So this is the current book I am reading. After hearing so many great things about it from my fellow book club readers, I saw it at Half Price Books for $1 and had to get it. So far it is great, and looks to be a sort of coming-of-age story of an orphaned, deformed boy who is being raised by his Aunt and Uncle. While it is obvious that they love him, they have NO idea how to show it, as they have thus far had a childless marriage. I keep hearing the ending is amazing, and look forward to that soon!

Very early in the story, Phillip turns to reading to escape his strict and ordinary life. One of the best quotes I've read recently was in this book:

"Insensibly he formed the most delightful habit in the world, the habit of reading: he did not know that thus he was providing himself with a refuge from all the distress of life; he did not know either that he was creating for himself an unreal world which would make the real world of every day a source of bitter disappointment."


How much this holds true. When in real life we seek to find ways to make our mundane lives more interesting and fascinating...whether through hiking (guilty), extreme sports, drinking, drug use, poor relationship choices, Reality TV, reading (guilty guilty guilty!) or any other number of things that remove us from what is presently in front of us....At least reading is a GOOD, SMART habit (albeit somewhat expensive! But if you need ideas for cheap ways to get books, see me!!!!)

I'll review this book as soon as I'm finished.

In addition, those of us who are bilbliophiles are aware of the numerous reading Challenges that are available to join...for those of you who don't know...these are Challenges that are usually associated with someone's blog...they are ways to get you to read more, read things you wouldn't normally read, or to just share what you've been reading. There are SO many out there, it is hard to pick a few to join, though many of them can overlap. I did a challenge for myself in 2008...an A-Z where I read a book that started with each letter of the alphabet, and also did another one where the author's name started with each letter...I was short the 52 books by a few (though I did read about 55 books that year!). So this year I'm REALLY challenging myself, and below is a list of the Challenges I've joined for this year, aside from the book club I'm also a part of now:

18th and 19th Century Women Writers....I only need to read a book by 2 different women writers from either the 18th or 19th Century...I chose 19th, and will be Willa Cather and Anne Bronte.

A-Z Challenge.....am attempting this one again this year by Title of the book..will be pretty easy to accomplish this via all the other Challenges I'm doing as well.

ArmChair Traveller....I need to read 6 books that take place in 6 different times and/or physical places.

Back To School....I need to read 4 books that are on a list of high school required reading recommendations. These must be books I never read (things like Catcher in the Rye, Great Gatsby, Tale of Two Cities, etc)

Celebrate the Author....for each month of the year, I need to read an author that was born in that month.

Chunkster Challenge....I need to read 4 books over 450pages....piece of cake considering the one I'm currently reading is 680something pages and the next one for the book club is at least that!

Flashback Challenge....I need to re-read a book from when I was a kid, one from high school, and one as an adult.


As you can see, I've got LOTS to read. Plus I will have 2 more book reviews due for VSPN.org by the spring. :) Way to push myself!!!

Excuse me while I go curl up with the cats, the flannel sheets and a nice fat book.....

The Review You've All Been Waiting For...

Finally finished the review on the aforementioned Colour Handbook of Urinary Stones in Small Animal Medicine. I know you are all so excited. So here it is:

THE COLOUR HANDBOOK OF URINARY STONES IN SMALL ANIMAL MEDICINE
Albrecht Hesse & Reto Neiger
3 stars out of 5
Reviewed by: Brandy Sprunger, CVT, RVT

The purpose of this text was to take years of urolith research in both human and veterinary medicine, compare the two, and apply what was learned to develop this handbook to help detect and prevent uroliths in veterinary patients. Upon noticing that Royal Canin was listed as part publisher, I did start out skeptically thinking that this would be a pro-Royal Canin diet book, but quickly learned I was mistaken- not once were their diets even mentioned. I found this book to be rather statistical, making it difficult to get to the heart of the issues in each chapter. Where possible, photographs and charts are in color, making comparison and recognition of uroliths much easier- this is where this text really shined.

