Midweek already! Hello to all and hoping this finds you well. It is a lovely morning. I am sleepy - didn't sleep well last night for some reason. I had a couple walks, got yard work done, other things done and no nap yesterday - so should have slept well. Nope.
It will get a little warmer today (85), so may need the AC late in the day. It looks like we will get rain over night - very much needed. Things are dry and it is dusty.
I think sometimes we all come into a new season of life, for various reasons. It could be anything that causes it - sometimes we just get tired! As the outside seasons change - we change as well. I am ready for a bit of a change for me.
I really life a simple and calm life - but I hate having to hurry and stress about things. I just like peace and quiet!
Come fall, yes there are many things to get done outside and things to finish up before it gets too cold. Canning, gardening, raking, mowing, decluttering, etc. I am not going to stress over it this year. What gets done, gets done. I find that I have slowed a lot over the years - maybe that is intentional or maybe it is just listening to my body. What I did in a few hours many years ago, now I spread over a day or two.
You know what? That is OK!!!!!!
I love this poem. It is so true for me. My quiet morning walks, seeing how things in nature are changing. My porch sits. The breeze coming in the window and watching my kitty enjoy it. A snuggle from my kitty. A good bite of food. Flowers in a vase. Looking at the room when you finished cleaning and smiling. The smell of a yummy candle. Reading a book that I enjoy. Watching nature. My wonderful garden and being able to go out and pick 'grow'ceries. Great neighbors. Good friends. Family.
I could go on and on. These all seem like simple things to many people, and they are - but they give me so much joy.
I have always enjoyed these things, but in the past there were other joys. Just spending time with my hubby was a tremendous joy - we laughed and talked and shared so much. Yes, I miss that so much - but things changed. Now I have a different season in my life, and I need to make the most of it. We all should as life changes. It isn't easy - but it is life. It took me quite a while, to find myself again. I think I am still discovering ME.
I hope you each try to discover new things. Let yourself explore and learn, no matter your age. It makes life interesting. Enjoy every moment. And please remember - it is perfectly FINE to go slower and just smell the flowers and feel the breeze and take the nap!
As you go into a new season of your life - make it good.
Make September a time of change for a lovely, slower life.
Have a super day and breathe in all the goodness!
I totally agree that savoring the simple things brings joy. Last night I saw a bunny in my yard. A treat. I also like learning about different parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteI see so many people my age (retiree) rushing, rushing, rushing in their every day lives. Not for me. I want to enjoy life as best I can. Slow and steady is the way for me.
I put the shower project at my current house on hold until at least mid-October. I just couldn’t do it along with getting my old house ready to sell. (Plus something is telling me to get other estimates.) I don’t think my friends understand why I’m not moving faster but I’m going to do it my way.
For many years my focus was caring for others, especially my mom who I miss a lot. But now it is time for me. My birthday is in a few days and I don’t mind at all getting older because I almost died three years ago. God - and some excellent doctors - saved me. I’m going to enjoy my life.
Enjoy your day, Cheryl! (I’m jealous of your cooler weather!)
I am so glad you are still here. God is good! Happy Birthday!
DeleteYes mam, the simple things sure can give joy and laughter and smiles. Even old Chuck the groundhog makes me smile - that is one fat animal to move so fast! I bet the bunny was sweet.
DeleteYou do your home in your time - it shouldn't be anyone else's concern. You know how much you have in funds, how much energy and what is important. You do it your way!
I had someone ask me how much money I needed to redo my fence one day - because I just haven't done it yet! I need nothing, I have what I need - it just isn't that big of a deal to me. When the time is right!
We are certainly glad you are still here and doing well. Getting older each year is a gift - not everyone gets that gift.
If I miss it - happy birthday!
"Make September a time of change for a lovely, slower life." Such a lovely thought! The Farmer and I love the fact that we no longer have to rush, rush, rush. We are enjoying the cooler days, although today will be warm; but the forecast is for rain tonight and tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteYou are a strong lady and are handling your loss as well as anyone can. I think about my sisters-in-law and how my brothers were in poor health for years before their passing. It was hard for me to fathom them being without their spouses. It will come to us all someday. We are at an age when all the little things are far more important that inconsequential "stuff" from years past. The Farmer and I were talking the other day about how certain things seemed so important years ago. It didn't amount to a hill of beans.
Erin is coming by and we are off to Costco. She bought a Honda hybrid from her neighbor so she has wheels again.
See you manana.
