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(Sunrise photo via G-tastic 7.)
It’s morning here, with birdies all over the feeder and a kitty who wants more than anything to be an outside cat. (Not gonna happen.) The Peanut and I are watching Buzz Lightyear, and coffee is brewing in the pot. She’s talked me into a thoroughly non-nutritious breakfast of some vanilla ice cream with sprinkles. But I figured you are only a kid once and breakfast gets to occasionally be a treat, doesn’t it?
Doesn’t really go with the attempt we’ve been making to eat healthier and get some exercise (well, truthfully, Mr. ReddHedd has been much better about the exercise than I have lately…), but it’s only one morning and she’s having some serious four-year-old fun.
In short, typical Saturday here at Casa Smith.
Thought we could take a little time this morning to just kick back and say hello. That goes for all the folks who read but don’t often post a comment — drop in and say hello, we promise not to bite. (Well, can’t speak for Balrog…) Here’s a question to get us started: if you had the money and ability to retire comfortably today, what would you do with your time? And if you are already retired, what would you be doing if you could?
Let’s talk hobbies, travel, whatever it is that floats your dream boat. Pull up a chair…
PS — Bob Geiger has some great cartoons this morning. Enjoy.
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ZED!
zunoed?
Howard Dean!
Good morning Christy!
Morning all — coffee just finished. Pardon me while I get a desperately needed cuppa…
Good morning everyone. It’s a new day, and I have a burning question: what is more likely, a ghost or a chupacabra?
Good morning everyone. Looking forward to going out with my wife tomorrow for her birthday. Brunch in an old Victorian hotel downtown that has a dixieland band called the Hall Street Honkers. Foggy here on the northern California coast, but will be clear and in the low 70’s today and tomorrow (right on the harbor)
Stroke and love my pride of house lions (Missy at 22 is the oldest) and read. Been around the world, fought in a coupla wars, raced sports cars, done stuff 10 people can only dream of, retirement with dough would be house lions and books.
Christy asks:
Visit family and friends at all the appropriate times. Visit various baseball parks during the season. Volunteer some time in tha local library and try to offer presentations that would tie local history to world history and local events into the rest of the world.
Oh and lie on the beach
If I could retire right now (instead of in 5 years) I’d be volunteering over in Mississippi helping to rebuild homes. 1- it’s needed 2- I enjoy meeting people.
Or I might pick up a teaching degree and go back out to the Navjo rez and teach at a public school.
Let’s see…money AND time…that combination would equal a spectacular garden.
Sleeping bag and wine are packed–off to the beautiful Flinthills of Kansas for the Symphony in the Flinthills and a night spent sleeping under the stars by a prairie lake…
Should be a nice respite from the cubicle on the 18th floor of City Hall…
Here is a picture of where we are going for brunch tomorrow. Eagle House Victorian Inn
Good Morning Christy,
and firepups, lurking or not!
Travel including visiting/annoying far flung grown kids.
Garden.
Learn to bake artisan type breads.
Knit, weave, spin.
Volunteer @local library & community projects.
Catch up on reading the growing mountain of unread books gathering dust.
Conquer & banish the dust bunnies-the impossible dream.
Good morning, Christy! Been trying to get back to healthy myself. Been drinking too much lately and my kidneys started to ache (I blame the current admin). Traded coffee for tea, gave up the booze and did a fast last week. The kidneys feel much better now, but I’ve had to cut way back on the news and politics. Although I was quite pleased to hear Libby would not be passing Go or collecting $200. *g*
Longtime lurker, first time poster.
What would I do?
Combination bookstore / coffee shop.
Is there really any other option?
I know it’s all the rage now, with big name coffee pushers infiltrating big name bookstores everywhere…
But I’d like to run a huge, funky used bookstore with a kick-ass coffe bar inside.
I’d roast my own beans daily.
Oh, and kids 10 and under get their books for free.
Last weekend I went to DemocracyFest in Bedford NH, just outside of Manchester. I was invited there to perform at the Blogger’s Breakfast, but ended up playing 4 sets over the two days. John Edwards, Chris Dodd and Mike Gravel were there as well as Bev Harris and Mark Crispin Miller. Dennis Kucinich did a conference call, and Howard Dean closed the show with a rousing speech that covered many issues.
I was wearing my new Gore/Dean 08 T shirt when I passed Howard alone in a hallway, and he said he “REALLY LIKED” that shirt. I sort of half thought that he wouldn’t be open to the ‘idear’ of a Gore/Dean ticket, but I got the impression when he saw the shirt that he’d be glad to be Al Gore’s running mate. And why not?
Al Gore endorsed Dean in 2004. I personally would work really hard for a Gore/Dean Dream Ticket. It would be the Gopers’ worst nightmare.
Good Morning Christy et al,
Kerry is coming to the town next to me so the FDL posse is going to give him a warm welcome and join in the conversation. It is billed as a forum on the war and he plans to spend most of the time taking questions.
After that, hot dogs in the back yard.
What would I do if I had the $$ to retire now? Probably spend all my time blogging, organizing and trying to change the insanity that has gripped this country.
Either that or move far far away.
Welcome InfoNut!
Glad to have you here at the Lake.
It’s been crazy at work so my attempts at working out during the week have sucked. But I’m headed down to Andrews AFB to ride around perimeter road a few times to get some miles in. It’s one of the few places with nice shoulders and slow traffic here in the DC area.
When I’m not lurking here during whatever free time I have I’ve been reading some cool biking diaries at a place called Crazy guy on a bike. I’m already planning my own cross country bike ride in about 18-24 months from now. For anyone who needs a little lift to their day ought to go take a look at the site. Some of those diaries will get you smiling.
I hope everyone is having a great morning. I’ll be getting my coffee right after my ride so somebody save me a cup.
Hello, Scottfree. Pleased to meet ya.
InfoNut at 17 — That has always been one of my dreams as well. There was a great combination used book store/coffee shop place in Northampton when I was at Smith — called “The Albion” (They still have a branch in Amherst but the one near my campus closed down several years ago.) They made the best hot cocoa and I would go over, get a cuppa, study and buy a coupla books just about every week. Loved it. SIGH
Given time and money? Wow, two things I don’t have now… There are several local history books I’ve been writing in the back of my head that I need to research.
We’ve spent hours working on tilling and planting a new garden and flower bed at our new house. Maybe that would get done. Maybe.
Absolutely spend more time with the kids. We’ve got two about Peanut’s age. Need to spend more time with them while they are still little.
Oooh, I found a healthier recipe version of Hot Browns. If you’ve ever spent any time in Kentucky, you’ll know what I’m talking about — some seriously yummy food. Know what I’ll be making for breakfast tomorrow. *G*
1,541 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen Hardin Smith:
A great question for today not only to stimulate community sharing but to get folks to make the connection between what is happenin’ politically and their futures especially as it relates to even the possibility of retirement.
For me, the first 10 years (while we hopefully still have our health) we will spend at least 6 months a year travelin’ in our (hopefully) hydrogen-eatin’ vehicle…the other six will be split between local political groundwork and doin’ what I have never had the time for: workin’ the Psych ward at the area VA Hospital. And, of course, the grandchildren will be a part of all of it.
KEEP THE FAITH BUT DO THE WORK AND MAYBE WE WILL HAVE A RETIREMENT!!
InfoNut @ 17
the only thing I would add is having a lot of great blues and jazz playing in the background. Welcome to the lake…
We are retired and live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Within 4 hours drive we can be in the Napa valley or San Francisco or the beautiful Oregon coast. Inland we can be at Mt. Shasta, or the high desert of northern Nevada. Eight hours north of us is Portland, Oregon (one of my favorite cities) and another couple of hours north is Seattle and Vancouver, or Victoria. We live “behind the Redwood Curtain” or in “baja Oregon” depending on who you talk to.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 25
I think I’m probably one of the few native Kentuckians who has never had a Hot Brown. When Mom made ‘em, I got a burger instead. Not allergic, I just really really really really really dislike cheese.
