Thank you, Buzz. Some things, such a this, can present some very interesting challenges. But, it is those challenges that helps one's level of creativity grow.
First, a most sincere "thank you" for the kind wishes expressed herein! I greatly appreciate every such comment.
There's only so much a spouse can do for the other spouse when something like cancer hits … so, in my case, since I can do nothing medically for my wife, I naturally must be a supportive presence, and, do what I can to maximize her comfort during recovery after her bone marrow transplant. So far, I bought her a really comfortable Lazyboy reclining chair, and, replaced our central air conditioning and heating system. I am also teaching myself to cook (good luck with that).
so, in my case, since I can do nothing medically for my wife, I naturally must be a supportive presence,
I fully understand the feeling of helplessness when a loved one is facing such a vicious predator as cancer. And how important it is to be there for and with them as they face it to give them the mental, emotional and loving support that is also important in fighting such a battle. And to give them the courage and strength to do so.
A truly loving heart can often do that which medicines alone cannot do.
Evening Macarthur...I am sure your wife is in very good hands...See that above all is the most important thing....Family and friends as I to am facing the same path as your wife...I have multiple myeloma. Just completed 16 weeks of treatment and in a few weeks I will go to St Vincent's in Melbourne to start the stem cell process...around late Nov I will get the "big blast" of chemo and lose the hair and 3 weeks in hospital in isolation. Then my treated stem cells will be put back in..after that who knows...It sounds all rather daunting but it is a road many have trod before us and many more will follow..But I have the greatest of faith in the medical field and in any form of blessings are always welcome...Many people do not have family to help them through these dreaded illnesses, so your wife is very fortunate in that respect. All I can say is have courage for your wife, believe in her fighting spirit and with grace and luck all will be well for her and you..She now has an Aussie barracking for her across the Pacific and as always, we have got each others backs...and you can't get better than that...
It is truly good to see you here again, shona. Sending you love, prayers and the Creator's many Blessings as you walk your own path against the most vicious physical threat to life.
There are those of us on this side of the Pacific who are standing with you as well.
So glad to see you posting Shona - I've missed you, another on the other side of the world from most of the members here. Positive thinking cured one friend from the scourge, and kept my late sister-in-law in remission for over 30 years. So please, both you and Mrs. A.Mac, keep thinking positively.
Aha! That's why. Facebook is one of the websites banned in China, along with Google, Twitter, Wikipedia, The New York Times, and a number of other sites.
A truly majestic cascade as the waters make their way down the steps of rocks to create such a wonderfully awesome vision. Thank you for sharing this beautiful sight with us to enjoy. (smile)
A river that became a lake submerging part of a village in the Sichuan mountains, caused by the huge 2008 earthquake disaster. I felt it 1000 miles away.
Great photos, Buzz. I remember the terrible earthquake that year. After all the horror of the devastation that resulted from it, to it having created such a beautiful lake is amazing.
The vegetables in the 3rd one really look delicious. I remember going to the famous Farmer's Market in Los Angeles many years ago and seeing so many huge vegetables. Peaches the size of a softball, cantaloupes the size of a basketball. While it was an enclosed market, it still had a feel of being an open outdoor market.
They're still significantly cleaner than in the past. If you are not already following this sequence, try it.
1) Process the original at its original size and resolution as it comes from the camera as a .jpeg/.jpg
2) Assuming the original image is at a resolution of 300dpi (or 240, or in that range), KEEP IT AT THAT RESOLUTION BUT RE-SIZE IT WITH THE LARGEST PARAMETER (either height or width) being 800 pixels and maintain the original aspect ratio.
3) Do a SAVE AS on the re-sized image, changing its file name so as to keep both versions
4) When UPLOADING to the site, select ORIGINAL as the size
Okay, what I did with this photo, which was fairly sharp and clear, was not reduce it from its size of 2100 X 1800 pixels, and posted it at 800px and then reduced it to fit the window.
Actually, it's fairly sharp and clear. It just takes a little longer to register when I post it.
You're not alone in this, and never will be. I'm sure many here on NT have experienced or maybe even are experiencing some of what you're going through right now so when we offer our sympathies, it's sympathy from knowledge and experience.
I hope your friends IRL are taking care of and supporting you and your wife with hugs and clasping your hands and getting you to eat and rest occasionally and maybe some conversation that pleasantly distracts the both of you for a while. A smile or a small laugh beats hell out a lot of the meds and can do a lot more good, because let's face it, no matter how nice the Hospital, no matter how much the Drs and Nurses smile, Hospitals are depressing places at the best of times. And the food will always suck.
