The Ah-Ha Moment

I had a strange little realization about my hurtful dream.

Maybe my subconscious was trying to tell me to let go of the pride I attached to my identity at work.

The characteristics and flaws of that work-person are who I am inside, not just who I am while performing that job. 

I think it was telling me to let go of who I used to be as a worker-person, stop remembering myself through that lens, so I can revel in how I can/do apply those same characteristics to the me I am now, the retired-person. 

As the Marines (?) say, Be All that You Can Be. 

More later ... 

ps: Sorry to blab on about that dream.

When a Dream Leaves You with Hurt Feelings

Yesterday was a good day.

My daughter came over, we had a fun, easy visit, and she brought me a beautiful plant. Everything felt peaceful.

I was not expecting The Dream. 

 I found myself back at XYZ Law Firm, not working, just visiting. I felt like a returning hero when I walked in.

At first, it felt comforting to see my old friends, but then I realized something was off. Something had changed.

I was being blamed for something I hadn’t done—something I wouldn’t have even handled. I explained, calmly and clearly, but it didn’t matter. The more I spoke, the less I was heard.

My old boss was there, but acted too busy to talk. I wanted just a moment—to be understood. It never came.

I didn’t argue. I didn’t insist. I kept my composure and trusted the truth would show itself eventually.

And then I left feeling heartbroken, no longer recognized for my good work, but leaving with dignity. 

I woke up really feeling that hurt. Intellectually, it was interesting that I was feeling hurt physically, in my soul. 

Why this Dream? The Dream didn’t match the day I had. Was it just a case of life being calm so the mind had space to revisit some old feeling?

I’ve had this dream in many variations and always wake up with hurt feelings. I placed a lot of value on my job and work reputation, and it took me a long time to let it go when I retired. Maybe I only think I let it go. 

Do you have a recurring dream? 

A Smorgasbord of Photos and Memes

 We've had quite a bit of good rain lately, so I had a garden workday before the next advertised rain. If you need a wheelbarrow type thingy I love this one. I begged my daughter to share her's with me (and she hasn't gotten it back yet). I also have a painter's bucket (thank you to one of my neighbors who used to garden) that stores my tools. I don't have a lot of tools, but it is nice to have them organized. 

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I brought the acrylic chair from my dressing area to sit on while potting at the little table. I "borrowed" the round table and the iron chair in the video from in front of my green hedges since no one ever sat there. 

So here is a little movie after I put the tools away, and the rain came.

I've had a rough week with my diabetes, and this little meme shows my attitude during the struggle. Yes, I did feel sorry for myself. 

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You know how I love to watch birds, so I bought these earrings from Etsy, made by a lady in another country. They were made with rice paper for the design. I loved these earrings, and somehow I lost one. Broke my heart. Don't you just hate it when that happens? 

This photo was taken after the disastrous Hurricane Harvey hit Houston. I keep it to remind me why I am always hurricane prepared. Laugh if you want, but at least I have bottled water to drink and a bathtub full of water to flush the toilet.  

This little meme is in response to the Rockets' games in the playoffs. Since we were playing against the Lakers, the games played there were late at night, and of course, I got riled up and couldn't go to sleep right away. It also refers to all the middle-of-the-night sugar dips recently that caused me to get up between 3 and 5 and eat and monitor my numbers. 

This little gem represents my determination to live a simple, peaceful retirement and focus on what brings me happiness. 

Finally, a picture of my dear departed Buddy Boy dressed by the Grandgirls in the hat from Woody in Toy Story, and a beaded necklace they made. He'll be gone a year next month. I still miss his little barking face. 

More later ... 

The Words I Still Use

My vocabulary is a living museum of American English. I use words from several eras at once.

Some people sound polished and current. They are Woke while I still reach for older expressions like Dang, Darn, and Dadgumit. For me, it feels like they soften irritation without turning every small annoyance into a major event.

Of course, when I’m truly angry, I know stronger language too. Sometimes a sharp curse word says exactly what I feel. There’s no denying that.

I probably thought more about my words around the time I had Grandchildren. Growing up in the 50s, I don’t remember a lot of cussing, either at home or on TV, certainly not like the kids hear all the time now.  

