DEVELOP YOUR PASSION

When You find something that Fascinates You

When You are Obsessed with something 

You become Passionate about it

You fall in Love with it

TONY

I met Tony at Flagler Beach, it’s a wonderful place. Tony told me about taking your time, being aware of your surroundings and taking advantage of fruit!

VACATION BREAKFAST

We only slept for about an hour and a half Friday night 
We only slept about an hour Friday night as we drove straight through to Florida. And I can say that that will be the last time I play that “I am still young and wild, drive all night” card! Yesterday I saw wonderful places and walked in the surf. Last night I slept for 9 hours! And this my friends is how I’m starting my day!

Good Morning!

TRENDING COWS

Driving Indiana to Florida… screaming “FAT HAPPY COWS” whenever I happen to see the benevolent bovines.

 Until we made it into Florida… where these cows are looking rather thin compared to their Midwest cousins. When I questioned this, I was told that “These Florida bovines are trendy. After all, have you ever seen a fat happy cow on a Florida beach?” 

A DAILY REMINDER

11 years ago a friend gave me a ring 

to remind me that 

LIFE IS A JOURNEY 

AND EACH DAY IS TO BE ENJOYED

Since I wear this token of

Life Serendipity each day

I make sure to update my ring every 

Now and then. 

This way a gift to myself. 

POSSIBILITY

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Very very sweet!

BREAKFAST

 Yesterday I had a seven a.m. appointment with my dentist. I was on my way to work before eight, so with a few extra minutes, I stopped to get a breakfast burrito at my favorite Mexican place. When I got to work and started the work day, I cut my steak, egg, cheese and potato burrito in half. It’s huge, so it can literally take me all day to finish it. It’s funny how smells, like voices carry in my place of work. There aren’t a lot of employees in my office, but as the morning when on, most of them had all come to inquire about the delicious aroma. I gave them all the link to view the menu. By the end of the work day I had cash and a list of names on my desk. On my way home, last night, I stopped at my favorite takeout spot and put in my advanced order for todays breakfast. (The place is newish, and I don’t think it’s location is that great for big business. So I have worried that they won’t last.) I placed my pre-order with the staff, who were tickled with the business, and we chatted for a few minutes. I told them how grateful I am that they are here and how I have tried so many Mexican establishments to find the eats I grew up with. No other place with in several hundreds of miles comes even a little bit close. But Alfonso’s Taco Shop is amazing good! I was thanked for my business and was told that the order would be ready at 8am. 

So I need to hurry and get ready for work now, since I have to go pick up breakfast for my office. Can’t wait for everyone to find out how amazing this breakfast is!

Yummmmmmm! 🌯

NESTING IN IVY

TIME LINE

George Washington 

died in 1799.

The first dinosaur fossil was discovered in 1824. 

George never knew dinosaurs existed.

Makes you wonder what you are missing out on.

HOPE

SILENT TRIVIA

MORE

Sometimes we do things, that were never on our bucket list, but that we need to do.. 

These events help us move forward and give us MORE confidence to keep the adventure ongoing. 

Be okay with pouring your whole self into life adventures, because when you do, you leave space within you to become MORE you.

I am a believer in all that God put out there is for me to discover and learn from. There is so much MORE to see and experience. 

I will spend the rest of my life enjoying all the things! And becoming a MORE awesome me! 

TREE TRIVIA

 

The Smoky Mountains are home to more native trees than all of Europe.

TRUTH

TO BECOME

 We are not always given a choice to what happens to us in our lives. It’s how we deal with what we are given that defines who we are and who we are to become. 

LAUGHTER

EVENING

Thanks M O

TRIVIA

Now you know!

WORTH THE DRIVE

If you find yourself in need of a good drive, this is a good spot to aim for. Truly a slice of Heaven!

35.205266,-83.829663

CANDY APPLE RED

This story isn’t mine, but I’m going to tell it like I heard it. I first heard it from an old man who drove a Ford. And I have a soft spot for old Ford men.

So there he is. The old man is driving. He sees a car on the side of the highway. A kid stands beside it. Hood open.

The man pulls over.

He’s America’s quintessential old man. He drives a half-ton Ford that he’s been babying since the seventies. He changes the oil regularly, waxes it on weekends. The candy-apple red paint still looks nice.

He looks under the kid’s hood. He can see the problem right away, (a) the transmission is shot, and (b) it’s not a Ford.

Fixing it would cost more than the vehicle.

The kid is in a hurry, and asks, “Can you give me a ride to work? I can’t afford to lose my job.”

So, the old man drives the kid across town. They do some talking. The man learns that the boy has four children, a young wife, and a disabled mother living with him. The boy works hard for a living. Bills keep piling up.

It rips the man's heart out.

They arrive at a construction site. There are commercial framers in tool belts, operating nail guns. The kid pumps the old man’s hand and thanks him for the ride.

“Take care of yourself,” the man tells the kid.

The kid takes his place among workmen, climbing on pine-framed walls, swinging a hammer.

The old man decides to help the kid. He doesn’t know how. Or why. But it’s a decision that seems to make itself.

That same day, he’s at a stop light. He sees something. An ugly truck, sitting in a supermarket parking lot. A Ford.

