Florida Sun – J.I.L.L.

Beach for Self Care

I took some time for self care yesterday at the beach. I try to make it to the beach at least once a week, even if only for an hour or so.

Yesterday was 78 degrees, with a light breeze, and only a few clouds. I decided it wasn’t going to get better than that so I grabbed a beach chair and a towel and made the 10-15 minute drive to one of the local beaches.

I enjoyed laying out in the sun, listening to the sound of the waves, watching a family frolic in the waves, watching a pelican float along on the waves, and was lucky enough to see the SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink launch!!! It was neat to see everybody on the beach standing and looking north to catch the launch. My parents saw a launch from their house on Monday and said they could even see the separation event. This one wasn’t nearly as close as that one. It traveled more east than south. Still pretty cool to see on a random trip to the beach.

I have decided the beach is good for the soul and I must stick to my goal of making it there at least once a week. If not for me, I need to do it for all my loved ones in PA and DE who are enduring the winter!

The little bright spot is the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch

Gratitude

I started the day out by sleeping in until 7:30. This might not seem like sleeping in, but for someone who got up at 5:30 am every work day for years, it is. It was nice to stay in bed until the sun was out.

I decided today would be my first run. And let me clarify quickly that I use the word “run” loosely here. I laced up and headed out. It was gorgeous. 53 degrees, mostly sunny, with shadows cast by the rising sun.

My self talk can be kind of head trashy during runs. Today wasn’t too bad for that. I did have thoughts about wishing I was a faster runner, but then I passed some older folks who were walking and I thought to myself, “they probably see me running and wish they could still run. I should be grateful that I can run, even if it’s not very fast.”

And that’s the crux of today. Gratitude. It’s an attitude and it’s so important. I was inspired by a text from a friend today about being grateful. Instead of being unhappy that I didn’t sleep longer, I was grateful to sleep until the sun was up. Instead of beating myself up for a slow pace (on my first run in weeks), I was grateful to be out running at all. Instead of missing my boy, I’m going to cherish the joy-filled times I had with him.

Appreciate what you have. Especially your health. When you don’t have that, it’s hard to have much else. Be grateful for all things, big and small.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Gator Day

Today Betty Anne and I went on an air boat ride! We saw gators and birds and lots of beautiful flora. I’ve been on this tour once before, in late June. At that time, since it was hot, you could only see the gators’ nostrils and eyes popping up slightly out of the water. Since it’s “getting colder” now, the gators are moving up onto land areas so you can see almost their whole bodies.

We spent some time driving around Vero, laying by the pool, and napping. Then we went for dinner at Captain Hiram’s in Sebastian, which is the next town north of Vero Beach. It was a lovely day again.

Vero Beach – First Full Day

Well , today was rough… BA had to have shoofly pie for breakfast, a mimosa before noon, and a Pain Killer with lunch…

It was a beautiful day in Vero, despite lingering winds and choppy seas from the storm this weekend. And it was a great day. We both slept really well and slept in. We had some breakfast and took care of a little business and then headed over to my sister’s house.

We sat by her pool, listening to the fountain, soaking up some sun, chatting, and sipping mimosas.

Then BA and I headed to the island to Waldo’s for a Pusser’s Pain Killer and some lunch. We sat by the ocean and enjoyed the sound and smell of the surf. I’ve never seen the ocean here so muddled, nor have I seen such big waves here. It was still a lovely sight to behold though.

After lunch, we drove a few minutes south to a public beach access point. We set up close to the water. I may or may not have dozed off while BA watched the surf and even dipped her toes in. The wind was a little strong at times, but so was the sun.

We were so drained from our busy day that we both took naps after we got home. And now we’re hanging out while mom makes dinner.

In all, it was another wonderful day of sunshine and quality time with friends and family.