I spent a few months not watching tv when all of a sudden my choice of shows changed. I started watching survival shows about Alaska. Then Christmas came and I was watching the Hallmark Channel and Christmas shows. Alas, Christmas is over and there was nothing to watch tonight! I started watching shows I'd never seen before, The Legend of Mick Dodge and Pioneers on the National Geographic Channel. Add to that a book I just bought, My Prairie Cookbook by Melissa Gilbert from the "Little House on the Prairie" series.
It had me thinking "Why the interest in this survival stuff?" Here I sat knitting a baby hat for my neighbor. A candle was softly glowing in the background and watching this Pioneer show. I am caught between 2 worlds. The one world enables me to watch tv, type on this laptop, enjoy my electric stove and fridge. Our throw away world.
Then there is the other world -- the one that enjoys the simple pleasures of working with my hands and being creative through sewing, cooking, knitting, housekeeping. There is the part of me mesmerized by flame/fire. I loved the Little House series of children's books and I still read them now. The Long Winter helps me appreciate my modern conveniences and 18 degrees outside is not bad when you can come into a warm home.
Back to answering the question I posed to myself, it was answered on the tv show. Mick Dodge was escaping from the real world! On Pioneers they were depending on their primal instincts. Their final determination was the faith in God to bring them through. Both shows were about resourcefulness!
I want parts of my modern world but it is important to ground myself in the every day part of living.
I can do it in many ways -- cooking simple comfort food my grandma would make, wearing the apron with pride. I can meditate with the flame of a candle and make the world slow down. I can create things for others and my home, to bring back quiet pastimes, the satisfaction of repairing and using my available resources. I can be thankful for what I have. I can, I can, I can!
What slows you down and helps you appreciate the everyday???
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Saturday, December 27, 2014
HOMEMADE TURKEY SOUP AND OTHER SIMPLE PLEASURES
In the last 8 months I have encountered many epiphanies and adventures. I've started posts but never published them until tonight! Tonight is special in a very different way and it started Christmas Eve.
Leon fixed a PreChristmas dinner of turkey, dressing, cranberry relish (my favorite), potatoes, and of course pumpkin pie. You have to understand that this is a small endeavor compared to his feasts in the past. Anyway, I asked for the broth from the turkey and the dark meat (again my favorite) but had no idea what I would do with them.
For the last few days I have cruised Pinterest and finally decided it would be a soup. Now I have only made soup once in my life, French Onion and a total disaster! The other points of interest were the dull rainy day, reading a health magazine and posting to a new Pinterest board called Goals for 2015.
I had stayed in a Bah Humbug mood long enough and decided some action was needed. It was dusk and very dreary but my mood instantly changed when I entered Barnes and Noble for a book on dieting inspiration. Lights were bright, people were laughing and the slight scent of coffee/hot chocolate lingered in the air. I found a new book "My Prairie Cookbook" by Melissa Gilbert based on The Little House on the Prairie series. Then I found the book I was after Biggest Loser Bootcamp. On a lark I asked about a new copy of Bella Grace. (see previous posts) It was there, one copy!!! The trip to Barnes and Noble turned into a joyful adventure.
My next plan of action was to visit the grocery store for healthy foods only! I planned to clean the fridge and replace ALL the rich goodies of Christmas with healthy foods only. The grocery store turned into another adventure! I walked slowly through the produce for just the right fruits and vegetables to tempt me and build creative recipes. On to the fish counter for salmon and shrimp and finally to dairy for Greek yogurt, eggs, and fat free 1/2 and 1/2. My cart was full of only healthy choices and my head was reeling with great ideas.
The drive home was so joyful and I could hardly wait to get home! I arrived home to darkness except for the tree lights. It was homey and comforting! I put on an apron. (first time since I was a kid with Grandma) It belonged to my friend, Cathy's mom. I love it, soft pink and white gingham with a turquoise cross stitch design. I've decided to collect old aprons again. Made me feel very capable, a homemaker for the first time in a long time (almost 35 years). My field in high school and when I started college was home ec. and I had forgotten those simple pleasures and feelings of accomplishment!
I cleaned the fridge, pulled out the food, and decided on a recipe from Martha Stewart.com on Pinterest. I loved watching the butter sizzle, chopping the celery, carrots and onion, and the earthly smell. Simple pleasures for all my senses! While the soup was simmering I started reading the Bella Grace magazine. The first article is about silence and the only sound I hear is the fridge. I realize how much I am enjoying the quiet and the cooking and the magazine and how it is all touching my soul!!!!
The soup is earthy, homey and satisfying. I have accomplished something new and I am blissfully happy!! My new epiphany -- enjoy simple pleasures and homemaking!
+++ We are no longer taught to appreciate homemaking and that is a shame. It is probably one of the most gratifying feelings of accomplishment I have felt in a long time.
Leon fixed a PreChristmas dinner of turkey, dressing, cranberry relish (my favorite), potatoes, and of course pumpkin pie. You have to understand that this is a small endeavor compared to his feasts in the past. Anyway, I asked for the broth from the turkey and the dark meat (again my favorite) but had no idea what I would do with them.
For the last few days I have cruised Pinterest and finally decided it would be a soup. Now I have only made soup once in my life, French Onion and a total disaster! The other points of interest were the dull rainy day, reading a health magazine and posting to a new Pinterest board called Goals for 2015.
