Category Archives: Life

Rambling Thoughts & A Little Life Update

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🌟 Because life doesn’t follow a theme — and neither does this blog

If you’ve been reading Around Dusty Roads lately, you’ve probably noticed that there isn’t exactly a theme happening. One day it’s cats, the next it’s a local adventure, then a recipe, then some random daily trivia. That’s retirement for you — footloose, fancy free, and no longer tied to a work schedule or those precious two weeks of vacation.

These days, I just enjoy jotting down whatever crosses my mind and sharing the little slices of life that make me smile (or roll my eyes). And for you youngsters out there, consider this a preview of what might be waiting for you when you finally escape the daily grind. Whether that’s a good thing… well, jury’s still out.

🌱 Projects, Experiments, and the Things That Didn’t Quite Pan Out

I’ll admit it — I’m still a little disappointed that Welcoming Haven didn’t take off the way I hoped. It was a solid idea; I just didn’t have the budget to push it where it needed to go. Same with my brief Etsy printable experiment. Let’s just say I’m much better at buying cute printables than designing them.

DoorDash had its moment too. It was fun… until it wasn’t. Once I factored in gas, maintenance, and the joy of climbing to third‑floor walkups with arthritis, the math stopped mathing. When I took a spill on a delivery run, that was my sign to wrap up that chapter.

So for now, no side gigs. Just me, my home projects, and the cats supervising everything I do.

📸 The Great Photo Tagging Marathon

One of my big undertakings is the massive photo‑tagging project. I’m working backward from Now and have made it to May 2021. Considering my media library goes back to January 2011, this should keep me entertained for a while. Maybe longer.

🧹 Decluttering: The Adventure Continues

Then there’s the decluttering saga. I’ve got boxes to donate, boxes to sell, and boxes that are destined for the trash — all currently cluttering my living space. But the cupboards are looking pretty good, and AARP swears I’ll be done in a few weeks. I’m choosing to believe them.

Part of my motivation comes from watching my sister deal with the mountain of stuff my mom left behind. I still have boxes from that era that I haven’t opened. Someday I’ll tackle them… probably when I reach the dining room. Until then, yes, the place looks a little like I’m auditioning for Hoarders: The Prequel.

🚶‍♀️ Health, Mobility, and a Dash of Pride

Now for the big topic: mobility. My arthritis has been getting worse, and while the hip replacement went well, I’m not eager to repeat the experience with my knee. I lost 25 pounds hoping it would help — and while I look better, my walking hasn’t improved much.

I’m seriously considering a walker. I still have the one from my surgery, but it’s not great for strolling around parks. A new one would let me load my camera on the seat and get back to exploring. The cane works, but juggling that and a camera is a circus act.

My pride is the real obstacle. I don’t want to admit I’ve reached the “walker stage.” But as the saying goes, pride goeth before a fall — and in my case, that might be more literal than I’d like.

Future Me?

🐾 And Through It All…

My days are full — projects, decluttering, mobility puzzles, and of course, the cats “helping” every step of the way. But one thing remains constant: I’ll keep sharing my rambling thoughts here on Around Dusty Roads.

Thanks for sticking with me through all the twists, turns, and experiments. And if you’ve got advice, stories, or your own retirement adventures to share, feel free to jump in. Even if I pretend I don’t want advice, I usually enjoy hearing it.

 

Daylight Saving Time: The Time Change We Just Can’t Shake

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It’s early March, which means two things in New England:

  1. We’re all pretending it’s spring even though the wind still bites.
  2. The annual Daylight Saving Time debate is warming up faster than the weather.

And because I can’t resist a good trivia rabbit hole, I stumbled across a Jeopardy clue that sums up our relationship with DST better than anything else:

Clue: To combat fuel shortages, Congress enacted this for almost 10 months in 1974, from January to October.
Category: “D” in American History
Value: $600

Yes — the answer is Daylight Saving Time.
We didn’t just “spring forward” that year. We practically launched ourselves into permanent daylight.

We Tried a Long-Term Relationship… It Didn’t Go Well

The idea wasn’t new. Allegedly, Benjamin Franklin pitched something similar to save candles. Germany used it during World War I to conserve fuel. And in 1974, during the energy crisis, Congress said, “Let’s try this full-time.”

Ten months later, after dark winter mornings and a nation full of cranky schoolkids, the experiment quietly ended. But the twice‑a‑year clock shuffle? That stuck around like a houseguest who never got the hint.

