March 12, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Gold Spheres – Cancer’s Silver Bullet?

tiny gold balls white background

It is the nature of my anxiety to manifest in what I lovingly call a cancerphobia.

Because of this, I listen a little more intently when scientists bring up a potential treatment – something that destroys those evil cells without taking out all the good ones.

Yesterday, as I pumped my arm and caught up on the February issue of Smithsonian, I came across a new hopeful glimmer (literally, sort of) in the “Phenomenon” section. In a nutshell, doctors are experimenting with injecting gold covered, spherical nanoparticles into cancerous tumors, blasting the spheres with near-infrared light, and letting those nanoparticles contaminate the tumor with heat.

Learn the rest in the Smithsonian article, “How Doctors Are Harnessing the Power of Gold to Fight Cancer.”

I mean, aren’t modern science and medicine amazing? Better, they find a trial that seems almost artful, bringing in the most sought after metal in history to possibly save us from the scourge of our time. That’s poetry, m’dears.

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March 10, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Lakes of Ice Beneath Blankets of Stars

Holland State Park Lake Michigan

Just a note to say we had a great weekend full of ice and stars.

On Saturday we got together with my sister and her husband, who live relatively close to the shoreline of Lake Michigan. If you’re not from the area, you might not know that the Great Lakes have come close to freezing solid this winter (not the norm; thank you, polar vortex). The result is a landscape vastly different from the familiar sand and water of the summer.

In the picture above, most of the people you see are walking on the lake. Not on the beach. On the lake. The hills and ridges are waves, and the green and white tower is the end of a pier. It was very surreal. From atop those waves, we could see moving water… way out on the horizon.

Neil deGrasse Tyson Martian Sunrise Sunday was a day my husband and I have anticipated for literally years. The new ‘Cosmos’ with Neil deGrasse Tyson premiered on network television, and it was so cool. We weren’t able to concentrate as fully as we’d have liked (because, toddler), but it was still fantastic to be a part of this thing. We even made NDT’s own astronomy themed cocktail: The Martian Sunrise. Can’t wait to see what comes next.

To your week!

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March 5, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Honey Pie

sleeping bear farms raw honeyMy sweet tooth has been acting up lately, and I’ve had this hankering to make a fruit pie from scratch.

Of course, it’s easier to pick up a box of paczki (thank you, Fat Tuesday) and call it good. Which is exactly what I did.

Still, I’m realizing that it might be smarter to have something on hand – something that’s sweet, yet not so overloaded with refined carbs and other questionables. I looked to my daughter’s new fondness of Pooh Bear for inspiration.

Honey. Lovely, golden, sticky, sweet honey. We rarely use it, but usually have a small container of generic honey in the pantry. But I’ve been meaning to try the raw variety, and picked up some Sleeping Bear Farms raw honey from the Meijer ‘Made-in-Michigan’ endcap last weekend.

The most noticeable difference is appearance. Rather than a translucent, thick liquid, the raw honey is opaque and more like a paste. It contains very tiny flecks of pollen and propolis, both of which are thought to offer health benefits, including antibacterial properties. Softening and liquifying the honey is as easy as putting it over a small amount of heat.

Ideally, a little honey now and then will be enough to counter the siren song of 7-11 doughnuts and cheap brownie mix. We shall see. In the meantime, I’m pretty excited about this addition to my arsenal.

Also (and please don’t mind the cheesy visuals):

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March 3, 2014 · 1:00 pm

A Change of Plans…

girl toddler pink sleeper booksThis was going to be a post about the opening of the St. Patrick’s Day season, in which I told you of the lovely time we had at Family Day with our friends from Quinn & Tuite’s Irish Pub.

Instead, it is a post about how I now feel like a real parent. Because I have been vomited upon by a small child to whom I gave birth. It is about plans that went from green and dancing and the making of merry to a liter of electrolyte fluid and endless loads of laundry.

