2CrugtNjyCgqnCRVLA6BGXFxSAtSGXd6HCelTlhzOXkgw59etzQOqzoAi4l4uTytzbZgxEp9f-kceadq27bSXT7LFmlcTdfbzl/s400/2009-08-04_04_SawgrassSpa_1024x600.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367745396765151570" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-6056162330928036962009-07-22T00:53:00.001-04:002009-07-22T00:54:52.148-04:00Sudbury Saturday Night<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dw7rzpvDvS0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dw7rzpvDvS0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-1137771713884648362009-07-19T21:21:00.000-04:002009-07-19T21:23:00.922-04:00New Residents!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/04QcT61BXS4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/04QcT61BXS4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object></span>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-59707294540394106912009-06-11T07:41:00.001-04:002009-06-11T07:42:40.471-04:00Suspicions Confirmed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.creators.com/comics/25/37792_image.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 750px; height: 226px;" src="http://www.creators.com/comics/25/37792_image.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-62453451039939026622009-06-09T12:02:00.001-04:002009-06-09T12:04:19.292-04:00Beautiful Saviour<div><br /></div><object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l0CbY2Wpg54&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l0CbY2Wpg54&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-30039104074870003652009-06-08T17:36:00.002-04:002009-06-08T17:42:37.434-04:00Wintley Phipps -Amazing Grace<div>Mr Wintley Phipps shares the origin of the famous spiritual, Amazing Grace...</div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DMF_24cQqT0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DMF_24cQqT0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></span><br /></div><br /><div>Thanks to friend Curt who had this YouTube video on his blog, <a href="http://coffeewithcurt.blogspot.com/">Coffee with Curt</a>.</div><div><br /></div>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-63900962171398423322009-06-07T21:29:00.003-04:002009-06-07T22:00:23.232-04:00H. Allen Smith, humouristOne of my favourite authors is (was, actually) a guy named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._Allen_Smith">H. Allen Smith</a>. This particular Smith was born in Illinois, grew up there and in Ohio, and became a youthful newspaperman in Indiana. He became well-known when he published a book of personal anecdotes called <i>Low Man on a Totem Pole</i>. It was published in 1941, before I was born.<div><br /></div><div>I first heard of Smith when I lived in Texas. Smith had moved from New York to Texas some six years before I did, and wound up in the western climes of that great state. I lived near Austin, and became a habitue of the many used book stores in and around the University of Texas where I found Smith's books in the special editions that were published during WWII.</div><div><br /></div><div>Smith participated in the first ever Chili cookoff, held in Terlingua, Texas in October of 1967. He was a fanatic in the manufacture of Chili, the National Dish of Texas, and wrote <a href="http://www.chilicookoff.com/History/History_Started.asp">some strong words on the subject</a>. I have to tell you that I have some differences with Mr. Smith in regards to the proper preparation of Chili, but I'm not alone in that regard. And I don't let our culinary differences interfere with my appreciation for the way he had with the written language.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you, my gentle reader, have a sense of humor and want to laugh yourself silly, visit your local used book store and search out the work of Mr. H. Allen Smith. In his time he was known as 'the Screwball's Boswell' for his ability to turn an interview into a hilareous newspaper column. He was known to write up curious encounters as short articles, store them in a cheesebox until he had enough for a book, and then craft them into a work of art. I commend Smith and his books to your attention.</div>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-80612126259868938072009-06-04T23:04:00.004-04:002010-03-25T16:58:34.630-04:00The Good Old Hockey GameIn honor of the Pittsburgh Penguins tying the series at 2-2, here's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Stompin</span>' Tom Connors doing The Good Old Hockey Game and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sudbury</span> Saturday Night.<div><br /><br /><object width="660" height="525"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uZWxErEbQkY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uZWxErEbQkY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="525"></embed></object><br /><br /><div>GO PENGUINS!!