Yay! Today is one of my favorite quirky holidays because I, along with my family, have always been a lover of Math! I have many happy memories of Pi celebrations over the years, which included doing Pi puzzles, eating Pies (Pizza, Chicken Pot Pies, or, of course, just good ol’ fashioned yummy fruit pies), dressing up in Pi Attire, making foods that look like Pi, and, of course.. memorizing digits of Pi!
One of the activities that I think was the most creative was my Pi Poetry in which I (playing the role of Professor Pi) created 3 new types of poems using the number Pi with examples of each. Though I was very impressed with myself, the judges from the comPItition that I’d entered did not even give me an honorable mention. What a PIty!
I still believe I will become famous some day for these creative PI Poems. What do you think?
Pi-ku
Derived from Haiku (俳句 high-koo)which uses a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
Definition: A Poem in which the number of syllables in each line, matches that of PI: 3.1415
Example:
What is the
Point
Of Never-ending PI?
It’s irrational.
Iambic Pi-Tamiter
Definition: A poem in which each line has double the syllables and the number of metrical feet as that of PI.
Example: MatheMatical Ratio a Fraction
a Number-Crunching disTracTion
let Go
for You will Never reach SatisFacTion
Pi Sonnet
Definition: a poem of fourteen lines following the rhyming scheme: aaa.bccccbddddd; Typically a love poem.
Example: Diameter, a straight and simple number
Alone and feeling down and umber
In boredom she would simply slumber
[Pointed pause]
But wait!
A number of a different sort
Up front, she finds he’s rather short
Oh, but past the point, there’s no report
of ever reaching an ending port.
It’s fate!
He’s different, yes, not Hex nor Bi.
This irrational number was her guy.
At last she’d found her Sweetie Pi.
And so, she proposed with an excited cry,
“Let’s go full circle and multiply!”
That’s my most creative Pi-Day contribution. This year, I’m just doing the good ol’ fashioned eating some Key Lime Pie!
New friend, Madeline and I, at the Sarasota Open Fine Art Show at Phillippi Estate Park
Today’s microadventure was fun both for the event and the company, which, of course, is always the goal. However, since it was the first time I’d met Madeline, and the only thing I knew about her is that we had a mutual Facebook friend, I wasn’t quite sure how she’d like being my microadventure-buddy. I’m happy to say she very happily agreed to not only joining me for the event, but enduring my photos and questions with good humor and interest!
Actually, when she told me she’d recently bought a Winnebago and was traveling only with her dog, I was in major awe of her bold spirit! I just love her sense of adventure and felt bonded with her immediately!
There were so many beautiful and unique works of art. Every time I go to one of these events, I’m so tempted to buy something special for myself. Maybe it’s a good thing that there are just too many special things that it’s hard for me to pick out just one! There’s also the fact that I don’t even own a place out here (yet). However, when I’m settled in my Bradenton condo (April!) it will be fun to find some special art pieces to decorate the place and make it feel like mine.
After perusing to our heart’s content, Madeline and I took a walk around Phillippi Estates (where the event was held).
Then we grabbed some lunch at this Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck! (Michael B., I just sampled the goods here with lobster bisque, but waiting to really pig out (or would that be Lobster Out?) with you!)
It was a little chilly outside, so Madeline invited me to her Winnebago to enjoy our soup and talk. Her van was so pretty and clean and new with lots of coziness to accommodate both her and her dog.
She shared a beautiful purplicious quilt that she made with the help of a friend. She had never made a quilt before, but her experienced friend taught her how and now she has her own special work of art for the ultimate in coziness.
Madeline’s colorful cozy quilt!
A colorful and vibrant day with a colorful, vibrant new friend!
Exploring Sarasota’s downtown Farmers Market and Mattison’s City Grille
Corner of Main St. and Lemon in Downtown Sarasota
As usual, I’ve had so many wonderful microadventures, that it’s difficult for me to choose one to blog about.
I’ve been meaning to check out the Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota for some time now and last Saturday was the day! I texted, Bill, someone I’d met when I first got to Sarasota, to ask if he’d want to join me, and he gave me the thumbs up!