Good morning Christy! I’ve always dreamed of buying a small RV and traveling around this beautiful country of ours. I would talk to people and collect their stories of how progressive we really are as a nation and then write a book while herb gardening and engaging in political activism and advocating for children and the poor. Actually, that’s not very different from what I do now, except for the RV and book-writing part. I guess that means I must be pretty happy with my life “as is”, which is a good thing. Cheers to all Firepups this glorious Saturday morning!
I would spend my money and time educating the world about the lie which is Israel, beginning with the fact that the Old Testament is a work of fiction written as much as 2,500 years after events it purports to report as true.
Palestine’s return to its muddled and difficult indigenous historic ‘owners’ would remove a suppurating boil which threatens to be the root cause of the Imperial US’s economic downfall.
LOL!
My 6 y/o daughter talked me into an ice cream sandwich after her pancakes and Mulan. She has soccer this morning and she’s says it helps her get ready. These are the mornings you just watch them and smile.
About a mile from our house is the Carson Mansion
‘morning…
Starting in August, I get to “retire” for a couple years due to an overseas move (for my wife’s job) and a lack of work permit/language issues. What’s a 36 year old retiree to do?
I’m a poet, so much of my time will be spent finishing one book and starting another. I’ll read a lot. Settle into “kept man” status after working full-time for years. Enjoy another culture/get some healthy distance from our culture. Live in a small city rather than New York. Travel europe on the cheap. I’ll keep trying to run a fast marathon, which requires lots of training.
I’m sure I’ll break down and get a job eventually, but I’m holding out as long as I can.
I love art museums & would probably want to travel through Europe visiting them. I was an art major in college that had to give it up & go to work to support myself so I guess I would go back to my first love.
Good Morning
I went to see Cyndi Lauper and her True Colors show last night in Atlantic City. A nice mix of political activism and ass kicking music.
I got to dance to Debbie Harry, Erasure and Cyndi Lauper all performing live. And got see two new groups, The Dresenden Dolls and The Gossip, both of who were very good.
The main focus of the message was to contact elected officials and encourage them to support the Matthew Sheppard amendment which is part of the Hate Crimes legislation.
As someone who has been gay bashed, I encourage you to do so.
You can get more info here.
Mathhew Sheppard Amendment
Millineryman @ 36
The Gossip with Beth Ditto as lead. You lucky dog.
Millineryman at 36 — Oh, that sounds like such a great concert! I’m so jealous!
David (6) — even odds, or I should say it depends on your definition of a ghost or chupacabra.
Christy (25) — you know what would improve the healthy factor along with the taste of that Hot Brown? Using a whole-wheat with flax seed bread instead of the Texas toast. I may try that with some garlic-poached chicken I have in the fridge…mmm.
If I were able to retire and do as I choose, I would travel a lot more. I think I would start with a trip to Patagonia, to see it before it is trashed by exploitation or further damaged by global warming. Then I would head to the Far East, make a trip around the Pac Rim, maybe even see if I could find my father’s familial roots in China. And then maybe I’d try to track down my mother’s family origins in France and Finland. I have a suspicion my maternal grandfather’s family was not very far from my mother-in-law’s family — small world.
Let me share pictures from my Canadian adventure.
I, and a few friends, pulled a trailer from Minneapolis up to the beautiful Canadian National Parks of Jasper and Banff.
If you’ve ever watched travel channel shows on the Canadian Rockies, you’ve seen this pretty terrain.
Pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j…..331634655/
We had a pretty good time, even with the cranky 3.5 year old, the moody teenager and the car accident(!)
mornin’ all:
Just walked in – back from a little bike-riding.
if you had the money and ability to retire comfortably today, what would you do with your time?
I’ve always said that if I someday I just disappear, the best place to start lookin’ for me would be on a beach somewhere. I could see me selling ice cream on a beach, from a bicycle. A tanned near-black, funkily dressed, well-informed “eccentric”. Is there such a thing as a beach with Wi-fi? When it’s raining, I’ll try to write a book.
Or – open a Tiki bar (though I’ve quit drinking myself), with the world’s greatest jukebox.
Rayne at 39 — We always sub in whole grain bread. Good idea!
It was a GREAT show and I encourage anyone has the opportunity to go, to go.
All the performers were so into it. Did I mention we also got Margaret Cho while they were switching equipment?
sofistic, the Carson Mansion is absolutely awesome. I wanted to go inside and look around but I did’t see any links for that.
Since Christy has so generously given me the money, I’ll be getting a little acreage out in the country and starting a small organic truck farm. With chickens, goats, dogs, cats, etc. Then I would only come to town to sell my bounty at the farmer’s market.
It’s afternoon in Stockholm write now as I have the day off from the World Team Cup here. Tomorrow the USA men will compete for 7th place. I would hire a personal coach and travel around the world becoming one the world’s greatest wheelchair tennis players.
I’m still trying to do that, (on a budget) and working way too early in the morning at the tennis club to help pay my expenses when I do get to travel. I’m one week into a 3 1/2 tennis tour now. Fortunately this leg of my trip and my back and forth from Europe are covered by the USTA, but the next two tournaments in Spain and Paris are out of pocket. Wish me luck and future sponsors.
Leg
you can click on name to see me in action on youtube.
If money and time weren’t inversely related? Travel. Definitely travel.
Paul at 40 — Well, now you have to tell the car accident story, you know. *G* Thanks much for sharing the photos. I’ve always wanted to do the train ride through the Rockies — I hear the Canadian National Railways have a lovely one. One of these days…
chinois @ 45
If time and space were harnassed, I’d borrow Dr. Who’s Tardis and visit Whenever.
Continuing with the regional travelogue, about an hour south of us is the Avenue of the Giants Believe me, when you stand in a grove of these old trees, with the sunlight streaming down in shafts, it is a religious experience.
Christy (41) — I liked that whole-wheat w/ flax seed idea so much that I’m starting some in the breadmaker right now! Can’t wait for breakfast tomorrow morning.
Ever had the sharp cheddar from Kentucky’s Abbey Of Gethsemani? Most excellent; I’d be tempted to splurge with using regular full fat cheese but switch to non-fat milk in the cheese sauce.
Millineryman @ 42
You were psyched before you went, and obviously you were not disappointed! YaY!
Sorry for the OT but Dog I hate this stuff. WaPo0 in depth article on Security Contractors in Iraq. Of course, they run it on Saturday…
Morning all. Thanks Christy for waking the brain in new ways. My imagination is bare. I have much time on my hands, no money at all, and am disabled and often in pain. So, first I imagine pain-free, then money. OK. Only took 10 minutes to get the imagination in gear. Step 1, visit all of the people who are important to me. Step 2, visit places I have not seen. That’s about as far as I get at the moment.
Kids? Love ‘em. Cause you’ll turn around one day and they’ll be all grown up. And then all you’ll have is memories. What I wouldn’t give to have my little girl’s (she’s a woman now) little hand wrapped around my little finger. Of course the real story is I was always wrapped around her little finger. Teach your children well.
Retire? I know full what I’ll be doing. I will be teaching math and English to kids in Honduras. Done deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-96Lia4IX8
Sitting here and never using a computer except to communicate with my 12 year old.
lisadawn82
I got there a little late so I didn’t get to see The Gossip’s whole set. What I did see was very good. Nice rhytum, and Cyndi referred to Beth as her little sister a few times at the end.
*finally responds to a delurk invitation* Hi everybody. I’ve been lurking ever since I got sucked into the Ned Lamont campaign coverage last summer. We don’t do primaries in Canada, so it was really exciting to learn about the process and see a genuine grassroots campaign in action. I was heartbroken too when Lieberman squeaked through.
Anyway, what would I do with sufficient time and money? Buy the neighbourhood movie theater that shut down last year and remake it into a film buff’s heaven. It had two screens, so I would keep the upstairs theater intact and turn the downstairs into an after-show cafe/salon and lecture space. Toronto just lost most of its remaining rep cinemas earlier this year so there’s fewer and fewer options for those of us who don’t enjoy multiplexes.
Leg @ 44
FanTAStic video Leg!
Scarecrow @ 47
Now there’s an adventure I could latch on to!
Before we retired, both my wife and I traveled a lot for business. We would not be unhappy if we never saw another airport.
