Author Archives: icedteawithlemon

About icedteawithlemon

I have recently retired from a 30-year career in education in one of the best school districts in the world. I hope to spend my second life reading, writing, photographing, traveling, biking, cheering on my favorite baseball team (the St. Louis Cardinals), and soaking up glorious sunshine. In my spare time I enjoy playing with my pet tarantulas, trying out new flavors of chewing gum, and knitting socks for prison inmates. I'm almost positive that in a past life I was one of the Seven Dwarfs (most likely "Grumpy"), and in my next life I'm going to be either a taste tester for Hershey's or a model for Victoria's Secret's new line, "Bloomers for Boomers." I want to travel country back roads, singing Vanilla Ice songs at every karaoke bar and rating bathroom cleanliness at every truckstop. And someday I plan to own a private beach where skinny girls aren't allowed. I want to be a writer when I grow up. "Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake."--Henry David Thoreau

Truths I’ve Learned Along the Way

Posted on January 25, 2018 by icedteawithlemon

Another year has whizzed by. Another year of disappointments, heartaches, and unbelievably ridiculous news events. Another year of sunshine, successes, and unbelievably wonderful adventures. I could easily lament—or celebrate—the passage of that year with all its ups, downs, and turn-arounds, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 22 Comments

And the Good News Is

Posted on January 25, 2017 by icedteawithlemon

It was one year ago today that I published my most recent blog. It was my birthday, and I was trying to put a light, humorous spin on turning yet another year older. Publicly, I was trying to smile and be … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Gratitude, Grumpiness, Kindness, Photography, Simple Pleasures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Another Year Older, But I’m Not Complaining

Posted on January 25, 2016 by icedteawithlemon

Another year has slipped right through my fingers.  Another year of feeling the ravages of time in every creaking, Aspercremed joint, another year of watching gravity turn a pair of sock puppets and a belly button into sweaty dance partners, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Gratitude, Photography, Simple Pleasures | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What We Really, Really Want

Posted on September 23, 2015 by icedteawithlemon

It’s 3 a.m. and I am wide awake—again. I untangle from my sweat-soaked sheets and stumble blindly into the bathroom for the third time since crawling into bed just a few hours earlier. There’s no need to turn on the lights; … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Beauty, Health, Humor, Men, Sleeplessness | Tagged , , , , , | 20 Comments

Embrace the Goodness

Posted on July 2, 2015 by icedteawithlemon

This moment—and this one, too—is filled with beauty and hope, love and joy. If you look closely, you will see all that goodness swirling around you in the faces of family and the actions of strangers. If you listen carefully, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Beauty, Gratitude, Kindness, Love, Photography, Simple Pleasures | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

I Would Never Say That

Posted on May 9, 2015 by icedteawithlemon

The other night I was reading aloud to my husband an annoying Facebook post one of my friends had made. Very little clouds my mostly sunny disposition these days—and this particular post really had nothing to do with me—but it still … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers, Grumpiness, Humor, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Baffled and Bewildered … Again

Posted on March 31, 2015 by icedteawithlemon

Every time I think my wisdom is finally starting to catch up to my years, little events in my personal life and bigger ones in the crazy world around me suggest I still have much to learn and even more to … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Photography | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

The Good Ol’ Days?

Posted on February 21, 2015 by icedteawithlemon

A Morning in My World, 2015 I awkwardly maneuver my stiff, creaking limbs off the pillow top mattress, and then I stumble to the bathroom counter to insert my contacts so I can see walls and doors before I run into … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, Aging, Parenting, Regrets | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Older than Zip Codes–Yep, That’s Me

Posted on January 24, 2015 by icedteawithlemon

Tomorrow is my birthday, and I will be 55 years old. Fifty-five. Years. Old. The double nickel. Halfway through my fifties and skidding downhill toward my . . . I can’t even say it. Holy cow. How in the heck … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Aging, Gratitude, Humor, Photography, Simple Pleasures | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

A New Year’s Resolution I Can Keep

Posted on January 1, 2015 by icedteawithlemon

Like most of you, at the end of every year I spend a lot of time reflecting on the year gone by and at least a few minutes planning for the year ahead. I hope, I dream, I wish, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Fears, Photography, Regrets, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments