thornius2

Writer's Block: My Ideal Life Ten Years from Now…

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:46:32 GMT

What does your ideal lifestyle look like 10 years from now?

Presented by Intel, Sponsors of Tomorrow.

Living in my house where I live now with the house remodeled, new furniture, state of the art electronics and photo equipment. I'd like to be in the best health I can and be pretty much independent.

Today

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:43:31 GMT

Went to the Doctor's today for my wife's weekly check-up. Everything looks good. Came home and have been visiting with our grandsons. Got some GREAT moon pictures last night and posted them to three of my sites.

The heat is getting unbearable again. That means that it'll probably rain in the next couple of days.

Not much happening.

What Big Cat Are You?

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:26:17 GMT

Thornius2

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:07:18 GMT

Thornius2

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:04:11 GMT

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 04:05:15 GMT

Cure for para/quadraplegics?

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:38:10 GMT

I found this article on the Vanderbilt University Medical Center site, today. This is REALLY cool.

https://www.myhealthatvanderbilt.com/app?service=page/PatientStoryDetails&groupIndex=4&storyIndex=33

I like it since I am a considered to be a, "Walking" quadraplegic. I received a SEVERE neck fracture in a wreck with a tractor trailer a few years ago that should have killed me instantly, or at least permanently paralized me from the neck down. Instead, I am NOT paralyzed at all after a C4-C6 spinal fusion with two metal plates, 6 screws, and a big wad of ground-up pelvis bone in my neck. Nevertheless, they say I will most likely have moderate to major problems down the road, such as arthritis and bone spurs. If I ever lose function or feeling in any part of my body this discovery may be my salvation!

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:25:03 GMT

Downloaded Watership Down the movie the othe day. I vaguely recall watching it about 30 years ago, my wife tells me we did, but I enjoyed it immensely. Am now downloading Night of the Lepus, a movie in a somewhat similar frame. My current avatar is from Lepus.Mydaughter goes back to Texas Tuesday but will be back at the end of December again.. My son sat out all night on Thanksgiving night to attend the Black Friday sale starting at 5:00 AM Friday morning. He came home with a 160 Gb computer with Windows Vista, and LCD monitor, DVD r/wr drive and a Canon printer/scanner, all for only $199.99 plus tax. Best deal I've seen in a LONG TIME. His old computer had been dead for a month so I was so glad that he could get himself a new one.

Daid No Mo'

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:28:41 GMT

After several attempts, we installed a different version of Windows XP Pro last night and I'm BACK, BABY! AND......I didn't lose a SINGLE program from my old version......I lost them ALL......Just Kidding, I kept my old favorites intact.

A Fine and Private Place

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 05:52:49 GMT

My Computer's dead. I got the dreaded blue screen with message, "Bad_Pool_Caller". After that, Nada, absolutamente NADA. Luckily, my son is a computer tech who builds and repairs computers, so he has been working on it at night. Also Luckily, we are a computer oriented family with at least one working computer for each member and several back up ones and tons of spare parts, thanks to my son. He is boosting my computer up and putting in Vista so I should be smokin' in a few days. I have been crocheting Christmas hats for the family. Mine is a huge Rastafarrian beret, done in a red and white spiral, like those red and white Spiral mints. I attached a REAL Christmas Tree Ball on top instead of a Pompom. It is metallic green. My wife brought me a cake of cheese, a case of colas, a bag of chocolate, and Thou beside me singin......WAIT! There is NO Thou. Thou has nothing to do with me or my blog.

Lucky is STILL trying to eat Two Bean Bags, so we have to watch the two of them together. Actually, Lucky was trying to eat ME this morning. Two Bean Bags gets MORE affectionate towards me every day. I think that we will soon sign a contract to become Life Partners soon.

Learning to Fly

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:52:49 GMT

My daughter flew in from Texas today. She is 34 years old and this was her first time to fly. By the time I was 34, I had flown maybe 200 times in my life. She rather liked it except for the takeoff and turbulence. She liked the view out the windows of the clouds and the ground below. She works as a model for the Texas Wine Commission and other companies in Texas. She travels all over the U.S. on modelling jobs and has always driven to them. Now, she will probably start flying.

What Dreams May Come

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:30:16 GMT

Picked up my antibiotics today and they had my Lyrica ready also. Bought 3 Plushies for my 6 year old Grandson. He and I collect them. I have 11, he now has 7. I got him a Zebra, Snow Leopard, and Dalmation to go with his black and white cow. Got a theme going now, black and white animals. He also has a dog, lop-eared rabbit, and a Clown Fish.

We have a new Catahoula Leopard dog named, Lucky. He is 13 months old now. We got him from a rescue agency. So far, he is the BEST dog that I have ever had. Sweet and calm but playful as can be if you try to play with him. And what a WONDERFUL dog to sleep with! My wife and I have always liked cats or dogs to snuggle with whenever we are asleep.