The text is divided into four chapters, with the first giving a general overview of urinary stones in both humans and animals. It is heavy on the numbers, and relies mostly on studies done in Europe. This could make use of this book difficult due to some of the differences in European vs. American dietary habits (in both humans and pets). There are many theories discussed on causes of uroliths in both humans and animals, including environmental, dietary, and genetic reasons. It also explains the theory of relative supersaturation, or RSS, and how that is applied to diet formulations. This chapter also explains the different analytical methods used to determine stone composition, including spectrometry and electron microscopy. The first chapter ends with symptoms, diagnostic testing and surgical treatments for urolithiasis.

The next chapter demonstrates the title exactly and is full of information, pictures and charts of each of the most common uroliths seen in animals. Each type is broken down into an introduction of the urolith- its presentation and composition- and then its epidemiology. Formation condition of each type of urolith is then explained, along with their diagnosis, treatment and prevention. This chapter brings to light several types of uroliths that are more unusual than the typical Calcium Oxalates and Struvites we see in practice. While this chapter still had a lot of charts and statistics to sort through, it was still a good resource for information on specific types of uroliths.

Chapter Three is where I found the most exciting information. It is dedicated entirely to discussing feline urolithiais with a large emphasis on Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, or FLUTD. This chapter does a fantastic job of explaining the potential causes and pathology of FLUTD. This was one of the most practical, and interesting parts of the entire text, and aside from all the great photographs, also one of the most useful for a veterinary practice. It discusses feline urinary behaviors, both appropriate and inappropriate, the numerous symptoms of FLUTD, and the treatments (both behavioral and medical) for the disease.

The fourth and final chapter was a small discussion on uroliths commonly found in rabbits and guinea pigs. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention were the primary concerns, and would be useful to a practice that frequently sees small exotic mammals.
The last 30 pages are all the references the authors used in their studies, as well as a nice section of Appendices. Included in them are a small listing of uroliths found in unusual breeds (reptiles, camelids, marine animals) and several sections on the different mineral content of a multitude of foods. While these charts are quite interesting, they may not be of practical use for the veterinarian or technician, as most of the foods listed are not veterinary preparations but “human” foods (i.e, berries, vegetables, dairy products.) Perhaps a human with a predilection for uroliths would get more from the Appendices.

With all the statistics and epidemiology information aside, the text does a good job of being an in depth reference of uroliths. For use as a study guide for urologic conditions, it isn’t the best choice, but I do think this book could serve a purpose in a surgical practice that is heavy on urology, or in a general practice that deals with the symptoms and dietary concerns of its patients with chronic urolithiasis.

Publisher: Royal Canin and Manson Publishing Ltd. (2009)
Hardcover, 176 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-84076-128-3
VIN Store: Unavailable


I know, I know! You are all so excited to go out and get this book now! :)

MapMyHike.com | View Pinnacle Peak Park in Scottsdale, Arizona

MapMyHike.com | View Pinnacle Peak Park in Scottsdale, Arizona

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^This is Pinnacle Peak itself. If you look closely, you can see the trail right in the middle with the tiny people on it. The trail winds around and up it, then back down to its neighbor peak...the one pictured below.



This next picture shows the second half of the trail...

And last but not least, the house with the owners so proud of their wealth, they put their swimming pool in the FRONT yard.



I managed to beat the soaking rainstorm by 60 seconds!

A Wanderer at Heart

Adding this recent move back to Phoenix to my total, I have now moved 23 times in my 30-something life...with the knowledge that i'll be doing it again next summer too...ugh! I've my dad to thank for that, as until I was 13, I had only moved about 5 times.

I recently finished a book by John Steinbeck...one of my favorite authors. I've always loved Grapes of Wrath and The Pearl...but this was Travels With Charley...a travelouge of sorts about his trip around the US in his truck-bed camper with his standard poodle Charley. Its not overly detailed or long (like William Least-Moon's Blue Highways, another GREAT travelouge!), but it does include some of his comments on the Sequoia trees, his love for Montana, the sub-country that is Texas, and the racial problems in the south (this was published in the 1960s). It made me want to pack a Winnebago and get the move on.


Other things I loved about this book:
1) The yellow orange edges of the old pages (I LOVE old books!)
2) Its smell...I know, its weird, but nothing I can't even describe...
3) How the price was right on the cover..."Only 75 cents!"...A book like this these days would be about $7-8.
4) How much it made me appreciate Steinbeck even more, given his lack of racism in a time when it was rampant.
5) How much it made me want to travel more...and NOW!

