BS: WAV with Pics

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Aug 22 - 01:44 PM

I was told that Yew trees grow well in graveyards because the soil is so rich! I'm sure it is nonsense but it is a good story :-D

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Aug 22 - 01:40 PM

But taxol isn't tamoxifen.

Here's the story of tamoxifen, an extract from an article by Cancer Research UK:

The story of tamoxifen starts back in 1896, when pioneering cancer surgeon Dr George Beatson found that he could extend the lives of women with breast cancer by surgically removing their ovaries – a major oestrogen source. This gave researchers the first clue that oestrogen was involved in the growth and development of breast cancer.

Over the next five decades, doctors experimented with a variety of man-made oestrogen-like chemicals (such as stilboestrol, developed by Cancer Research UK scientist Professor Charles Dodds in 1937) to try to treat breast cancer. Although sometimes these efforts were successful, the side-effects were too severe for widespread use. By the mid 60s, the research had hit a dead end.

Contraceptive research

At roughly the same time, researchers at ICI (now AstraZeneca) in the UK, were investigating the effects of various oestrogen-like chemicals on the reproductive systems of rats, with the aim of trying to find new contraceptives and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

They developed several promising drug candidates, including one with the catchy name ICI46,474. But for various reasons, including lack of support and competing priorities, its development stalled.

War on cancer

Eventually, due to a combination of luck, good judgement, a bit of trans-Atlantic to-ing and fro-ing, and the declaration of a ‘war on cancer’ by President Nixon, there was a renewed interest in developing an oestrogen-blocker to treat breast cancer.

ICI46,474 was developed into tamoxifen, and doctors started giving it to patients in the early 70s. And the drug was licensed for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in the UK in 1972.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Aug 22 - 12:02 PM

Why do you think I mentioned it if I didn't know it to be true?

"Taxol® (NSC 125973)
Paclitaxel, the most well-known natural-source cancer drug in the United States, is derived from the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) and is used in the treatment of breast, lung, and ovarian cancer, as well as Kaposi's sarcoma."

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Aug 22 - 11:41 AM

Mrs Steve took part in a major clinical trial of tamoxifen for breast cancer some years ago, which consisted of five years' taking the drug or placebo in a double-blind trial and five years of follow-up. I don't think there's a connection between tamoxifen and yew trees. There has been success in trialling some yew extracts for cancer treatment.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Aug 22 - 11:16 AM

Yew trees were the original source of tamoxifen, that is now manufactured synthetically. Used to treat breast cancer. Not something to just nibble on.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Aug 22 - 09:11 AM

But is that a reason for planting yews rather than any other trees?

On a pedantic note, yews don't produce berries. They are conifers, and berries are found in flowering plants only. If you look closely you'll see that the red fleshy part (the aril) forms a cup-like structure around the seed but doesn't enclose it completely. Some animals eat the fleshy part and pass the seed through the gut without digesting it. I wouldn't recommend experimentation in this regard.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 16 Aug 22 - 08:11 AM

That's what my uncle told me, as in the above-linked poem, DC.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 16 Aug 22 - 07:34 AM

they were valuable sources of wood for the manufacture of longbows, the fact that they were in churchyards being a deterrent against the theft of the wood.

I had always heard that yew trees were in church yards because they were enclosed spaces and thus kept livestock from grazing on the poisonous leaves.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 16 Aug 22 - 07:12 AM

As you are probably aware Steve, and as in my above photos, they have berries now, and I did have a close look at one that had fallen on the park bench...but not a nibble which, just quietly, I probably would have done if I'd read your post first (and checked it in Google).

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Aug 22 - 06:07 AM

I honestly think that nobody really knows. If you google it you'll read all sorts of nonsense about "Celtic druids" and the like, and that they were valuable sources of wood for the manufacture of longbows, the fact that they were in churchyards being a deterrent against the theft of the wood. That seems a stretch to me.

Interestingly, you'll also read that all parts of the yew are poisonous. This is mostly true, although the soft red fleshy bit around the seed is not only not poisonous but also quite tasty. However, be advised that you are asking for trouble if you accidentally swallow the black seed therein, and it would be incredibly bad form to demonstrate your knowledge of all this in front of children and anyone else who might emulate you.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 16 Aug 22 - 04:48 AM

There were nice yew trees around Furness Abbey ruins (above), and I've just added a couple of pics to my poem "Why the Yew?"...but YOU may have another explanation as to why they are so often found beside our religious buildings..?

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 15 Aug 22 - 06:40 PM

Thanks Donuel; and not sure - but there are still peatlands in Lancashire.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Aug 22 - 06:07 PM

Nice song. I like the evolution of style. Are those holes in the ground   from peat removal?

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 15 Aug 22 - 09:46 AM

"Barrow-in-Furness, Seen With A Pal - Summer 2001" - my only "pal" this time being my bridge-camera (hence several photos attached, including nearby Furness Abbey).