Rayne–just to say you do have a way with words: “their aggregated social capital”–sums up so much and so well. Lovely!
empressmitzi @ 56
Welcome. Your comment made me think of Cinema Paradiso, for some reason.
Elliott @ 50
Not in the performers, not in how the Borgota C*sino welcomed gay and lesbian business and had no problem with couples walking around their very public property holding hands. Mad props to them for the support.
P.S. But with absolutely no aggregated capital–financial, social, whatever–I can’t/don’t dream much…
OT to Christy re the other day — “finally responds to a delurk invitation”. That’s the second one this morning who didn’t say he was a long time reader. I couldn’t hang long enough to see the outcome but Johnny’s choice of terminology seemed odd to me. That’s all I was sayin………
The best part of retirement is that I will never, ever, have to wear a suit again.
I keep thinking about the Infernal Triangle; the ideal retirement would require the intersection of time, energy, and money. I’m lucky to get any two together at one time – three seems to be too much for the universe to stand.
I think I’d start modestly – just try to catch up on sleep first. Getting into better shape would certainly be in there too. I’d like to become proficient with valved instruments. I’ve spent years playing slide trombone (I actually once got a gig NOT playing trombone in the background of the remake of the Time Machine) but I’ve got a euphonium and a valve trombone that are sadly neglected.
Plus, I’ve also been squirreling away a ton of O gauge trains for a huge layout I’d like to build some day….
I’ve never lacked for Things To Do – just that infernal triangle holding me back.
‘Morning folks.
If I was retired I would be providing FDL with some serious competition, because I would be BLOGGING! Hehe. Seriously, I would love to just research, research, research, and write about it.
Hey empressmitzi—
Glad you could join us! Welcome to the lake.
Hey leg, thouroughly enjoyed your video. Got a kick out of the man at the end saying Bushieman’s a very bad man, everybody knows he’s a bad man. *G*
The music rocked, too. Who and what was that?
And are you the guy jumping back and forth over the net?
sofistic at 60 — I’ve always had this thought that one of these years, we’d go to Europe and buy a eurorail pass — and travel back and forth by train. That just sounds like such a better way to see the countryside and get a feel for the various cultural bits and pieces. Mr. ReddHedd has a fondness for Winnabagos, too. *g*
rob in toronto (54) — wow, beautiful and rustic. thanks for sharing that, reminds me of the Charity Islands here in MI – bet the winters are spectacular.
empressmitzi (56) — oh, I do hope you get a chance to do that, sounds great. It’s taken my small town a couple of decades to develop alternative movie outlets, including an older theater. The older theater plays second run movies on discount every day, but it helps pay for the showing of indy and locally produced films. Would love to see you do something like that and set an example for other communities.
Morning! One cuppa joe so far. Going to do shopping in Flagstaff this morning, only 120 miles one way. Tomorrow my wife and I will go over to the First Mesa village of Sichmovi for a Kachina dance, Blue Bear kachinas are dancing. So, in reality I am going into another world. But today, Flagstaff, shopping and maybe a movie(and a beer or two).
TexB @ 57
Thanks Tex,
I used to say that i would do it all over again just for the handicap parking, but without a doubt, my accident 22 years ago has taken my life in interesting direction, and hopefully Beijing next year for the Paralympics.
sofistic @ 64
not even a bathing suit? ;)
Christy at 69. We have thought of an RV, but we have found it is much easier to rent a car and stay in quality hotels/motels. Then ask the locals what’s good to see and do and where to eat. [edit] but the Eurorail pass sounds like fun.
Hypothetically speaking of course, but does everyone’s child go through an anti-clothing phase at some point?
O.o
xaxnar @ 65
I am squirreling away alot of HO gauge materials. I just need to spend more time building!
We figured out how to buy the ranch and live on it twenty-nine years ago. After laboring in the R&D end of the computer industry, supporting our cattle habit, my good husband was able to retire ten years ago. He’s built the shop of his dreams-a 40×60 playhouse filled with all sorts of tools, projects, and supplies. I’ve been housebound for about five years, but I love being able to visit the world on the net, watch cows, and pet the new cat.
We were able to do a lot of travel when our boys were grown and were fun to take anywhere in the world. The youngest one took off for a year of walkabout and came home engaged to the loveliest young woman in Brazil. They have been married for four years and are expecting our first grandchild. Life is good.
Leg, have you ever run across a guy named Mike Haynes from Austin, TX who runs the wheelchair fitness center and the wheelchair youth sports league for central Texas? He is a great guy. Once loaned me the arm bike for a weekend when my son learned to ride a two-wheeler with no training wheels and I wanted to go for a ride with him.
And a hearty good morning to you, Redd.
today is clean out the basement day. no, really, it will be fun! come on over.
I have been planning my retirement for years now. We will have a place in Northern Italy and a place in FLA (Space Coast). All I have to do is pay for 3 college educations and I’m outta here! Of course, with a 13 year old who wants to go to medical school, I’ve got a long wait.
btw, I wrote my first blog post yesterday. over at my place about my day at the Libby sentencing.
Rayne @ 70
There’s an old, still operating theater just down the street, Davis Square in Somerville MA. They use the original main theater for live concerts and meetings on the weekend, and have added smaller showing rooms for second run movies the rest of the time. And there are Indian film festivals every few months. Matinees are $4.
I’m long retired now but don’t have even a teeny-weeny fraction of the money I’d like.
But I can afford to blog. So I do. And I love it.
I love to travel too. So I do. And I love it.
Mind you, having family to visit (spread out over several different countries) means it doesn’t cost me toooooo much. It also means I see and hear lots of ‘international thingees’ – first hand. Which in turn means I’m NOT easily fooled by vested interest, heavily agenderised, msm ropaganda (in the main), posing as purely ‘news’.
{/my (some simple minded indiviuals say semi-senile) 2 cents worth }
I’d move to Paris. I love the 18th, and would probably want something like this flat. This is on the northwest side of Sacre Coeur on a beautiful street with trees, cafes, and everything you need. The metro stop is not the most convenient, but that means you don’t get many tourists in this area, just the occasional person who walked down the wrong side of Montmartre.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 75
LOL most of them! Much better at that age than at 12. Hypothetically speaking of course.
Christy, I remember being really pissed when Mom said I had to start wearing a shirt. I recall saying “But John doesn’t have to! Why do I?” Then I got my first talk about how boys and girls are different… *g*
Christy Hardin Smith @ 75
Mine did. Circa 2 to 4 years old, if I recall correctly. Of course, she’s 13 now, and I can’t get her OUT of clothes. She resists the shower, and will not, let me repeat, will not take off any clothing at anyone else’s house, ever, with the exception of Grandma’s. Despite everything I’ve done to try to minimize body shame! Oh well.
Hey, Tiredfed. Glad to see you starting the blog.
despairing — you understood what I meant, then, by that phrase? Great!. I take it you read “Bowling Alone”? If one accepts the premise that social networks increase one’s social capital, it’s possible to increase your “value”. Take it from someone with not much inherent social capital. I didn’t have enough to aggregate, being female, mixed race, not wealthy, etc., but I think I actually changed that substantially by blogging and by becoming politically active.
(And now I sound like one of those cheesy “You, too, can become wealthy flipping real estate!!” inspirational speaker-types…)
wangdangdoodle @ 68
The music is by Alejandro Escovedo out of Austin Texas. Austin and Alejandro are two things from Texas we love in Chicago. The video started as a show & tell tool for my young nephew. Yes that is me, Leg, demonstrating my high center of gravity after winning my last 2 tennis tournaments in 2002. Competition gets tough up here in the Open division nowadays. Maybe next week in Spain I’ll have reason to leap again…although I’m 40 now, I’d hate to miss.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 75
They’re born that way.
What an inspiring way to start the morning — ok, laundry actually started it; this is my reward for tackling the to-do list.
Retired — right now, with money and health? I’d focus on one directive: Feed the hungry, which I take to mean not only physically hungry but also emotionally and spiritually. Some days, that would be visiting the elderly lady next door and leaving my watch at home. Another time, it’d be working the food pantry — and making sure it had offerings besides canned beets and canned green beans. Volunteering at the nearby elementary school . . . clearly, there’s no limit on ways to feed the hungry, including a joyful heart offered daily to those under the same roof.
