PART III: WIND CHIMES (the positive side).
As reported in Part I, as I age I have found that some things irritate this curmudgeon which didn’t when I was younger. We talked about wind-chimes, crowds, and weights & measures. In Part II we mentioned waiting, screaming children, wokism, local government irresponsibility, and political parties.
“And Now for Something Completely Different” (title from Monty Python’s Flying Circus). Things which, now that I’m older, I LIKE …
FREEDOM. Now that I am not tied to a time clock, children, or pets I have no urgency to go anywhere RIGHT NOW!. (Sadly our beloved Dachshund passed early this year … I was just looking at some photos from winter 2014 and she was romping in the snow drifts with snow on the end of her nose. In those years she could spring onto our bed while standing on all fours … she came up “level” … landing on her feet with the exact orientation she left the floor, just 34” higher and 8” to the left. I’ve never seen another dog do that.) If it takes an extra 22 minutes to drive away from the house it does not matter (and my nerves have a smoother time with it.)
SLEEP. Again, not tied to a tight schedule I have the luxury (which I did not have before) of sleeping as late as I wish. If I am comfortable I will gladly sleep until 8:30. Most days I am up before then. Along with that, I never used to be able to just sit down with a cup of coffee and read the news in the morning. Now there is rarely a day when I can’t. The news has not improved, so I usually just skim the headlines while sipping the hot brew. I look forward to mornings. (Used to dread them.)
PLAY. I always wanted to putter at household improvements. I never had the time, or could not start a 4-day improvement job when I only had a weekend. Now, I can make plans, buy materials, use power tools and paint brushes at will. I have spent the last 6 months doing the stuff I have been thinking about for 2 years. Painted the front porch ceiling, garage door, back door, (had my wife stain the front porch), put new shutters on the house, built a cabinet (it is mostly a pre-made one, and I’m not a craftsman, but it looks good). If I have time yet this fall I will re-do the foundation grading at the south end. (Why no one had for the last 50 years is beyond me…water in the basement with every heavy rain and the little I have done so far has reduced the problem by 90%).
HOBBIES. This, too, I never had the time to pursue before. First, the only musical instrument I knew how to play was the stereo. Knowing retirement was coming I researched to find what I might enjoy. It had to be something easy because last year I could not have shown you where a “C” was. (I still am not always sure.) Anyway, I figured I could learn to play a bass guitar. I checked one out of the local library and plunked around a bit. Then I decided to “go for it” and bought one and a nice amp. Six months later you still would swear I still have no skills even though I practice daily. It doesn’t matter. I’m playing for ME, not you.
My second hobby is what you are reading. I’ve always had an interest in writing. Again, I do it more for me (you can tell?) than for you. I’ve talked about this somewhat before, so I won’t say more here.
Too old for bowling (plus, it is too noisy). Tried “golf” one time … not a great fan of chasing a little white ball across acres of grassy knolls (it is too much like work, except you don’t get paid). Fishing? Nope. (I can’t put my brain into neutral long enough without beer, which I don’t drink.)
FOODS. So many things were yucky when I was a child. I didn’t like peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, game meats (venison, quail, wild turkey). I won’t tell you what I still do not like. Let’s just say I have re-tried most of the things that made the young me gag and have found a wonder. Most are delicious.
I am not a foodie. I eat meat, but my limit is usually about 4-6 ounces. Went to a family restaurant last week and ordered chicken tenders and fries…oh, goodness!! It came with 4 planks of chicken. I could only eat 2. So, I had lunch for the next day in my doggie bag. $5 per meal is a great deal.
The biggest problem with food is that we are cooking for 2 people. That’s a chicken and rice bowl each. It is hard to cook that little. Almost every other day is “leftovers” for supper. The bigger problem is that my wife and I have nearly polar-opposite diets. She can’t have wheat or breading and dislikes navy beans. I have to limit sweet (potatoes, pasta, rice, or sugar added junk). 10 pounds of potatoes is too much to keep around the house. They go bad before we finish them, but 5 pounds costs almost as much. We need to find another retired couple to go in with on potatoes. Also, I recently found out that you should not store your potatoes and onions near each other (they ripen each other). [that should be on the label, don’t you think?]. Also, you can make a huge batch of mashed potatoes and freeze single meal portions…include the butter and seasonings so you can just heat up and use. My daughters both loved that idea when I texted them. (“Yummy!”)
