Tomorrow is not promised
But the promise of tomorrow leads the way
To ensure every effort today
Is made without delay
Waiting for tomorrow
Shortchanges things you can get done in the present moment
Wasting opportunity and precious time
To find the pot of gold you deserve
Start using your time today
To find your path to a better tomorrow
(Image by Thank you for your support Donations welcome to support from Pixabay)
“Go where the wifi is weak and the sun is strong”.
(Unknown)
Spring break 2021 has been circled on my calendar for awhile. I did not have visions of a Jamaica getaway as I have in past years. COVID-19 has adjusted the things we look forward to now. I am hoping with the multiple vaccines available we will be able to get back to travel again soon. I routinely scheduled my Jamaica trip around spring break but will continue to display patience as I wait my turn to get the vaccine.
Happy to report my mom, aunts, uncles and multiple friends are fully vaccinated!
I decided not to overbook myself for spring break and just unwind a bit. My 2020 was overshadowed by COVID-19 and my move from Tallahassee to Fort Pierce. Relocating during the height of a pandemic proved a bit harder than I ever imagined. The physical process was simple to pull off—the mental and emotional aspects of adjusting to a new location, new work environment and new people while staying safe in a pandemic was challenging. Proud of my efforts so far and look forward to continued growth with this process.
Spring break was my chance to reset a bit, kick back and enjoy life.
Decided to head north and spend most of my break in my home town, Jasper, Florida. I did not load my schedule so I took my time as I drove north. Made my way to the Daytona Beach Outlets for some shopping on my drive. The Daytona outlets are fairly new and I am always looking for some good deals. I visited this same outlet back in November on my drive to the Smokey Mountains. I did not find any deals I liked in the Nike or Van Heusen stores so I got back on the road.
Made my way to Jasper before sunset and caught up with my mom for my first day of spring break. She is a traditional southern mom so yes, I had a large dinner waiting for me when I got home. 😊
I normally pressure wash my mom’s house yearly and decided to tackle the project while I was in town on break. The weather in North Florida during March is very nice—no heat or humidity. Pulled my pressure washer out of the shed and began the process of knocking a year’s worth of grime off the house. My pressure washer began coughing halfway through the house cleaning process—thought it was just a spark plug issue so changed it and I was back in business—for awhile. I have had this pressure washer for some time and it just would not go any longer. Jasper is a small town and there is not a local small engine shop available to help with this issue. Almost called it quits but wanted to finish this project since I started. Made my way to Lowe’s in Live Oak to see what they had available. Ended up purchasing a new pressure washer with 2800 PSI (pounds per square inch) which gave me additional power—equals less time pressure washing.
Got the new washer setup and cranked out the rest of the house cleaning. The only drag when pressure washing my mom’s house is the two story aspect. Yes, I have to get up and down a ladder to reach the portion of the house directly above her porch. This happens to be the most visible part of the house and I cannot neglect it and still claim I cleaned the house. Going up and down the ladder with a pressure washing wand in my hand was fun a few years ago. Now, it feels like work but I got it done.
I decided to get away from my manual labor the following day. Made a point to visit with friends and go see my favortie aunt in Live Oak. I have not been able to visit with her in a long time due to COVID-19 but felt comfortable sitting with her for a bit since she is fully vaccinated. We were able to catch up and share a few laughs again—felt good! 😊
My last spring break project was to pressure wash my grandmother’s house. I normally have both houses scheduled to pressure wash during the same visit so kept the tradition alive. The second house is not as large as my mom’s so it does not take me as long to complete. This was a great aspect this year since severe weather was expected later in the day. I was able to get the house washed and avoid getting caught in the rain that made it to Jasper in the afternoon.
I am happy to report I was able to complete a few projects while in Jasper, see family and sleep in daily on my spring break. The time away from career related activities was needed considering the COVID-19 world we live in. It was nice to disconnect from my work email and computer—not thinking about substantial activities was refreshing.
I know this does not sound like a typical spring break but it was exactly what I needed. Now it is time to find a beach and work on my tan! 😊
Irie!
What activities help you to unwind? What are you looking forward to doing again?
“If traveling was free, you would never see me again”.
(Unknown)
“The beach…the only place where salt lowers your blood pressure”.
(Pinterest)
The new year has renewed my sense of adventure again. Nothing too wild but decided to make a trek west over to Clearwater Beach. I have friends who have been telling me how great Clearwater Beach is, but I never made the drive to see for myself.
That all changed this past weekend. Decided to take a weekend flyer and just book a hotel and then drive over. Seemed simple enough and it was! 😊
My day started with an impromptu 5k in Fort Pierce. A colleague from work casually mentioned he belongs to the local Kiwanis organization and they were hosting a 5k the next day (Saturday). I normally do my long runs on Saturdays but told him to send me the registration instructions so I can research the race. He sent me everything I needed to research and register for the race. Turns out the 5k course covers most of my normal Tuesday and Thursday training route so I was already familiar with the course. Decided to register Friday afternoon for the race on Saturday morning—did not figure I needed to do much mental or physical preparation since I was running the area anyway.
