This week’s prompt at Carrot Ranch, set by Charli Mills, was to write a 99-word piece (no more, no less) about an extraction or something extracted (and how or why it may have come about). The Collection is now up at the blog at Carrot Ranch: http://www.carrotranch.com and all the stories written by the Word Wranglers can be read there.
This pedometer geek writer wrote the following;
Caution: Pharmacist at Work
At the College of Pharmacy, I made tablets, solutions, emulsions, ointments, creams, and suppositories. Whether I ever made an extract, I can’t recall; however, I can’t imagine that I didn’t. After all, our class even made eye drops with a laminar flow hood. As a pharmacist, I made many compounded prescriptions
This recipe required vanilla extract, and I wondered: could I make it? Considering that I was out, and with supply chain issues, so was the store. I scanned the shelves carefully, and then I saw it. Wedged behind lemon extract, one bottle of vanilla—I slowly extracted it.
~Nancy Brady, 2022
Most of the time I do not write in First Person, even if the events being related are BOTS (based on a true story); however, this time I felt that it was appropriate. Although now retired, being a pharmacist is still one of the most important parts of my life, and I have to admit I loved compounding prescriptions when I had the opportunity.
One of my favorite things to show pharmacy interns or pharmacy technicians was how to make (deal with) an eutectic mixture since I always found it fascinating. If curious about this, ask; I’ll be happy to explain it further.
Check out all the stories at Carrot Ranch; they are worth reading. http://www.carroranch.com
On another subject altogether, the pedometer geek is participating in May’s Million Mile Month to meet the community-wide goal of 1,000,000 miles, which are being combined with April’s results.
Last month this pedometer geek exceeded my chosen goal of 100 miles with an extra 19+ miles; this month, the goal I set was 120 miles. As of May 12, I have nearly 50 miles, which means with a little over two weeks, I have to get moving. Fortunately, as opposed to the rainy April we had, the weather is warmer and sunnier now and perfect for getting out and walking.
Having said that, Healthcode.org is always looking for more participants in their global community. Consider joining in, or at least, add in healthy movement to your day.
nbsmithblog...random digressions and musings 
This is great, Nan. I wouldn’t have thought of extracts in pharmacy in quite the way you approached it. Eutectic mixtures sound interesting but I’m not sure that I’m up to the explanation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Norah. It’s kind of you to say..It was all part of the curriculum to make all these medication formulations (and so many more), As for eutectic mixtures, you would understand. I always found them fascinating, but I won’t bore you with the details.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I’ve got time, I’ll google a little more. I hadn’t heard of them before. I never got that far with my chemistry education. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went and looked up Eutectic mixtures – I read it but I will not claim to completely understand it.
Fun story though. And all the best on your miles acheivement!! 💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jules, since you looked up what an eutectic mixture is, I will explain the effect further. When it comes to dealing with an eutectic mixture in a compound, the compounding pharmacist should let the eutectic mixture form the liquid from the two solids first and then incorporate it into the ointment/cream base. Otherwise, if it is ignored, the compound will fall apart once the mixture forms (called cracking) and the compound will be useless. At least that is what we were taught, and I saw it happen more than once. I know, TMI! (Hope I didn’t bore you.)
As for the miles, I really need to step up to meet the challenge. I am a little under halfway there with sixteen days to go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some days you only learn one new thing… All education is welcome. Thanks.
Whatever miles you make – will be your best. Do what you can while staying healthy and not over doing it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jules. I am lucky to have you as a friend…a really great one at that.
On another subject,I have to say this week’s prompt on the mother selfie…mine barely qualifies except for 99 words (no more, no less). I just couldn’t wrap my mind around it. How about you?
LikeLike
Thanks for reading Charli’s story, and sharing it around, Pedometer Geek. I’m anxious to read what people write. I will share the link to the stories in the Story Chat Summary post.
LikeLike
I’m anxious too. This should be an interesting experiment. ~nan (AKA Pedometer Geek)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve read two stories so far, both very different.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Norah, I am really not surprised that you never studied eutectic mixtures in your chemistry classes. They were never mentioned in either inorganic or organic chemistry classes that I recall. It wasn’t until I took pharmaceutics that I heard about them. Pharmaceutics was a branch of pharmacy study that, among other things, taught how to compound medications of various kinds. Each lab taught new concepts and one was how to deal with eutectic mixtures. For an explanation, read my response to Jules Paige above.
LikeLike
Marsha,
I don’t doubt it. The Word Wranglers have vivid imaginations, and it shows in their writing.
~nan
LikeLike
I just went and read about eutectic mixtures and… and… I didn’t understand a word of what I read LOL! I’m thankful for pharmacists because as someone who worries about prescriptions and side effects I’ve always found them to be just as, if not more, helpful than the doctor. And they’re certainly more accessible. Forgetting all the medical stuff, I think it would be difficult to stand on your feet all day. And have to deal with what looks like a lightning fast work environment. Oh, I almost forgot: what was the recipe that called for the vanilla?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael B. that part I made up, but the rest is true. I actually have vanilla extract and I can’t remember the last recipe I used vanilla extract.
Thanks for the kind remarks about pharmacists being the most accessible health provider because we are. I have to admit that I have retired as a pharmacist, and I feel for those pharmacists who are constantly busy dealing with prescriptions, immunizations, interactions, side effects, and more. Always ask your local pharmacist; their knowledge of medications is priceless.
LikeLiked by 1 person