Fall

Fall Table

Window Feeder

Birds moving

This week there is a lot of bird activity not only up in the woods but at home as well.  Yesterday brought some house finches to my feeders and today there has been Cedar Waxwings on the crabapple, and Red Breasted Nuthatch on the window feeder, what a treat. Up in the park I've seen several species of vireo, Magnolia, Black & White, Black Pole, and Yellow rumpted Warblers.  A flock of Canada Geese just flew over.  Blue Jays have been migrating over the last week. Broadwings passed through, last push seemed to be Sunday the 23rd.  Love Fall!! 

Now....if only I could figure out what I want to do for work for the next few years.  I need to earn some income to help out at home until we get all the kids out of college.  I am so hopping to do something that I actually like...is that possible? One option might be Veterinarian Receptionist.  But hubby is still working for himself so he is able to take off when he wants, and I would lose that luxury. Not sure we want to go that route at this point in our lives.  I may walk dogs and doggie sit for them while their owners are on vacation. I have a bit of time before I have to get working and plan on using it to get my health and fitness squared away, and the HUGE task of Simplifying my life, aka....cleaning out all the junk I've hoarded for the last 52 years, I'm so ready to purge it all.  Once I feel better physically and lighter mentally, I will be ready to embark on my next chapter of life, leaving total mothering behind for more self fulfillment.  So task (1)  Start eating right and exercising.  My Diet: Meat, Fish, Eggs, Tons of Raw Vegetables, cooked vegetables, small amounts of fruit, nuts and seeds....simple! Now why can't I stick to it?  Once we are on our path to our new life I think my stress levels will go down and I should be able to get back on track.  As for exercise continue to hike, and add some full body exercises.  (2) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and GET RID of anything that doesn't make my heart sing or that I haven't touched in years.  Books, CDs, Clothing, Kitchen Items, etc etc etc.  JUST DO IT!  A little each day and it will get done.

a simple day

Migrating Monarch

We are going FREE!

I'm next!

Tiny Mushrooms

Colors are starting

Astors

It's going to be a gorgeous Fall

Fall Equinox

Fall is once again upon us.  I have been spending a lot of time up at the Hawk Watch enjoying each and every moment.  The sight of a migrating raptor still thrills me, just as it did 20 something years ago when I first set foot up on the mt and witnessed my first Broadwing flight.  The trees are beginning to turn, and I think it's going to end up a stellar leaf season.  We weren't able to celebrate the Equinox the way I wanted to. due to other obligations, but I did mark it and I'm hopeful we can do a Bon-Fire at the Tipi next weekend.  With Fall we turn inwards and it's coming just as we finish closing the business and start our new lives.  My goal over the next couple of months is to truly *Simplify* my life.  I want to down size my possessions and take good care of what I choose to keep so they last a good long time.  My plans also include a huge clean out off all the junk we have collected over 23 years of living in our home.  I'm looking forward to the feeling of freedom that I know will come after cleaning out my life.  If I could encourage anything in my kids it would be to keep your lives simple, do the things you love and get rid of the rest.  Don't spend money you don't have, and learn the difference between wants and needs. True freedom is available to us all if we listen to our hearts and fill our lives with what is important to each of us, instead of looking at what everyone else is doing.  We are unique and should celebrate ourselves. 

 "Go with the flow in Nature and find your path to success and happiness now."

Not to be taken lightly

A casual friend that I spend time with up at the hawk watch,  retired 4 years ago at the age of 51. He made a remark that really made me think.  He said that when it came time to make his decision as when to retire he asked himself if he would enjoy the ages of 50-60 more then 60-70.  He decided that he loved hiking and doing outdoor sports  far more then having more money and the chance that at 60 he will no longer be able to get out there like he does now.  WOW double WOW!  How very true is this? 

Late Summer

Well I pretty much missed spring and summer birding, so I've been making up for lost time up at the Hawk Watch.  It's our 55th year and I never tire of going up there and looking at raptors.  Today I also got out and took some pictures and saw a few warblers. 

Just be

Today while out on my morning hike with Monty I came to the realization that most of the time I have way tooooo much going on in my head. I'm constantly inundated with thoughts and constant planing.  I need to somehow get to the point of my life where I just start living each day and enjoying where I am at that moment, no matter where or what I'm doing.  I've looked at so many parts of my life as chores...how dumb is it to look at food shopping as a pita? I guess because I have so many limits as to what I can or will allow myself to eat, it has taken all the joy out of food for me..  I wonder how it would feel to go to the store and really think about what I want to eat? I'm heading out shopping today and plan on doing just that.  I'm going to carefully pick each item and enjoy the fact that I am so privileged that I get to eat 3 meals a day.  How many people on this earth have that luxury?   I am truly deeply blessed.  

As for everything else....no more bucket list.  I'm going to spend the next few months just living for today, as if it is my last day here on earth.  I will do what I can with each day and not beat myself up for what I don't do or get done.  This is my life and I'm letting it get away from me. 

My childhood friend has cancer.  I have not seen her in a very long time.  A few years ago we reconnected on FB. Today she posted a picture of herself with no hair.   She has a huge smile on her face, and looks content, not even a tiny hint of fear.  She looks beautiful.  I think she gets it.  She and I shared a deep love for animals which we both continue to this day.  We were best friends until we were about ten.  Our entire block was boys except we each had a sister.  What fun we had.                                                                                    

Bear...

After we arrived home from Maine last night and were unloading the car, I happened to glance outside and guess what was there.....a young bear. Very cute guy. He was extremely weary and took off very quickly.

Branch Lake Maine Vacation

Branch Lake

Monty

Retrieving his ring

Gorgeous evening

Blue Moon

Bon-fire every night

Acadia National Park

Love all the lichens and mosses

Fishing

The wedding Arbor

Sunset

Bye Maine...see you next Summer