Caught her mid-prance...
17 hours ago
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tipsy's flower bloomed!
I had a surprise waiting for me when I got home yesterday! Tipsy's flower bloomed! "Darling Dilemma" is definitely a beautiful flower. I didn't even realize Tipsy's flower had buds on it when I bought it. Definitely makes me feel like she is sending me a sign from above...letting me know that I made the right decision with her.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
In memory of... daylilies
Here are some pictures of the day lilies I bought yesterday in memory of my girls... Wheezie, Lexi, and Tipsy. (Lexi would have been 6 on Sunday the 15th). My lilies aren't in bloom yet, so I took most of the pictures of the Carolyn's Garden website. I figure the pictures off of Carolyn's site will be most accurate to what I actually get, since that is where I bought them. She didn't have darling dilemma picture on her site... so that one is from somewhere else. I sure hope it is that pretty! I have also see some some Whimsical pictures that show a much richer purple and Forever Loving You having a touch of pink in it... we shall see. The Carpenter's Shavings actually had one bloom on it and it looks just like the picture. If that ones does well... I will divide it with anyone that wants a flower in memory of Dr. Bowman or Uncle Clifford... However, I am going to give first dibs to Mrs. Bowman, Gay, and my mom.
Lexi: Forever Loving You (planted just to the left of my front porch, if you are looking at the house... So she will be near by when I sit on the front steps).
Wheezie: Whimsical (planted front and center of the garden in front of the house).
Tipsy : Darling Dilemma (planted next to the side porch...where Tipsy showed up). After having had to search for the picture, it seems that "darling dilemma" is not the original name... it is more commonly called "daring dilemma" which bums me out slightly b/c darling dilemma fit Tipsy so perfectly. Oh well... Darling Dilemma is what I bought it as...so that is the name I will chose to call it!
Dr. Bowman and Uncle Clifford: Carpenter's Shavings
Lexi: Forever Loving You (planted just to the left of my front porch, if you are looking at the house... So she will be near by when I sit on the front steps).
Wheezie: Whimsical (planted front and center of the garden in front of the house).
Tipsy : Darling Dilemma (planted next to the side porch...where Tipsy showed up). After having had to search for the picture, it seems that "darling dilemma" is not the original name... it is more commonly called "daring dilemma" which bums me out slightly b/c darling dilemma fit Tipsy so perfectly. Oh well... Darling Dilemma is what I bought it as...so that is the name I will chose to call it!
Dr. Bowman and Uncle Clifford: Carpenter's Shavings
My lilies are blooming
My oriental and asiatic lilies are coming into full bloom. Most of these lilies are in the flower bed right in front of the house. My most favorite lily...the casa blanca...has yet to bloom. It is soooooo fragrant and usually blooms later in the season. The first two pictures are of the house. Then there are some close ups of the different lilies. I don't know most of their names...I tend to call my bright yellow one my banana lily and the bright orange one... my orange lily (after the fruit, not the color!). Hmmm... maybe I should call my dark pink lily my raspberry lily if I want to keep with my fruit theme??
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Monday, June 16, 2008
mondays...yuck
Aghhh... Back to the grind (as my mom likes to say!).
Mike and I had a nice weekend. We went to his sister's house down in NC. We rode down in our new CR-V with his parents. This was the first trip our CR-V got to go on... so I was excited to see what kind of mileage we would get on the highway. It was GOOD!! Better than what they advertise, so that is always good. Definitely gets better than double the gas mileage of the durango ... which was around 12 mpg! yeah, I know...that is why we got rid of it!!
Overall, we had a nice time down in NC. It was a little smokey down there...as the forest fires aren't too far from where they live. So being outside at various times of the day wasn't very pleasant because of the haziness and smell. Mike and I tried our hand at playing badminton in some strong wind... doesn't work to well. We laughed so hard that we almost cried though. Mike was trying to hit into the wind and no matter how hard he hit that darn birdie, it would only land a few feet in front of him. Many times... it would start coming over the net, but the wind would catch it and blow it back. I, on the other hand, had the wind at my back... so I could just tap it and it would take off like I had some Popeye spinach power! We also spent quite a bit of time doing something I absolutely hate... watching the kids play video games. that is all they want to do. kind of sad actually, and it reinforces my belief that if we ever have kids, they will not own a video game contraption of any kind (although Mike has a PS2 and recently got a PS3--but it has the functionality of also being a blue ray DVD player). But, we did get to see what the hype of the Wii is all about. and, I have to say...of all gaming systems... I kind of liked this one. Particularly, Wii Fit. As it has a purpose other than entertainment. and some of the other games require you to be active also. I like that. Can't say that I am going to go out and buy it...but it was kind of neat. It was hilarious to watch everyone trying to do some of the balance stuff on the wii fit. I am sure I looked like a big goof too. Mike's dad surprised us all and did really well on all of the balance exercises. The yoga exercises were a different story...
