Structuring Your Days in Retirement

 As you can see, the woodpeckers still have plenty of acorns left in their stockpile.  I love how they prepare for the winter by meticulously  drilling holes in the Jeffrey Pine Trees.  There are still numerous acorns littering the ground, after the fire we experienced up in Wrightwood, California.

Having activities that you enjoy on your calendar makes time pass quickly and enjoyably in retirement.  I found the ping pong practicing I did last week with the robo machine greatly improved my performance at my most recent game.  My teammates noticed!  It’s exciting to improve at something you have a talent for, at any age.  This group of senior ping pong players is very passionate.  They are excellent!  It’s fun to watch.

This group of ladies enjoyed a recent live concert of Scott Joplin’s music with a 1920’s costume theme.  We all belted out the tunes in  the sing along, and jumped up and danced to some of the best songs.  My favorite was “When The Saints Go Marching In.”  

What is your weekly schedule like, as far as activities?  Do you attend any groups, play sports, or engage in fitness?  How does it benefit you?

You Need an Income in Retirement

 

I recently spoke to a woman who is very concerned about having enough money in her old age.  She mentioned that she had fears of becoming homeless or a bag lady.  The pressure in her situation is real.

My father taught me that you need an income during retirement.  He pointed out to me that net worth is not income.  This is so important. I have talked with women who tell me, “God is my security.”  This is not a viable plan.  We have to take action.  They could consider using their talents in a job that may be simple but helpful.  Even working as a cashier or at the front desk at say, The Senior Center can provide cash for groceries, utilities, and auto needs.

In my case, dividend paying stocks give me the money I need to stay on my budget and to continue investing.  Your money has to grow and last,  or it will deplete and disappear.  Some women don’t face this fact.  It is a hard truth. Caretaking and being domestic will not pay the bills.  These are very valuable activities, but unfortunately, oftentimes they are just expected, for free.

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Memories of Norway

 

Looking back at photos and videos of world travel is so rewarding.  The beautiful landscape, clean air, and small, charming Norwegian homes were enchanting.  Norway has a deep spiritual energy that is captivating.

The hiking trailheads appeared  right as we stepped off the gangway into port!  It was so convenient.  I loved being in a culture where Mother Nature is center stage.  The residents there really prioritize the environment.  It was so inspiring.

Have you ever been there?  I can’t wait to return…

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Activities in Your Community For Seniors

 

This past week, I attended so many group activities, I felt like I was on a cruise ship!  There is a wealth of opportunities available.  I realized that people who move to assisted living could save a lot of money by keeping their residence and attending classes at senior centers, community centers, and online groups.  Prices at those places are very reasonable.

I know in my case, I am very attached to my home and garden, and  have no plans of selling and moving.    It takes time for fruit trees to mature and produce, rose bushes to spread out and develop, and  to make your house a reflection of your personality.

In the last seven days, I played ping pong at two different locations, went to a senior gym four times, met up with enthusiastic knitters at three different places, took a group singing class, and performed with the same over fifty-five group onstage.  The whirlwind was busy and exciting, but a little exhausting.  Next time I will pace myself.

Do you attend any group activities with friends?

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Renewing A CD From Home Online

 

This morning, I checked my accounts and researched the latest rates for CD’s.  One had just matured, so I followed the prompts to renew it.  In my case, the eight month CD was the most lucrative.  I thought to myself, “I just secured some of my retirement savings, on a Sunday, from my rocking chair!”  Wow!  Technology is amazing.  It took me a few tries to do what I wanted, but the goal is now completed.  

The front garden is budding and blooming.  I bought this Pink Jasmine last year in a small pot at Trader Joe’s.  It is now happily climbing my front fence.   I love the fragrance and the vibrant color.

I picked up a Foxglove at our local nursery.  I have always wanted one…I love the speckled flowers.  As I gently put it in the ground, I noticed several earthworms, turning and aerating the soil.  I was so pleased.  I fed everything some fish emulsion and kelp.  

