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The Pelicans Have Landed

We live on the pelican migration route. For the last few weeks the people in our community have been asking each other “Are the pelicans here yet?” There had been sightings on larger areas of the lake but none had been spotted here — until this past weekend. Bob and I spent about an hour Saturday afternoon watching a small group of pelicans fly in and swim by our favorite bench on the beach. What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.

When I say we are “retired” I mean we no longer work for someone else and we no longer receive regular paychecks. We still work. We word on various writing, art and research projects. But we are so blessed to be able to take the time to enjoy nature and the company of others in our community. Taking time to watch pelicans swim or to actually talk to our neighbors is priceless.

Thought for Today

Copyright 2014 R.A. Robbins

“Joy is found in the simple and ordinary things of life: the smile of a newborn baby, the kiss from a sweet new puppy, and the warm sunshine on a spring day.” ― Marie Cornelio [Source: http://www.goodreads.com]

I’m Cooking from Scratch at Smorgasbord

Wouldn't veggie chili be good for lunch? Copyright 2014 by R.A. Robbins — Wouldn’t veggie chili be good for lunch?
Copyright 2014 by R.A. Robbins

Sally Cronin at Smorgasbord – Variety is the Spice of Life has a weekly feature going called Cooking from Scratch. This week I’m making my veggie chili. It is one of our fall favorites I’m sure you won’t want to miss. So stop by and be sure to say Hi to Sally while you’re there. She will also be our follower of the month for November, you won’t want to miss that.

Thought for Today

“Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities – always see them, for they’re always there.” — Norman Vincent Peale

Fall Fun: Take a Fall Foliage Tour

If you live where there is beautiful fall foliage be sure to get out and look at it. Whether a drive through your own neighborhood, an older part of town with large trees, a park, through hills or mountains, or just down a country road a fall leaf tour is a fun and relaxing activity.

Take your time. This is not something to be rushed through. Pack a lunch and make a day of it. Take the kids along and help them identify the types of trees by the leaves. You may even want to collect a few leaves for craft projects.

Thought for Today and a Few of my Own

“While there’s life, there’s hope.” — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Today’s quote is a favorite of mine. These are words I live by.

Life is persistent. Just think of the lone tree clinging to life on the side of a mountain. Or the man or woman battling cancer, refusing to give up. I watched this as I cared for our first cat Hershey during the years of her chronic illness. There would be days we were sure her life was about over only for there to be a turn around and she became her lively, loving self again.

Years ago I recovered from a medical situation the doctors said was hopeless. So while I continue to live and breathe on this earth I will know that the words of Cicero are true. As long as there is life, there is hope.

Thought for Today

“That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet.” — Emily Dickinson

Postcards from…

My newest post on Life Through and Artist’s Eyes. Take a look at some of my newest work, still in progress.

Fall Fun

Surprised by orange. Copyright 2008 by R.O. Robbins — Surprised by orange.
Copyright 2008 by R.O. Robbins

Scattered throughout the month of October you will find fun activities to help you welcome Fall or Autumn (whichever your prefer). As usual these activities will be family friendly. They will be brief little tidbits scattered among the October blog posts like falling leaves. I’m sure you will want to check back to make sure you don’t miss any.

Thought for Today

“You’ve done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination.” — Ralph Marston