Home! One of the most beautiful word in the English language. While the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital is fantastic, and I sampled everything from the initial ambulance ride to my fantastic surgical teams, I am back where I love … Amity Creek and its ravine next to my house as winds its way down to Lake Superior.
My wife brought me home yesterday afternoon. My unexpected travels began two weeks ago today when I went out for a trail run. Just 1/2 mile into my run near the Lester River I collapsed and passed out on a trail in the woods. I have no idea how long I was on the ground … eventually coming semi alert but not able to see properly or stand up. I knew I was near the pine grove where Hoot lives. While still groveling on the ground, I yelled the following:
- Hoot, I need help
- I don’t want to die.
Thankfully God heard me, and after I was able to finally stand up, I attracted the attention of a young couple hiking on a nearby trail. They phoned 911, helped me to hike down to a nearby park parking lot where medical personnel met us. Over the past two weeks I have had two heart surgeries. The first surgery was “open heart” to replace a genetically defective mitral valve. The second surgery was much less invasive and installed a combination pacemaker / defibrillator device. I have a long recovery road as my medical team and I work through some issues, but the prognosis is very good.
When I returned home yesterday evening, some Fox Sparrows were busy having supper in my yard. These little guys are some of my favorite sparrows in terms of color. Fox Sparrows are recently arrived in my yard from the Arctic.
glad you are back home!! thanks for your pictures – we enjoy the variety of your pictures! Hope all goes well for you now!
Good news, Rich and Molly, and birds right outside your window.!
Thank heavens you are home! Please be gentle with yourself, as you recuperate from all the trauma you have experienced. Slow and steady wins the race! Best wishes for a full recovery!
Rich, sending warm wishes and hoping the birds sing you healing songs each day!
You are back……..home and online!! Here’s to a speedy recovery and joyous holiday season. Thank you for your wonderful photos and insights.
So good to hear that you are back home!! And see new photos. I must share that we spent the week in the Poconos with our NYC kids. Our 6 year old grandson LOVED your HOOT book I brought. He could read most of it himself and was fascinated by the photos. Then, in one of those ‘small miracle’ moments, a barred owl came and sat in a tree near our late afternoon campfire!!
It was a beautiful bird and it stayed for 30 minutes as we watched it watch us. Such a gift.
Thank you for helping bring the natural world to a child growing up in Manhatten!! I will be ordering your other books.
Katie
Kate: Your note of your grandson reading Hoot’s book, and then being visited by a Barred Owl, was truly special to me. Thank you.
Rich, very glad to hear that you are on the mend! Wishing you a steady and complete recovery. As always, thanks for all of your great pictures and commentaries.
So glad to hear you are back home and on the mend. Looks like the birds are going to stop by to keep you company during your convalescence so you don’t have to travel far to enjoy them. Be well.
Welcome home Rich. I sure hope those fox sparrows are joined by many other bird distractions out your windows so your recovery is swift and uneventful. It’s wonderful that Hoot heard your requests for help and sent the hikers your way.
Best, Jeannette
Hurray for home! Glad you are home and feeling well.. rest, recuperate, renew and then follow your favorite birds especially Hoot 🦉! Judy Drew
welcome back! john heard an owl early this morning while walking out little dog at lester. and i thought of you and knew it was hoot and family…. they knew you were home! great news!
So glad you are improving. Always love your posts.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Your posts are important. We live in Idaho and are birders. Our Donald family are in Duluth so it’s fun to see what birds he has!
Wonderful news! Speedy recovery.
Many thanks–God indeed is good.
Welcome Home!
So glad you are home and you are recovering! Hope you heal well and get back to all the activities you love. Thank you for always inspiring us readers 😊