Yosemite Girls
Terri Webster Schrandt

This is So Long For Now, Beloved Bloggers

Yosemite Girls

The above image is of myself and my Beloved daughters enjoying a summer day in Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. We just celebrated their late January birthdays, 30 for Lauren, 33 for Megan. I am honored to have passed on a strong leisure ethic to them.

This photo of Lembert Dome from the Tuolumne Meadows Campground depicts my beloved leisure space of all time. How fortunate my grandparents passed on their love of the mountains to my mother and dad, who in turn made sure we spent many hours at the beaches of San Diego, endless days of weekend outings and glorious weeks camping, keeping the values of leisure in a busy, fast paced world.

If you are wondering what any of this has to do with the title of this post, it means I am using this WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge theme to say a fond farewell to my beloved readers and bloggers.

As another year turned the corner, I made the difficult decision about this blog, Second Wind Leisure Perspectives.

Now is the time for me to take an extended break from writing and publishing.

I am both sad and a little relieved at this decision.

Teaching is Taking All My Time

Although I profess to be retired, I have been teaching part-time as a lecturer in the Recreation and Parks field, which requires more time than I initially expected. Going from one class per semester while also working full-time was one thing, to teaching 15 units a year, some semesters with 150 students, feels like full-time work.

And I dearly love it!

This spring semester I took on a new course teaching the management of leisure organizations. Simple enough one would think, but have you seen the mountains of management literature out there?

I read at least 100 pages of management literature every day, then synthesize it into curriculum and power point slides while making it all relevant to their assignments. I had to create this course from scratch because of my own management experiences in the field.

Last night I lectured from the textbook on the evolution of management theory. I told my 80 students that they will likely never remember Max Weber’s “Bureaucratic Method” of the depression years or Elton Mayo’s “Human Relations Approach” of the 50s and 60s. You could hear a pin drop as students dutifully listened to the lecture.

When I began the next lecture at 7:30pm on self-management, they began to flood me with questions. Suddenly, the energy in the room was exciting and palpable as I shared the latest trends on what it takes to be a new manager in the field. By the time I got home at 9:00pm, I was wired!

This is where my energy needs to be…

…with these university students, hungry for information on what will direct the rest of their careers.

In the blogging world, blogs come and go. I hope you learned a little something from me about finding a healthy balance of leisure in your own lives and that you make wise leisure choices going forward.

I will be visible on Facebook and Instagram  where I will continue to share my photos. I will also continue to read your posts when I can and I do hope to blog again at the end of the semester.

I cannot thank you all enough for the wonderful friendships and relationships I have built since I started consistently blogging in September 2014. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, liking, commenting and sharing my posts.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye…

…for now.

All my best,

Terri_signature_red

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103 comments

  2. Take care Terri and best of luck with this. It has been a true pleasure getting to know you. Hope to keep interacting with you on Instagram in the future – cheers!

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  5. We will miss the inspiration you have shared and your inspiring photos. It is wonderful that you have found something you love doing. I am sure your students are grateful for your presence and knowledge that they will carry with them forever in one way or another. Enjoy your sabbatical and I look forward to your return, Sending hugs until then.

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  7. Your voice will be missed. But how very exciting that you have these wonderful experiences bringing joy and accomplishment to your life. That’s what life is all about!!

    Will continue to look for your beautiful photography on Instagram. Enjoy this shiny new chapter! XO

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  11. Surprised… but not really. I know we’ve talked about this a few times. Good for you for making the commitment to what you love to do. I have a feeling that you’ll be back (when you are ready) in the blogosphere, but until then, I’ll see you on Facebook and, hopefully, every now-and-then when you visit San Diego.

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  12. Hi Terri! Congratulations on following your bliss! It is so very important to know what gets you up in the morning and what gives you juice. And as you know, writing and blogging takes a lot of time and effort so if something else gives you more–go for it. Should you change your mind in the future…we’ll all be here! Good luck in all that you do and we will stay in touch! ~Kathy

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  14. Oh Terri what a difficult decision it must have been for you as I know you are so popular. I have really enjoyed getting to know you and hopefully we will stay in touch, especially via social media. Good luck with your future endeavours and I will definitely continue to follow your gorgeous photos on Instagram. Enjoy life because we only have one! xx

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  15. Deciding where to spend our time and energy in retirement is a constant balancing act. It is so wonderful to have choices. I am sure you will pick right up where you left off when the time is right. Best of luck!

