Project 365 - December 12, 2021

 Peaceful Morning

During my walk on Friday morning, the mist was swirling around the base of this tree as the sun was rising. Such a calming and peaceful moment that I felt the need to capture this image.

As I continued my walk with Greg, we ran into Bob and Chuba (a beautiful Vizsla dog). I got the most enthusiastic greeting!  I haven’t seen them since last year, they are snowbirds, so its been quite a few months.  But this dog is so friendly and gentle and his fur is so soft, especially his ears.

I have always been an animal lover.  I am particularly vulnerable now because I had to put one of my cats to sleep two weeks ago. I am missing her like crazy, she slept with me every night. She was with us for 15 years. And, she was my last connection to Joel.  So, its been a rough couple of weeks.  

But, back to my peaceful morning . . . I love the walking, the fresh air, the sunrise, the conversation and the surprises along the walk. 

Project 365 - November 28, 2021

Chanukah Eve

The weather for the past few days has been absolutely perfect and once again reminds me of why I live in South Florida. 

Along my morning walk with Greg, I had to take a moment to stop and capture this sunrise along with the mist along the ground. 

The entire day was all about cleaning up and putting my house back together because I had a contractor painting my living room and dining room and he was finally finished. 

So by the time Adina come home from work, I had everything back in place, floors swept and mopped, latkes made — along with chicken soup and noodles, baked chicken and zucchini— and the menorah was ready to be lit. 

It was a great way to end the Thanksgiving weekend. 

Project 365 - November 13, 2021

Green Market Season is Here

I can’t believe that we are once again in Green Market season!  Last year was so different because we were in the height of the pandemic, we were still working at home and I was still reeling from losing my partner of 40 years.

So much has happened since the last Green Market started.  We are now coming out of the COVID nightmare. Many of us have had our vaccinations.  I have even had my booster shot.  We are back at the office. Cultural events are taking place once again.  Travel is rebounding.  

And, I am feeling really good about my life.  I have taken so many steps toward health including going to every doctor’s appointment, rejoining a gym and actually going.  I continue to walk on the weekends with my friend.  I have reconnected with some friends that I haven’t seen in a long time.  I bought myself a season’s subscription to the Miami City Ballet. And I am working a little bit on photography.  

This morning the sunrise was spectacular as I arrived at the Cultural Center to start my day at the opening day of the Green Market. I loved the colors and the high thin clouds that reflected the sunrise.  Later in the day, the clear blue sky was beautiful, but truly, the sunrise was a special treat today.

Project 365 - November 7, 2021

Connections

Today I participated in a guided walk at Morikami.  Not only was our guide a yoga instructor, but she was also a major donor to the Museum and she also lost her husband recently. This was a bit of a different walk than I have taken before. 

We still stopped at all of the prescribed landmarks and discussed how connections played a part in each landmark and in our feelings about our pasts and our futures.  Our guide also had us do yoga breathing and showed us how to calm ourselves if we are in a stressful situation. She also read poetry to us and shared personal stories.

I was very interested in what she had to tell us.

The weather was spectacular with low humidity and crystal clear skies. I ended up staying longer than usual and sat on the steps overlooking the lake as I wrote in my journal. 

Then I walked back on the trail and took these images. And then this guy took my photo and sent it to me later!  It was a fun ending to my adventure. 

Project 365 - October 1 (catching up)

Stroll for Health

As I continue on the path of health, I am enjoying the peace and serenity of this "Stroll for Health" program conducted by the Morikami Museum. Although it was a very warm day when I did this particular walk, I took my time, drank a lot of water, and sat down in the shade to write in my journal.  So, although I was out there for two hours, it was not strenuous.

I brought my camera with me and stopped whenever the mood hit.  At one point, the security guard asked me to move away from the iguana, but I did a great capture.  I didn't think it would attack and I used my zoom lens so I really wasn't that close. However, every time I walk at the Morikami, I seem to get in a bit of trouble.  Last time, I walked on the gravel that you are NOT supposed to walk on and the guard asked me to move.  

When I arrived at the Museum, it was just opening, and with my card, I was able to walk ahead of all the other patrons so that I was mostly alone along the path. I like being alone in nature.  

My next walk is a guided walk with one of the therapists.  So that will be a little different experience. I do look forward to that. Especially after a weekend of working. 

Project 365 - October 1, 2021

 Birthday Month

Today is the first day of October. This week, the humidity dropped enough to make me believe that fall is on the way — South Florida style. It is also five days away from my 64 birthday. So, of course I will be celebrating all month!  

I keep telling everyone that they have to sing the Beatle song, “When I’m 64” when they call me! I did that to Joel on his 64 birthday. By the end of the day he said, “STOP!”  But I didn’t listen.

Not only did I buy myself an early birthday present— an iPad — but I also enrolled in a grief program at the Morikami Museum where I will not only be journaling but also walking the trails and using my camera along the way   But that doesn’t start until tomorrow.

This week, I captured a sunrise on the way to work and a sunset on my way home from work. Then this morning I took a few snaps along my morning walk.  The sky had one moment where it looked to be on fire and a moment later … it was gone.  Just the luck of being in the right place at the right time.

Project 365 - September 26, 2021

 New Beginnings

I am feeling the wind shift.  I completed my yearlong therapy through Hospice. I completed all of my annual medical exams except one. I am on a journey to become stronger each week with my workout schedule at the gym and continue to walk on the weekends with Greg. 

But somehow a heavy load has lifted and I can now feel as though I am moving forward with my new normal. I am much more content. I don’t feel the need to continuously have a long list of chores to take care of. If I only get one thing done on my weekends . . . It is okay. 

I give myself permission to slow down and take my time. I enjoy cooking and baking and sharing the end product with my friends. 

And, I have been a little bit inspired to take photos again. It’s been a long struggle. But the urge to make images is returning. Perhaps it’s because the weather is cooling just a tiny bit.

These photos were taken over the past few days.