On Friday evening, Iris seemed just a little off, though it was nothing a good night of sleep wouldn’t fix. I’d been telling her all day that on Saturday, we were going to go somewhere special, and see all kinds of wonderful people and hear great music to which we could dance. I created an outfit comprising a green sweater and skirt, and set out tights and green accessories.

We hung the St. Patrick’s Day decorations while listening to the Waking Ned Divine soundtrack. Iris learned about cheap bead necklaces, and squealed at the strings of Irish flag lights strewn around the house. It was awesome.

But on Saturday morning, I awoke to the noise of choking and sputtering and what sounded like heaving in the monitor. Hardly conscious, I ran down to a crying Iris, who was learning an uncomfortable lesson about being human.

The day saw us cleaning up multiple GI upsets, and washing several piles of sleepers and blankets and robes. I made the trek to Meijer (in a mounting snow storm) for some hydrating fluids. We watched hours of Thomas. Iris did a lot of resting on her parents – which, admittedly, both of us liked, despite the circumstances.

Plans change. People learn about being people, and existing in a family unit. Still, even though my child seems to have it out for my favorite holiday and its festivities (beginning with her March 17th birth), it’s beyond worth it to have my own little rockstar who heals her unhappy tummy, in part, with books.

Oh, and also – February is over! Spring is only three weeks away, whatever the snowbanks out my door might say. Happy March!

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February 24, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Midwinter Dinner Date

Charley's crab on Grand RiverIt had been too long since my husband and I experienced date night. I made some Iris arrangements (with the help of an endlessly generous friend), asked him out, and on Saturday night we treated ourselves.

Way back at Christmas 2012, our parents gave us a gift card to Charley’s Crab – a local, somewhat upscale seafood restaurant. I think the only other location is in Palm Beach. Anyway, I’d been there a number of times as a child, but other, “hipper” restaurants sort of outshone it as I grew up. These days, it’s nice to sometimes go places that specialize in seafood… it’s like the pescetarian version of a steak house. Although, actually being able to choose from the whole menu is a bit overwhelming. We overcame that challenge with glee.

The Riesling, mussels, salmon pâté, poppy seed rolls, Mediterranean fish chowder, bouillabaisse (for me) and a Caribbean Combo (for him) were all delicious, and helped us reach our butter quota for the month.

No room or time for dessert – we planned to see the 9:30 showing of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in 3D. Ultimately, I enjoyed it a great deal. Somewhat bummed the Mirkwood/Beorn bit was altered, but was an immediate fan of the dragon portrayal (and I don’t even watch Sherlock!). Devastating in all the best ways. I might have been a little put off by the Tauriel/Legolas thing if I hadn’t known about it beforehand, but really, it’s just a movie. I simply wanted to enjoy it. Still, I can’t help but be amused that Legolas looks older than he did in LOTR…

Tremendous indeed.

dragon Smaug Hobbit Bilbo movie

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February 21, 2014 · 1:00 pm

The Assignment that Never Ends…

never ending wood board road

In the past, I’ve had work assignments that were big, and seemed like they’d never be over.

The one I completed last night took the cake.

While it was technically due by 5pm yesterday, most writers working on the numerous parts (myself included) were finding the articles to take significantly longer than expected. Our overlord (a very nice guy, incidentally), allowed us until today to finish, and you could hear the collective sighs of relief from our various remote locations across the country.

Perhaps it was all the Dutch names. Maybe it was our general unfamiliarity with the Dutch landscape. Or it could have been the monotony of the keywords. I like to think it was all of these, tossed in with some characteristic writer procrastination.

Whatever the case, I felt as though I’d be writing these pages for the rest of my life. Even as I chipped away at the individual pieces, the pile never seemed to diminish.

Sadly, there are times when being a writer is the primary thing that destroys my inclination to write. Specifically, professional freelance writing sometimes leaves little energy for the screen time and thought process of personal creative writing.

By the end of the typing marathon, all I wanted to do was eat carbs and watch Dracula.