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  16. I will miss reading your blog, which I have enjoyed so much over the last 3 years. I understand how you have to make choices about time and energy. Although I am retired like you, my technical editing projects have really expanded over the past several months. As I mentioned in a recent blog post after an extended pause for over a month, I had become very over-committed when many suddenly became active all at once.

    I will be following you on other social media, including your photos. I want to focus on photography again, but still haven’t even got around to posting photos from my Scandanavia trip last August. Have a wonderful spring, enjoy your job teaching and the students, and I hope to hear from you again in the future. Thank you.

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    • Aww, thanks so much Doug. Like I said, I will be reading your posts and enjoying your music choices. If you aren’t on Instagram, please consider it. I would love to see your Amsterdam photos. It is very easy to get caught up in projects which take more time than we think! I hope you spend more time on photography, Doug, you have a good eye!

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      • This last trip was 2 weeks across Denmark, Sweden, and Norway; Amsterdam was with the Viking River Cruise on the Rhine along with an extended trip in Germany (and Austria) from several years ago – those were already posted. I took over 4000 photos, but I need to sift throw them all to select those to post. It will take a little time, but I will get it done.

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  19. Terri, I have total respect for your desire to live your life in line with your values and your passion! Congratulations on what I’m sure was a difficult decision. In the meantime, I’ll keep an eye on you on instagram and FB, and we’ll all be here should you decide to return to bloggerville! Best of luck to you! ~ Lynn

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  21. Terri, I am devastated. When I read the title I thought, “No, this cannot be!” I respect your decision and wish you the best. I will miss your positive posts, information, and great writing. I hope you’ll pop by my dribble and comment so we can keep in touch. You are one of my role models. Even though I can’t windsurf. XO 😘

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  22. Thank you so much, Terri, for teaching us to find a healthy balance of leisure in our lives and for reminding us to make wise leisure choices. I miss your blog already and will continue to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook! Take care my friend!!

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  23. HI Terri
    Sounds like you’re following your passion. That’s great.
    Thank you for all your support. You were my first follower and helped me through some early issues with my blog. I appreciate it.
    I will miss you and your blog
    Laura

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  24. Wow! I did not expect this, Terri, but I fully support your decision. You are the teacher I would have loved – dedicated to bringing the best of yourself and the world to your students. Enjoy, be well, and make sure you get out into the natural world you so love. Will miss you bunches but will always remember you.
    Love from Shari.

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  25. Dear Terri, I have really enjoyed your blog posts, but you have definitely made the right decision. Congratulations on your expanded work role, which sounds absolutely marvellous. That is definitely where you should focus for now, and I look forward to continuing to interact with you on Instagram. Have a wonderful time this semester. lots of hugs and kisses, Toni x

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  27. You were my very first blogging friend and I’m fully expecting you to return to blogging! 🙂 I have enjoyed your posts, and it sounds like it’s the right decision for right now. Enjoy the hiatus, and of course, enjoy your work 🙂 Looking forward to SWL’s comeback 🙂

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    • Thanks, Denise, you are sweet, and your encouragement means so much! And I’m looking forward to more camping posts from you! We just replaced our really old travel trailer with a new one, and I would love to read about space saving ideas 😀

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  29. Terri, I feel like I just met you, but I too have found great insights in our short time together. Thank you for showing the way to make those tough calls on where to spend time and energy! You will be missed and I do hope that you might someday comeback into blogging. I’m not a follower of Instagram (have not really grasped the format) so will be watching next summer… just in case you bring your unique voice back to this space. Best wishes for a wonderful, fulfilling school year.

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  30. I will miss your posts, Terri… I’ve known you a short but very meaningful time. Your posts are always so well thought out. I understand that there’s not enough time for everything in life, which is why it took me so long to start blogging. I’m happy to have had the chance to enjoy your posts, though.

    I’ll see you on Instagram, my friend…

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  31. Miss Terri,

    Those who can, teach.

    If there were a noble reason for you to leave blogging, teaching would be it. I am blessed beyond expectation from the rich things you have done here. Let the next gust of wind take you somewhere special.

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  32. Good for you! It’s important to prioritize your life–or others will do it for you! And I’m happy to still connect. We’ve got spring starting all around us–let’s pick out a lovely walk and actually practice some of that leisure perspective. 🙂

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  33. Terri, good for you for following your passion. Your students are lucky to have your full attention. I hope this break will give you some new perspectives when you return to blogging. All the best!