I hope you understand what I was TRYING to say, I know I'm ham-handed and not good at it, and I probably messed it up anyway but maybe the idea made it through.
Good news; enough stem cells have been collected, the catheter will be removed tomorrow morning and we have a 10 day respite until the transplant. Will be in touch.
Crunch time for my wife and me … I'll be here if/when I can, but please keep the Group active.
Many good wishes and Blessings sent to you and your wife, Mac. May the Creator hold you both in his loving hands at this time crucial time.
Beautiful and inspiring artwork, as always, Mac.
We’re thing of you and Mrs A.
family first
Don't worry about the group. Your wife is of PRIMARY importance. My best wishes for at the very least, a very long remission, if not better.
Good thoughts and wishes, Mac. I hope all goes well
The very best wishes to Mrs. Mac...
The beauty of nature. The photo was taken last week at St. Pete Beach, FL.
Beautiful photo, Kavika. Love the way Father Sky showers us with such inspiring and Spiritual displays of nature's wonders.
A FANTASTIC sky shot.
good luck and thanks
Very best of luck Mac.
Rainbows upon rainbows - beauty upon beauty.
Thank you, Buzz. Some things, such a this, can present some very interesting challenges. But, it is those challenges that helps one's level of creativity grow.
You just take care of Mrs. Mac. That is your priority for now.
Best wishes to you and the missus, Mac.
First, a most sincere "thank you" for the kind wishes expressed herein! I greatly appreciate every such comment.
There's only so much a spouse can do for the other spouse when something like cancer hits … so, in my case, since I can do nothing medically for my wife, I naturally must be a supportive presence, and, do what I can to maximize her comfort during recovery after her bone marrow transplant. So far, I bought her a really comfortable Lazyboy reclining chair, and, replaced our central air conditioning and heating system. I am also teaching myself to cook (good luck with that).
I will post updates when I can.
Thanks again.
My best to you and the Mrs, Mac.
Taken from our trip last weekend.
A very awesome refection, Ender. Very serene and inspiring.
That should be 'reflection'. Dang auto-correct...
Very reflective, Ender.
I fully understand the feeling of helplessness when a loved one is facing such a vicious predator as cancer. And how important it is to be there for and with them as they face it to give them the mental, emotional and loving support that is also important in fighting such a battle. And to give them the courage and strength to do so.
A truly loving heart can often do that which medicines alone cannot do.
Evening Macarthur...I am sure your wife is in very good hands...See that above all is the most important thing....Family and friends as I to am facing the same path as your wife...I have multiple myeloma. Just completed 16 weeks of treatment and in a few weeks I will go to St Vincent's in Melbourne to start the stem cell process...around late Nov I will get the "big blast" of chemo and lose the hair and 3 weeks in hospital in isolation. Then my treated stem cells will be put back in..after that who knows...It sounds all rather daunting but it is a road many have trod before us and many more will follow..But I have the greatest of faith in the medical field and in any form of blessings are always welcome...Many people do not have family to help them through these dreaded illnesses, so your wife is very fortunate in that respect. All I can say is have courage for your wife, believe in her fighting spirit and with grace and luck all will be well for her and you..She now has an Aussie barracking for her across the Pacific and as always, we have got each others backs...and you can't get better than that...
Good to have you here, Shona.
It is truly good to see you here again, shona. Sending you love, prayers and the Creator's many Blessings as you walk your own path against the most vicious physical threat to life.
There are those of us on this side of the Pacific who are standing with you as well.
Many thanks, shona1 … I wish well and hope there is a support system comprised of caring individuals; please keep us posted if you are so inclined.
So glad to see you posting Shona - I've missed you, another on the other side of the world from most of the members here. Positive thinking cured one friend from the scourge, and kept my late sister-in-law in remission for over 30 years. So please, both you and Mrs. A.Mac, keep thinking positively.
Good to see you Shona.
Best wishes and thoughts to your wife and your Mac.
We will be thinking of you.
A great album of beautiful photos.
Thank you.
Much appreciated Buzz.
Cathedral Falls along Rt. 60 in West Virginia.
I don't know why, because it's jpg, I can't open your photo.
Any difference?
Yes. No problem. What change did you make?
