There is no doubt a good university education can lead to many wondrous things. And there are those who feel their future is thwarted if they can not obtain one.
James Crudup was not of that mind set and there are many well respected surgeons who regard him highly and sing his praises.
James "Jimmy" Crudup was born in Forest, Mississippi, in 1927. Many would say there were limited opportunities for a black man born in such a time and place, and that is no doubt true for a lot of people. He stuttered badly as a boy, and was said to have decided to forgo college because of that.
He moved to Michigan and became a truck driver, working in that vocation for about 9 years. But his company went out of business and he needed a job. His brother suggested he try the University of Michigan where C. Gardiner Child, M.D., chief of the Department of Surgery needed someone to run his new animal research lab. This person would run the lab, care for the animals, keep the instruments clean, and assist the surgeons who worked there. Mr. Crudup got the job.
He worked there from 1960 until his retirement in 1989. He learned his job well in the first six months and became fascinated by the work done there. He studied anatomical texts on his own time, eager to learn all he could about the work the surgeons were doing. Sometimes when the experimental surgeries were completed and the animal euthanized, he would then do surgeries on his own, learning more all the time.
It wasn't long before he had perfected heart, liver and pancreatic surgeries. He would work with third year surgery residents as they worked on their research projects, and was proclaimed to be a master teacher in sharing his knowledge with them. Reports of his skills made it back to their instructors and teachers and he became a true member of their teams. He could not operate on humans, of course, but his skill and competency with animals became an asset to their work.
He was listed as contributor to many research papers over the years and was given full credit for what he did by the doctors involved. He was said to be the best surgeon at the University of Michigan. When he uttered the phrase "I was thinking..." people listened.
He retired and moved back home to Forest, Mississippi. Many years later, word of his work made it back to the area. July 8, 2006, was declared to be "Dr. James 'Jimmy' Crudup Day" in Forest, Mississippi.
So when you think you can't be something important or do something impressive because of your lack of training or education, don't let the world of accomplishment end for you. Remember James Crudup. Make the best of what you have wherever you happen to be. You may be surprised at what you can do and how well you can do it. You can make a difference in your life and the lives of many more people than you will ever know.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Squishing the Squeamies
One of the satisfactions of life is overcoming the nighttime terrors we all seem to be subjected to as we transition from teen to adult. Do you remember those times?
Think back to when you left home and were on your own. All of a sudden you were supposed to be an adult. To have all the answers to life's weary questions. To be alone in the dark in your own place with no one to call out to when the wheebie jeebies hit you directly in the solar plexus.
How are you going to pay for those car repairs? What's going to happen if you're too sick to work and there's no sick time in the bank? And what about that pain, the one just over on the side that wasn't there yesterday, was it? Is it serious? Is it something to add to the worry list?
Is there enough money to gas up the car and get to work all week? How do we pay for all the baby needs and day care and shots? Why did my husband have to go off to that schooling at work and leave me with all this? What's that noise I hear? Is it in the house or outside?
And worst of all - what do I want to do with my life? What lifestyle or job is best for me? Can I reach out to directions unknown to me and unfamiliar to my family? Will they be proud or uneasy?
We take those tentative steps to true independence and over time become more assured that we are on the right track. Then one night, deep in the midnight darkness, sleep is elusive and you lay there calm and satisfied and realize something important. You love the silence, the solitude, the awareness of your own thoughts. There is a security within your soul that feels -- right!
Think back to when you left home and were on your own. All of a sudden you were supposed to be an adult. To have all the answers to life's weary questions. To be alone in the dark in your own place with no one to call out to when the wheebie jeebies hit you directly in the solar plexus.
How are you going to pay for those car repairs? What's going to happen if you're too sick to work and there's no sick time in the bank? And what about that pain, the one just over on the side that wasn't there yesterday, was it? Is it serious? Is it something to add to the worry list?
Is there enough money to gas up the car and get to work all week? How do we pay for all the baby needs and day care and shots? Why did my husband have to go off to that schooling at work and leave me with all this? What's that noise I hear? Is it in the house or outside?
