Sunday, September 29, 2013

I blame it on Mother Nature . . .

The first 2 months of retirement I was totally creative and productive - I set goals and accomplished all of them.

But, the only step I took toward my September goal to open an Etsy shop was to take photos for a logo.


Instead of creating, I was relaxed and lazy all because of days like this.


On our morning walk yesterday, we could sense before we were at the end of the lane that the beach would be beautiful


and that kayaking would be the main activity of the day.


The wheels allow us to walk to Little Beach for launching and with the wheels on the boats we can leave the water anywhere along our route.


This remodel has sprung up in the weeks since I have been on the water.


The house is located at an ideal spot where 3 channels converge


and the views abound which ever direction one looks.


We asked the father and son fishing if the pelican was their friend and they assured us that he was their competition.


On a typical summer day, Mothers' Beach is crowded from jetty to jetty, but due to soccer season, only a few were enjoying the safest beach in town.


Anacapa Island stood in the distance and the sound of the seals jockeying for a spot on the mile buoy came across loud and clear.


Boat owners were out enjoying a day on the water


as were stand up paddlers who had the kayakers beat at a ratio of 16:9.


 Santa Cruz Island is hidden by the breakwater.


A little boy out fishing with dad assured me that they would be catching fish for dinner.


As we entered the little bay at Marina Park, the seagulls crowded around the breakwater on the left


 and smaller birds stood their ground on the jetty to the right.


I love to look toward our beach from the bay.


Zooming in on my camera, I can see all the way to our lane and the small crowd gathered on our beach.


Two Tree Hill is a city icon (old timers tell of the days when there were 7 and then 5 trees) and it is beautiful even in fall when the hills are brown.


A family from church helped build this monument


and now, the mermaid at Soter Point is another Ventura icon.


During the summer, Marina Park is filled every weekend with people throwing birthday parties and family get togethers, but like Mothers' Beach, it was relatively empty yesterday.


On our way back to Little Beach, the couple in this boat passed us and yelled out, "It's a great day, we live in paradise!" and I definitely agree with them.


On our walk over to Little Beach, our friends who live in this house on the water called to us laughing that we were headed to their neighborhood for a paddle and they were headed to our lane to sit on the beach.


Paddling back in at Little Beach, we spotted our neighbor Lorna, who was headed out with her stand up paddle board- I told her she looks like a teenager.

Mother Nature and the fact that we had company 10 days in September kept me from being productive and I did not meet my September goal.

But, I have to say that September has definitely been the most relaxing month of retirement.


Back at home a neighbor asked how our paddle was and he said, "you and Steve definitely know how to enjoy life."


And so, that will be my October goal - Enjoy Life.

I would be headed to the beach to read right now if my team didn't have a volleyball tournament this afternoon.

Hmm, does the coach really needs to be there?

. . . . . . . . . 

I am sharing at 

The Tablescaper - Oh, The Places I've Been

Dear Little Red House - Mosaic Monday

57 comments:

  1. I don't blame you for not getting very far with an etsy shop.....look at the beauty around here and enjoy.There is plenty of time for a shop.Beautiful photos...enjoy your day :-)
    xx
    Anne

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  2. You do live in paradise. What I would give to have those views. Those photo ops. I would be in heaven on earth. You just retired, relax. You earned it.
    Brenda

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  3. Oh what a beautiful day - the beach's are breath taking. After all the years that you worked you should be enjoying some down time - you have to enjoy your golden years while you can. I think you get a lot accomplished - your beautiful items that you make, decorating your home and being a mommie to Little Lulu that a lot.
    Have a beautiful sunny week.
    Mary

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  4. Yes, I'd say you have some serious distraction! These are fun pictures, I'd love to try stand up paddling next summer. And yes, learn to enjoy life everyday, each day unfolding into the glorious next day. The shop will be patient.

    XO,
    Jane

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  5. What a blessing to live in such a beautiful place! I always enjoy your photos....the colors are stunning. I know you will craft some amazing things for a shop and I do look forward to your opening one, but I totally understand why you didn't. If I were you I would keep enjoying life and retirement and when you are ready, you'll open the shop. I do love the header you made...it is perfect! Enjoy your walks and kayaking adventures. Blessings my friend.....Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

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  6. I like all your photos. My favorite one is the sail boats with the misty mountains . So nice. That's the thing about retirement, we don't plan so much. Blessings , xoxo,Susie

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  7. So beautiful and I envy you living so close to the water.