Catahoula Leopard Dogs are a Native American Breed first reported living among the Chickasaw Indians near Catahoula Lake, Louisiana. They ALL have white chests and toes, scattered dark spots at random across the body (hence Leopard). The most remarkable things about these dogs are their eyes. They are blue and brown, all swirled and mottled like marble. They are not blue like a border collie. Each eye has blue and brown. They are hunting dogs and eagerly go after ANY animal. They are used to hunt bear,squirrels, and everything in between. Lucky goes CRAZY whenever he sees a squirrel. Never the less, Catahoulas are very GOOD pets.

Lucky, The Catahoula Leopard Dog

Back to the ER

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:33:24 GMT

Came down with my wife's Strep Throat and my chronic UTI today, soooo back to the ER to get two antibiotics and and urination soother. I didn't even bother to tell them about my Achilles Tendonitis. Saw my favorite Nurse Practitioner there, April Lust: Honest-to God, that is her REAL name. I always enjoy seeing her there. Two Beans wanted to come out and play, but the dog was loose so I told him we beter wait. I'll give him one of those soft-centered raspberry Christmas candies in a minute. That will cheer him up. My daughter is coming in from Texas Sunday for a few weeks. She is always GREAT to have around. I hope she brings her Canon camera. Oh, the bird picturews I can take with it! That's all the news I have for now.

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 03:35:34 GMT

My thanks to Natalie Trumbo for the use of her picture of an Evil Rabbit. I have a pet male, black, lop-eared Rabbit named Two Bean Bags who is as sweet as can be except when he throws a temper tantrum. Then he is just like the rabbit in the picture. All claws and razor sharp teeth. He has sent me to the ER more than once for sutures, dressings, and antibiotics. Sunday morning he was snuggled in bed with me watching my grandson play video games while he licked my arm. When I'm on the computer he comes hopping up to me to beg for candy from the candy bucket on my desk.

Two Bean Bags

Ursula Vernon on bestuff.com

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:05:20 GMT

Vote for Ursula Vernon at Bestuff!

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:13:02 GMT

I found the coolest site last night. It's brand NEW, only 4 days old and is called Galaxy Zoo. This site trains you to ctegorize newly photographed galaxies and then turns you loose on the backlog of millions of galaxy photographs. Most of these galaxies have NEVER been seen by a human so YOU are the FIRST to see them and categorize them. Many of the photographs are visually stunning and what is even more amazing is that you are the first human to ever see this galaxy. I have done hundreds of galaxies already and have discovered several dozen intriguing anomalies. The site is free and anyone can do it after only fifteen minutes of training. You can also copy any of the pictures you analyze for your own file. Here are some I have done today. Here is the link: galaxyzoo.org

The return of Thornius Weatherpink, Esq.

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 23:46:33 GMT

That mysterious pain and stiffness in my right knee that had plagued me for almost two weeks now, sent me back to the ER last night. After much poking and bending of said afflicted member and some really SNAZZY, DIGITAL X-rays in 3D with MP3 sound, it was determined that once again; after a seven year hiatus, I have the gout! Luckily, it was NOT in the big toe this time, which is Excruciatingly painful, but is in the knee joint which is VERY uncomfortable, but more tolerable. After giving me a supply of Indomethacin and telling me to avoid eating the internal organs of large mammals and strange sea creatures I've barely even heard of, they sent me on my way at 2:00 AM. My wife generously donated me a Lortab from her stash, obtained the week before at the SAME ER, to get me through the night, and now having gotten the life-saving prescription filled, I am already 2/3 better.

I'm OFFICIALLY a Geezer!

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:34:54 GMT

Today-ay-ay, I feel like the luckiest man-an-an......WAIT! Wrong speech. Sorry. Today, June 15, 2007, I become a geezer. It is my 55th birthday. I am a Senior Citizen, long hair, beard, ear-rings, notwithstanding; I AM OLLLLD! Funny, I don't FEEL ancient. Yes, when I look in the mirror, I see where, "...yellowed leaves, or none, or few do hang." But all in all except for really bad soreness in my right knee and the ever-present Neuropathy in my feet, I feel really good. Not that I am a, "SEXY Senior Citizen". I haven't been anything resembling sexy since 1985. And yes, I am missing a couple of teeth, and the ones I do have hurt a lot. And the Lyrica the doctor gave me for my Neuropathy makes me REALLY dizzy and makes me stagger a lot. And I can now get at least a 10% discount at many restaurants, and movie theaters and what not,but that doesn't mean, does it?......I'M OLD!:(

Will it NEVER End?

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 05:23:17 GMT

Back to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center ER last night with really bad groin pain I am tired of this! Nobody seems to know what is REALLY going on. Senior Doctor there says, "Have you ever considered a hernia?" Was he offering to give me one? Or was he trying to brainstorm what it could possibly be? Hell, HE'S the doctor with Billions of Dollars of the latest state-of-the-art medical diagnostic equipment at his disposal. Why doesn't he just run some tests and find out exactly what it is. I know! I'll just pass the buck back to your PCP nurse practitioner who has one tenth the training I do and is in a small county health clinic. He will know for sure what is wrong with you. (Actually my PCP really IS good, I like him a lot.) So the doctor at Vandy says, "here's a quart bottle of Lortab to help with the pain" and leads me out the door. I go to my PCP today and he gets some tests done gives me lots MORE Lortab, and definitely rules out a hernia. He also starts me on some additional medication for Neuralgia and waits to see if further tests and procedures are needed. They know how to take care of their patients concerns.

