My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
I have been sitting here resting after my morning stroll, and the sun in its soft yellow work gloves has come in through the window and is feeling around on the opposite wall looking for me, having seen me cheerfully walking along the road just as it rose, having followed me home to see what I have to be happy about.
Ted Kooser, Winter Morning Walks
Another bitter cold morning at -8 degrees. However, the forecast is promising. I’m liking Kooser’s poetry in this new book called Winter Morning Walks recommended by Joe. Stay warm!
eyes of the heart accepting the gift offered shadow and lines
ms
Sunny, windy afternoon walk with my camera in Old Town this past weekend. Not much time on the streets this past year, preferring to spend my time within nature. Shadow and lines was the gift received this day. It is 10 degrees this morning, overcast skies and a snowflake ❄ is seen every once in a while. Stay warm!
We got home from Phoenix on Monday evening. I enjoyed my time in Phoenix with family, eating way too much, talked about old memories of our childhood and laughed a lot. Dad may have gotten bored a couple of times but mom sure did enjoy herself. Each morning after dad made breakfast we would go for coffee. This is the adobe wall outside the building and two shadows I found intriguing.
The cataract surgery went well. Was seeing 20/50 with my right eye 24 hours after surgery. Have an appointment today and see how much it improves. I may not need glasses except to read. That is strange as I’ve had to have corrective lenses since I was around 10 years old. I am scheduled to have the left eye operated on June 4th. As of now, I am quite excited.
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things long after you have forgotten everything.”
“There is in all visible things… a hidden wholeness.”
In 2013 we discovered I have a leaky aortic valve in my heart, known as Aortic Regurgitation. An EKG and treadmill test were done at that time and a status of moderate leakage was the diagnosis. I was told this is not uncommon but we need to watch it closely. This past May during my physical my family physician and I agreed it was time to have a cardiologist run some tests and get their evaluation. After several tests it has been determined the leakage has continued to deteriorate and the left chamber of my heart has begun to enlarge. I now have a better understanding for my lack of energy and motivation over the past 4-5 years. So, the cardiologists, surgeons and my family doctor consider me to be a good candidate for Aortic Valve Replacement surgery.
Needless to say this was not in any plans I had. I have consulted family and friends. I have also talked with others who had the surgery. So, on December 5th, 10 weeks from today, I will undergo surgery to have the valve replaced. I will be in ICU for 1 to 2 days and in the hospital for 5 days, unless I’m a problem patient and get booted out. Technology has advanced to the point where the success for these surgeries is much more promising both during surgery and the quality of life after surgery. I’m banking on that!
Not sure what my recovery will be like. Have been told to expect at least 2 months before I begin to get my energy level back up. I will be under some restrictions for a while, including no dancing girls in the hospital. Bummer! Have a few things I’m in the process of doing such as end of live directives and making sure my will is done. Looks like I will have plenty of support and help from family and friends during my recovery. I’m not sure what my blogging time will be like and how much photography I’ll be doing. I consider you family and an important part of my life so I will try to keep you informed!
“Within the stillness of meditation we see the unreality of thought.”
Jack Kornfield
It’s 10 degrees right now with about an inch of powdery snow and more to come. I took this image last week on campus. I’m a supporter of graffiti that can easily be removed.
Colorado has cold and snow but it is also known for it’s sunny days, about 300 days of the year, and a great reason to live here. The past three days have been filled with clear blue skies and plenty of sunshine, along with cold temperatures. Winter is also the time of year for long shadows which allows for images such as this one. It was taken on campus near Morgan Library on Monday.
I have been spending more time on campus since I began auditing a new class call Spiritual Deminsion of Human Life. I have a friend who is a professor at CSU and has invited me to sit in on this new class. Strange to take a seat in a college classroom after 25 years.
They have a program for the seniors where at the discretion of the instructor, seniors 55 years of age or older may attend any University class as a visitor without formal registration, provided on campus classroom space is available and it’s free. I can do homework but do not turn it in, nor do I take any quizzes of finals. I’ve found it fun.
