"Don's Birthday....."

Unfortunately, as I write today's blog, Don has spent the past night in the hospital "for observation and tests". He woke up yesterday feeling extremely light headed, making it hard for him to stand and/or walk. After calling his Dr., we drove him to Meriter Emergency Room, where we spent the afternoon and into the early evening hours. He was diagnosed as being "dry", meaning he was dehydrated, so was given 3 liters of saline. When this did not fully work, it was decided they would keep him last night for observation and some more testing. I spoke with him this morning, and it was NOT a restful night. I will be going up there at some point this AM, after elevating/icing my knee (which was his main concern yesterday because it was not possible for me to do so or take pain meds). So....... I am being a good boy and doing so before going to see him. ;)

The following photos are from last Saturday, April 25, which was his 58th birthday. I, along with our neighbor Rob, took him to the Monroe Street Bistro for dinner. After dinner, we came back home for Don to open his birthday presents.

A book on Mineral Point........we love that little town.


Historic photos of Madison..........


A story goes along with this present. We spent Thanksgiving with Don's relatives in Des Moines. A cousin brought out Templeton Rye, offering it to the guests. It is distilled in Templeton, Iowa and is not available anywhere but in Iowa and Illinois (after my asking around here in Madison and then searching the internet). I had a bottle shipped to me from a place in Illinois.


Notice the smile on his face......and Rob's, too. :)


A toast to the birthday boy!


I thought this was an exceptionally nice photo of Rob.

"Controlled Burns......."

One of our neighbors, Michael, now owns Adaptive Restoration, a company that does controlled land burns. I'd seen a few photos last Friday during happy hour and asked him if I could have a few for the blog. He was nice enough to oblige......... :)


This is my favorite one. To me, it looks like lava flowing through the trees.


Can't you just hear the roar of the flames?



After the burn shows its perfect and precise edge........pretty amazing, isn't it?

"More from last Friday....."

Last Friday's happy hour was a very good time. The weather was nice and warm and it was a pleasant group.......as always. ;)

Jillian is keeping me company......


Anna's back, Charlie, with Jillian, Andy doing somersaults with Benjamin, and Lonny.


Geoff and Barb, our other resident photographer. ;)


Andy and Benjamin......

"A Great Happy Hour...."

Last Friday was an exceptional weather day for Happy Hour. The temp was near or above 80 with beautiful sunshine.

Here we have from left to right: Bobaloo, looking on as Geoff, Barb, Ericka, and Dan talk.......


Charlie enjoying some of the treats that were laid out for the gathering, Andy holding Benjamin, Javon (our neighbor Jeanan's sister who is staying in the neighborhood taking care of Bobaloo), Rob , and Anna.


Don enjoying some time with Erica and Dan.


Charlie, with Benjamin sitting on Andy's lap. Benjamin's hair was unusually curly Friday night.


A happy Don "Pato".........


More to follow........

"More Photos from Last Fridays Happy Hour...."

This photo shows the spread of snacks that were brought by various people that night. From left to right: Me, Andy, and Barb.


Again from left to right: me, Andy, Barb, Geoff, pup Koshi, Angela holding Benjamin, and Mary (seated).


A wider view of the gathering in its earlier stages. More people arrived after I went inside.


Me, Andy, and Ramona holding Benjamin.


Ramona with barb and Benjamin.


Here it is another Friday already, so expect more Happy Hour photos next week. ;) The weather promises to really be fantastic for tonight's gathering.....supposed to hit 80!

"A Great Happy Hour!"

As many of you know, Don and I have an open invitation for Friday night Happy Hours. If we're out on the deck, everyone is welcome. ;) Last Friday happened to be an exceptional gathering.....not one that was planned, but which worked out nicely to honor our new "Doctor in the hood", Charlie. She had given her defense that day (after weeks of preparation!!!) and was granted her Doctorate. We are so proud of her! Congratulations Charlie!!!!

Charlie (seated), was given a beautiful plant from Made' and Mary (standing). Seated next to Charlie, is her mother Sherry, who came from Nevada to be at Charlies defense.