Thanks for putting me on track — none of this needs to be put off to an unknown retirement date.
TexB @ 78
We were just talking about Mike today at breakfast. Great American! We miss him on the tour. A 15 year old photo of him is still being used by one of the sponsors here in the event program.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 76
it’s a phase? now you tell me! my kids (especially the youngest) just drop their clothes any old place. I find socks at the front door every day, like they couldnt wait to get them off. and they walk around in towels. what’s up with that?
Other Pat at 91 — Now those are some great ideas. Thanks!
707 Christy…. they all go through some phase or another…..
After raising my three and the other 6 foster kids, boy do I have the stories. How about the check out clerk at Borders was frantically looking for the mother of the 4yr old who was sitting on the floor looking at a “popup” book on human birth. She would not check me out until she found the mother…. peaked around the aisle and said Oh that is my kid, its ok, he wants to be a doctor! After all, he had been watching animal births on our farm.
Hey AZ Matt, have a beer at the brewery for me…. Boy do they have great beer!
Gaspacho crisis!
Anyone have a good recipe? A friend just brought over a box of Creole tomatoes from his yard….
(I guess this doesn’t count as a hoopy post – but me cooking at all should be good for comic entertainment somehow.)
My present to you, Christy
OT – More Tribe from radio broadcast of May 17th
One doesn’t have to look at simply the most egregious instances of conduct, rushing into this hospital room. They are simply a wake up call.
What we have here is a systematic set of high crimes and misdemeanors, clear criminal acts in violation of valid acts of Congress, much more serious than President Clinton’s perjury, much more serious than most of what President Nixon was almost impeached for doing.
It seems to me that there are political reasons, understandable political reasons, why the Democratic House of Representative under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi does not want to distract the country by an attempt to impeach Cheney and Bush and Gonzales, why they want to stop with things like resolutions of condemnation which people are now talking about for Gonzales.
But let’s be clear about it; it is only politics, and not law, that is deterring the filing of articles of impeachment which are, which would then lead to trials in the Senate. And I’m not here to say that those political considerations should be disregarded, but it’s very hard for me as someone who writes and studies and teaches about the Constitution not to call it the way I see it.
We have a president who has committed impeachable offenses the details of which we’re not going to flesh out in the course of his administration, but which are serious and we shouldn’t make bones about it.
Thanks leg! I live in Austin and Aljandro is one of my faves. Thought it sounded familiar.
Spain next week? oooooo, jealous. What do we google to keep up with the tourny?
I’m very fortunate. I’m 58 and a homemaker with a very supportive husband. I taught elementary and middle school before the kids were born and preschool for a few years while they were still at home. Our two sons (20 and 21) are still presenting us with many challenges, but for the most part are self-sufficient. We have enough money to travel when time permits (upcoming trip to France for our 25th anniversary), but we would both love to spend a year retracing the steps of a European backpacking trip we took back in the early 80s.
My passion is politics and I now spend about 14 hours a day involved in grassroots organizing. My wish is that there were more time (and I had more energy) to give to this passion.
Another dream is to spend a year living in New York City when my husband retires. We love our home in Florida, but would really enjoy spending time in our favorite city taking in all its cultural offerings.
lb0313 @ 95
Bread
Toaster
Bacon
Add tomatoes.
Lettuce optional
I’m 48 and have been retired since 2001. Bad arthritis. I empathize with Texas Betty. Pain-free would be heaven, but not very realistic. I am looking forward to Westercon in two weekends. We have a lot of wonderful friends in the bay area, and will be connecting with all. My husband and I actually met at a science fiction convention about fourteen years ago. We had side-by-side dealers tables. We love Westercon cause hey, any excuse to get out of Phoenix in the middle of summer is good, even if it is only for a few days. Then we have a wedding to go to in Tucson. I don’t usually care for weddings, but this one is special. First time marriage of my husband’s best friend, and best man at our own wedding. In February we will be going to New Zealand for three weeks to visit our daughter and her German diplomat spouse. Very excited about that trip.
lb0313 @ 95
Cucumber, scallion, cilantro, lemon juice. I usually start with tomato juice so not sure what quantities with real tomatoes. Also, I use the blender.
With time and a fairly modest quantity of money, I’d probably buy a place in either Maine or Arizona (or maybe both!), buy a nice large-bore telescope and a meaty digital camera, and fire up some serious astrophotography.
BTW revdeb you have mail…
sofistic @ 87
thanks. I figured folks would want to hear from someone who was in the court. Didnt know Pach was covering the trial.
TiredFed @ 79
Just went and read it, very good job!
What a great idea…
I have posted rarely as seeing three hundred posts preceeding gives one no impetus to be lost in the crowd.
I retired once, at 55 years of age, it lasted sixteen weeks before boredom and ennui drove me back to the work force. I love my job to pieces, enjoy getting up and having an actual place to go ( and arising at 3AM needs a certain drive you betcha!) and, working as I do for a major California utility, I am happy to play a small role in the providing of essential services to my fellow citizens.
I am an inveterate fisherperson, use my own boat or the services of some of the best guides here and in Oregon where I own a retirement home (Deadwood, Ore) and fish the Chetco for steelhead twice a year. Once my advancing age forces me out of the workforce, as it inevitably will, I intend to become a grey panther and use my enforced idleness to work for progressive causes, local stuff mostly as that is the way to effectiveness in my opinion.
OK and I golf too, just got my very first hole in one last Wednesday, after over forty years of chasing that damnable little white ball. Two days afterwards my youngest daughter (28)presented me with my fourteenth grandchild (seven of each, hows that for a Libra’s balance!).
wangdangdoodle @ 97
Interested in a weekend picnic with other Central Texas Firepups? You’d be number 6! Currently planned for July 9.
Well, decades ago I accepted about a 30% cut in salary for about a 30% cut in working days. That is, I started to teach. (Note that I didn’t say I had a cut in amount of work, since there’s no such thing as always “leaving the job” at the end of the day or end of the week.)
So this means that my wife and I “retire” each summer (except when she drives me to work on a book, like this summer). Get in the VW van, put the canoe on top, head out into the boonies — Western US, Western Canada, wherever. Or grab a flight abroad because somebody invited one of us to some conference or meeting and then hang out for some extra weeks if it’s summer time. In fact, having just returned myself from her native land in Eastern Europe, I’m waiting for her to land at our airport today and pull me away from the laptop and back to that book project.
I realize that I may be weird, but actually leaving a job that I love so darned much (and that, with students, keeps me in touch with a demographic of smiles and hope) seems unlikely until, oh, maybe the 9th decade.
By the way, Christie, I visited our mutual prof friend in West By-God earlier this week and we both talked about how we admire your writing on FDL.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 76
Christy — Evidence. First of all, she’ll never believe you when you tell her down the road about this phase. Secondly, you’ll have “behave-or-else-the-nekkid-pictures-come-out” material for years. The one of our youngest nekkid at the piano when he was three is serving us well, ten years later.
Here is a pretty good looking Gazpacho recipe but I like the one on the S&W tomato can better. I like to add sliced black olives and capers to mine.
“Gets My Goat” rather than “Floats My Boat” is the operative term this AM Thanks to this specious essay by Michael Kinsley.
Words can barely describe my RAGE.
And I’m certain that TRex knows precisely what I’m talking about.
AZ Matt @ 77
I love HO. Have three lines running. Burlington, SP, and of course Santa Fe.
lb0313 — Great to see you! :) Ask and ye shall receive:
– A history of gazpacho
– And here’s the recipe that I work from, although I never quite follow it depending on what I have in the fridge or on the counter.
Boston1775 @ 96
Wow. Link? This deserves more circulation. Thanks.
TiredFed @ 104
I was hoping you’d tell us about your day at court! Thanks TiredFed.
Scarecrow
THAT I can do! Off to LaSpiga for good bread.
