305/365

 

Today...

We spent the day with the 4T's. 

Have I mentioned how much I love hanging out with our kids and grandkids? 

The only way this day could have been better was if all our kids and grandkids could have been there with us. 

304/365

Today...

I remembered I once wanted to plant a bank of Liquidambars along our back fence so I could watch the explosion of color every Autumn right in my backyard.

 

303/365

 

Today...

I started by taking pictures before I did anything else. It was an idea that came to mind along with the 84,000 thoughts that bounced around in my head through my mostly sleepless night. 

302/365

 

Today...

I got to see the beautiful faces of my Melissa, Sofia, and Tristan via Facebook live. I miss them so much.

Note to self: set up a weekly visit with them.  

301/365

Today...

I sat outside to watch the birds and wondered why I don't do this more often. Then I remembered, between the heat of summer and the smoke from the fires, we haven't been able to be outside much.

Thankfully, fall has arrived, the weather is perfect, and we can enjoy our backyard again.

 

300/365

Today...

Started rough. Sleep eludes me. I'm blaming it on the windstorm.

I was having trouble focusing, and I was super cranky. So glad I was by myself.

I decided to go for a walk to clear my head, and it helped. I just now realized it got rid of the headache.

I then decided I needed to play with some watercolor paint. By the time I had painted 17 pumpkins (the first 11 sucked,) I felt much better. 

I was then able to take care of business and chores and all the necessary things in a much better mood. 

 

299/365

Today...

I stayed in my jammies until about 1.

I read and wrote some

Talked to my CynCyn.

Did the laundry, 

Watched a little football.

Took some pictures of my pumpkins

Talked to my Michelle.

Made breakfast for dinner.

Enjoyed a relaxing day with Mike.

298/365

 

Today...

Was busy and fun.

We Kayaked a new slough.

It was chilly and windy.

Still fun.

Had lunch at a little deli.

Did some window shopping.

Got home a rested a bit.

I made enchiladas.

Jesse, Bri, Logan, and Paisley came over for dinner.

We all got hugs.

They brought a pumpkin pie.

I got to hold Miss Paisley and she smiled for me!

Mike and Logan fed the birds

Logan and I played with Halloween decorations and looked at a toy catalog.

Everyone has full tummies and is ready for bed.

Night night. 

297/365

 

Today...

I finally got to see the Northern Flickers! I've heard them up in the trees, making their short, high-pitched calls, but they have been challenging to see up in the trees. Today, I came upon them while on a walk—first one, then two, then four on the ground eating ants, I assume. I've never seen more than one or two at a time and never at ground level. By the time I ran (HA!) back home to get my camera and get back, there were only two still on the hill. Hopefully, they will visit our bird buffet before they migrate further south. 

296/365

 

Today...

I had a great brainstorming call with my personal marketing "Consultant," aka my Melissa. She gave me some suggestions, several ideas, and great advice on social media and additional income streams. Things I have been thinking about, yet it's nice to talk to someone so enthusiastic and willing to help. 

295/365

 

Today...

I had some goals, sort of, which prompted me to procrastinate most of it away. 

Where do I start?

What is my focus?

What do I do first?

How do I do it?

I took a walk, hoping to get some clarity, but it's hard to do when I'm listening to podcasts and filling my head with information, albeit useful.

As I'm listening to these great ideas, I remind myself that I'm still consuming and not creating—too much information in and not enough going out. 

Meditation is what I need to be practicing.

Tomorrow is another day.

294/365

 Today...

Just before I left for my morning walk, I remembered to grab my camera. I planned to hopefully get some photos of a Great Egret I'd seen in one of the small ponds for the last several weeks. Luckily, she was there and so busy foraging for her breakfast she didn't even know I was there clicking away. 

Photographing wildlife first thing in the morning makes for a good day.

293/365

Today...

It was a beautiful morning for a bike ride, and I needed to drop our ballots in the ballot box at our community center. 

