• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  reflections,  sunrises,  sunsets,  Uncategorized

    A Good Decision

    April 29, 2023

    Each decision we make, good or bad, offers an opportunity to learn.

    ms

    This morning as I stepped out of my car and loudly shut the car door, I startled two Great Blue Herons feeding along the banks of Dixon Reservoir. As they flew away I realized I was rushing into this scene, looking for the image rather than being there. So, I took a deep breath, relaxed and watched the sunrise unfold, which brought a smile to my face. That was a much better decision than when I arrived. Lesson learned. Weather forecast is predicting 72 degrees today. Enjoy your Saturday! The decision to write this post was inspired by my friend Deb.

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  • clouds,  gratitude,  landscape,  sunsets

    Yes, giving thanks…

    April 10, 2023
    Friday evening’s sunset at Cobb Lake State Wildlife Area

    At the end of the day, give up your worries and give thanks for the journey.

    Ben Vereen

    It is another beautiful day here in Colorado. Just finished a busy morning with cardiac rehab and an echocardiogram. Good news is the new aortic valve is working just fine. Hope everyone is thankful they remembered where they hid all the eggs!

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  • landscape,  mountains,  Plants,  seasons,  sunsets,  trees,  winter scenes

    Post Surgery Update

    March 16, 2023
    A cold blue sunset back in February 2021

    Overcast skies dominate and it’s windy, definitely a bad hair day. Want to update my status after surgery. The TAVR procedure went well. They were done in just over an hour. Surgery started at 7:00 am and I was home about 5:00 pm. They fractured the original valve that was installed back in 2018 and inserted a new valve inside of that one. All done through the arteries. Amazing! My body seems to know nothing about a new aortic valve being installed. However, my groins are well aware of the three catheters invasive entry into my body, one in my wrist and one in each groin. I walk with pain, bent over like an old man, slow and deliberate, one foot in front of the other. Getting up and down from a chair is a slow process also. All tests done so far show the valve working perfectly and the gradient numbers of 40 we saw before surgery are now below 20. That tells us the heart is not working as hard pre surgery. I cannot say enough for the care I received from the medical staff and all the support and outreach from family and friends. Now comes the slow recovery process but this is nothing like I had with my open heart surgery four years ago. More to follow. Hope you are having a wonderful day!

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  • Avian,  landscape,  quotes,  sunsets

    Sacred Bond

    March 4, 2023
    Setting sun at Rowland Moore Park – 2017

    Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.

    Robin Wall Kimmerer
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  • landscape,  natural areas,  sunsets

    Sunset

    February 15, 2023

    All went well with the Left Heart Catheterization on Monday. I am still a bit tender around the entry point on my right wrist today but other than that it was a breeze. The good news is there are no blockages or need for stents. My heart is in good shape.

    I met with the surgeon this afternoon to see what options are available. We have a difference of opinion between the doctors. The surgeon wants to wait until my platelets numbers are back to normal before any open heart surgery. He also described a second open heart surgery, with grafting, as major surgery. He seemed reluctant to do the surgery and believes placing a valve via TAVR a better solution. What we have are two doctors seeing this from two different viewpoints. So the two will get together and discuss this more. May have word by Friday.

    Tomorrow I will have my first of four iron infusions in an attempt to bring my platelet numbers into the normal range. They will also draw blood to see what my numbers look like. It has been almost 4 weeks since they did blood work. Thanks again for your prayers and positive thoughts.

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  • lake,  landscape,  sunsets

    An Afternoon Drive

    January 23, 2023
    Watson Lake on a January afternoon

    As I turned onto Bingham Hill road I encountered a flock of 15 turkeys swaggering and fanning their tail feathers. I stopped, watched and listened to them. They are quite amusing. Took a dozen images but had too short of a lens for an image I would like to have had. A quarter mile down the road I came across a dozen mule deer grazing in the open field. Again I stopped to watch and listen. From there I drove to Watson Lake to sit at a favorite spot overlooking the lake. I soon heard the call of an eagle then watched it land on the ice with a fish in its talons. With binoculars I watched as the bird devoured the whole thing, leaving nothing. After the eagle flew away I sat in the quiet of the frozen lake. Behind me I could hear the sound of the Poudre River as it continued its journey eastward. So an afternoon drive became a series of spiritual experiences with nature. So glad I got out.

    Swaggering and fanning their tail feathers
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  • landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunsets

    Routines and Habits

    January 13, 2023

    I have not had much energy or motivation the past 3 weeks. The infection, anemia and the weak heart have slowed me down. I feel like I need to move more even though I may not feel like it nor have the energy. Laying around is not good for my physical and emotional well-being. I ate a small late lunch of Mugs Classic Mac and Cheese yesterday afternoon then drove to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area to watch the sun set. Most of the natural areas are closed due to wet and muddy conditions. I chose this location because there are good opportunities just outside the gate. I’m feeling the need to get back into routines and habits that nurture me and which I feel help in my healing. Not only that but these moments with nature always provide and remind me of the awe and wonder of this world. Creation at work every moment of the day. Happy Friday the 13th!

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