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  8. You are doing the right thing in your retirement! Taking some time to relax. The list will always be there. I like your little wheeled kayaks. Beautiful photos --really give us a feel for your day!

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  9. Oh, I think that's the best goal ever! "Enjoy Life"-love that! You truly do live in paradise-sigh.
    Susan

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  10. You certainly do live in Paradise!!! The last thing you should ever say about yourself, Carol, is that you're not productive. You get more projects done in a day than anyone I know!
    Mary Alice

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  11. Carol - I cannot imagine living in a paradise like that! Just to be able to walk to the beach and have all of that beauty at your fingertips. Oh, my!! Enjoy.

    Judy

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  12. What a good goal 'to enjoy life'! And what a colourful world you live in....

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  13. You do live in Paradise! The other things will be there when you get to them....enjoy!!

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  14. I thi k that's a good idea an Etsy shop can wait.

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  15. Carol, I have been retired for almost 3 years now and I still make the lists each day and I actually start on them.... then, something draws me away - watching a bird, sitting in the sun, taking a walk. It doesn't matter what it is it's a wonderful distraction that we were not allowed before this. I so enjoy being able to be productive if I like or being lazy if I like.... Enjoy your time with the beautiful weather and that Etsy shop will always be waiting for you when you have the time.... Thank you for the beautiful pictures.... Cathy

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  16. Gorgeous photos! There is only so much time in the day for all we want to do and somethings are more of a priority than others and I'd say the weather and paddling would be one of them. Etsy will still be there on a rainy day, right?

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  17. Fall was always my favorite season on the coast ~ the touristes were gone, the summer fog retreated, the sunny skies really brought out the smell of the sage @ Montana de Oro, and we had the October Harbor Festival to look forward to ...
    Oh, how I miss that!!

    Back to my fall decorating!!

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  18. Looks like you had a wonderful summer! That's worth so much all in itself!

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  19. Retirement is great, isn't it! You have a gorgeous beach and enjoying life is what it's all about.

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  20. You really do live in Paradise, Carol.

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  21. One good thing about retirement is that we're not wedded to certain goals. There is something to be said for flexibilty and configuring a new timeline for the Etsy venture (assuming you're still headed in that direction).

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  22. It's so much better to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is nice. Ours has changed over night! We walked tonight and it was so nice and cool! Let's drink to 'retirement'! heehee! Sweet hugs!

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  23. Yes, you live in paradise and need to enjoy it. No hurry for all the other things, just enjoy. I think most of us are envious.

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  24. I think you've got the right idea, Carol! We spent the late afternoon on a river in our kayaks, too. Our vistas are quite different from yours, but the tranquility of being on the water is much the same I do believe. Gorgeous photos of your playground! If I were asked to choose between playing outside or working indoors, I'd make the same choice as you. :)

    Enjoy the sunshine and blue skies!

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  25. I had no idea you lived in such a beautiful area and had access to such wonderful water and views. You got it, sister, glad you are relaxing and enjoying life and living in the moment. All those little "goals" you have can wait- xo Diana

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  26. oh carol, what a sweet kayaking trip you took us all on. How amazing to live where you do. Isn't that ironic....you friends going to your area and you going to theirs looking for that special afternoon? Your pictures are always so wonderful. Here it went from 90 degrees on a friday to 56 on Sunday and has been that low with cold winds and rain for the entire week. We are predicted to see 38 midweek over night!!! We just want to have our pool finished......doesn't look very promising since Indian Summer seems to have been very short lived. Enjoy your day.

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  27. Enjoying life and taking it all in is just outstanding!!!! I am so glad that you both take the time to be together and do fun things.....ah and hello...how could you not be pulled down to that paradise!!! Your photos are gorgeous!!! Love that shot of the man and little boy with the pelican. Happy October Carol!!

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  28. What a beautiful day. I think that being outdoors enjoying it is way more important than any lists. Some day, when we retire, I hope we do the same. Love the kayaks!

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  29. Love your goal for October...and I think that I would love that to be my goal too. You live in a beautiful area!!
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  30. Carol
    Enjoy life on the beach. You worked hard to get to your retirement. When you are ready the shop will happen. In the meantime just enjoy paradise !
    Kris

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  31. Looks like you had a lovely day out on the water.

