Deleting ... Editing ... Adding

As I age and parts of me no longer cooperate with my plans, I have come to realize that I need to add new things to my life, delete others and edit many of the things I already do.

I love to doodle, but holding a pen is painful so that's a deletion

as is embroidery for now - I started this piece in December and I don't know if I'll ever finish it.

The most difficult deletion is tennis (a very, very old pic of me on the left) - it doesn't look like I will be gripping a tennis racket for quite awhile

and, I will never play competitive tennis again.

But, editing how I do things I have always done (like riding my bicycle) keeps me active.

Nowadays we ride farther, but I can't grip my handlebars well for hills so the flat trails along the beach are pretty much my territory.

A year ago we switched from paddle kayaks to pedal kayaks

and that "editing" has made all the difference in the world - like a quick pedal out to the mile marker.

Walking was always just a couple of miles in the morning,

 but now we take 5 to 6 mile walks, along a variety of beaches, several times a week.

So if I can no longer say I am a tennis player or a crafter or a doodler, what can I add to my list of pastimes?

These days I actually think of myself as a photographer and I have fun "staging" photos

and playing with my camera.

On our walks and bicycle rides, I am always looking for something to photograph like wildflowers in the state park and

it's always fun to stop and watch the herons.

I no longer spend my time doing fine motor skills crafts so

with spring in full bloom in my neck of the woods,

I am moving furniture around the "garden room",

 planting flowers

and taking photographs.

The bud finally opened and all of you who told me I had a poppy were right.

Just as I delete, add and edit my blog posts,

I have done the same with my life

and after a lot of tweaking,

I think I finally have it right.

Work a Little ... Play a Little

Kathy of Kluless commented about my projects being done "with one hand tied behind my back".

I am using both hands, but I have figured out just how much I can do before my right hand starts to hurt so my pattern has become - work a little ... play a little ... work a little ...

Saturday morning I headed to the nursery for plants to add a little color to my winter garden.

I managed to put a bouquet of flowers in a basket

another on the dining room table

and put primrose in my grapevine basket before my hand said "no more".

Then, it was play time.

We headed out kayaking

which you can see doesn't involve hands because our kayaks have pedals.

Sunday involved more planting, LOTS of weeding and

a bit of moving the furniture around to get the best sun when I am reading on a chaise.

Sunday's play was to ride our bikes to Ojai and stop for lunch at the Ojai Valley Inn - to save my hand, we drove up the hill a bit before we started the uphill ride.

 This morning I finished planting the flowers,

but I only got one packet of seeds planted.

 This little metal tray of pots worked last year for growing seeds so I am optimistic that I will see some sprouts soon.

Today's play was a leisurely walk along the beach

and then relaxing in the garden.

This pic shows just how thick the weeds are in the garden, but I am trying to fill 3 tubs with weeds each day (left handed).

If I keep up this work a little ... play a little ...  routine, my garden just might look good by the time spring rolls around.

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Join me at Talk of the Town hosted by Betsy of My Salvaged Treasures.

simple & slow

I have not written for 9 days - I have had nothing to say and little to show.

It has been 10 days since Joshua's wedding and the frenzy leading up to the big day.

I have accomplished little in my effort to recharge my batteries.

Life has been simple & slow -

 walking along the coast,

dipping my toes in the warm water,

puttering in the garden, 

kayaking out to the ocean on steamy days to escape the heat,

relaxing on the beach listening to the birds and watching the waves . . .

Today my sister called to say she is coming for a visit

and I need to start making a To Do list.

Fortunately, my batteries are recharged and I am ready!