I am a self-professed reader, make the devourer, of self-help books. Mostly, the "How to Become Happier" kind. If I see a magazine or book on a newsstand with the words Be Happier or Live a More Joyful Life, plastered on the cover, I’m hooked. Searching for that new twist on uping my happiness quotient, I’ve … Continue reading Volunteering-Gateway to Happiness

  Today the California Central Coast was absolutely beautiful. An early morning fog was replaced by a breezy yet warm and sunny day. My husband and I took our usual hike up the hill near our home a bit early so we could enjoy the rest of the day. At the summit, I looked out … Continue reading Aging and Self-Acceptance

Oh my God, the light finally switched on. After decades of tearing articles out of magazines about food, diet, exercise, beading, gardening, how to be happier and how to do everything else under the sun, I just realized I can dump almost all of them. (heirloom recipes gotta stay) How did I come to this … Continue reading Three Easy Peasy Steps to Declutter and Hoard Simultaneously

If one flap of a butterfly’s wings has the potential to start a hurricane across the world, imagine what a smile, given to a family member, friend, co-worker, or stranger can accomplish. Your smile can change a person’s entire outlook, not just on the day that lies ahead, but their entire life.  Your smile doesn’t just … Continue reading A Smile Can Change The World

I never thought birdwatching would be an activity that would show up on my radar, but I’ve recently started a relationship with a certain little hummingbird I’ve seen frequently sampling the nectar from the various flowers growing in my backyard. It all started rather innocently. I noticed him from my bedroom window flitting from flower … Continue reading Birdwatching…Me?

Yesterday, I nerded out in the Back to School section of Walmart. Among other things, I bought an assortment Composition Books, in an array colors, for fifty cents each. (I use them for writing, everything goes on paper first.) I had a great time walking up and down the aisles looking at pens, pencils, markers, … Continue reading Five Months and Counting

I’ve been hearing and reading a lot about the island of garbage floating around in the Pacific Ocean. Sadly, what surprised me most wasn’t that it existed, it was learning that an astounding number of plastic water bottles is responsible for the size of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It got me thinking about my … Continue reading The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

When people learn of my upcoming retirement, the question most often asked is, "So, whatchagonnado with all your extra time, travel?"  The look of anticipation on their face, tells me they’re hoping to hear I will be jetting off to some faraway place. It's hard to bear the look of disappointment on their faces when I … Continue reading So Whatchagonnado….

Hi, I'm baaaack! California Spring Trials are over, customers wined and dined,  display materials put back in storage, greenhouses cleaned and we are back to normal. I thought I'd share a bit about what I've been doing the past several weeks.  My previous post, "Please Stay Tuned"..., gives a brief description of what my job … Continue reading I’m Back!!

Please stay tuned. I need to take a brief hiatus from writing my blog. My job this time of year is beyond overwhelming and extremely stressful. I am a flower grower, and while I realize most of you can't imagine growing flowers can be anything but relaxing, I will try to explain. I work for … Continue reading Please Stay Tuned…