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 13 Aug 22 - 01:43 PM

A train journey through Lancashire, from Manchester to Barrow-in-Furness, allowed me to add some pics to my song "Lancashire Sung Simply"

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Aug 22 - 10:18 AM

It was just a suggestion, and he chooses not to change the patter here. Proceed.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: gillymor
Date: 04 Aug 22 - 10:18 AM

You also have a great talent for missing, or conveniently avoiding the point, homey.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Aug 22 - 10:09 AM

A Welcomed first step
hope hope hope hope hope
hope hope hope hope hope hope
hope hope hope hope hope

But First we have to
hype then we have to hope
hope hope hope hope hope hope
hope hope hope hope hope

O M G not that !
hope pope pope pope pope pope
er hope hope hope hope hope
hope hope hope hope hope

I'm an Optimist
hope hope hope hope hope hope
hope hope hope hope hope
hope hope hope hope shit.

I guess
I did
my best

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: gillymor
Date: 04 Aug 22 - 08:48 AM

I remember bicycling through there all those years ago and stopping at the Baskin Robbins on the way back.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Aug 22 - 08:43 AM

The antique district is bigger than ever!

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: gillymor
Date: 04 Aug 22 - 08:30 AM

Hey, my Kensington home boy, I was just praising your talent for stating the obvious, in a long-winded manner, like you're bringing stone tablets down from the mount. Sort of like Prof. Irwin Corey's act if he'd taken himself seriously.

(apologies to SRS but WAV doesn't seem to mind the diversions)

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Aug 22 - 08:05 AM

The fever swamp still has rules and laws. The die off event is not a slow extinction. It will be much less than 1/3. We ARE resourceful.
Hey gilly if you haven't noticed, its too hot on the street corner. Your contribution of denial is noted. The future doesn't belong to anyone but anyone can play. A shit-optimist faces long odds but still has hope. Anyway while I'm here I should check out where the sight seer has been.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 04 Aug 22 - 06:12 AM

That's true SRS - for many years I was allowed to link to my poems as part of my argument on other threads but was told not to a couple of years ago.

Personally, I don't mind other verse & prose here.

Munch of Mudcat's oomph is argument-based, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 11:31 PM

This is where WAV shares his creative endeavors. Some of the posts are way off topic - perhaps best taken to more germane threads? He isn't permitted to post the poetry in other threads, so perhaps doing the courtesy of not posting other stuff here would be a good exchange.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: gillymor
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 11:11 PM

Why aren't you out on a street corner with a sign that reads THE GREAT SLIDE HAS BEGUN. Seems awfully selfish of you, hoarding all that wisdom and not inflicting it on a wider audience, hopefully somewhere other than here.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 10:56 PM

a brief example of surprise

It is now evident to everyone
that the most insidious pandemic
is one of extremist insanity.
Is it a symptom of; Covid,
Wall Street pillage, Trump fascism,
racism, global warming climate immigration,
a billionaire explosion
or perhaps pumpkin spice poisoning?
Whether it is a disease, syndrome or toxin,
there ought to be a way to feel right
boost our immune system,
get a vaccine or take a pill
but the other symptoms
are delusion and denial so we deny the answer
that is hiding in plain sight.

THERE ARE 8 BILLION OF US!!!!
When I was born there were 3.

Reproduction is exponential
food and water production is not.

THE GREAT SLIDE HAS BEGUN.
We are only at the top of the slide just starting to accelerate.
The fall is slow at first and is only at 45 degrees.
When we approach 90 degrees we will be in free fall.
Dystopia will be a luxury for the few.
The entitled will be disappointed
that delivery will not exist
and defeats all their strategies.
There will be some real
4 horsemen biblical shit.
But right now we can forget.
There are some people who feel
that i am the optimist

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 09:21 PM

I know someone who is all shades of wrong but such is the tragedy of narcicism.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 09:06 PM

I'm just saying that you got it wrong. Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 08:39 PM

Its fine to extend my remarks and include extraneous material or lengthy explanations. It's called discussion.
Repudiation is for debate.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 08:17 PM

"'All you need is love' is in the time signature of 7/4 but you probably never realized it unless you are performing it."

This song changes metre all the time. The chorus is not in 7/4 and several other time signatures apart from 7/4 are employed. I'd say that it's better to realise this before you perform it. Try wiki.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 07:18 PM

Allow me to extend some unsolicited poetic devices based on the element of surprise. Like music, surprise in poetry is its essence. Do not fall for the 'unfathomable excuse' of the lazy. Or think an abstract piece is just hung upside down. There may be a fractal truth you could see if you look closer.

1. Rhythm change. It can change in beats or produce a kama sutra sycopated rhythm but it can change. 'All you need is love' is in the time signature of 7/4 but you probably never realized it unless you are performing it.

2. Modulation. Tone, subject, meaning and color can all change.

3. Enigmatic metaphors. People will have to supply their own meaning or ignore the metaphor like 'and shes buying her stairway to heaven'??