Hunh?

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 02:26:55 GMT

BACK to the ER AGAIN!!!!! last night with severe groin pain from the Shingles. The doctor checks me and tells me that my SHingles are completely gone. Further tests reveal.......ta dahhhh! The original Diagnoses of a Herniated disk in my lower back. a prescription for Lortab and setup for studies by a specialist and I'm on my way.

Getting ready for the birds of Spring the is week. Six NEW, ADDITIONAL feeders and almost 100 pounds of birdseed (There goes the herniated disk). A new garden gnome, and hours of answering inquiries and teaching about wild birds on the forum where I am a bird advisor and I'm on my way.

Let 'em come, I'm ready.

Updates

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 02:43:26 GMT

Welp, finished The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2007. I had four entries for a total of about 20 species and 500 some odd birds. My best were Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker and Ruby-Crowned Kinglet. I also submitted two photos but they weren't posted.

My back is STILL hurting from the Shingles. My groin area feels a lot better but the numbness is still there and as bad as before. I ran out of Lortab agqain last night but I will try to go it alone. My wife thinks I am faking the pain to get drugs and although I LOVE the drugs, I just want rid of the pain. If I can do it without ANY drugs that is fine with me.

Downloade Adobe Lightroom today and have been playing with it. So far it looks pretty good.

Third (and Fourth) Time's The Charm

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 02:56:01 GMT

Sunday was awoken at 3:30 AM by EXCRUCIATING pain in the front of my left thigh and groin area accompanied by numbness and a mild rash in said area, along with the back pain from the "lipped disk" I got up, bathed, dressed, and notified my wife who contacted our son to take me to the hospital ER on his way to work. Son arrives in the midst of a major snowstorm, the second of the season and we proceeded to CREEP to the hospital. Luckily the ER was almost empty so they got to me right away. I got the same doctor as before and she took one look at the rash and said, "ZOSTER!" Thinking she was cursing in an obscure foreign language, I said, "Beg Pardon?" and she said, "You Have Shingles!"

Damned Chicken Pox coming back to bite me in the arse after forty-nine years! She gave me a bottle of Lortab and a week's worth of Acyclovir and sent me on my way. The Lortab and Acyclovir have helped greatly but I ran out of the Lortab last night and was up again in excruciating pain at 3:30 AM again this morning so it was back to my PCP today as a walk-in visit and follow up, and after a six hour wait, was seen and given several weeks worth of Lortab and was told it could be a month or two until I was completely better.

I am now relatively happy and quite euphoric again. Bless You, Hydrocodone!

Finally!

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 20:54:19 GMT

We got snow!!!! The first snow of 2007 started falling about 2:00AM this morning and by daybreak we had about 2 inches. Haven't gotten many bird pics, yet, but when I went in to go to the bathroom my wife saw a pair of Ruby-Crowned Kinglets show up at our suet feeder. She was able to get up within 6 inches of them. Ruby-Crowned Kinglets are the most universally tame birds there are. Most will let you walk up within inches of them, making them RIDICULOUSLY easy to photograph. I have been letting my grandson pummel me with snowballs as I photograph.

My Disk is Slipping

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 07:33:33 GMT

Just got back from the second of two hospitals in the last two days with moderate to severe left-sided lower back pain and total numbness in the front of the left thigh. Diagnoses: Slipped Disk. They pumped me full of IV Morphine and sent me home to schedule an MRI for further evaluation. The Morphine is doing very little to touch the pain so I'll just have to grin and bear it. On the good side we are expecting the first major snow of the season tomorrow night so Thursday morning I will be out bright and early to photograph the birds and winter scenes.

Spring Migration

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 23:02:45 GMT

No, it hasn't actually started, yet. But already, on my gardening forum, I am getting several inquiries every day about the arrival of Ruby-Throat-ed Hummingbirds, how to attract them and what to feed and care for them. Right now with all the snow around the country I am concentrating on bird photography, bird photographs and Winter birds. So far this week in my yard, I have had, Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, White-Throat-ed Sparrows and two days ago a flock of Ring-Billed Gulls flew HIGH over my house in a loose "V" formation. I am trying new feeds more to the tastes of the Winter birds and am going heavier on the High-energy and Peanut butter suets. Within two months my yard will become a madhouse (mad-yard?). Or the same thing will happen if we EVER get snow here. Until then I will satisfy myself with whatever I can get. In the meantime, I am Thornius. The Bird Man, at thegardenhelper.com, in the Gardening Forum: Birds and Butterfly Gardens.