I also still use words from the 60s and 70s—Cool, Bummer (one of my favorites), and Vibe (yes, I still get your Vibe). Every now and then, Far Out, Right On, or Can You Dig It may still appear.

One phrase I’ve never given up is: Keep on Truckin’. 

I often use it to end a text or comment. To me, it means keep going, keep moving forward, keep handling whatever life brings next.

And then there’s: Bless your heart.  I use all versions of it—Bless his heart, Bless her heart, Bless their heart. (I know, it drives Margaret crazy.) I think, for me, it is a kind of “I’m sorry this happened/is happening to you.” 

The words we often use say something about where we came from. Mine reflect family habits, different decades, changing times, and my sense of humor. 

So, if you hear me say, Dang, that’s a bummer… keep on truckin’, you’re hearing a little of my history mixed in with my everyday conversation.

Sunset

 

My Daughter and DIL share this from their last camping trip before the summer sets in. I wish I could blow this picture up to one of those wall-sized posters! Wouldn't that be great to relax to?

Sweepstakes Wins over the Years

 

I was organizing my photos recently and came across some pictures of my Sweepstakes wins.

This is a ring I won from a jewelry maker. 

I absolutely love this necklace, which I won from a lady in Spain on Instagram. 

I didn't find a picture of all the items I got in this win from Maker's Mark. It included one of those projectors and a movie screen. My son claimed this win and uses it for outside movies. You know me - anything for the Grand Girls. 

This was a medium-sized dog cape that came from AutoTrader. It was too big for Buddy, so I gave it to a friend with a larger dog. 

This is a speciality Shampoo with Vitamin C12. I don't remember any great change after using it, but then I didn't have any scalp problems. 

Now this was a biggie. A $500 gift card from my bank, Regions Bank. The sponsoring area bank was not the location I was banking at at the time, but it just so happens that it is the bank near my house that I bank at now. 

  

This Retro Collection sweep was sponsored by Planters Peanuts. 

This was a really nice win from Rakuten. The tea and tea kettle went to my daughter, the weighted blanket went to a teenage friend, the candles went fast, and the Uggs were definitely saved for me. 

A couple of wins I didn't have pictures of were the Curved Monitor, which my daughter uses in her work-from-home office, and, of course, the all-expense-paid trip for my Son and DIL to see Post Malone New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. 

So you see, that's why I enter sweepstakes. And, no I've been lazy and haven't been entering many lately until Better Homes & Gardens reminded me that a new house contest just started. And yes, I will win that new house or new car. I'm sure of it. 

More later ... 

A New Dog Stroller

 

My little rescue Bonnie Rae came home with me skinny, frightened, and unsure of the world. I think she was raised in a cage because she has never liked to walk on grass or concrete. 

If I am going to walk, I need a companion, so I bought this dog stroller that satisfies both of our needs.  

Now we can enjoy fresh air and new sights. You know the neighbors I pass are laughing at me, but who cares. 

More later ...  

Changing and Rebranding Blogs

For a long time, I shared pieces of my life in two places — Welcome to Simple and 101 Captured Moments. One focused on the joy of simple living, and the other celebrated everyday beauty through photography. Over time, I realized both blogs were telling the same story: finding peace, gratitude, and happiness in ordinary moments.

That is why I’ve brought them together under one new home: Peaceful Retirement Living at 101capturedmoments.com.

This new space combines the heart of both blogs — simple pleasures, cozy living, retirement joys, photography, gardening, Bonnie Rae, family reflections, hobbies, and the little discoveries that make life meaningful.

By combining these blogs, everything I love now lives in one welcoming place.

Click this link to save Peaceful Retirement Living.

Asian Lily

My friend Margaret says it looks like a face. Looks like a chipmunk to me. 

This is Stage 2 of my Asian Lily with a big bud. Any day now ... 

 

Tropical Milkweed and the Monarch Butterfly

What I’m showing here is a little bit of garden magic and what was left after a whole lot of hungry visitors came by.

My Tropical Milkweed leaf isn’t “damaged." It has been expertly eaten.

When I planted milkweed, I knew I had invited one of nature’s most famous guests: the Monarch butterfly. Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed because it’s the only plant their caterpillars can eat.

