So glad you stopped by to learn a little bit about me —
As a young mom, many many years ago, I used to tell my children when they were in their tremendous twos and they would let go with a high pitched scream when they were unhappy, “Use your words, please.”
As an Emeritus Dean of MBA programs, I rejuvenated (never say retired) in December 2012. So when I rejuvenated, I took a poetry course, and another and another.
And there I was, telling myself “Use your words, please.” And so I did, and I do. And always for fun! And if other folks enjoy my words, well that’s all the more fun.
I live in a highrise, right smack dab in the middle of Boston. I enjoy getting up with the sun, making a hot pot of coffee, sitting with pen in hand and coffee cup nearby, thinking, writing and reading before the city wakes up. In addition to writing, I enjoy traveling (so many amazing places have become my muse), knitting, watching my children as parents, and sharing every day with the love of my life these past 52+ years.
I started this blog March 1, 2015. Who says you can’t teach an old dame new tricks??? 🙂 I’ve met so many amazing people and find myself chatting with folks from all over the globe.
I joined the board of dVerse, a virtual pub for poets, in May 2016. A wonderful site where poets from literally around the world respond to prompts on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I’ve had a number of poems published – which is icing on the cake:
Cape Cod Muse in Provincetown Magazine, October 1, 2015 issue.
4 poems published at Poetry Breakfast: May 13, May 18 and May 31, 2016.
Shadow published on One Sentence Poems, June 24, 2016.
Tankas published in the Tanka Society of America’s Journals: Ripples in the Sand, 2016; and Ribbons, Fall 2017.
Specs Assunder on One Sentence Poems, September 12, 2018.
Farewell Provincetown in Provincetown Magazine, October 4, 2018.
In March 2016, I was honored to read some of my poetry at Bermuda’s celebration of UNESCO World Poetry Day…and was invited to return in 2017 and 2018.
My short story, Broken Promises was published in the Persimmon Tree, Fall 2022 issue.
Yep – I’m lovin’ rejuvenatement! (never say retirement)
Lovin’ life — lovin’ sweets — game to try new things like chocolate bacon!
And that’s me with the love of my life. We are thankful for every day!
lillian the home poet 
Hello Lillian
Thanks for visiting my blog and glad you enjoyed my post on Barbara Pym. I love your approach to retirement. I look forward to reading your work. As a recent re-discoverer of words (non-academic), it is encouraging to meet others like me!
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well……obviously I’m new to this blogging as I am just now seeing replies! So glad to have your reply….and welcome to the Rejuvenators movement! 🙂
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No problem! Glad to see your response 🙂
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Hello Lillian,
I have a premonition – your blog will be quite successful. So be ready for the positive maelstrom!
Lovely meeting you. And again, thank you ever for stopping by my little blogcabin.
AnnMarie 🙂
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Words really do get at the core. And you’ve managed to implant them firmly there, after a sojourn in the head and heart. Happy rejuvenatement!
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Thank you so much! I’ve been told I should start a rejuvenator’s movement! 🙂
So glad you’ve stopped by….shall take a meander through your site tomorrow!
lillian
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Thanks, Elena — albeit a bit later than your post! Being new to the world of blogging, I’m just now finding some of my replies. Yes — I’m loving rejuvenaqtement — someone suggested I start a Rejuvenators’ movement 🙂
Hope you’ll stop by again….truly fun to meander around this wordy world and find the creative muse in so many forms with so many from around the world!
lillian
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Like your “End of the Line”, you have already begun the journey of rejuvenatement. One can already feel the momentum picking up, as you pull out from the station. And interestingly enough, like magic, you wind up at the end of the line, when in fact that sounds more like the beginning of the line, given the wonderfulness of the stops name, and the channels and paths open to walk along from that point forward. May many seasoned travelers find your track so they too can enjoy your adventures Lillian! And your price for a yearly pass is simply breathtakingly unbeatable :o)
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Thanks so much for the kind kind words! My poetry mentor says I should start a Rejuvenator Movement! 🙂
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I believe you are already on that path :o)
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I so very much relate — it has taken me a long time to “re-find” things I had left on a shelf to come back to “later” — and I’m so very glad we have connected here on WordPress.