The Farmers Market had a variety of booths with plenty of produce, food vendors, art booths, and knick-knacks of every sort. It was a party-like atmosphere with music and colorful displays. The sun was out and being the frequent “observer of happiness” that I am, I could just feel the positive energy all around me. I thought about what a contrast my life is to what’s happening in Ukraine right now. I felt both gratitude for my life and sadness for what’s going on there. Not wanting to take any of it for granted, I savored the sights, sounds, and smells on this lovely day.
I found a bunch of yummy fruits and vegetables as soon as we arrived and filled up my bag. I saw a crepe place (one of my favorite foods!) but I’d already eaten AND I’m trying to eat healthy again in March. (I ate very healthfully in January. February? Not so much.). Maybe I’ll come back for a crepe in April!
Bill, who knows a good food when he sees it, regardless of the month, stopped to buy a kettle cornball. He just went traditional, rather than trying one of the flavors of the week.. Dill Pickle or Black Truffle Sea Salt. Yeah, that sounds pretty “cornball” to me!
After we’d walked the full length of the Farmers Market, we stopped at Mattison’s City Grille for a drink and to talk. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite places in downtown Sarasota! Mostly because there’s almost always music playing! Bill and I had been there earlier in the week for dancing and I loved it! There were such a variety of songs that ranged from oldies to rap and everything in between!
I was going to expand this post to include other cafes and restaurants in downtown Sarasota. The streets are filled with quaint coffee shops and unique restaurants. I’m really enjoying exploring!
But those stories and photos will have to wait for another blog post.. another microadventure!
A few weeks ago I was exploring the beautiful Selby library in downtown Sarasota and saw an item on the bulletin board that advertised this TEDx event. The event itself was free, but you needed to fill out an application to be in the audience, I guess because they needed to limit the number due to Covid.
Selby Library in downtown Sarasota
I got my acceptance as an audience member last week, but because applications to be in the audience were closed, I couldn’t invite anyone to go with me. Since my self-imposed requirement of a microadventure is that it be with other people, I decided that I’d have the additional challenge of meeting someone at the event.
I introduced myself to the man sitting next to me and it turns out he teaches conversational Spanish at the North Sarasota Library for free! That’s the exact thing I want to get better at! The class is 5 Saturdays starting March 26 which are just the exact final weeks I’m going to be out here for the season. (A very serendipitous meeting!)
The presentations were very interesting and, of course, all the speakers were articulate and seasoned presenters. Giving a TED talk is a very big bucket-list stretch goal for me. I’ve participated in Toastmasters to up my game with public speaking and maybe some day I’ll actually audition for a TEDx event, but for now, I’m much happier to be in the audience.
The theme for the night was “Doing Good.” The presentations were unique with a wide variety of topics from the perspectives of soccer referee to day-care provider to congressman to professor to name a few.
After the talks, there was a meet-and-greet networking opportunity with the speakers and volunteers.
Networking with one of the speakers, Dr. Tom Becker, his wife, and Dr. Giti Javidi.
The natural introvert in me would have just left after the talks were over, but I wanted to challenge myself to meet others, so I joined a table and introduced myself. I met Dr. Giti Javidi, a professor of Cybersecurity and her husband who also taught at the University of South Florida. We were soon joined by another professor, Dr. Tom Becker, one of the speakers at the evening’s event, along with his wife.
The group was very friendly and welcoming. Dr. Becker’s presentation had been about tenure and the pressure it puts on graduates to publish. I remember hearing about that from Matt & Stella.
It was exciting to be in a University atmosphere around students and people like me, who loved to learn. The event reminded me that I wanted to explore the University more and really take advantage of all the wonderful ways there are to be a life-long learner!
Mary and I enjoy Carpe Diem Week with some fun girl time in Florida!
My 2022 New Years Project has been to have at least one microadventure each week with another person and to write about it. And if you’ve forgotten exactly what that means:
A microadventure is an adventure that is short, simple, local, cheap – yet still fun, exciting, challenging, refreshing and rewarding.
This week I enjoyed a series of microadventures with my friend, Mary, who flew out from Colorado to spend most of my birthday week (aka Carpe Diem Week) with me, here in Florida!
