Finding Some Summertime Bliss
How do you find your summertime bliss?
Bright sunshine, picnics, summer reading, campfires, vacations, splashing in a pool – it’s all calling your name.
Time to live at a gentler pace and make time for the simpler pleasures in life.
My blogging buddies and I are sharing what we’re up to this summer (and this winter for those of you who live in the southern hemisphere) to inspire you to have the greatest season ever!
What are we loving, thinking about, reading, watching, listening to, wishing, and anticipating? Please have a read and enjoy. Then visit the other blogs listed at the end of this post for some more seasonal inspiration.
Loving…
I’m loving my new life at our new home at the beach and retirement life.
What a luxury to go sailing whenever the wind is up, discover new hiking and biking trails, write at my desk gazing at all the greenery in our backyard, or go to the movies on a rainy weekday afternoon.
Hubby and I were so ready to start a new chapter in our lives. The beach has not disappointed. An extra rainy winter, May gray, and now June gloom, I’ll take it all! No complaints whatsoever.
Reading…
Another luxury in retirement – time to read more books! Started my summer reading early.
The last few months I’ve read: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, The Maid by Nita Prose, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, and Pulitzer Prize winning Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.
But my favorite book I’ve read is…here it comes…drumroll…Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. I was charmed by this book with a heart touching message and an octopus you can’t help but love.
Watching…
The ocean. Spectacular sunsets. Wildflowers blooming everywhere after a rainy winter. Dolphins leaping out of the water as we sail. Hummingbirds bathing and splashing in our water fountain. Grandchildren playing in the sand when they come to visit. Rabbits grazing in our grass.
It’s way too beautiful to be sitting indoors watching TV.
Listening to…
Lucky to go to an Eagles concert a few months ago and recently watched the new Guardians of the Galaxy (Volume 3) movie (thumbs up for the movie but it’s so sad it’s the last one – they are my fav Marvel characters and I’ll surely miss them!) which got me hooked on classic 70s music all over again!
The Rolling Stones, Queen, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Eagles, Marvin Gaye, The Beatles, Jim Croce, Three Dog Night, Carly Simon, The Monkees, Cat Stevens, John Cougar Mellencamp, Carole King , Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, Eric Clapton, Simon and Garfunkel, and Elton John are all on my play list.
And, of course, I’m listening to waves crashing on the shore and water gently lapping against our boat every chance I get.
Thinking About…
Well, hubby and I aren’t totally retired. I’m still writing and Scott works part-time at his own business to supplement our Social Security checks.
So…I’m thinking about a release date for my upcoming book to help all of you who want to write in retirement. I’m a perfectionist and have a hard time letting go of a book. I just want to keep editing. But it has to stop sometime! As Elsa sang, “Let it go, let it go…”
I’m almost there, so stay tuned for news.
Anticipating…
Our upcoming anniversary trip. We are celebrating 45 years of marriage by visiting Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Never been to this part of the country before and can’t wait to see the Great Smokey Mountains!
Wishing…
Wishing our wild w-rascially w-rabbits would quit eating my flowers and berries!
In My Camera Lens…
All those spectacular flowers we had during California’s Super Bloom!
So, there you go. That’s what I’ll be up to this summer. What are your summer plans? What are you reading, watching, listening to, or looking forward to? Please share in the comments below!
For more summer inspiration, visit the #Gr8blogs below. Thanks for stopping by!
Oh Julie, I loved everything about your blog!
Your area sounds so peaceful and beautiful and I’m glad you and your husband are enjoying your time.
Books: “The Maid by Nita Prose” Wasn’t that a cute book? I enjoyed it so much.
“Remarkably Bright Creatures,” by Shelby Van Pelt was a book I didn’t want to end. I loved that one, too.
Music: All the 70’s artist you mentioned are my favorites. : ♪ 🙂
Happy 45 Years! I can’t wait to hear about your trip south and I hope you will get to meet our friend, Cat. If you happen to make it through our area, let us know.
Keep me posted if there is anything I can do to help you with your next book. I’m excited to read it.
Have a wonderful summer, Julie and family.
Thanks Rosie! Won’t make it to your area this time around, but perhaps in the future. It would be so fun to meet in person! I’ll keep you posted on my upcoming book. Almost there!
Hi Julie, I’m so glad your move has proven to be so successful and you are enjoying retirement. You name some wonderful bands there, they bring back great memories to classic songs. We were lucky to see the Eagles perform twice in Sydney, in 2010 and again in 2015. They were fabulous!
Thanks, Sandra. It was my first time seeing the Eagles – and they were indeed fabulous! Don’t know why I waited so long.
Everything sounds lovely You’re doing retirement right!
That sounds amazing. You are living the dream. Oceans waves are super relaxing. Glad you’re enjoying retirement.