Tag: #redondobeach

Post 50th High School Reunion Reflection

Posted on July 5, 2024 by JANET L BARKER

This time yesterday. It does and it doesn’t feel like yesterday. Mostly, it doesn’t because 50 years—half a frickn’ century—have lapsed between the day we ceremoniously ribboned down the metaphoric path from the Boys’ Gym toward Sea Hawk Stadium where, upon the conclusion of… Continue Reading “Post 50th High School Reunion Reflection”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #50threunion, #classof1974, #education, #faith, #findingpeace, #friends, #friendship, #gratitude, #highschoolreunion, #hope, #love, #RBUSD, #redondobeach, #ruhs, class-reunions, high-school, life

On the Verge of Tomorrow

Posted on September 1, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

Leave a Comment

“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

1 Comment

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

Life of Pie

Posted on April 3, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

Leave a Comment

I’m getting a suntan. Yep. Sun. Is out. And I am back. On the balcony overlooking the Marina. A dad and son are kayaking past, fishing for something, enjoying this spectacular thermal blanket afternoon. The little boy, I’d say he looks about 10, just belted… Continue Reading “Life of Pie”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #, #alicewalker, #California, #grandparents, #hope, #love, #loveeverymoment, #music, #noregrets, #offkeywhocares?, #pie, #PortofinoMarina, #redondobeach, #retiredteacher, #retirement, #thecarpenters

Don’t worry, be happy

Posted on January 30, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

Leave a Comment

A public declaration of change is mighty. Expectations shatter the very ground. Will she fall in love? Will she enter the priesthood? Will she become a public figure representing the plight of American senior citizen women? Will she return to teaching? Will she become a… Continue Reading “Don’t worry, be happy”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #anewday, #California, #change, #dontworrybehappy, #education, #grandparents, #hope, #love, #loveeverymoment, #portofinohotel, #redondobeach, #retiredteacher, #retirement, #teachers

Diving acrobats of the sea

Posted on January 28, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

Leave a Comment

The sun warms my face and bones. It’s summer, late January. Cloudless. With this exciting cornucopia of impromptu events taking place right outside my balcony. Including the heartbreaking cries of a baby downstairs. This has thus far been such a quiet apartment complex, except… Continue Reading “Diving acrobats of the sea”

Category: UncategorizedTags: ##portofinohotel, #California, #education, #grandparents, #gratitude, #healing, #hope, #lifeizgood, #loveeverymoment, #movingon, #ocean, #peace, #portofinoapartments, #redondobeach, #redondobeachmarina, #retiredteacher, #teachers, #teaching, #wonder, @retirement, love

What did you do today?

Posted on January 25, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

Leave a Comment

The Christmas I missed. All the year(s) and (s) and (s) I missed by working and stressing, stressing, and working. The brunch I didn’t savor. The friendships I took for granted. The winter rain I wished was over. The doomed relationship I spent decades… Continue Reading “What did you do today?”

Category: UncategorizedTags: ##portofinohotel, #California, #education, #forgiveness, #grandparents, #hope, #loveeverymoment, #purpose, #redondobeach, #retiredteacher, @retirement

Thanks, thanks and thanks

Posted on January 20, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

1 Comment

An Open Letter to the Folks at the Portofino Hotel and Apartments: The sliding windows are open and although it’s brisk, it is blue, and blue and cornflower blue and the seagulls are singing and the sailboat ice-skates through the sea reminding me that… Continue Reading “Thanks, thanks and thanks”

Category: UncategorizedTags: ##portofinohotel, #bekind, #California, #grandparents, #gratitude, #hope, #redondobeach, #retiredteacher, #roomwithaview, #sealove, @retirement, love

Room Service

Posted on December 23, 2022 by JANET L BARKER

Leave a Comment

Learning to say yes instead of oh-no. This is my lesson for today as Christmas Day festivities avalanche my plans, causing me and thousands of travelers who’ve had to wait-out the storm to make lemonade out of lemons. My beloved van. Fixed. Maybe. When I picked her… Continue Reading “Room Service”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #California, #change, #changeisgood, #christmas, #education, #grandparents, #hope, #love, #loveeverymoment, #portofinohotel, #redondobeach, #retiredteacher, #retirement, #teachers, #teaching, #thecrown, #vanlife

Not exactly a Disney movie, but close

Posted on December 17, 2022 by JANET L BARKER

1 Comment

I’m going to write about something strange and wonderful and inspiring and sad and curious and real. First, the setting: I am sitting on a balcony overlooking a parking lot which overlooks the Redondo Beach Port Royal Marina next to the marina where my… Continue Reading “Not exactly a Disney movie, but close”

Category: UncategorizedTags: ##portofinohotel, #California, #education, #grandparents, #home, #hope, #love, #loveeverymoment, #portroyalmarina, #redondobeach, #retiredteacher, #retirement, #teachers, #teaching

1 2 »