ChApTeR 3

Hello, Welcome to Marcia’s Cottage by the Sea.♡ I’m so happy to see you today my friend. ♡ Shall we have a little tea. ♡

This week was monumental. Two friends from California dropped by for a visit! Double fun! They were the “first” visitors since our move. I was so excited! We chatted over tea, cupcakes, and then lunch.  Yes….in that order too. Dessert first!

 

Well…I don’t think it has anything to do with eating dessert first, or even getting the “first” visit from friends here on the Oregon coast. However, more, and more I can see how making choices for how I choose to live each day is a priority.

Oh Gosh,okay, let’s back up a second. I meant to ask you a personal question. (grin)

Dear reader is there any chance that you are a baby boomer?

Baby boomers are those people born worldwide between 1946 and 1964.

And, if by chance you are older, no worries…this post reflection might still be of interest. Now if youarestillababy are younger, well, just maybe you’ll enjoy this post too.

Either way, I know it will come as a HUGE shock to you however, I am a very proud baby boomer. (wink)

And, for some reason this last week I’ve been reflecting on my life, and the adventure of it all. (even more than usual) I’m thinking it might have something to do with moving to the coast. It lends itself to reflection. Water, trees, blues skies….etc…

Anyway, this week I’ve been discovering all sorts of wonderful information about “us” boomers.

Here’s a bit of what I learned. Perhaps, you already know that the “first” baby boomers reached the standard retirement age of 65 in 2011.

(Ironically, I retired in 2011, but I wasn’t of standard age. I was below standard. That sounds odd, oh well.)

There are about 76 million boomers in the U.S., representing about 29 percent of the population.

This next part is sort of funny….in Canada, they are known as “Boomies;” six million reside there.

And, in Britain, the boomer generation is known as “the bulge.” (grin) “Us” baby boomers have enjoyed opportunities for a higher level of education than any generation before them. About 89% of boomers completed high school, and 28% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. No doubt about it, “us” boomers have been fortunate in many ways.

Bottom line is as many of us head for retirement, it is well to remember…(and hard to believe that we grew up) that most who fit within the Baby Boomer designation have lived responsible lives: working, paying taxes, rearing their children. However, we also just happen to be the ones who surfed (a little California lingo) on the crest of runaway change.

So, I guess today I’m reflecting on my life, and thinking about the choices I’ve made that have brought me to where I am today.

When I look at these decisions now, I realize that they constitute the threads of a personal philosophy.

Many of these choices have been my means of thinking through and dealing with the unfolding process of my life. They have affected every aspect of me and my world, and collectively they speak for the way I perceive the environment around me.

With this reflection and the insights it brings comes an understanding that everything changes and will always continue to change, even when, perhaps, we don’t want it to.

And, so wherever we find ourselves in this chapter (choice or not) I say let’s welcome it, and look for opportunities to explore, and channel our energies, skills, and passions in new ways.

Oh, and btw…there was one more interesting thing that I learned about “us” BB’s.

They recognize that this chapter of life is a time of change, growth, and of course new learning. Well, yes of course we do. Sweet!

                                                         See Ya!

I love summer veggies…here’s a delicious, and healthy dish.

LIME SAUTEED SUMMER VEGETABLES

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 small yellow squash, julienned

2 small zucchini, julienned

2 cups snow peas

1 1/2 cups julienned carrots

1 tablespoon lemon zest

2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add squash, zucchini, peas, and carrots in batches; saute for about 5 minutes per batch. Season with zests, juices, dill, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately.  Serves 8

 

 

 

Wishing you a glorious weekend…

 

“Follow your bliss” ~Joseph Campbell