A wise doctor, named Jim, prescribed a peanut M&M a day as preventive medicine.  He told me the dosage varies for each person, but more importantly, they’re best absorbed if housed in a biscuit barrel from Tiffany & Co.  Jim and Jan gifted me with this beautiful barrel and it does the trick.  It’s the best medicine ever!  These tasty morsels coated with bright colors have curative powers.  After all, they’re made up of chocolate and peanuts – 2 superfoods.  If you have more than 1 a day, like we do, you feel even better.  As you increase your consumption, your brain craves more, and they become a very satisfying daily habit.  Try it, you’ll like it!

The moral of the story is if you tell yourself a peanut M&M a day is good for you, then it’s good for you.  This mind over matter thing is a real thing.  I just finished reading The Brain That Changes Itself and it is fascinating.   It talks about the power of positive thinking.  I experienced brain neuroplasticity firsthand and brain rehab saved my life.

We downsized into this charming and little 1954 bungalow in Dunedin.  It’s barely 1,000 sq. ft.  The yard is full of Florida native plants and old oaks with Spanish moss.  It’s walking distance to the Pinellas Trail, a duck pond, and best of all, the St. Joseph Sound.  We have been very fortunate with all of our houses, but I think we saved the best for last.

This morning was just below 60 degrees and a bit chilly.  I haven’t worn a light jacket in quite some time.  Ahhh, the air is fresh, the humidity is low, and I don’t have to walk far to get to the bathroom.  All is good!

I’m still trying to get Gretta to look at me and smile.  She’s so darn camera shy.  The blue vintage glass ball is my new night light in my corner.  It’s magical!

Gretta has always been camera shy, but she’s getting a little better in her old age.  I’m not sure what it is.  I don’t use flash and there are no clicking noises.   She just doesn’t like for us to take her picture.  Kind of like some humans that I know.  Gretta stares at you and as soon as she sees the camera, she turns her head away.  It’s the cutest thing when she wants to look at you, but she doesn’t want to look at you.

Gretta is very comfy at our new Dunedin house.  She was antsy at first with all the moving, but she’s chill again.  Once she saw the familiar red couch, she knew it was a safe place.  I caught her lounging on the patio this morning.  Apparently, she didn’t want to come back in so she didn’t.  The cool mornings below 70 are perfect these days.

I love Gretta and she loves me.  There’s really nothing better than coming home to a sweet dog.  Dogs give you unconditional love.  Cheers to all the dogs who warm our hearts and brighten our souls everyday!

By the way, the little house is our shed.  Pics of the house which is a little bigger coming soon!

We visited Brenda’s on the Causeway for breakfast this morning.  It is a casual, no frills family-owned restaurant popular with the locals.  The specials for the day were handwritten on notebook paper and presented to me in a ziplock bag.  I love it!  I ordered the special omelette with feta cheese and spinach and it was delicious!  There were huge chunks of feta cheese interspersed among tasty spinach and onions.  The crispy, buttery home fries weren’t bad either.  Sean got the french toast meal and it magically disappeared before my eyes.  As you can see, I didn’t have a moment to take a picture of it.  Not one crumb left on his plate.   Our waitress, Rose, came to check on us and she looked at Sean’s plate and said,  ”Well, I guess I don’t need to ask if everything was ok.”  We’ll be back for lunch and dessert.  They make pies everyday!  Oh boy!

We love finding local spots that are affordable, yummy and friendly.  We enjoy supporting our locals because we are locals.  Come and visit us in Dunedin and we’ll take you to Brenda’s.

Support local businesses!

Where have I been?  I didn’t know that I can fill a prescription for my antidepressants, buy chocolate, buy cough medicine and buy alcohol all in one place!  Did you?  I’m not depressed any more.  I don’t have to be inconvenienced to drive around to get my adult beverage to take with my meds.

My local Walgreen’s has a package store right next door to the store.  See!  It struck me as funny and convenient.  Healthcare really is a convenient business now.  When I think of Walgreen’s, I mostly think of a pharmacy and health and beauty stuff.  Now, when I want to buy an adult beverage of choice, I can think of Walgreen’s.  It’s a one stop shop.  I love the Health Warning.

It’s all about choices.  Try to make more good choices than not so good choices.

This weekend I received an email from Createspace telling me that I have money coming my way.  Actually, it’s money coming Samantha’s way.  What?  I forgot about the royalties from my book.  Back in my dark days, in a galaxy far away, I wrote a children’s coloring book about friendship, confidence, courage and hope.  I have sold 15 copies to date and that just tickles me pink.  It’s not about the sales, it’s about the reminder of what I did for myself to help me get through those very long, gloomy days.

After I designed the book cover, I sent it to Nathaniel, my best critic.  At the time, he was traveling in Thailand on his colorful adventure.  He told me that he liked the wave and the style.  Right then I knew it was book cover worthy because he liked it.  Nathaniel has always had and continues to have a keen eye for design.  He inspires me to be creative.

Thanks to all of you who supported me and bought my book.  If you lose your color, you can get it back too and it will be Beeeeutiful!!!  I’m thrilled to have my color back.

See my book on Amazon.

The Big Color Out

I used to love feeding the ducks when I was a little girl.  Don’t you remember breaking up stale white bread and the crumbs would go everywhere?   I do.  I loved those days.

Today I can’t feed the ducks at my nearby pond.  It’s not allowed.  But, “that’s ok because I can still enjoy them.”  My Samantha taught me to turn an upside down feeling right side up.  Some people call it “looking on the bright side of life,” but I call it Samanthaisms.

My morning walk started with a visit to my nearby pond.  Look what I found!  This beats feeding ducks any day.  Papa is trailing behind keeping a close eye on his family.

Too cute for words!

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Recently, red pops of color exploded in my new yard.  This is a new house for us and I didn’t really know about the colors of the plants.  I love purple, red is my 2nd favorite and green is a definite close 3rd.  These exotic plants are bromeliads and there are thousands of different species.  I’m calling this one the “perfect trifecta” species.  

Perfect Trifecta Bromeliad

My other surprise was the red hisbiscus blooms.  These have always been a favorite of mine.  You know you’re in Florida when you see palm trees and hibiscus blooms.  They make me smile real big.  Some believe that hibiscus tea has medicinal value such as lowering blood pressure.  My prescription is to take a few minutes to admire flowers and you will reap the benefits of lower blood pressure.

Hibiscus

Start practicing Flower Bloom Medicine now!  

See for yourself and let me know what happens.

We started our day with a morning stroll, swim and relax time at the beach. On our stroll, we discovered a unique palm tree.  It was a rockin’ piece of modern art!

The beautiful railroad vines, also known as beach morning glory, were everywhere. I learned that this plant is also known as goat foot.  I don’t see a goat foot, do you?

Visit Honeymoon Island!  It really is a wonder!

P.S. Make sure to click on blue words above.

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I accidentally broke my 3 mile walking goal this morning.  It was a pretty easy 1st mile, the 2nd mile was a little harder and the 3rd mile was a bit of a challenge for my brain.  Usually, after the 1st mile, I start to get a little whirly and have to really concentrate on my surroundings.  Believe it or not, seeing my shadow in front of me sometimes makes me feel unsteady.  No, I’m not afraid of it.

I haven’t walked 3 miles in a very long time.  Sean was with me the whole way, coaching and lending a hand when I needed it.  Stay strong for the Ta-Tas!

My walk route:

https://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/3184322323