Tag: #redondobeach

Life of Pie

Posted on April 3, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

But now, I Feel Different

Posted on October 28, 2022 by JANET L BARKER

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I’m relaxing in front of my Big Red propane campfire, steaming cup of Mt. Whitney French roast organic coffee at my side, Winnie the Pooh slippers warming my normally never-cold feet on this gorgeous last full day of my October Solo Camping Adventure. The… Continue Reading “But now, I Feel Different”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #bestfriends, #California, #camping, #grandparents, #hearstsansimeonstatebeach, #hope, #love, #loveeverymoment, #redondobeach, #retiredteacher, #retirement, #ruhs, #solocamping, #vweurovancamper

Goodbye

Posted on August 15, 2022 by JANET L BARKER

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I’ve saved the hardest until last. I’ve junked and stored, celebrated and cried. I’ve doubted and been certain. I’ve had my rounds (and rounds) (and rounds) of Lasts: last time I watered, last time I slept in a proper bed, last time I took… Continue Reading “Goodbye”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #change, #faith, #grandchildren, #grandparents, #homevshouse, #hope, #legacy, #newbeginning, #redondobeach, #retiredteacher, #sellingthefamilyhome, #thenextchapter, #thisisthefirstdayofmylife, #writers, #writing

Feeling the feelings

Posted on July 13, 2022 by JANET L BARKER

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It’s been hard for me to write. It’s been hard for me to talk. It’s been hard for me to breathe. It’s been hard for me to put one foot in front of the other, knowing that everything is about to change; accepting, crying, laughing, my… Continue Reading “Feeling the feelings”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #change, #grandparents, #historichomes, #home, #hope, #jumpandtheparachutewillappear, #love, #parenting, #parents, #peace, #redondobeach, #retirededucator, #retiredteacher, #selliingthefamilyhome

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