I had stayed in a Bah Humbug mood long enough and decided some action was needed. It was dusk and very dreary but my mood instantly changed when I entered Barnes and Noble for a book on dieting inspiration. Lights were bright, people were laughing and the slight scent of coffee/hot chocolate lingered in the air. I found a new book "My Prairie Cookbook" by Melissa Gilbert based on The Little House on the Prairie series. Then I found the book I was after Biggest Loser Bootcamp. On a lark I asked about a new copy of Bella Grace. (see previous posts) It was there, one copy!!! The trip to Barnes and Noble turned into a joyful adventure.
My next plan of action was to visit the grocery store for healthy foods only! I planned to clean the fridge and replace ALL the rich goodies of Christmas with healthy foods only. The grocery store turned into another adventure! I walked slowly through the produce for just the right fruits and vegetables to tempt me and build creative recipes. On to the fish counter for salmon and shrimp and finally to dairy for Greek yogurt, eggs, and fat free 1/2 and 1/2. My cart was full of only healthy choices and my head was reeling with great ideas.
The drive home was so joyful and I could hardly wait to get home! I arrived home to darkness except for the tree lights. It was homey and comforting! I put on an apron. (first time since I was a kid with Grandma) It belonged to my friend, Cathy's mom. I love it, soft pink and white gingham with a turquoise cross stitch design. I've decided to collect old aprons again. Made me feel very capable, a homemaker for the first time in a long time (almost 35 years). My field in high school and when I started college was home ec. and I had forgotten those simple pleasures and feelings of accomplishment!
I cleaned the fridge, pulled out the food, and decided on a recipe from Martha Stewart.com on Pinterest. I loved watching the butter sizzle, chopping the celery, carrots and onion, and the earthly smell. Simple pleasures for all my senses! While the soup was simmering I started reading the Bella Grace magazine. The first article is about silence and the only sound I hear is the fridge. I realize how much I am enjoying the quiet and the cooking and the magazine and how it is all touching my soul!!!!
The soup is earthy, homey and satisfying. I have accomplished something new and I am blissfully happy!! My new epiphany -- enjoy simple pleasures and homemaking!
+++ We are no longer taught to appreciate homemaking and that is a shame. It is probably one of the most gratifying feelings of accomplishment I have felt in a long time.
Friday, August 1, 2014
BLOG BREAK ALERT! BELLA GRACE MAGAZINE IS OUT!!
I realize I haven't posted in a while but on my behalf I have started posts on some of my adventures. However this post is a "break" from the norm. I am "in love" with a new magazine! I first read about it in Artful Blogging. " Bella Grace - devoted to finding magic in the ordinary". I was hooked, I couldn't wait. I nearly drove the staff at Barnes and Noble crazy! Every week I would go in and request it (for 2 months)!
Sooo today I went in to get a book I ordered and picked up one of the Stampington & Company magazines. I had totally given up on the Bella Grace, but there in advertisements is "Bella Grace in your bookstores on August 1! Be still my heart, dare I ask! A staff person looks it up, yes "it" came in today. But where is it?? We finally find "it", small with sober shades of brown. Extremely unassuming, my hopes dropped. I've waited too long so buy it anyway.
This magazine was beyond words for me! Now I was only to page 8 and I was doing something I had never done before! I called the company! In 8 pages I was taken - they knew me - one quote summed up the philosophy of my retirement!
"It is a rich beginning of a new day - a bathed in light and glorious abundance new day. How it is going to unfold and how I decide to use it is wholly up to me. Whether I am going to make this day a perfect part of my summer story depends entirely on me. Because every summer has a story and now I am creating one..." Sylvia Stefanova
Sylvia-simplelife.blogspot.com (Better believe I am headed over there as soon as I finish this post.)
Is that not endearing?? It took my breath away and brought me to tears when I read it out loud to the person on the other end of the phone at the magazine company. Since then I am back to reading the magazine and savoring every word and expressive image. Beautifully done and represents my heart and soul, what more could I ask for in my "new" retired life.
So "Because Every Day is a Saturday" I will spend the rest of my Friday evening enjoying Bella Grace -Life's a Beautiful Adventure, drinking citrus green tea, and creating a "glorious abundance new day"!!!
Sooo today I went in to get a book I ordered and picked up one of the Stampington & Company magazines. I had totally given up on the Bella Grace, but there in advertisements is "Bella Grace in your bookstores on August 1! Be still my heart, dare I ask! A staff person looks it up, yes "it" came in today. But where is it?? We finally find "it", small with sober shades of brown. Extremely unassuming, my hopes dropped. I've waited too long so buy it anyway.
This magazine was beyond words for me! Now I was only to page 8 and I was doing something I had never done before! I called the company! In 8 pages I was taken - they knew me - one quote summed up the philosophy of my retirement!
"It is a rich beginning of a new day - a bathed in light and glorious abundance new day. How it is going to unfold and how I decide to use it is wholly up to me. Whether I am going to make this day a perfect part of my summer story depends entirely on me. Because every summer has a story and now I am creating one..." Sylvia Stefanova
Sylvia-simplelife.blogspot.com (Better believe I am headed over there as soon as I finish this post.)
Is that not endearing?? It took my breath away and brought me to tears when I read it out loud to the person on the other end of the phone at the magazine company. Since then I am back to reading the magazine and savoring every word and expressive image. Beautifully done and represents my heart and soul, what more could I ask for in my "new" retired life.
