Tuesday 9/29/15

I got my flu shot on Friday. It's funny because I had the flu years ago and since then have always gotten the flu shot.
And I generally give people who don't get it a hard time, most think they are going to have a reaction or get the flu....
I always said to them, don't be silly....

Well, naturally I had a bit of a reaction on Friday night and pretty much felt lousy all weekend.
It was weird, I had the chills and I've been aching all over.

We had also decided to have a tag sale on Sunday, so I spent Saturday lugging stuff around.
We are having some company stay with us soon and we really need to cut down on the clutter in the house.

So, out to the garage I lugged 12 boxes of books and the spin bike and milk crate of weights.
My back was not feeling great on Saturday night and in the back of my mind I knew we would be just lugging stuff back after the sale.

Not too far off, though we did sell the spin bike and weights. A few books.
basically, we can't give this stuff away. and then certain neighbors brought some stuff over for us to sell.

Then there were the shoppers who showed up and had no problem with their child throwing rocks into our neighbors yard...who barely speaks to us, we know not why... Amy got the job of going over there and telling them. We got our rocks back.....

All in all, it was a busy, tiring weekend. We did decide to just donate everything that is left. no lugging it back in. Now, just need to get the futon back downstairs and we are all set.

We took Monday off, we knew we wanted to go to the beach and watch the eclipse.
And we did. it was chilly so we didn't stay that long and ended up watching the rest of it from home, where it was warm...

But while we were there.

It was a beautiful night and there were quite a few folks down there.
Many were sitting in the field with lawn chairs, others on the beach.

We managed to get a bench overlooking the sound.
peaceful
dark
waves crashing
people chatting
a family walked out onto the sand all carrying pumpkin globes that lit up.
it was fun. pretty in the dark.
did I mention it was chilly......

And the moon, though so high up in the sky, shone brightly on the water.
and we watched as the eclipse started and it looked like small slices were disappearing from the moon.

Did I try to capture the moment?
yeah I did.
but I forced myself to just take it all in.
not just the eclipse itself.
Everything.
It was so clear there for us.
and it was another starry, starry night.

I love the moon and the stars.
I love seeing people there.
Wanting to experience nature.
Experience life.

It's all around us.

XAVIER LEOTY / AFP / Getty


I know I haven't had much to say lately, it's because, well - I haven't had much to say.... kinda busy, kinda down. nothing major. Just sometimes words pour out of me and sometimes I feel I have nothing worth saying.
I'm in that stage right now. Nothing worthwhile to say really.
Hoping to see some light at the end of the tunnel soon....

Monday, Monday.

no words today

Capturing life's moments....

No walk tonight...

I came home and made lentil soup for dinner.

I've been trying to bring lunch to work.

I've been so busy I no longer have too much time to go home for lunch.

And skipping lunch is a bad idea for me....

So, some lentil soup for lunch tomorrow too.

Hanging out on the deck before dinner, the clouds were weird.
Can't even describe them....
Spooky maybe.
I took a picture.

There was an orange glow in the house later on, It was a beautiful sky. I knew I had to go grab a picture.

I know, still trying to capture the moment, instead of just enjoying it.

Why do we do that?
It seems a memory isn't enough.
Why are we trying to capture every moment?
Just because we can, just because we have the technology, doesn't mean we should....
We need something physical, something to hold in our hands?

So we can return to that feeling, that moment, over and over.

I wonder if it is a sign of getting older.
Just a normal reaction of something most of us go through, that feeling of forgetfulness?

Or is it, because, as we get older, we are more cognizant of....life passing us by.
So quickly.

I don't think I see young people always reaching....to capture that moment.
Well, maybe I do.
Maybe this generation of young people do just that.
That's new.
We are so attached to our electronics. Social media.
I'm guilty as well.

We didn't always try to capture the moment.

Sure, we took, or were part of pictures growing up, vacation pictures, etc.

But, now, we want, we need to capture everything.

