MEMORIES

Had a great weekend.


It was very much needed.


Some very good friends and strong supporters of our aquaculture system came down for a visit.


We had a great time.


Since Lori is going back to our home in Maryland later this week, it was a chance for my son Stephen and I to have a bit of "buddy time".


Most important it was a chance to make some more memories.


I truly believe that memories are the currency that enrich our lives.


I also know for me if I cram enough good memories into my brain it crowds out bad memories (with time and with reflection).


It is not what you own, not what you drive, not your job title or anything else that defines you as an individual, it is the experiences you have, with the individuals you care for, that provide the substance of your being and validate your existence.


Memories come from experiences, and rich, wonderful, memories come from rich, wonderful, experiences. 


You can have good, even wonderful memories from experiences you made alone, but for me the richest, warmest, and most enduring memories are those made from experiences shared. 


I had a great friend visit this weekend and he brought some very neat people with him that I believe will become my friends in the years ahead.


My son, caught his biggest fish ever, and more importantly after landing him suggested we release the fish back into the ocean.


You have no idea how proud that made me.


I have a lot to accomplish in the next 7 days and then a return to focusing on securing significant funding to expand our production over the next 12 months.


But this weekend was about making memories, the currency of a life well lived. 

Theodicy

Lot's going on right now.


Getting ready to take Lori and the animals back to Maryland.


As you have gathered if you read this blog regularly, my dogs, cats, horses, and parrot mean a great deal to me.


I have no problem admitting they constitute, along with Stephen and Lori, my family.


I sleep sporadically and one of the delights of my life is waking up at odd times through out the night and finding I always have loving company.


It brings me great comfort.


Comfort is important. I learned today that a dear friend and business partner's 3 year old daughter may have leukemia. 


I am praying this will not be the case. 


I have great faith in theodicy. 


Most people today struggle to remember what that word even means but I have always believed it is one of the most important words in the world. 


I see proof of its application everyday. 


Today Lori walked on the beach for one hour.


Ten weeks ago when she arrived here in Texas with me after undergoing full brain radiation she could not walk unaided 5 minutes. She is getting stronger and she is beating the triple negative demon that so many do not.


I look at her today and see the same beautiful girl I married 17 years ago. 

This was us circa 1995. 


I show my years these days. 


Even with everything she has been through Lori does not. 


Lori got an inspirational video from Lance Armstrong last week. 


Talk about a survivor. 


These are just a few of the random reasons I have such faith in theodicy. 


Look it up. 


It is  a great word and it may be the most important word affecting the reality of our existence.


It is also why I am sure this three year old girl is going to be OK. 


Ok, I won't hope you look up it's meaning. It is too important of a word in all of our lives. I'll give it to you.


It means, "the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil".


Cancer is evil. 

Laughing at one's self

I read a lot of books. 


In the past two months I have finished about 15 titles. 


I read for fun, for escapism, for information, for enlightenment, and sometimes just to read.


Tony Schuur left me the latest book by Jim Harrison his last trip to the site.


I had not read a Jim Harrison book since 2008 when I read "The English Major".


My favorite Harrison book was always "Wolf" until now. (And yes, I loved "Legends of the Fall" but maybe in honesty I liked the movie better than the book in this one instance). 


Maybe it is that I am over 50. 


Maybe it is because I have lived long enough to laugh at my pretensions and my fears and my weaknesses.


Maybe I just do not take myself that seriously anymore. 


I loved this story.


Harrison is a true American treasure.


I have never read more honest thoughts. 


Do yourself a favor.


Get a copy of "The Great Leader " tomorrow and sit down and enjoy.

Thanking God for the moment

Not a great picture but Stephen and I took a few minutes out  tonight to have a drink and just enjoy the fact that Lori is cancer free for the moment.


We were in Padre Rita Ville and just laughing that on Friday Lori's neuro-radiologist said, " Lori's brain lesions are significantly reduced from the full brain radiation and that Lori's body is clear of any cancer at this time".