So "Because Every Day is a Saturday" I will spend the rest of my Friday evening enjoying Bella Grace -Life's a Beautiful Adventure, drinking citrus green tea, and creating a "glorious abundance new day"!!!
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Blissful Week-Family, Photography, Food
What makes an event blissful?? How is a day enjoyable? How do you create happiness in your life? What matters in life?
Those questions have posed a lot of research for me. I've found some good books and magazines. I've recorded it in diaries. Even prayed about it. One thing I've learned in almost everything I've read is to keep a gratitude journal. This has saved me when I felt depressed and especially when I thought I was deprived. I tried to keep a journal for a year- 3 things each day I was thankful about, no matter how small, no matter how bad the day. At first it was difficult, really! The book I was reading gave ideas - do you have a home? yep! Have food? yeah, too much! A job? yeah! a car? sure! Are you healthy? Overweight, yeah, but I can walk, and read, and hear!
Then the process of being grateful became easier! What I noticed over a few weeks is often times it was little things that brought joy, gratitude, and happiness! Sitting on the deck at night listening to the doves coo or croaking frogs, a cool breeze after a hot day and a cup of hot chocolate after a cold day. I discovered engaging the senses helped - smelling a rose, privet, or the witch hazel bush. Now if you want a treat in the coldest of winter, a witch hazel bush is just the thing! It has a sweet smell of peaches and I can inhale the sweetness in January and February! (I digress!) When everything is bare the bush is full of little oriental-looking yellow and red blooms. Then there was the taste of an extremely ripe peach right from the orchard - the sweet smell, the juicy taste, and of course the juice dripping down my arm.
Sometimes I was thankful for the small events with my friends and family. A call from my sister, singing Happy Birthday. Sharing a train ride with my best friend, laughing together until we cried. My grandson and I working on crafts, gardening, and decorating the Christmas tree. Sitting in church with my daughter, mother, and grandmother. Now it's sitting in church with my grandson, daughter, son-in-law, and my best friend.
So when I retired I decided to keep a close watch on what made me happy. Last night driving home from my cousin's house I could feel the warm "fuzzy" feeling of well being. I spent Tuesday and Thursday with my cousin's family. Now there are 2 things I love to do - take photographic images and eat/cook. I hadn't seen my cousin in a long time, too long!! The best feeling in the world was as soon as I walked in the door the whole family chimed in with the food available! "Get a soda" "Try the fresh strawberries" "Do you want a sandwich" and "There are homemade pies in the fridge". It almost brought me to tears, I needed family, I need the comfort of family!
The evening was spent working on photography with my cousin's daughter and son-in-law. I love to teach (no I'm not a teacher, but I've been teaching since I was 6 years old) and we had fun experimenting.
Those questions have posed a lot of research for me. I've found some good books and magazines. I've recorded it in diaries. Even prayed about it. One thing I've learned in almost everything I've read is to keep a gratitude journal. This has saved me when I felt depressed and especially when I thought I was deprived. I tried to keep a journal for a year- 3 things each day I was thankful about, no matter how small, no matter how bad the day. At first it was difficult, really! The book I was reading gave ideas - do you have a home? yep! Have food? yeah, too much! A job? yeah! a car? sure! Are you healthy? Overweight, yeah, but I can walk, and read, and hear!
Then the process of being grateful became easier! What I noticed over a few weeks is often times it was little things that brought joy, gratitude, and happiness! Sitting on the deck at night listening to the doves coo or croaking frogs, a cool breeze after a hot day and a cup of hot chocolate after a cold day. I discovered engaging the senses helped - smelling a rose, privet, or the witch hazel bush. Now if you want a treat in the coldest of winter, a witch hazel bush is just the thing! It has a sweet smell of peaches and I can inhale the sweetness in January and February! (I digress!) When everything is bare the bush is full of little oriental-looking yellow and red blooms. Then there was the taste of an extremely ripe peach right from the orchard - the sweet smell, the juicy taste, and of course the juice dripping down my arm.
Sometimes I was thankful for the small events with my friends and family. A call from my sister, singing Happy Birthday. Sharing a train ride with my best friend, laughing together until we cried. My grandson and I working on crafts, gardening, and decorating the Christmas tree. Sitting in church with my daughter, mother, and grandmother. Now it's sitting in church with my grandson, daughter, son-in-law, and my best friend.
So when I retired I decided to keep a close watch on what made me happy. Last night driving home from my cousin's house I could feel the warm "fuzzy" feeling of well being. I spent Tuesday and Thursday with my cousin's family. Now there are 2 things I love to do - take photographic images and eat/cook. I hadn't seen my cousin in a long time, too long!! The best feeling in the world was as soon as I walked in the door the whole family chimed in with the food available! "Get a soda" "Try the fresh strawberries" "Do you want a sandwich" and "There are homemade pies in the fridge". It almost brought me to tears, I needed family, I need the comfort of family!
The evening was spent working on photography with my cousin's daughter and son-in-law. I love to teach (no I'm not a teacher, but I've been teaching since I was 6 years old) and we had fun experimenting.
Then yesterday we went on Campus.
We were able to photograph their son and watch him play! I loved his innocence and energy. It didn't matter to him where he was, he could throw stones in the pond, watch fish, pick flowers (clover) or just go on an adventure.