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….as the saying goes….ditto! 🙂
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Rejuvenatement! Love that! LOL
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Hello:) I must say, I am so glad I had this opportunity to page through your blog, I love the theme you’re using, it’s so easy to navigate from one post to another:) I cannot believe your blogging has began just a few months ago because you are so good:) your poetry it’s amazing, inspiring and full of beauty! I love all the categories you have, all the topics you write about! I am definitely following and I hope to see you visiting my red world again!
Love,
Julia
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Thanks so much, Julia! You’re the first person to comment on the theme, looks and navigation of of my blog. I’ve always wondered if it’s too simplistic….but know from my communications work and teaching presentation skills that the white space is as important as the words. So very very nice to get this affirmation from you! 🙂 And very happy you are enjoying my poetry. It is a little surprising to me that I’ve developed this “voice” after all these years. Many many many years ago I taught English 10 and taught units on poetry, Shakespeare, drama, developed a course on African American Literature and directed plays…..but never did the writing myself. So this is new and out there for me! 🙂
glad you’re joining me….
lillian
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Rejuvatement!! Love that. Wow! I’m inspired by your passion for life!
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So glad you stopped by. Yes — as I often say to friends who are having little quirks or frustrations in their day……”ah, the frustrations of life….and aren’t we glad we have them!” 🙂 Lovin’ life — it’s a gift! Read This is NOT Happening in my poems….and you’ll understand. 🙂 We are thankful for every day.
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“Aging may bring some forgetfulness, I forget where I put something to remember where I put it, but it doesn’t mean fading intellect!”
Nicely said. Glad to meet you Lillian and thank you for visiting.
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Ah ha, love rejuvenatement! Personally, I’m happily rebooting..!! Hope you’re enjoying your new lease of life as much as I am. 🙂
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Rebooting — another great way to put it. Thanks for stopping by and deciding to follow.
Always nice to meet a new friend over my morning coffee 🙂
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Likewise!!
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Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love your outlook on life. I’m working my way towards my own ‘rejuvenatement’ next year, love that word.
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Oh my…..how serendipity! I just left a lengthy reply on your About page and as I hit “send” I received the “ding” that told me someone had replied….and just now, a “ding” again….and here we are chatting over my morning coffee! 🙂 So nice to meet you Jean! 🙂
Isn’t this blog world quite amazing? Have only been doing this since March and have found it quite motivating and fun too!
Have a wonderful day!! 🙂
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Blogging is even more fun than chatting on the phone. Lovely to meet you Lillian. Enjoy the rest of your day. 😉
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Hello Lillian
Your about page put a smile on my face. You have a wonderful approach to life – positive, enthusiastic and quite cheerful is what comes to my mind if I have to describe you based on your about page. Love your Blog page. I am a fan and your follower now 🙂 Look forward to reading your blog posts.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Hope my posts entertain and amuse you.
Cheers 🙂
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Ah, so nice to see you here this morning over my first cup of coffee….I do enjoy my morning chats!
Yes, cheerful by nature….I think that’s the way to be! In the category Life in my blog, there’s a poem that is a self-portrait called Pollyanna. It’s me to a tee! So glad you’ve joined me here! 🙂
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Lillian, I found you by way of Melanie (This is my Corn), specifically your comment on her “Swing” story. I’ve enjoyed your poetry. Don’t want to lose you so I’m following. Come visit me sometime.
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Oh my….well somehow I never replied here….apologies! I always appreciate seeing your Likes and knowing that you’ve stopped by. Enjoy your work too 🙂 Shall be sure I meander over more this week! 🙂
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You guys are an inspiration. I pray to see such number of years with my darling husband too. I love the love and comfort that radiates around you 🙂
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oh my! Thank you soooo much 🙂 So you see, as I commented on your posts, we are both truly passionate about life! 🙂 Appreciate your kind words and wish you and your husband many years!