The gathering was a very nice event. The weather was beautiful and all had a good time. From Charlie on the left are her mother Sherry, husband Lonny with Jillian, me, Andy, Mary below Andy, talking with Dan, Rob, Erica, and Made'.


Dan (lead singer of the band Clovis Mann), Rob, me, Andy's shapely legs. ;)


Angela holding Benjamin, with Dan and Erica in the background.


Another neighbor Perry, giving some much needed attention to Copper, along with Charlie and Sherry.


More photos of the gathering tomorrow.......

"Across the Bike Path......"

The annual "burn" was conducted a few days ago. The neighbors on the other side of the bike path did their Spring routine of burning their back area of their yard.


They are very good about coming around the neighborhood and letting people know when they should expect to see smoke/fire, hoping that no one will call the fire department. They do get their permit to burn, but seems that many years someone in the neighborhood didn't get the message and the department was called. They try their hardest not to have that happen.


The blaze can be quite spectacular!


Fires are so mesmerizing........


Commander Rob was on the scene making sure all went as planned.......


As was Perry (holding the water bottle).


I believe this photo was taken from almost directly behind our yard.

"AHHHHHHH.........The Sun!"

It was so good to be able to go out onto the deck and enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine! During my last recovery period, we had frigid temperatures so we spent all of our time in the back sun room.


Don is very good about bringing out my knitting, stool/pillow for propping up my leg, refreshments, and anything else that I "think" I might need. :)


Mary and Made' gave me these "get well" flowers and card. The buds were tightly closed when Mary brought them over and after cutting the stems, and putting them into water, they began almost immediately to open. They certainly brought an enjoyable bright spot to our sun room. :)

"Back to Recovery....."

I am once again using my head to fill my Cryo-Cuff. :) The cooler has to be higher than the knee in order to fill the cuff with the cold water. This pose happens quite often throughout the day.


Andy and Benjamin came to visit.


As did Krista. Here I am showing off a photo of my new grandchild. :) Patrick called me while I was in the hospital to tell me that Don and I were to be grandfathers around November 1st. :)


Krista holding Benjamin........

"Snow, Woolee Winder, and The View...."

Sunday, prior to knee surgery, we once again had snow. Thankfully, we didn't get the predicted amount, but enough to cover the ground, and most of it had melted by the end of the day. We have had a hawk of some sort, quite interested in our "girls", Buffy and Heather. Sunday was when we had to find a solution, otherwise the girls were to be kept locked up in their coop and not allowed into their run. Dorn Hardware had plastic poultry netting which I stretched across the run in 3 different strips. Luckily, it is black and doesn't show up too much visually. We do, however, hope the hawk can see it. :)

I'd shown you a photo of my new Woolee Winder, but not as it was installed. Here it is on my wheel.


Here is a close up of the Woolee Winder. The yarn is threaded through the eyelet and it is automatically evenly distributed along the bobbin when the wheel is spun. I transferred all of my spun yarn to the Woolee Winder bobbins, but haven't had the time to sit down and spin with it yet. I think I'm really going to enjoy it though!


A view from my hospital room..............I was right above the main entrance of the hospital.


You can just barely see Lake Wingra on the left in this view.

"A day Earlier Than Expected!!!"

Good news (at least from my point of view) is that I was released from the hospital a day earlier than expected. Originally, I was to be released today (Thursday), but I must have mentioned getting out on Wednesday to the physicians assistant when they (she) came in that morning. Anyway, I was to have my last physical therapy at 1 PM on Wednesday, when I received a call at 12:45 from my Dr. He asked if I would be interested in going home that day and of course, I said yes! Long story short, I was home before 3 yesterday. :) I am doing well....slow, but well, with my 1st nurse and PT home visits tomorrow (Friday).

And.......speaking of phone calls.....Patrick called me while I was in the hospital to tell me that Don and I were going to be Grandpas!! That was news I really hadn't expected on hearing so soon, but we certainly are happy about it. The baby's due date is November 1. Patrick's birthday is November 8, so who knows, the baby could be late and be born on his birthday. :)

Julie sent this ultrasound of the baby. It is only 8-10 weeks here.


Leave it to Don to find comparable babies. ;) This one is from DaVinci.