</div></div>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-68616701766921602772009-05-30T11:23:00.003-04:002009-05-30T11:48:20.434-04:00American Pie - Don McLean<div>Wednesday evening a group of folks got together at First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, to hear a presentation by Ken Campbell about his experience of Proton Therapy at Loma Linda, California. Two of those present had been through treatment at the University of Florida (UFPTI) about fifteen months ago, and two others had just returned from their treatment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ken mentioned that someone at Loma Linda had written new lyrics about proton therapy, set to the tune of Don McLean's 1971 Rock-n-Roll hit "American Pie." The video below will remind you of the original tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper...</div><div><br /></div><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tr-BYVeCv6U&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tr-BYVeCv6U&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />We're gonna have to learn those new lyrics, eh?Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-80064815250176495992009-05-06T08:52:00.000-04:002009-05-06T08:55:08.649-04:00Mississippi Squirrel Revival<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FgFjLB4VYSU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FgFjLB4VYSU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></span>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-59464184729094475202009-03-03T23:02:00.005-05:002009-03-03T23:39:55.895-05:00Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Look it Up)<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This morning we left our overnight lodgings at the Riverdale Inn, on the north shore of the St. John's River, and went to the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute for my one-year checkup of the treatment I had for my prostate cancer. After my checkup (a good report, thank you very much) we headed north for Amelia Island. On the way we spotted a<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_Vulture"> flock of buzzards</a> in a swamp alongside. I came to a quick stop when I spotted the white heads and tails of two <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald_Eagle">Bald Eagles</a> in amongst the buzzards. Strangest thing I ever saw.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>As we stopped it appeared they were all gathered around something dead, and apparently fighting over whatever it was. Naturally I had to change to my longer lens, so a minute or so was wasted giving one of the Eagles a moment to jump up to a tall tree stump.<br /></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCOw87k-qEWW_kEaLF11wzBhRyWVaANBGKJjv-mMycoS9hmSVtKNHV47Jyo7FRXZ6DiFYTb-dxaKA33pkzvKQLRyeDss_k55jCJNv9FWtPv2r2lgdYJ1NhQSx-54rdBFnIzQz/s1600-h/2009-03-03_017_Eagle-on-Post_1000lr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCOw87k-qEWW_kEaLF11wzBhRyWVaANBGKJjv-mMycoS9hmSVtKNHV47Jyo7FRXZ6DiFYTb-dxaKA33pkzvKQLRyeDss_k55jCJNv9FWtPv2r2lgdYJ1NhQSx-54rdBFnIzQz/s400/2009-03-03_017_Eagle-on-Post_1000lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309178598592969154" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The second Eagle stayed on the ground near the dead beastie that they'd been fighting over. No way that I know to tell whether this was a mate to the other Eagle or just a hunting companion.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjyEGiDA9O7OXq0ox-fwGRQnAIPqlhexdLcWp8sZFkSmXZ5i1WgF5nsrhT9ycCURhgvhRpz5WrURdXENbVyF_76btukhZQN2avGKq9zw9mqLZla3p5eD0OkV0dwRmaCVMuMYD/s1600-h/2009-03-03_019_Eagle-on-Ground_1024lr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjyEGiDA9O7OXq0ox-fwGRQnAIPqlhexdLcWp8sZFkSmXZ5i1WgF5nsrhT9ycCURhgvhRpz5WrURdXENbVyF_76btukhZQN2avGKq9zw9mqLZla3p5eD0OkV0dwRmaCVMuMYD/s400/2009-03-03_019_Eagle-on-Ground_1024lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309178592838348994" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The first Eagle left his perch, jumping down and grabbing the dead beast while the Buzzards whirled around him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLeu_PFTCruzFZ32YkoiD7W1iUuKmjxFDoewnYd0v_bUDEJt1IoPlQRB6wTZ33pyq16addeV0d8-20ka8f7mm9M4E1XkT25QcbOVhTZYvasfEQHrK3pPuyCQzifWXoe5Ms68_/s1600-h/2009-03-03_033_Eagle-Buzzard_1024hr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLeu_PFTCruzFZ32YkoiD7W1iUuKmjxFDoewnYd0v_bUDEJt1IoPlQRB6wTZ33pyq16addeV0d8-20ka8f7mm9M4E1XkT25QcbOVhTZYvasfEQHrK3pPuyCQzifWXoe5Ms68_/s400/2009-03-03_033_Eagle-Buzzard_1024hr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309178592837909538" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>He jumped back onto the tree stump, catching his breath before taking off again, trailing his lunch from his talons.