Berlin. Maryland, that is.

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Posted on August 17, 2015

Happy Monday! Glad you are with us!

Today, we are taking an on-line road trip to Berlin, Maryland. Join me over the next few days as we take our journey down memory lane on All Things Fulfilling. America’s Coolest Small Town is indeed “historically charming & artistically alive & eternally young.” I love this community which is only seven miles from the natural beauty of Assateague National Seashore.

Don’t forget to turn on the modern-day record player by listening to the music from this You Tube audio as you scroll through these images.

I wish I could feature an individual story on every business in Berlin because they all contribute to the overall good feelings that I got when I walked the charming streets. Do return tomorrow there will be a myriad of images that will illicit memories from the past. Hopefully the pictures will stir up thoughts of only the good times in your life.

Thi blog is brought to you by the author of the three time award-winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Oh, Baby Boomer! Return on Monday

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Posted on August 14, 2015

Don’t simply retire from something; have something to retire to. ~Harry Emerson Fosdick

What are you doing this weekend? Anything different?

I came across this picture that made me think about all the people who dread the idea of returning to work on Monday and dream of their retirement. Over the next decade there will be many people who will leave their job and enter into the next phase of life. Are you one of them?

Will you settle into a new kind of inspired existance and take the opportunity to pursue something you’ve always wanted? Baby Boomer, what kind of retiree will you be?

If you are approaching the renaissance years it’ a good time to put some thought into your second act. What will it look like? Will you sit it out in a chair uninspired or do something to put a little zing into your life?

At the beginning of next week on All Things Fulfilling, I am going to take you on an on-line, visual road trip for a few days to what is reported to be “The Coolest Small Town in America.” Don’t miss it!

Have a great weekend. his blog is brought to you by the author of the three time award-winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

All it Takes is a Picture

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Posted on July 14, 2015

Isn’t it funny how all it takes is a picture to stir memories up?

I am posting this blog especially for my mother this morning on All Things Fulfilling, I hope she sees it.

Mom,

Do you remember the hours you and I sat in doctor’s waiting rooms looking at Highlight’s for Children Magazine passing the time away waiting for my cardiology appointments. When I came across this image, I thought of you. Now that I am a mother, I can relate just a little to what you went through with a critically sick child. I am sure as you waited with me, your anxiety was by far much greater than mine, even though I was the patient.

Anyway, Mom, those days of Johns Hopkins, Sinai and all the other doctors we visited are long past us. Thankfully I came out on the all better side. I know you don’t need any reminders of those days because they are etched in your mind forever. But this image reminded me of how we found something fulfilling in even the tough stuff. We enjoyed being together and solved these kinds of puzzles. It was our alone time. You probably thought it didn’t mean much to me but it did. So much so that seeing this image stirred all the memories up some six decades later. Thanks for being by my side and I look forward to a visit with you and Dad soon! Can’t believe it has been a year since I’ve seen you! Love, Sue

This blog is brought to you by the author of the award winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Bubble Gum, Bobby Socks, Malt Shops

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Posted on July 10, 2015

“The best things in life comes in threes like friends, dreams and memories.” ~ Mencius

It’s Friday! Let’s have a little more fun thinking of the past.

Yesterday’s blog motivated me to dig up some more nostalgia that I hope you baby boomers will enjoy. I don’t know about you but, when I think bobby socks, I automatically think bubble gum. Who among you remembers these lyrics?

Does your chewing gum loose it’s flavor on the bedpost over night?

Does your mother say to spit it out, and you swallow it in spite?

For those baby boomers who are considering writing memoirs and are having troubles getting started, I am giving you a few writing prompts in today’s blog. Here’s your homework over the weekend. Chose one of them and jot down your thoughts.

I know, you don’t like homework and I can hear y’all whining now “What a drag! The teacher gave us a heap of homework over the weekend. I was going to go down to the malt shop for a frappe and hang out. Then to the sock hop. Now I’ll have to stay home and write!”

Well, here is a little homework help. If the picture and lyrics weren’t enough to stir your memories, perhaps this video will.

Have a great weekend everybody. This weekend shake a leg and get your own T-W-E-E-T, T-W-E-E-T thing going. See you right back here on All Things Fulfilling on Monday!

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Bringing Memories Alive

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Posted on July 9, 2015

We do not know the true value of our moments until they have undergone the test of memory.” ~ Georges Duhamel

Today on Thirsty Thursday, I’m sharing this video purely for a little fun and with hopes of stirring your memories. If you are a baby boomer or even more mature than that you may remember this little ditty. If you remember the song and the era, celebrate! That means you still have some of your faculties intact. Hip-hip hurray!

As you listen, scroll through the images below. What do you associate these pictures with? Write your thoughts down. Ready, set, get started!

That’s all for today on All Things Fulfilling. I don’t want to give our aging readers sensory overload. We will dig up some more nostalgic images and share them in the near future!

This blog is brought to you by the award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Exploring Roots and Characters

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Posted on June 24, 2015

I believe that the memoir is the novel of the 21st century; it’s an amazing form that we haven’t even begun to tap…we’re just getting started figuring out what the rules are.” ~ Susan Cheever

Have you ever considered how our lives are made up of stories? Everyone has stories to tell and some people are natural storytellers. However, sometimes getting stories down on paper is not as easy as telling them orally.

Think about family stories for a minute. Unless these rich narratives are written down and published, future generations will never know them. The characters who sprouted from the family tree will be lost.
Not to be overly-dramatic, the truth is that unless we share family stories through the form of memoir writing, in a few generations down the road we risk becoming like be a nation of adoptees who don’t know who their parents or grandparents were.