And worst of all - what do I want to do with my life? What lifestyle or job is best for me? Can I reach out to directions unknown to me and unfamiliar to my family? Will they be proud or uneasy?
We take those tentative steps to true independence and over time become more assured that we are on the right track. Then one night, deep in the midnight darkness, sleep is elusive and you lay there calm and satisfied and realize something important. You love the silence, the solitude, the awareness of your own thoughts. There is a security within your soul that feels -- right!
Monday, June 10, 2013
In Remembrance
If you were the richest person in your part of the world, how would you want to be remembered? What would you be willing to do to secure your place in posterity's brain?
James Lick was born in 1796 in Pennsylvania. His father was a cabinet maker. He became a builder of fine pianos in New York first, then later moved to Argentina. He continued his business ventures in South America and amassed quite a fortune. In his later years he moved to California, arriving just before the gold rush of 1849.
While he tried his hand at gold mining, he quickly turned back to acquiring land in the San Francisco area as well as others. By the 1880's he was the richest man in California. He thought of what he would do in memory of himself. What about a giant pyramid? Perhaps giant statues of himself and his parents that would be visible from far out to sea?
Fortunately for the world, he became friends with a scientist who introduced him to astronomy. George Madeira was the founder of the first observatory in California and in 1860 he took Lick with him for a few days of observation of the heavens. Lick determined to fund the largest observatory around at the time. In fact, it remains the second largest even today.
He was said to have designated $700,000 for the observatory, which would be about the equivalent of $1.2 billion now, as reported by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette newspaper today. And after 125 years, it is still in use. Scientists make the trek to the hilltop observatory to test the latest in telescopic equipment.
James made the money, he had the right to spend it as he wished. But I for one am glad he made the decision to put it to the scientific use he did. I've never been to the observatory, and probably will never make the trek there. I don't even know if it is open to the public. But it feels good to think that he put his money where it would do some good for future generations. In my opinion, the facility is a far better memorial to a forward thinking man than a giant statue. So good for you, James Lick.
James Lick was born in 1796 in Pennsylvania. His father was a cabinet maker. He became a builder of fine pianos in New York first, then later moved to Argentina. He continued his business ventures in South America and amassed quite a fortune. In his later years he moved to California, arriving just before the gold rush of 1849.
While he tried his hand at gold mining, he quickly turned back to acquiring land in the San Francisco area as well as others. By the 1880's he was the richest man in California. He thought of what he would do in memory of himself. What about a giant pyramid? Perhaps giant statues of himself and his parents that would be visible from far out to sea?
Fortunately for the world, he became friends with a scientist who introduced him to astronomy. George Madeira was the founder of the first observatory in California and in 1860 he took Lick with him for a few days of observation of the heavens. Lick determined to fund the largest observatory around at the time. In fact, it remains the second largest even today.
He was said to have designated $700,000 for the observatory, which would be about the equivalent of $1.2 billion now, as reported by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette newspaper today. And after 125 years, it is still in use. Scientists make the trek to the hilltop observatory to test the latest in telescopic equipment.
James made the money, he had the right to spend it as he wished. But I for one am glad he made the decision to put it to the scientific use he did. I've never been to the observatory, and probably will never make the trek there. I don't even know if it is open to the public. But it feels good to think that he put his money where it would do some good for future generations. In my opinion, the facility is a far better memorial to a forward thinking man than a giant statue. So good for you, James Lick.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
The Relief of Healing
The body can be a glorious thing, especially when it is working at some approximation to normal. However, when it decides to go off and do its own thing, things can be less than optimum.
As I mentioned a couple of posts back, poison ivy has made its presence known upon my body for the first time in quite a few years. I've had enough misery over the years with this demon that I avoid it as much as possible. However, no plan is perfect, and the unwelcome visitor is back.
This was an unusual case for me this time. It presented itself primarily on the foot, the left to be precise. At first I was positive it was the dreaded vine, but then the symptoms went weird and I wasn't sure. So off to the Doc I go. Now Voltaire once said "The art of medicine is amusing a patient until nature affects the cure." This may have been true for him, but trust me, there was no amusement involved on my part.