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYYr0zdH3-oYpp55wnWJmjWQwv2Nmu3WcKm3zl2BHSdrspHxtBcBuT4bumDPOvD-cJ_qrO48OwGwy3WSuJMasZYWm0KFKiFezqxVU16ql5spsXRK4A5AVYNH5Tfi5Vnls9qGh/s1600-h/2009-03-03_053_Eagle-Lunch_1000lr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYYr0zdH3-oYpp55wnWJmjWQwv2Nmu3WcKm3zl2BHSdrspHxtBcBuT4bumDPOvD-cJ_qrO48OwGwy3WSuJMasZYWm0KFKiFezqxVU16ql5spsXRK4A5AVYNH5Tfi5Vnls9qGh/s400/2009-03-03_053_Eagle-Lunch_1000lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309178586414728226" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>He swooped around, gathering altitude in a long sweeping circle until he reached another, higher tree. It was farther away and I couldn't make him out with my 200mm lens. The Buzzards finally decided they weren't going to get their lunch away from the Eagles and left the area, too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCYe2EorYrjaMSmhdjkTG82m-QPcw9oS5cjF9WcgEYBAAte-dPdJXq620stG0KYM3wVGE18HDDlqyqN0D4Cz4cbJRr27k14lw940Ll2JUEVO9HvJiQk72XaegKyYa_fUnACEb/s1600-h/2009-03-03_054_Eagle-Lunch_1000lr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCYe2EorYrjaMSmhdjkTG82m-QPcw9oS5cjF9WcgEYBAAte-dPdJXq620stG0KYM3wVGE18HDDlqyqN0D4Cz4cbJRr27k14lw940Ll2JUEVO9HvJiQk72XaegKyYa_fUnACEb/s400/2009-03-03_054_Eagle-Lunch_1000lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309178578351180274" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We continued up the coast, taking lunch at Amelia Island and having a short (given the cold breeze) walk around Fernandina Beach before heading north to Savannah. Dinner at the Moon River brewpub near the waterfront, but we didn't spend much time strolling around town since the icy wind was still blowing a gale. Tomorrow we'll head for Atlanta and a couple of meetings before returning to Chattanooga.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>While the encounter with the Eagles was the highlight of the day, finding that my PSA has stabalized at 0.4 and my prostate is in good condition a year after the cancer treatment came in a close second. We thank God for his goodness to us.<br /></div>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-64309325352449786792009-02-28T00:00:00.003-05:002009-06-07T22:09:16.212-04:00Back Home on the Gulf Coast<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZhHYHLC9nD1H3cQ6I-pV65fRQsB8d2M_nRNbBr9lTTS-i0Y-VnH_MVoGMzFKpgiJdOtZNVsBS9UJG3Cjsf6rxF4s3YZghkL9UmSRfQrhQ2i-6kV4w5xMqL_laOwzY12QQ19U/s1600-h/2009-02-27_027_Destin-Beach_600lr.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> We are in Destin, Florida today, staying on the second floor in one of a group of two-apartment beach houses. Stepping out on the balcony, I noticed a pair of ring-necked Turtle Doves in the rain gutter next door. One had left by the time I got my camera out, but here's t</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">he other, sitting on her eggs...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQvJHwmD9u1Hfj2bCL5JzeptFRl0zvQMuWIfbivXYNNMqBcNzOLTkarxAZT0c0ocMDwwl8RcS7jX0cTr_lNFYlzsp9IXyl969kv_iTmv2Q0JmNP8bmNcucgP7-TmPbAosltOi/s1600-h/2009-02-27_010_Turtle-Dove_600lr.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQvJHwmD9u1Hfj2bCL5JzeptFRl0zvQMuWIfbivXYNNMqBcNzOLTkarxAZT0c0ocMDwwl8RcS7jX0cTr_lNFYlzsp9IXyl969kv_iTmv2Q0JmNP8bmNcucgP7-TmPbAosltOi/s400/2009-02-27_010_Turtle-Dove_600lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307709754208045282" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After breakfast I headed for the beach. The wind was blowing pretty good, but not too hard for the tourists. Here's a view up the beach, toward the east...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQvJHwmD9u1Hfj2bCL5JzeptFRl0zvQMuWIfbivXYNNMqBcNzOLTkarxAZT0c0ocMDwwl8RcS7jX0cTr_lNFYlzsp9IXyl969kv_iTmv2Q0JmNP8bmNcucgP7-TmPbAosltOi/s1600-h/2009-02-27_010_Turtle-Dove_600lr.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfZrBZFUiq1DqAqZEtqVQQ0gBzjUP-myexkOnaGsMq7O0gq_wSFpXhZDqmU-9bGdAxbnBAbEr8p3hohLIAciconj_d638O0Y5q-J5QWdbUfC4sunBr0VxWMAsOo6lHAsB352J/s400/2009-02-27_023_Destin-Beach_600lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307710058043061506" style="text-align: left;text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 235px; " /></a></span></span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lots of interesting critters -- I mean other than the tourists. Here's one of several of these guys who were digging for breakfast in the rising tide... Check the foreground of the pic above; those two butts are two more of these guys ;-)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family:Georgia;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZhHYHLC9nD1H3cQ6I-pV65fRQsB8d2M_nRNbBr9lTTS-i0Y-VnH_MVoGMzFKpgiJdOtZNVsBS9UJG3Cjsf6rxF4s3YZghkL9UmSRfQrhQ2i-6kV4w5xMqL_laOwzY12QQ19U/s400/2009-02-27_027_Destin-Beach_600lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307710516647336706" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 235px; " /></span></span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sea gulls are always interesting. Some, like these, like to hang around in groups...