I know I don’t usually post a quote on a Sunday, but I’ve had so many comments lately about how much I’m reading that I couldn’t resist! I’m that kind of girl who says, “Just one more page.” Then 10 minutes later says, “Just one more chapter!”
My wish for all of you today as that you find some time to cuddle up with a great, juicy book that just grabs you and doesn’t let go! Happy Sunday!
Hey there voyagers! I’ve spent a great deal of time this week thinking about books and reading. For myself, I’ve been staying up waaaaay too late reading, and I’ve just finished my 6th book of the new year.
I also spent time talking with a young friend whose 4th grade son does not like to read. I put together a grade level appropriate list of some of the best children’s books I could think of. A child who is not motivated to read is either struggling, or has not experienced the right book! What fourth grade boy would not be enthralled by the idea of owning a pet Grizzly bear (Gentle Ben by Walt Morey), or by the thought of living alone in a hollowed out tree and training a falcon! (My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George)
The best advice I could give her for developing a young reader is to read TO him! Aloud, and snuggled up in the most comfortable place she could find! I always told the parents of my students that their job was to keep the love of the book alive! Reading aloud to children helps them develop the imagination necessary for independent comprehension. And the right books will get them hooked!
And then I got to thinking about my fellow retirees. Are there any young people in your lives to whom you could read aloud? To whom you could give the very special gift of your time and reading expertise? Is there someone for whom you could light the reading fire?
Have a great weekend, and enjoy reading a wonderful book! I know I will!
By the way, can find me on Goodreads here.
I’ve spent the last several days reading back blog posts in a reader list that I have lovingly titled “My blogging buds.” There are lots of you that I have followed since I started this little endeavor, and as I said last week, blogging relationships are very real. And just like when you haven’t spoken with someone in a while, I’ve learned that there have been some changes in the lives of my blogosphere friends – some good, some heartbreaking. So I thought I’d take a minute to bring you up to speed on what’s been going on with us in the year I’ve been away from my blog.
We’ve created quite a little encore business. Hubs travels out-of-town for two short trips a month and returns to write related reports. He’s only away from home for one night in all this. The beauty of the gig is two-fold: He earns airline points like a crazy man, and those projects allow us to take on smaller, more rewarding architectural contracts – the kind that make his heart sing. I’m the administrative support of the operation, and have cultivated some administrative side hustles on my own.
Now we are learning to balance just the right amount of projects to keep our minds active and engaged, while maintaining the spirit of retirement. It almost got away from us. But we’re figuring it out.
In the last year, we’ve been fortunate to take some very cool trips, from St. Louis to Seattle to Hawaii. We’ve also discovered that we love packing a picnic lunch, getting the dog in the back seat of the truck, and taking off to explore the beauty of Idaho. Hubs loves to wander US Forest Service roads, and our new motto is, “I wonder where that goes!” I’ll share the voyages in more detail in upcoming posts. And you know those, “How Many States Have You Visited?” maps that show up on Facebook? Well, we’ve decided to start over, only counting those states we’ve visited together! We’ve only been to 16 together ~ we’ve got lots more to experience!
Remember when we decided to sell our property, and instead we completed the Retirement Remodel, making our current home function the way we love? Well, we’re preparing to embark on “Phase 2,” during which we will add an art studio and shop for hubs. It’s funny, because this morning, as I was reading Pat’s post over at Retirement Transitions, she pointed out that her idea of de-cluttering was quite different from her husband’s. And while I realize that a shop will only encourage MY hubs to acquire even more “tools,” it is his love of classic cars that wins out. We’re all about designing a place for him to pursue his passions (both art and cars) from this place where we will spend our retirement years.
Our wanderlust continues to be strong. I’m always planning one or two trips in the future. Remember those mileage points? Now I’m trying to figure out where we would like to escape, should “Snowmageddon” hit our city again this year as it did last year. Don’t want to go anywhere too “floody, earthquakey, firey, or hurricaney!” I’m open to suggestions!
We are both pretty voracious readers, and I have nearly completed my Good Reads Challenge of 40 books this year. I particularly enjoyed:
Hey, I’ve got a good idea – why don’t you find me over on Good Reads (Lynn Jeffers) and then I can see what you’re reading! (Don’t be alarmed by the shorter, straightened hair…it was a moment!)
I have undertaken a rather huge quilting project. A teacher friend had the parts and pieces of a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt, which had been started by her grandmother as a wedding gift. Unfortunately, her grandmother passed away before it was completed. My friend asked for my help. So I am currently hand piecing and hand quilting fabrics from this 1930’s quilt. Her grandma pieced and quilted everything by hand. To do less would fail to honor the quilt…
As fall is upon us, I find that I’m in a bit of a “cocooning” spirit. I’ve been canning peaches and pears, and will work on applesauce over the weekend – I love the smell of cinnamon and cloves in the house. The Roxy girl continues to delight us, even if she is occasionally naughty.
We are thankful everyday that we have the opportunity to share this voyage. So that’s about it…we’re sort of caught up. And now my mind is reeling with future posts and additional goodies to share. Stay tuned!
One of my favorite things about retirement and this Encore Voyage…Here’s a Hint:
It’s the BEST!!! To finally have the time to read, read, read, read and then read some more – well, just heavenly. And to not pay the penalty. Here’s how it goes when I read in bed. I tell myself, “Just one more chapter.” – Then look and I’ve gone the next 100 pages, OR I tell myself, “Just 15 more minutes.” – and look to find yet another hour has passed. The Encore Voyage allows for such nonsense without having to explain my glazed eyes to my boss in the morning. We love to go on Barnes & Noble dates and pet and smell and touch and generally support brick and mortar booksellers. I also have a confession to make. I’ve had my Nook for several years, and I love it, too. I love being able to have lots of books with me when traveling, and I love being able to adjust the light (particularly helpful for past my bedtime reading!). So I guess you can say I’m bi-literary: I swing both ways.
But in my subtle move toward minimalism, I’ve also been reducing the number of actual books I have around the house. It’s a little bit like giving away a child, I know, but it can be done, at least in part. It’s easier knowing that I can still access those wonderful works with a tap of the screen…
And my latest rediscovery on the Encore Voyage? The Public Library! Come on, face it you boomers and retirees…when was the last time you roamed around your public library? Here’s a news flash: You should go! No seriously, get your rear down to your local library and take your electronic reader with you, because here’s what I’ve learned: There’s a high probability that your library will have a talented young techie person who will get you hooked up with downloading from the library’s e-collection. It’s easy peasy…They will help you download and start an account for OverDrive Media Console. It’s quite simple. You will need an Adobe account (easy to set up the first time – just an email and a password), and it’s all free. Then wham, bam, thank you library – You are in business. You select your local library and are directed to it’s e-collection right on your e-reader. Coolest thing ever? You can check out and download books from wherever you happen to have a wi-fi connection! Generally, you can check them out for 14 days or so, and then they are just deleted. Right??? No books to return, no worrying about overdue books. And the hours and hours of browsing potential, without anyone thinking you are some weirdo! If a book isn’t available right now, you can place a hold on it and the library will notify you by e-mail when it’s available for download. Once you have the account, you can even put Overdrive on your smart phone, for those moments when you are bored at the DMV! Just thinking about it makes my eyes glaze over with reader bliss…
So carpe librum and hurry over to your local library! Then let me know how it all works out for you!
An Encore Voyage 