Deleting ... Editing ... Adding

As I age and parts of me no longer cooperate with my plans, I have come to realize that I need to add new things to my life, delete others and edit many of the things I already do.

I love to doodle, but holding a pen is painful so that's a deletion

as is embroidery for now - I started this piece in December and I don't know if I'll ever finish it.

The most difficult deletion is tennis (a very, very old pic of me on the left) - it doesn't look like I will be gripping a tennis racket for quite awhile

and, I will never play competitive tennis again.

But, editing how I do things I have always done (like riding my bicycle) keeps me active.

Nowadays we ride farther, but I can't grip my handlebars well for hills so the flat trails along the beach are pretty much my territory.

A year ago we switched from paddle kayaks to pedal kayaks

and that "editing" has made all the difference in the world - like a quick pedal out to the mile marker.

Walking was always just a couple of miles in the morning,

 but now we take 5 to 6 mile walks, along a variety of beaches, several times a week.

So if I can no longer say I am a tennis player or a crafter or a doodler, what can I add to my list of pastimes?

These days I actually think of myself as a photographer and I have fun "staging" photos

and playing with my camera.

On our walks and bicycle rides, I am always looking for something to photograph like wildflowers in the state park and

it's always fun to stop and watch the herons.

I no longer spend my time doing fine motor skills crafts so

with spring in full bloom in my neck of the woods,

I am moving furniture around the "garden room",

 planting flowers

and taking photographs.

The bud finally opened and all of you who told me I had a poppy were right.

Just as I delete, add and edit my blog posts,

I have done the same with my life

and after a lot of tweaking,

I think I finally have it right.

In Search of the Sun

We awoke to fog today.

It is a rare Saturday morning that we have:

no volleyball tournament,

no appointments,

and

no company.

But, we also have no sun.

Gray skies

It's been a long week because every day I had a night time activity at school.

I was looking forward to working in the garden, but it was so gloomy.

So, we put our bikes in the car and headed for the hills.

We parked at the foot of the hills and pointed our bikes toward Ojai where the forecast was hot and sunny,

We regularly ride our bikes along the beach, but it is flat.

The ride to Ojai is a gradual uphill climb for 10 miles.

How can I be so out of shape?

I walk on the beach every morning.

I coach volleyball 3 times a week.

I run during the warm up with my players.

I garden, play tennis, cycle and kayak.

All of my activities use different muscles,  but obviously not uphill cycling muscles!

The only thing keeping me going was the thought of a relaxing lunch 

and 

a speedier downhill ride back.

I took my camera along and got a few pictures.  

 I like this cute little fella.

I had no idea there was an alpaca ranch in Oak View.

I love this wonderful stone wall.

There is a beautiful gate off to the left, but I couldn't get a good shot because there were 3 trash cans right next to it.

Flowers were blooming everywhere.

We would never have reached Ojai if I had taken photos of everything that caught my eye.

The bike trail runs behind the houses and there were some beautiful rose gardens that I would loved to have photographed, but I was holding Steve back already with my speed, or lack thereof.

We were surprised to come across this beautiful bridge -  a recent addition.

The trail used to run right through the stream.

We stopped for lunch at the Ojai Valley Inn and looked out at the Ojai Valley and lovely oak trees.

Riding home was a different story.

We sped down the hill that had nearly conquered me.

A 20 mile bike ride in the sun was just the ticket.

Driving home, about 1 mile from the ocean, we could see the marine layer hanging along the coast.

We found the sun and I earned the right to just sit and read tonight in front of the fire.

I hope there is sun in my garden tomorrow, but if not, I know where we can find it!