We know with tripe negative breast cancer this is not a guarantee of recovery and that is called "The Beast" because it does return so often but for the moment we have a miracle and that is enough to thank God and smile. 

A Good Week !

Here is a direct quote from this week's farm report:

"The range and scope of parameters necessary to promote growth are continuing to move towards the optimum benchmarks the system was designed to maintain.  

Oxygens, salinity, and temperature are remaining within optimum ranges with very narrow margins of fluctuation.  Ammonia, nitrite and pH are within safe extremes and continuing to indicate a definitive 3-stage de-nitrification process allowing for the increase in feeding rates as biomass increases.  

As the biomass increases solids production is increasing and the process of managing these solids is becoming more defined and specific as to their treatment.  Although the system appears to be relatively stable at this time, continual adjustment of the different manipulatives will occur as the evolutionary process to the optimum bacterial load proceeds.

Oxygens remain stable with the level of aeration present at this time.  Kasco aerators will begin to appear not only to maintain the levels of oxygen but also to initiate the suspension of some solids in the ponds to promote propagation of suspended “floc” (I’m not sure you can propagate non-living material).  

This process has two main purposes 1) to compliment the bacterial process that will occur in the WWT in ammonia/nitrite reduction and 2) compliment the prepared feed as a dietary supplement for a more complete diet.

The shade/radiant barrier suspension system is being refined in order to install the sample materials.  Although temperatures are within the desired ranges, this will soon change as the equinox approaches.  

This, too, will have a dramatic effect on salinity.  The samples should be up during the next week and also a decision on material type.  This material will then be ordered and the entire system installed within the next 45 days.  It will be very interesting to evaluate the interplay between water and air temperature, salinity and wind during the next year as we move through the different seasons (that’s only if you find this stuff interesting in the first place).

Ammonias have taken a dramatic decline during this week along with a more subdued lowering in nitrite levels.  The effects of the first solids pump, sporadic treatment with sugar and the higher angle of sunlight has initiated a de-nitrification process allowing for the increase in feed rates related to biomass increase.  This process is not only occurring in the WWT but also in the ponds.  This process has been complimented by an increase in algal blooms as evidenced by slightly higher pH levels and an increase in pm oxygen levels even at higher water temperatures and salinities.  

The second solids pump will be installed soon which should enhance the de-nitrification process in the WWT and begin the process of determining the location and types of solids to be removed to Solid Waste Handling  system.  Types of solids removal equipment are being evaluated as more information is available on the types of solids that will move through this equipment.  

At this time a rotating drum filter is looking like the best option but this could change as the solids profile becomes better known and in accordance with anammox produced solids which could differ from the current solids characteristics.

Primary focus for the next interim period is the installation of the second solids pump, installation of the shade/radiant barrier system and defining the solids profile to determine which type of solids removal equipment will match the system needs.  

And of course: Growth, Growth and more Growth!!!!"

What a great report.

And on top of all of this very positive news as our system starts to hit its stride we also found this fellow on site. How cool is that? 

A Reprieve

Finally a bit of good news for Lori.


Her blood work shows no cancer cells in her body. 


It has not reoccurred in a new place in her body.


Her brain lesions have not grown, thus it seems the full brain radiation has worked for now.


She does have a few new vascular anomalies in her brain that appeared on her MRI.


Her doctor is pretty sure that this is just a consequence of the full brain radiation.


She goes back in a week to see a neuro-radiologist but we expect he will agree with her doctor that the anomalies are not a precursor to more brain lesions. 


In any case, for the moment it appears the triple negative breast cancer has not reappeared elsewhere which is a blessing and a reprieve. 


Her next MRI is scheduled for three months from now.


Three months to get stronger and to exercise and to fight against any re-occurrence.


Three months seems a lot more significant these days. 


It seems like a gift.