Nerd Pride Radio

I might have to put my daughter's cat to sleep today. Or tomorrow. So, yeah, not necessarily the best morning.

Trees, ranked. 13. Crabapple

The best of all the flowering trees, with powerful blooms in a range of colors from white through all the pinks to deep fuschia. People complain about the crabapples but they support an array of wildlife and are good for your soil. I have always lived with these trees and the little fruits simply are not a problem. The greatest weakness of the tree is susceptibility to things that cause early leaf drop or leaf yellowing and browning, but otherwise this makes a stupendous climbing and shade tree when it's not in flower production mode. The bark is smooth and the entry point is usually low and accommodating. Bees and birds love this tree. I am deeply disappointed in the photos available online; I have not seen anything that does justice to a thriving adult crabapple in full bloom.

Tahlvin wrote: ↑Tue May 17, 2022 6:52 am I might have to put my daughter's cat to sleep today. Or tomorrow. So, yeah, not necessarily the best morning.

Oh, I am sorry to hear it! That is so hard.

We take him in at 1:00 today to have him put to sleep.

He stopped eating about a month ago. We took him to an emergency vet, and after several days and lots of tests (and lots of money), they found he had some pancreatic cysts. They drained the cysts and put him on steroids, appetite stimulants, and anti-nausea medicine. A couple weeks later, the lab work came back showing there was signs of a serious infection, so we also had to start giving him antibiotics. For the last 5 days or so, he hasn't been eating much again. Giving him all of the medicine is a traumatic experience for him. He's starting to get unsteady on his feet. So rather than prolonging his suffering, and while our daughter is still here (her and her boyfriend will be moving to Colorado soon) and can hold onto him at the end, we want to go ahead and say good bye.

Dude that sucks. I think we might have to have my 7 year old dog put to sleep this Friday. I feel you.

Oh no, very sad for all the pets and family.

He's gone. It sucks. Even though it's for the best. We're now pet-less once again.

Sorry, man.

Thanks. And sorry you may have to go through that with your dog.

Oof

So... Maybe we should let Tahlvin win.

I love Tahlvin, but I have too much respect for him to throw him a pity win as a band-aid for his very real pain. It just wouldn't be right, especially knowing how much work he puts into these threads.

Good morning.

Better morning!

GOOOOOOD morning, Nerd Pride!

C'est un zoo ici.

I think... from what you said... I'm confused.

La thread est le parking.

It is a zoo here and the thread is the parking?

I'm so confused.

Kyle siempre esta aburrido.

Burrito?! Now you're speaking my language!

Mike es a veces un taco.

I don't know Spanish. I'm lost. Are you still at the zoo?

I've moved to the taco truck parked outside the zoo.

Trees, ranked. 12. Douglas Fir

They're gorgeous and they're douglas but they are not actually Firs! They are technically part of the Laricoideaes along with Larches, and they are known as Pseudotsuga (i.e. false Hemlocks). Highly recommended: skiing through a forest of these beauties, whether cross country or downhill or whatever. One of the reasons why evergreen forests are so darn great.

Good morning!

Good morning!

Good morning!

Mike wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 5:47 amGood morning!

No. You're not invited to this.

He's not invited to his own website?! That's rude!

Good morning!

Hey.

Mike wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 7:41 amGood morning!

YOU'RE RUINING IT!

It's a beautiful morning!

Tahlvin wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 9:44 am It's a beautiful morning!

It is! Heh. Yes! So BEAUTIFUL!

Are you... how are you today, Tahlvin?

I'm doing fine, Kyle, thank you for asking. And how are you doing today, Kyle? And how is your dog doing?

Trees, ranked. 11. Balsam Fir

Really is a fir, really is beautiful, tree is so great they make candles and soaps and Christmas trees in its honor.

Tahlvin wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 11:32 am I'm doing fine, Kyle, thank you for asking. And how are you doing today, Kyle? And how is your dog doing?

No clue. He has grand mal seizures that are devastating to him. Then he acts normal for a week.

Trees, ranked. 10. Norway Spruce

The darkest green dark green, the forestiest forest tree, the firriest spruce, Picea abies.

Kyle wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 9:30 am

Mike wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 7:41 amGood morning!

YOU'RE RUINING IT!

I'll stop posting until you say it's okay to come back. Sorry.

That's tough, Kyle. Hope they can figure something out.

Yeah- the prospects aren't good. It usually means a big tumor somewhere that they can't do anything about. But who knows. We'll find out tomorrow.

Mike- you can start posting again. But stop crowding me, bro.

That's fine. Thanks, Kyle! So what are you guys talking about?

Mike wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 1:14 pm That's fine. Thanks, Kyle! So what are you guys talking about?

Oh. My. Gourd. You. Are. The. BEST!

We were just jawboning about bummer stuff, but now that you're here...

THE PARTY'S STARTING!

Trees, ranked. 9. White Oak

It's big, it's badass, it lives for hundreds of years and grows slowly up to this massive size. Not quite as good in the fall color as other oaks but does cling onto its leaves for a long time into the colder weather. We love it. People have worshipped them the way they might worship the sun or a volcano, it's that mighty.

Kyle wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 1:17 pm

Mike wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 1:14 pm That's fine. Thanks, Kyle! So what are you guys talking about?

Oh. My. Gourd. You. Are. The. BEST!

We were just jawboning about bummer stuff, but now that you're here...

THE PARTY'S STARTING!

Actually kyle, that's part of why we brought you here. Why don't you sit down? Me and Tahlvin are both really worried about your drastic mood swings. We think you need help.

Trees, ranked. 8. Red Oak / Quercus ruba

It's big, it's badass, and even better than its white oak counterpart because it has a brilliant fall color and grows a little more quickly. What's not to like about this tree? It's darn near perfect.

And both white and red oaks make wonderful wood for woodworking.

Tahlvin wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 3:53 pm And both white and red oaks make wonderful wood for woodworking.

I know this is a difficult conversation, Tahlvin, but you've gotta stay focused. This is about Kyle, and about what we can do to help Kyle. Remember, we practiced this. Go ahead... tell Kyle what you told me earlier.