We found this wonderful little Airbnb in Tampa which served as our home base during Mary’s stay. It was the perfect location, only about 15 minutes from the Tampa airport and close to Tampa’s River Walk.
Microadventure #10: Tampa River Walk on Twosday, 2/22/22
Mary arrived on Tuesday afternoon. After we settled into our Airbnb, we headed out to the Tampa River Walk and enjoyed the colored lights along the walkways in the breezy evening air. We (finally) found a dinner spot, though, clearly I hadn’t done enough planning since there weren’t the many restaurants that I’d imagined there’d be. To be honest, even finding a parking garage was an adventure! But we returned later in the week to explore this area more and I know I could come every day and never get bored.
Microadventure #11: Ben T Davis Beach
On Wednesday morning we made our way to Ben T Davis Beach and walked enough, both to get more than our share of steps, and a couple of well-earned blisters from walking with the wrong shoes. Still, the scenery was pretty and conversation with Mary is always interesting. We dipped our feet in the water to cool them off before heading back to get ready for our evening in Gulfport!
Microadventure #12 Open Mic Night at the The Tiki Bar & Grill in Gulfport
Becky joined Mary and I at The Tiki Bar & Grill for some delicious drinks and dinner. If you look off to the right hand corner of this picture you’ll see there’s a guy playing the guitar. We had “front row seats” to the Open Mic Night performers. Becky knew the lyrics of one of the songs better than the performer herself! Next year, it will be her up on stage!
Microadventure #13: Dancing at Gulfport Casino
After dinner, we headed over to the famed Gulfport Casino for some East Coast Swing dancing! The dance floor was expansive and the experience reminded me a lot of going out dancing at the Avalon in Boulder. The music included two of my favorites: the Stray Cat Strut and In the Mood. Even though I didn’t know this crowd, there were plenty of willing and talented dancers. So much fun! It’s quite a drive from Sarasota, but they have swing dance every Wednesday night, so I hope to make it out at least once or twice a month.
Microadventure #14: Mermaid Show at Weeki Wachi Springs State Park
On Friday, we ventured North of Tampa to explore Weeki Wachi Springs State Park. The “main event” that makes this park so unique is the live mermaid show that’s performed twice a day. We arrived at the park just in time to get in for the first showing. The performance was a little like an underwater ballet performance of “The Little Mermaid.”
Unfortunately, we weren’t at the park early enough to be able to enjoy any of the boat rides and the water park area was closed as they were preparing for the next season. We got to explore Tranquility Trail and the Park Ranger show but I’d like to come back here some time, maybe with Diego and Reneya to get the full experience.
Microadventure #15: Spring Hill’s Nature Coast Garden
On our way back to Tampa, Mary and I stopped at this charming Nature Coast Botanical Gardens located in Spring Hill. I learned about both Weeki Wachee Springs and these gardens from this Only in Florida article. I didn’t really know what to expect, but was very pleasantly surprised by the beautiful themed gardens with sweet settings, benches, and gazebos. I could just imagine a romantic picnic around every corner.
Microadventure #16: Birthday Party at Becky’s
Our final Microadventure was back at Becky’s townhouse in Sarasota where she hosted a very fun birthday luncheon for me to celebrate my 62nd birthday! We had princess decor and pink balloons from Dollar Tree! My favorite! Friends, food, and lots of birthday attention! What a perfect way to spend Carpe Diem day! Even though I was away from my Colorado home, I was happy to receive fun greeting cards and gifts from friends and plenty of texts, calls, and birthday wishes!
It was hard to pick just one photo from each of these microadventures. Each one was filled with moments I want to remember.. music, sunshine, laughter.
There are memories of things that aren’t even part of any of these microadventures…
Struggling to uncork a bottle of wine until the cork finally popped with a bang spilling wine everywhere!
Watching romcoms and still loving a happy ending, even when they are cliché.
Mary and I trying to line up a double-date Bumble lunch and both inviting the same guy!
Sharing cheesecake, red-velvet cake, and maybe a little too much wine
Morning Dance Workouts
All of these beautiful moments (and so many more) add up to microadventures that add up to major adventures that add up to a very happy life filled with love.
Enjoyed the day seeing Our Town at Sarsota’s Asolorep Theater, followed by a meal at Wicked Cantina and a sunset walk on Lido Beach.