We are expecting rain in California, and snow in the mountains.  The car has a full tank of gas, the firewood is stacked inside and by the front door, and a pot of beef stew has been simmering on the stove.  We are prepared!  How about you?

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Trimming the Trees and Feeding the Soil

 

Today I trimmed more branches off my Locust tree in the front garden.  After the green waste bins are collected tomorrow, I can refill them with the branches I cut today.  I should be able to finish the tree Thursday.  It is always such a feeling of accomplishment to get that completed.  It’s great exercise, and doing it myself saves me a tremendous amount of money.

The tangerine and navel orange trees have been providing delicious fresh fruit every day.  I gave my fruit trees a top dressing of compost.  It makes such a difference in the flavor of the fruit.  The rain soaked it in nicely.

I made my second loaf of sourdough bread yesterday.  I put it in the oven after spending the afternoon at one of my knitting/crochet groups.  It is a tasty loaf, but did not come out sour,  like my first one.  I think I need to let the starter sit in the oven for 36 hours to get that  superb flavor.  The recipe said just three to five hours.  It seems to take time, like cheese.  This one did have a better rise, though.  I used a tad more yeast.  It still came out with a wet spot in the center.  I just put it back in the oven.  

How are things with you?

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Very Happy With My First Attempt At Sourdough Bread

 

After reading my fellow bloggers’ comments about failed attempts at sourdough bread, I started to worry.  I had to make some tweaks to get mine to work, but am ecstatic with the results.  I will just have to be careful not to overeat it.  It is very moist and extra sour, like what we used to get at the fancy restaurants in  San Francisco.  It was definitely worth the effort!

This was the starter that I used.  I picked up this envelope at one of the gift shops in port on my cruise to Alaska last year.  I made some mistakes in the recipe, but it still worked out.  I accidentally followed the bread recipe at first when making the starter.  This one uses yeast, which I think made it much easier.  

I kept it in my oven for thirty-six hours, and stirred it with a wooden spoon several times each day.

My dough didn’t quite double in size, so I let it rise for forty-five extra minutes, and turned the oven on to its lowest setting.  That did the trick.

I had to add more flour than I expected, and after the second rise my dough was quite sticky.  I turned off the oven after about ten minutes.  This recipe is kind of a hybrid of a vintage French bread recipe I used to make, and The New York Times’ No Knead Bread.  

I  dumped the sticky mound into my Le Crueset Dutch oven and baked it for fifteen minutes.  It was undercooked and had a wet spot in the middle, so I put it back in the oven, this time covering it with the lid.  

After many small changes, I had my loaf of sourdough bread.  It was a thrilling experience.  I hope my blogging friends can have an easier time with a recipe with yeast, and possibly a warmer environment.  Let me know how your baking is going.  What kind of bread do you like to buy or bake?

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Healthy Routines for Seniors

 

During retirement, you have the whole day ahead of you to plan and seize.  You have time to go for a walk, to hike, cook nutritious and satisfying meals, or engage in your favorite hobbies.  Yoga before bed is my favorite routine.  It stops any numbness or tingling in the extremities for me.  It just requires commitment and effort.

This week, I am making my first loaf of sourdough bread.  initially,  it felt like too much work.  To my surprise,  I am enjoying the process of stirring the starter, replacing the plastic wrap on the glass bowl, and covering the project with a dish towel.  The wet, sticky dough is methodically bubbling and developing.  Tomorrow I will add the flour, knead the dough, let it rise, and bake it.  The anticipation and growth is very satisfying.  Bread is so ancient and universal.  It will be a treat to dip it in some extra virgin olive oil and salt.

I recently canceled my streaming service.  Instead, spending time gardening barefoot, knitting with groups and at home, and reading Barbra Streisand’s autobiography have become my new chosen  activities.   It is such a relief to choose healthy, talented company.  How are you using your free time?  Does it suit your needs, your soul and personality?

