Today (January 6) is the feast day of Epiphany when it is tradition to remember the visit of the magi to the baby Jesus.  Even if our nativity sets typically include the three kings huddled around Jesus in the manger, the scriptures tell us this visit happened a bit later.  (You try following a star and not showing up a little late!) I recently learned about a tradition that many Christians use on Epiphany called “chalking the door.”  On this day, many use chalk to mark their doors with the following symbols: 20 + C + M + B + 21 The numbers on the ends change each year to match the calendar year.  The plus signs represent the cross of Christ.  The letters C, M, B have a dual meaning.  First, they represent the apocryphal names of the magi that have developed as part of the tradition: Caspar, Melchior,

In the spring of 2015, when Ajay and I took the walk with Ted and Diane at Slate Run, we were prepared to see birds, brining with us our binoculars and bird guides. At that time, I was not checking birding sites on Facebook or checking eBird to learn what species of birds to expect. So when a pair of Sandhill Cranes landed in the tall grass in front of us we immediately assumed Great Blue Herons, but just as quickly noted the red crown and heavy body. A check in our field guides…Sandhill Cranes! Wow! A bird we had heard about but never seen. In the years since, I have seen Sandhill Cranes at other wetlands in Ohio; Killdeer Plains, Killbuck Marsh (both nesting areas) and Pickerington Ponds. Three days before Christmas, 37 Sandhill Cranes had gathered beside the back pond at Pickerington Ponds. Shortly after we arrived, they

As some of you are aware, I have sarcoidosis, which is an inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology.  It can affect any organ of the body, but in my case, has primarily affected my eyes and lungs.  Fortunately, my eyes have been stable recently. However, my lungs have been on a downward spiral the last 4 years.  I have become progressively more short of breath with less and less exertion and am on 6 liters of oxygen 24/7. Now I find myself being able to do a little—sit a little—do a little—sit a little.  Unfortunately, the sitting increments are becoming longer and more frequent.  Some years ago, when I was still in practice, we had to write treatment plans listing goals for a patient.  At times, it seemed inane to take time to list what the goals were, when they seemed so obvious.  As a person who used to be able

When people talk about universal languages, music is usually mentioned. These last couple weeks I have been listening to a lot of 102.5 on the radio, and their selection of Musica Latina. I enjoy the prolific use of accordions, because it reminds me of the music of Weird Al Yankovic (I have seen him in concert 15 times). While I don’t know the particulars of how European immigrants spread the use of the accordion to the Americas, I’m sure the path is interesting. It is two peoples living thousands of miles apart, with different languages and cultures, who nonetheless share the love of the same musical instrument. If you ever find yourself in Peru, you will invariably notice the pan flute music everywhere you go. When I was in Peru in 2007, I saw pan flute musicians in airports, on streets, on trains and on trails. Most had CD’s you