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I will say Amen to that 🙂
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Hi Lillian, thank you for visiting me and for your lovely comment. I’ve always been a bit shy about leaving comments but I am finding that the whole commenting thing is a wonderful experience.
You have an absolutely great ‘about’ page!
There is so much good in life and I think you have found it!
It is very nice to meet you 🙂
Have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend!
(Willow)
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Thank you…..and you shall forever be known as Willow to me! Happy I am today – and in part, because of you 🙂
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It is the same for me. I am so grateful to you for taking the time to say hello to me and in such a beautiful way 🙂
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My all-time favorite word for retirement is the Spanish “jubilación”. I think you are probably enjoying a fair amount of jubilation with your rejuvenatement. 🙂 And congratulations on the publication!
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I will remember that Spanish word! Perfect!!
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What a wonderful blog you have here. I can’t wait to read more of it. Happy Friday. Enjoy the weekend.
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So glad you’re enjoying my blog. I’m thrilled to find others who enjoy poetry! Also glad to have you with me on this journey. Thanks for following – hope to chat with you more over my morning coffee again!
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Thank you for sharing your wonderful energy!
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Rejuvenatement is a joy… And when there’s been a miracle in your midst in terms of health, we remember to be thankful for every day! So nice to meet you in this cyber space.
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I know we came across at Friday Fictioneers.. but if you would like to write to poetry prompts, I manage a site called dVerse. http.//dversepoets.com There are prompts twice a week, one on Tuesday and one on Thursday… if you would like to join I think you would fun it a good site…
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hmmmm….thought I replied here! Have joined the dVerse group — such an interesting concept and a good group of folks! Happy New Year, Bjorn. See you at the pub again soon.
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with the way you right and capture the mundane things of life in your post, particularly the poetry, i am moved to believe that in 30 years from now regardless of your age then, it will keep getting better. i love this blog, even though new here, i must confess, your writings and wordings resonates in my heart for reasons i may not find it convenient to say for the sake of those eavesdropping.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to write a reply here. Very happy you enjoy my posts. Hope to see you again throughout the new year!
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Hi, Lillian! Just wanted to say thanks for the visit at my place, and will be looking forward to reading your posts! 🙂
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So nice to meet you! Isn’t this blogosphere an amazing place? Always nice to meet folks who enjoy the written word — such power these things have, these things called words 🙂
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Happy to meet you, too, Lillian! I agree with you about the words. And also how it is mind-boggling how people from all over the world can communicate so easily! 🙂
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Wonderful to “meet” you, Lillian. Like you, I chose not to retire (from nursing) but to begin anew the creative life–from death and dying to birthing.
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So nice to meet you here Victoria. I just meandered over to your site to read your biography. What an amazing story you have. Yes — writing is the “birthing” of ideas….so powerful these things called words. I must say, the flower on your home page is absolutely stunning! Beautiful! I do hope to chat with you again. 🙂
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The flower is a photo my husband took in our Reno backyard…it became the cover photo of my first novel. Thank you…it would be nice to chat more often. I hang out at dVerse a lot.
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I am pleased to meet you, Lillian. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
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Nice to meet you as well!
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You are welcome.
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My fortune cookie fortune said: Today smile at everyone you meet. 🙂 So glad to meet you even further. And so glad to read what you wrote to my sister of the soul, Victoria. We think we are both reincarnated Japanese – she thinks she was a court lady, I know I was a Samurai, lol. Perhaps you were an empress. Who knows?
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How lovely! And thank you for stopping by my blog to read some of my FF stories! I’m glad to make your acquaintance, and look forward to reading your posts!
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Ditto!
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I found your blog because of NaPoWriMo. Your CV is a bit overwhelming (in a good way!). I’m only 23, but all the recently retired people I’ve known would definitely fit in with your “rejuvenated” lifestyle. I think, for many people, the best parts of their lives start after retirement. Also, the book spine poem was a cool prompt!