And thanks TexB – I mush up something
Christy (75) — really depends on the kid, but the age is about right. Just apply lots of sunblock. There will be worse times — like Monday mornings when the kid decides that they have nothing socially acceptable to wear to school that day, or that all their clothes itch or don’t zip right or what have you.
masaccio (82) — I am SO coming to visit you; love the area around the Sacre Coueur, lovely quiet side streets. Have a photo I cherish of one neighborhood through which I walked, a cobblestone street with ivy covered walls, awnings over the windows and flower-filled window boxes.
Hello, I’m an RSS lurker mostly, but how could I refuse such a friendly invitation. I’m in the middle of cooking breakfast, but to answer your ice-breaker question, I’d probably study improv full time and eventually move to another city (I live in NYC) to start up an improv class for teenagers.
Here’s another poser for everyone… If you were Ray in Ghostbusters, what would you accidentally think of that would destroy New York City?
Enjoy the day!
Elliott @ 114
I’m still reading, but so far it is great.
wangdangdoodle @ 98
http://www.itftennis.com/wheelchair/
http://www.usta.com/news/fulls…..sid=436152
The ITf is best international tournment info and rankings and results. The USTA link is a story about me coming of the bench when my teammate Larry from San Antonio came up injured.
Keep Austin Weird WangDang!
Thanks Christy! I will do my best
For those of you who followed the perils of Tom and Jen through Scout’s video – these are Tom’s tomatoes from their new place
Maretta at 101 — Wonder if I bought something from you when WFC was in Phoenix a few years back? Mr. ReddHedd and I were all over the dealer’s room then. :) I’ve got autoimmune issues as well, and have found that taking some daily omega-3 supplements has been very helpful. (My doc recommended it for me.) Thought it might be something to ask your doc about as well…
Scarecrow @ 114
Hi everyone, I just transcribed this from the radio broadcast link at the bottom of the last page. I’ll see if I can use my new skills and bring it over to this page.
This broadcast also has Glen Greenwald and someone else who is very good. I have to go check it.
TexB @ 107
I’ll have to take a rain check on that. I’m getting married 7/7 and I’ll be at Deep Eddie for the annual 709 Reunion on, well, 7/9. At 7:09. Bunch of us Armadillo World Headquarters old hippies.
But really, keep me in mind for next time!!
In exactly 339 hours I will be in Athens Greece…
ardee @106
My parents live in Florence just south of the river. Dad moved there after retirement from US Forest Service. He has too much to do during his retirement. He paints landscapes, carves animals out of wood, silver smithing, and now works with Habitat 2-3 days a week building houses.
wangdangdoodle @ 123
If you leave Cassie a comment we’ll have your email address and add you to the list.
There is a downside to retirement. Eventually, the second law of thermodynamics rules, and the old bod begins to crumble. I have sciatica and my wife has asthma, and flying is no longer in the cards for us. Jet exhaust will send her to the ER, and I just can’t get up and down the runways and stairs of airplanes or airports anymore. So we travel by car to closer places, and that works out.
katymine @ 124
That is a good life.
Prof at 108 — Dang — if I’d known you were in the area, I would have had you over for dinner. :) Let me know next time and we’ll grab some chow!
If I had lots of money, I’d like to start a bed and breakfast with a few of my unhappy-at-work artsy friends. It would double as a place for emotionally fragile kids to come and do art projects, be they little things or murals to beautify the city. And teach kids to bake and cook. And go from there.
wangdangdoodle—
You’re getting married? That’s awesome, congratulations!
We travel a lot. We’ve been up and down I-95 so many times, I know every bump and speed trap by heart. Twice a year to visit grannies and cousins. We also get to Europe about every 2 years on the average. Learned a few tricks going over there, too. Train travel is one way to go – romantic, can be inexpensive in some areas (like Italy), but flying from place to place can be remarkably cheap. RyanAir and EasyJet (the orange guys) have revolutionized air travel in Europe. And the airports they typically fly into are small, commuter ones where there are far fewer travelers. Still, you can’t beat the dining car of a European train for the best travel experience out there. Oh, and United flies to London in the morning! How civilized!
leg at 44
how exciting!!!!!!!!
i used to play tennis, although not at your level.
good luck to you!
Well, floating on a boat would be nice, just off from my little cottage, overgrown with flowers, with the train layout running through the garden. All within walking distance of that delightful used bookstore with blues in the background next to the empressmitzi’s cinema. Who’s doing the bakery? and there’d be that magic telephone booth on the corner.
And I’d be planning my travels, first rolling around North America, then off to Tipperary.
and that’s just to start.
egregious @ 130
Oh yeah! Manners not yet awake! Congrates wangdangdoodle.
OT ~ Excellent show this weekend on the History Channel: HIPPIES
Lou Costello @ 135
Oooh, eyewitness testimony. That must have been very hard to find, LOL
Here’s the link for the radio broadcast with Tribe, Fein, and Glenwald, I have to listen to it again. Must hear radio
Waving hi to beedee!
Don’t be a stranger. Let us hear from you.
Leg says
June 16th, 2007 at 6:30 am
Alejandro Escovedo
just downloaded the one from the video. Any other suggested titles?
David @ 6
Depends on which rerun of the X Files you’re watching…
Good morning from L.A. Glad you’re having a fun morning w/your daughter, CHS.
I’ve got to go back into the film vaults all day today for a client (making up for Thurs. off last week to go to a graduation).
I’m retired from teaching more or less except when the occasional seminar is requested (became a teacher @ age 20, ended this past Dec. when I turned 46), still freelance around here in various research/editing capacities, still tutor hs/college students online & in person, & will never fully retire if I can help it ;-)
It would be great to eventually buy that vacation place on the Canadian/Maine border near where I grew up…
egregious @ 131
Thanks egregious, it’s the second for both of us so will be very small and informal. Ceremony will probably consist of “Do you or Don’t you?” with a “We do!” reply. Weddings should be short! *g*
Elliott @ 138
Thank you.
Scarecrow @ 128
That is exactly it, 21 yrs of retirement, lots of fishing trips, road trips with their 5th wheel trailer.
Their life…. survived the “great depression”, both served in WWII and are Vets, educated with the post WWII GI bill, worked contributed, raised their daughters who became professionals and retired to a nice living.
That IS the American story.
wangdangdoodle @ 142
and the party after should be long! congrats. long life!
TexB @ 135
Thanks TexB! I’ve got Cassie’s site up, what do I do? Just leave something in the comments?
jayt @ 140
Man Under the Influence is a great album
OKK,
I get watch the BNSF rolling through Flagstaff today. There are still a few red and silver Warbonnets on the road, and blue and yellow paint schemes. It will be sad when those disappear.
Good morning.
Ice cream should be okay (milk, eggs…sugar) as long as it is made with real ingredients.
TiredFed! Love your new blog!!
OT: I heard a caller call in to Washington Journal this morning with a statement worth looking into. He said that this Immigration Bill contains language enabling the “North American Union”. Makes sense why W would be wanting it so badly. This would be a really bad, sneaky deal if true. I’ve had an uneasy feeling about it all along for a variety of reasons.
30′ class C RV here – haven’t been farther than an hour away so far (gulf coast or deep woods & springs). It’s way big for 1 person but I plan on living in it most the time – real soon. For now it’s long weekends and Mondays off as much as possible. I’ve been practicing for retirement most my life, like all those breaks in work over the years, months at a time. But it’s been a solid 16 years of work lately – sorta making up for the “misspent youth”.
Christy,
I’m usually tourist class at cons these days. My husband does lovely calligraphy on custom buttons, but he hasn’t been doing that much either. I’m a filker, though, and have recorded three albums over the years. Most of my friends are writers and musicians. I adore hanging out with friends and harmonizing. I should check into the omega 3 thing. My dad is a retired VP of an Osteopathic School, and he researches supplements for me. I have to be careful with all the prescriptions I take not to add anything without researching first, but it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try if there are no contraindications.
and the party after should be long! congrats. long life!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks TiredFed, have always enjoyed your informed analysis around the blogosphere.
lb0313 @ 96
If you are still looking for a good gazpacho recipe, go to FoodTV and look for the Barefoot Contessa’s…or look in her cookbook if you have it. It rocks out loud!
katymine,
I hope you have a wonderful trip, it’s sounds divine. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wishes she could tag along. I hope you share your experiences and your photos when you get back!
