Bravery and Birds

First the brave part. As you probably know, Sue had both knees replaced two and a half weeks ago. You read correctly, both knees at the same time.
She is doing amazing! The walker is history, the cane is history and she is walking on her own...that is incredible!
Her secret is good old fashioned hard work. Go to physical therapy, do all the exercises at home and put in some extra time over and above the "normal".
The physical therapist told her today that she can start driving anytime. I can't say it enough...AMAZING!
Now for the birds....
The hummingbirds are returning in numbers here at Coyote Ridge. They are warming up to us and are even sitting still for pictures. Feel free to click on the pictures for larger images.




So far the little birds have been pretty peaceful with one another. That will end soon when 20-30 of the hyper birds all compete for space at the six feeders. Let the action begin!

This is for the Birds

Many of our birds are returning to their summer home here at Coyote Ridge.
We have welcomed them back with my secret sweet recipe that fills the six hummingbird feeders on the back deck.
Sue was able to catch a couple of our feathered friends feeding this morning.



The feeders have been semi-active with our little Hummers as well. In a few weeks the hyper little winged wonders will be challenging each other for a place at the hanging sugar bars.

This and That

Because of Sue's double knee replacement surgery a week ago, we are staying close to home here at Coyote Ridge.
Her surgery was very successful and her recovery is going great!
I think she looks real good...don't you?

She goes to physical therapy three days a week and works the knees at home with special exercises at least three times per day.
Saturday was a beautiful day to work outside so I decided to strip the old stain off the front and back decks. What a mess!

I blasted about 80% of the stain off with my power washer. The rest will be taken off with a chemical stain remover. I will then re-stain and if done right, should last several more years.
Yesterday we had several hummingbirds and two Baltimore Orioles at the feeders. No pictures of the birds as they are so skittish early in the season.

I fixed the tires on my tractor dump cart this weekend so I can drive around and "haul stuff". It is a real guy thing, but absolutely necessary if I want to get all my projects finished in a reasonable amount of time.
I was hoping to haul some dirt today and do some seeding, but the rain has delayed that for a while.

A Hummer and a Bummer

First the bummer. I had an eye appointment today with an Opthamologist because my eyesight has been deteriorating rather rapidly the past two years.
During those two years the optometrists I had been going to said it was just the aging process. I know I am getting older, but not that fast!
So after about two hours of testing, the diagnosis ....cataracts.
The good news is that the procedure is easy and I will have 20-20 vision and will not need glasses except for reading.
So I guess it really isn't a bummer after all.
The timing is a bit off as Sue still has a long road to recovery after having both knees replaced last Thursday. She is getting along great...considering the almost barbaric process to replace the knees.
My surgery is scheduled for May 31st and June 14th. Since Sue had both knees done at once, I thought maybe the Dr. might be able to do both eyes at the same time. No way he said. Sue wins this round. :)
Now the hummer part of the story.
I saw my first hummingbird of the season this evening on the back deck.
About two weeks ago I put a couple of feeders out so they would have a treat after their long flight "home" for the summer season.
We sure love watching the little birds and at times we are able to see as many as 20 birds feed at the same time.
I will have to stand guard and get some pictures.

Sue Made it Home

It was indeed a challenge, but Sue made it home safe and sound from the hospital today.
For having both knees replaced Thursday afternoon, I think she is doing great!

She will have physical therapy three times per week with various doctors appointments thrown in for good measure.
From what I understand, intense physical therapy is the key to success.