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ooooh — didn’t need to be overwhelming. I’d just adjusted the About section…will need to go back and underwhelm it a bit 🙂 Glad you found me — will be nice to chat over my morning coffee with you. I loved my life before rejuvenatement — no regrets. But I do enjoy my Sunday evenings more now 🙂 and when one decides, there is no boredom in life! 🙂 Hope to see you again! and glad you liked the book spine prompt.
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Happy to find another blog with wise and heart-warming words. Looking forward to more posts from you, Lillian. Have a great day! 😀
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So nice to meet you, Maria — I’m tipping my morning cup of coffee to you! I’m soon off to a yoga class but shall be certain to come on over to your side and meander a bit to get to know you too! Hope to share many a morning cup with you in the future! 🙂
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Hope to share many a morning cup with you in the future, too! Have a great day, Lillian. (Although, I think it’d be nightfall by now on your side of the world) 🙂
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Wow! I am inspired by your story. Good for you to start a new adventure!
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Nice to meet you Lori! 🙂 New adventures are always good — at any age. Sometimes though, they take a deep breath and a leaving behind — and paddling a bit — before we can head upstream again 🙂
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I agree although I find it hard sometimes to leave behind memories & relics of my past. I am struggling a bit this week with giving my sons more of their Dad’s things. It is the right thing to do but painful. They are just “things” but they signal letting go and moving on.
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Well….except they are not just “things” or you would not think it was meaningful to give them to your sons. You are sharing their dad’s love with them in a concrete way — and you still have his love in your heart and in many other belongings that you keep — because they belong where they are. Love is meant to be given away — and to cherish within as well. Thinking of you…..
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Very nice About section 🙂 Keep going 😀
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Very nice to meet you here! Hope you stop by again 🙂
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Rejuvenatement! So that’s what I’m doing. Had to retire last year due to health issues but am now writing most of the time and crafting my art as well. Found you on Gayle’s site.
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So nice to meet you! Yes – my spouse is similar to you in terms of how he came to his rejuvenatement period. This aging thing as my aunt used to say “is not for sissies!” But – I’ll take it any day in comparison to the alternative!
It’s all about juxtapositioning, right? How we choose to juxtaposition ourselves to people, places, events, challenges. Here’s to successful and fun juxtapositioning!
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Okay, you lost me with chocolate covered bacon! I really couldn’t! If the damned seafood wasn’t so good and plentiful here on the Mediterranean I would still be a vegetarian. Also, I have been spoiled too long with excellent dark European chocolate to ever eat Hershey’s or Cadbury’s again… 😉
I hear you loud and clear! I am also rejuvenated. When a work accident left me a bit limited, the county refused to supply the ergonomic changes the doctor demanded. In the end, I was put out to pasteur… Hardly. When they told me that I “Couldn’t do anything.” I sold my house and moved to the south of France. I had previously done two books of poetry, there are several more collections in files on my computer. I have two blogs for nearly five years and I’ve completed the rough draft of my first book (I’m currently doing what I call damage control). C’est la vie! Léa
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So fun to read your reply here! I do love seafood also — Boston is a great place for seafood as is the Cape. For me, Tazo chocolate is a delicious treat — dark chocolate my favorite. Will definitely have to visit your blogs — so glad to meet you here, Lea!
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Enchanté Lillian! Actually, I lived in NYC for about six years back in the dark ages… a few of the long stories if I ever get the book out there? I was born in CA to immigrant parents (UK and Swede) so I know a wee bit about good seafood. I’m afraid I’m not familiar with Tazo chocolate? I’m thrilled to have you check out my blogs and hope you will stop by some time and chat!
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What a great Mom you were (“Use your words, please!”) How perfect.
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Aw…thanks, Nan! I truly enjoyed those days! 🙂
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LOVE your 1-sentence poems!
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So nice to meet you here! Hope you’ll stop by again. And yes….I do enjoy the 1-sentence format. It’s really a challenge to infuse the meaning into so few words!
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🙂
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Hi Lillian! Lovely site. Could you contact me please so that you can put photo credit on one of my photos that you are using? Thank you!