Do we even have just good memories anymore?
Where we close our eyes and think about a wonderful time, or event, a special moment.
I hope we all still have those memories.
Buried in our brains.
Where we can bring them forward, where they can bring a smile without having to scroll through our phone.

I hope I can find a good balance.
When I see a beautiful sky, a gorgeous sunrise or sunset.
I know I will still reach for my camera.

But I hope, I'll try....
To take just one or 2 pictures.

And then sit back and enjoy the moments.

Ok, can't resist, I still want to share the pix!

Post cruise pictures....

Bald eagles seen from the boat.
The second picture is what I missed when I was looking for my camera :)
They were taken by a man sitting in front of us....

What a treat to have an adult eagle soar over the boat! Extra special when he grabs a fish right by the stern!!
Photos by Richard Ketai

The task at hand.....

hmmm....

I like when I can read something for work, at work, and it's like a lightbulb goes off.
I need to think about this....

“Thus, the task is not so much to see what no one yet has seen, but to think what nobody yet has thought about that which everybody sees.”

― Arthur Schopenhauer

Starry, Starry Night....

...well, the way it ended anyway.

We had a really great time on the river cruise.
The dock is about an hour away from our house and we needed to be there by 5pm.

We picked up some sandwiches and cupcakes, (hey, this cruise was Amy's birthday present) and we got there in plenty of time to sit at a picnic table and eat while we watched the crew get the boat ready.

It's a little boat, I thought....

We ate and walked around a little until they were ready for boarding.

I think we got the 2 best seats, there was room for 6 up front in the open.
About 30 maybe inside with large windows and maybe 12 seats out in the open in the back.

Some folks were running late and so, as it happened, a bald eagle flew right by the boat as we were sitting there waiting. I mean, a mature, bald eagle.
Six feet away.
It was unbelievable.

And it flew by and was heading towards down towards the water.

I looked down to grab my camera.

And missed him plucking a pretty big fish from the water.

Why? Why do we all do this?
Instead of just looking and enjoying the moment.

I tried to make it a keepsake, a permanent moment.

And missed the moment.

Oh well.
I will remind myself again to enjoy life in the moment.

It was a great trip.

Breezy and cool.
Lots of wildlife.
Great scenery.

We saw about 10 bald eagles total.
Lots of Osprey
Great Blue Heron
Peregrine falcon
Great Egrets

The cruise.
Peaceful.
Gentle rocking of the boat.

The crew was great.

And the Tree Swallows...
The tree swallows showed up in swarms.

And rained from the sky to roost for the night.

There were oohs and ahhs from everyone, then it changed to awed silence....

It was an amazing experience.

We headed back in, under the moon and the stars.

It was so clear out....
With 4 of us and one of the crew picking out the constellations.

We drove home.
A little bleary eyed.
Well, blurry when you see that last picture :)

Happy Birthday Amy.

I got something right :)

Video......
http://flipagram.com/f/cXbEwu749I

Binging...

...on bad tv.
We've been cutting back on expenses and have gotten rid of cable as well as our land line.
It feels good actually.
I bought a $30 antenna and we get a few local channels and PBS. Between that and netflix, $8 a month and amazon prime. We are in good shape.

We've binge watched some good shows.
Longmire
Scandal
Doc Martin
Sons of Anarchy
Death in Paradise
Others.....

Right now we are watching Revenge.
Which is pretty bad, reminds me of Dallas or Dynasty.

But it's easy to watch and read or play on my iPad.

No walk tonight, unless you count walking through huge stores looking for a fridge to buy.
I feel like all I do is buy new fridges :)

Afterward, I convinced Amy that an ice cream cone was way better than a walk :)

It didn't take too much convincing really.
Toasted coconut for me.
Black raspberry and caramel something or other for Amy.

No complaints :)
Yum.

(I'm in 3rd place for the step challenge again...)

