Did I learn anything in November? It is my busiest month. Lots happened and perhaps I learned a few things:
- I joined BNI, Business Network International. The Visalia chapter isn’t official and won’t be until there are 20 members; I was #12 to join.
- I taught a drawing workshop to 5 eager learners at a gallery in Visalia called Arts Visalia.
- St. Anthony’s Retreat hosts a great event each year called “Festival of Trees”. I’ve been a judge of those fabulously decorated Christmas trees for all 5 years, and it is very difficult and very rewarding, especially with my fellow very thoughtful and careful judges. Who knew??
- The annual Holiday Bazaar wasn’t well attended but the attendees were all committed shoppers; I see evidence of a growing economy, for which I am thankful.
- The Kaweah Artisans have been together for about 20 years; we continue to be a very compatible group who put together simple and enjoyable boutiques in Three Rivers.
- I can paint large; maybe 18×36″ isn’t large in the Art World but in my world it is practically a mural. It is much slower than a mural, because of the many layers and amount of detail and amount of time for each layer to dry.
- I went off my fiction fast with a vengeance and slammed 9 books, all fiction. The top ones were: One of Us (audio, Tawni O’Dell), The Lightkeeper’s Daughters (Jean E. Pendziwol), Fair and Tender Ladies, (Lee Smith), Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus (Joyce Magnin), and Flatshare (Beth O’Leary). Hmmm, perhaps I was trying to escape the busyness.
- In order to refresh a garden, the old stuff needs to be removed but it can be transplanted elsewhere instead of throwing it on the burn pile. I replanted the area around my studio, about 18 years after first planting anything free that would grow fast. Back then, I also spent money on real plants, and probably killed 3 times as many plants as have prospered.
- One of my favorite podcasters is Don Miller; I subscribe to his daily Business Made Simple tip. One day in November he advised this: “Do not be confused about something that is not confusing. (sounds dumb, eh?) Ask yourself, “If I wasn’t confused what would be the obvious thing to do? Am I afraid of letting someone down? Do I really not want to do this thing?”
- Somewhere online I read about a thing that allows an old car to play a cell phone’s podcasts (or whatever else your smartphone is playing, like the talking lady telling you how to get places) through the stereo speakers. It goes in the cigarette lighter— IT WORKS AND IS EASY TO USE!
What did you do and learn in November? Want to share in the comments?
3 Comments
Thanks for the challenge. Here are 10 things I’ve learned (in no particular order) in November, the first month of my retirement after over 40 years as Administrative Assistant to the Minister of Music at my church:
1. My church family loves me more than I ever thought.
2. I haven’t started–but should start–the projects I was going to start “when I retired.”
3. It’s very easy to eat from boredom.
4. I miss the people, but not the job this time of year, the busiest in our church music calendar.
5. A good goal is to schedule something or someone every day to get out of the house at least once.
6. I’m looking forward to spending extended times at Mineral King next summer.
7. Getting two kittens is a lot of fun, but takes careful planning when putting up Christmas decorations (e.g. there will be no tree this year)!
8. Getting more involved in community groups is enjoyable and rewarding.
9. Scheduling appointments is a lot easier when the entire day is available.
10. I love reading Jana’s blog! (shameless plug, there)
Sharon, this is delightful! All that open time is both a luxury and a bit of a puzzle, but pretty soon you will wonder how you ever had time to hold down a job.
1. Of course!
2.No “shoulds” in retirement – if you really want to do the projects, they’ll fall into a priority order for you so you will start chipping away. If not, maybe you don’t really want to do the project, just want it to be DONE.
3. Good that you have figured that out early
4. Not working with other people can leave an empty piece inside. (says she who works alone)
5. Does a walk count?
6. Me too!
7. We haven’t had a Christmas tree for years.
8. Looking forward to hearing what some of those groups are.
9. Flexibility is so helpful.
10. Aw shucks. I love reading your comments!
1. A blessing to know!
2. I must remember it doesn’t all have to be done the first month!
3. Not soon enough. *sigh*
4. I realize that, which is partly why I will sing in the concert choir this year and lead the handbells, but still taking a break from Sunday mornings, temporarily.
5. Absolutely! Except when it’s 37 degrees outside.
6. Hope to see you there!
7. I’ve always had one, but I have too many antique and precious ornaments to take the chance of coming home and finding the tree in a horizontal position.
8. So far: Bible Study, Helping Hearts & Hands (knit and crochet group for charity), my own association (with a look forward on being on the board next year).
9. Quite so. I just have to remind myself when I call that it doesn’t have to be the very first appointment of the day.
10. You’re welcome, and it’s true!
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