Today’s microadventure starts at the beautiful Asolorep Theater for a performance of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning play: Our Town.
Becky and I in the audience at the Asolorep Theater for a performance of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”
Becky volunteers at this theater as an usher and she made me aware of this performance which was outstanding on many levels. First of all, Becky’s family actually personally knew Thornton Wilder! Her father and Thornton Wilder roomed together and were friendly enough that she remembers him as “Uncle Thorny!”
Outside of this being a rather prickly-sounding nickname, I think it’s very endearing to imagine Becky, as a child, calling such an esteemed writer, “Uncle Thorny!” I’m almost tempted to suggest an update to his Personal Life of his Wikipedia page with this inside knowledge!
The next unexpected surprise was that the underlying message of the play was the importance of savoring life’s everyday joys — the very same message that I’m promoting with Carpe Diem Day! So often, it’s not until after we lose something (or someone) do we realize how much we took it (them) for granted.
It’s for that very reason that I love having the time to give my full attention to these microadventures each week. I love savoring the experience and capturing memories with photos and the post-adventure blog post. But all of this is especially fun when my microadventure partner is Becky. She fully engages and joins in on my immersive experience, a willing participant in all ways.
After the afternoon play had ended, Becky spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with me, indulging in a delicious Mexican meal and then a walk on Lido Beach, during that most beautiful time – sunset!
Becky regally posing for the camera. Celebrating the day with a wicked strawberry margarita! Post Play Pigging Out at the Wicked Cantina!Getting our feet wet at Lido Beach.. This was before spotting a baby shark close to shore!Getting a walk in on the beach!I never tire of seeing the colorful skies as the sun is setting.
Mother Nature is once again gracing us with sunny, warm days which always gives me an extra boost of happy juju. But that was just the icing on the cake. The play, the company, the food, and the beach.. it’s more Becky’s than mine, but I really enjoyed “Our Town” — both the play, and lovely Sarasota.
The second poem is one where I started with an existing song and rewrote the lyrics. The original lyrics are from Jay-Z’s 22 Two’s. I’ll refrain from doing an imitation of Jay-Z in CarpeDee attire (though that might be fun, come to think of it..)
My changes are in caps:
Too many DO GOODERS MARG DRINKIN’, and too many NERDIES on a mission
Doin’ our best CARPE-DEE rendition
Too many LOUD CELEBRATORS, I got my suspicions
That you’re just a fish in a pool of sharks PEOPLE, listen
Too many FLAMINGOS wanna be DOVES, so if you a BIRD
I’ma call you a BIRD, too many BIRDS CAN’T FLY
Too many GOODIES give these NEGGIES too many chances
Too many WINERS wannabe lovers don’t know what romance is
This microadventure really started with a macroadventure that involved me singing on stage under the tutelage of Faye Nepon. Through that performance, I was introduced to Faye’s sister, Cyd Charrow, who is part of the Pelican Cabaret Singers.
When I heard that the Pelican Cabaret Singers were going to be performing not too far from Sarasota, I absolutely wanted to attend!
The performance invitation read:The Pelican Cabaret Singers will perform after a delicious lunch by Banquet Masters in Community Hall on Saturday February 12. The doors will be open at 11:30 a.m. to view raffle baskets and socialize; lunch at noon; followed by a performance by the Pelican Players Cabaret Singers.
I was told that the performance would be in “Sun City Center” which sounds like a building, but as it turns out, it’s actually the city name of a 55+ community. Though this created a bit of confusion for both me and my GPS, I eventually figured out that this little city was very close to Ruskin, the place that Kellie, from Microadventure #5 lives. Kellie had said she’d be happy to meet up for microadventures, and she likes theater (we both love “Beauty and the Beast” and Disney music) and happily accepted my invitation to join me!
I’d been eating very healthfully since the beginning of the year.. including no desserts, sugar, or chocolate. However, I could not resist completely indulging at this delicious luncheon.
There was a buffet-style with salads, veggies, chicken, and lasagna.
Check out the dessert table! Though I started with the carrot cake, I admit, I went back for samplings of the cheese cake and chocolate cake. It was Valentine’s week after all..
