Time passes more quickly than ever imagined
Most likely, somewhere in your 40’s
You have lived more years than you have left….
Are you going to let time slip by –
Or
Are you going to spend it deliberately
Eye-catching sign at the airport in Venice, Italy.
A blessing?
A curse?
Both…
I was 12 watching the first moon landing.
My son is a NASA engineer and worked on Artemis II.
I was 17, just graduated from high school, watching Nixion resign.
I voted for Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris.
I was about 7 or 8 when I got a sugar cube with the polio vaccine.
I have been getting the covid vaccine since it has been available.
I believe in science.
Start the day with the gratitude
I am alive.
Physical pains are not stopping me from doing what I want to do.
My sweet husband reaches for me – hugs me, tells me that he loves me.
Our puppies run, smiling to greet me
They are joyful in this new day we get to share!
Husband and I hug
There’s coffee
He started a fire
The day is before us
Such a pleasure – to have a good book in front of the fire and sip my coffee
As I write today the wind is wicked cold like January rather than April
And STILL am grateful to be able to walk our nature trail with my husband & dogs
Faith found a ball! Fun having fetchers!
“I’ll get it!” says Bliss.
Or 2! We smile more & walk more & laugh more WITH DOGS!
They are the routine & flow of our day.
These little 9-week-old, wild, super soft, fluffy, boundless energy
creatures had our hearts from the get-go. In the year since
they came to live with us in March 2025, we have patiently
taught them so much and they are learning more all the time.
Bliss and Faith are so smart and want to learn and please us.
WOW – the 4 of us have come a long way in a year.
Bliss has gotten a lot longer in a year!
Funny girl!
We are enjoying them, enjoying the river!
We live in the perfect place to have dogs!
Gratitude For Us
Celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary (in 2017)
We’re living a love story (against all odds…)
Gratitude for Meaningful Opportunities
So grateful to travel & to having my writing & photography & to have other writers in my life
Happy to help promote Jacque’s 1st book!
So grateful for meaningful work.
Editing Theresa Collins’ powerful memoir about aging out of the foster care system.
I’ve been working on a new picture book. The working title is: Walking in the Magical Mountain Seasons
I am sorting through my beta writer’s feedback and my query letter
Janet Jones Bann is a writer friend with whom I’ve agreed to read her Substack post and see if I have any worthwhile ideas – though she is a thoughtful, dynamic writer
https://janetjonesbann.substack.com/
A little library I came across in France & left one of my bookmarks
with puppy Joy on front for my picture book: Mountain Mutts- Joy’s Tale
Amazon link to Mountain Mutts – Joy’s Tale
A little library in Greece where I contributed my book Tea and Talk with Friends
Gratitude For The Peacefulness of Where We Live
Hiking! DOGS!
Grateful to have dogs we can safely take on off-leash walks and hikes.
Living in the Mountains – so many postcard-pretty, close by places to walk or hike
Walking on our property, we have come across a moose enjoying the river,
elk hanging out in our valley, deer and fawns grazing,
a moose calf nursing! Coyotes across the river from us with their fresh kill.
Like living in a National Geographic magazine…
Crystal Peak out our window & back door
Photography – Living in the Mountains – an evening walk
This is not a vacation, this is home.
Gratitude for work with Children
My / our son and daughter are generous, contributing members to society – married with children
I have a M.Ed., am a former teacher, nanny and tutor. My life’s work has always been centered on helping children grow.
I am happy to be working on a second picture book for children.
Grandchildren – making a difference in the life of a child
Being a nanny – making a difference in the life of a child
We live in a great place for children and dogs to play
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
― St. Augustine
Gratitude for travel
I’m glad to have this. It was 2017. A travel companion took my
phone / camera and snapped this picture almost before I knew what was happening.
When Bruce and I were back in the Louvre in 2024 the line the see the Mona Lisa was out the door.
I wish now, that we would have traveled even more when we were younger.
*At least we are still doing it!
A sunrise breakfast in Greece
We had dinner watching the setting sun over the Aegean Sea
Monet’s bridge in his garden. Spectacular.
This dazzling purple wisteria is all over the French countryside in springtime.
Volunteering
making a difference in the life of a child
I feel fortunate to have education
and opportunity to share my skill and knowledge
Time passes & passes…thoughts?
“Walks in nature are hugs for my soul.” Julie A R Stephens
julie@handsbestrong.com
Jules, this is lovely and made me smile before I even got to the place where you shouted me out. Thank you for that and for the beautiful photos and words. It looks like you have a wonderful life.
Hi Janet,
It is my intention that my writing and photography feel like a comforting hug; so, thank you for that.
Indeed, I do have a wonderful life. I know that living intentionally and with gratitude has added to my sense of contentment and joy.
Thank you for the opportunity to work with you on your powerful essay. – jules
Beautifully written! I can feel your joy and gratitude coming through the words. What a beautiful life!
Hi Theresa,
Thank you.
I have found that living intentionally and with gratitude brings joy! Hugs – jules
Jules,
Such beautiful reflections of living a wonderful life in the mountains. The video of the river is so soothing and refreshing. The pups are amazing. I can’t believe they are a year old already! Such sweet girls. Thank you for your generous support of my writing and book. I appreciate you! ❤️
Hi Jacque,
Thank you.
I have found that living intentionally and with reflection is part of being a growing human being and living a full life.
It is hard to realize that Bliss and Faith have been with us over a year. It’s what we say often: the time is going to pass anyway, what are you going to accomplish? The puppies have learned a lot with our patient guidance.
You are most welcome! I appreciate you Jacque! Hugs – jules