In the evening we ate pizza together at my cousin's house, nothing fancy, a free-for-all, but pizza never tasted so good! I am thankful for their hospitality! I am thankful for a sweet little boy! I am thankful for the company of a young couple! So tonight when I go to bed, I will record in my gratitude journal about a wonderful week I had.
What are your simple pleasures?
Simple Pleasures bring me Happiness!
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Finally at Now!
The answers to the questions on the previous post: General Order #11 was written and delivered by General John A. Logan on the first Decoration Day at Woodlawn Cemetery in Carbondale, Il. After watching a widow place flowers on a soldier's grave, General Logan wrote the order describing how the holiday should be executed and the day it would be held. Later the holiday became known as Memorial Day. Reverence please.
I promise we will finish my saga and then I can explain my purpose for writing this blog and finally get started on the fun stuff! (At least for me!)
I had used my DSLR to record the seasons and beauty of Southern Illinois University. But I wasn't expecting added dividends along the way. Challenges to myself, reaching out of my comfort zone. One challenge was to record my day from the time I stepped out of my car at work to the end of the day. It started with a hickory tree in front of my car. The nuts were so interesting, gathered together among golden brown leaves. Then I noticed the sunlight through the yellow leaves in a small woods beside the parking lot. I crossed the street to a small group of trees beside Campus Lake. A small flock of ducks were gathered at the edge of cat tails along the edge of the water. (Note to self: Come back at lunch and take images of the fluffy heads of the cat tails.) So on to work I went. I imaged the Chinese Maple tree at the entrance of the Student Center. Down the stairs to the basement/Craft Shop, but wait, had I ever noticed the light casting shadows on Ron's statue? I took an image of the sign going into the Craft Shop, full of color. Back up the stairs I noticed sunlight casting shadows on the wares in the Art Arcade. The camera is clicking the whole time. Down the hallway to take an image of John at the register. (He's always smiling.) Then on to Starbucks, one of the best times of my day! The staff is always smiling in the mornings, great way to start the day. Have to get an image of one of my favorite brownie. (Have to have one every morning!) Then an image of the table in Starbucks where I drink my coffee and read Joel Olsteen's "Every Day is a Friday". Now remember this because it will be important later. Now upstairs to walk the hall, I pass the art work down Art Alley and find an exhibit on coiled pottery. The creator is very talented and the works are interesting. The challenge is imaging through the glass! On down the hall for images of Rosie, Carolyn, and Lisa. When I finished it is time to start work. I've already taken 300 images and it's only 8:00! (Hopefully I can show some images in a few weeks!)
Back downstairs I image my desk and some of the unusual artwork hanging from pipes, and on shelves around my work area. I have items around my desk students and customers gave me. I work until Ron comes in. (He is my supervisor.) I mentioned my project for the day and he immediately grabs his Mr. Paintbrush hat. Yes, it is a paintbrush!
The day goes on and I take images of my student employees and customers. Finally it is time to go home and I notice the difference in the light coming through from the opposite window at the landing on the stairs. Walking back to the car I image the sun coming through the dogwood tree casting shadows on the sidewalk. Finally back at home, I image my house and the lawn chair I will sit in with a book and a beverage. Winter is coming, you can feel it in the air. I image the gardens around my house. The daisies, black-eyed susans, sunflowers, and bee balm are full of their last blossoms.
The challenge is met, I have found myself in interesting lighting situations. I've learned to be more aware of my surrounding throughout the day. This experience lead into other challenges in winter and spring. I took images of the most minute things, things I would not even notice. I started appreciating the "everyday" miracles of my life!
On to the real miracle of my life. In March of this year Ron is listening to a webinar about retirement. I am not really paying attention because I do not intend to retire for another 3 to 4 years. At the end of it Ron suggests I look into the situation. Yeah! Sure! Well over the course of the next few weeks my life changes. I stated miracle because it happened so fast! I make the last appointment for SURS, I make the last appointment for HR. But the best part is when I found out I will only be making a little less than I did working and the money I will receive will pay for some bills!! But this is moving too fast! I am not ready! Anxiety sets in, what will I do!? Finally I pray, I mean serious praying! The boo hoo type! The next day I received a call from SURS, all questions answered. In 2 weeks I will be retired a full month in a half earlier than the others plan to leave.
So a couple of days before I leave in my book, "Every Day is a Friday", is a Post-it note in Ron's handwriting. "Just remember when you retire, Every Day is a Saturday." I've had to repeat the phrase to myself over and over. I still can't believe it happened. Without Ron's insistence to follow up on the webinar, without receiving those last appointments, and without the reassuring phone call from SURS none of this miracle would have occurred. God does indeed answer pray and it is in his time!! Amen and Amen!!!
I had set objectives for after I retired, rules if you wish. You have to realize for the last 61 years of my life I have had alarm clocks set, and time frames to keep. I had to go to daycare, grade school, high school, college, work, etc. All of a sudden, quite literally everything I had known was about to change. I didn't know if I liked the idea of giving up control. So of course I had to set up some controls of my own!! So here are some of my rules for retirement:
1. Be brave, look outside the box and my comfort zone.
2. Accept all invitations to go anywhere. (Dishes to do and my friend says want to go shopping, I have all the time in the world to do dishes!)