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  34. I’m sorry to see you go temporarily, Terri, but I also applaud you for following your heart and your passion. Teaching is a tough job, that requires a lot of energy. But, the reward of making a difference in students’ lives in enormous. The interactions, the inspiration you exude… Good for you, for picking your priorities and realizing what comes first for a while. Have a wonderful semester, and we will see you at some point in the summer!

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    • Thanks for your friendship and support, Liesbet! Speaking of teaching, I have just spent four hours Sunday preparing a quiz then putting it online..slow going…I could probably learn some things from my students 😀 I hope to have some new stories to tell this summer!

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  35. Hi Terri, I have always enjoyed your posts and your photos along with your generous spirit. I can understand your reasoning but on a selfish note I will miss your fresh perspectives on life. Thanks for all your support and encouragement. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you. I’ll definitely stay in touch with you on Facebook and instagram. All the best and take care. It’s great to see you have found your passion and I hope they know how lucky they are to have you as their teacher. xx

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  38. Oh Terri, I’m so happy for you in your new ventures but don’t say goodbye. You never know when you may feel like putting up a post, so I hope you’re not closing up shop totally. But I understand badly that we all need to pursue new endeavors and there are only so many hours in a day.
    I do hope to still see you around on FB. Take care and enjoy, my friend! ❤

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    • I hope to do some blogging once the semester ends, and with a new perspective to boot! I’m still following many bloggers, including you my friend, just haven’t gotten to some emails yet. My laptop with Windows 10 and Microsoft corrupted some excel and powerpoint files I needed to class tomorrow, so I’ve been a bit distracted from doing other things. Hope you and hubby are doing well, Deb!

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      • Arg, sorry to hear about your corrupted files Terri. I know how infuriating that can be. I hope you sort it out or at least have backups!
        And glad to hear we aren’t losing you forever! You do what you need and enjoy. And thanks for the thoughts for me and hubby. It’s a slow crawl but we’re living one day at a time. ❤

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  39. Although it’s exciting that you are enjoying your teaching and your students, I’ll miss seeing your posts. I’ve been an erratic follower, but you were one of the first bloggers I exchanged comments with, so you have a special place in my blogging past. Life is a balancing act for sure, but you seem to make wise and thoughtful choices. Best wishes, Terri!

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  40. See, I told you in my email that I’d be late in getting to this post. Yes, you’ll be sadly missed from the world of blogging Terri, but I’m so pleased you’ve taken the decision to take a break because it’ll benefit you and all of your students. I can highly recommend taking a blogging break. It’s one of the best things I ever did. And, we’ll still be here when you decide when it’s the right time to come back.
    Sending you my best wishes and wishing you continued success.

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    • As always, your welcome comments do much to lift my spirits, Hugh! I believe I gained 10 hours a week by not spending time posting and reading. When you came back from your break you had a book and fab new blog features. It was very weird not posting for the wpc. Maybe I can catch up this summer 😨

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      • Come back when you’re ready to do so, Terri. You’ll know when the right time is. By all means, give yourself a target, but if you feel it’s still not right to come back at that time, then carry on with the break. Of course, we’re all hoping you’ll be back soon, but sometimes you gotta put yourself in front of the queue before anybody else places themselves there.
        In the meantime, I’ll see you over on Instagram. Not Facebook, because Facebook and I are not friends anymore. However, this isn’t about me, it’s about you.
        Take care, and have a wonderful weekend.

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    • Thanks, Tina! I’m dropping in to check on my favorite blogs. I’ve been having fun on instagram, keeping up with several bloggers there. Teaching is going very well, but it feels so strange to not post for the WPC. I may have to make them all up in May when the semester ends!

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  42. I’ll miss your wonderful posts, Terr, but certainly understand the need for a break. And if you slip into an anxious withdrawal, simply think of the warm and enthusiastic welcome you’ll receive when you return. I guarantee it 🙂 Hugs, my friend ❤

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  43. Good luck Terri! Teaching is totally full on and i understand why you need to focus more there. Wishing you all the best and will see you out in the online world I’m sure!

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  48. As a university student myself, I commend and appreciate you! Though I am not one of your students, it really shows me that teachers and professors work incredibly hard and DO care about our learning and successes. Hope to see you soon and best of luck for the rest of your semester! 🙂

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