Squash Anyone?

We have been having the goofiest weather here in Nebraska. Not that I am complaining. It has been raining so everything is still green and lush, including the garden. It has also been cooler than normal. There is an expected low of "50 some" tonight and tomorrow night. The garden looks great - except for all of the weeds! When we returned from Guatemala, I was really having a hard time deciding if we should put in a garden. We ended up at Bomgaars and found plants on sale. I didn't start anything from seed which makes things a little easier. The "cold weather" plants were realy cheap - cauliflower and cabbage - and I was a little concerned that we would even see any produce because we were getting them in so late (hence the "cheap" price). However, the Lord has provided the perfect weather for a later crop of cabbage and cauliflower.

Also, in prior years, I had been having problems with some kind of borer bug on my squash so we bought several (maybe 8) plants of summer squash and, as you might guess, all 8 are very healthy and producing more than we can possibly eat. It has been fun to share! This is what I picked on Tuesday.


I discovered that we had "purple cauliflower" which I did not know existed. I thought the cauliflower was flowering so I rushed out and picked it all (only 3 plants) and then found out that it is supposed to be purple. It actually turns light green when cooked and tastes a little like broccoli. Here is what ours looks like.

This is what it was supposed to look like. Oh well, live and learn.

Since we returned from Guatemala, we have found that the price of food has gone up. The budget that we could live on before we left is not really making it for the whole month. We are eating more fresh produce which is expensive but it seems as if everything is higher. We are very thankful that we decided to put in a garden and that it is producing. We have not done a very good job of taking care of it but the Lord has provided exactly what it needed to grow well and produce fruit (and vegetables).

It seems to be that way in life sometimes as well. Our best efforts are not enough but the Lord showers His grace and mercy upon us so that we can bear fruit according to His purposes and plans for us. It is so nice to know that we are not in this alone! Thanks for reading!

Interventional Radiology

Question: How many interventional radiologists does it take to change a light bulb?

Answer: Why change it? First, entering the lumen of the light bulb with a micropuncture kit, you would use a loop snare wire to remove the old filament. Then, coils would be deposited to bridge the gap between the remaining wires. Finally, gel-foam would be used to maintain the vacuum when exiting the bulb. Good as new!

I just completed my third week in Interventional Radiology at the Med Center and I wanted to post an update about my adventures so far. I have really enjoyed it, but there is a lot for me to learn. I have been able to assist in some procedures, but the focus of my job will be in inpatient and outpatient patient management. In IR, we get to do some really cool stuff. An example of this is the picture I found on the internet. The picture shows the occluded blood flow in the before picture and the re-established normal blood flow in the second picture. Thin wires are inserted into blood vessels and medicines and tools are then used to perform procedures. X-ray and ultrasound machines are used to visualize the procedures as they are being performed. It is exciting to be involved in such remarkable procedures that really do make a difference in people's lives.

While at the same time enjoying my new job, part of me is still in Guatemala. My buddy Craig Pheonix posted this last week about a woman with a leg ulcer. As I read his post, I couldn't help but think of how she could be helped by having the blood vessels opened (by IR) to allow oxygen to get into the wound. How this just isn't possible in such a remote setting with people of such limited resources. -- I am not sure why the Lord has me back in Omaha working again is such a specialized part of medicine, but I do know without a doubt that this is where I am suppose to be right now. Learning all I can and listening for what is next.