Anyway... we were only down in NC for a little over 24 hours. We got stuck in beach traffic on 64 on the way home.. .that was no fun. Yesterday was also Lexi's birthday... she would have been 6. I plan on going and getting her plant this afternoon. I am actually thinking of getting two for her... a guardian angel hosta and a little fat dazzler day lily. I hope to get them in the ground this evening... as I was hoping to have it done for her b-day.
well... I guess I better get back to work!oh yeah... I weighed Stachio last night... he is somewhere between 15 1/2 and 16 lbs!! (for those of you who thought Lexi was chunky...she was only 12 lbs!!).
Mike and I had a nice weekend. We went to his sister's house down in NC. We rode down in our new CR-V with his parents. This was the first trip our CR-V got to go on... so I was excited to see what kind of mileage we would get on the highway. It was GOOD!! Better than what they advertise, so that is always good. Definitely gets better than double the gas mileage of the durango ... which was around 12 mpg! yeah, I know...that is why we got rid of it!!
Overall, we had a nice time down in NC. It was a little smokey down there...as the forest fires aren't too far from where they live. So being outside at various times of the day wasn't very pleasant because of the haziness and smell. Mike and I tried our hand at playing badminton in some strong wind... doesn't work to well. We laughed so hard that we almost cried though. Mike was trying to hit into the wind and no matter how hard he hit that darn birdie, it would only land a few feet in front of him. Many times... it would start coming over the net, but the wind would catch it and blow it back. I, on the other hand, had the wind at my back... so I could just tap it and it would take off like I had some Popeye spinach power! We also spent quite a bit of time doing something I absolutely hate... watching the kids play video games. that is all they want to do. kind of sad actually, and it reinforces my belief that if we ever have kids, they will not own a video game contraption of any kind (although Mike has a PS2 and recently got a PS3--but it has the functionality of also being a blue ray DVD player). But, we did get to see what the hype of the Wii is all about. and, I have to say...of all gaming systems... I kind of liked this one. Particularly, Wii Fit. As it has a purpose other than entertainment. and some of the other games require you to be active also. I like that. Can't say that I am going to go out and buy it...but it was kind of neat. It was hilarious to watch everyone trying to do some of the balance stuff on the wii fit. I am sure I looked like a big goof too. Mike's dad surprised us all and did really well on all of the balance exercises. The yoga exercises were a different story...
Anyway... we were only down in NC for a little over 24 hours. We got stuck in beach traffic on 64 on the way home.. .that was no fun. Yesterday was also Lexi's birthday... she would have been 6. I plan on going and getting her plant this afternoon. I am actually thinking of getting two for her... a guardian angel hosta and a little fat dazzler day lily. I hope to get them in the ground this evening... as I was hoping to have it done for her b-day.
well... I guess I better get back to work!oh yeah... I weighed Stachio last night... he is somewhere between 15 1/2 and 16 lbs!! (for those of you who thought Lexi was chunky...she was only 12 lbs!!).
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Internationally renowned VCU researcher Billy Martin, Ph.D., dies
The head of the department that I work in passed away this weekend. They posted a really great article about him on the university website... I have posted it below. Not only was he internationally known for his work...but he was a great role model. Dr. Martin has been battling cancer (various types) for many years now. He has gone through chemo, radiation, surgeries...etc. All the while, he continued to come to work, to pursue his research and remain chairman of the department. He even continued to come to work after he went blind a few months ago from the cancer. He didn't want any special treatment. He wanted to continue on as normally as possible.
Billy Martin, Ph.D.
Internationally renowned VCU researcher Billy Martin, Ph.D., dies
6/9/2008
Billy R. Martin, Ph.D., chair of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine’s Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and internationally renowned for his research in understanding addiction and drugs of abuse and how they affect the brain, died Sunday in Richmond. He was 65.
Martin played a prominent role in developing the department’s reputation for landmark research in drugs of abuse. For more than 30 years, Martin’s primary focus was researching the effects of marijuana’s principal psychoactive ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. In the late 1970s, Martin was the first to show that most of the behavioral effects of marijuana were attributable to the compound THC, and his contributions to the study of cannabinoid receptors in the brain brought new life to what was once thought to be a dead-end field.
“Billy was a groundbreaking researcher whose work changed the landscape of addiction research in this country,” said Francis L. Macrina, Ph.D., VCU’s vice president for research. “His advice also was sought worldwide by those who would set marijuana-control policy.”
