Lines need not apply
There’s been weird clouds recently.
Giant paintbox spills across wide skies
Sometimes 360 degrees of stained glass amazement.
Anvil cloud, storm to the west, and sunset.©
Maybe it’s a sign
That it’s OK to color outside the lines.
Lines are a start, but only that. Like piano scales before a concert.
Warming up the heart.
“Here’s why adults are suddenly obsessed with these colouring-in books.” (Business Insider)
Same cloud set but a bit to the south. ©
Or maybe they are only a fine carpet. Reserved for company.
Always put out the best before an important arrival.
Iconic trauma surgeon, Dr. James “Red” Duke dies at the age of 86 in Houston, TX
Always wearing those cowboy boots, wire rimmed glasses, old West mustache, – and always with that western twang, Red was a real pioneer in medicine and history.
When JFK was shot and brought to Parkland Hospital,(vintage VIDEO from Dallas), Dr. Duke was on call.
When Houston’s Life Flight air ambulance service began in the 1970’s, Red was on board. Dr. Red was the ER doc you wanted to be there if you were.
His nationally syndicated show “Dr Red’s Health Reports” ran for 15 years nationally. (You can hear him yourself in this interview.)
As the sun sinks slowly in the west…. ©
Dr. Red, you old outlaw, gonna miss your swagger and style. Thanks for gettin’ all those young docs up to speed with such wit and humor.
Off into the sunset.
Guess that’s what it was all about.
Nice curtain call for a stellar act.
Wild applause
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Bye sun beam.©
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16 Comments
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Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
When I first moved to Houston, I worked at the UT Dept of Surgery with Dr. Stan Dudrick. Red Duke always was around, and the memories i have of that man are — well, remarkable. I may have told you about the time he demonstrated his knife-throwing skills down a hallway at the school. Goodness. He was a good man, and those were good times. Sorry to hear the news.
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I bet you do have some tales to tell. Legendary man. Get ready to go outside.
· “In recognition of Dr. Duke’s public service and contributions to the medical community, a moment of silence will be observed at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 29.
During the moment of silence (weather permitting), Life Flight will fly over the entire Texas Medical Center. Members of the UTHealth campus working during the weekend and employees at Memorial Hermann-TMC campus (schedules permitting) are encouraged to step outside during this time to view the helicopters in the sky. This invitation will be extended to our friends throughout the Texas Medical Center so that they may join us in this special moment of remembrance.”
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Stunning skies, Phil. I appreciate the tribute to Red Duke, though I didn’t know who he was. It sounds like the world lost a remarkable man. Perhaps you’re right that the sunsets were for him.
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Red was the cowboy on the helicopter and in the trauma center. Equally at home on a horse or in the outdoors. Amazingly he always said he was happiest working and training young doctors. What a legacy he left. It was very odd about the sunsets. I had just taken all the pictures and was mulling over how to craft a post, when a doc friend emailed Red had passed away at home in peace. There are mysteries in life. Thanks for skywatching
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Some people are larger than life and leave the world a better place than they found it.
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He did that. As comfortable on a horse as in a helicopter. All the ER transport/Lifeflight helicopters circled the med center this morning in his honor. What a legacy he’s left with all his improvements in trauma care and all those he trained. Thanks for circling by to send him off
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A fine fitting farewell
FilPhil. He sounds like a real character. Love that he did a divinity degree first, then an MD.LikeLike
He really was a tall Texan who knew the score and heard a higher calling. Every ER and trauma center in the country adopted many of his techniques. He used to say it seemed to make sense to give the best treatment possible in transport – to keep them alive – until handing them over to the OR. And he sat down and took a look at it. He was really a character – who loved teaching young doctors with a sense of humor and a lot of common sense. Legendary for sure. Thanks for flying by
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A lovely tribute to a fine man. Nicely done Phil!
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You’d like him: at home on a horse or with his arm around a dog. Looks and sounded like an old West cowboy walking a pasture ( which he did)…as much common sense and kindness, too. Yep, one of the good ones. Thanks for saddling up to ride over
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Lovely tribute. I saw a news clip yesterday on one of the local OKC television stations, regarding Red Duke. Apparently he had many medical connections in the OKC area as countless physicians and staff who knew him were interviewed and had only the greatest love and appreciation of him.
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OK and TX – some say there’s a state line between the two, but has anyone actually seen it? HAHA. Cowboys know cowboys. No one could say “all hat and no cattle” about Red and his hand on the reins of the ER/trauma medical field. Nice to know the stations there paid tribute to a great man. Thanks for the wave and salute
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I enjoy thinking back on times when doctor’s had quirky personalities and weren’t the refined, slick ones that we see on TV today. Red Duke sounds more interesting, and perhaps caring, than– oh say– Dr. Oz. Just saying.
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Hollywood and DC did call, but he said he was busy. Red spent the last few years working with the military on field hospital procedures and how to best treat injured soldiers while in transport.
He once said “People always call me a trouble maker, guess I am a bit of an outlaw” – that willingness to look at things differently revolutionized the way ERs and medical transporting of trauma patients operated. Besides people love to talk with a guys that looks like he stepped off a West TX ranch. Thanks for that insightful comment
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Bless. May he rest in peace. ❤
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He was one of the good guys. Red always said one of the things he loved most in life was teaching young doctors. What a legacy.Thanks for musing along
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