She said 'Yes" to the Dress

The smart thing was to meet at Euro Pane Bakery for a lovely quiche Lorraine and a double cappuccino.  Decisions are best made with a adequate blood sugar and a little caffeine.   We have a 10:00 am appointment at Lovely Bride.  When we reach the address there is a simple door with a speaker doorbell.  This isn't a place you can just walk-in.  Appointments are required.  We clime several stairs to the upper floor where the lighting is bright and natural.  There are racks of gowns - lacy, delicate, beaded and even feathery.  I'm thankful I wasn't present for the 40 earlier dresses, just this final decision.  I'm not sharing any details...not allowed.  She will look amazing.  I'm so happy that she has found "her" gown.  It is such a personal thing and I know she was getting discouraged (remember she tried on 40 other dresses).  I'm happy for her and I'm so proud of my girl. 

January 16, 2016

Yes, I'll sleep with you, but no kissing

Bandit and My Son Rob

21 per cent of Americans sleep with a pet.  According to a survey of 2 countries by the National Sleep Foundation.  Bandit is a Jack (Parsons)  Russell terrier who begins looking at me with sleepy eyes around 9:00 pm when Bandit is ready for bed.  In fact he is doing it as I write this post.  When I come to bed he will paw at me until I lift up the covers and allow him to crawl under the covers where he likes to sleep at my feet.  I know that modern flea control and dewormers have made me more comfortable with this sleeping arrangement.  I know Bandit's health status well.  I still say no to kissing.


Roger Caras — 'Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.' 

Because He Took a Chance on Me

Lawrence D, Longo

    Only two weeks ago Dr. Larry Longo was hoping to convince the trauma surgeon to join him in research.  He was an inspiration and a bright light in perinatal biology and reproductive biology.   For me, Dr. Longo was as big an iconic character as Einstein.  He gave me my first job after college.   I still think it was bold to post a Physiologist position in the San Bernardino Sun.  I learned surgery, data collection and the inner workings of a thriving research program.   My niece is alive today, due in part to the discoveries made by Larry and colleagues.  His passion was intense. 

   Today I visited Loma Linda for a WesternU site visit where I had the opportunity to share stories with other who knew and admired Larry.  Several mentioned Larry had given them one of the historical medical texts.  Larry gave me a pamphlet written in the early days of the bicycle.  The OB/GYN basically explained that it was not advisable for women to to ride a bicycle.  They might become too stimulated.  

   I treasure the time I spent with Lawrence D. Longo and I am glad I was able to stay in touch.  He always was welcoming when I cam back to visit or when we saw each other a science meetings.  My time at Perinatal Biology was certainly a formative experience for me and many others who passed through.  Thank you Larry. 

Diane McClure
January 14, 2016

Because his brakes failed

I am sleeping well!  Yup, my neighbor crashing into my front yard retaining wall and the sheriff banging on my front door didn't wake me up.  I just thought it was noise from trash pick-up day.  It could have been much worse.

Shades of Blue

"It happened so slowly that I didn't realize it and it happened so fast that I didn't see it coming."  Harlee Santos (Jennifer Lopez), NYPD Det. on NBC's Shades of Blue.

I love this quote from J Lo's character in this new TV show.  Her character has some great dialog, but Ray Liotta's is too cliche and it make the character weak.  I hope it will balance out because it this show has potential based on content if it reaches beyond the excitement of having J Lo in the cast.

JMO...

Diane

Enjoying the Golden Globes

Thanks to Amy Kaufman who is live tweeting from the inside!  It was frustrating with all the censored comments.   Everyone is stepping up to meet the raunchieness of Ricky Gervais.  Denzel Washington winning the Cecil B. de Mille brinigng his whole family on stage with him.  Adorable.  

Because she showed me how to see good in people

Judy Stanton

        My childhood was unstable because my mother was unstable.  I was moved back and forth between my maternal grandparents' and my mother's as my mother repeated unsuccessful attempts at setting up a home.  I learned to mistrust adults.  I put my trust in animals.  This is actually a common thing for veterinarians.  Many of the pre-veterinary students that I have come across barely declare that they like animals better than people. However, I have learned that you must learn to communicate with people in order to be a good veterinarian.  Good communications with people are a whole lot easier when you actually like people.   Judy Stanton, my stepmother, helped me to see the good in other people and showed me that you could trust some people.  This has made a tremendous difference in my life and my career as a veterinarian.   

Because my own mother wasn't someone you could aspire to emulate, I am lucky to have had many other women who have served as role models.  I am grateful that Judy Stanton was one of those women.