The first one, I'd copied from my Facebook page. The second one, I saved to my hard drive, and uploaded it from there.
Aha! That's why. Facebook is one of the websites banned in China, along with Google, Twitter, Wikipedia, The New York Times, and a number of other sites.
Once you mentioned that you couldn't see it, I figured as much, so I tried the more roundabout way.
A truly majestic cascade as the waters make their way down the steps of rocks to create such a wonderfully awesome vision. Thank you for sharing this beautiful sight with us to enjoy. (smile)
Beautiful scene Sandy.
Thanks, Dave. My sis, son, and I decided to take the scenic route to her house that day.
A river that became a lake submerging part of a village in the Sichuan mountains, caused by the huge 2008 earthquake disaster. I felt it 1000 miles away.
A street scene in Zhengzhou.
Vegetable shopping at a Zhengzhou street market.
Great photos, Buzz. I remember the terrible earthquake that year. After all the horror of the devastation that resulted from it, to it having created such a beautiful lake is amazing.
The vegetables in the 3rd one really look delicious. I remember going to the famous Farmer's Market in Los Angeles many years ago and seeing so many huge vegetables. Peaches the size of a softball, cantaloupes the size of a basketball. While it was an enclosed market, it still had a feel of being an open outdoor market.
Thanks for sharing the photos.
Land of Enchantment.
Buzz,
These are the best quality images yet! Apparently you have adjusted the upload and sizing parameters … the images look great!
They still aren't as sharp and clear as when I load them into the computer.
They're still significantly cleaner than in the past. If you are not already following this sequence, try it.
1) Process the original at its original size and resolution as it comes from the camera as a .jpeg/.jpg
2) Assuming the original image is at a resolution of 300dpi (or 240, or in that range), KEEP IT AT THAT RESOLUTION BUT RE-SIZE IT WITH THE LARGEST PARAMETER (either height or width) being 800 pixels and maintain the original aspect ratio.
3) Do a SAVE AS on the re-sized image, changing its file name so as to keep both versions
4) When UPLOADING to the site, select ORIGINAL as the size
Okay, what I did with this photo, which was fairly sharp and clear, was not reduce it from its size of 2100 X 1800 pixels, and posted it at 800px and then reduced it to fit the window.
Actually, it's fairly sharp and clear. It just takes a little longer to register when I post it.
Best wishes to your wife and yourself Mac.
Appreciate that, J.R.; thank you.
Days when my wife is in the hospital for stem cell collection, I bring my laptop to help pass the time. Recent pix from the hospital.
© A. Mac/A.G
Butterfliris ?
Butter-Larkspur, pat, but close enough!
I think the photo of the bird, including the editing for the total presentation, is amazing.
Both are beautifully done, Mac. The Butterfly Flower arrangement is truly interesting, a merging of two life forms into one very unique image.
The bird in flight is very detailed, intense colors against a less imposing background.Very well done.
A couple of beauties, Mac.
Warm thoughts and best wishes to both of you, AMAC
Thank you, KatPen.
My wife likes these, so, I will be doing a lot more.
© A. Mac/A.G.
I don't blame her, they really are very unique and beautiful. Looking forward to seeing many more.
Hang in there, brother.
You're not alone in this, and never will be. I'm sure many here on NT have experienced or maybe even are experiencing some of what you're going through right now so when we offer our sympathies, it's sympathy from knowledge and experience.
I hope your friends IRL are taking care of and supporting you and your wife with hugs and clasping your hands and getting you to eat and rest occasionally and maybe some conversation that pleasantly distracts the both of you for a while. A smile or a small laugh beats hell out a lot of the meds and can do a lot more good, because let's face it, no matter how nice the Hospital, no matter how much the Drs and Nurses smile, Hospitals are depressing places at the best of times. And the food will always suck.
I hope you understand what I was TRYING to say, I know I'm ham-handed and not good at it, and I probably messed it up anyway but maybe the idea made it through.
A small grin for you and yours, perhaps...
And just something pretty..
And even prettier.
Having trouble posting replies on the site ... this one is a test
Seems all right now; once again, I wish to thank everyone for kind words and positivity. I will post updates as they materialize.
Good news; enough stem cells have been collected, the catheter will be removed tomorrow morning and we have a 10 day respite until the transplant. Will be in touch.
Thanks again!
Good news indeed, Mac!
Looking forward to even more success for the Mrs. More prayers and good wishes being sent her way.
Excellent news.
hope the progress continues