Happy First Day of Autumn 🍁☕️
That first mug of morning joy juice; scent lovely & savored almost reverently during that soft in-between space … when twilight hasn’t quite let go and the Day is quietly beginning - and time is quiet and mellow. Basking in the serene moments for a while ✨ We were never created to carry the weight of the whole world; just to live faithfully in the small place we’ve been given 💛
While Holland - and unknown strangers also slept in these quiet morning moments, I brewed another small pot of coffee & visited my Web Friends (Blogger, FB, ect.). One friend's post resonated with me; so, I lifted it & reposted it with my own thoughts & title, tagged to it:
I also saw that my MOD PUMPKIN SPICE COFFEE COASTER Pattern, was featured on Teresa's Blog Hop Link Party …
And, my Senior Exercise Plan 2026 post, was featured on Angie's Blog Hop Link Party:
I did a lower body workout - with a warm up routine, before the actual targeted muscle zone:
For older adults, muscles take longer to warm, joints need more time to lubricate, and the cardiovascular system must adjust gradually. A proper warm‑up: increases blood flow and muscle temperature; improves joint mobility and reduces stiffness; activates balance and coordination systems; & prepares the body for the specific movements in the lower body session. Tips for Safety and Effectiveness: Start light, increase movement range as you warm up. Dynamic over static: Use moving stretches, not holds, before exercise. Match the workout: End with movements similar to your lower‑body routine (e.g., squats, lunges); Example: Before a seated leg press or standing squat set, march in place, do hip circles, side steps, and mini squats to ensure hips, knees, and ankles are ready. Stop if you feel sharp pain: Discomfort is normal; sharp pain is not.
Warm Up 5–10 Minute Routine: Perform each move for 30–60 seconds, moving slowly and with control. Use a chair or wall for support if needed.
March in Place – Light cardio to raise heart rate and blood flow. Lift knees slightly, arms swinging naturally.
Standing Hip Rotations – Warms hips for squatting, lunges, or walking.
Side Step Jacks with Arm Swings – Engages hips, thighs, and core. Step side‑to‑side, swinging arms with each side step.
Walking Lunges (Low or Modified) – Prepares legs for lunge‑type lower‑body moves. Step forward, bend front knee, then return.
Knee Lifts – Activates hip and thigh muscles. Lift one knee toward chest, switch sides.
Ankle Rolls – Improves ankle mobility for stability. Lift one foot, rotate ankle clockwise and counterclockwise.
Mini Squats – Eases hip flexor muscle activity. Feet shoulder‑width apart, bend knees slightly, then return upright.
This sequence helps seniors enter lower‑body training with better mobility, balance, and reduced injury risk.
I read a couple chapters of my most recent Cussler-Fargo adventure, & let the fact/fantasy storyline carry me away to the lofty heights of foreign mountain terrain …
{{Goliath Ammonite and Ammolite
A “goliath” ammonite” refers to a very large fossil ammonite, while “ammolite” is the rare, iridescent gemstone made from the fossilized shells of such extinct marine mollusks.
What is an Ammonite?
Ammonites were extinct marine mollusks related to squids and octopuses, living during the Mesozoic Era (roughly 240–65 million years ago). They had spiral shells and are found worldwide in fossil deposits. The term “goliath” in this context usually means an unusually large specimen, sometimes several decimeters in length, which can be of paleontological interest.
What is Ammolite?
Ammolite is a biogenic gemstone formed from the fossilized shells of ammonites, primarily from the Bearpaw Formation in southern Alberta, Canada. It is composed mainly of aragonite (CaCO₃), the same mineral found in pearls, with a microstructure inherited from the original shell.
Formation
Over millions of years, tectonic pressure, heat, and mineralization replaced the organic material in the ammonite shell with aragonite, preserving the shell’s layered structure. These thin layers cause iridescence — a rainbow-like play of colors — due to light diffraction.