Friday

It's been a long work week but I'm looking forward to the weekend.
Yes, I know I still have a full workday :)

I'm taking Amy on a riverboat cruise tomorrow night (belated birthday present) and we are both excited about it.

It's a 3 hour tour (no Gilligan is not invited).

Ok it's really a Tree Swallow Sunset Cruise.

Can't wait and the weather looks great.

Maybe pictures and all will follow on Sunday.....

~~~ Quote for Today ~~~

One of life's most simple pleasures is spending time with those we love... 

 Ash Sweeney

Deep breaths....

I went for a walk at the beach tonight, with Amy and my sister.
I'm reminded how lucky we are to live by the water.

We have several choices when we go for walks.
3 or 4 different spots by the water.

My favorite is in a neighboring town.
Though still close by.

It seems we always choose the right spot to fit our mood.
Some times we are a bit loud and chatty and a certain spot is right for that, by the ball fields and skatepark and drive in.

Tonight,we chose Anchor Beach.
I've mentioned before it's my favorite walk.
This is the spot where I go when I walk alone

Tonight the 3 of us went, with some teasing about our latest fitbit challenge.
I'm in first place today, but that wont last.
A desk job makes it difficult.

Gorgeous out.
Perfect temp.
Quiet, like my mood.
Not very crowded.
Some folks fishing, others walking their dogs.
Cute puppie.
And lunkheads :)
I got to pet one...
Don't tell Allie.

We stopped at the midway point and sat on the rocks for awhile.
All 3 lost in our thoughts.
It was peaceful.

And my mind wandered.
Contemplated.
Pondered.
events of the day....

First, work.
Am I handling things ok?
I think I gave out some false hope today that I could release product and I wasn't able to.
It's a learning curve, isn't it?

I'm also working hard to let work go at the end of the day.

I was feeling pretty good sitting on those rocks.
Looking out over the water.
Listening to the gentle waves slap against the rocks.

I took a deep breath and connected again.
With the community I had been missing.
Missing having an actual conversation.
That give and take.
That ebb and flow.

I'll promise myself here to do a better job of staying in touch.
With the people there who make me feel wanted.
And missed.
And cared about.

We are all human and even if some people don't realize it?
I can't be the strong one all of the time.
And maybe I don't understand what I write here?
But I do know, it's all from my heart.

We all, at some point in our lives.
Need that hand on the shoulder.
That smile.
From friends.....

Thank you.

Wednesday 9/16/2015

Sometimes....you just have to take a deep breath and take the plunge....

Second thoughts, third thoughts....

Sometimes, just venting a little bit puts things into perspective.

There all always disappointments in life, we all have them.
Those disappointments....

You shouldn't let them rule your life.
Take over your life.

You shouldn't, I shouldn't, go on about them.

Enjoy the good things in life.
Treat the people well who are there for you.
In good times and bad.

I see Marc and Angel have a new post out with a bunch of non-fiction "must-reads"

I've read a few, have a few.

I love those type of books.
Especially the Zen stuff.

Always looking for ways to calm my mind.
See only the good in people.

Because there is good in all of us.
Never doubt that.

40 Modern Nonfiction Books Everyone Should Read

http://www.marcandangel.com/2009/08/24/40-modern-nonfiction-books-everyone-should-read/

Jumbled thoughts

Another weekend, another day spent at the hospital...good thoughts for my aunt would be nice....thanks. Hopefully just another bump in the road.

Lots of jumbled thoughts today.

I have this problem, I really like the give and take of a conversation.
One that flows.
I miss that.
That community of people.

Anyway.....

I love Marc and Angel site, so many good thoughts, the right way to live your life.
I will remind myself.
I will try to do better.
I will try to be a better person.

Sometimes we’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are. 

Laugh at the confusion, live consciously in the moment, and enjoy your life as it unfolds. 

You might not be exactly where you had intended to go, but you are precisely where you need to be. -

from 1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently http://www.marcandangel.com/book/

