Happy Birthday to a Blog Friend!

Today I want to pay tribute

to  a very special Blog Friend.

I first visited Wanda's Blog,

Moments of Mine

over a year ago.

I remember how touched I was

by what she wrote

and how much I enjoyed

her beautiful photography.

She writes of Family, Nature, and Life

in an honest and wise manner.
Her photos are stunning -
small miracles featuring
Nature and Family.

I look forward to her posts.

Even though I've never met Wanda in person,

when I travel down her curving lane,

I feel welcome and at peace.

Wanda is patient and wise and kind.
Her smile brightens any day
and best of all -
she believes in
giving smiles away...

If you visit her yourself
(you really should!),

tell her Barb sent you - 

and wish her a very

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WANDA!

Ordinary but Special

After an overnight 

sepia snowfall,

we leave Denver to drive

 home to Breckenridge.

Our Grandchildren have

Spring Break.

Skiing is on the agenda.

After breakfast,

 the twins, age 7,

are in their gear.

Little brother, age 5, 

is distracted by new snow.

Soon everyone is walking

into the forest, preparing

to snap into skis and

whoosh to the ski area.

All but Grammy, that is.

In the afternoon,

as icicles melt in the sunshine,

it's my turn to play in the snow.

These Redfeather snowshoes

are 20 years old.

(And I'm 20 years older
 than when they were new.)

I venture into the pristine snow

of an old-growth forest.

Wind blows clumps of snow

from the trees.

I feel happiness rising

in my heart -

I'm grateful I'm well enough

to follow Coyote's tracks

into the wilderness.

Clouds create blue shadows.

I reach a trail

broken by cross country skiers.

I meander - I'm in no hurry.

I'm alone in one of my favorite places.

Sometimes, there's a gift of sunshine.

Deep in the forest,

I encountered unlikely creatures.

They watch me quietly.

I stop to rest.

I let my mind wander

until deepening shadows

remind me to return home.

My Grandchildren are waiting,

relaxing before dinner.

It's an ordinary weekend -

but somehow special.

I'm home.

Snow in Springtime

Springtime in Denver

means blue sky,

sunshine, and...

SNOW!

So, put on your gear

and take a walk with me.

We can't have a picnic today.

Though this little guy

is begging for a handout.

It's muddy on the running trail.

Stay on the paved path instead.

The sun is warm.

The sky is a brilliant blue.

We'll rest here for awhile.

It's nice enough to sit outside.

Even the blooms

don't mind the snow.

It's spring in Denver, CO.

YIPPEE!

The Child in All of Us

Can you remember

when Life was thrilling?

When you experienced random Joy?

When you had no expectations

so felt completely satisfied?

Do you remember

 seeing something wonderful

for the first time?

(Photos enlarge)

Feeling the awesomeness and power...

the unbelievable vastness and beauty?

Be a Child again.

Absorb the possibilities.

Know no limits.

Photos of my eldest Grandson

when he was 3 (2006)

seeing the Ocean for the first time.

Sunset, Santa Barbara, CA

Almost Normal!

Why is it that weather so affects mood?

It has been sunny and in the 50's

in Denver this week.

My windows are open upstairs and down,

allowing cooling breezes into the house.

Leaving for Rehab this morning,

it is a chilly 31 degrees. 

However, the sun shines

warm on my face

 as I walk the mile

to the hospital.

I pass Emergency

where the ambulance brought me

the day of my Heart Attack.

No emergency now!

Every day becomes more "normal" for me.
(My friends might assert that
I was never normal!)

Earlier in the week,
the Cardiologist adjusted

one of the meds that was

causing me extreme dizziness.

I can already feel a difference.

Today, I ran for 30 minutes nonstop

on the treadmill.

My physiologist recommended 

I read the book,

BORN to RUN,
by Christopher McDougall.

To encourage endurance,
as I jog in Rehab,
I pretend I am 

a Tarahumara Indian,
 running through

 the Copper Canyon of Mexico.

I run effortlessly
 with a smile on my face.

Afterward, I lift weights

along with my Rehab Buddies.

Then, I walk back

 into the sunshine

for the return trip home.

Tomorrow, three of my Grandchildren

will visit and spend the night.

I am feeling very well -

healing and strengthening

day by day.

I feel almost normal!


"Beyond the very extreme
of fatigue and distress,
we may find amounts
 of ease and power
 we never dreamed
 ourselves to own;
sources of strength
never taxed at all
because we never pushed
through the obstruction."


William James

 from BORN to RUN

Solitude

Suddenly quiet.

 

 After a busy week

 spent with good friends 

visiting from MD,

I'm alone.

 The sun is shining.

 

March came to Denver

like a Lamb.

 

While my husband skis

in the mountains,

I stroll in a city park.

 I smile at strangers.

I think my thoughts.

 

I have not experienced solitude

since my Heart Attack.

I welcome it.

 The spring-like weather.

lifts my spirits.

I have no agenda.

Nothing to do.

Nobody to meet.

No appointments.

I tarry.

I think.

I am joyful.

I give thanks for this day!