Spring Sensations~Ooh, La La!

Yesterday was our first day of spring. Was I ever ready for some sunshine in my life!!

I awoke to blue skies and cool morning temperatures in the mid 40’s. The house plants on my lanai seemed to be smiling back, at me in the morning sun. Time to shake off the cold and windy temperatures we’ve been dealing with and get outside and savor the days ahead, my dear friends.

I retired officially last month, fully. Yep. No more part-time work anymore. I am ready to embrace this new freedom of retirement finally. I must say, it feels WONDERFUL!

I’ve enrolled in a couple of fun classes, with The Life Long Learning Institute in Austin. Here is the link if you’re interested lliaustin. It is such a perfect fit, at this point in my life. This is my second time taking Tai Chi from Renee Forsythe. She is a former professional ballerina. I am also enrolled in an art appreciation class, on Thursday afternoons. The class participants interactions are really engaging and informative, I just love it. Add in my yoga classes; which I also take weekly as I choose. My week is full of fun events, that I look forward to each day.

These LLI classes will end at just the right time, since I’ll be doing some major road trips, beginning mid-April. I am so grateful to be sitting in the position I am in right here; right now.

I am very fortunate indeed.

My April travels will begin with a visit to Ohio, early month, to spend some time with my sister and her family. My sis is getting on in her years, she is definitely slowing down a lot. The care my niece has given her mother, has been amazing. My sister is in a good place, with the love and attention, my Ohio family has given her. Again, I am so grateful for all of them.

I have learned a great deal, from this experience, watching my sister slowing down with age. It has made me keenly aware of how important one’s lifestyle choices are at this stage of life. The time will come eventually, when I reach that stage in my life’s journey.

In the meantime, these are my prime years. I intend to live them to the fullest extent possible. No couch potato reality here my friends!

After Ohio, I return to Austin for my Southern Sojourn of music, friends and more family time. I’ll be ending my Southern adventure, with a few days solo in St. Augustine, FL to recharge myself and let my writing muse, take me where it desires.

I will be in Austin most of May, getting ready for my next road trip to the Pacific Northwest, where we will spend our summer this year in Washington state. We have family coming to visit us from Hawaii and Florida. I know the time will fly by, as we escape the heat waves of the Texas summer.

Let’s see how this body of mine does putting something close to 15,000 miles of driving, this year across the USA. I’ll be doing lots of yoga stretches daily indeed! =)

Yes, spring is here and all types of vegetation is coming into bloom here in Texas. Bluebonnets to Red Bud trees are blooming in full force.

A sign of new life. New beginnings.

A new chapter in my life is unfolding beautifully.

It brings to mind this song, which recently has come to be a favorite of mine. It plays on the radio here, at times still. The song is called “Ooh, La-La” by Faces with Rod Stewart. It is an “oldie but a goodie” for certain.

Have a little listen here:

Chorus: “I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger!!”

Peace, joy and much aloha ALWAYS!