Sweet Surrender

If you had to choose one song that best describes your true soul, what would it be?  Here's mine (especially the words I bolded):

Lost and alone on some forgotten highway
Travelled by many, remembered by few

Lookin for something that I can believe in

Lookin for something that I'd like to do with my life

There's nothin behind me and nothin that ties me

To somethin that might have been true yesterday

Tomorrow is open and right now it seems to be more

Than enough to just be there today

And I don't know what the future is holdin in store

I don't know where I'm goin, I'm not sure where I've been

There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me

My life is worth the livin, I don't need to see the end

Sweet, sweet surrender

Live, live without care

Like a fish in the water

Like a bird in the air

Burning the Midnight Oil

I love being retired.  I can do whatever I want whenever I want for as long as I want.  (Is that even gramatically correct?)  But I've kind of settled into a semi-schedule for waking and sleeping.  I'm usually asleep by 10 or 10:30PM and awake by 7 or 7:30AM. 

My favorite times of day/night are early, early morning (as long as the sun's up) when it's quiet and peaceful outside and late, late wee hours for the same reason.  But there's no way I can function if I were up both of those times.  So I choose early morning.

However, every odd once in a while, I find myself wide awake and still on the computer.  Tonight is one of those nights.  So I thought just for fun, I'd give you a visual of where I sit and compute while watching TV movies and the activity out my front window.  I can see people leave for work in the morning, go to their mailboxes, leave to walk their dogs, etc.  As long as I can at least see people activity, even if I'm not involved in it, I don't feel alone.  So my den is perfect for doing three things I love all at once.  (P.S.  That's Michael Keaton on the television screen in the older movie, The Paper.  If you haven't seen it, I think you'd like it.  And although that's me Skyping from FL last winter, it's typical of me sitting at home with the laptop...not proud of the look, but hey, it's one of the perks of retirement not to have to get dressed up every day.)

Florida or Bust

And let's hope I don't "bust", as I'm debating whether to get my almost-time-for-new-brakes done before I go or while I'm down there, as I surely will need to do it before I make the journey back.  Especially since I plan to drive six hours away to Atlanta to visit my son's family every month I'm there.  I hope I don't kill my car this winter.  She's lasted well, but has over 165,000 miles.

But the rental agreement is signed and I leave on Saturday.  My contract states that I can pay monthly and terminate anytime within the six months I'm originally signed up for.  (Six months was an awfully long period to commit to, so I feel better about it now.)

The past three winters I've spent in Florida have been in the Tampa/Clearwater/St. Pete area, which I really love.  This year I'm experimenting with the Panhandle.  I'm expecting to like the average low-60 degree weather, as long as there's sunshine and not too many days of rain.  One thing I'm eager to see is their "Emerald Coast."  It's known for powder white sand and emerald green waters.  I've seen some exquisite photos Googling "Destin" and "Florida Panhandle" and am hoping reality lives up to the hype!  (Get ready to be blown away when you click on the photo!)

Too Much of a Good Thing...

....never hurt a soul, right?  I swear this is not going to be a blog about nature.  Not that nature isn't a good thing.  I just want to assure you that the topic only happens to be nature lately, well, because it's fall ---and a particularly glorious one at that!

Today we had such warm sunshine and temps in the mid-60's (when they've been 20 degrees below normal for this time of year) that I had to be outside.  And I took my mom along with me this time.  Two hours at Chicago's Botanic Garden passed so quickly. 

Unfortunately, it was the most crowded I'd ever seen it, the mild weather, as well as a Halloween event for the tykes, bringing many people out this afternoon.  But the crowds couldn't detract from the peace we felt walking and sitting in the English Walled Garden, Rose Garden, and Waterfall Garden (the latter being my favorite).  Clicking these photos to enlarge is a must!

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

More exciting than the gray and drizzly day we are having.  If it's going to rain, I'd prefer a thunderstorm with lightning.  Then instead of feeling cooped up, you feel warm and cozy and safe inside.

This morning I vowed before leaving the house I would just take a quick peek at email and the temp so I'd know how to dress.  Uh huh.  That was at 8:45.  It is now 2:33.

Good thing I had already showered or I'd be a sad case sitting here.  Though it is one of those days best spent curled up in a blanket with a book (or laptop) and cup of coffee by the window.  And at least I have some pretty fall foliage out my bedroom window to gaze at.

And out the back window....

Nature Addiction Part Two

So upon returning to the Prairie State, I've searched out my own little nature walks.  You've already seen the Prairie Path (or at least parts of it from Crystal Lake to Algonquin) in a prior post;  here is Huntley Park.

The walking path encircles the park and weaves through a tiny bit of wooded area on one side.  It's gently hilled and there is a little pond in the center upon which float Canadian geese.

Again, for a much better view, click to enlarge:

I'm Becoming Addicted

to nature walks.  Well, as much nature as you can get in the suburbs. 

This addiction seems to have taken root since I retired and have been spending winters in Florida. The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area has many parks, each with distinct and varied features.  My favorite is Lake Seminole Park, with its treed entrance, many different shelters and pond/lake areas, and especially the walking/biking path.  For you nature lovers, click on the virtual tours of the parks at the link and then Philippe Park and Walsingham Park, two more I frequent in the winter.  (Click photos to enlarge...it's worth it!)

Driving in

Lake Seminole

One of the ponds

(Winter '08 under construction)

Another pond

Part of the walking path