Category Writing

2021 – Heading outdoors. Have you heard of the Origami Paddler?

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I came across this new paddle board / kayak invention by Tim Neimeir. He’s been in the kayak industry for years. Visit his site, Origami Paddler, to learn more about him. He’s had great success on Kickstarter.

I’d like to learn paddle boarding and kayaking this year. I’ve kayaked, but haven’t tried paddle boarding. I’m exploring what boards are out there to purchase that are easy to put in my car and carry.

I just bought two wonderful Paddling magazines. Life is interesting. When we put something that we want out to the Universe, suddenly we attract information on it.

Right now, it’s too COLD for boating in Chicago, but I’ve got to formulate a plan for Spring.

How about YOU? What is your big outdoor goal for this year?

With COVID, I was reading that bikes and kayaks were sold out. Even indoor bikes and treadmills have been back ordered. So, the sporting / exercising industry is changing, getting a boost and coming up with NEW ideas for how we can eat healthy and exercise in or outdoors.

2021 – On to the big adventure.

Merry Christmas — It’s all in the photo…

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This has been an interesting Christmas. My family does not exchange gifts, but every once in a while, if we see something that we KNOW the other person would like —> WE SEND IT!

My sister surprised me with some pretty cups/dishes. I was taking a picture to show her they arrived. Look what happened in the photo. Somehow, the lighting turned into a smiley face.

So funny. It was EXACTLY how I was feeling, SUPER HAPPY!

Life is far from perfect for any of us right now. We are all suffering in some way or another. These little surprises, when we least expect them, they LIFT our spirits.

We are inspired to pay it forward. Now, it is our turn to send a card, gift or flowers to someone in our lives to lift their spirits too. This process works! It feels good to receive and to give.

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas!

Happy Holidays too!

A Christmas Surprise at the mailbox

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Who said that Santa Claus was on lockdown and would not deliver presents this year?

Look what I received in the mail for my Christmas tree.

COVID has challenged us this year, but it has also made us more “thoughtful.” The old fashioned way through the mail. I mean the Post Office rather than our Inbox.

Imagine my surprise, when I ONLY receive bills in the mail, to find a package on my door step. I felt like I was 8 years old again.

WOW – I double checked to make sure I had gotten the name right. YES, it was for ME.

A clever ornament. A snowman, s’mores and coffee – PERFECT!

There’s still time for ALL of us to send that SPECAL SURPRISE to someone.

I have to work fast…

Pay this JOY forward and make “someone else” HAPPY!

Exercise… Chicago – 30°F, gotta walk and surfers have to surf!

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This morning, I was determined to get my walk done. I knew it was cold outside. I opened the door to see “how cold” it really was. About 30 degrees Fahrenheit, for sure, I needed a hat.

Walking at 7:15 AM, my hands were cold. Note to self, gloves not working. Scarf, hat, leggings – all good, but need to prepare for colder temps. Quite a few people walking or running, so I was not alone. Motivation for the next few days.

Imagine my surprise when I saw surfers out on Lake Michigan. I would have LOVED to ask them how they felt when they came out. How warm do wet suits keep them, but it was TOO COLD to wait around. Next time, I will ask.

I did get lovely photographs of the icicles — AMAZING!

Proud of myself, got my walk in. Got to walk rain, snow or shine, right! Otherwise, with COVID we will gain more than the estimated 15 lbs. Don’t want that!

I hope to go sledding this year. Stay tuned for that. I’d be happy if snow didn’t come until February. These temperatures are just right for walking — not tooooo cold.

Happy Exercising Everyone! (I hope I guilted you into walking today…)

Bird watching in Michigan…

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This weekend my girlfriend filled up her bird feeder and had a lot of birds visiting. She got this great picture of one of them. I think he is a little sparrow? Who knows a lot about birds?

I told her I need a NEW bird photo for my Blog, so she has to keep taking photos. I would LOVE to have a cardinal. The cardinal is Indiana’s state bird. They are so beautiful in red and look lovely around the holidays when it snows. Here is what the cardinal looks like. A bluejay would be nice too.

Wishing you all a — HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Writing prompt… In 2021, What adventure awaits you?

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Sometimes we find that perfect photo. I was lucky, no other people in site.

As I looked down the road, all sorts of story ideas came to mind.

It’s the end of Fall, we’re back in semi-lockdown.

In the past, with all the hustle and bustle of life, we longed for a quiet scene like this. Now, we actually want to be around people.

Thanksgiving canceled! Reminds me of the Grinch who tried to cancel Christmas. Remember, he stole all the Christmas trees, but then the people came together in the true spirit of Christmas, singing and holding hands.

How interesting life is.

In 2021, we start a new journey in life.

Where will this road lead you? What adventure awaits you?

Weekend reading – What mountain are you on?

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I wanted to share a book with you by David Brooks, “The Second Mountain: A Quest for a Moral Life.” I came across this book by accident, so glad I did. It’s very interesting, because it talks about life. How we climb one mountain for certain reasons, then life throws us a curve ball, we sink down into the valley, must recover and then start to climb the second mountain.

COVID has made us all sink into the valley. We need to climb a NEW mountain, forge a new path.

I’m not done with the book yet, but so far, I give it a thumbs up!

I am READY for that second mountain!