I haven't done much more with the microscope. I flailed at Reddit trying to get references for improving technique, but finally remembered the https://www.nclive.org/ access NC libraries provide. There i found
Bain, Barbara J.. Blood Cells : A Practical Guide, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2022. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/chathamnc-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6837075.
which has instructions -- including proper use of the microscope, each step that should be taken -- plus blood smear troubleshooting images plus a list of places to see other blood smears. I'm still fuzzy on whether the AI assertion that the scattering of purple specks beyond the edge of the smear are platelets or not is correct. The image is under the cut, and i think it's attractive in the abstract.
Also under the cut is some of my down notes. I've just (well hours ago now) had pecan praline French toast & coffee and feel more optimistic. I made an experimental loaf of banana bread using up some of my odd ingredients, almond flour and mesquite powder. I think i will get more mesquite powder as it is apparently sweeter than sugar, and functioned nicely in the bread. Because the almond flour doesn't have gluten, i added flaxseed. I should have blended the flaxseed with a little more liquid, even though i had more banana than the recipe called for. The almond flour and mesquite also absorbed liquid. The bread is a little more crumbly than i would desire.
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