What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
I've been looking more closely at doors lately. Inspired by Montreal blogger, Norm Frampton, who hosts a weekly link up called Thursday Doors, I've begun to see the entrances to buildings in a brand new light. These shared posts, by bloggers from around the world, have taken me to new and intriguing places. They've also… Continue reading Thursday Doors: Christmas on Vancouver Island
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 follow a delightful blog called "Dr. Sock Writes Here" by Gideon Sock Puppet. Immediately, I was intrigued by the name (which I never could figure out)! Once inside, I found intelligent and whimsical posts ranging on diverse topics of writing, painting, researching, teaching, skiing, gardening, cooking, hiking, literature and turning points...to name only a… Continue reading Meeting Gideon Sock Puppet
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
I’m in need of some serious Christmas inspiration. And I have chosen you, yes you, to help. Somehow it seems that when I wasn’t paying attention, all of the other Christmas decorations in our neighborhood went up. Lights, trees, ornaments…the whole shebang just suddenly appeared. Quietly and overnight…and early! Seriously, I hadn’t even removed our… Continue reading In Need of a Little ‘Christmas Inspiration’
Why do your homework just once, when you can do it six times?! In my last post, I mentioned that this week's homework assignment, for Blogging Your Way, was to create a 'mood board' that best reflects the emotional side of our blogs. When first reading this task, I groaned. Artwork? Instagram? My comfort zone… Continue reading Mood Boarding
I've been striving to keep myself busy. Daily yoga, lots of time with friends and family, and my on-line blogging course have been key activities. I initially felt like an anomaly in my course, as all other participants were younger, and most were focused on design. Despite being totally out of my comfort zone, I… Continue reading What Do Retirement Bloggers Look Like?
"Grief is love with no place to go." Helen Macdonald Less than one month ago, my husband and I sat atop a cliff in Mt. San Jacinto, just outside of Palm Springs. Surrounded by friends, health, adventure and each other, we were acutely aware, and immensely grateful, that our lives were deeply blessed. Days later,… Continue reading With Heartfelt Gratitude
After a home-exchange in Victoria this past August, I wrote a post about our overall Home Exchange experiences. I sent a copy of that post to HomeExchange.com. Consistent with my previous communication with them, their reply was prompt and personal. As they knew that my husband and I had an October exchange planned in Palm… Continue reading A Post that I Wrote for HomeExchange.com
His photos have been featured on numerous of my previous blog posts. His presence can be felt between the lines of most things that I have written. For so long, he has been intricately woven into my husband’s and my lives, and the lives of our family. Less than six weeks ago, when I could… Continue reading Not Ready to Say Goodbye
Retirement Reflections 