Category: #education

Did I tell you…?

Posted on April 20, 2024 by JANET L BARKER

Did I tell you, I’m working on a novel? I started it more than a year ago, but somehow, in my travels and wonky internet connections, lost the first five chapters. Which was a major bummer. So I ignored it, knowing I couldn’t recreate… Continue Reading “Did I tell you…?”

Category: #camping, #education, #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, #lifeizgood, #teaching, @retirement, stepupandtakeaction, Uncategorized, unconditional loveTags: #cambria, #camping, #centralcoast, #solowomencamping, #solowomentraveling, #vanlife, #writing, book-review, book-reviews, books, fiction

Sit down and stay awhile

Posted on October 21, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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This is the juicy part. The part I crave. My Tuolumne Meadows in Eastern Yosemite that happens after the first five days. Right now, it’s the first four days here on the outskirts of Sedona, camping in the same place that will be tomorrow’s first five days. Let… Continue Reading “Sit down and stay awhile”

Category: #education, #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, #lifeizgoodTags: #arizona, #camping, #fall, #l, #peace, #pleasureway, #sedona, #solocamping, #solowomencamping

It all makes sense

Posted on October 20, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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This is not the Sedona I remember from 27 years ago when my cousin Bevie and I flew here to celebrate my milestone 40th birthday. It was my first Destination Birthday, a splurge; I felt called to be in a place I’d never been before,… Continue Reading “It all makes sense”

Category: #education, #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, #lifeizgood, @retirementTags: #camping, #campinggrandma, #newfriends, #openheart, #openmind, #pleasureway, #sedona, #solocamping, #UFOs

With new eyes

Posted on September 22, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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Celluloid images—about family, friends, departed loved ones—flash, flash, FLASH across my mind’s movie screen. When I walk. When I drive. When I talk to people. When I’m at the grocery store. When I read. When I listen to music. Run, run to the laptop, my… Continue Reading “With new eyes”

Category: #education, #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, #lifeizgood, #teaching, @retirement, coastal camping, stepupandtakeactionTags: #bestfriendsforever, #blessings, #bucketlist, #cambria, #goodfortune, #harvesthost, #love, #pleasureway, #thesunwillcomeuptomorrow

On the Verge of Tomorrow

Posted on September 1, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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“There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day, there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow’s just a dream away.” I hummed along to that tune every time I walked from Disneyland through Downtown Disney to our hotel room.… Continue Reading “On the Verge of Tomorrow”

Category: #education, #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, #teaching, @retirement, unconditional loveTags: ##portofinohotel, #centralcoast, #change, #disneyland, #grandchildren, #newyork, #redondobeach, #thenextchapter, #timepassestooquickly, love

Eternal flame

Posted on July 18, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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This is the summer of wee ones. Under three. Over ten. And those in between. A gaggle of boys and one girl. My grandchildren, starting from the oldest, Jack, Bronson, Millie, and Hudson. Twinkling stars that light up my world. I’m here in New… Continue Reading “Eternal flame”

Category: #education, #grandparents, #teaching, @retirementTags: #almuratsuchi, #appletv, #bethechange, #caassembly, #climatechange, #congress, #eternalflame, #extrapolations, #globalwarming, #grandchildren, #grandparents, #heatwave, #hope, #inspiration, #JFK, #newyorksummer, #redondobeach, #sizzlingtemperatures, #tedlieu, #thewhitehouse, #unitednations

The Grandma Chronicles

Posted on July 3, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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They’re not with me right now. One is at Redondo’s CDC summer program and the older, pre-middle school grandson, is hanging out with friends. Even Yogurtland, an after school treat we indulged in on his ride home from fifth grade, wasn’t enough to lure… Continue Reading “The Grandma Chronicles”

Category: #education, #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, #teaching, @retirement, stepupandtakeaction, unconditional loveTags: #act3, #bestisyettobe, #change, #grandmas, #grandsons, #growingup, #lifeizgood, #loveeverymoment, love

Gotta have faith

Posted on March 17, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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In sickness and in health. ‘Til death do us part. I’m pretty sure I edited those lines out of my first wedding vows. Given that I’d been divorced from a man I didn’t want to marry but was society and family-pressured into doing so… Continue Reading “Gotta have faith”

Category: #education, #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, #teaching, @retirement, UncategorizedTags: #California, #faith, #georgemichael, #grandparents, #hope, #loveeverymoment, #teachers, @retirement, love

Staying put—for now

Posted on February 22, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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Dove grey satin ripples toward me, shifting suddenly like a water snake skimming the surface. The breakwater-caged-sea ebbs and flows as I attempt to absorb this graceful, milky dance. Sunset. Without hoopla, without Academy Award-applauding fanfare—Nature—with some modifications by clever engineers, does its thing… Continue Reading “Staying put—for now”

Category: #education, #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, @retirementTags: #California, #dontworrybehappy, #grandparents, #havingfun, #hope, #lifeizgood, #love, #loveeverymoment, #retiredteacher, #retirement

I’m not sure why…

Posted on February 7, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” I’m not sure why I’m thinking about Anne Frank, one of my inspirations and heroes since I was in the fourth grade and discovered her diary for… Continue Reading “I’m not sure why…”

Category: #education, #grandparents, #hope, #teaching, stepupandtakeaction, UncategorizedTags: #annefrank, #education, #grandparents, #hope, #retiredteacher, #teachers, #teaching, @retirement, love