And this leads me to my future vacation. Several of us are planning a trip to Yosemite to do some overnight backpacking and hiking. Our for sure destination is Half Dome, with its crazy granite carved steps and removable cables. There are many other places I'd like to see while there as well, but those have been yet to be determined. Check out this video of the cables! Yikes!


Once we go on this adventure and get some video and pictures of our own, I'll be sure to post them! In the meantime, read Travels With Charley! :)

Why I'm going to hell....

Ok. So, you're looking at this picture, and you think...Rorschach Blot? Some sort of paper doll dress? A crappy angel cut out?

And the answer is no. In an attempt to slow my progression straight to hell, I held back from taking this poor woman's picture while standing in line at the Post Office tonight. That's right....it's a woman. (To protect her identity, I only drew her from the waist down!)

This girl was gorgeous...maybe mid to late 20s, pretty latin girl with big hoop earings and a cute little sweater. She was waiting patiently (if all of us tapping our feet, checking our phones, trying not to make eye contact is being patient) with her mom for her turn at the counter. As soon as she walked up, an inaudible gasp could be felt sucking the air out of the room. This crude drawing (hey, I'm no Van Gogh...) is VERY representative of this girls silhoutte. Cute up top, then BaBAM!! on the bottom. Her black jeans were NOT slimming, but apparently very stretchy. I've never seen a pair of jeans *unfurl* like that! She almost had a butt...below her butt....to say these jeans were painted on would be a HUGE (no pun intended) understatment. How she got them on I will never know, and makes me feel like a quitter if I can't get mine up past my knees. To top it off, she had the highest heeled boots I've ever seen. Someone mixed her bottom half up with the wrong top half!

To hell I go.....

All I can say is props! to her for walking out the front door *knowing* she looked HOT! :)


For a little fun, A big ol' pick up truck passed me today (because 50 in a 40 isn't fast enough) and their license plate said BT SCTN. If they hadn't driven by so fast, I'd have taken a picture. I can't help but wonder, are they veterinarians, or cowboys? hmmmmmmmmmm........... :)

Things to be thankful for mixed up with things I hate!

So this is the time of year I love. Mom sends the Christmas gifts, Grandma adds in her cookies and candied nuts, mom throws in too much of her fudge for anyone to eat. All this is fantastic (though working it all off, not so much.) There is so much food, that I get to share it with friends and coworkers, who all wait anxiously every year for the next box.

However.

This box usually includes one of two things that I cannot stand most in this world. No matter how many times I beg and plead, this crap comes anyway. What am I talking about?

Styrefoam peanuts. Or their less static-ky cousin, shredded paper.

Now, I understand. Things like chocolate chip cookies are fragile things, and must be protected. BUT, sending a 6 sq ft box with two shoe boxes full of cookies is unneccessary when it warrants putting 4 cubic tons of styrefoam peanuts in it! They get everywhere from the moment you open the box. The cats love them...until they can't shake them from their paws. They stick to everything, they fly everywhere, they hide in every unimaginable spot. I have found peanuts that needed carbon dating to determine how long they had been hiding.

So mom listened (once) and started sending things packed in shredded paper instead. Ok, maybe a better choice, more environmentally sound. But I'm not talking about the paper you get from your home shredder. This is microscopic shredded paper that is 1/2 a millimeter by one inch in size. And it gets everywhere just as the peanuts do. And its even harder to pick up unless you use tweezers. (sigh)

So I offered a suggestion, as good complainers do (my motto: don't complain about an issue unless you've also got a solution). I suggested whole newspapers. You know, maybe twist 'em, wad 'em up, stuff 'em in...that way, its still protected, and yet, I can still read it. As a big reading nerd, I thought this was a great idea. So mom took my advice and started sending the newspapers. Whole. In the box with all the goodies. Surrounded by shredded paper or peanuts. (sigh again)

So I've given up the fight. I curse under my breath, pick up the strays, attempt to throw them away while they cling for life to my fingertips and pant legs. But the food inside makes it easy to forget the trouble I went throught to GET to the goodies. So this year, when my box came, imagine my HORROR when I opened the box and it had BOTH peanuts AND shredded paper....!

The humanity....