It feels like it's been months since I've ridden. First, my back protested, then my quads, and then my lungs a little. Still, it felt great to cruise around and through the neighborhoods. 

After I did my civic duty, I rode on through our kids Middle and High Schools, noticing how eerily quiet they are right now. It's the middle of October, and those campuses should be bustling. So surreal.

I rode for four miles, and it was just what this body needed. 

 

292/365

Today...

My brother Brad would have turned 64. He's been gone for almost twenty-four years. Sometimes I imagine what it would be like if he was in a coma all these years and just woke up. He was a such a techno nerd that he would probably be blown away by how far we've come. We would have to watch the 'new' Star Trek, Star Wars, Mission Impossible, and Godzilla movies together. When I saw them, I couldn't help but think of how much he would enjoy them. We used to watch the Star Trek show together when we were kids. He and I watched an old Godzilla movie when he was bedridden a week or so before he passed. 

He'd be amazed at how much his son looks like him and even has the same mannerisms. I think he and all his nieces and nephews would probably get along great.

I could see him and Tristan geeking out together.

I'm grateful that he visits me in my dream every once in a while.

I miss him.

291/365

 

Today...

We met Jesse, Bri, Logan, and Paisley at a Pumpkin patch. Logan, Bri, and I ran around picking out pumpkins and filling up our wheelbarrows while Jesse and Mike chatted. Paisley slept in her stroller. It was warm, even at 10 am. Then we drove to an RV dealership to look at travel trailers. Logan had a blast and loved all of them except the one Jesse and Bri want. I found our retirement trailer. It was a fun, sweaty Saturday morning with the kids. 

290/365

“I must have flowers, always and always.”

~ Claude Monet

Today...

I listened to another great Brene Brown podcast on my walk. 

I wore a light jacket, thinking it was cold out, and it was, a little, in some spots. Then there were pockets of warm air like a heater was blowing. It was odd. It reminded me of a coast camping trip that was uncharacteristically hot.

By the time I got back home from my walk, I had decided I want to sort, cull, and make photo albums with my boxes and boxes of photographs. I think that would be a great winter project. 

289/365

 

Today...

I had some fun with the wilting flowers of my fall bouquet. 

And then a branch from our neighbor's tree fell on our house. Thankfully, she took care of it, got a tree company out right away, and the power didn't need to be shut off. All is well.

288/365

Today...

I was watching the sunrise from my dining room table. As the room got brighter, I realized I needed to use the light for some photography while I had the time. What to shoot? Good ole Pinterest gave me some inspiration to pull out the old silverware that I purchased a few years ago. I don't know what I was thinking, but silver polish can't fix these. Still, I do like their character, and I can use them as props for photo projects. 

287/365

Today...

The high was 91º, and I made beef stew. Well, it was fall-like a few days ago. There is just something about gathering the ingredients, especially for recipes like this—lots of vegetables and one pot. I get into a zone when I have the time to cook and prep properly, and then I must take pictures. Thank goodness for InstaPots and this delicious recipe from Nom Nom Paleo.

286/365

Today...

Photographing flowers always brings me joy, even on a Monday, even when I'm wiped out from cocktails and too much bread over the weekend. These little globes gave me enough energy to get through the rest of the day. Night night.

285/365

Today...

I made myself a cup of coffee and got to work on this ballot. Then I took a walk, did the laundry, and watched some football. 

284/365

Today...

We got up early, loaded up the kayaks, and drove out to a lake—a lake on a river. In a river? True story. When we got there, we encountered gale-force winds. Not really, but it was way too windy. So, we drove to an island. There we found a place to launch the kayaks, and off we went into a slough. We steered our way past a marina to a wetlands area where we discovered all the things we were looking for; no wind, calm water, nature, quiet, wildlife, and glorious partly cloudy sky. We spent quite a bit of time just floating and taking it all in. The return trip was a tad bit more rigorous as the wind picked up, and we had to paddle hard to keep from going backward. That last part was our exercise for the day, and we loved all of it.