3. Limits per day - 1 hour to clean house, work out, and garden. (Gardening can sometimes be classified as fun.)
4. Restrict computer time to 1 hour. (I love Pinterest, so if I didn't watch myself I can be on the computer for hours.)
5. Spend as much time as I can outside. (For the past 7 years I worked in a basement, no windows!)
6. One photo challenge a week or time spent out in the field.
7. Slow mornings. Set alarm for 7:00 to enjoy mornings. (Of course before retirement, I would force myself to get up at 6:30 and now I wake up at 5:45!!!)
8. Read more. (I've already finished a novel and 1/2 way through another.)
9. When people are apologizing for taking up my time, simply say "I have all the time in the world."
10. Start a blog and post once a week.
11. Work on nagging chores a little each day. (Before I would procrastinate, now I try to work on something bothering me at the moment.)
12. Rounding out #11 with "There is always tomorrow!"
13. Try to find God's purpose for my early retirement.
14. I don't have to be busy every moment.
15. Enjoy my family and friends more and become involved in activities I didn't think I had time for before.
16. Can I enjoy retirement without world travel and lots of money????
17. Take classes. (The one perk to being over 60 is free tuition.)
18. When I get anxious repeat "Every Day is a Saturday".
The first few weeks after I retired just didn't seem real. I still had unfinished business and spent 3 days at work the first week! 2 weeks after retirement I received a new car from a "friend". My perspective changed. Which then begins my reasoning for my blog. There isn't a manual for retirement! How to spend your days/nights? I sure hadn't planned for any of this so soon. So where do I go now?
So Now Dear Readers, we are in the NOW! (Aren't you glad we are in the Now, I am!) Finally, a new stage in my life! I want to enjoy it! Appreciate it with every sense in my body!
Soooo my challenge to you is suggestions for inexpensive or free ways to enjoy life!!!! By the way, if you haven't read "Every Day is a Friday" I suggest reading it a little bit every morning! It kick started many of my mornings and put me in the right frame of mind.
I promise we will finish my saga and then I can explain my purpose for writing this blog and finally get started on the fun stuff! (At least for me!)
I had used my DSLR to record the seasons and beauty of Southern Illinois University. But I wasn't expecting added dividends along the way. Challenges to myself, reaching out of my comfort zone. One challenge was to record my day from the time I stepped out of my car at work to the end of the day. It started with a hickory tree in front of my car. The nuts were so interesting, gathered together among golden brown leaves. Then I noticed the sunlight through the yellow leaves in a small woods beside the parking lot. I crossed the street to a small group of trees beside Campus Lake. A small flock of ducks were gathered at the edge of cat tails along the edge of the water. (Note to self: Come back at lunch and take images of the fluffy heads of the cat tails.) So on to work I went. I imaged the Chinese Maple tree at the entrance of the Student Center. Down the stairs to the basement/Craft Shop, but wait, had I ever noticed the light casting shadows on Ron's statue? I took an image of the sign going into the Craft Shop, full of color. Back up the stairs I noticed sunlight casting shadows on the wares in the Art Arcade. The camera is clicking the whole time. Down the hallway to take an image of John at the register. (He's always smiling.) Then on to Starbucks, one of the best times of my day! The staff is always smiling in the mornings, great way to start the day. Have to get an image of one of my favorite brownie. (Have to have one every morning!) Then an image of the table in Starbucks where I drink my coffee and read Joel Olsteen's "Every Day is a Friday". Now remember this because it will be important later. Now upstairs to walk the hall, I pass the art work down Art Alley and find an exhibit on coiled pottery. The creator is very talented and the works are interesting. The challenge is imaging through the glass! On down the hall for images of Rosie, Carolyn, and Lisa. When I finished it is time to start work. I've already taken 300 images and it's only 8:00! (Hopefully I can show some images in a few weeks!)
Back downstairs I image my desk and some of the unusual artwork hanging from pipes, and on shelves around my work area. I have items around my desk students and customers gave me. I work until Ron comes in. (He is my supervisor.) I mentioned my project for the day and he immediately grabs his Mr. Paintbrush hat. Yes, it is a paintbrush!
The day goes on and I take images of my student employees and customers. Finally it is time to go home and I notice the difference in the light coming through from the opposite window at the landing on the stairs. Walking back to the car I image the sun coming through the dogwood tree casting shadows on the sidewalk. Finally back at home, I image my house and the lawn chair I will sit in with a book and a beverage. Winter is coming, you can feel it in the air. I image the gardens around my house. The daisies, black-eyed susans, sunflowers, and bee balm are full of their last blossoms.
The challenge is met, I have found myself in interesting lighting situations. I've learned to be more aware of my surrounding throughout the day. This experience lead into other challenges in winter and spring. I took images of the most minute things, things I would not even notice. I started appreciating the "everyday" miracles of my life!
On to the real miracle of my life. In March of this year Ron is listening to a webinar about retirement. I am not really paying attention because I do not intend to retire for another 3 to 4 years. At the end of it Ron suggests I look into the situation. Yeah! Sure! Well over the course of the next few weeks my life changes. I stated miracle because it happened so fast! I make the last appointment for SURS, I make the last appointment for HR. But the best part is when I found out I will only be making a little less than I did working and the money I will receive will pay for some bills!! But this is moving too fast! I am not ready! Anxiety sets in, what will I do!? Finally I pray, I mean serious praying! The boo hoo type! The next day I received a call from SURS, all questions answered. In 2 weeks I will be retired a full month in a half earlier than the others plan to leave.
