I like to be up early in the morning and watch the sunrise. It’s life-affirming to see another day emerge from darkness as mother earth turns. Spring mornings often go from pink, to mauve, gold, or red as the morning brightens, as if a master light engineer is controlling the process. I’m sometimes tired andContinue reading “SUNRISE”
Author Archives: llzranch
Creating Unique Names and Titles
It’s been a while since I posted to this blog, so I’m writing a retirement plan update. One of about a zillion possible ways to think about retirement is to reinvent oneself and start a small business. I’m considering opening a private counseling practice. As I explore this possibility, I learn about a long listContinue reading “Creating Unique Names and Titles”
Birds
Sandhill Cranes gather by the thousands along the Platte River this time of year. Even on a overcast grey morning, it’s an amazing sight to see the islands formed in the river from sleeping crane families. As they fly from the river, it’s often in large groups. If you want to learn more about cranes,Continue reading “Birds”
No Closer
It was a wonderful spring break in Nashville, TN and Ashville, NC. The Smokey Mountains are beautiful. I’ve returned home to a snow-covered landscape and below-freezing temperatures. As the landscape here at home is covered in white, my decision-making is obscured in fog. I hoped to make some progress toward my retirement decision during vacation,Continue reading “No Closer”
Rush Before Leaving
Spring is out there somewhere south of Nebraska. I’m going in search of that elusive season on March 1st. There has been and continues to be a flurry of events to organize and/or attend, appointments to keep, and chores to do before I leave. I like to keep early morning set aside to work onContinue reading “Rush Before Leaving”
Antiques
I learned sad news about two of my favorite antiques stores when I met a friend for lunch recently. One store was already closed with all the merchandise gone, and another posted Going out of Business signs in the window. These stores had their heyday ten or fifteen years ago when everyone wanted toContinue reading “Antiques”
Valentine’s Day Dreams
This year for Valentine’s Day I’m dreaming of sunshine warm enough to melt the foot of snow covering everything, and the much taller drifts covering flower beds and breaking fences. I want the ice to melt to make walking easier for all of us. I want my frozen Nebraska backyard to turn into green grassContinue reading “Valentine’s Day Dreams”
Yellow Gold Has Fur
Yellow cats have been part of my life for forty years. One escorted me across half the country three times. Colonel Mustard (pictured) is the latest bit of sunshine in my life. His yellow fur flies in tiny helicopters when he shakes, covers chairs and tabletops. He offers kitty kisses to the tip my noseContinue reading “Yellow Gold Has Fur”
What’s Next?
The list below was conceived during a blue moon. It includes things to do to get ready for retirement and those that aren’t such a good idea. I’m in the party planning stage, but haven’t quite set a date. I’ve made several mistakes along the way and will probably make some more. Throw yourselfContinue reading “What’s Next?”
Winter Break
It’s nearly the end of my between-semesters break. I was in Arizona for the first week (when the weather in Nebraska was still mild), and back to Nebraska for the second week just as the weather turned cold. Arizona offers mountains, desert, and dams on the Colorado River. I visited the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, SedonaContinue reading “Winter Break”
