Sunday, February 26, 2017

Slow, slow, slow your boat . . .


When I was teaching, my co-workers frequently referred to me as "The Energizer Bunny".


I taught a 0 Period class beginning before most of the staff had arrived, taught classes in addition to being the Activities Director (dances, assemblies, field trips, games, etc.) and coached volleyball after school.


I retired when I still had all that energy and for the first year of retirement, I tackled my days as if I was still on the job.


On my first day of retirement, I began a personal 30 Day Pinterest Challenge and spent that first month checking things off my list - Done and Dusted.


But, things change.


My body goes on strike after a day of gardening so gone are the lists.


Nowadays I slowly "row my boat" - crafts and sewing rarely occupy my time.


Playing house will always be a favorite diversion -


I always seem to be moving something around.


These days I get my kicks from long beach walks


and the thrill of finding pieces of sea glass in rare colors.


I take pleasure in simply looking at the sky


and enjoying the palm trees that abound in our neighborhood.


And then there is this one who is always getting in the way of my photos - I guess it's her way of saying, "put that camera down and take me to the beach!"


Lulu has always had her priorities right so I'll take her on a slow walk along the beach - I can't believe the color of the water on our beach today!


Slow, slow, slow your boat
Gently down the beach
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Paradise is within reach.

..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  .. ..  ..  ..  ..

Monday Social

39 comments:

  1. Funny how your priorities change for the better. Right?

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  2. Your priorities are perfect and in line for a wonderful retirement time. You are doing it right! Those walks on the beach alone ahhhhhhhh..... Happy New Week my friend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  3. I love your life and the way you live it!!! Bravo! BRAVO!!!

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  4. We can be overachievers and suddenly we realize we just don't want to go from dusk to dawn without exhaling. I love what you are doing...how you take life at a slower pace. I love the quote, "Don't just do something, sit there!".

    Jane x

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  5. Yes life is for savoring when we have that time we always looked forward to. Just breathe.

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  6. I love this.

    The "turn" of your poetic post is quite powerful, for it speaks to ALL of us. I too am an energizer bunny sort of teacher. I am often there before others, I walk down the corridors with my heels and people know I'm coming due to the cadence of my heels clicking and clacking; but there were many things I used to do as a busy teacher that I no longer do. And God-willing, if I live long enough, I know that I will slow down. Things change. But many times, for the good. To simply enjoy the surroundings around you, sky, sea, lakes in my case, or a neighbor's company, anything around you, it all brings you back to your humanity.

    Slowing down is actually running the wonderful race of life, stopping to enjoy the thrilling adventures that nature and the human experience has to offer.

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  7. I think you've found the perfect pace for now!

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  8. Yes, miss Lulu is right and playing house sounds perfect to me. :)

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  9. That is the best attitude ever! (from one energizer bunny to another)

    You are my inspiration!

    xo

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  10. As I've gotten older, I've learned that anywhere I can find peace is where I need to be. Miss Lulu seems to agree with me :)
    Mary

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  11. I remember your 30 day Pinterest challenge...

    Happy retirement!

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  12. Finding time to just enjoy where you are in life is a treasure! You live in Paradise I think! Hugs!

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  13. Your cottage and gardens are beautiful. Many people would love to have what you have. Going a little slower isn't such bad thing. Enjoy.

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  14. Carol, I know we have those everyday chores....but some times it is fun to just be slow and enjoy life. Lulu has the right idea...let's walk the beach. :) Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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  15. Love this post and I can relate to the "energizer bunny" as my hubby calls me.
    I do know that changes will most likely be on the horizon and I hope to welcome them for a new and improved slowing down. Your days are perfectly wonderful and your photos reflect you have arrived!!!!
    Have a slow day! xo

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  16. Hi Carol, Taking long beach walks sounds like something that should be a priority to anyone that lives as close as you do. I'm finding that I need to slow down more each year, too, but then winter does that to me. Hopefully Spring will bring us more energy :)
    Beautiful post!
    Connie :)

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  17. Great advise. I can't wait to talk walks with the dog and putter around the house. Thanks for sharing at Monday Social.

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  18. Love your lifestyle that includes walks along the beach with Lulu. I wonder how Callie the cat would like to walk along a beach? The color of the water was extraordinary.

    Juditj

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  19. Love the Slow your Boat idea which can apply to anyone at any age :) Slow down and appreciate the simple things...

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  20. Great post!
    As I turned 67 a few weeks ago...I understand completely!
    My body is my biggest enemy sometimes !
    Your gardens, and your home are lovely....enjoy!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  21. I'm sure it was hard to slow down after retirement, but it sounds as though you have figured it out. Teachers stay so busy all the time and outside of work trying to keep up with the rest of life keeps us running. I'm glad you are slowing down and enjoying the things you love. Have a lovely week.

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  22. There's something to be said for slowing down! Taking the time to notice the sky and walk the beach sounds positively dreamy.

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  23. Carol I believe the natural progression of slowing ones pace in our lifetime is a way of giving extra time to reflect and access all of life's blessings we have been graced with. Sounds your walks along a glorious beach is your form of meditation which is a true gift. I love the way you play house!
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  24. You've taken your time settling into retirement, Carol, but you seem to have found your happy place where you enjoy each moment as it comes. You've got paradise all around you and now you've got the time to truly appreciate it! And you've got the perfect walking companion in Lulu. Have a great day!

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  25. I think I have to start pacing myself...blogging has kind of taken a back seat (as in non-existent) and I'm trying to do too much. I need to find a new groove, like you have.

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  26. Congratulations on your retirement. When you live such an active life as you seemed to have slowing down sometimes becomes a process. But you eventually get there...to the place where you just say...aahhh. I'm sure you still find a lot to keep you busy but you know how to take a breath. When I retired from teaching I didn't know how to do that for a while so I supervised student teachers at the local college. After two years I knew that was enough. Now I spend my days exactly as I'd like.

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  27. Such an interesting post Carol. Your talents are in use in different ways now but they are still impressive ones! Your photos in this post are a delight. Have a great week.
    Helen xox

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  28. Such a cute post. And the color of the ocean is gorgeous!

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  29. Great to have a pet to get you out walking and seeing neighbors. xoxo Su

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  30. You have a lovely life! Some beautiful pictures again...colourful and sunny!
    Love from grey and cold Sweden and Titti

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  31. It sounds like a perfect life to me Carol. And similar to mine other than the beach walks and I was a stay-at-home mom. Life is good and we need to enjoy and appreciate every moment. Happy March to you.

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  32. You are aging with grace, as we all should. And retirement should, if possible, be what you want it to be. It sounds perfect to me, and it also sounds like me. Amazing how the energy isn't quite what it used to be -- well, maybe in the mornings but not much more. The color on your final photo is amazing. I could gaze at that all day.

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  33. Oh a thousand thanks for this post. I was beginning to wonder where all my get-up-and-go went. I even blamed it on my husband's retirement negatively impacting me. Now I won't worry so much.

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  34. Your rooms are all so pretty and fresh! Love your blog header too. You have the perfect retirement on the beach. Just like a commercial! Haha! (That is a compliment! A big one.)

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  35. Looks like Lulu has the right idea: lounging! Follow her lead, Carol, and bask in the sunshine of your cozy luxury!

    Poppy

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  36. Always follow the dog's advice seems like a good plan to me! My cats often stops me in whatever I'm doing just because they think it's purr-time... And I often find they were right and I needed a little break!

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  37. Your post is a day brightener. . .as always. Love your photos and your philosophy!

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  38. You've mastered the art of life, Carol. It is a beautiful thing to see.
    Amalia
    xo

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