I couldn't get in to see my regular Doc immediately, but misery was rampant so I said, anyone will do. My foot was swollen so much he felt there was something else underlying the situation, and in the course of talking about that somehow or other one prescription was not called in. The one for itching. Oh, Lawd have mercy!
Over the last few months I have learned a bit about self-hypnosis for pain which has been very helpful in some situations. But not now. There was no way I could get my focus away from this insidious viper tormenting my body.
So, next day back to the clinic and another Doc. Again, not the regular one, but I did get a shot which has worked wonders for the underlying problem whatever it may be, as well as meds for the itch. The swelling is down, the itch is under control, and the ensuing edema is going away so quickly my ankle has the look of a snake shedding its skin. But, hey, when you are in the midst of a blessed healing, who cares what the physical manifestation may be?
I think Will Rogers may have been right when he said, "The best doctor in the world is the veterinarian. He can't ask his patients what is the matter. He just has to know."
Till next time, be well.
As I mentioned a couple of posts back, poison ivy has made its presence known upon my body for the first time in quite a few years. I've had enough misery over the years with this demon that I avoid it as much as possible. However, no plan is perfect, and the unwelcome visitor is back.
This was an unusual case for me this time. It presented itself primarily on the foot, the left to be precise. At first I was positive it was the dreaded vine, but then the symptoms went weird and I wasn't sure. So off to the Doc I go. Now Voltaire once said "The art of medicine is amusing a patient until nature affects the cure." This may have been true for him, but trust me, there was no amusement involved on my part.
I couldn't get in to see my regular Doc immediately, but misery was rampant so I said, anyone will do. My foot was swollen so much he felt there was something else underlying the situation, and in the course of talking about that somehow or other one prescription was not called in. The one for itching. Oh, Lawd have mercy!
Over the last few months I have learned a bit about self-hypnosis for pain which has been very helpful in some situations. But not now. There was no way I could get my focus away from this insidious viper tormenting my body.
So, next day back to the clinic and another Doc. Again, not the regular one, but I did get a shot which has worked wonders for the underlying problem whatever it may be, as well as meds for the itch. The swelling is down, the itch is under control, and the ensuing edema is going away so quickly my ankle has the look of a snake shedding its skin. But, hey, when you are in the midst of a blessed healing, who cares what the physical manifestation may be?
I think Will Rogers may have been right when he said, "The best doctor in the world is the veterinarian. He can't ask his patients what is the matter. He just has to know."
Till next time, be well.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Oklahoma Soul
It is my belief that music is necessary for mankind to live any kind of life with meaning. You need something to take you out of your self at times, to get away from the worrisome trials of living, or to reflect back to the world the joy you capture, usually in fleeting moments.
Good singers and songwriters can come from anywhere in the world. No one has a lock on expressing the vagaries of life, both the good and the bad. But I would say that Oklahoma has experienced the hostilities of weather that could require great focus of mind to overcome some very difficult times. We've seen this recently in the awful weather that has pounded the state without mercy.
Oklahoma songwriters have given us some wonderful tunes to make life bearable, to allow us to share joy and wonder, to give ourselves permission to have a great old time when times are good, and to weep together in times of distress. Let me give just a few examples of those I have turned to for listening pleasure over the years, in no particular order.
Hoyt Axton penned Joy To The World and brought joy to my heart. I remember swimming out at Lake Sylvia, floating under a summer sun, humming this throughout the day.
Roger Miller wrote so many songs, but I especially enjoyed King of the Road.
Dallas Frazier's There Goes My Everything hits the nail on the head when talking about lost love.
Toby Keith's American Soldier is a great tribute to our military.
Garth Brooks Unanswered Prayers keeps the loses of life in perspective, reminding us that sometimes we are so much better off when we don't get what we think we want.
Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn gave us a lot of fun with Boot Scooting Boogie.
Sheb Wooley's Purple People Eater is a great off-kilter song of humor.
There are so many more but I'll just end with Merle Kilgore's Ring of Fire. I just love those Mexican trumpets they threw in there.
Thanks to the diligence of these and so many other fine craftsmen, we feel our spirits lift us out of despair and turn to the future with hope and confidence. My hat is off to each of them.