The good news is, we are living in an age where ordinary people can write and publish their stories independently. You don’t have to have a big family name behind you or sensational story to tell in order to become published. Resources are freely available for ordinary people.

Publishing a story for personal fulfillment is reward enough. But future generations will greatly appreciate knowing something about their family narrative because so many tales just get lost.

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard. Author of an award-winning memoir Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Vintage Ski Family

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Posted on June 8, 2015

Stretch pants – the garment that made skiing a spectator sport. ~ Author Unknown

I was greeted by sweet Sophie, a stunning cocker spaniel, when I walked into Mountain Traditions. With her smatterings of white and black markings, she reminded me of a container of Oreo cookie ice cream. I’m such a softie when it comes to dogs. I heard her say she wanted to come home with me, I swear I did. But her owner, Kenton Stratton wouldn’t let her. He said she likes greeting customers too much and she would miss it.

So, I stayed awhile and visited with Sophie and enjoyed the nice variety of vintage ski images in the store which took me back to my childhood days of skiing with my family. Seeing the wooden posters was almost as good as a trip through a ski history museum, such as The Tred of Pioneers here in Steamboat or the ski history museum in Vail or the Vermont Ski Museum in Stowe. I love seeing the old ski fashions and ski equipment displayed. It’s fun stuff.

If you are a baby boomer who grew up skiing with your mom and dad and your siblings like I did, you’ll relate to these images. They make great gifts!

I am grateful that I was able to get permission from Kenton Stratton to take these photographs to share with you. Take a trip down memory lane through these vintage ski images or better yet, go visit Sophie at Mountain Traditions in her new location in the Lower Courtyard of Old Town Square, 635 Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs, CO. Take a dog biscuit with you, Kenton says Sophie is always hungry!

Want some of these vintage placards to decorate the walls of your ski house or chalet but it’s too far to travel? Visit the website. http://www.mountaintraditions.com/

So, family – when are you coming out to Steamboat?

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard.

The First Nostalgist

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Posted on May 26, 2015

Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days. ~ Doug Larson

There is an interesting article in the New York Times about nostalgia and the value of it.

According to the article being nostalgic used to be associated with “physical or mental maladies.” However, researchers have found that nostalgia, more often than not, is associated with fulfilling feelings rather than bad. Nostalgia gives us a sense of rootedness and continuity in our lives.

And according to Dr. Sedikides, a psychologist, there is a difference between homesickness and nostalgia. He says one of the first nostalgists was Odysseus, “an itinerant who used memories of his family and home to get through hard times.”

Last week, I had a wonderful couple of days in Park City, Utah with my husband. While he attended a conference I traveled around the area. I came across memorabilia that although much of it was Western in nature, and I am an East Coast gal, it gave me warm feelings of this homeland called “The United States of America.”

I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. I shot these photos at Pinto Pony Designs in Heber City and Park City Clothing Company. Park City Clothing Company is another outstanding shop that is fun to poke around in. I love the Coca-Cola memorabilia. The store is in the heart of historic downtown in Park City.

Thank you to both places for letting me capture these images for our readers of AllThingsFulfilling.com

Above photo – My twin sister and I had a Kat Kat Clock identical to the black one hanging in our bedroom when we were children. Talk about bring back memories!

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, award-winning author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and short stories Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Sister Sunshine

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Posted on May 21, 2015

“When the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome.” ~ Wilma Rudolph

Sister Sunshine has been elusive this month. Last Sunday on May 17^th, here in Steamboat Springs, Colorado the only thing that was generously showing a face was her counterpart, Little Miss Snowstorm. Over the past few days her hissy fits, in the form of squalls, have continued to randomly come and go!

Some days we have to create our own sunshine. So after church on Sunday I baked a luscious lemon cake filled with all things citrusy and nutritious. Lemon has healing properties. Did you know that?

Today, I’ve posted this blog especially for my twin sister. There are a few nostalgic things in this picture that will bring a smile to her face. I just know it! If you are a baby boomer this image may bring back some fulfilling memories.

Sending sunshine and thoughts of good health and cheer to you this day and every day from AllThingsFulfilling.com and from award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard.

Don’t forget to listen in tonight to Living a Richer Life on blog talk radio. I’ll be a guest and we will be talking about finding personal fulfillment!

For information on Gift of A Lifetime Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected. For information on Lessons of Heart & Soul.

Time with the Seniors

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Posted on May 13, 2015

“Language allows us to reach out to people…, it’s the greatest legacy you could ever leave your children or your loved ones: The history of how you felt.”
~ Simon Van Booy

On Monday, June 1st, I look forward to speaking with the Routt County Senior Citizens. Since AARP has determined that at age 50 we are “senior citizens,” we could have a wide range of ages in the group. Many would argue that age 50 is too young to be tagged as “retired.” People go on to live vibrant lives for many more decades beyond that landmark.

There can be gifts in early retirement and even forced retirement, as it provides plenty of opportunity for new beginnings and starting new life chapters. Having the gift of time and thanks to the independent publishing industry an increased number of “seniors or retirees” are taking the opportunity to share their careers, life journeys and life experiences through writing.

On June 1st, I look forward to sharing an overview of my memoir, Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, an anthology of short stories, with the Routt County Seniors. We will also be discussing the value of memoir writing and how to get started writing.

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard.

All Things Fulfilling

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Category Archives: Baby Boomers

Berlin. Maryland, that is.

Bubble Gum, Bobby Socks, Malt Shops

Vintage Ski Family