Photo-a-day 24: It’s been a good day when…

girl hugging lion
You overcame a fear.
beer bottles being tapped as a celebratory toast with setting sun in background
Enjoyed quality time with a friend
Boy and girl exulting over an activity on a MacBook laptop.
You savored the beauty and enthusiasm of youth.

Go ahead…fill in the blank: It’s been a good day when…

***

I’m working on a short book about lessons and realizations during my first year of retirement.

If you’re interested in this and/or
and a fun [in development] community site for retirees, just add the information below.

 

 

A promise: Your email address will not be shared and will be used to inform you of the book’s status

Photo-a-day 23: Shift your life…

bell tower at Oregon State University at dusk
Kind of sinister looking, isn’t it? I rarely take photos at dusk, but I couldn’t resist this shot of the imposing creature that hovered over the Oregon State University campus.

one small change at a time. When you think of it, every time you take a photo, you’ve made a small change. You’ve adjusted your perception of the world just a little bit.

Yes, here I am still harping on the ‘try new’ ethic.

It’s not as if we have tons of time left on our clocks.

I’m not trying to be a downer here, just a fact of life and the not-so-popular alternative.

So, why not ‘try new’?

They don’t have to be cataclysmic changes. Just anything different that makes your day of retirement a little bit more interesting.

And I’ve chosen to be intentional about it…

Yesterday…

  • I ordered an ‘Italiano’ for my afternoon coffee drink. [An Italiano is a strong Americano.]
  • I changed the route for Buddy’s and my midday walk.
  • I added sumac [love that herb’s lemony flavor] and a balsamic reduction to my sautéed kale and onions.
  • I added maple bbq sauce to my black bean soup.
  • I bought a new kind of coffee from a store where I had never considered buying it. [Note: Hawaiian…]
  • I’m listening to new music from a British acid jazz group Incognito.

Did I change anyone’s life?

Nope, but I changed my own.
And in retirement, why not make that a daily focus?

I’m working on a short book about lessons and realizations during my first year of retirement.

If you’re interested in this and/or
and a fun [in development] community site for retirees, just add the information below.

 

A promise: Your email address will not be shared and will be used to inform you of the book’s status

Photo-a-day 22: Scare Yourself Today

img_3983

Conceived and compiled by:

Dian G. Smith and Robie Rogge

Link to Amazon [Not an affiliate link]

One of my favorite go-to books.***

I’m working on a short book about lessons and realizations during my first year of retirement.

If you’re interested in this and/or
and a fun [in development] community site for retirees, just add the information below.

 

A promise: Your email address will not be shared and will be used to inform you of the book’s status

Photo-a-day 21: A Not-So-Subtle Message

Enjoy life. It has an expiration date.
Okay, technically, it’s not a photo…

***

I’m working on a short book about lessons and realizations during my first year of retirement.

If you’re interested in this and/or
and a fun [in development] community site for retirees, just add the information below.

 

A promise: Your email address will not be shared and will be used to inform you of the book’s status

Photo-a-day 20: Tell your story.

writing ink clock notebook
Even if it’s to yourself. You will be surprised how many insights and realizations will pop up, not to mention special [and possibly long concealed] memories.
There have been countless times when I wished I had sat down with my mom and dad to get more of a sense of their early lives.
Do yourself and your kids a favor–revisit your life on paper.
And here’s a little nudge to get you started…
Some highlights:
  1. The memoir’s tone should be largely celebratory.
  2. You don’t have to be a great writer.
  3. You can write your memoir any way you want.

***

I’m working on a short book about lessons and realizations during my first year of retirement.

If you’re interested in this and/or
and a fun [in development] community site for retirees, just add the information below.

 

A promise: Your email address will not be shared and will be used to inform you of the book’s status

Photo-a-day 19: Treat yourself today.

cinnamon roll apple pie swirls in crust
Apologies for lousy photo composition by amateurish [or hungry] photographer

Yes, ‘treat yourself’ is all part of my ‘try new’ crusade.

In this case, on a sunny January Saturday, we headed to Benton County Pie Company.
I heard about it on Wednesday and knew immediately a day trip was inevitable.
Fortunate that the weather gods shined upon us, we hopped in the car and drove west.
After a recheck on directions [Thank you, Alsea library ladies!], it was hard–even for me–to miss the turnoff. [Better yet, there is a sign along the way telling drivers that pie was just 3.14 miles ahead. But let’s not get that confused with January 23, National Pie Day, though I would say it’s imperative that pie be celebrated on both days.

Benton County Pie Company road sign

Once there, we checked into the not-so-imposing headquarters and picked up our cinnamon roll apple and key lime pies and made a beeline for home.

The leftovers in the fridge would have to wait a few extra hours…

key lime pie with zest and whipping cream
Breaking news: Dinner was served much later than usual last night.

Fellow retirees: If you’re looking for a more extended road trip, check out these suggestions.

And if you’re really into pie, this show remains firmly planted on my DVR for repeat viewings. I just love the heart and soul of the people [and the pies] highlighted here.

***

I’m working on a short book about lessons and realizations during my first year of retirement.

If you’re interested in this and/or
and a fun [in development] community site for retirees, just add the information below.

 

A promise: Your email address will not be shared and will be used to inform you of the book’s status

Photo-a-day 18: Look out your window.

deer

Yep, I’m a little stuck on seizing the moment, but sometimes it is easy for me to get locked into my tv screen, a book, a laptop, and/or four windowless walls.

Recently, though, I actually levitated myself from the recliner and was lucky enough to catch some visitors to the cul-de-sac.

And now…it’s time to contradict myself…yes, I told you to look out the window, but on those weather-traumatic days when you just want to tuck in, know this:

Watching Nature Documentaries Can Be Just as Good as Meditation for Wellbeing

I’m working on a short book about lessons and realizations during my first year of retirement.

If you’re interested in this and/or
and a fun [in development] community site for retirees, just add the information below.

 

A promise: Your email address will not be shared and will be used to inform you of the book’s status