LIfe at High Altitude in Colorado

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.

-Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (1927-1989)

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Time to Move Forward

I've been in a fog
the past three months.

(All photos enlarge.)

Since my Heart Attack,
I've experienced a gamut of emotions.




My Family and Friends
supported me.

But, healing is personal
and often comes
from a solitary place.




It takes time to make peace
 with fear,
with vulnerability,
with lack of control.




There is an ebb and flow
which must be honored.



Today, my Cardiologist
 put my heart to a test.

He was confident.
So was I.

My heart is strong.
It's time to resume Life!

He took me off medication
that makes me dizzy.




He told me
 to go have adventures
and to enjoy
 the gift of Life.




With these photos,
I'm remembering
awe-inspiring natural places
I've visited and photographed.




My  husband and I 
plan to travel this spring.

We'll do our usual
 hiking/biking/exploring.




Thank you 
to my caring Family
and
to my special Friends.

I'm grateful to all of you!

50 comments:

  1. Hi Barb...
    You bring joy with such great news!
    You bring beauty with your photos of creation.
    You bring loveliness with your words.

    Thanking God for the gift of YOU!

    ~Enjoy those adventures!
    Maria

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  2. So happy to hear the doctor has given you the green light to do all the things you enjoy doing, I am wishing you all the good and happy things life has to offer and that you and your husband go hiking, biking, walking and breathing in that wonderful Colorado air. Luv you my friend, be well and follow your Doctors orders..... enjoy your life,....:-) Hugs

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  3. Hi Barb

    All of your photos are stunning but I like the way that you have used them to express moods and feelings...I love the build up towards the end evident in the imagery and wish you a great year of travelling and many more adventures.

    Happy days

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  4. Barb, I'm so glad you've received your clean bill of health. Now take yourself out and live!
    Yes, fears take us all time to look at. But fear is of the unknown. Somehow I can't see you afraid of the marvelous journey ahead.
    These images are all fantastic and you will soon be adding to this awesome collection.
    Hugs to you.

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  5. Yay! A green light from the good looking doctor! Looking forward to see you in your bike gears! Is LBR traveling too?

    You got some great wild flower photos and the pink ground covers are a beauty!

    Enjoy the gift of life!

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  6. I am so happy for you. I know there is such a sense of relief. Glad you are off the med that makes you dizzy. Enjoy your wonderful life. I love your pics. Where was the first one taken?

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  7. You have 'Bloomed' beautifully, Barb. Your ebb and flow of healing were admirable.
    I'm still keeping the stone heart, in the old Beech tree, to remind myself to Enjoy Life!

    Happy exploring Barb...
    ♥...Wanda

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  8. Glad to hear you are ready physically and emotionally to get back out there. Good luck.

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  9. Barb: I am so thrilled to hear that you had a great test and were pronounced healthy and strong! And, that you can get off of those meds that made you dizzy!

    Here's to life! I know that you'll enjoy your spring travels. Perhaps we'll see you out there since we both enjoy visiting similar places - although our travels don't start until May.

    Gorgeous photos that reflect your mood!

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  10. That's wonderful news! I hope you are making lots of plans for this summer!

    We were in Oklahoma for almost two weeks. My husband's step-father passed away two weeks ago after open heart surgery, so our trip began a few days earlier than we had planned. I'm taking a little break from blogging, but I do need to get some of my ski photos on Mountains Rule soon!

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  11. Hi Barb~
    I'm so glad things went well w/ the Cardiologist! And I am excited for you & your upcoming travels! The pictures that you have shared with us are, as usual, BEAUTIFUL! I especially love the lake with the clouds & reflection~ stunning. I love visiting your blog... your appreciation of life, things great & small, your words, quotes, photography... I find it all very inspiring!
    :)

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  12. Oh Barb I am so happy that your results were good. Now maybe you will be able to get back to yourself a bit more. It is a scary thing, heart attacks, strokes. It's taken me a long time to not think about it all of the time! Now I just do what I can do and try not to dwell. As mom would always say " If it's my time to go, I'm gonna go!". I know now that she met for us not to worry and to just live! So have some fum girlfriend!
    Love You Much, Di ♥

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  13. Thank God! May all your future adventures be blessings for you and us when you share the photos! All your photos are wonderful but I am amazed with the first one. I look forward to sharing your future adventures through photos on your blog. I wish I was a little mouse traveling with you on great adventures.

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  14. It's so good to hear you're back on track and planning those great adventures. But your last post SNOW....I'm glad we are over that part of winter ;D Here is to a wonderful spring.

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  15. YeeeHaaaw! Wonderful news. I'm delighted you are living life to the fullest .. something we all should do. Beautiful photos. Brava!

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  16. All the best, Barb! I'm so happy that you and your doctor are confident that you are well enough to get out and enjoy life!

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  17. That is great, Barb! Guess we all have to stop now and then, to have some going inside time, and it usually is an illness that takes us there. I am sure you will enjoy what is to come all the more, because of it.

    What beautiful photos you chose to post with your wonderful news. Do you know what that e yellow flower is, about half way down?

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  18. Great photographs. I'm glad that you had a successful test. Now go!

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  19. Being taken off the meds is fantastic. I am so happy for you Barb. These photos are splendid - what beautiful places you have explored and will explore soon.