BTW, gang — Angie Paccione is today’s Blue America guest. :) Thought everyone would want a heads up — she’s fantastic, and she’s running again.
AZ Matt @ 148
I think there are a couple of Santa Fe F3s (Warbonnets) at the Railroad museum in Sacramento. It’s a marvelous place to visit, especially with young kids. Haven’t seen any back east.
Oh shoot, manners indeed…
Leg, thanks for the links, I’ve got them bookmarked and will be keeping up next week.
lb0313 @ 146
thanks.
LS @ 149
thanks LS. the blog is pitiful, but then we wouldnt have curtains in my house if left up to me. some day I might ask my better half to spruce it up.
I’d move to Maui and never look back.
wangdangdoodle — Congrats! :)
Twisted Martini @ 153
Other Pat @ 109
I swear, I didn’t wear clothes until the age of five. Every picture there is of me, I am nekkid. Pretty impressive given that I grew up in North Dakota, BRRRRRRRRRRR
Rayne @ 116
You’ll be welcome!
Scarecrow @ 156
Been there a few times including to Rail Fair. Fun to get close to the big UP steam engines and the big ATSF out San Berdo.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 161
best wishes!
lb0313, throw some cooked choped shrimp in the gazpacho for an extra special treat. Assuming you’re not vegetarian, that is. And squeeze of lime makes it sparkle.
Christy: Actually, ice cream for breakfast isn’t as non-nutritious as you might think. Soon after I turned 14, I started skipping breakfast in order to lose weight. My mother used to beg me to eat breakfast – usually a big heavy meal (pancakes or French toast, sausage, bacon, etc). After talking with a dietition friend, she started offering me smoothies for breakfast: ice cream, fruit (either home-canned or fresh) and even cooked oatmeal, whipped up in her blender. Though, I didn’t know about the oatmeal till after I was married and the mom of a finicky eater.
So, ice cream’s been one of my kids’ breakfast choices for awhile now. I figure it’s better for them than your average sugar cereal.
As for what I would do if I could retire now, with $$ to spend: First, would be the fun: spending a year apiece living in Scotland and Ireland, then I’d like to re-open the county drive-in theatre.
If I could combine that with opening a home for under-21 girls who are trying to re-enter society after a first-time, non-violent drug conviction… well, that would be ideal.
Sierra Volk @ 160
haha. that’s exactly what my wife said! she was even offered a job at the hospital on Maui. my daughter seriously plans to attend UH at Manoa. I hope she can get in. Would sure make for an interesting Christmas break!
Elliott @ 154
Thank you… will do my best to have a good time and share all when I return.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 161
Thanks Christy!!
OK, off to the grocery store while it’s not raining. Check y’all later…
Elliott @ 166
Thanks, Elliot!! Now I’m really off to the store…
I’m different than the rest of you. Don’t care about retiring. My husband’s counting the yrs till he can retire but me, not so much. I’d love to take a month off here and there and do some serious traveling but when that’s over, I’d just as soon go back to work. I’m not a stay home and clean the house person(unfortunately) and I have a feeling I’d never get out of bed and dressed. So, I just have to find a different kind of job when the time comes. One that lets me take off about 10 weeks a year. Oh, and since the hubby won’t be working, he can do the cooking and cleaning. Now, that would be heaven.
Az Matt,
Flagstaff! Oohhhh! I’m jealous! I will be thinking of you in the cool, pine-scented air while I search the local nursery for something to replace my sunburned geraniums. Lantana for the south side, and vinca or lavender for the North. Last year even the vinca shriveled up in the heat.
I love Saturday mornings with Christy and the firepups.
It’s an inspiring and even soothing way to start the day.
Our Justice Dept at work!
$100 Million Dollar lost due to mistake
Who is getting the new equipment first in Iraq our troops or the Mercs? You know the new mine resistant jeeps and Humvees, are the Mercs wearing Dragon Skin body armour is that why some of our troops want it? I wish Congress would do some oversight How many troops do we really have in Iraq? Have we outsourced torture to the Mercs in a desperate attempt to keep our hands clean. Do the Mercs fight for the Sovereign Nation of Iraq “laughing hystericaly” or do they fight for us, the guys who pay them? In other words are WE or the Sovereign Nation of Iraq ” still laughing” responsible and liable for their behaviour?
katymine @ 176
what a convenient mistake, reminds of the tobacco debacle trial.
Elliott at 175 — Me, too. :)
Scarecrow @ 156
You guys are toturing me! Not many trains here in central Indiana. Mainlines are all up north running out of Chicago.
If I had the ability to retire, I would move to San Francisco. IMHO, the most beautiful city in the world. I told my wife that’s where we are going when the kids graduate. I’d also travel-Scotland, Ireland, England, the Continent. New Zealand-Lord of the Rings land. Tahiti and Bora Bora. I would get way more involved in progressive politics. And play golf.
A couple of years ago I started volunteering one night a week in an ELL class with intermediate adult learners. I really enjoy it and would do more of it in retirement (only about 8 years off now). The learners are so appreciative and gracious as they really want to learn English and get better jobs. I especially enjoy what I call a ’seeya’ moment – when students learn what words actually make up the everyday speech of English speakers.
solai @ 173
haha. I do that now. So I should tell my wife she’s already in heaven?
I’ve long had the fantasy of opening a bakery in a small seaside town. . lace curtains at the windows. . . warm blueberry muffins on the counter. . . my placid and friendly dog at my feet. . (my actual dog is kinda like a canine version of Lily Tomlin). . .but then I realized that people who own bakeries have to get up at 4 in the morning (at least) to get things started. . .so shelved that one.
Tomorrow am going to a picnic featuring Ned Lamont and Jim Himes, who is going to run for Congress against Chris Shays. He’s got a dream resume and should have a goo chance.
Anyone have tips to help my dog who has kennel cough?
She is a 13 yr old beagle who was vaccinated but was boarded two weeks ago and 2 days later had this cough. She is on cough meds from the Vet but the poor baby is hacking all the time, sounds like croup!
Do the American Oil Companies really think that the Iraqs even if they finally sign the new oil law will be bound in any international court to the terms of an agreement made while America occupied, but could not control Bagdad? Occupation is a form of duress that would invalidate any contract I would think so why is Bush pushing so hard for a meaningless contract?
Twisted Martini: Well, SF used to be my favorite city until I nearly got mugged while at a conference. As a teenager, a friend and I used to haunt Market street and the army surplus stores for WWII radio equipment (we were teenage geeks and hams), and never felt any kind of threat. Years later, not so much. Still some of the best food anywhere, though.
katymine @ 184
Robitussin – check with your vet for which one to use. I used it on my dogs some years ago when they got it. They fling the red stuff all over the place, so watch your walls!!
The little gal and I just got back from our Florida sojourn. We ended up staying 8 nights and the Grand Floridian then 1 and Grammies and then 4 nights with Grammy and her friend at friend’s nephew’s condo in Daytona Beach Shores and then back to delightful DeLand (where Grammy and PawPaw live) for 5 nights. Whew. I am tired, but we had a great time.
Now I’m itching to go back to Europe. Designed a potential study abroad program for the department that I can run and it will get me to Rome and Athens at a minimum in alternating summers. When I was writing my dissertation I averaged at least a trip a year. I miss living in Rome. I also know that the little one is the perfect age to start going. Her Dad was hiccuping last night and I taught her to say singhiozzo (hiccup in Italian) every time he did it. Hee, hee.
Missed you guys! CJ
TiredFed @ 182
Or, you could come stay with me for awhile. My house needs a thorough cleaning.
TiredFed @ 170
I was stationed in Hawaii for four years in the AF (left there 25 years ago). One year on Christmas Day I called my sister and said, “Yeah, it’s a cloudy day and may rain so I’m just gonna grill a couple of pork chops on the hibachi.” Her response was, “I don’t want to hear it you little SOB; It’s 15 degrees outside (she was and is in NH), and I’m running a temperature of 103 and wedged between a wood stove and the wall trying to get better.”
