u/broketractor

I was diagnosed with brain cancer (ganglioglioma) back in 2003. Had the surgery and came out mostly clean, but knowing it will most likely come back at some time. In 2021 I went in for a follow-up (one of many), which is when they discovered MS. Over the last five years I have had several MRIs for my MS which were no problem. By this time I had lost count of the scans I have had. But today I got a notice of an MRI scheduled next week. I called the imaging office and found out it was ordered from my neurosurgeon, the 5 year check-up, again. For some reason this is hitting me harder than the MS scans. They are the same scans, brain wo/w contrast, but the mental pain seems to be much more. Knowing this scan is for my neurosurgeon brings back so much pain and memories/thoughts I wish I could live without. I hate having to ask "which neurologist is this for?", "is this an MS or cancer scan?". I am sure by Tuesday everything will be okay, but it is still difficult to deal with, even after 23 years. I swear, if they told me my MS doc ordered the scan, I would think nothing of it, in fact I think I am due for some scans later this year. But coming from the cancer doc, it hits hard.

...because everyone else is.

I am starting a study on my field to gain a better understanding of SOM and how management practices impact it. My field is about 2 acres, and will eventually be used for biointensive vegetable production, think Elliott Coleman and JM Fortier.

I am looking to build something of a 4 dimensional map of the SOM. Sampling not only the vegetable beds, but also the hedgerows I will be installing and even the pathways/walkways, along with the outer perimeter to use as my control. Each sample will be further split into 3 sub-samples, 0-4, 4-8 and 8-12 inch depths. I am looking at roughly 20-30 samples per year, so 60-90 LOI tests per year. The field will be split up into a grid, not by area, but by use. I am also planing to do thermogravimetric analysis as well so I can dig in a bit more as to what soil I am actually dealing with. The samples will be collected throughout every season, which could also help see the natural seasonality of the soil life. This will also include microscopy of the soil, I really want to see everything that is happening. This year is mostly dedicated to developing my lab skills and data recoding methods. So hopefully next year I can start collect usable data.

Any thoughts? Advice? Suggestions? Critiques? Those would be very helpful now before I dive into this.

Kinda funny. I went out on a backpacking trip over the weekend and had a new bear can. In the process of moving everything over I left my spoon on the counter. Dinner time at camp roles around and I realized that I had no implements. Ended up using my extra tent stakes as chopsticks. What is the moral of this story? Always carry extra tent stakes.