Good singers and songwriters can come from anywhere in the world. No one has a lock on expressing the vagaries of life, both the good and the bad. But I would say that Oklahoma has experienced the hostilities of weather that could require great focus of mind to overcome some very difficult times. We've seen this recently in the awful weather that has pounded the state without mercy.
Oklahoma songwriters have given us some wonderful tunes to make life bearable, to allow us to share joy and wonder, to give ourselves permission to have a great old time when times are good, and to weep together in times of distress. Let me give just a few examples of those I have turned to for listening pleasure over the years, in no particular order.
Hoyt Axton penned Joy To The World and brought joy to my heart. I remember swimming out at Lake Sylvia, floating under a summer sun, humming this throughout the day.
Roger Miller wrote so many songs, but I especially enjoyed King of the Road.
Dallas Frazier's There Goes My Everything hits the nail on the head when talking about lost love.
Toby Keith's American Soldier is a great tribute to our military.
Garth Brooks Unanswered Prayers keeps the loses of life in perspective, reminding us that sometimes we are so much better off when we don't get what we think we want.
Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn gave us a lot of fun with Boot Scooting Boogie.
Sheb Wooley's Purple People Eater is a great off-kilter song of humor.
There are so many more but I'll just end with Merle Kilgore's Ring of Fire. I just love those Mexican trumpets they threw in there.
Thanks to the diligence of these and so many other fine craftsmen, we feel our spirits lift us out of despair and turn to the future with hope and confidence. My hat is off to each of them.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
The Impact of Disaster
Mother Nature has been visiting our relatives again. She can be a welcome visitor at times, the days she brings the wonder of her accomplishments to greet us with joyful scenes, magnificent views and breath-taking moments of life. Unfortunately, she can also bring outrageous destruction and debilitation, as seen in hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, earthquakes, volcanoes, and more.
We greet these times with disbelief, unable to accept the possibility of disaster actually hitting us personally. This is true even in areas with a history of her notoriety. But I saw one quote that hits the situation on the head: The thing that a lot of people cannot comprehend is that Mother Nature doesn't have a bullet with your name on it, she has millions of bullets inscribed with 'to whom it may concern.' (Anonymous)
However, what I do like in these perilous times is the reaction of the community that was hit. Look at all the people that turned out and are still there, helping friends, neighbors, and even strangers to come through, not just to survive, but to move forward with hope, compassion, and love. You saw it in New Jersey after their damage last fall, in Nashville, Tennessee and other places after major flooding. Humans can be and do so much more than we ever thought possible. Others come forward with donations of money and supplies and equipment to make the necessary work possible.
It does bring home one thing, though. I refer to a quote attributed to Dale Carnegie: "One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."
To which I will add, whatever your situation, wherever you may live, rich or poor, or any other condition of living on this Earth, stop a few minutes every day to appreciate what you have around you, the people, the opportunities, the positives in your life. We can always make time to complain, but we need to focus on the positive. We should demand that of ourselves as an equal opportunity mandate of life.
We greet these times with disbelief, unable to accept the possibility of disaster actually hitting us personally. This is true even in areas with a history of her notoriety. But I saw one quote that hits the situation on the head: The thing that a lot of people cannot comprehend is that Mother Nature doesn't have a bullet with your name on it, she has millions of bullets inscribed with 'to whom it may concern.' (Anonymous)
However, what I do like in these perilous times is the reaction of the community that was hit. Look at all the people that turned out and are still there, helping friends, neighbors, and even strangers to come through, not just to survive, but to move forward with hope, compassion, and love. You saw it in New Jersey after their damage last fall, in Nashville, Tennessee and other places after major flooding. Humans can be and do so much more than we ever thought possible. Others come forward with donations of money and supplies and equipment to make the necessary work possible.
It does bring home one thing, though. I refer to a quote attributed to Dale Carnegie: "One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."
To which I will add, whatever your situation, wherever you may live, rich or poor, or any other condition of living on this Earth, stop a few minutes every day to appreciate what you have around you, the people, the opportunities, the positives in your life. We can always make time to complain, but we need to focus on the positive. We should demand that of ourselves as an equal opportunity mandate of life.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Tea Time - Aah!!