Another year my mother and her best friend came over. During a break from them, I went wandering in Kapiolani Park and wound up seeing Carlos Santana jamming with the drummers for about an hour. He just drummed with them. Way Cool way to spend a relaxing hour.
sofistic @ 186
OK, so maybe we move to Sausalito or Tiburon and just visit! After all, I’ve got the money!
I have two children, 10 and 12. I have a wife who at
age 41 took up surfing and it has become a beneficent
addiction. I DID retire two years ago after thirty-five
years in the film business. Many days I do not do what
anyone would call work, but I am with my family, involved in their lives and able to participate fully -
something that being away on filming locations did not allow me to do.
I also make my own documentary films and edit them myself at home, something I never had time to do when I worked. The family wanders in and out of
the editing room in the evenings, and I can do help with homework housework and grocery shopping while my wife gets to
have time of her own, something she almost never had bringing up the kids full-time.
I have the luxury of being able to really delve into the political matters that are confounding and eroding all of our lives so I can more fully inform my friends who are still working full-time.
I am not rich money-wise although we have saved for the kids schooling and we are making ends meet.
I have never been happier in my life.
David
Hey gang…
Great post at TPM about CIA officers writing to the RNC to complain about the treatment of Plame and Libby by the Rep candidates.
http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/co…..a_officers
katymine @ 185
if it were my puppy, I’d try warm honey with lemon.
judy48 @ 183
if you get a chance, tell Ned and Jim that the FDL community is pulling for them.
I’ve replace Saturday morning house cleaning with ‘clean, refresh FDL, clean, refresh FDL, post a comment, clean, refresh FDL…..’
Christy Hardin Smith @ 76
Wait till it’s anti-clothing AND turning into a dog. Wanting to eat out of a dish on the floor and urinating outside, well let’s not go there. Actually, it was a sign of things to come. She’s 18, going to school and working in a vet’s office-even helping with surgeries!
Lots of money and retirement? I’d visit the world and share the fact that Americans can be good and generous people.
katymine @ 185
Not sure, but I bet steaming the bathroom up and putting her in there for 20 minutes or so would help. Of course, then you’ll have a damp dog, but this works with kids…
Sorry your baby is sick. I get really annoyed when they get an illness while boarded. Grrr. We boarded our now departed Murphy (golden) at a kennel/vet hospital and they told us he had been a little ill with a virus that had gone around (we were only gone for a long weekend) and he was fine now. Walked out the door of the place and he had the runs everywhere and vomited. Our vet said it was clearly more serious than they had let on.
I love fdl and this always beautiful thread. It’s a beautiful saturday, my wonderful new lover is off at work, I’m gonna noodle on my synth and nap and internet all day. not a single complaint about a thing.
well, except the fascism thingy.
rarely comment at the moment, but shark in da hizzy
kisses christy & family and jane especially
Christy Hardin Smith @ 76
Yep. Of the 10 kids I’ve known up close and personal (my two youngest brothers, plus my 3, plus my sisters’ combined 5) all of them have gone through the nudist phase.
The worst was my oldest son. He hated the feel of clothing on his skin – always said it “hurt”. Pure cotton was the only fabric he could tolerate, and usually only if it was loose – he wore baggy jeans before they were fashionable. He wore his socks inside out, because the inside was “too fuzzy” and we had to cut the tags off everything. (Luckily, I didn’t need to rely on them for washing instructions.) And forget underwear! The elastic drove him nuts.
Now, he’s 20 and still wears socks inside out and cuts all the tags out. [edit] I refuse to inquire as to the state of the underwear.
solai @ 189
o my. hope she’s not reading this thread. who am I kidding, she’s too busy to blog. she is out saving the world from avian flu.
Daily reader, second time poster, retired, full time activist. I do have time, but limited money so if I had unlimited money, I would do more of what I am now doing. I might move to DC for a while. My 3 people a day rule has become very popular. Just wear a shirt, button, peace sign or some other identifier as part of the “good guy team.” In the course of daily activity, meet 3 people and start a conversation. I always have handouts in my car and you’d be amazed at my independent little network.
Gee, this is so tough! NOT! I’d like to run a bookstore too. Something like Kramer Books in D.C. only a little smaller and more compact for a town that’s “just the right size” here in No. Indiana.
And I think it’s time for me to come out of the closet about something. I’m running for city council here in South Bend. I’ve been kind of reluctant to devulge this, only because I consider the lake my haven from the real world and I never have time to post so I don’t get to know you guys as well as I’d like to. I try to read all the threads and comments and then by the time I’m ready to say something, you guys have usually moved on. Such is life in the EPU zone.
My district is the only Republican held seat on the council, so it’s going to be a tough row to hoe. I am a union member and all of our locals have endorsed me so that will help tremendously.
I’ll be working on the final touches of my web site this weekend. I have to leave for a Juneteenth event in and hour and then I’m going to our Aids Ministries Rooftop Rendezvous this evening. I’m really looking forward to that because there’s a great new band in town and this is their local opening. It’s usually a lot of fun and I see people I haven’t seen in years. So, off to shake some hands.
Thank you all. I know I say that every time I do post, but I seriously don’t know what I would do without this place.
Probably in the serious EPU Zone here.
Sharkbabe!!!
How ya doing?
Okay, I’ve thought of something I would do if retired…I’d join a campaign. So wanted to go to Conn. when Ned was running. And I keep reading about an event here or there that I can’t get to. So, I guess that would a big plus to having the freedom of not having to go to work.
ps Loo Hoo
I didn’t get to say this to you before, and it’s way late now, but your letter to the judge was just perfect.
Go, Go, Go Hoosierville!!! Keep us updated!!
solai @ 196
lol. I really gotta go now. was giving college boy some extra sleepy time (yeah, that’s the ticket). see y’all later or manana for Sunday morning talking heads.
Steven Griles sentancing LINK in WaPo.
Citizen Jane @ 199
sounds like the dreaded Parvo
Vote for Hoosierville!
If I only lived in South Bend.
Go you, this is exciting news!
Keep us posted.
Loo Hoo. @ 198
Christy, Our naked phase started at the Beach. Everytime she gets back from a swimming trip now she wants to run around naked. She’ll put on underpants. I wish I could take her to Sweden and let her revel in it!!! She hasn’t persisted as much here, so I am wondering if I’m keeping the house too cold for her taste? Last summer she managed to take off her two piece strapped into her car seat (a big Britax). I love her coppertone bum right now. She tans like crazy with 50 spf on and liberally reapplied!
LooHoo–mine has been a baby puppy for a year running now (she is now 4 and a few months). Wants to go to the groomer, wants to be walked, wants puppy treats. She cajoled me into getting her a collar that she wears around her waist. Fortunately, no dish-eating on the floor yet. Thanks for preparing me!
solai @ 197
By coincidence that’s exactly what I do. Except for the cleaning part.
I think anti-clothing is a human drive when the weather is nice. We really go through a lot of conditioning to get accustomed to cloths so Peanut is just being a kid.
Retirement: hmmm, Spend more time with my son, ride a bike more often, spend more time trying to learn piano, spend more time working for social justice, sleep. Nothing too expensive except the retirement part.
egregious @ 214
Me too, my wife is always yelling, “Where do you disappear to?”
Hoosierville @ 204
WIN!
PA_Lady @ 201
I’ll remember that for a fellow Mom at preschool. She couldn’t get her boy potty trained because he said the underwear hurt too! Finally she got him to talk about it, tried boxers (less confining) and he was instantly potty trained. She’ll be glad to know she’s not the only one with a boy who is sensitive about clothes!
Hey, Sharkbabe, haven’t seen you in a month of Sundays. Would you be interested in playing my 1962 Fender Jazzmaster if we were in the same part of the country?
Elliot 210,
Sure does. About 18 years ago, in NYC, I had a Rottendog who I got as a puppy from a breeder. She contracted Parvo and spent 14 days in the Animal Medical Center there on IV’s at deaths door. They called me and told me she had zero white blood cells on day 13. Up until then, they had refused to let me go into the room where she was being treated, but this day, the snuck me in. I held her, she was a bag of bones, and talked and talked to her. I said goodbye. I got the call at 7 A.M the next morning….she had a huge spike in white blood cells up to 800!! She made it!!! I took her home the next day and rehabilitated her on baby food. She went on to live a good long life and produced a bunch of puppies. It cost me $2500.
just great egregious ((())))
snoopydance good
except now I’m miserable because I don’t have a Trex New York City Bitch hat :(
sofistic 219
duh – swoon – so there – is the pope gay?