Once those tiny caterpillars hatch, they get right to work. They don’t nibble around the edges. Instead, they chew straight through the softer parts of the leaf. What starts as tiny pinholes quickly turns into larger openings as they grow and their appetite increases.

It may look a little rough on my plant, but Milkweed is resilient. The best part is that somewhere nearby, if they made it, one of those tiny leaf-munchers may be quietly hanging in a chrysalis, getting ready to return to my garden with wings.

Ivy in Aquarium

 

I threw a piece of ivy into my aquarium and now look at it—stretching, reaching, growing right along with the rhythm of the water. The tiny bubbles from the air stone don’t just keep the tank healthy—they create this soft, almost magical curtain that makes everything feel alive.

Plants like ivy can actually thrive in water, pulling nutrients from their surroundings and adding a fresh, natural balance to the tank. And those bubbles? They’re oxygenating the water for fish—but for me, they’re pure therapy.

Sometimes the simplest things—just a clipping and a little air—turn into the most peaceful moments.

Meme of the Day

 

What Happened to My Nails

This is an older photo of my nails — long, strong, and naturally smooth. I never had to think about them. They just… behaved. No peeling, no cracking, no ridges. Just easy.

Fast forward to now, and it’s a completely different story. My nails are thinner, splitting, and full of ridges. What changed?

Aging plays a big role. As we get older, nails grow more slowly and lose moisture, making them brittle and more prone to peeling. Years of handwashing, gardening, and everyday wear also weaken the layers of the nail. Those vertical ridges? They’re actually very common and usually just part of the aging process.

The good news is they’re not beyond help. Moisturizing, cuticle oil, gentle filing, and wearing gloves for chores can make a big difference.

Still… I do miss the days when my nails just showed up and did their job without all the extra drama.

A New Home for Bonnie Rae (#TBT)

When Bonnie Rae first came home from the rescue, she was so tiny… all bones, a little rash, and eyes full of uncertainty. Every sound startled her, every movement made her pause. You could feel how hard the world had been on her.

Fast forward to today—she’s filled out into a “big, healthy girl” but that timid heart still lingers. Most people only see her quiet, cautious side.

But there’s this whole other Bonnie Rae… the one that only comes out when it’s just the two of us. That playful, silly, full-of-life spirit that makes me laugh every single day. I wish I could bottle that version of her and share it with the world.

Maybe one day. 💛

Asian Lily

 I’m pretty sure the squirrels have been doing a little gardening of their own. The Asian Lily I purchased died but has come back up in a new location. One of the Squirrels must have buried a bulb because I didn't. Now, up pops a brand new Asian Lily right in the middle of my garden!

Magnolia in Bloom

 

Magnolias are among the oldest types of flowering plants and are mainly pollinated by beetles. As beetles move from flower to flower, they carry pollen, helping the plant reproduce. While bees and other insects may visit occasionally, beetles remain the magnolia’s primary pollinators.

Palm Tree new Growth

I noticed these tiny palm fronds emerging in the middle of the palm tree’s rough bark. Not from the top where you’d expect, but from what appears to be an old, hardened part of the trunk. You know where I mean, the long stem-like part where older fronds have been cut and only small, curved dark piece remains.

Even though I have never seen a growth in the middle of a palm tree, it’s a reminder that growth doesn’t always follow the rules. Even in the toughest, most weathered places, something new can appear—fresh, green, and full of life. Nature has a funny way of surprising you like that.

Garden Shenanigans

Yesterday I spotted a squirrel rolling around in one of my flower pots like a dog scratching its back on the carpet—paws in the air, squiggling around, jumping up and doing it again. Completely carefree and not afraid when I hollered at him to get out of my pot.

I have no idea what he found so delightful, but it made me laugh despite my frustration. 

The flowers might not agree… but it was worth it. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of this fellow at work. 

More later ... 
 

Airplane Plant

• "Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn." —Lewis Grizzard

 

One of the Fishes in My Life

Ziggy Moonbeam the Betta

Long Gone but Not Forgotten

Aquarium fish make us realize how beautiful silence is.

 

Swimming with the fishes (and loving it!)