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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
AUGUST 2025
COSMOS AND CURIOSITY
A Stargazer’s Story
app called Sky Guide, which informs users what they’re looking at when they point their phones to the sky. One evening, we filmed the station as it passed in the distance. Although it was basically a fast-moving
“The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena.” — Carl Sagan
No matter how hectic life gets, you’re never too busy to pause and look at the stars.
dot, its presence became instantly remarkable when we considered that it’s 358 feet long and 168 feet wide, travels at 17,500 miles an hour, circles the Earth every 90 minutes, and provides its crew with the extraordinary opportunity to view 16 sunrises and sunsets in a single day . With the Perseid meteor shower upon us and the regular chances to catch the International Space Station, I encourage everybody to take a little time on a clear night just to enjoy the stars. In addition to Sky Guide for iPhones, there’s an app called SkySafari that is also suitable for Android phones. More information on the International Space Station — including when and how to view it in your area — is available at NASA.gov/spot-the station and via the Spot the Station app. As a physician, I aim to help my patients see the world better. Our vision is a gift, and there are few better ways to savor it than spending a peaceful evening of discovery under
My son, Nicholas, has always had a deep interest in all things related to space, to the point where he will be going to graduate school for his master’s degree in aeronautical engineering in the fall. I’ve enjoyed going
outside with him for years and having him point out different things to me. Using a telescope, we zoom in on the moon, track down other planets, and explore various constellations.
Although I’ve always been fascinated by the marvels in our sky, Nicholas has cranked up my enthusiasm for them in the last couple of years, thanks to the intriguing technology he discovered (more on that in a bit). If you’re new to the wonders of aerospace and beyond, the perfect opportunity to feast your eyes on the miracles in the sky is arriving this month .
Easily one of the best shooting star displays of 2025, the annual Perseid meteor shower is active from mid-July until late August and peaks around Aug. 9–14. The annual event occurs when Earth passes through the tail debris of a comet called Swift-Tuttle. As our planet moves through this debris, particles whipping along at about 160,000 miles an hour disintegrate due to friction in the upper atmosphere, lighting up the night sky. So, if you want to scratch “see meteorites or debris from a comet disintegrate” off your bucket list (or want to add it), here’s your chance! I guarantee it’s worth experiencing at least once.
a celestial canopy. Please let me know if you’d like more information beyond what’s discussed in this article. I love this stuff and am happy to guide you in exploring the sky in new and exciting ways. Whether you’re curious about constellations and planets or simply want to enjoy the beauty of a starlit night, a whole universe awaits you.
Nicholas also got me into viewing the International Space Station as it moves across the sky. He can pinpoint where the station is visible using an iPhone
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How 1800s Pioneers Turned Tree Stumps Into Cozy Homes Frontier Ingenuity at Its Finest
Imagine wandering through a dense, misty forest when you spot a cozy little home carved into the base of a towering tree stump. It sounds like something straight out of a fairytale, but in the rugged 1800s, it was everyday reality for some of America’s earliest settlers on the West Coast. Back then, before the lumber industry toppled millions of ancient giants, the forests were filled with trees so massive their trunks could measure 20 feet across or more. Once felled (a task so intense it could take a
Lennstrom house met its end in 1946, you can still marvel at an 18-foot stump house today at the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum nearby.
But stump houses weren’t just for surviving; they were for celebrating, too. In Calaveras, California, settlers turned a massive hollowed-out tree into a grand dance hall and hotel. Guests waltzed under twinkling candlelight and cedar boughs strung high above the forest floor. As one 1850s newspaper gushed, it was “romantic and beautiful beyond description” ( although the ladies did wish the stump-turned- dance floor had a little more bounce )!
month), these colossal stumps were too big, stubborn, and abundant to remove easily. Rather than blowing them up (though some tried with dynamite), the pioneers did what pioneers do best: They got scrappy. They turned the stumps into homes, post offices, barns, and even dance floors!
In a time when luxury was a warm fire and a sturdy roof (or stump) over your head, these quirky homes captured the best of pioneer spirit: grit, resourcefulness, and a little bit of magic. Next time you pass an ancient stump on a hike, imagine what stories it might hold. In the right hands and with a bit
One of the most legendary stump homes was the Lennstrom Stump House in Edgecomb, Washington. Crafted from a cedar stump 22 feet wide, it sheltered three adults and three children, proving that creativity could turn leftover lumber into a home. Though the original
of imagination, it might have been the coziest home on the frontier!
