I am still at my sister’s home recuperating. I have a virtual appointment with the infectious disease doctors tomorrow; they will decide when I can stop antibiotics. Except they want a CT of my mediastinem (the central compartment of the chest, where my abscess was located) and the CT requires...Read more

Last Wednesday evening I was in my hospital bed, contemplating, and it occurred to me: I have turned the corner. I don’t know if there was anything rational about it; the realization just descended on me. Part of it was that my swallow had recovered enough to let me swallow...Read more

Because of the damage to my esophagus, which is still learning how to swallow again, I am presently getting my nutrition through a stomach tube. The nurse came in with a big box of stomach tube nutrient bags not long ago. I was a touch surprised to see the Nestle...Read more

It turns out I had more severe internal injuries than originally believed, and I have been in a first-class Utah hospital since being emergency airlifted here a month ago. I have taken my turn in the valley of the shadow of death; but there is reason for cautious optimism that...Read more

I was seriously injured in a car crash on August 20. I’m told the first responders did not think I was going to survive. But I have (tough old geologist) and am now recuperating at home. But I’ll be pretty much out of action for another month or two. So...Read more

For a week. I am trying to limit my use of vacation, and this is mostly a family visit. I plan to drive straight up and straight back, with no more than an occasional photograph along the way. I may have time for a little geology in central Utah, so...Read more

We had a bit of a pause of the monsoon this week (alas), and yesterday was sunny enough that I decided to go see some rocks. With gas prices what they are, and some hope of rain later in the day, I decided to keep it close to home, and...Read more

This is primarily a science blog, and I am studiously apolitical. But I do post miscellany, including personal updates, from time to time. Today I’ll be posting photographs of the Independence Day carnival held by my church in White Rock. If that’s not to your tastes, fear not; I also...Read more

The eggs have hatched, and Momma Birb is feeding the youngsters. I’ve gotten a few glimpses of their fuzzy little heads from my blind; there are at least two of them in the nest, possibly three. Sorry, no photos; this is not a good time to disturb them. Momma is...Read more