So a couple of days before I leave in my book, "Every Day is a Friday", is a Post-it note in Ron's handwriting. "Just remember when you retire, Every Day is a Saturday." I've had to repeat the phrase to myself over and over. I still can't believe it happened. Without Ron's insistence to follow up on the webinar, without receiving those last appointments, and without the reassuring phone call from SURS none of this miracle would have occurred. God does indeed answer pray and it is in his time!! Amen and Amen!!!
I had set objectives for after I retired, rules if you wish. You have to realize for the last 61 years of my life I have had alarm clocks set, and time frames to keep. I had to go to daycare, grade school, high school, college, work, etc. All of a sudden, quite literally everything I had known was about to change. I didn't know if I liked the idea of giving up control. So of course I had to set up some controls of my own!! So here are some of my rules for retirement:
1. Be brave, look outside the box and my comfort zone.
2. Accept all invitations to go anywhere. (Dishes to do and my friend says want to go shopping, I have all the time in the world to do dishes!)
3. Limits per day - 1 hour to clean house, work out, and garden. (Gardening can sometimes be classified as fun.)
4. Restrict computer time to 1 hour. (I love Pinterest, so if I didn't watch myself I can be on the computer for hours.)
5. Spend as much time as I can outside. (For the past 7 years I worked in a basement, no windows!)
6. One photo challenge a week or time spent out in the field.
7. Slow mornings. Set alarm for 7:00 to enjoy mornings. (Of course before retirement, I would force myself to get up at 6:30 and now I wake up at 5:45!!!)
8. Read more. (I've already finished a novel and 1/2 way through another.)
9. When people are apologizing for taking up my time, simply say "I have all the time in the world."
10. Start a blog and post once a week.
11. Work on nagging chores a little each day. (Before I would procrastinate, now I try to work on something bothering me at the moment.)
12. Rounding out #11 with "There is always tomorrow!"
13. Try to find God's purpose for my early retirement.
14. I don't have to be busy every moment.
15. Enjoy my family and friends more and become involved in activities I didn't think I had time for before.
16. Can I enjoy retirement without world travel and lots of money????
17. Take classes. (The one perk to being over 60 is free tuition.)
18. When I get anxious repeat "Every Day is a Saturday".
The first few weeks after I retired just didn't seem real. I still had unfinished business and spent 3 days at work the first week! 2 weeks after retirement I received a new car from a "friend". My perspective changed. Which then begins my reasoning for my blog. There isn't a manual for retirement! How to spend your days/nights? I sure hadn't planned for any of this so soon. So where do I go now?
So Now Dear Readers, we are in the NOW! (Aren't you glad we are in the Now, I am!) Finally, a new stage in my life! I want to enjoy it! Appreciate it with every sense in my body!
Soooo my challenge to you is suggestions for inexpensive or free ways to enjoy life!!!! By the way, if you haven't read "Every Day is a Friday" I suggest reading it a little bit every morning! It kick started many of my mornings and put me in the right frame of mind.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Remembering the Day!
I'm taking time off from the saga of getting to Now to actually "being" in the Now. I'll resume my saga in another post.
I was invited to attend a Memorial Day ceremony today. I had other more important activities to do. You know, the typical activities for this holiday. I really wanted to go to watch a friend take a picture of flowers and turn it into a painting. But an odd set of events happened to change my mind. First my email messed up so I went to Facebook. Now I don't go to Facebook very often, but this time it was different. There was a posting titled "Semper Fi" from a friend who doesn't post very often. It was a video of President Ronald Reagan giving a speech about freedom and there were military people of many generations. The parts that caught my attention the most was Arlington Cemetery with Marines folding the flag after a funeral. Even now the thoughts of that video move me to tears.
My family has strong ties to the military and I consider myself very patriotic. This video reminded me of what this holiday is really about my Mom, Dad, Uncle Leon, and Uncle Harlen. They all served and NEED to be remembered today.
So my day changed, I went to this cemetery. I have passed it Monday - Friday for over 30 years and never stopped to read the historical marker.
I was invited to attend a Memorial Day ceremony today. I had other more important activities to do. You know, the typical activities for this holiday. I really wanted to go to watch a friend take a picture of flowers and turn it into a painting. But an odd set of events happened to change my mind. First my email messed up so I went to Facebook. Now I don't go to Facebook very often, but this time it was different. There was a posting titled "Semper Fi" from a friend who doesn't post very often. It was a video of President Ronald Reagan giving a speech about freedom and there were military people of many generations. The parts that caught my attention the most was Arlington Cemetery with Marines folding the flag after a funeral. Even now the thoughts of that video move me to tears.
My family has strong ties to the military and I consider myself very patriotic. This video reminded me of what this holiday is really about my Mom, Dad, Uncle Leon, and Uncle Harlen. They all served and NEED to be remembered today.
So my day changed, I went to this cemetery. I have passed it Monday - Friday for over 30 years and never stopped to read the historical marker.
The first thing I noticed was the solemn crowd. The families gathered, young and old, to pay tribute to loved ones and friends.
The ceremony began with Call to Assemble by the bugler and the march to the flagpole by Civil War soldiers carrying rifles with flag bearers preceding them.
Then the flag was raised by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, while The National Anthem was sung by 3 young ladies. A Memorial Day speech was given by General John A. Logan's great - great -granddaughter.
The young ladies sang "God Bless America" while tears streamed down my face. Then "General John A. Logan" read General Order #11.
