Prospects for 2008

2008 is here and I have some health issues to take care of. I have been going back and forth to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona since October. I have had a lot of tests done and they finally came up with a diagnosis in December. I have what is known as MALToma or MALT lymphoma, a non-hodgkins lymphoma in the stomach. That was quite a shock to hear! No one in my family has ever had cancer and I wasn't prepared. So, I begin chemotherapy on January 14th. I will hopefully be through with chemo by the beginning of May. After that, I hope I can begin to put on weight again and feel like eating again.

Wildlife in my Backyard

One of the many rabbits I see every day.

I looked this bird up in my birding book. I think it is a PYRRHULOXIA. Or Cardinalis sinuatus. In other words, one of the cardinal family. It is a beautiful bird.

Here is a little ground squirrel who lives in a hole near my back door. Luckily I have lots of windows and a good camera (thanks to Joy, my daughter). I manage to get some good shots without frightening the little creatures away.

Here are some shots of some of the fat quail in my backyard. I have no idea what they find to eat out there, but whatever it is, it puts fat on them. Hopefully, they might be eating some scorpions! Chickens eat them....why not quail?