Every Year We Swear We’re Done With It

By now, the pattern is predictable.
Early March rolls in, and suddenly:

  • Congress floats a bill
  • Someone suggests permanent DST
  • Someone else suggests permanent Standard Time
  • Committees form
  • Studies are commissioned
  • We all complain
  • And nothing changes

It’s the legislative equivalent of “We should really get together sometime” — said with no intention of actually scheduling anything.

And Yet… Here We Are Again

Daylight Saving Time officially ends on the first Sunday in November, but the real cycle ends when we stop grumbling about it — which, let’s be honest, is never.

We tell ourselves it saves energy.
We tell ourselves it gives us more daylight.
We tell ourselves it’s tradition.

Mostly, we tell ourselves whatever gets us through that groggy Monday morning after the switch.

Countdown to the Clock Shuffle

So here we are, early March, inching toward the big weekend.
Coffee makers are bracing themselves.
Humans are sighing.
And the cats? Well…

Banner and Balboa are thrilled.

In their world, Daylight Saving Time is the greatest invention since the treat bag.

Breakfast arrives a whole hour earlier — a development they fully support and believe should be made permanent immediately.

If Congress ever needs motivation to finally pick a time and stick with it, they

should consult the feline lobby. Banner and Balboa have notes.

What About You?

Do you love the extra evening light, dread the clock change, or simply follow your pets’ lead and accept breakfast whenever it arrives?

 

It’s National CanDo Day- You CanDo it!

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National CanDo Day: A Fresh Start for a New Year

January 4th marks National CanDo Day, a celebration of possibility, determination, and the quiet power of simply believing you can. It’s a day designed to help us take a realistic look at what we’re capable of — not in a pressure‑filled, resolution‑heavy way, but in a grounded, encouraging, “let’s start where we are” kind of way. And honestly, after the whirlwind of the holidays and the push of new projects, I think many of us could use that reminder.

A Moment to Pause and Take Stock

Life gets busy. Creative projects take over. New goals pull us in new directions. And sometimes, like me, you look up and realize something you love — a hobby, a blog, a routine — has slipped to the side. National CanDo Day invites us to pause, breathe, and take a gentle inventory of what we can do right now.

We can’t do everything. Not perfectly. Not all at once.

Just what’s possible today.

This day is about recognizing your strengths, your determination, and the dreams you’ve carried quietly for years. It’s about remembering that progress doesn’t require magic — just willingness, consistency, and a little spark of belief.

Turning Dreams Into Doable Steps

The heart of National CanDo Day is simple:
You are capable of more than you think — and you don’t have to wait for the “perfect moment” to begin.

Maybe you’ve been wanting to start a new project.
Maybe you’ve been meaning to return to something you love.
Or Maybe you’ve been dreaming of a change but haven’t taken the first step.

Today is your nudge.

A Little Challenge for You

Choose one thing — just one — that you can do today.
Not the biggest thing. Not the hardest thing.
Just something doable.

✔ Send that email
✔ Organize one drawer
✔ Write one paragraph
✔ Take a 10‑minute walk
✔ Start the outline of a dream you’ve been putting off

Small steps count. You can take a tiny step.  Small steps remind you that you’re capable.

Real People & Dreams. Real CanDo Spirit.

• Walt Disney dreamed of a place where families could laugh and imagine together — and built Disney World, a kingdom of creativity that still inspires generations.
• Nicole Botelho, my friend and a true force of compassion, turned her dream of a peaceful animal haven into reality with The Forever Farm Animal Sanctuary.
• Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, started with $5,000 and no fashion background — just a belief in her idea and the grit to make it happen.
• Brandon Stanton, creator of Humans of New York, began with a camera and a goal to tell everyday stories. His project became a global movement of empathy and connection.
• You, reading this right now — with your own quiet dream, your own spark of possibility. You belong on this list too.

You Can Do This

Wherever you are today — tired, inspired, overwhelmed, hopeful — National CanDo Day is your reminder that you’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience, strength, and a whole lot of heart.

So here’s to doing what we can, celebrating what we have, and believing in what’s still possible.

You’ve got this. And today is the perfect day to begin again.

 

 

2026 — Here We Go Again

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January 2nd: The Universe Sends Bills… and I Send Eye Rolls

When the Calendar Turns, So Do the Bills

January 2nd always arrives with the same energy as a cat knocking things off a counter: unbothered, unapologetic, and perfectly timed to remind me that the holidays are officially over.

