Sunday, March 8

We finally got a weather reprieve. Yesterday was in the high
30s and today got into the 40s. Plus we had sunlight. Someone reported greater
scaup on the Grand River so we went chasing them. Brought us both up to 88
species for the year. Today we chased some reported red-shouldered hawks with no
luck. But we did get out for a pleasurable hike at a local park. It’s really
nice when it doesn’t physically hurt to be outside. I’m sure there’s more nasty
stuff to come but at least now we have some hope.

Ice on the Red Cedar. I just can’t seem to do good ice pictures.

Winter sycamore. I love sycamores in the winter, with clear blue skies and low angle light on them.

Speaking of nasty stuff, a couple weeks ago I had my first
physical since turning 60. Physicals are kind of like telling your mechanic to
see he can find anything wrong with your car. If you look hard enough, you can find
something wrong. As usual, my blood work had some wacky numbers. Some things
too high, some things too low… I figure the too high things and the too low
things kind of average out to about normal. But, since I have now passed
another decadal birthday, it’s time for that once a decade ultimate invasion of
privacy, the colonoscopy. Known affectionately as, the butt cam. Talk about
digging deep to look for problems. I’m thinking of swallowing a little plastic alien
baby toy before the procedure. Let them find something that wasn’t covered in
medical school.

The procedure itself isn’t all that horrible since you’re in
a chemically induced state of unconsciousness. It’s the prep that’s nasty. Despite
stunning advances in imaging technology the past couple decades, you still need
an empty colon. Which is accomplished by a Gandhi diet followed with a case of self-induced
dysentery. Talk about nasty. At least I
don’t have to watch Fox News at the same time. I’d have stuff coming out both
ends.

When I picked up the prescription, the pharmacy checkout
lady looked in the bag and said, “Oh, you got the good stuff.” Which implies,
of course, that there is some not good stuff. Can’t imagine what that looks like.
Maybe some kind of plunger? Or they make a liver flavored liquid? Or make you
listen to Barry Manilow while taking it?

The stuff I have to drink is called SUPREP. How imaginative
is that. You’d think their marketing guys could come with something snazzier
than SUPREP. Like; Colon Cleaner, Total Flush, Straight Flush, Ballast Blower, Clean
Sweep, Guts be Gone, Bowel Bomb…. The possibilities are endless. They could do
a batch especially for Prince Charles and call it Royal Flush. He looks like he
would actually enjoy a colonoscopy. Butt anyway; I am just sooooo looking forward
to this little exercise.