The program included some fun show tunes that I hadn’t heard in years. The audience couldn’t help but snap their fingers or sway to the beat on some of these old favorites. “King of the Road” brought back happy memories – Glenn Campbell on the record player when I was a kid.
Cyd’s performance was “Gimme Gimme” from the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” I haven’t seen that play yet, but after watching this performance, I’m putting it on my list! Cyd did an awesome job!
It was such fun to see this performance and share it with Kellie. Musical theater, delicious food, and new friends! What a treat!
I met Samar at Mutual of Omaha where we were both working as Agile coaches through her sister, Sally’s company, Agile Transformations. A week or so ago, Samar texted me and told me that she, Sally, and the whole gang from Agile Transformations was going to be at a conference at the Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota!
I picked Samar up at the Sarasota-Bradenton airport at around noon and we had the whole afternoon together! The weather was beautiful and sunny – the first in several days – so we had a nice long walk, ending at Marina Jacks, enjoying a delicious lunch on the patio. We even saw several dolphins as they surfaced
The streets of Sarasota are adorned with these pretty painted bicycles
Lunch at Marina Jacks
Samar is a wonderful and wise friend. We reminisced about the days when we were working at MoO with our friend and fellow-coach, Ryan, and talked about how all 3 of us have succeeded in having the dreams we were hoping for come to pass.. both personally and professionally.
Ryan, me, and Samar in 2018 in Omaha
When we got back to the Art Ovation, we were able to take a tour and hear about the art that was on display as well as hear about the artists.
The hotel was unique with lots of artsy touches throughout. Even the rooms had sketchbooks, colored pencils, and other interesting items… all for sale (at very high prices!)
I especially liked the rooftop that had a bar, infinity pool, and cozy outdoor furniture.
Sally (Samar’s sister) didn’t get into Sarasota until about 5:30pm. I’m glad I got a chance to see her, too.. She’s one of the most respected Agile leaders there is and I feel so lucky and proud to know her personally.
Sally, Samar, and me!
So ends another unplanned microadventure. A couple of weeks ago, I had no idea that Samar would be in town. How fortuitous that the conference was here in Sarasota and that we were able to spend such a gorgeous day reconnecting!
Seizing the day can be as simple as enjoying a meal. Every day joys are especially important during difficult times. Come share your joys on the Carpe Diem Connections Facebook page.
Woo Hoo, People! February 26 is Carpe Diem Day so we are in Carpe Diem Season or as I like to spell it Carpe Diem Seizin’! Let’s seize those beautiful days of February.
Last year, I created a video and hosted theme-day contests throughout the month:
Even though we still have not completely kicked Covid to the curb, we have made progress. Still, 2021 was another tough year for our country. And it ended with the most destructive fire that Colorado has ever seen, right in my neighborhood!
My house was spared, but over 900 homes in Superior and Louisville were burned to the ground. While I certainly was relieved that my house survived, it hasn’t felt right to promote “Seizing the Day” when so many people are experiencing so much grief.
On the other hand, I know from personal experience, that finding and celebrating every day joys is more important than ever during times of sadness or grief. Gratitude for what we do have and for the people we love is what helps us get through those very difficult days.
My project for 2022 is to have a “Microadventure a Week” with someone else and to blog about it. This has been fun and it often pushes me a little bit out of my comfort zone. It takes planning and finding someone to join me and involves learning and socializing – two things that keep my brain healthy.
So, that takes care of “Seizing one day a week” but what about the other 6 days? Every meal is an opportunity!
Yesterday, I “seized the day”, enjoying a refreshing glass of white wine while having a healthy dinner with the lentil and eggplant meatballs that Becky had made. Becky lit some candles and joined me for a delicious conversation to go along with the delicious food.
This morning, I spontaneously bought an unusually vibrant blue and purple orchid. I was so impressed with the color that I bought it (and only slightly disappointed to learn that it was artificially colored.) I love orchids and will still enjoy it when it comes back white after its dormant period. Eating a big healthy breakfast is always a “Carpe Diem Moment” for me and now I can do it in the presence of our new orchid.
Even though I’m not hosting contests this year, I’m still hoping to see pictures on social media of those every day joys that we all experience and so often take for granted.