283/365

Today...

I met Bri, Logan, Paisley, and Bailee at the park. It's been seven months since any of us have been to a playground.  

I got to hold Miss Paisley and Logan got to run and play to his heart's content. 

There was a moment where Bri and I watched, in awe, as Logan and his new "friend" took turns pushing each other on the swings. 

There is hope for our future in these children.

282/365

 

Today...

I spotted splashes of fuchsia in the neglected yard of a neighbor. I almost continued on my walk, but it was such a juxtaposition I had to stop. There, in the middle of dirt and disarray, stood a Hibiscus blooming as if no one told it the tenants are gone now. 

281/365

Today...

A nice cool morning with a partly cloudy sky.

Listening to a Brene Brown podcast on my walk.

Seeing 11 turkeys, including two toms, crossing the road.

Hearing a Flicker back in the neighborhood.

Talking with Michelle across the street for about an hour. 

Discussing politics and differences of opinion, calmly, as mature adults do.

Getting to hear my CynCyn's voice.

Listening to Taylor Swift while cleaning bathrooms.

Listening to 70's music while editing photos.

Sitting outside, on the patio reading.

Takeout for dinner.

Watching the VP debate with Mike. 

 

280/365

Today...

This is supposed to be my gratitude blog/journal/place/whatever, but this year...

Some days I have to dig deep to find what I'm grateful for. If feels like every day it's something else and we're just getting hit from all sides.

It's a lot. It's too much.  

I wonder why I even bother.

I do know why and I guess I picked a good year for doing this project.

Just keep swimming.

I woke up this morning in my warm comfy bed.

I had my coffee.

I took a walk.

I have a home, plenty of food, my health, my family, their health.

I don't need to work right now.

I get to spend my time creating.

I have a lot to be grateful for.

 

279/365

Today...

Eight solid hours of sleep.

Tea.

Feeding and watching a pair of Stellar's Jays in the backyard.

A walk around the neighborhood before it got too warm.

My daily phone chat with my Sister.

Salisbury Steak, mashed sweet potatoes, and green beans for dinner.

Watching the Packers beat the Falcons with Mike.

Reading.

 

278/365

Today...

Hearing Logan talking to Papa in the backyard when I woke up.

They were out feeding the birds.

Coffee.

Breakfast with Mike and Logan.

Then a wonderful, smoke-free walk around the neighborhood.

Greeting the neighbors we haven't seen in a while.

Playing, watching a movie, coloring, and eating candy corn with Logan.

Getting to hold Paisley for a bit when I dropped off Logan.

Leftovers for dinner.

 

277/365

Today...

Saturday.

AQI better this morning than last night.

Getting my chores done before...

Jesse, Bri, Logan, and Paisley came over.

Amazon delivery of some photo props.

Researching how to set up a small studio in my small house 

and how much RAM I need to add to my iMac.

My CynCyn called. 

Takeout from El Tapatio for dinner with Jesse and family.

Getting to see and hold Miss Paisley.

A sleepover with my Logan.

276/365

Today...

Coffee.

Photo prop shopping. Plus a few other things.

Sushi for lunch.

Talking to my Sister.

Video chatting with my Melissa and Sofia.

Getting to watch Sofia open her birthday present from us.

That face!

Watching them start to put it together.

Enjoying photographing abstracts, glass, and color.

Getting our Ballots in the mail.

Homemade Asian Chicken Salad for dinner.

275/365

Today...

Helping Mike's company with a project by filming some skits this morning.

They brought in pizza for lunch.

A little shopping trip to Ross and Homegoods.

Got some goodies for me, Logan, and Paisley.

A photo session with my flowers I bought at Trader Joe's.

Editing photos and listening to music.

Jesse stopping by for a few minutes.

Mike and I talking about politics without getting mad at each other.

Chicken Marsala, mashed potatoes, and asparagus for dinner.