Tag: #retiredteacher

A Whole New World

Posted on February 17, 2024 by JANET L BARKER

Waking up to snow when you’re a native Southern Californian, not in your own bed, but in the bed you’ve modified to make your own, feels as if I’m gazing out the window of Apollo 13: the glistening, marshmallow puffs of new fallen snow… Continue Reading “A Whole New World”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #diversitycounts, #embracediversity, #grandchildren, #grandparents, #hope, #immigration, #inclusivity, #loveeverymoment, #lovenothate, #lovetheyneighborsasthyself, #nyc, #retiredteacher, #winter, #winterinnyc

Breaking Bad and other News of the Day

Posted on January 13, 2024 by JANET L BARKER

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You’ve caught me in a Hope Diamond moment: I’m alone. In the apartment. Windows and blinds wide open—high winds and 30-degree temps be damned. I’m in short sleeves. Showered. Hair brushed. Pink lipstick applied. Perfume generously spritzed. Funny how simple acts can make you… Continue Reading “Breaking Bad and other News of the Day”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #breakingbad, #children, #daughters, #grandchildren, #grandmas, #grandparents, #hope, #mother-daughterrelationshipss, #newbabies, #newmexico, #newyorkcity, #nyc, #parenting, #retiredteacher, #whenitstimetogo, family, love, mama, mom, motherhood

A Very Bad Ode to the Oregon Coast

Posted on October 2, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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Wild and green, Weaving and rolling, Sheltered and exposed to the Pacific Ocean’s girth and temper, Dinosaurs and explorers, Con men and conservationists, Casinos, small towns, and a dwindling Native presence. A sorcery, a teacher, a non-judgmental priest listening to confession, Felled forests, tree… Continue Reading “A Very Bad Ode to the Oregon Coast”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #findingpeace, #jumpandtheparachutewillappear, #justdoit, #lifeizgood, #nosecondchances, #oregon, #oregoncoast, #pleasureway, #rain, #retiredteacher, #solotraveler, #travelinggrandma, #travelinggranny, @retirement

Demons and Saints

Posted on June 16, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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What makes a person sit down and write versus not wanting to write? Time, not enough. Distractions, too many. Demons, and the opposite: Joy or lack thereof. The list of excuses goes on. What I know for sure is that when I take a few… Continue Reading “Demons and Saints”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #cambria, #camping, #campinggrandma, #forgiveness, #glamping, #grandparents, #grandsons, #hope, #love, #loveeverymoment, #retiredteacher, #retirement, #workinprogress

Life of Pie

Posted on April 3, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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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

Fit for a Queen

Posted on March 1, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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Last night I danced under the starry moon as the warm ocean pounded and the hotel band played Bob Marley. I slept in a crisp, white linen king-size bed made for a queen, turned off all the electronics from an iPad-like device next to… Continue Reading “Fit for a Queen”

Category: #grandparents, @retirementTags: #barbados, #blessed, #fairmonthotel, #grandparents, #hope, #retiredteacher, #shadylanehotel, @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

Best laid plans

Posted on February 3, 2023 by JANET L BARKER

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I love to plan. It’s like cleaning a bedroom closet or the fridge; while I dread the getting-started-phase feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand, once I get started, I’m energized by the process, and the end result: Efficiency. Tidiness. Everything in its place.… Continue Reading “Best laid plans”

Category: UncategorizedTags: #California, #doglove, #education, #faith, #grandparents, #hope, #joecocker, #lifeizgood, #loss, #love, #loveeverymoment, #maryoliver, #poetry, #puppylove, #retiredteacher, #retirement, #watercolor, #withalittlehelpofmyfriends

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

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