In 1997, Martin was awarded a National Institutes of Health Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award for his work in understanding the affect of marijuana on the brain. Martin also was asked by the National Institute of Drug Abuse to head an international program project grant on marijuana. Martin directed a team of prominent marijuana researchers from the United States and abroad in investigating anandamide, a naturally occurring marijuana-like substance in the brain.
Martin served as director of VCU’s NIDA Center for Drug Abuse Research, which attracted more than $20 million in federal funding.
In 1998, Martin was honored as a top contributor in science with a Virginia Top Scientist Award and received the VCU Distinguished Scholarship Award in 1996. He also was the first recipient of the Outstanding Inventor Award from the VCU Tech Transfer Office in recognition of his multiple patents based on his research.
Martin was to receive the Nathan B. Eddy Award on June 15, the highest honor awarded by the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. He also was scheduled to receive the VCU Award for Excellence, the highest honor that this University bestows on a faculty member, this fall.
Before joining VCU in 1976, Martin received postdoctoral training at the University of Uppsala in Sweden and the University of Oxford in England. He received his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of North Carolina in 1974. Martin served as the first president of the International Cannabis Research Society, adviser to the World Health Organization, a member of the Institute of Medicine Advisory Panel and president of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.
“In the face of progressing disease, Billy was undaunted,” said Jerome F. Strauss, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the VCU School of Medicine. “He taught us all how to face the toughest of challenges with grace and dignity. Virginia Commonwealth University, the School of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology have lost one of their treasures.”
Martin is survived by his wife, Jean Y. Martin; his son, Zachary Lee Martin; his daughter, Lindsay Brooke Martin; his brother, Donald Lee Martin; and his stepbrother, Elmer Mabe Jr. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Massey Cancer Center, P.O. Box 980037, Richmond, VA 23298-0037 or to The Foundation of Pharmacology, P.O. Box 980613, MCV Station, Richmond, VA 23298.
Billy Martin, Ph.D.
Internationally renowned VCU researcher Billy Martin, Ph.D., dies
6/9/2008
Billy R. Martin, Ph.D., chair of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine’s Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and internationally renowned for his research in understanding addiction and drugs of abuse and how they affect the brain, died Sunday in Richmond. He was 65.
Martin played a prominent role in developing the department’s reputation for landmark research in drugs of abuse. For more than 30 years, Martin’s primary focus was researching the effects of marijuana’s principal psychoactive ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. In the late 1970s, Martin was the first to show that most of the behavioral effects of marijuana were attributable to the compound THC, and his contributions to the study of cannabinoid receptors in the brain brought new life to what was once thought to be a dead-end field.
“Billy was a groundbreaking researcher whose work changed the landscape of addiction research in this country,” said Francis L. Macrina, Ph.D., VCU’s vice president for research. “His advice also was sought worldwide by those who would set marijuana-control policy.”
In 1997, Martin was awarded a National Institutes of Health Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award for his work in understanding the affect of marijuana on the brain. Martin also was asked by the National Institute of Drug Abuse to head an international program project grant on marijuana. Martin directed a team of prominent marijuana researchers from the United States and abroad in investigating anandamide, a naturally occurring marijuana-like substance in the brain.
Martin served as director of VCU’s NIDA Center for Drug Abuse Research, which attracted more than $20 million in federal funding.
In 1998, Martin was honored as a top contributor in science with a Virginia Top Scientist Award and received the VCU Distinguished Scholarship Award in 1996. He also was the first recipient of the Outstanding Inventor Award from the VCU Tech Transfer Office in recognition of his multiple patents based on his research.
Martin was to receive the Nathan B. Eddy Award on June 15, the highest honor awarded by the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. He also was scheduled to receive the VCU Award for Excellence, the highest honor that this University bestows on a faculty member, this fall.
Before joining VCU in 1976, Martin received postdoctoral training at the University of Uppsala in Sweden and the University of Oxford in England. He received his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of North Carolina in 1974. Martin served as the first president of the International Cannabis Research Society, adviser to the World Health Organization, a member of the Institute of Medicine Advisory Panel and president of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.
“In the face of progressing disease, Billy was undaunted,” said Jerome F. Strauss, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the VCU School of Medicine. “He taught us all how to face the toughest of challenges with grace and dignity. Virginia Commonwealth University, the School of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology have lost one of their treasures.”
Martin is survived by his wife, Jean Y. Martin; his son, Zachary Lee Martin; his daughter, Lindsay Brooke Martin; his brother, Donald Lee Martin; and his stepbrother, Elmer Mabe Jr. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Massey Cancer Center, P.O. Box 980037, Richmond, VA 23298-0037 or to The Foundation of Pharmacology, P.O. Box 980613, MCV Station, Richmond, VA 23298.
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