A day in the park

The Barn at Whitnall park

I know, I know. I've been trying to stay in a chronological order to update this blog. It's my attempt to bring the blog up to date.
But, I couldn't resist posting this to share a fun day we had at Whitnall Park.

By the way, my assistant was with me all the while. Rebel that is.

We had a great day watching all the folks enjoying one of our greatest parks. They were cross country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, running and, of course, sledding.
 
It was a beautiful clear day in between snowstorms. Every tree ad bush was covered with a layer of white. You just knew these views wouldn't last long. I absolutely had to capture these images.

As we travelled through the various areas of the park, it quickly became apparent that I was not the only one with this opinion. There were people taking pictures everywhere.
From small point and shoot cameras to obvious professional / hobbyists with expensive rigs.

If you'd like to see my "view from the road" click on this link to FLICKR.

Thanks to the ANGELS....

Trying to catch up on this blogging thing. The image on the left was taken by my son Tim in January 2012. Notice the smile. This was before my knee replacement surgery. Little did I know.

This also shows what a big boy I was. Approx 310 lbs. and this was after losing 15 lbs on doctors orders.

The surgery was the least part of my worries. It was the rehab that tested me, my friends and family.

A few weeks later, I was home and had a reaction to a sleeping pill. Cousin Fran got the EMTs and I was back in the hospital. More testing and off the AMBIEN then back home. This time with "Visiting Angels" to babysit thru the night for a few weeks.

All goes well for a while and I think I'm doing fine. No need for "Angels". Suddenly early one morning ( about 2:30am) I wake up and I am losing motor functions. Fortunately, Tim made sure I had my phone nearby and luckily Fran's number came up. After much confusion and mumbling on my part, Fran decided to come over and get the EMT's again. ( I firmly believe that she saved my life.)

The EMTs checked my sugars and I had a glucose count of 47. Damn close to a diabetic coma. EMTs administered glucose and I started to come back quickly. Back to the hospital for more tests.
Apparently I wasn't eating due to pain drugs. I had lost almost 65 lbs! Yet I was still taking the diabetes meds without checking my count.  Doctor switched my meds and the "Visiting Angels" were back.

This January was one year. I'm happy to report that the surgeon says the knee is OK and I don't have to see him for 2 years. YEA!
My regular Doc says my diabetes is back under control. I don't need to see him for 6 months. I have kept the weight off. I excecise a little and watch my diet. I check my sugars regularly too. While in physical therapy many friends and family members helped drive me there. A big THANK YOU to all of you.

If there is a moral to this whole experience I believe I am under the watchful eyes of many Angels. Not just the "Visiting Angels" but the ones in Heaven and the "Angels" in my family.

An update...Finally

Well here it is Feb 2013 and I haven't posted here since Sept 2011.

A friend of mine started a blog for a school project and that got me thinking.
It's time to dust off the cobwebs and update this puppy.

Speaking of puppy, Rebel is now two years old and doing fine. I noticed that the blog started to be mostly about my pets. That's understandable since I had recently lost Whiskey and adopted my new friend Rebel.
Well, as the blog subtitle says, this is a sharing experiment.
If the sharing takes the direction of pet stories...Well then so be it.

I am however going to make an honest attempt to re-direct the focus to share more experiences. And more pictures. So strap yourself in and hang on we're going for a ride!

Sorry! I couldn't resist.
Here's my buddy enjoying one of his favorite pasttimes.
Watchin "Animal Planet"!
He will actually come into the room and sit and watch .
Until a commercial comes on, then he ignores it.
Smart dog!

The Vet Visit....

As soon as we got the chance we scheduled a visit at VCA Pahle Clinic for Rebel.
He met all the staff and Dr. Keven Schepp.
Rebel says: "Is it gonna hurt Doc?"




During the regular exam they found a parasite common in puppies. He's into day two of a three day treatment and is tolerating it well.

Dr. Schepp says: "Turn your head and Bark"

Introducing "Rebel"....

I know this is probably a duplicate of an email or Facebook post, but I have this weird "need" to keep this blog in somewhat of an order. So here is the introduction to my new friend "Rebel".

Most people are aware of my preference for a certain "adult" beverage and the recent history of naming my dogs. ( Whiskey and Bailey) So now "Rebel" it is. Early indications lead me to believe the choice is appropriate. I think somewhere across the Rainbow River, Whiskey is laughing and thinking you are really going to miss me with this pup.

Rebel is an alumni of Wisconsin Humane Society - Ozaukee Campus. He and a litter mate were transfers from Tennessee. Thankfully, his litter mate was previously adopted or I might be "Blessed" with two of them. He is 7 months old, about 40 lbs and is a Aussie Shepard / Schnauzer mix. They say he'll get to be about 80lbs. (His paws may be pink but they are HUGE!) We met on 8/31/11. And I think Whiskey arranged it. Rebel seems to enjoy his furever home. (He keeps trying to taste all of it.)
Pink paws











he's hiding

Whiskey's final post, Rest in Peace my Friend

AT 1:45pm today my Best Friend crossed the Rainbow Bridge... I miss him already...


Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, Just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing, they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…

Author Unknown

“Until we meet again and cross the Bridge together”


Cancer spread though out his lungs.. we had the best last days together.

First Annual Waterford Hot Air Balloon Fest

Well my friends I didn't hear bout this till late Fri nite. On Sat I packed my camera, hopped on my bike and headed for Waterford. If I could spell serendipity I'd tell you that's what it was. Cause it was. They also had a car show and something called brewfest. Or was it Beer fest. Oh well there's always next Year. Most likely there will be a second annual.