What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
On one of my most recent blog posts, a fellow blogger commented that she was struck by the numerous “soul-enhancing relationships” that she observed in my words and photos. Her comment stayed with me. It was absolutely true. My life is overflowing with ‘soul enhancing’ relationships. It’s the reason that I retired early (so that… Continue reading Cherished Blogfest: My Most Cherished Gifts
Day 32 - Arriving in Finisterre - 17 km. As we walked our final kilometers to Finisterre, we became poignantly aware of all of the lasts that we were experiencing. Our last morning in an auberge (desperately trying not to wake those around us), our final glimpses of stunning Camino scenery, and the end of… Continue reading The End of Our Camino Experience: Arriving in Finisterre
Our days on the Camino have been incredibly full, with reliable internet being rare and illusive. Once a week, whenever the internet gods are with me, I will attempt to post quick postcards of highlights for that week. Here's a sneak peek from Week One. Getting There - July 19 & 20: We had a… Continue reading Post Cards from the Camino Trail 2017 – Week One
As I mentioned in my last post, I recently wrote a guest article for Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond. I would love if you could drop by and visit this site and check out my post. While you're there, be sure to browse some of Sue's great articles. And, if you could leave a comment… Continue reading Meaningful Mondays: Happiness Revisited – Guest Post for Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
What would you do if you believed you had less than five years to live? I now have a realistic answer to this question. I've mentioned before that I'm lousy at the yoga pose, Downward Facing Dog. I mean REALLY LOUSY! My shoulders and upper body give out quickly. I lose my breath and my… Continue reading Everyday Miracles
良言一句三冬暖 "One kind word can warm three winter months." Chinese Proverb I've been feeling yucky. Nothing specific. As colds, flu and many other ailments have been going around this time of year, my mind became overactive with possible causes for my affliction. I woke up this morning completely sapped of energy, despite a full night's… Continue reading Kind Words
There are endless quips regarding marriage and retirement. "When you retire you switch bosses – from the one who hired you, to the one that married you." (Gene Perret) “When a man retires, his wife gets twice the husband and half the salary.” (William Mitchell) "A married husband is often a wife's full-time job." (Ella… Continue reading “Hi, Honey, I’m Home…Forever!”
I was hesitant to fully engage in this holiday season. There were noticeable absences in our recent family photos. I forced myself to decorate. I forgot to download my Christmas music. I let Costco do my baking. The festivities that I had always embraced so naturally didn’t feel the same as they had before. I… Continue reading Reflections on Christmas 2016
I've been rethinking my Christmas traditions this year. A bit like closet cleaning, I want to ensure that I thoughtfully keep what is meaningful, retire what no longer fits, and make room for new traditions that will add value and substance. When thinking about Christmas cards, I researched the history of Christmas card sending. (Why?… Continue reading A Christmas Card For You
I initially began this post not to write a full entry, but simply to thank readers for so generously commenting on my last write-up. The personal stories and advice that you shared got right to the heart of the matter. Your words were deeply motivating. So much so, Richard and I went straight out to… Continue reading The Power of Comments
Retirement Reflections 