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Knitting Through the Cold Winter

 

Some of you asked to see a photo of my Stockholm Sweater.  Here is how it looks so far…I will start the second sleeve tomorrow.  I absolutely love the feel of angora and silk.  The yarn is held double, which gives it more strength and warmth.  It is also not so sheer this way.  I found it easier to wind the yarn double before knitting with it.    

 I also learned to do German short rows recently.  After practicing them on my latest pair of socks,  I am pleased with the results. I knit a lot of socks, so it was an easy way to learn a new technique.  I had the point of reference and understanding of the shape from doing so many wrap and turn heels.

What are doing creatively at home these days?  Winter is such a cozy time.  It is starting to become my favorite season.  How about you?

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Winter Chores and More Wildfires in California

 

Winter is a peaceful and gentle time at the cabin.  The dogs and I get up early, go outside, I give them peanut butter treats, feed them, and make an Italian stovetop cappuccino for myself.  We sit down by the fire to enjoy the sunrise.  Blankets and shawls are piled high to keep warm. 

The fireplace insert needs to be fed a few times during the night to keep the house warm.  I empty the can of ashes every few days.  There is snow on the ground, and more headed our way this weekend.  I have been stacking firewood  in preparation for the storm.  

The Hughes Fire in Castaic was an inferno twenty miles from the cottage.  I used to teach for the Santa Clarita Parks and Recreation at that location.  I have never seen such an enormous black cloud of smoke in the air.  One firefighter described it as, “Nuclear.”  Having a go bag is so important in these times.  If you leave right away, you can avoid traffic and chaos.  I am thankful to have a comfortable place to go.

How are things with you?  What are you making?  I am loving my knitting right now.  I am on the first sleeve of my Stockholm Sweater.  It is so soft, warm, and fluffy.  It is a divine pattern and project.  The yarn is exquisite.

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Safe From the Los Angeles Fires

 

Thank you for your inquiries about my safety.  I have been fortunate, so far…the devastation is mind boggling.  I haven’t been able to blog because this disaster has made me feel sick.  Many of the dancers and dance teachers I worked with for decades have lost their homes and neighborhoods.  It is tragic.   None of us saw this coming.

 Knitting has helped me to ground and be productive.  I finished the pink socks.  I plan to gift them to my friend who lost her childhood home and current residence in Malibu.  I used to housesit for her parents, and the views and energy were breathtaking.

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Happy New Year! A Finished Christmas Sweater

 

Hello Everyone, I’m sorry it’s been so long since I last posted.  I hope you had a wonderful Holiday, whatever you celebrate.  We have enjoyed a mild winter so far…no snow except for a little bit before Winter hit.

Good news, I finished my latest sweater.  It’s another Carbeth; I used stash yarn.  I ran out of wool, (twice,) so I knit in some self patterning acrylic I had leftover from a pair of slippers.  I crocheted them ten years ago…it felt satisfying to use up the yarn.  What do you think?

Carbeth is designed to be a short, cropped sweater, but I decided to make this one long and cozy.  It covers my bum.  The yarn was from a farm and it had no label, so I wasn’t sure how much I had.  It was given to me by a lady in my knitting group.  She bought it decades ago, in the 1980’s.  It sounds strange, but I feel like the yarn is happy and appreciative to finally be used and worn.  

How are you?  Did you have a nice Christmas?  

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New Christmas Tree Curtains for the Cabin

 

I found these sweet lace curtains in Applewood Court, Wrightwood, last week.  I love the look of lace from the outside of a cabin.  It softens the edges.  I ended up exchanging the swags for valances.  Actually, I kept the valances and rehung them in the upstairs bedroom.  Since I have shades on those windows, I can still pull them down for privacy.

These are the old ones.  They may have been  here since the fifties!   Will wash them and save them, or donate them to a charity shop.  Isn’t the view spectacular?  Nothing like it…

The dogs are hogging the couch, as usual.  I bought a couple of Holiday throw pillows, too.  We are loving the fireplace insert.  It warms up the whole house.  There is something about sleeping at night under quilts and flannel sheets that is so comforting.  The heat rises and creeps upstairs.  

Are you staying warm this time of year?

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