4. Surprise is a kind of contrast. It might be a direction change or a sudden witicism. imo it beats a boring pentameter with a bell ringing on every rhyme.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 01:52 PM

Its now under 5 meters of sea water.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 01:45 PM

Coastal; Texas, Louisiana, Missisippi, Georgia, Florida...in less than 50 years will look like Cleopatra's palace looked, too wet to walk.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 10:35 AM

...adding Texas to the in-danger list of Venice, Kiribati, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 09:18 AM

Little Jane and John, bought a house in Texas,
And climate deniers were they.
The home sure looked great when 20 years rolled around.
They were so proud, yes siree!

And this is what he said on
the day their house was all gone:

OMG,
I guess we'll have to flee,
our house beneath the sea.
Sea Rise is no joke,
when you begin to choke
every other day
in a flood of debris.

Remember, Janie,
how climate change was crazy
they said it was a hoax
I'll try to smile somehow.
I'll look for you when the flood is over,
A million fucking years from now!

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 08:50 AM

I see now, thanks, Donuel. That's the way Google's Blogger is set-up and, by the way, I think it must be one of the best free website options, with no limits on visits & ads only if you choose to add them (which, as an amateur, I don't). I now live in a small studio flat in Manchester & only have a Casio SA-46 "lap-top" keyboard but, back then in my 2-bedroom Newcastle flat, I had a bog-standard recording studio, with a large keyboard.

And, thanks Sandman - 56 years plus 4 days since I was born in Manchester/England won the FIFA World Cup at Wembley (& 3 days since the ladies won the Euros, of course!).

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 08:33 AM

I am refering to the picture you have on every page of your "poetry" of yourself playing a wood flute. You dunlap. Your abdomen dun laps over the keyboard. Now people will have to click the link to look.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 08:05 AM

happy birthday belated

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 03 Aug 22 - 07:39 AM

From a display of a different kind at the same, above, Gallery Oldham, I've just added a couple of League pics to my poem "One Rugby?"

And bee (symbol of Manchester) bags to my song "We Go Together"

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 02 Aug 22 - 06:11 PM

I'd probably have to do some cryptic crosswords before figuring that one out, Donuel, and I don't think I'll bother; I chose reality poetry, with trad metre & rhyme, as my medium so folks hopefully wouldn't be scratching their heads.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Aug 22 - 05:44 PM

It looks like you managed to play a chord using your abdomen but the headgear is cool.

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 02 Aug 22 - 05:24 PM

Made a day-trip today, via train & tram, to Oldham in Greater Manchester.

As I anticipated, the display I wrote about in Autumn 2000 was no-longer at the Gallery there, so I just added a couple of pics of the impressive façade to my poem on "Waterscapes of Oldham".

Also took a pic of Oldham War Memorial & attached it to my poem "Remember Them?".

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 30 Jul 22 - 11:24 AM

Yes, Dave, it's an Italian word & there is, of course, an Italian Riviera as well; joking apart, I hope to return to the French Riviera (probably staying in Nice) to add photos to my poem on "Monaco And Its Railway Loo" (as it was in 1988, at least).

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Jul 22 - 11:44 AM

You may not need French for Riviera, WAV, but you certainly need Italian :-D

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 22 Jul 22 - 03:24 PM

Just got back from a (mostly) swimming holiday to Torquay on the English (who needs the French!) Riviera, and thus have added a pic to my song about swimming from "State to State"

Subject: RE: BS: WAV with Pics
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 15 Jun 22 - 05:51 AM

(Just a brief clarification, my "Long live trad metre & rhyme", just above, was in regard to this video link from Donuel).

To "give it a rest" (Dave), from Manchester at least, there was a nice-looking full Strawberry Moon, low on the horizon, last night - with just one pic, my poem "Through the Night".

Subject: RE: BS: HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Jun 22 - 05:10 PM

The league of nations was formed after WW1 and proved to be completely ineffective as WW2 proved. So, after WW2 the United nations was formed. That, to date, has also proved totally ineffective and has been so for nearly 80 years. It is a red herring that you keep throwing in and absolutely sweet FA to do with either this thread or multiculturalism. For heavens sake WAV, just give it a rest.

Subject: RE: BS: HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee!
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 14 Jun 22 - 04:35 PM

Long live trad metre & rhyme, Donuel! (Dave - I addressed your second-last post with due care, but it got deleted: briefly, our United Nations v. our nation being multicultural.)

Subject: RE: BS: HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee!
From: Raggytash
Date: 14 Jun 22 - 03:16 PM

" a major in anthropology"

You have mentioned this several times WAV, are we supposed to be impressed by it.

I would suggest that many of us on here have a degree or honours degree or higher.

Subject: RE: BS: HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee!
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 14 Jun 22 - 02:21 PM

...we both, I gather, Dave, don't like John Lennon's way in "Imagine" where we all blend into the one boring culture, but you like your nation being multicultural whereas I like the United Nations being multicultural; now, perhaps, we can end this discussion, which is not that far from the thread in terms of what & how the Jubilee was celebrated?