Going at a different pace

The last six months have been a struggle as my congestive heart failure was beginning to show itself present. Since 2001 I have had this CHF condition but I have, as the doctors stated, "been well compensated". Late in June I realized that the time had come to switch doctors and find out what more could be done. I selected a doctor and my wife called for an appointment. I think she was afraid that I would never get around to calling. The receptionist told her that it would be the next Tuesday before she could get me in, but if it was an emergency another doctor in the office could take me the next morning. I told my wife I could wait until next week. The next morning I woke up and decided the Emergency Room might be a good place to visit. The wife reminded me that I could get into to see a doctor that morning and I agreed to go.

By 11am I was walking out of the medical complex having had all kinds of blood tests, EKG, Xray and sonogram of my heart. Even had an appointment to see a cardiologist, first time since 2003. By the end of June I had seen the cardiologist and had a stress test and heard a recommendation for a Bi-ventricular Pacemaker.

August 7, 2008 I had the Bi-ventricular pacemaker and ICD implanted in a 24 hour hospital stay. It didn't come to soon! By Friday the 8th my wife had received notice that her aunt has passed away and the funeral would be Monday in Northwestern Illinois, then I got phone call that my oldest sister in Avon, Indiana was in the hospital and not doing well. The first test of the pacemaker was taking place and it had only been implanted about 20 hours. Sunday we spent the day driving up to Northwestern Illinois for a Monday funeral. While I probably shouldn't have been driving I drove the final half of the trip. The darn seat belt crossed the shoulder just above the incision and certainly made the trip a little less comfortable.

Monday morning as we were getting ready for the 10:30am funeral, I received another telephone message that my sis had passed away. This Friday and Saturday we had the visitation and funeral in Indiana and today I spent the time in church and resting.

God certainly has perfect timing! The pacemaker has been working fine, I have had the energy to make the three hour trips to two funerals and back. I really doubt that I would have been able to endure the stress and travel with out this new devise.

Thus I have entitled this posting "Going at at a different pace"

The pictures above are a few photo taken since my last posting. The hawk was a visitor this afternoon.

Where have you been Danny Boy, Danny Boy

Kids! This is a real windmill! It is located in rural Eastern McLean County.

My dad use to tell the tail of him climbing the ole windmill on the farm they lived on when he was young many times, but his favorite was when he took his sisters shoes up to the top.

Andy, here is a little green from the country side just for you to enjoy while you are in the desert!




Windmills gone modern! Not just one but a field of Wind Turbines creating electricity for McLean County.


Bambi I and Bambi II along side of the road and cornfield near Evergreen Lake.



Bambi I or II posing for its first picture. Probably a female as I had to take three pictures before it decided I had finally got the right one.



Bambi I or II finding the safety of Mom, but still standing out in the road.



In a different field a six point buck stands guarding the herd. Now you hunters know that they do exist! This buck is about 90 yards into the field, thanks to telescopic lens.



The field with the buck and does at normal distance.





Even the Immature Carinals are visiting. This are up close and personal poses just outside the window.




The sparrow visit the backyard, don't believe this is a common sparraw, but once again the software is lacking and I keep forgetting more and more.





Friendly visitors to the Back Yard

Lot's of good food on the menu here in Normal!



I would like to get to the berries on the ground, but you keep wanting to take my picture! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!



A Wild June and July brought a couple of Blue Jays and even a couple of youngens!



Robins were also bring their young out for their first pictures as we see an Immature Robin



Probably a Red Headed House Finch, I got a new computer and need to reinstall my Guide to Birds Software again.

Thanks to all those who serve and have served on this Memorial Day.

Dwarfed by the Hostas this bird appears to be looking for a shady place to hide.



The Catbird has been hanging around visiting the orange, bird bath and feeders.



This White Breasted Nuthatch has been making good use of the nuts, being careful to share with the Downeys and Red Bellied Wood Peckers, even the starling and Grackles.



A Hummingbird made it back this year, but only stayed a few days. Being here at the right time and in the right place allowed these pictures.

Odds and Ends pictures

How is this for standing on one leg, one of our Female Rose Breasted Grosbeaks.



Now look what this lady will do to get a meal! That is sticking your head in there.



Cat Bird on the orange.

Woody looking out for his nuts!

Red Bellied Wood Pecker

How not to keep a yard green

The wife has been wondering what was eating her Hostas? I think now she knows. I saw a new bird visitor to our back yard, but had to run to the car to get the camera. When I got back the bird was gone but Freddy the freeloader was having a snack.

Um!!! I love Green!!!

First try at a video!

Our Red Bellied Wood Pecker showed he really wanted the nuts and neither Starling or Grackles were going to move him. I missed the real fight earlier, they were holding onto to each others beaks! This picture may give you a idea of the intensity.

Lots of bird activity this week

It is test time for you visitors! I think these are warblers, but I am lazy and tired and don't want to look them up in the books. Besides, I get confused! Any help on what birds are in these four pictures?






A Baltimore Oriole hung out for a couple of days. Sure liked the orange on our make shift oriole feeder. Last week we bought this squirrel feeder for a dollar. Nice to see the squirrels not getting into a squirrel feeder!







Momma squirrel hanging out in the trees finding bedding for her new nest!



More color and variety! Blue Jays, House Finch, White Crowned Sparrow.







From Doves sunning themselves to the Red Bellied Wood Pecker eating nuts to the Female Cardinal and White Throated Sparrow, variety and color appear outback.






The Rose Breasted Grosbeaks are visiting again this Spring, probably on their way North. Last year they stayed about a week until a Hawk decided to visit our feeder for a tasty lunch.







Sunset at an elevator near McLean with a front hanging in the West. Pictures taken about one minute apart.




Colorful Spring blooming trees from Normal.






Momma Duck and the little ducklings on Sugar Creek Near Ewing Park.