UNOFFICIALLY RETIRED

I have declared myself unofficially retired. I am no longer raising children, I no longer have my dog business, in fact I no longer have any dogs of my own or any plans to acquire any (sigh). Actually no pets of any kind, no dogs, no cats, no rabbits, no guinea pigs, nothing , nada, nil, zilch.

I still have long term hopes for my garden art, however it is a very seasonal endeavor, and I haven't quite found the right market for it.  Friends that see my art seem to really like it, and it sells very well at my garage sales. But, as yet, I don't know the most efficient way to reach the RIGHT customers.

 

It is such a great creative outlet for me and so fun to do.  I would probably continue to do it just for my own garden. I love each aspect of the project, from combing the aisles of local thrift stores to search for interesting pieces not really knowing beforehand how they will be used, to lining up all my supplies and figuring which pieces look good together and in what order to assemble them.

I would love to find an endeavor to keep me occupied, but getting an actual job is problematic. At this stage in my life I want to travel a lot, and I have opportunities to do so. So every couple of months it seems I am leaving for a few days to a week to travel to Idaho to visit grandbabies, to Utah to visit Dick and June, to Hawaii, Mexico, etc.  An employer isn't going to put up with that, even with a part-time employee, and I am not willing to give up the chance to go. Even most volunteer opportunities want at least a 6 month commitment.

So it is time once again to reinvent myself.  To find a way to create, learn, serve and be useful while still allowing the freedom to travel.



  

SO LONG, FAREWELL, ITS TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

The end of summer is always a bittersweet time for me.  I love the warm weather and spending so much time outside.  In fact when the sun is out, I can not stand to be inside the house, I just HAVE to get outside. Which is part of the reason my garden is so important to me. It gives me a legitimate reason to go outside and be productive.

But I love my garden for other reasons. It allows me to nurture which is a basic requirement of my personality.  Without kids or pets around, it is one of the few ways I can satisfy that need.  Even my bird feeders play a role in my need to nurture.

 

However, I also love autumn weather and the fall colors.  I love wearing sweaters and snuggly clothes. It is a thrill to have the first fire in the hearth for the season and make the first pot of soup.

 

 

It is time to say goodbye to the lake and paddle boarding

 

 

And time to say hello to fall color

 

and hot chocolate (not that I don't drink that year around- but it just seems so much yummier this time of year)