9/11/2015

I know this is a day of significance, of remembrance.

It's that day now - where you are asked.....

where were you, what were you doing, when.....?

September 11 has always been an important day to me.

It's Amy's birthday.

And on 9/11/01, Amy and I had the day off to celebrate her birthday.

We were originally going to meet her family for a reunion in Lake Tahoe, but things got in the way, so we didn't go.

We were on our way out of the door that morning to go birding when my sister called.
And like everyone else, we were glued to the tv.

The rest of Amy's family were all in airplanes that morning, flying into Lake Tahoe.
So, a stressful day, but unlike so many thousands of others....

They were all fine and we were not intimately touched by tragedy that day.

But, we all feel tragedy and each year we all go back. And remember.

But that night?

That night, I remember....Amy and I had to get away from the TV for awhile.

We went and sat on our deck.

We were quiet.

In shock, like everyone else....

I looked out into the yard and it was so quiet.

Silent, and still.

And I saw a bird.

Amy - I said, look...and I pointed.

It was an Indigo Bunting.

Not a common bird here.

We had not seen one in our yard before.

A beautiful bird.

There is always hope.


Amy has the day off today, but I've been too busy at work, so I couldn't get the day off. I did take her out for a quick lunch. And we will continue to celebrate later.....

Happy Birthday Amy

Photo by - www.valleywildlife.net

Monday

It's been a little over a year since Robin Williams took his own life, losing his battle with depression.
His death affected me deeply.
And I needed to talk about it with someone.
But I didn't.
I started questioning my life, my actions. I guess the way I was living my life.
Trudging through each day...thinking about what was really important in my life.
I'm doing better, having to deal with things on my own.
I don't accept help well, but when I do. I would hope it would be there for me.
Don't mind me, just talking to myself :)

Robins daughter, Zelda, posted this on Instagram.  It touched me.
There is always hope. Isn't there?

Moonrise on the lake,  I spent this night shivering and laughing under a clear, cold sky full of stars with people I love just to witness something beautiful. We mooned the moon and laughed ourselves hoarse, and I'm so incredibly grateful for every silly second. I came to a realization this year that I feel compelled to share here, for whomsoever may need it: Avoiding fear, sadness or anger is not the same thing as being happy. I live my sadness every day, but I don't resent it anymore. Instead, I do it now so that the wonderful moments of joy I do find are not in order to forget, but to inhabit and enjoy for their own sake. It's not easy. In fact, I'd say it takes much more effort to consciously do than it does to just stay sad, but with all my heart, I cannot tell you how worth it it is. And for those suffering from depression, I know how dark and endless that tunnel can feel, but if happiness seems impossible to find, please hold on to the possibility of hope, faint though it may be. Because I promise you, there're enough nights under the same yellow moon for all of us to share, no matter how or when you find your way there. zeldawilliams

https://instagram.com/p/7Qp7PQtqfd/?taken-by=zeldawilliams

It's a lazy Sunday....

...My favorite kind.

I got my grocery shopping and errands done early.

We went for a short walk at the beach. Not as early as we should have. It got a little warm, but still love the ocean breeze.

Went out shopping for a new laptop, then whole foods for lunch. (One shopping bag = $70.00)
Came home and ordered the laptop on amazon.

And read for most of the day.
I started and finished - Our Souls at Night, by Kent Haruf. His last book. He knew he was dying when he wrote it.  He finished the book in about 45 days. Normally he took about 6 years.....
Very good book. But sad. Yeah....sad.

Just finished up dinner and I'm going to make myself another cup of coffee and then start -
Nature of the Beast by Lousie Penny.

What is better than a cup of coffee and a good book?

And...knowing it's a long weekend and tomorrow is a holiday...

Priceless as they say.

Lake Bethany - A walk around the lake