FRIENDS. The younger me never took the time to develop many friendships. I worked long hours as a business owner. Weekends were “family time.”
Now I have several retired friends. No great expectations. We get together for a study, or have brunch, or work together mowing the church lawn … it is a new experience and not too difficult. They are smart dudes, too. One has a doctorate and a wealth of experiences. Others have served in professional roles (draftsman, computer tech, prison counselor). This level of knowledge and experience lends itself to deep, thoughtful conversations. That’s so much better than talking to myself.
Copyright 2023 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms, as I do, and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere. ~ Sherry]
MORE OF DON’S GREAT GUEST POSTS:
~ Look For This Word ~ Fake! ~ MEAT ~ Know Your World ~ Theraping for Dollars ~ Self-Scan ~ Wind Chimes, part II ~ COOL! ~
~ Wind Chimes, part I ~ It Is Time To… ~ Courthouse Statue ~ The Effect of Crime On Small Business ~ Young Brains ~
~ Why We Miss ~ Helpful Pests ~ ~ Giving Up Your Seat ~Obedience ~ Good Mental Habits ~ Winning The Lottery ~
~ Why Sarcasm Does Not Translate ~ OOPS! That’s How I Write ~ The RE-COLONIZATION of America, pt. II ~
~ Laws The U.S. Should Enact ~ The Re-Colonization Of America, pt. I ~ How To Retire On Less ~ State Song ~
~ The “Holier Than Thou” Attitude of “The Boy Who Cried ‘Wolf’” ~ THE TRUTH ~ H.A.L.T ~ Where’s The Clamor? ~
~ Parents Who Lie ~ Odd Places ~ Internet Is Fragile ~ Shopping ~ Student Loans ~ A Government ~ Going To Church ~
~ Anheuser-Busch ~ Hans Van Doorn ~ The Wrong Problem ~ Talking About Money ~ Trustworthy ~
~ A Life More Beautiful ~ TECH with ATTITUDE! ~ Black Drink ~ Public Schools III ~ Public Schools II ~ Public Schools I ~
~ 5-Star Reviews ~ Fractions Matter! ~ Small Spoons ~ Dumpster ~ Weird Forgiveness III ~ Weird Forgiveness II ~ Weird Forgiveness I ~
~ Classified Documents ~ Future You Needs A Friend ~ Feeling Understood ~ Starting The New Year Right ~
~ Awe! Aah! Ooh! ~ Christmas As A Poor (Rich) Child ~ Bigger Problems ~ Blessing ~ Climate Change – 2 ~
~ Medical Science Too Far? ~ Gravity and Light ~ Travel Fun ~ Fascinating People: Gloria Hartman Doughty ~
~ Sadly Magic Words ~ Mulberries ~ Climate Change? ~ ~ SPURIOUS UBIQUITOUS NOISE ~ TEW ~
~ Credit Card Debt ~ Insect Oddities ~ DATA ~ Cities Got Name? ~ The Bible Does Not Say That! ~ Too Old?? ~
~ Be My Guest ~ IN-CRE-MEN-TAL-ISM ~ Bad Friends & Broken Tools ~Pools Are For The Birds?? ~
~ Animals Hindering Your Financial Freedom ~ The Chicken ~ Finding The Exit ~ Allegheny Blackberries ~
~ Romantic Sunset At The Beach ~ Fun Facts About Carpenter Ants ~ Bad Habits ~ Doing Faith Wrong ~ Quirky! ~
~ Ten-Foot Trestle ~ Settling Estates ~ Living In High Horse Country ~ The Dying Generation ~
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