Sunday Stills this week is all about “Blue.” Why? Because I am helping Becky B promote her July Squares photography challenge, which is, you guessed it, BLUE.
I am also continuing with Journaling in July hosted by Sue of Sizzling Toward Sixty.
The journal prompt for today, July 7th is “My Favorite Quote and Why.”
I thought about this for a while. As a blogger, I get inspiration from my own images and many inspire a quotation. I love John Muir quotes as you know, but two quotes really stand out and have been anthems for my life.
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
When I attempted to learn how to windsurf at age 49, I thought I would die trying. I wanted to be a part of my new husband’s (then boyfriend) life, so I took on the challenge at the expense of various body parts. Sailing in the delta is challenging enough, but in Baja, Mexico, the waves can crash over your head.

In this photo, you might not see my body language quaking in fear as I’m already in waist deep water navigating the shore break and kite surfers. But I got myself into a water-start position, as the wind pushed up the sail, which pulled me up and onto the board. I had a great time!
Do I do something every day that scares me? Probably not, but that quote is a great source of inspiration to get off my a$$ and learn something new.
This next quote resonates strongly with me as I get closer to 60. I have taught university classes in leisure and lifestyle development and love to see the lightbulbs go on when we talk about aging and leisure in class.
“Man does not cease to play because he grows old, he grows old because he ceases to play.”
George Bernard Shaw

In this photo, I’m walking the catwalk on the campus challenge ropes course. This catwalk is 30 feet high, situated between two tall pine trees and anchored by telephone poles. I don’t know why the students are always so fascinated when their professors take part. I’m not afraid of heights and we are harnessed in. A trained Challenge Course staff person is below belaying the line, but it’s nerve-wracking for sure.
Facing our fears is healthy especially done in the context of play and leisure.
My last photograph simply shows me doing my photographer thing. Ironically, I took none of these photos for the challenge today and I ended up being the subject.

Oh yeah, and they are all blue!
I’m making my photos square today to submit to Becky B’s Blue July Squares.
Say hello to our new bloggers who have joined Sunday Stills in June! PhotographyOCD and Savoring Sixty and Beyond. Big thank-yous to all the faithful bloggers who participate each week!
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
- Please create a new post for the theme.
- Title your post a little differently than mine.
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post. I also recommend adding your post’s URL into the comments.
- Entries for this theme can be shared all week. Use hashtag #SundayStills for sharing on social media.
Show us your world in blue this week!