Wreaths were laid at the graves of 5 Civil War soldiers assisted by Girl Scouts. The last wreath was set before the grave of the Unknown Soldier.
The presenter of the wreath to Unknown Soldier was a modern day soldier from Company C, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion.
Then there were Special Military Honors by Company C of the 31st Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The ceremony ended with the most somber rendition of "Taps" I have ever heard. The crowd left so quietly I was impressed. Then I remembered the picnics we would have on Memorial day. They were in the cemetery while my Mom and Grandma fussed with flowers and straightened around the graves of loved ones.
This was what Memorial Day is all about. Now my challenge to you, where was the first Decoration Day held, what is General Order # 11, and who wrote it??? I didn't know until today and found only one person who could answer the questions. I will reveal it in my next post.
This cemetery is situated between two very busy highways and yet after everyone left I found it very quiet and soothing.
But then every cemetery has it's strife, right??
This is a Civil War cemetery, yes all the graves I found were before 1866! So I found this very interesting!!!
Yes this does not touch the ground!
As Paul Harvey would say "That's the rest of the story".
Thank you for the invitation, Carla!!
Friday, May 23, 2014
Trying to Get to Now Part 2
Well, I'm already making revisions, probably the first of many! Instead of fast forwarding to 16 years I should have said 14 years later. I didn't want to make myself older than I am. So now on with my relationship with SIU.
Later I enjoyed and had the opportunity to enjoy another side of Campus. A friend of mine was a police officer on Campus. He knew it from a different perspective and had been there since 1964. He knew the Campus inside out - from the steam tunnels to the tops of buildings and around Campus Lake. Once again a renewed interest and a new romantic side of the University.
I tried to get a job there for many years and even turned down some. I later discovered some things are meant to be. I started working there when I was 31 years old. (I can only remember that fact because my cashier # was 31.) Anyway, I thought myself older and experienced, but I had a supervisor 2 years my junior who taught me about SIU. We did a lot of extra activities together on and off Campus and she loved to take walks on campus. Also a very kind considerate Director of the Student Center, Mr. Corker, yes I say this out of respect for him. (I still can't call him by his first name, like you are with a grade school teacher you see 20 years later.) Mr. Corker was passionate about the Student Center and extremely involved at work and on his free time. There were also 2 co-workers, Jeri and Betty. We would walk during our lunches, I forgot to mention my 3rd favorite place on Campus, Thompson Woods!!! We had many walks, talks... cussing and discussing, kids, work, husbands, or just the beauty of the woods.
We enjoyed Campus like it belonged to us and we belonged to it! From the perch at my desk on the second floor I could watch the seasons change with the trees out the window. One Spring we had a nest full of baby birds, watching the rain come down, the beautiful color changes in the trees, or the snow gently falling. We could watch the busyness of Campus below us. At night in the Summer we would gather with others from the Student Center to listen to the Sunset Concerts. Children playing in the fountains and adults enjoying a Summer night together! The trees shading our chairs and blankets on the ground, a family picnic. There wasn't boss, supervisor, student relationships, just family and friends. Once again Old Campus was enchanting.
Later I enjoyed and had the opportunity to enjoy another side of Campus. A friend of mine was a police officer on Campus. He knew it from a different perspective and had been there since 1964. He knew the Campus inside out - from the steam tunnels to the tops of buildings and around Campus Lake. Once again a renewed interest and a new romantic side of the University.
Let's get Closer to Now, a few years ago the University started the process of construction on a new building outside the Student Center. In my eyes, it greatly changed Campus! A great deal of the old trees were taken out and in their place ----CONCRETE!!! The thru-way along Faner was ripped up! With these changes more concrete! The distinction between Old Campus and the other buildings became very noticeable. I thought it all an eye sore and the beauty of Campus gave way to a more modern campus. It lost so much of it's old charm. With all these changes I became depressed at what I saw and I hated to walk.
When the new building went up the parking garage was torn down. This meant I had to go to work early. I used my Ipod as a timer to remind me to start work. (I would walk the halls in the Student Center to avoid the hideous concrete.) On one particular day after much grumbling to myself , I stated to self "There has to still be beauty on this campus and I will use my Ipod to record it." I saw things or should I say I went looking for things and started looking for beauty. Sometimes it was small, a flower by the Ag. Building or a squirrel on a tree. The seasons changed and I found myself outside walking every morning no matter what the weather was. I would put my images on my work computer and when they popped up I would remember how beautiful my surrounding really were.
I became interested in photography after the purchase of a new DSLR. Thank you Leon!! This brought on a new aspect of my love affair with Campus. I took a class through ALPS with Rene and every week was a challenge. One challenge was a sunrise---how am I going to get a sunrise!!? So there I am getting my tired butt out of bed to watch one of the most beautiful sunrises in my life right there on Campus! In the Fall I went to work early to make images of leaves, remember Thompson Woods? I spent weeks in the Woods with gorgeous colors and wonderful light . Also a favorite was an early morning with fog over Campus Lake! Yes, I had rediscovered the old flame of a long relationship!!!
Have to go now, but we are almost to Now. So stick with me, please.
I became interested in photography after the purchase of a new DSLR. Thank you Leon!! This brought on a new aspect of my love affair with Campus. I took a class through ALPS with Rene and every week was a challenge. One challenge was a sunrise---how am I going to get a sunrise!!? So there I am getting my tired butt out of bed to watch one of the most beautiful sunrises in my life right there on Campus! In the Fall I went to work early to make images of leaves, remember Thompson Woods? I spent weeks in the Woods with gorgeous colors and wonderful light . Also a favorite was an early morning with fog over Campus Lake! Yes, I had rediscovered the old flame of a long relationship!!!