The first envelopes of the year have already marched in — life insurance, car insurance, and the annual renewal for Around Dusty Roads. Nothing like a stack of bills to say, “Welcome to 2026, hope you enjoyed that week of cookies and denial.”

Dreams, Dial‑Up, and Digital Hustles

I had hoped Welcoming Haven would be covering at least one or two of these by now. Not a fortune — just enough to make me feel like the wheels were turning. But apparently the universe is still buffering. Maybe it’s on dial‑up.

And because I love a challenge, I’m also hustling to get my printable shop on Etsy up and running.

Another adventure, another learning curve, another chance to mutter “other people make this look so easy” while I drink my coffee and stare at my screen.

The Job Hunt: Now Featuring Dragons

People say, “Just get a job.”
Sure. And while I’m at it, I’ll adopt a dragon and learn to juggle flaming torches.

At my age, employers get nervous, and no one believes me when I say I’m not trying to run the place. I’m the former manager who wants the quiet corner job with no drama, no meetings, and no responsibility for anyone else’s meltdown. Is that so wrong?

Resumes, Missing Socks, and Writing Dreams

I’ve sent out more resumes than I care to admit. Most of them vanish into the digital void — probably hanging out with all my missing socks. I see ads for blog writers and think, “Well, I do write… but would I like writing for someone else?” Hard to say. I loved writing the Redfin newsletter, and now I have two blogs of my own, so clearly the writing bug is alive and well.

I once considered being a travel writer back when I was jetting around. But the Boston Globe wanted international stories, and newspapers were already starting to fade. Timing and I have always had a complicated relationship.

Jobs My Knees Would Like to Speak About

As for local jobs, Hannaford is hiring, but every position requires standing for long stretches. My knees have filed an official complaint about that. If I stand at the stove too long, they lock up like a rusty hinge — so even short shifts are out.

Still Moving Forward (With Coffee)

Which leaves me here: looking for remote work, building online projects, and hoping one of these seeds decides to sprout soon. I’m not panicking — just navigating. With coffee. And maybe a cookie.

So here’s to 2026: the year of trying, learning, adjusting, and laughing at the absurdity of it all. And if anyone has suggestions, encouragement, or a spare magic wand, I’m listening.

Excuse me now — I need to go buy my lottery ticket.

 

Magical Thinking and Affirmations ✨

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Turkey Dreams and Wishful Thinking

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving—full plates, full hearts, and maybe a nap so deep you dreamed of winning the lottery or finally mastering sourdough bread. Holidays have a funny way of stirring up gratitude and imagination. And sometimes, those dreamy thoughts feel like little sparks of possibility.

Be Careful What You Wish For

We’ve all heard the saying, “Be careful what you wish for.” It’s not just a cautionary tale—it’s practically a cosmic rulebook. Witches, for example, believe that any spell cast (good or bad) comes back threefold to the caster. So if you’re going to send energy out into the universe, make it good, make it kind, and maybe make it sparkly. After all, who wouldn’t want three times the joy instead of three times the chaos?

The Law of Attraction (With a Wink)

The law of attraction is basically the universe’s version of a mirror: what you focus on, you get more of. Think of it like ordering from a cosmic menu. If you keep saying, “I’m stressed, I’m broke, I’m unlucky,” the universe hears, “Ah yes, one extra-large serving of stress with a side of bad luck, coming right up!” But if you focus on abundance, gratitude, and possibility, suddenly the menu shifts to health, wealth, and happiness specials.

Affirmations: Your Daily Spells

Affirmations are like mini incantations. Say them often, say them with conviction, and watch how they shape your mindset. Try lines like:

  • “I attract opportunities that make me shine.”
  • “I am worthy of abundance and joy.”
  • “Good things return to me threefold.”

Pair those affirmations with visualization—picture your goals as vividly as you can. It’s like sketching out your dream life in neon colors.

Action: The Secret Ingredient

Here’s the catch: magical thinking isn’t just about daydreaming. You’ve got to stir the cauldron yourself. Take consistent action—learn the skill, chase the opportunity, send the email. The universe loves a co-creator.

Final Spark

So as we move from Thanksgiving into the season of twinkling lights and new beginnings, remember: your thoughts are spells, your affirmations are charms, and your actions are the wand that makes it all real. Cast wisely, cast joyfully, and may your blessings always return threefold.