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family:Georgia;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPztufZaKB1NuhaNZ4Ic4KDTiEb4meiSGMkjD0GsrpqFdwnZU5IstzR51vMVztVoySdPr75vdy9jCIwSPgZ4ozjgzJdRxNgvp8Z5kh4MCWIsgDfzKy_-KgagrvCA2vnY_S5Fc/s400/2009-02-27_059_Destin-Beach_600lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307710510653202018" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 235px; " /></span></span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Others haven't had their lunch yet and are taking a more pro-active course toward finding it...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family:Georgia;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ7lKyWW9_wuZbwQG49pz2GV8Y5B3WcD1xTcgJfrwkRFB5rN6lyXti7JJ9b0_9AkkRa6zU84gwvIDZef5LN1e8HZjSt5V8T3ad_ojW_KlIYiqLniNddjz8tyZ_5EB_31KkX9y/s400/2009-02-27_068R_Destin-Beach_600lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307710507007675458" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px; " /></span></span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another shot of this guy...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family:Georgia;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWzNizEpfwNBLENpFKX2knk4w6auZI2aT54rW9eT6vgQ0miv7gNAMYOCe8nwcZ3j61bkixXjeN95GNq4NHAoHlTJaIX-e43msGt2DaSQBQcGt4L5aKT7FfeulP8wGsJGeZcMr/s400/2009-02-27_072_Destin-Beach_600lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307710504500728482" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 235px; " /></span></span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">OK, this is positively the last Gull shot (for today)...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family:Georgia;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wr1-OecCLoLV2hKqtKpXJzh9akHK9cyqvmuMffs3HoIKfuGUww7TnDnT4gpVmZsJmtaNS7B64fb-jvrpNAeusVA5zFVwfyLeuuG42OOJ-v1bFW_i6SfN_QC30Cw7lQlFC8mS/s400/2009-02-27_071_Destin-Beach_690lr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307710505999495090" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px; " /></span></span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Posted to </span><a href="http://ronsrecroom.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ron's Rec Room</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </span></div>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19081180.post-2529961168126314252009-02-25T10:41:00.001-05:002009-02-25T10:41:36.825-05:00Finasteride<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> An </FONT><A href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/24/AR2009022402934.html?wpisrc=newsletter"><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Article today in the Washington Post </FONT></A><FONT size=2 face=Arial>suggests that men taking Finasteride (AKA Proscar, Propecia) have a 25% lower incidence of prostate cancer. But reading further, we find that this is a reevaluation of a study completed in 2003 that concluded taking the drug might lead to more lethal forms of cancer. And down toward the end there's the following paragraph:</FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" dir=ltr> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>"<SPAN style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; FONT: 17px 'Times New Roman'; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; LETTER-SPACING: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0" class=Apple-style-span>About 71 men would have to take finasteride for seven years to prevent one case of prostate cancer. Kramer said a quick call to his Bethesda pharmacy showed that generic finasteride costs about $3 a day or around $1,080 a year, meaning that it could cost about half a million dollars to head off each case of prostate cancer -- while exposing dozens of men to unnecessary treatment and potential side effects, including incontinence and impotence. A small number of men taking finasteride also experience sexual side effects, such as a decrease in libido.</SPAN>"</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> Interesting, eh? What's next? I expect whenever Congress puts a Socialized Medicine plan into effect, there'll be a lot more of the calculations such as are in the paragraph above, being made by some faceless and unaccountable bureaucracy on our behalf.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> As for me, I leave for Florida on Thursday, for my one-year checkup after Proton Thereapy. Will let y'all know how that goes.</FONT></DIV>Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653978898003889325noreply@blogger.com0