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Oh dear. Sincere apologies. I try to be so careful about giving photo credits. I am so sorry. Can you please just tell me the name and date of the poem, and the statement you’d like in the photo credit and I’ll be happy to do that. Alternatively, if you’d rather I not use the photo, I can take it down and find another. Again, I do apologize. If you look through the site you’ll find that I do give photo credit unless it’s mine, or I find it in a public domain place. I am so sorry. Let me know.
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Is that a photo by Penn’s Cavern? Looks familiar…
http://pennscave.com/
My hubby and I just went there this year.
I’m semi rejuvenating. Though I’ve been writing for, well what seems like forever. 🙂
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Actually, if it’s the photo I’m thinking of, it’s in Bermuda. We were there all of Feb 2015, all of Feb and March 2016, and will be there Jan 28 to Feb 28 this year.
Semi-rejuvenating is good…..any amount of rejuvenating is good for the soul! Nice to meet you 🙂
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Looks like the opening to Penn’s Cave. Supposedly the only water cavern tour in (the county, state, country?).
We’re sort of neighbors ( I think…when you aren’t in Bermuda…I’m in SW, PA.
Safe travels and write about your experiences 🙂
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Read somewhere along the way that you might suffer a maelstrom of positivity, wow how true was that. Keep up with the good words, love your poems’
rejuvenation
young thoughts freshen the soul
rocking n rolling
Take care, best wishes – Mick
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Thanks, Mick. Glad you’re enjoying my posts. I do love handing out smiles😊
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Your most welcome ☺
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The photo and the 48 years – an inspiration!
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Thanks so much! He definitely is the love of my life. Thankful for every day!❤️😊
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Hi Lillian – no obligation – I nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award – https://pvcann.com/2018/10/21/blogger-recognition-award/
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Hello Lillian – This is a beautiful and joyous site. You and George are just as inspiring now as when I met you 50 years ago. Your “rejuvenatement” sounds much better than “oobleck”. All the best to you both!
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Oh my goodness…..3 years late, I’m just reading this!!!! I so remember you, Ginger. Thank you so much for stopping by!!! Ah yes….Bartholomew and the Oobleck! Gosh that was a long time ago. I remember it as much fun 🙂
If you are ever near Boston, you must contact me! 🙂
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Just discovered you this month with Imaginary Garden with Real Toads’ prompts for April. Enjoy your poetry so much and your zest for living is inspiring❣️🌹🙏
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I love your word for Not retirement. Will have to steal that, at least in spirit. It’s certainly the right attitude to have in my mind.
gramswisewords.blogspot.com
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I may just claim that status too, rejuvenatement! Sounds great since I can’t wrap my head around the fact I’ll be 70 in September😊
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Ah….just seeing this now. You must be a septuagenarian by now 😉 At 75, I LOVE being a septuagenarian….the alternative is not good! So enjoy every day – they are indeed a blessing!
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I feel rejuvenated after reading your poetry writing 😊 I want to visit Boston! Ever since watching Boston Legal with William Shatner! 😁🌹
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So nice to see you here! And glad you enjoy my writing. Oh yes….we love Boston. As many say, it’s a small big city. We are carless in Boston – walk and take public transportation everywhere. If you do indeed come to visit Boston, know you will not need a car! You can even take a commuter rail from Boston to Salem (think 192 witch trials) or Concord, MA or Amtrak from Boston to Newport Rhode Island or Mystic, Connecticut. And of course there’s a ton to see right here: full of history with the Freedom Trail! Paul Revere’s house, Old North Church where the lanterns were hung, Old Ironsides (oldest working ship in the world), Science Museum, Museum of Fine Art, Aquarium, WHALE WATCHING!! MUCH to do! Hope you make it to visit Boston! Ah yes…and if you’ve looked at my blog here, you’ll see fabulous pics of Cape Cod…there’s a fast ferry that, in the summer, will take you to Provincetown for a day trip in under 90 minutes 🙂
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Wow! Now I want to visit Boston even more! We have friends who live in Salem.
Thank you so much for this wonderful information. I love ferries ⛴
Thank you Lilian xx
💗🙏😊🌹
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