© 2019 Copyright-All rights reserved-secondwindleisure.com
This is exactly why I love quotes…they are great inspiration in a short sentence. And SO true. I always think that Eleanor’s quotes really speak to me especially!!
You are so wonderfully adventurous, Terri!! Definitely an inspiration!
XOOX
Jodie
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Jodie! There is a lot of comfort in reading these quotes and knowing that others are also inspired and embracing life because of a simple nudge in the right direction.
LikeLike
Love the blues and the quotes. Quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt are always my favourites. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” tops the list!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Now that is good one, Donna, thanks so much!
LikeLike
Whoa for walking that plank … willingly … 😉
Good for you for expanding your horizons – literally, it seems! You go girl!
Here’s my little contribution, from the skies above the Palisades –
https://naamayehuda.com/2019/07/07/white-puffed-blue/
Na’ama
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was fun, but nerve-wracking! Thanks, Na’Ama!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Well, you can put a check on that one! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
The world is full of BLUES My link is https://idahobluebird50.com/2019/07/07/sunday-skills-my-world-of-blues-july-7-2019/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes it is!!
LikeLike
👵☕📚💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a great approach to life, Terri. A simple blue photo from me this time: https://grahamsisland.com/2019/07/07/lesser-grass-blue-butterfly-3/.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Graham!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your sense of adventure. I prefer to watch it from here, though 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Heh heh, thanks, Dawn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I admire your spirit! Wonderful how you learned to windsurf! I can tell that you and your husband are wonderful for each other.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank, Aixa! He was ecstatic when I announced on our first date that I would like to try windsurfing! We haven’t had much wind in the delta this season, so he has stayed home on his weekends off since I can’t go down there. He’s a wonderful hubby!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Terri, you are brave! I wouldn’t even consider windsurfing with the muscles I was given!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re too funny, Stevie, thank goodness I can swim cuz that’s what I do mostly out there on that crazy water!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like you are having lots of fun! Good for you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Cindy. Still wearing a cast on my foot so these are scenes from better days, but more to come!
LikeLike
Terri I love your blues! 30ft high??? Wow! Not for me!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Lisa! We are so harnessed in, so I felt safe and trusted the process. The ropes course staff tell us the ropes and harnesses can lift a Volkswagen. But I was still shaky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://geriatrixfotogallerie.wordpress.com/2019/07/07/blue-world/
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love all those quotes Terri, especially the George Bernard Shaw one!! I can see the concentration on your face as your navigate that catwalk rope challenge! Great photos and depictions of the colour blue . My post is all blue skies this week and also a great quote from Vincent Van Gogh 🙂 https://debs-world.com/2019/07/07/blue-is-a-colour-as-well-as-a-feeling/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Debbie, I was also intent on not looking scared in front of my students!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terri, I walked one of those courses in Callaway, GA just a few years ago. Nerves and excitement kept me moving. Wind surfing is a tough sport. Congratulations for conquering it at 49. You will be back out there in no time at all. My thoughts on the color blue https://picture-retirement.com/2019/04/21/whats-your-favorite-color/
LikeLiked by 2 people
They are quite fun, Suzanne, glad to know they are around in other places. It’s nice having the high ropes on our campus! As far as windsurfing? At least I try!
LikeLike
Definitely 10 points from me to you regarding the catwalk rope challenge!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Suzanne!
LikeLike
oh this are fabulous . . .you are much braver than me in the first two and the third is just adorable of you. Brilliant set of squares 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Becky! Fun to share what inspires me in photos! I saw several bloggers linked to both our posts Sunday and today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is such a small world here in blogging 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terri, you are so much braver than I!
My World of Blue link:
http://savoringsixty.com/2019/07/08/sunday-stills-on-monday-my-world-of-blue/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Brave? Slightly crazy? Off to visit your link!
LikeLike
Great quotes (those are two of my favorites as well), and great photos – even if you didn’t take them – the subject is extra special. Oh, and my palms are sweating…I don’t know if I could do either one of those adventures. Way to go! Thanks for the links to the other challenges you’re working on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aren’t those inspiring quotes, Shelley? Funny how both those activities require a harness, LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they are. LOL – that’s funny! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this post! I try to learn new things and challenge myself regularly. I’ve wanted to try one of those rope courses. There’s one in Flagstaff that I’m eyeing. We’ll see if I can talk my daughter into going.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Ingrid, that’s great to hear! You and your daughter should go try it. They are very safe. I took my students to the campus course for their experience and writing assignment. It was always special to read about their experiences in conquering their fears.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed how you combined the 2 things… quotes and blue pics!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Pat, I’m happy when I can make those all work together!
LikeLike
After seeing your photos. I think I’ll stick with photography 😀 😀
Here is my entry for the week!
https://ceenphotography.com/2019/07/08/july-8-blue-squares-sunday-stills-blues/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hahaha, thanks, Cee!
LikeLike
In another life, I might want to be you, Terri. I love the joie de vivre.
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL, Jacqui, thank you! I think we are quite similar in other ways!
LikeLike
Nice selection of square, blue photos! I think I’d be (semi) OK with the catwalk, but my long ago attempt at windsurfing wasn’t very successful at all. Good for you for keeping at it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Janis! I figured you for being an adventurous soul 🙂 Not sure how much I really sail anymore, but the delta is very challenging. I need a flat lake!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Terri, I feel a little queasy just looking at your heading photo. I “get it” about getting inspiration from our own images. Great timeless quotes! Something about the colour blue, is always calming for me. Thanks for sharing:)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Erica!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You look great in blue! I love the ER quote too, she is an inspiration to me. As for the walk on that wire- not for me. I would not be the professor who would do that. Fear of heights still gets me!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Michele! I’m nervous around heights, too, but we were made to feel safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bravo to you for participating in the campus challenge ropes course. You inspire the kids…that’s why they get so excited to see you participate! You are inspirational! They admire your spunk and vitality.
Lovely blues. You make a wonderful subject in your vest and blue long sleeve tee.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aww, thanks, Leslie, from a fashionista such as yourself, I’m glad my Cabela vest spoke to you, LOL!
LikeLike
Those ropes. Oh. My. Goodness. That’s facing fears for sure. Loving all the blue and the quotes. Visiting from #MLSTL
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Jo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terri I love that you’re so adventurous and willing to give new (and scary) things a go. I wish I was a bit braver at times, but maybe some of us are destined to be the cheer squad while others are on the field???
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Leanne, I think my parents were instrumental in providing us with great experiences as kids.
LikeLike
Wow, Terri! You are certainly Adventure Woman and I love how active you are. I would love to try the Sunday Stills challenge but my photography isn’t that great. Perhaps I should try anyway? Thanks for linking up and sharing at #MLSTL and the colour of the sky is just stunning. xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awe, thanks Sue, that means a lot coming from a fellow active lady like yourself! Perhaps instead of photography, you could use the theme for something creative. Some folks write haikus or short stories, maybe an inspiring quote with a photo you took. I even post the month’s themes ahead of time for planning. I would love to have you join when inspiration hits!
LikeLike