Category: Daily Habits

Retirement photo of the day 33: Look at the big picture.

milky way reduced

For some reason, every time I look up at the night sky [assuming the clouds have been whisked away and the stars are out], memories of long ago spring forth. Hide-and-go-seek with neighborhood kids well past dark, cheers from the football stadium down the street, watching G train under the streetlights… I can’t explain it, but there they are.

Give it a try and see what materializes.

Consider making this part of your daily wander.

Here’s a shot from my Friday ‘wander’.

yellow and white crocus
I courageously opened our front door and ventured to these first crocuses of the season.

Based on past winters, it would have taken me at least another couple of days before I homed in on these short-term visitors. But wanderings have landed on my daily habits list and, as a result, sharpened my instincts.

 

Photo-a-day 26: ‘Waive’ bye-bye to the boring stuff

certificate of prioritization
This certificate should be accompanied by a steady stream of willpower.

Yesterday, I wondered if there was a waiver that allowed us to at least temporarily shrug off nagging chores in favor of more meaningful activities.

Of course there is!

Just download a copy of the above masterpiece.

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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 25: Time yourself…

timer-macbook

Time yourself. Yes, set the timer for five minutes and see what gets done. I had to admit, I finished 90% of the dinner dishes recently in that span. Thus, no excuse for leaving them for later.

Well, that’s a lie…steering myself toward a writing project should give me a pass on the dishes…isn’t there a waiver we can sign so it somehow feels official?

If you want to look at the bigger picture of managing time during your days of retirement, take a look at these ten tips.

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And, in keeping with my ‘try new’ approach to life, here’s today’s list, so far:

Three new items at the farmer’s market:

A fancy kind of mustard green

Mondo-sized brioche with chocolate filling

A zucchini-and-refried bean pupusa

***

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 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 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