Still, it’s worlds better than limited lunch time. There are always those green patches on the other side, but I’ll continue to graze over here for a while.

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February 19, 2014 · 1:00 pm

I Am a Winter Lump

snowman lump red hat scarf

That. That picture. That picture right up there.

That’s how I’m beginning to feel this winter.

Not because I’m depressed or lonely or fatigued. No. Because I just want to get out and move and the Snow. Just. Keeps. Falling.

I am a winter lump who is home bound and getting more misshapen by the minute. I dare not go for a run because I will fall or get frostbite. I miss half of my Zumba time because class gets cancelled or driving is too treacherous. I do yoga, but it just doesn’t give the same rush as continuous fast movement.

Couple this with a lot of time wrapped in blankets on the couch and too many caves to comfort food cravings and you’ve got that lumpy snowmoundman right up there. My almost two-year-old could take him down. My almost two-year-old did take him down.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I think winter hunkering is great, and there’s a small part of me that relishes not having to do yard work or shave my legs. But this is beginning to feel like Narnia, and my inner hippie needs to run free on a beach that isn’t frozen over.

I’ve been really well behaved this year as far as not bah-humbugging and enjoying the cozy. Still, I’m confident that I’m not alone in my sentiments. When Spring does make her grand entrance, me and my sneakers are gonna give her what for.

 

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February 14, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Saint Valentine’s Day #1744(ish)

St. Valentine icon Middle AgesRoses are red,

Violets sometimes yellow,

Have a lovely 2.14,

Dear lady or fellow.

We don’t generally make too much of Valentine’s Day over here, though I received a lovely bunch of red roses from my helpmate. Rumor has it that a red velvet cake is also in my future.

Our most excellent neighbors are using the “holiday” as an excuse to throw a party tomorrow, and that’s something I can certainly support.

I hope your day is fine, and includes human warmth and something tasty!

And Happy Friday.

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February 12, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Where Did It Begin?

carved image celtic creation myth

“The Universe”

“Scientific Understanding”

“A Divine Source”

“Debates About the Universe, Scientific Understanding and a Divine Source”

…each could be the prefix to this post’s title. I cannot answer those questions.

If you visit with any regularity, you likely know that I put significant stock in mainstream science’s current explanations of the universe. Let me officially come out here as a human who fully accepts evolution, just as I accept diabetes medicine and how long it will take my car to stop at 70 mph.

Regular visitors perhaps also know that I don’t think today’s medical and automobile industries are perfect. And so it goes with today’s scientists.

The really cool thing is, scientists – the good ones – don’t ever claim to have it all figured out. True science does not work toward a defined end goal, but rather looks to be proven wrong and take on a new challenge.

I fall into the camp that feels the Nye-Ham debate might have left a bit to be desired as far as its impact is concerned. While watching two very intelligent people argue a hot topic is fun, it probably doesn’t do much to sway viewers, most of whom I imagine were firmly on one, or the other, side of the fence. Still, the follow up discussion might bridge some gaps.

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February 10, 2014 · 1:00 pm

For Something Completely Different…

Leslie Hall three women pose

Some pictures contain true joy.

For my lifelong friends the Hoekzema girls (aka FransGirls – official makers of the 2014 Michigan State Christmas ornaments!), cuddling in front of a camera with Leslie Hall was the fodder for just such an image.

If you don’t know about Leslie Hall, she’s a musician, a comedian and the Mistress of Gem Sweaters. She’s sass and love. She is a genuine rockstar. She helps restore my faith in humanity.

We gathered at the Pyramid Scheme on Saturday night to welcome Leslie for her second concert appearance in Grand Rapids. I was five days post-partum, and so absent, for the first.

The experience of Leslie Hall is like nothing else. Although I didn’t manage to get my own picture with her, I had the honor of helping her stay aloft during a crowd surf. I can honestly say it was one of the most awesomely hilarious and thrilling moments of my life.

High Kicks, Body Rolls and Gold Lamé? Yes please.

 

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