The leaves are pretty much done falling now on this last day of November- I’ve blown them off or raked them thrice already with one more effort to go. Until two days ago we had vacant lots on both sides of the house to dispose of leaves, etc., but we’re now down to one vacant lot as the other one was just cleared in prep for constructing a new home. Far more critical…the golf weather has moved south for the next few months.
It’s been a while since I’ve highlighted any of our specific retirement activities, which is the purpose of this post. Looks like full time and part time employment is a thing of the past for me, and now there are few barriers to travel if we’re so inclined. I’m doing monthly trips up Interstate 81 through Virginia to help take care of my parents’ affairs (in SE Pennsylvania) and/or visit our granddaughter (in DC). Have also been down to Pensacola FL for the funeral of a very dear friend and over to Myrtle Beach SC for a late September golf outing with college classmates.
Beth, also fully retired, ventured up to Ann Arbor MI to visit our son Andrew for a few days.
(At this point I am reminded of a couple of descriptions of “Happiness” highlighted in posts 51 and 69: a.) being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want and b.) close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives.)
- The Pensacola funeral, while a sad occasion, brought back so many good memories with so many friends over the past 60 years. It was a true celebration of one’s life.
- The monthly visits to my parents are challenging, seeing them in their last years with degraded physical and cognitive abilities. But I appreciate spending time with them regularly during their last days. Spending time in assisted living facilities is difficult, and I’ve come to have considerable respect for those who work in that environment.
- The visits with our granddaughter in her early school years are so fun (and yes, we enjoy seeing her parents as well). She is such a happy child. We have another visit with her next month. And the next. Lots of Interstate 81 miles in our future….
- The September golf trip had an interesting twist to it, occurring just a few days after Hurricane Helene passed north through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. There was no easy way to go back from the South Carolina coast to home in Tennessee with all roads leading in/out of the Asheville area washed out. My difficulties getting home pale in comparison to those living around the region that lost so much.
I started 2024 employed in full time work and had no idea I would be traveling so much during the year. There are plenty more trips in my mind. We’ll see where 2025 takes us.