335/365

 

Today...

I talked to the birds. I always speak to them, and they talk back, thank goodness. 

I also had a photoshoot with the 4T's this afternoon. Getting the four-year-old to settle down and cooperate while the two-month-old is content is like nailing jello to a tree. We had to take a break so that Paisley could eat, and then she fell asleep, of course. We continued on and still had to bribe Logan to sit still for a few minutes. It was fun! 

334/365

Today...

We drove out to check out a new kayak launch. It's almost perfect. We don't even have to get wet to get in and out of our kayaks, but we have to transport them from the parking lot to the launch, 1000 feet. We decided we could handle it and hope to get out there next weekend. 

We walked around the marshland on a new trail and saw Song Sparrows, Mocking birds, hummingbirds, Say's Phoebes, Northern Harriers, ducks, geese, gulls, vultures, Goldfinches, and very few people. 

No wind, water like glass...the weather was perfect. 

 

333/365

 

Today...

I tried an experiment with watercolor, spray adhesive, and a stencil. 

I know, always with the rainbows. I've said before that rainbow is my favorite color, and it's partly because I can't pick one or two colors. 

In this case, indecision makes pretty art.

I think I went a little too heavy on the paint here. I'll have to try going lighter on the paint thickness...and the adhesive. Whew.

332/365

 

Today...

I guess I'm recovering from consuming too much food and wine yesterday. I have no ideas about anything. I've got a little over a month to go on this 365 project, almost to the finish line. While it's been fun, and I love doing this, some days it's a challenge.  

331/365

 

Today...

Was a beautiful and busy day.

Again, I am so grateful for my family.

I spoke with all my family today and spent a wonderful afternoon and evening with Mike, Jesse, Bri, Logan, and Paisley playing, cooking, and eating all the food.

I'm stuffed and so tired and feeling all the love. 

330/365

 

Today...

I cooked. I cooked most of the day. It was fun and I'm tired, but I got all the things ready so there will be less to do tomorrow. 

The best part of today was making pies with my girls! My CynCyn texted a photo of the dry ingredients for pumpkin pie, saying how it makes her miss us more. Then My Melissa sent one of the same. I sent one of the wet ingredients for my pumpkin pie. We were making our pumpkin pies at the same time thousands of miles apart! We didn't plan this. As of this evening, between all of us on the group text, we sent 95 texts and photos. 

I'm so thankful for my family. 

329/365

 

Today...

I braved the pre-holiday food shoppers, had a photo session with a pomegranate, and then took myself for a bike ride in the beautiful, sunny 70º afternoon. 

328/365

 

Today...

I woke early. I got to see Mike off to work. I also got to video chat with my Sofia, a few times. Then around 1 pm, I crashed and burned. I blame the last several nights of hormones waking me up too often.

It's okay though, I got this awesome photo of a Cooper's Hawk and I got my hair done. 

327/365

 

Today...

When I went out for a walk this afternoon, it was completely overcast. By the time I got to this pond, five, maybe ten minutes later, the clouds had started to clear. I seriously can't get enough of this light and the leaves and the weather. Afternoons are becoming the best time to get outside right now, and I'm all over it.

326/365

Today...

We went on an adventure.

San Francisco City Hall because Mike had to get some guys set up on a job a block away.

Crissy Field, where we watched SF Firefighters training probies on a ladder truck.

The Palace of Fine Arts, where we saw twenty Great Herons and ten Night Herons.

I couldn't find the bench that Sean Connery sat on during 'The Rock.'

A drive through the Presidio and the cemetery.

The Golden Gate Bridge Overlook because, the bridge.

Then we picked up lunch and were home by 2pm. 

I have so many photos to edit. YAY!

 

325/365

 

Today...

I worked on my calendar again. Well, now it's calendars, and I'm calling them a project, and it's fun. I have to set a timer, so I stop, or I'll just work on them all day and not get anything else done. 

On my walk this afternoon, I watched Acorn Woodpeckers make holes in a tree and hide their acorns in them and then walked around a lake, being entirely captivated by the autumn light. 

324/365

 

Today...

I worked on my 2021 calendars. Trying a new printer and different format this year due to cost and wanting more control. I was having so much fun working on this project; I had to stop and make myself get out for a walk. I'm happy I did because I still cannot get enough of all the color out there. 

323/365

 

Today...

I walked in the rain, the wind, and the sunshine. And again, I was reminded how much I love being out in nature, especially right now. Then I went to Barnes and Noble. I can't remember the last time I stepped into a bookstore. So many books, and I want to read them all. I only bought two... this time. I'll be back. 

322/365

 

Today...

On my walk, I could not get enough of all the beauty out there. All the trees are bursting with color and sprinkling it all over the ground. It's like walking on a rainbow. The wind added extra excitement to the show, with the leaves blowing all around. I took my time this morning so that I could soak it all in. Walking most days, especially with my camera, is helping me through these crazy times. 

321/365

 

Today...

I climbed a hill and enjoyed the view from the top, my favorite place. Then I walked back down and stopped to watch some Sparrows flitting about in the tall weeds. Eventually, I took a trail that passed by a pond, and as I was heading back to my car, I met up with some very social Bluebirds. A perfect walk for a Monday morning. 

