Silver-Golden Beaches

My current daily exercise is (virtually) hiking along the east coast of Australia...

By virtually hiking, I mean that as I walk (here and there in Canada), my cell phone walking app counts my daily steps, calculates the distance of those steps and moves me that distance along the path I have chosen.

Much of my current trek has been through forest - though occasionally I head down towards the beach. 

The sand is a lovely silver-gold colour...

I am reminded that boat-loads of this sand was once transported from Australia to Hawaii - to cover the black volcanic sand that occurs naturally there.

When pineapples were shipped from Hawaii to Australia, sailors hunted for cargo to send back on the boats, to weigh the empty boats down. What better cargo than beautiful golden sand?!! 

This created an interesting connection between Australia and Hawaii: Many of the beaches in Hawaii are covered with golden Australian sand!

Critters!

Friendly looking little critters...

Babies almost ready to leave the nest?!

Cute - but not what I would want living in my garage roof!

October Drive - in Fall Colours

Terry and I recently drove down the back roads en route to Toronto.

The leaves were beautiful...

The day was sunny...

Sunlight gives fall leaves their translucent glow...

Like stained glass.

I find that going out for the express purpose of enjoying nature enhances my mood. 

As Terry once noted, we are happier when we are travelling! It's as though we're escaping our daily concerns. Even a day trip becomes a mini-vacation.

Balanced Life in Retirement

I recently came across this bit of wisdom about living a balanced and active life in retirement...

Whether we realize it or not, we do have structures to our day - regardless of how old we are or what stage of life we're in.

Mine begins at dawn - or even earlier now in our shorter daylight hours. I don't want to miss anything!

As I drink my first two glasses of water and then, the two cups of coffee that help me wake up, I read, reflect and pray - writing my prayers and gratitude in a journal notebook. I also note the weather for the day on my phenology calendar. 

At some point early in the day, as I think of it,  I write down what I'd like to accomplish that day. Terry and I, at some point early on, have a "meeting" - and talk about our personal goals for the day and make a meal plan.

Then we get up and start!

I should add that more often than not, I don't accomplish all I had hoped to do - but then, there's always tomorrow!

Craving Colour!

The past week has been rainy. So I pulled out a a few unfinished crochet projects and started working on them.

This multi-colour afghan pattern always cheers me up! I found two unfinished ones in my yarn stash - so here I go! (Ironically, the pattern is called "Apache Tears" - not "Apache Joy"!)

My mother, a high school home economics teacher, taught me this pattern in the 1960's. I love it! I have since made quite a few afghans - always with leftover yarn. The mix of colours adds an element of surprise.

 

After all these years, it's still my favourite crochet pattern - because of the many COLOURS! 

Still a Mystery...

I enjoy having houseplants, but even after dozens of years of indoor gardening, I feel that I really don't understand their needs. Of course, they all have different care requirements!

I bought a small Peace Lily quite a few years ago. It bloomed multiple times - but then stopped. 

I divided the plant into three - and added fresh soil. But only two have bloomed since then - and not very often. I know they need moisture and indirect sunlight...

But why does the one I keep under a small table have the glossiest leaves??! (Should I keep them all under tables?!)

I have absolutely no idea. I thought they needed - bright, indirect light! Maybe I'm wrong!

Seasonal Changes

Our front yard is covered in pine needles.

Our last summer flowers are nearing their end. Only two remain (above)!

A few weeks ago, there were dozens!

In our temperate climate, we learn flexibility. Nothing outdoors stays the same for long.

A tinge of sadness... Gardening season is over... Winter can be so long!

 

But for now, we do have fall colours to cheer us up!

And I have one indoor plant that is blooming!

I need to find new (colourful) things to do indoors ... to cheer me up over the next six months!