Retirement Musings and Everyday Delights
When I was in my teens, I read a book about a girl who had selective mutism and I've had a fascination with it ever since. It's why I wanted to become a teacher of special-needs kids (that didn't happen). Fifteen years into my career with the federal government, I contacted an expert on selective … Continue reading Are you shy, or just an introvert?
We hosted five Warm Showers guests this week, two couples around our age, and a university student. All five had set off from the west coast and are cycling to the east coast. When one of the couples arrived, I told them Ray was out sailing. They saw a bike hanging in the garage and … Continue reading How important are shared interests in a relationship?
Getting older kind of sneaks up on you. It repeatedly catches you off guard. One day you look down and your hands look just like your mom's and you think "When did that happen?". You look in the mirror and notice your eyebrows have started to disappear (check under your chin - you might find … Continue reading Embracing Aging: A Shift in Perspective
Nick has dropped by the past couple of weekends and this topic came up in conversation. Nick and Ray both feel conflicted at times between wanting to excel at something, but having multiple interests and limited time. Nick was recently invited to a Jiu Jitsu event by a friend. He gave up Jiu Jitsu after … Continue reading Jack of All Trades, Master of None
I've been thinking lately about the difference between hobbies and passions. I've started dragon boating again, which I enjoy, but I also know there are some people who really love it and can't wait to get back on the water again. Ray enjoyed curling a couple of times a week over the winter, but there … Continue reading Hobbies vs Passions
Our flight home from Montego Bay was delayed by 30 hours, about ten of which we spent in the airport. We got chatting to a few guys who were waiting for the same flight. They'd come to Jamaica to celebrate their 60th birthdays. We asked how far they had to drive from the airport, since … Continue reading High School Memories
After three missed family Christmases - two covid lockdowns and a winter storm - (anyone else read that to the tune of 12 days of Christmas?), we were finally able to gather for the holidays, but covid still made an appearance, both before and after. Ray's mom was on lockdown in her suite until two … Continue reading Planning for an ‘Adventurous’ 2024
Something I've become more aware of lately is the fine line between comfort and complacency. A major factor in unhappiness is the inability to be content with what you have, so finding joy in the everyday moments without always wanting or needing things to be different, is critical. The flip side, though, is that you … Continue reading Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Years ago, I read The Happiness Hypothesis, and one of the author's arguments was that there were three ways to raise your baseline happiness level: medication, meditation and cognitive behaviour therapy. Two out of three of those involve paying attention to your thoughts. Meditation is about mindfulness, becoming aware of the constant chatter in your … Continue reading Thinking About Thinking
I'm lying in bed mid-afternoon, fighting a cold, so thought I'd write a post. November is a good time for puzzling, so I've been in a Jigsaw puzzle phase. Every time I dump a new box of pieces on the table, Ray says, "Uh oh", because he knows I won't come up for air until … Continue reading Are you driven or lazy?
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