320/365

Today...

We took our bikes to the shoreline and rode on all the trails. We stopped on the Arch bridge to look for Egrets and other shorebirds, but there were none to be found due to the high king tide. It was gorgeous out there, and the sunshine felt divine. 

319/365

 

Today...

Started off cloudy and ended sunny.

We spent the day getting our chores done so we can go play tomorrow.

I am thankful that we are well, Mike has a job, we have a home, and really everything we need. 

Just trying to keep my head up, appreciate all that I have, and live in all the moments.

318/365

 

Today...

Mike and I got to watch Logan and Paisley this afternoon

Just what we needed to calm our nerves and remind us of what is important.

It is the best feeling to spend time with our grandchildren with no other agenda.

Paisley is growing so fast. She is smiling and talking with her whole body. 

Logan and I built Lincoln Log cabins and then knocked them down.

As an added bonus we got to see and spend a bit of time with Jesse and Bri too. 

I love all my babies so much. 

On the way home, it started raining and Mike turned off the wipers just so I could get photos of the drops on the windshield. 

OH, and Mike starts work at a new company on Monday.

There are good things all around us in these crazy times. 

317/365

 

Today...

I got to talk to my Julie for two hours!

It was a good day.

316/365

Today...

I meditated, also known as painting. 

 

315/365

 

Today...

I had the pleasure of spending a couple hours with my Logan. 

He sent me a voice text before he came over..."we can play with toys, then watch tv, then have some food and then after, we can have a snack..." 

We did it all, of course. I can't say no to this face.

I can't begin to explain how much joy this boy brings to my life. 

The same goes for all my grandchildren. I just get to see this one more than the others, for now.

Grandparenting really is the best thing ever. 

314/365

 

Today...

We woke up to a crisp 37º. 

It's still my favorite time of the year.

Partly cloudy skies and afternoon walks in the hills soaking up the sun are the best, especially when I bring my camera.

313/365

 

Today...

is the 40th...FORTIETH...anniversary of mine and Mike's first date. 

How did THAT happen? 

We both forgot. I remembered this morning and then failed to remind him until this evening. 

It's official; we're old AF. 

If someone would have told me then that I would marry this man, raise three amazing adults, be gifted with four perfect grandchildren, and still be together in our late fifties, I'd have not believed it. 

It seems like so long ago, and yet it seems like yesterday. 

It is crazy how fast time flies. 

It is crazy how beautiful life can be. 

Thank you, and Happy Anniversary to us.

312/365

 

Today...

was a great day for our country and the world.

I had planned to make chocolate chip cookies yesterday and call it anxiety baking. Today I made them

celebration cookies.

Happy tears on and off, all day.

Now we have hope. 

I feel like I can breathe again.

74 days until Inauguration day.

311/365

 

Today...

It was cold. It's a nice change.

I journaled while sipping my coffee.

We had the broken door window replaced on the Charger.

I talked to my CynCyn and my Sister. 

I made breakfast, lunch, and dinner for Mike and me.

I did, and have been doing too much "doom scrolling."

I helped Mike find some paperwork and complete some forms to complete his unemployment filing and update his resume.

He has been on the phone all day, every day since Monday.

The election drama is still going on, and my anxiety is not letting up.

Unprecedented is the word of the year, and I'm so tired of the shit-show.

The highlight of my day was playing in Photoshop. Sky replacement FTW.

I am grateful for all that we have, especially our savings account that we have been fortifying since the pandemic was declared. 

My dear old friend, wine, has been a welcome guest with dinner lately.

310/365

Today...

Another roller coaster ride of unknowns, lies, and total bullshit, and it's probably how it will be for a while.

I did manage to keep myself busy enough to forget about all that is going on. It was a glorious few hours.

It's a lot, and this is all I have at the end of the day.

 

309/365

Today...

Was a rollercoaster. 

This election is sad, disturbing, and embarrassing. 

It should not be this close. Then again, Trump should never have been elected in the first place.

I'm ashamed at how racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, and homophobic this country is. 

We can do better. We need to do better. We must do better.

To be continued...

 

308/365

 

Today...

I woke up.

I'm still here.

Still breathing.

Functioning. Sort of.

Tried, unsuccessfully to stay off the news feeds.

Now trying to avoid the returns.

There isn't enough alcohol.

Going to be and hoping for a better country tomorrow. 

307/365

Today...

The anxiety is ramping up.

Trying to take some mental breaks.

And then the universe lobs another salvo right before this election.

So, I chant to myself, on repeat...

We have a home.

We have all that we need.

We have savings.

We have plenty of food.

We have our health.

We have our beautiful family.

We have each other.

 

306/365

 

Today...

Mike and I kayaked Adobe Creek in Petaluma. 

I can't decide what I like the most about our excursions. Planning our trips or deciding at the last minute. Getting on the water and getting fun exercise or just floating and listening to nature. Taking pictures with my phone or my camera. Discovering new places or new things in old places. Being outside in nature or seeing wildlife that we don't see every day. The drive to our launch points or the drive back home. Having lunch on the water or getting something in town. 

Okay, I like it all, especially getting to go on these adventures with my husband.