A for-sale sign in the window.

He inspects it. Single cab. Four-wheel drive. Low mileage. The paint is flaking. Rust on the doors. It’s a glorified hunk of metal, but they don’t make them like this anymore.

Out of impulse, the old man makes a deal. Old men who drive candy-apple Fords have been known to do that.

When the workday is over, the old man pulls into the kid’s jobsite again. The kid is loading work vehicles.

“What’re you doing here?” the kid asks.

“Came to give you a ride home.”

The kid hops in. They drive. They talk again. The sun is lowering. The kid smells like sweat and sawdust.

They arrive in a supermarket parking lot. The old man shuts the engine off.

“What’re we doing?” the kid says.

The old man points at an ugly truck with a for-sale sign. “What do you think of that truck?”

The kid’s face gets serious. His eyes become large.

“I asked you a question,” the old man says. “I know it don’t look pretty, but with a little work, it can be a dependable vehicle.”

The kid is unable to speak. He looks like he might even cry.

The old man doesn’t care much for tears—men from his generation don't. So, he tosses the kid a set of keys.

“She’s all yours,” the old man says.

“You gotta be kidding,” the boy answers. “You BOUGHT that truck for me? You don’t even know me.”

“No, son,” the man says. “I didn’t buy that truck for you. I bought it for ME. I’m gonna fix’er up, make her pretty again.”

The old man pats the steering wheel of Candy-Apple Red.

“THIS is the one I’m giving to you.”

Old men. May I live long enough to be one someday.

PIZZA

LEAVE MARKS

“As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life and travel leaves marks on you."

 Anthony Bourdain

OLD FRIEND

An old friend stopped by to see me today. We hadn’t seen each other in a very a very long time. We spent a bit catching up and share life happenings. It was so nice to reconnect. Such an unexpected and delightful surprise. Like it was just yesterday! 

WISH

The anatomy and perfection of a wish.

SO BEAUTIFUL

BREAKFAST WITH ‘BLUES CLUES’

I love my Mayberry!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

BABY AT THE BALLGAME

Super sweet little guy!

HAPPY EIGHTH

Happy 

8th Anniversary 

To the 

“SMITHS”

Eek 

♥️

 

ELEVEN YEARS AGO

Oh the things that have changed. 

THIS IS WHERE I WORK

IN THE LAST YEAR

Like a weed this child is growing! ♥️♥️♥️

WHAT I’M DOING

 I have slowly but surely been making some changes in my everyday routine. A few years ago I started using collagen and hyaluronic acid on my skin each day.I think it has really helped in my aging process. And very recently I started using organic olive oil soap. Not only does it feel lovely on my skin, but the silky feel of my skin lasts all day. My skin no longer feels dry, not even my elbows or feet. It is wonderful! I also take supplements every day, and have for years. They must be working, because I still only take supplements… no medications. My morning routine includes a multi vitamin, cinnamon, turmeric, Krill oil, garlic, biotin, B-complex and once a week I take vitamin D. This week I started taking a new supplement called Alpha Brain, it is said to help with memory and focus. We will see. I can say that I put in a challenging 10 hour work day yesterday and wasn’t frazzled afterward. Grumpy perhaps, but still wide awake and functional after my hour drive home. I have also started to add collagen to my morning smoothie. This may be the missing link… who knows. I think I will start taking apple cider vinegar again; I do believe it helps with my vertigo. I also am determined to take my aloe vera regularly again. Drinking enough water each day is a struggle, but I’m working on it. The hour of peddling each day is still in place and I strive for at least 10k steps each day too. As usual, I’m not a night owl, so 9:30 or 10pm still feels like I’m staying up late. All in all I think I’m doing okay. I want to change up some of my daily routine with more deep breathing and isolated muscle exercises, and I’m looking into tai chi. 

That’s where I’m at currently. Not too bad for today. And truly looking forward to lots of tomorrow’s!

WHAT WE WANT

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

HISTORY

IN THE WOODS

Sitting at the edge of the woods. The weather is perfectly cool. There are so many birds. They sound so beautiful. Such an amazing evening.

UNDERSTAND

If you fail

Never give up because F.A.I.L. means

First Attempt In Learning

End is not the end

In fact E.N.D. Means

Effort Never Dies

If you get No as an answer

Remember N.O. 

Next Opportunity

 

THIS YOUNG MAN

My heart was stolen by this young man three years ago. 

He turned 15 yesterday. He is AWESOME!

COOKIE WISDOM

SRV

SUPER COOL

DELIVERY

AWSOME ADDITION TO MY FLOWER GARDEN

DIABLO DEL SOL

Oh there is so very much that 

I would love to say about this! 

So so much! 

Viva la Diablo Del Sol 

BE THE REASON

CELEBRATE OTHERS

Sometimes we need to be the one that turns someone to the applause. Let’s remember to celebrate others, just in case they do not hear it for themselves. 

BATTER UP

Yesterday was a 10 hour work day, and it was an extraordinarily icky one at that. But I was grateful for a late baseball game being played by my favorite 10 year old. Great way to let the stress go and remember the important things are fun!

OUR PATH