Keys to a Happy Retirement

I recently read a British newspaper article on how to live happily in retirement.

(I was intrigued by the term "new retirement" used in the article. It made me wonder what "old retirement" was like!)

The  article posed some interesting questions for those planning to retire:

1. What do you want out of life?
2. What do you enjoy doing?
3. How will you fill the social gap retirement from work brings? 

The article suggested that four things are necessary to be happy in retirement.

1. Having a social network
2. Having a purpose that challenges one's mind (Work to do)
3. Learning new things (Ongoing personal development)
4. Having fun.

When I mentioned these points to a fellow potter, also a retired teacher, while we doing our pottery in the studio, she quickly commented: Like coming here to do pottery. There is a community, we learn from each other, we are challenged by the work - and we are having fun!

I have a quilting friend who would no doubt say the same about her community of quilters - which is probably why having a hobby to pursue in retirement is so important. 

Roof-Top Snow Drifts

Just when we were hoping that spring was almost here, we had a major snow storm last week.

Our backyard hedge was again covered with a thick "frosting" of snow.

There must have been a lot of wind swirling the snow around.

After the storm, snow drifts were hanging over the edges of the highest roof tops.

Even our roof had an interesting mix of bare spots and overhanging snow. I wonder how that happened...

And once temperatures got a bit warmer and the snow started to melt, those "snow sculptures" hanging off roofs didn't simply crumble. Icicles formed on them as they melted and water dripped down...

That snow overhang formed by swirling wind in a blizzard must be really strong!

If I were interested in going back to university and studying again - which I'm not! - snow would be a fascinating subject to study!

What Does That Mean in French?!

Is the sign on that truck ahead of us a joke? I asked Terry, as I pulled out my camera.

To me it says, this vehicle drives on maple syrup...

Is that what it means? Literally (as a joke): This vehicle rolls on maple syrup... 

Or am I way off?!!

Winter Skies

In winter, when the world outside is white, I particularly appreciate clear skies on cold days.

They add a touch of color to the otherwise bleak world!

(Of course, when I was in Hawaii - for a week - a few years ago in March. the skies there were lovely, too.

In this picture, the sun is starting to go down.

I particularly enjoyed sitting on the balcony of the hotel at sunrise, when the normally busy streets below were quiet. 

I'd watch the lights of cars moving on the dark hillside before the sun came up. Then, half an hour later, there would be a spectacular sunrise.

More Snow!

After a few weeks of warmer weather - that saw our massive snow piles shrink and grass appear in a few places in our yard, we have had another massive snow storm.

We were informed that the northern edge of a blizzard that stopped Boston in its tracks would touch us.

I was hoping for just a little snow - but we got a lot! (I wonder how much Boston got!)

Fortunately next week we are expecting warmer temperatures again.

In the meantime, I've been looking back at snow pictures I've published on Instagram to compare.

Our first snow this winter arrived on October 28. So we've had winter for five months so far. No wonder I'm getting a little tired of it!

Last spring, we still had snow on April 11!

This is what our front yard looked like on March 30, 2014 - three years ago!

Not much has changed - except that Terry has a different winter jacket.

Encountering St. Patrick's Day... Wherever!

I have a lot of respect for St. Patrick. I first read about his life in the book, How the Irish Saved Civilization... A true saint! He definitely changed Ireland.

I happened to be in Toronto, last year, for the Sunday parade celebrating his birth. Everyone was bundled up. The weather was still cold.

Then, a few days later on March 17, in balmy Palm Springs, I encountered these revelers in T-shirts riding a "social cycle" - a bike that holds 16 people. It looked like fun!

Once, in Hawaii, I happened upon the St. Patrick's Day parade in Honolulu. The day was so hot, most spectators were sitting wherever they could find shade.

But they were wearing green - and having fun.

Whatever the weather, everyone loves a party!

New Knitting Project

This winter I've done a lot of knitting...

No sooner had I finished the multi-colored wrap, I turned to a sweater kit I had purchased from Mary Maxim's online store.

I knit a small square to check my tension, to make sure that the finished sweater will be the right size.

I'm glad I did... My knitting is so loose that to make a size large sweater, I need to follow the instructions for a size small...!

Now, I know I'm a loose knitter, but I didn't know my knitting was that loose!

Hopefully my calculations weren't off - and the sweater will fit when it's done!