Book Club – Reading Between the Wines

Posted on September 9, 2018 by

Having the time to read for pleasure is just one of the many benefits of being retired. Being a part of a book club makes that past-time even more enjoyable.

The book club in my community has been meeting monthly for over ten years. I have attended most of the meetings, but I do not always read the book. Yes, I am one of those, “I’m here for the wine,” book club members. I love to read, but I have difficulty making it a priority, (much like the gym), unless the selected book falls into one of my two favorite genres – historical fiction or physiological thriller. Continue reading →

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Some Things Really Are Black & White

Posted on August 22, 2018 by

Today I am answering the call of Ingrid over at Live Laugh RV who has issued a black and white photo challenge to her readers. I am a fan of Black and White and have devoted the walls of an entire bathroom to serving as a gallery for some of my favorites.

bird edit

Pelican sightings are a common occurrence where I live, and are fun to watch, especially through a 300mm lens. I like how the wet feathers and water splash are accentuated in this photograph. The color version is not as dramatic.

P1490067 (4)

I edited this guy with a “slate” filter, which is just a lighter toned B/W, but I like the results. He will be added to the bathroom “collection” very soon. Fun Fact: origins of the Pelican have been traced back 30 Million years through fossil remains. They can also hold up to 3 gallons of water in their sack, which serves like a fisherman’s net when feeding.

birdOops, not a Pelican, oh well.  I just wanted to throw him in to show when NOT to convert to Black and White. While there is a lot of detail in the feathers, this shot is all about the eye, which totally gets lost in this version. This guy is actually an Osprey, and like the Pelican, he is a fish eater, but that is about where the similarity ends. He is classified as a bird of prey, and looks every bit the part, doesn’t he?P1510158 (2) Now that’s much better.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 23 Comments

Island Hopping on the Sun Coast

Posted on August 19, 2018 by

With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, the landscape of Florida is diverse, and beautiful. Taking road trips throughout our state is a regular occurrence for us and we are especially partial to visiting the coastal areas.  The Sun Coast was the focus of our attention during this three-day trip. On average there are 251 days of sunshine on this coast. There are also twenty barrier islands and miles and miles of sugar white sand beaches to discover. We have been impressed by many things during our quest to visit all of Florida’s Ten Coasts, but most notably, our State Parks. On a recent trip to Tamps and St. Petersburg, we found two outstanding parks among those unique barrier islands, that we want to share with you. Continue reading →

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Social Saturday at Cresting the Hill

Posted on August 10, 2018 by

Leanne LeCras at Cresting the Hill  has a very thoughtful blog that connects and encourages women who are experiencing mid-life and all its challenges. One of my favorite features there is Social Saturday, which is written entirely by guest writers.

                                      Today, I feel fortunate to be her guest writer. 

The piece I wrote is a total departure from the typical travel guide/photo journal posts that you will find here on my blog. This post shares my thoughts regarding  life and contentment. I know the struggle is real for many women, as it used to be for me. It takes reflective time and an honest evaluation of ones self to possess the knowledge and willingness to define our own rules for happiness. I firmly believe that it is within us all to do so. I also believe that having a philosophy, or beliefs or a definition of what is good for you is not enough. You must make choices that are consistent with your beliefs and put your words into action, every single day. Only then, will you cease to feel like a stranger in your own skin and achieve true contentment.

For me, contentment means accepting the past, being true to myself by creating balance in my everyday life and looking forward to the future with a positive and grateful attitude.

I hope you will take a moment to visit Cresting the Hill and read my humble thoughts today. Leanne and I are happy to respond to your comments.

 

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Finding Your Passion

Posted on August 9, 2018 by

A few weeks ago I was asked by Sue Loncaric at Sizzlin’ Towards 60 and Beyond to write a guest post for her amazing Blog. She has a weekly “Over 50 and Thriving Series” where she regularly includes guest writers.  I am thrilled to be among these interesting women.

When I considered what to write, I looked no further than Sue’s comment on a recent post about our travels to Europe. She said that the photographs in that piece made her feel as if she were there. That, is the ultimate compliment to a photographer – that it made you feel…..

I hope you will zip over to her space in the universe today and read what I wrote about finding your passion, at any age. Linger awhile , she is someone you will want to get to know.me edit2

May light and love surround you!

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