It is wonderful to not have to rush. Do what you want when you want. If you don't want - don't!
DeleteThanks, I say I come from strong stock. Life happens, nothing will change that, and we have to keep going forward. I know what my sweety would want me to do, and going forward would be it.
So right, that stupid stuff from long ago doesn't matter. Then it wasn't stupid, but now - so many more important things in life.
Yay for the wheels - I hope it serves her well.
The arrival of fall sounds familiar. For the last twenty years i've resided in Saudi, part of every summer in WA state. Here in the Gulf there aren't any obvious four seasons, it's basically summer for nine months and fall for three. I do miss fall, spring and summer as experienced in the States. Winter's crap weather, not so much.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is neat. I had no idea we had someone here living in that area. I like the seasons, each has a purpose and a beauty (winter not as much). It would be hard to not have the seasons after being used to them. I have heard it stays pretty hot there, especially in the daytime.
DeleteGlad to have you here. You can live the seasons through us!! LOL
indeed, it stays hot through the first part of November. I'm leaving here later than usual because of schedule issues, will arrive in the States in about three days so I'll catch fall this time around.
DeleteSuch a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely lady!
DeleteYou certainly are in a good place, and I'm sure your husband would be pleased to see it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. It took a long journey to get here. I just want everyone to have a peaceful life.
DeleteWhat a perfect post! At 71 and retired, I still feel that I have to be productive and account for myself. That poem at the top, really spoke to me. Thank you for sharing it and your own thoughts. Lynn, Pecos, NM
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. I still keep active and I account for myself - but I am not nearly as active as I used to be. Some things aren't meant to be.
DeleteWe all need to set guidelines for ourselves about just everything. Soon to be 71 myself, and I am enjoying life in a different way now. I hope you enjoy each and every day!
Thank you. I do enjoy everyday and love my life. I’m filled with gratitude for it.
DeleteA lovely post. I agree with it all, now I am retired and my health is failing a little I really do appreciate the small things in a slower life. Sometimes I can't believe how my working life used to be so go go go.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how life changes. I could work 50 hours a week, come home and do all the 'stuff' and still have time to play.
DeleteLOL - that wouldn't happen today. Life changes so fast at times.
The small things are really big things to me. Enjoy them all and take care of yourself.
Yes, I'm doing it my way. There are things I'll do in my own sweet time! :) I love still being able to go to my little 2-day-a-week job which leaves me time to be "retired" also. Today was busy though - the holiday threw me off, just like everyone else. I'd made a date to have coffee with a friend and then realized my Tuesday work would have to be on Wednesday. So I told them I'd be in after lunch and they said "fine!".
ReplyDeleteLooks like DD (daughter) got a plane ticket and will come to visit. :)
I've learned that I need to slow down a bit, leave time to rest between things. Slowly learning to say "no" to things that would overstress me. Hope I am a good example to my kids. So many pictures of old age are distressing, but it really need not be that way all the time. I love my life now, the way it is. (Thank you, God!)
MaryB
Nice that you get to enjoy both working and retirement. Those pesky holidays throw us all off.
DeleteYAY - glad your daughter can come and visit.
Much to be said about slowing down. So what if things take longer - we only have ourselves to answer to. Older age can be wonderful - we need to embrace and enjoy it.
It makes me happy to hear you say you love your life.
Such a loving thoughtful post, Cheryl. I too find joy in the simple things like a clean window sill with a plant on it, a visit from a bird, sunbeams, so many things. Slowing down is ok too. It’s when we stop doing or trying that isn’t good for us.
ReplyDeleteOh never stop - but slowing down is fine. those little things really do make a joyful day and make us smile. A smile is just so pretty and nice!
DeleteThe words of I Have Found Joy in Simple Things are beautiful, Cheryl and so true.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of Pied Beauty by Gerald Manley Hopkins, which was in a book of poetry I had as a child.
It is very true. Something like my kitty, walking in the room 'talking to me' brings a smile to my face.
DeleteThanks for the name of the book - I wonder if it is still in print.
Life has gotten slower for us, too. After a health scare in July, my husband has finally taken the plunge and has completely retired. He will be 70 next month. I work from home most days, which has really simplified our lives. We have a park nearby and on my lunch break, we take a walk around it. Life is different, but good.
ReplyDeleteI hope all the scares are over and things go well. Glad that he has now retired - keep him moving around. Nice that you have a park to walk to. Your last sentence is perfect. "Life is different, but good."
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