Have to go now, but we are almost to Now. So stick with me, please.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Begin at the Beginning to Get to Now!
Since I was 11 years old I thought SIU (Southern Illinois University) was the most beautiful university! The first time I was there without an adult, my 8 year old sister and I took the bus from Carterville to "Old Campus". It was a seven mile trip and we were riding with college students. I felt very independent and grown up! When we arrived on the campus I felt like I was back in Europe. (I had spent 1 1/2 years in France and 2 years in England as a military dependent.) I stood in awe of the old buildings and beautiful landscaping. The trees were huge and shaded lovely benches to sit and read. There were flowers and hostas everywhere.
We went into the first building for our class in Spanish. It smelled old and the staircase was of dark polished wood. Our class lasted 2 sessions because my sister and I decided we were much smarter than the professor! He was speaking Castilian Spanish and we had lived in Southern California for the last 2 years.
We decided not to tell Mom we had dropped out and we would explore, an adventure. My Mom was always having adventures with us when we were younger, but that is a story for another time!
We went from building to old building exploring every cranny. Always the smell of the old wood and books. Our 2 favorites by far were the library and U School (the university teaching school). We liked to walk down the halls at U School and try to find the reliefs on the outside of each classroom. They were depictions of nursery rhymes and each one would spark a singing of that rhyme. There was an indoor pool on one end and a theater at the other.
Our other favorite was Morris Library. So many books and so many places to curl up, hide and read. Each day that Summer was a new reading room, new places to explore, or a trip to the top floor. (At that time it was the tallest building on campus!)
And so began my love affair with "Campus"! As a matter of fact my first date was on Campus. My date (later to be my husband) took me to a play and afterwards we walked campus. It was early Spring when I was 16. The play was "Romeo and Juliet" and to add to the romance the trees were all blooming. I can still smell the air and the coolness of the night. I knew that night I would marry him and go to college at SIU.
Now fast forward 16 years, many plays later and many many walks later! I took my 5 year old daughter to her first of many performances at Shryock Auditorium. We took a long walk through the buildings of Old Campus between blossoming trees and azaleas past the fountain to the front of the magnificent building. The Stairs of Shryock were magical to us. "Run from stairs to the fountain" or "Hop up the stairs to the magnolia trees". The musicals, the ballets, "The Christmas Carol", "The Nutcracker" all chances to be on Campus and walk. But the interior of this building is elegant with rich curtains and fixtures. We would pretend we were rich Victorian ladies attending the performance.
Well, I'm halfway to Now so more next time!! Thanks for joining me for a little reminiscing. Sometimes we really do need to remember our past to appreciate our future.
We went into the first building for our class in Spanish. It smelled old and the staircase was of dark polished wood. Our class lasted 2 sessions because my sister and I decided we were much smarter than the professor! He was speaking Castilian Spanish and we had lived in Southern California for the last 2 years.
We decided not to tell Mom we had dropped out and we would explore, an adventure. My Mom was always having adventures with us when we were younger, but that is a story for another time!
We went from building to old building exploring every cranny. Always the smell of the old wood and books. Our 2 favorites by far were the library and U School (the university teaching school). We liked to walk down the halls at U School and try to find the reliefs on the outside of each classroom. They were depictions of nursery rhymes and each one would spark a singing of that rhyme. There was an indoor pool on one end and a theater at the other.
Our other favorite was Morris Library. So many books and so many places to curl up, hide and read. Each day that Summer was a new reading room, new places to explore, or a trip to the top floor. (At that time it was the tallest building on campus!)
And so began my love affair with "Campus"! As a matter of fact my first date was on Campus. My date (later to be my husband) took me to a play and afterwards we walked campus. It was early Spring when I was 16. The play was "Romeo and Juliet" and to add to the romance the trees were all blooming. I can still smell the air and the coolness of the night. I knew that night I would marry him and go to college at SIU.
Now fast forward 16 years, many plays later and many many walks later! I took my 5 year old daughter to her first of many performances at Shryock Auditorium. We took a long walk through the buildings of Old Campus between blossoming trees and azaleas past the fountain to the front of the magnificent building. The Stairs of Shryock were magical to us. "Run from stairs to the fountain" or "Hop up the stairs to the magnolia trees". The musicals, the ballets, "The Christmas Carol", "The Nutcracker" all chances to be on Campus and walk. But the interior of this building is elegant with rich curtains and fixtures. We would pretend we were rich Victorian ladies attending the performance.
Well, I'm halfway to Now so more next time!! Thanks for joining me for a little reminiscing. Sometimes we really do need to remember our past to appreciate our future.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Getting started and why.
Note to self: Must start a blog because:
1) It is raining.
2) I want a place to keep my thoughts. (I've collected way too many diaries!)
3) Share and develop my photography images.
4) Post ideas on enjoying retirement/life when I can't afford to travel the world!
5) Must be others out there with similiar interests.
1) It is raining.
2) I want a place to keep my thoughts. (I've collected way too many diaries!)
3) Share and develop my photography images.
4) Post ideas on enjoying retirement/life when I can't afford to travel the world!
5) Must be others out there with similiar interests.
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