Great time yesterday. Just a snippet, 2 hours captured (sort of) in 2 minutes.

A Walk in the Woods....

Go take a hike.

I'm used to hearing that from people...or at least in my mind it's what I hear them say.
And I'm not talking about going out to get some fresh air :)

Though...that's what we did today.
Go take a hike.

Peaceful.
Quiet.
We walked around the lake, binoculars in hand and had it all to ourselves except for 2 old gents who were hiking with their walking poles.

I wish you could have been there.
To hear the silence of the woods.

The silence of man made noise.

Just us and nature.
The birds flitting around.
Softly crunching on pine needles.

The crickets and cicadas for background noise.
The babbling brook we walked by.

The intoxicating smell of wild grapes fermenting.
I didn't want to leave that spot.

The birds were flitting all around.
A huge hawk flew right past us.
Chickadees and Tufted Titmouse.
Robins and Blue Jays.
Butterflies.
Dragonflies.
Getting excited watching little Sunnys swim by.

Why do we whisper when we are in peaceful surroundings?

We whispered....

Excellent start to the long weekend.

I took a lot of pictures as we sauntered.
Slide show soon.

Keep calm and let go.....

Photo by Randy Heinitz
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rheinitz/8578335823/

Friday night - a walk at the beach

A beautiful night at the beach.

It's getting darker sooner....but, oh, what a gorgeous night.

Breezy and cool, high tide.

The sound of the waves crashing.

Gulls squawking, looking for fries and seafood fron the drive in ob the beach.

Lots of folks out walking. Biking. Walking their dogs....

Swimming.

Kids at the skateboard park.

Others playing softball on the field across the street.

I love the way the wind feels.

It takes my breath away.

Long holiday weekend ahead.

I'll enjoy and try to decompress after a long work week.

We skipped the ice cream spot.

Home now and enjoying a last cup of coffee at 8pm.

After all, I can sleep in tomorrow :)

Changes

I used to think I was such an organized person.
I think I was and then things get so busy that it becomes obvious I'm not quite as organized as I used to be....
Big audit today. Our customer makes snack foods. And while we did okay....when an auditor asks you to produce a document and it takes you 30 minutes to find it?
It doesn't send a good message.
So I got that message today.
I spoke to a co-worker and told her we need to do some cleaning up and re-organizing.
She is on board, so I feel good about that.
There are some big changes coming for me at work.
I might as well start making my own changes now....l

Home now.
Some veggie sushi and tofu for dinner.
Yes, I'm still on the plant based diet and feeling a bit better.
I made a big pot of lentil soup so that will be tomorrow nights dinner.
Friday had turned into pizza night lately in this house but, like I said.
Time for a change.
Change is always good.

Changes - David Bowie

Music. On the Lunch Menu......

Internet still out at home, but we are promised it will be back on tomorrow....
So I apologize for not being on here too much.
I'll catch up later in the week.

I was out at lunch and the radio station I listen to always has....a certain band or musician as their -

On the lunch Menu.

Today it was the Bee Gees.

And you know, the DJ was talking about them and she so had it right.
She loved the Bee Gees, Pre-Disco music.
I completely agree.

One of my favorites.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq6YmSVAOG8

 I started a joke, which started the whole world crying,
But I didn't see that the joke was on me, oh no.

I started to cry, which started the whole world laughing,
Oh, if I'd only seen that the joke was on me.

I looked at the skies, running my hands over my eyes,
And I fell out of bed, hurting my head from things that I'd said.

Til I finally died, which started the whole world living,
Oh, if I'd only seen that the joke was on me.

I looked at the skies, running my hands over my eyes,
And I fell out of bed, hurting my head from things that I'd said.

Til I finally died, which started the whole world living,
Oh, if I'd only seen that the joke was one me

Writer(s): Jose de Almeida Cirino, Maurice Ernest Gibb, Robin Hugh Gibb, Jose Carlos da Silva, Barry Gibb
Copyright: Crompton Songs, Universal Music Publishing Int. Mgb Ltd