Happy to report I was able to run a respectable (for me) 28:04 official time for the 5k. I am especially happy with this time since we had to cross (over and back) the Seaway Drive bridge which has steep inclines. First mile was 8:38, second mile 9:18 and third mile 9:20. The second and third miles had bridge inclines so happy I was able to hold it together on both. NOTE: I felt good throughout and see faster times with a flatter course in my future.
I found out online I placed second in my age group. I did not stick around for the awards presentation since I had to get on the road to drive over to Clearwater beach.
Left Fort Pierce heading for my destination soon after I completed the 5k. Wanted to maximize much of the day to explore and walk on the famed beach. I had already booked my hotel and completed early check-in using the Marriott Bonvoy application.
The drive over to the west coast of Florida was simple. Just needed to follow directions provided by Google maps and I did not have issues with traffic. Made good time without having to speed—enjoyed the route and seeing new scenery on the trip.
Arrived in Clearwater Beach early afternoon and made my way to my hotel. Check-in was a breeze considering I did early check-in before arrival. Got myself settled in my room and added another layer of clothing on because it turns out I picked the coldest day of 2021 to go to the beach—oh well, it was still a great experience. 😊
My hotel was one block away from the beach so made the short walk over and made my way onto the famed Clearwater Beach. My plan was to walk the beach and take in the scenery while getting some pictures. Mission accomplished.
Explored a few shops on the main drag, Mandalay Avenue. Most of the shops catered to the tourists who pour onto Clearwater Beach daily. There are plenty of restaurants, hotels, bars, and shopping options within walking distance to the beach.
Made my way to the Salt Cracker Fish Camp for a late lunch. Nice little spot located in the marina district. I was able to eat and watch the charter boats come in and out of the harbor. The Salt Cracker Fish Camp has a great menu to select from, but I decided to go with the Jumbo Fried Shrimp dinner. Will try the Shrimp and Grits on my next visit. Recommend visiting this spot for the views and food.
The only Clearwater beach spot I found live music was the Salty Crab North Beach. Small little place the locals prefer but the food options are unlimited. There were only 10 people there when I visited so decided to grab a beer and check out the food menu. They have a huge selection, but I decided to build my own pizza. It was a great decision—the pizza was outstanding! Visited the Salty Crab the following morning for breakfast. Again, had a fantastic meal there and the coffee was amazing. Will try a crab dish on my next visit to the Salty Crab North Beach.
Did a little more beach walking after breakfast prior to driving back to Fort Pierce. This was a short weekend trip, but I was able to maximize my time on Clearwater beach. I will make a point to get back over there so I can get more time to explore—may even take a dolphin sightseeing tour for a new adventure.
Great weekend trip! 😊
Where have you wanted to visit? When will you make the trip? Thanks!
Irie!
“Bucket list: #1 beach, #2 more beach”.
(Pinterest.co.uk)
(Image by Valerio Errani from Pixabay)
The poet knows
The time and place to let the words flow
To get the point across
To those who read the words composed
Waxing a poetic and majestic flow
Is the goal the wordsmith is looking for
How we get there is not the important point
Putting the words together
That makes you think, smile and act
Now, that’s the joint!
“Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history”.
(Plato)
Hope
Hope springs eternal as
I search the distant landscape
The path I choose will determine my fate
The goal is to win the daily grind
Which path will I take?
Determination sets the course as the search continues
Multiple options, multiple venues
Working towards the important things in life
Without trying the only thing left is strife
Control
Life’s limitations can only limit what you allow
You have control over all circumstances
This I will avow
The simplicity of life will make you see
The things most important can be
Right in front of you
But you must stay true
The vision you have requires additional work, time, and effort
Put the past behind
Start to remove the limitations from the process and let the simplicity of life
Guide your path
“A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language”.
(W.H. Auden)
(Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay)
The Revolution is being televised
The Revolution is being televised
America can no longer hide behind the lies
We see the injustices daily
The same ones that leave us flailing
Just like we had when we sang ‘We shall overcome’
How long does the revolution need to go on?
Before the injustices of this land come to an end
Lucky for us the cameras have begun to roll
Because without the footage nobody would believe the carnage
That occurs daily and causes fear
That continues to show on the nightly news
Even though the perpetrators know they are recorded
The Revolution is being televised
But, does it matter?
Peace
Found peace today
Realized it was with me all along
Had to look deep inside to realize I control my peace
When things look bleak…seek peace
When times get hard…find peace
Look deep inside your soul and peace you will find
(Image by Lolame from Pixabay)
Why wax poetic?
Why wax poetic?
Waxing poetic allows me to find the flow
I need to make it through the day
This process provides the therapy, don’t you know?
You cannot get if you pay
Why the need you might say?
Thoughts, sounds, lights
Are all around
They color life for us all to see
The poetry provides my outline, the margins I need
To continue to color within the lines
Without the lines you have abstracts
And confusion
So, do you see?
Waxing poetic is just for me
“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility”.
(William Wadsworth)
(Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
Time
Watching Time
Tick Tock, Tick Tock
Time slowly moves on,
You must use it wisely
Express yourself
Let your thoughts flow,
Inform all who do not know
Share life lessons learned
With this you cannot go wrong
Note: All original verses by the author.
Walk Into the Future 