Category: stepupandtakeaction

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

Go with the flow

Posted on September 22, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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Above, is a canopy of redwoods, an impressionistic painting made even more ethereal without my glasses. Ribbons of sun and blue and burnt sienna surround me. And the silence, padded silence. I’m in the womb of Nature. Protected. Soft. When I close my eyes,… Continue Reading “Go with the flow”

Category: #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, #lifeizgood, @retirement, stepupandtakeactionTags: #blessings, #enjoyeverymoment, #humbolt, #ilovenature, #peace, #redwoods

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

The Gift of Change

Posted on September 13, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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My new, next life begins today. I’m sitting at the edge of San Simeon Creek alongside the best campsite I have ever had watching the ducks and native birds enjoy the early evening sun. I am in my happy place. Another happy place. I left Happy… Continue Reading “The Gift of Change”

Category: #gmashavingfun, #grandparents, #hope, #lifeizgood, #teaching, @retirement, coastal camping, stepupandtakeactionTags: #breconwine, #California, #cambria, #centralcoast, #harvesthost, #hope, #lifeizgood, #myhappyplace, #newlife, #pasorobles, #portofinoapartments, #rvlifestyle, #sojourn, #travelinggrandma, #writing

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

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