Patricia’s Care Chronicles A BASAL BATTLE BRAVELY WON
I noticed a bump on my lower right eyelid about two years ago. I went to my dermatologist, who said it could be basal cell carcinoma. He recommended I see Dr. Scott for a consultation. It took a while to get an appointment with him, but I’m so glad I did. He took his time with me, gave me a lot of details, and answered all my questions. There was nothing hurried about my appointment; everything was comfortable and relaxed. He explained the science behind vision and some of the issues involved to me, and I could tell he really dedicates himself to what he does. He also took a biopsy, which determined that the bump was indeed cancerous. He quickly scheduled me for a Mohs procedure, performed by a specialized dermatologist, which was combined with my reconstruction performed by Dr. Scott on the same day.
reconstructive surgery. I was surprised by how much I was treated like a “regular” surgical patient! I thought, “Oh, they’re really taking this seriously.” A few minutes later, I woke up from surgery and thought, “When did I go to sleep?” In the years since the surgery, I’ve gone to Dr. Scott for regular follow-ups. Every time, he checks both eyes to ensure that I hadn’t developed another carcinoma. Fortunately, that hasn’t happened, so I had my last scheduled follow-up in early July. Everything looks great! It’s clear that Dr. Scott loves what he does, exemplified by his bedside manner and how well he performs his procedures. Also, his staff is always smiling, happy, and very courteous. I’ve never felt rushed at his office. Whenever I share my surgery story with others, I recommend Dr. Scott to them!
–Patricia Hauber
First, I had the cancerous area and the surrounding tissue removed during the Mohs procedure. About an hour later, I went to the hospital for the
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How to Manage Styes and Recurring Chalazions SMOOTH SIGNALS BOTOX AND YOUR MUSCLES
If your crow’s feet light up whenever you smile or you have dimples on your chin, Botox treatments may be the best solution to refine your appearance.
continue, the Botox goes into the nerve terminal and tells the SNARE protein to sit on the bench and not throw any more acetylcholine balloons for about three months, calming the area.
WHAT EXACTLY IS BOTOX? In medical terms, Botox is a specialized toxin formulated to temporarily cause a muscle to cease contracting by blocking the release of a neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine from sending signals to that muscle. Normally, acetylcholine is released with the help of SNARE proteins, while a neutralizing agent, acetylcholinesterase , then breaks it down in fractions of a second allowing the muscle to relax again. To explain the relationship between Botox, acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, and SNARE proteins in layman’s terms, let’s use an analogy appropriate for summer. Under normal circumstances, SNARE proteins, located in the nerve terminal adjacent to the muscle, grab a balloon full of acetylcholine, open the window, throw the balloon, which hits the muscle, making it contract. The ruptured acetylcholine balloon spreads out almost immediately, and the effect dissipates secondary to the dissolving agent, acetylcholinesterase, which occurs almost instantaneously.
Let’s say you received Botox to address crow’s feet. Although your cheeks still rise, the radiating spokes representing your crow’s feet relax because they are no longer receiving the signal to contract. The absence of the signal reduces lines that make us look older. Now that you understand how Botox works, consider it a way to temporarily remove those lines on your face, such as your brow, neck, nose, or chin, or other body parts. It is highly effective in giving these areas a more rejuvenated look. Since the effects of Botox wear off in about 12 weeks, regular treatment is recommended to maintain your refreshed image.
Please contact us with any questions about the benefits of Botox and to begin your treatment journey.
Because of this rapid dissipation, the SNARE protein must repeatedly throw acetylcholine balloons at the muscle. Instead of allowing this process to
Summer Chickpea Salad
Inspired by HowSweetEats.com
INGREDIENTS •
2 (15-oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed 4 green onions, thinly sliced 2 ears grilled corn, kernels cut from the cob 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
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1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper 3 tbsp olive oil
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A referral is the highest compliment we can receive! Thank you for sending us five referrals last month!
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp honey
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3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed 1 lime, zested and juiced
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DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, onions, corn, tomatoes, basil, and chives. 2. Toss well with salt and pepper and set aside. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, add oil, vinegar, honey, garlic, lime juice, and zest. 4. Whisk until the mixture is warm and garlic begins sizzling. 5. Pour over the chickpea mixture and toss well to coat. 6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
“I throw wishes into the night and wait for the stars to catch them.”
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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
Inside This Issue
1
A Journey Through the Night Sky
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The Wild History of the Wild West’s Stump Houses
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Mohs and Miracles
Wrinkle Wisdom
Summer Chickpea Salad
Why Pets Beat Pay Raises
New Study Says Pets Are Worth Plenty The $100K Reason to Get a Pet
Most pet owners already know their furry friends make life better, but according to a new study, the value might be higher than anyone realized. Some researchers say it’s close to $100,000. Researchers in the U.K. aimed to measure how much happiness dogs and cats bring to people’s lives. Using data from more than 700 people, they found that owning a pet can boost life satisfaction as much as getting married or landing a massive raise. In economic terms, it’s the emotional equivalent of earning nearly $93,000 more per year. To determine whether pets actually improve happiness, rather than the opposite — happy people are more likely to have pets — the team factored in things like age, income, personality traits, and family size. They also used a clever workaround: They asked people whether they look after their neighbor’s house while they’re away. That behavior is linked to pet ownership but not directly to happiness, which helped researchers isolate the impact of pet ownership.
loneliness and lift people’s moods, it might make sense to rethink rules that prevent pet ownership in some apartments and assisted living facilities.
While the researchers focused only on cats and dogs, the message came through clearly. Pets matter, maybe even more than we thought. And if you already live with one and know how they benefit your well-being, the science now backs you up. That wagging tail or soft purr might be worth more than you ever guessed.
It’s not just a fun fact, either. Experts say findings like this could affect everything from housing laws to public health programs. If pets fight
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