The sun came out very briefly yesterday afternoon. I thought about going birding, but decided perhaps sitting upon my own deck was a better idea. A few weeks ago, a Red-Bellied Woodpecker started proclaiming my yard as its domain, but I had not been able to get a decent photograph. Well … if you wait long enough, success will often be achieved.

Here is “Red” and his cousin, “Scarlet” (a female). See below the images for the “heart anniversary story”.

Why an anniversary bird, you may ask? Friday will be the exact one year anniversary of my collapsing while trail running due to a misshapen heart valve. After five heart operations, and five additional procedures, I am back loving my time in the woods. Last week I resumed trail running. This Friday on the anniversary of my brush with death, and at the midpoint of my run, I will stop and sit down on the ground for 5+ minutes (by my choice) in the forest. I plan on reflecting how glorious it is to be alive. Last year, my Garmin recorded me on the ground for over 30 minutes (not by my choice). My medical team says I’m lucky to be alive.

Two weeks ago I was the featured survivor and talked prior to the Northland’s American Heart Association’s “heart walk”. I was interviewed by both the local NBC and CBS TV affiliates. If interested, hear my story in their words, not mine (video link for email subscribers).