It has been a beautiful Memorial week-end here in Arkansas, the weather cooperative for happy days. It's also a day for remembering those who have served us in the military and for their efforts in keeping us a safe and freedom-loving country. And I am thankful, to all my family members who served and for all the others out there.
Our week-end, however, was less than perfect. On my part, I have somehow or other gotten a case of poison ivy, or at least that is my diagnosis. This is by no means my first encounter with it. My worst time was when I got a bad case and my husband went in for my calomine lotion. He talked to the pharmacist who recommended a new treatment that was supposed to be wonderful. Unfortunately I was allergic to this, so wound up at the doctors for shots to help me out.
I have avoided this dread evil for several years, so it is a total mystery to me how it happened. I have not been working outside, which is usually how it happens. And my husband has done very little in that mode lately. But however it happened, misery has moved in for awhile.
So I am sitting here in front of the TV trying to avoid the agony of itching. I made myself a nice cup of tea. Not only can I sip the beverage, which I enjoy, but I can occasionally touch the hot cup to a particularly aggravating spot and let the heat overtake the itch so I have something else to think about. Okay, not the best medical treatment I suppose, but agony leads one to vile turns at times.
Speaking of tea, I'm so glad we have tea bags now to make the process less messy and quicker, especially when you put the water in the microwave then dunk the bag.
The bag was an accidental invention by an American tradesman, Thomas Sullivan of New York in 1908. He sent samples of his tea to his customers in silk bags as that was cheaper than using the tin cans. Owners of restaurants and coffeeshops thought they were supposed to use them for brewing the tea. Sullivan knew a good thing when he saw it, and kept it up.
After his customers complained about the silk mesh, he changed first to gauze then later to paper, and the tea bag became very popular with folks across the country. He made the bag in two sizes, large ones for the tea pots and small ones for the cup for individual use.
Now if you are one who likes to figure things out for yourself and come up with your own blends, do you know that you can buy tea filter bags with a large opening with a drawstring? You can mix your own concoction, then brew it up to your satisfaction. Sounds interesting. But for me, I'll stick to the standard off-the-shelf variety.
Enjoy what's left of your holiday, and may your week be productive and happy. Cheers, all!
Our week-end, however, was less than perfect. On my part, I have somehow or other gotten a case of poison ivy, or at least that is my diagnosis. This is by no means my first encounter with it. My worst time was when I got a bad case and my husband went in for my calomine lotion. He talked to the pharmacist who recommended a new treatment that was supposed to be wonderful. Unfortunately I was allergic to this, so wound up at the doctors for shots to help me out.
I have avoided this dread evil for several years, so it is a total mystery to me how it happened. I have not been working outside, which is usually how it happens. And my husband has done very little in that mode lately. But however it happened, misery has moved in for awhile.
So I am sitting here in front of the TV trying to avoid the agony of itching. I made myself a nice cup of tea. Not only can I sip the beverage, which I enjoy, but I can occasionally touch the hot cup to a particularly aggravating spot and let the heat overtake the itch so I have something else to think about. Okay, not the best medical treatment I suppose, but agony leads one to vile turns at times.
Speaking of tea, I'm so glad we have tea bags now to make the process less messy and quicker, especially when you put the water in the microwave then dunk the bag.
The bag was an accidental invention by an American tradesman, Thomas Sullivan of New York in 1908. He sent samples of his tea to his customers in silk bags as that was cheaper than using the tin cans. Owners of restaurants and coffeeshops thought they were supposed to use them for brewing the tea. Sullivan knew a good thing when he saw it, and kept it up.
After his customers complained about the silk mesh, he changed first to gauze then later to paper, and the tea bag became very popular with folks across the country. He made the bag in two sizes, large ones for the tea pots and small ones for the cup for individual use.
Now if you are one who likes to figure things out for yourself and come up with your own blends, do you know that you can buy tea filter bags with a large opening with a drawstring? You can mix your own concoction, then brew it up to your satisfaction. Sounds interesting. But for me, I'll stick to the standard off-the-shelf variety.
Enjoy what's left of your holiday, and may your week be productive and happy. Cheers, all!
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