Properties - Hardness: 3.5–4.5 on the Mohs scale. Color: Red, green, blue, violet, and other hues, depending on layer thickness. Rarity: Only ~5% of ammonite fossils are gem-quality; high-grade stones are extremely rare.
Distribution: High-quality ammolite is found almost exclusively in Alberta, Canada.
Cultural and Gemological Significance
Ammolite was officially recognized as a gemstone in 1981 by the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO). It is valued for its unique, one-of-a-kind color patterns and is used in jewelry, decorative inlays, and as a collector’s item. Indigenous peoples, such as the Blackfoot, historically called it Iniskim (“buffalo stone”) and used it in talismans.
In Summary
Goliath ammonite = a large fossil ammonite specimen, of paleontological interest.
Ammolite = the gemstone made from ammonite shells, prized for its iridescent colors and rarity.
Both are linked by the same ancient marine life, but one is a fossil specimen, the other a mineralized gemstone.
~Various Info Sources}}
Holland's cell went off went he woke up - so, after he finished his coffee, we drove off to Longview, to pick up his inhaler prescription.
He took the back roads route 🚘 … so, I grabbed a pumpkin spice coffee from the coffee shop 🥤 in Castle Rock as we passed through. While we waited for it to brew, I laughed when I saw the "Caramel Sasquatch" flavor, I haven't seen before. In Longview, the prescription pick up was quick … I bought a Fall-scented candle 🪔 (which I will not burn until Holland's lungs get the "all clear" from the recent pneumonia flareup); & I avoided stepping on a pretty red leaf - it was all alone, and it seemed a shame to destroy it. MPO
After supper, I drank a mug of nighty-night tea, & dove back into the Cussler-Fargo novel before turning in early - tomorrow I have an appointment in Tenino, & I need to be alert to make sure the partial fit is correct. We have a lot going on right now, I do not want refitting appointments to eat up the time needed to accomplish what needs doing.
While we are riding out the months here until everything is satisfactorily accomplished, I am going to be leaning into creating a cozily seasonal, contented, home atmosphere.
Fall contentment or well-being isn’t just about candles, cozy blankets, books, and mugs of warm, flavorful, seasonal beverages - though as the leaves turn & the air gets crisp, I do enjoy my seasonal treats 😉
This afternoon, I treated myself to a spendy caffeinated seasonal indulgence - the rest will follow in short order as the holiday season kicks in, full force, while we are in the PNW …
🎃 Pumpkin Spice Latte – Creamy, spiced, and topped with whipped cream: a fall must-have, even if the coffee shack cost is outrageous 💸
☕️🍵 Spiced Coffees & Teas – Flavored Coffees or Teas, with a dash of cinnamon, clove, or a hint of orange for a soothing, cozy sip ~ I have my flavored coffees & fancy teas fingertip ready, to brew & steep.
🍫 Hot Chocolate – Rich, velvety, and perfect with a dollop of whipped cream or marshmallows = a PNW "must" during the "ber" months.
Sometimes slowing down, reducing stress, and finding joy in everyday moments is becoming comfortable in your own life: making peace with what has been & letting go of what no longer belongs. Choosing slower, softer, simpler; and realizing you don’t have to be who you once were.
Choices are being made.
Change can be a good and welcome thing.
There’s something beautiful about growing into a life that is evolving.
He’s not perfect. But he's real - & he cares deeply. He steps in to help with supper, laundry, and other shared space tasks when my physical battery is running low; he stays on top of the bills due & keeps finances out of the red; he is not overtly present sometimes, but he shows up for US in quiet ways: weekly "us-time" dates; thoughtful acts that may appear small - but are big in all the ways that matter; consistent love - sometimes covert, but always present. Faithful to God, as he understands relationship, & faithful to US as best he understands relationship. He doesn't always get it right, but he gets me.
And I love him. ❤️
A big part of who I am in this season of my Life … is who I am not, anymore.