Merry Christmas! :D

p.s. The picture is only one third of the goodies I get sent. Note: The peanut butter cookies are almost gone, and are usually the first to go. No one makes them like grandma does! <3

MapMyHike.com | View Partial Perimeter Trail- Squaw Peak in Phoenix, Arizona

MapMyHike.com | View Partial Perimeter Trail- Squaw Peak in Phoenix, Arizona

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So, I've officially blown out my hiking shoes. After 9 months, over 200 miles and 4 states, they are officially done. I will be looking for the closest New Balance store to replace them soon. These were my favorite shoes ever...I will be sad to let them go :(

Here they are in all their torn-up glory...insides all torn up...outer part of tread all worn down...can't fathom throwing them out...:(

MapMyHike.com | View Squaw Peak Perimeter/partial Summit in Phoenix, Arizona

MapMyHike.com | View Squaw Peak Perimeter/partial Summit in Phoenix, Arizona

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Went on this, my favorite hike at Squaw Peak Park, with a former co-worker and had a great time. This is the VERY first time I have EVER hiked with someone while in Phoenix (that I can think of...am I forgetting someone?!). Was THE perfect day and weather for a hike...nice to be able to break out the tank tops and not the long sleeves with a jacket too. We've begun planning on camping next summer, doing more hikes, and trying to convince him to join the mass of us heading for Yosemite in the spring!

Today's hike

MapMyHike.com | View 304 Large Loop in Phoenix, Arizona

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The weather was gorgeous...skies were clear, nice and cool....just so that when you break a sweat, you wish you hadn't worn long sleeves, but the minute you turn the corner and are in the shade, you're glad you did.


As a side note, I'm sitting here eating Fresh & Easy's Pumpkin Seeds....can someone explain to me how pumpkin seeds have NO fiber?! Are you kidding me?!

The Joys of Mid Shift Schedules....

So its 1:30pm, and I'm waiting for about 2 more hours before I go into work for a 10 hour shift. While there are many benefits to working mid(swing) shifts, one is the ability to get sh!t done before work.

Today I met a friend for breakfast, and got caught up on life.

I'm finishing the laundry that should have been done 2 days ago.

I've read a little bit.

I've printed some training materials for my new job.

I'm working on my nephew's afghan.

I'm working on a book review for VSPN.org.

I'm looking at my list of things to do and checking them off (ahhhh...sweet pleasures!)


So, let's go back to that book review. This is the first book review I've ever written aside from the somewhat meaningless "I liked it didn't like it" stuff you find on book swap sites and Amazon.com. I am writing this for the website VSPN.org...a veterinary website for support staff. This is for a professional veterinary textbook, and is titled "A Colour Handbook of Urinary Stones in Small Animal Medicine". Captivating. But OhLaLa....its in Colour!



Anyway, I have to write a professional review about a book about urinary stones. Their presence in humans, dogs, cats, and any other animal that gets them. The genetic links. The health ramifications. The dietary causes. The frequency of, the color/size/shape of, the breed predilections, the history of, the number of, the universities that study them...blah blah blah. Everything you ever wanted to know about having a stone in your dog or cat's bladder. Its fascinating stuff. Really.

Man, I really wish I had time this morning for a hike.....

MapMyHike.com | View 304 Medium Loop in Phoenix, Arizona

MapMyHike.com View 304 Medium Loop in Phoenix, Arizona

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Starting Over. Again

We're gonna try this blogging stuff out...see how it goes. I have blogged a few times for SingularCity.com....a website and magazine I got involved with while I was in Los Angeles this past year. If I can't think of anything new and exciting to post, I will repost those here....they always brought lots of attention! I think I blogged on MySpace a handful of times, but those disappeared down the toilet when I flushed that page away....

Things I plan to put here? Random musings...things I see, witness, participate in, miss, or other wise deem somewhat blog worthy. I will post what I'm reading, what I hated and liked. Where I went hiking and pictures of beautiful vistas. Cases I see at work....within reason of everyone's annonymity. And anything else I darn well feel like posting.

So for today, I went hiking, and will try to figure out how to post that here. I took some pictures, ran some errands, tried one of the local Farmer's Markets (meh.) and hung out with friends and tried Yogurtland (yum.). Tomorrow starts a 4 day stretch of actual work. Yippee. Time to make some moola.