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  32. Oh Carol, who could blame you for doing nothing but this?! Thanks for sharing such a lovely day with us. Your October goal is perfect : )

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  33. Congrats on your retirement, it looks heavenly. Kayaking looks like fun, so many pretty sights to see. Lovely images! Enjoy your week ahead!

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  34. I am so late Carol, but my weekend was also as fabulous! I had guests over both days, enjoyed cozying-up my home, but as I see your photos, I am enjoying the fact that you have THE OCEAN as your playground! And my dear, congrats on your ETSY SHOP! I have to get mine filled up again; it has been sitting unattended for months.

    What a lovely paradise you live in, and you are living the good life. Much love to you and your beloved ones! Anita

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  35. It sounds to me like you are spending this first year of retirement in a most sensible way - a little dreaming, some planning and a lot of time taking advantage of the moment. I like your little kayaks. Did you say they have wheels? What make are they?

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  36. A wonderful post ! I felt as if I was there .....and it was fun! :)

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  37. After a lifetime of working and meeting goals and deadlines I know I will have a hard time breaking that habit when it's my turn but it sounds like you got your priorities absolutely right!!

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  38. Forget the projects and "goals" - enjoying your life and free time, especially being on the water or beach and just totally relaxing, sounds like much more fun! Carry on living that beautiful and fun life. :-)

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  39. Carol, although I don't live STEPS away from a beach, like lucky you, I can relate and I was shocked to see how similar your California coasts and mountains are to ours! Rugged, and dotted with white stucco, they look a lot alike.

    Re: your quota, I'd make just ONE more list, for October, that would read: NO MORE LISTS!

    Loved your pics, especially the one of the father and son and pelican and the funny remark!

    Poppy

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  40. Oh, Carol! Why would you ever do anything, but enjoy that water and the view?? Oh well, I guess "real life" does take over, after a while. Hope you team won!

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  41. I'm surprised you get anything done living in such a wonderful location. It was wonderful to see so much more of your surroundings it is spectacular and I can almost feel the warmth! It must be popular planting trees on the tops of hills we have a similar feature here too. I'm sure you will achieve your goal for October!
    Sarah x

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  42. That logo you made is absolutely wonderful. Your pictures are really of dream quality. I barely remember that I live near the beach lately because I have too much work... That new job is nice but a little time consuming.

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  43. Well, if you live in paradise, you should definitely take time out and enjoy it, you're retired after all !

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  44. You do live in a beautiful place!

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  45. The most wonderful post in the world. Thank you, thank you for sharing paradise. If only someday I could live in a place like this.

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  46. Who can blame you Carol? With such beautiful beaches and sites to take in who would want to work? You worked plenty already anyway, remember you're retired now :-) Enjoy my friend.

    ❤️Ana

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  47. Your Etsy shop goal can wait. It WILL happen, but you have more important things to do like soak up these beautiful fall days. Enjoy every moment.

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  48. Wow! Is all that for real? Do you ever have to pinch yourself to see if you actually are living there?

    It was a real treat to see it all.

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  49. carol,
    Oh, it does look like you and Steve know how to enjoy life. How could you not with all that beauty around you. You lucky, lucky lady you!! Beautiful photos as usual. ;)

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  50. Enjoying life is just what you needed. Love the pictures. What a beautiful place. Beautiful pictures.

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  51. ...and I enjoy reading how you and Steve enjoy life! Lovely photos. You're living right, I tell ya!

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  52. That's a great place to live! I love that area. Some years back we went camping on Santa Cruz.

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  53. Oh you slacker you! lol! You know I am just kidding. Who could work when beaches were calling their name. You accomplished so much in the previous months. I think it was time for a bit of R & R. I know you will get it done. I have been toying with the idea of opening an etsy also.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  54. I have an over the top excellent imagination - except for this - I can't imagine living like this - it's so overwhelmingly over the top gorgeous that my mind can't wrap itself around it.
    Good Grief - some people pray for a once in a life time vacation like this - and it's your LIFE !!!
    Just gorgeous Carol - absolutely gorgeous!!!
    Thanks for sharing ( I think LMHO )
    XOXO

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  55. Oh my gosh, you do live in Paradise! Thanks for sharing it. I would find it hard to do anything much indoors! We live in Florida in the Winter and were outdoors as much as possible.

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