FOCUS ON THIS… WEEK #24 ~ COFFEE

 

One of the very best things about retirement is mornings.  I love my mornings.  When I worked, it was rush to get ready for work, then rush to get to work on time.  I dreamed about lingering over my coffee – other than only on the weekends.

Being retired feels like the best part of my life!  I have never felt so free.  I love my retirement mug!  It makes me happy! 

Recently, my sister and I took a trip home.  I couldn’t help but think about how trips were so rushed when I had a job to return to.  Back in those days, when I drove to NY, it was often straight through.  And I needed lots of coffee to keep me awake. 

I saw a truck on my trip that tickled my fancy.  My sister said that there needs to be a law just for me and that law would be to prohibit taking photos while driving.  And yet, I sneaked in this one last week…

How could I resist?

Week #23 ~ AUTUMN IN NEW YORK

 

My parents moved to Florida when I was 10 years old.  I didn’t want to move to Florida, but my parents refused to leave me here in NY alone…LOL…  This week, I am in NY and enjoying the beauty of autumn. 

If you are familiar with Florida climate, you are aware that we have a barely perceptible change in seasons.  We often joke that our winters are maybe 5 days long and summer seems to last forever.  There is a subtle difference between spring and fall, but don’t blink or you may miss both seasons.  Well… I have exaggerated a bit, but not by much. 

Where I live, the leaves on the trees do not change with the season.  The leaves on our trees in Florida change  from green to brown with no beauty in between.  Therefore, do I need to tell you just how much I am enjoying my little time in NY at this time of year? 

Of course, I am snapping pics here and there.  I’ll just share a few with you. 

 

This year is what my Mom called an Indian Summer.  The temperatures have been mild and the weather nice.  Just the kind of days to make one glad to be alive.  I was both surprised and delighted to see the flowers.

 

In addition to the colors, I am enjoying the rustic sights.

Yes…  That is our outhouse and it is still in use.  If you have never used an outhouse, let me tell you that there is a feeling of freedom to be able to sit and ponder the country scenery while taking care of business.  Oops…Did I just put that on the internet???  LOL

Of course, we visited our Mother’s grave.  I think it must be lovelier in the Autumn than it would be in Spring.

The leaves on her grave were especially lovely.  She would be pleased with the colors.

Tomorrow, I will leave New York for probably the last time in my life.  All I can take away with me are a few photos and my memories.  I will miss all this beauty once again and once and for all…

WEEK #22 ~ THIS OLD HOUSE

So, I was driving down the highway today when I spotted a great old stone house....

Sorry the photo is crooked.  Like I said, I was driving...hee hee

BTW...  The property is For Sale...

FOCUS ON THIS ~ WEEK #15 ~ TREES

 

I first read this poem in high school and it has been with me, in my mind and heart, for about 50 years. I love the poem and so have used it for inspiration in this blog...

 

TREES

 

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

 

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;

 

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

 

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

 

Upon whose bosom snow has lain’

Who intimately lives with rain.

 

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree…

 

By Joyce Kilmer ~ 1886-1918

 

I think that I shall never see

A poem as lovely as a tree.

Truly…

FOCUS ON THIS… WEEK #13 ~ HOT

 

With the temperature hovering in the mid-90’s day after hotter-than-hell day here in Florida, I am practicing tried and true ways to keep cool and to stay hydrated.  So, while I sit in front of the air conditioner, I am consuming mass quantities of one or more of my following refreshment solutions….

This is nothing more than lemon, lime and filtered water.  Be sure to wash your fruit well!  It is a cool drink that is guaranteed to be refreshing.  Of course, you can add sugar and call it lemonade/limeade.  I just prefer without sugar.

Up there among my favorites is tonic water with raspberries and a sprig of mint.  In this one, I have used spearmint – fresh from my little container garden!

Filtered water with any kind of fruit is just great.  This one is simply filtered water, a sliced strawberry and a sprig of regular mint – also from my container garden…

I get creative with salads.  A pasta salad is a great meal all by itself!  Other favorites in this house include a garden salad topped with grilled chicken.  The chicken is grilled in the George Forman grill in 6-8 minutes and add practically no heat to the kitchen.  I encourage you to explore salads as an option for meals.

And for dessert?  Why add heat to your house with the oven or even the stove top?  I keep tubs of diet gelatin in the fridge.  I boil the water in a glass measuring cup in the microwave and make several flavors at one time.  When someone wants a dessert, just dish up the gelatin and add a squirt of whipped cream or a dollop of Cool Whip.  Or…if you are avoiding sugar like I do, just top with a little half & half.

 

That’s how we do it in the South.  Ya’ll stay cool now ~ ya hear?