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  20. HOORAY!!!!!!!!! Wonderful news!!!!! So happy for you!!! Can't wait to vicariously enjoy your adventures! Love, Janine XO

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  21. I am so happy for you that you don't have to take that medicine anymore and now you can get back to your life. Congratulations, Congratulations, Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. Carol

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  22. Barb, your words on healing tug on my heart strings. I'm so happy you had good news from the doctor and can get outside without dizzy-meds! I can't wait to read about your Spring travels and see more amazing pictures!

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  23. great news! hope we can have that cup of coffee on sunday..... will you be in denver?

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  24. So happy to hear your wonderful news Barb, - you have a great zest for life and for you to be able to return to it with confidence is marvelous indeed.

    What a great choice of pictures for this posting, and I am inspired by the Landscapes of the Mind poem in your sidebar.

    I don't think I told you about Charles' father who recovered from a heart attack at 63 and went on in good health until a sudden illness carried him off at 102......the futures is full of no end of adventures.

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  25. Hurray hurray hurray! It's amazing how strong the human heart can be - both emotionally and physically.

    And those photos are just stunning!

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  26. Wow, gorgeous photos - stunning.

    It's not been hot yet in Vegas, but windy. But that could change. We've had the rainiest winter ever - the desert should be beautiful.

    One is always surprised when felled by ill-health - who, moi? But the body has enormous capacity to mend. It's just a reminder not to take things for granted.

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  27. Celebrate life! You know I understand your joy... Thanks for your kind words.

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  28. Lovely Barb, your photographs are so very gorgeous! You have such a talent for spotting the beauty in life. I very glad that you are adventuring this spring time, I hope you have lots of fun :)

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  29. That is wonderful news!!
    Your photos are all beautiful and what a perfect addition to your words.
    Enjoy your day!

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  30. Thank you for this reminder that every single day of life is precious. Now get out there and enjoy it as I know you will!

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  31. You continue to inspire with your positive attitude. Your photos remind all of us to go out and seek the adventures and sights that bring splendour to our lives. Wonderful to share yours vicariously through your blog.
    BTW - I'm exercising will power so I stay healthy for my own adventures.

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  32. That's good news from your doctor. Enjoy your travels this spring and take some more awesome photos. :)

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  33. The photos do describe your emotions. But those are such nice places to visit. Thank goodness that your Doctor has confirmed that your heart is fine. Now it is time for you to have adventure.

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  34. I am so happy you have a "clean bill of health."
    I know what it is to be sick and how it takes a while to get back on your feet. Have fun planning your spring travels. Looking forward to seeing travel photographs!
    Sherry

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  35. Hi Barb! You're blog is beautiful! I'm glad everything has turned out well with your health. Health scares can be quite humbling, and they really make us appreciate all that is around us.

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  36. hi barb- look forward to meeting you in person! i have an award on my blog if you want it- if not, ok too- see you this weekend-

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  37. Hi Barb! Wow! You've been through a lot the past few months. I love your photos--and I love your attitude. I see we also have the same visitors. Well, probably not exactly the same visitors but similar ones anyway. ;)

    Thanks again for stopping by my blog! It's nice to meet another Colorado soul.

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  38. Hello Barb,
    This post is so full of wisdom that can only come from the experience. It is quite personal healing as it is for those around you. I loved each and every photo, each full of beauty. I celebrate that you are being given the go ahead to resume your wonderful adventures! Such a lovely post.

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  39. What a relief for you to get that reassuring check-up by your doc. :-)
    You photos are amazing--hope you get many more opportunities to capture the world's beauty with your camera.

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  40. I'm sure you found your way home again. Warm wishes to you from Albert and me.

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  41. So glad to hear that this wasn't your time to go. The pictures are wonderful, and you live in a great place for healing.

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  42. Dear Barb, Thanks so much for your comment. I am simply in awe of your beautiful photos, the expression of joy and hope and contentment in your words. I am so happy that you are on to many more adventures in life!

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  43. It takes time to make peace with fear, with vulnerability, with lack of control.
    I hear you, Sister! :-)
    But . . . you know . . . that last . . . the control thing... Any idea that we really have control . . . might be simply an illusion.

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  44. So glad to hear you're clear to ride, that will make your spring travel even better. I don't know if you two enjoy organized rides but there will be one in Lincoln on the 15th of May, some easy some challenging.

    http://www.placertourism.com/Events/Event-Details.aspx?eventID=125

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  45. Just stopping by to admire your exquisite photos once more! I especially love your photo of the lake and reflection! Absolutely stunning! Have a wonderful week, dear Barb! Love, Janine XO

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  46. Barb, you just inspire me more and more~ you know.
    I am so glad to have met you here...what a beauty you capture...in your thoughts, put to word, and also the images of life you display. You have this talent...it is natural and flowing.

    I am truly happy that your heart is strong and life awaits. Those photos of past times...oou lala! Just think of the things you'll see this go...because you are renewed, it'll be so much sweeter/grander!

    Thanks for the very sweet and consoling sentiments to my heart about our little Elsie. I do so appreciate it, and YOU!
    XO
    KK

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  47. Congratulations, Barb! I may not have been online much in the past few months, but I've been pulling for you from afar! Such good news! Fill up on joy!

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  48. What WONDERFUL news ;-)
    Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us as you do in such beautiful images and meaningful words. My prayers for your good health continue as you move forward with new plans and I look forward to all you share with us in the future even as I do my best to catch up with all you've shared in my absence.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  49. i so adore you. you choke me up sometimes. xoxo.

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