Nearly as bad as a child that resists clothes is the one that will only wear one outfit. One of the kids in the neighborhood wore the same outfit to school for, well, forever. Her mother was so embarrassed. Every morning she’d explain..again..that she’d washed the outfit but it was the only one the child would wear. I don’t know which was funnier. That cute little kid in her fave outfit, or the mortified mom.
LS @ 220
Oh wow! Sounds like they should have had you in there all along, your presence probably sparked the rebound. I’m glad she survived the ordeal.
sorry about that $2500 tho
Citizen Jane at 188 — Am taking your advice on the Wonderland Tea Party, and booking that for The Peanut next trip. It looks like a LOT of fun for the kiddos. Glad you and your peanut had so much fun on your trip. :)
Hoosierville (203) — Congratulations!! I hope this is the beginning of a wonderful career in public service!!
Two tips for you, based on experience gleaned over the last two races as an activist supporting local candidates:
– Go to all kinds of small meetings, like the Parent-Teacher Council meetings and introduce yourself, weight your effort toward asking them for feedback. You’d be surprised, but some candidates forget this stuff. (Had a candidate who lost a state race by a mere 300 or so votes, forgot to meet with the local peace activist people and talk with them; his position was the same as theirs but they ended up throwing enough votes behind a “fake” Green and he lost.)
– Ask for their votes; think it was Tip O’Neill who learned this from a neighbor that he forgot to talk with during a race that he lost. You can probably Google up the anecdote, but Tip took that lesson seriously and won thereafter.
Be sure to come back and fill us in on what you’re doing and how you think it’s going. It might inspire others who are thinking about running for office. Best of luck to you!!
1962 is when Shelley Fabares sang Johnny Angel on the Donna Reed show
just sayin
Thanks for asking, Christy! I would most definitely re-introduce myself to golf on a more regular basis and, like you, try try try to get more regular exercise. No, seriously. The doctor said: “You NEED to exercise!”
Happy Saturday and Happy Baba Day to Mr. Christy tomorrow.
Well, Sharkbabe, the Jazzmaster has a bunch of chips in the body from when we fought our way out of bars. Shelly Fabares we were not. Although we did start doing Ventures stuff as kids. God I feel old.
Rayne @ 226
Hoosierville, listen to Rayne!
When I was maybe 20, I was at a small meeting and a local pol came by and introduced himself to each of us. He recognized my last name and made a point of saying he caddied for my Dad when he was a kid. I never ever forgot that and have been loyal to him ever since. It’s a little thing that makes a big difference.
solai 223 – I’m that monotonous kid – clothes are such a hassle, really – somewhere in my mind I still hear mom, now saying Susan must it always be black, everything black all the time? hahahaha
Well, I second the coffeehouse/bookstore idea, only I would add a mini-movie theater where we would show movies that otherwise wouldn’t make their way to my bookstore cafe’s out of the way mountain view location. Someone else would manage it and I would be the book therapist, recommending books to heal every kind of heartache and feed every kind of dream.
Plus I’d blog for candidates I really like such as Donna Edwards (District4 – MD).
Old is rich.
Ventures = God.
Elliot, thanks. I sure would have spent more time on it had I known it would be on the tubes!
We retired in 2003 and moved to Greece and I thought that would be the happily ever after ending.
But in 2005 I got involved with the Overseas Vote Foundation (www.overseasvotefoundation.org), a non partisan, non profit 501 (c)(3) that uses the Internet to help expatriates and active duty military download the forms (correctly filled out in PDF format) to register to vote and request an absentee ballot.
So, I’m not really retired anymore. But I’m having a great time.
The euro is very difficult for American expats in Europe so I’d like to have a lot more money so that I could feed my traveling jones.
It gets a little nibble now and then, but not as much or as often as I’d like.
Thanks for asking and you’re right. I don’t often comment but I always read.
good morning, all. Christy, you’re like soothing water when you post on Saturday mornings. thanks.
at 54 i took early retirement. partially driven by empty nest (son off to college), partially by changes in my industry (public radio), and the rest from having come through the other end/side of menopause which left me and maybe others feeling whole, healthy, and ready to take some risks.
the financial key was: having no debt and ratcheting down my consumption of “stuff.” early retirement also came w/ health coverage, so that mattered a lot! i’m lucky (and worked hella’ hard, too!) because i also have country property, which i’ve slowly developed over the years and where i am now. living off the grid w/ satellite internet, small modern cabin, and a just-planted demonstration orchard (13 various fruit trees) to see what takes. got a bit of the survivalist streak in me.
it’s been hard, though, to have no more title after my name. to not be a “somebody” who has something to broker that others are interested in, even if it is just empheral “information.” so it takes awhile, i think, to morph and figure out where next to direct energy when you’ve jumped off the machine.
delayed gratification is not a bad thing to cultivate. peace.
For the Shark… (tee-hee)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4832LQ0_T8g
I love Donna Edwards, she’s not my district but my former one next county over, she came so close last time, I’ll get my ass out working for her this time, we need anti-Steny Hoyers in MD, she’s it.
Citizen Jane @ 199
I’ve heard so many horror stories about boarding facilities. In my little pride I have 4 senior kitties, 2 with illnesses that require meds for life (1 hyperthyroid and 1 hypertension). There are many trips I have an opportunity to take but I just cannot bring myself to rely on someone else to care for these wonderful creatures. A mistake at a boarding facility may only be a mistake for them but could be fatal for the animal. I’m not trying to paint all boarding places with a broad brush because there’s no doubt there are facilities that take very precaution but I just can’t take that chance. If I’d had children they would have been my number one concern. Since I only have house lions they fill that slot. They’re sentient beings I’ve taken responsibility for. I cannot shirk that responsibility. And the unconditional love I receive in return is irreplaceable.
Citizen Jane @ 217
Definitely not the only one, and I had the same potty-training problem. I remember talking to a friend in a clothing store about it, and a woman passing by heard me, and said her daughter was the same way. She’d solved it by buying a bunch of boy’s boxers. We switched over, but the elastic was still a problem, so my genius former mother-in-law sewed a strip of soft cotton over it.
Loose seems to be the key for kids with hyper-sensitive skin, so that the least amount of fabric possible is actually touching them.
Bird photography – looks like I can swing 10 days in Iceland next June, so I’ll take my retirement in bits here and there NOW, not save it up for the uncertain end. Then there’s Antarctica, Galapagos, Amazon, Costa Rica, northwest Alaska in June breeding season…..
Assuming I could retire (financially not likely) I’d probably do the same stuff I do for amusement now: genealogy, knitting, embroidery, playing with the computer. I’d like to be able to travel, but that’s even less likely. (It comes in the category of after-I-win-the-lottery, and I’ve quit playing.)
Did someone mention The Ventures?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=
Loo Hoo. @ 234
but it was just right the way it was. You made the point so clearly and in just a few sentences.
Good Morning :-)
I am retired, but without the cash. So, just imagining a little: I’d travel to join protests against inhumane acts and policies and take as many interested folks with me as possible. (Guess, that means many trips to D.C.) I’d find cool, green places to watch wildlife, especially birds. Oh, and try to finish reading all of the books I’ve bought and the new ones I can’t resist, before I get planted.
oh what a fab Shelley F link ok kiddo
damn there’s just something about Donna Reed
god now you got ventures goin
solai @ 222
Oh yeah. That would be my nephew. He just turned 5, but he’s obsessed with Spider-man. I bought him a Spiderman costume for Halloween last year… which he proceeded to wear to preschool every single day for almost 2 months.
His wonderful teacher gave us a great idea: telling him there were times when he had to be Peter Parker, and wear regular clothes. So, we were able to have 4 days of “Peter Parker” clothes and one day of Spiderman.
Of course, his school photo is adorable, with his costume visibile under his dress shirt.
THE SAME AS I DO NOW… my father’s advice, treat every day as if it were your last…
the funny thing is i get more vacation and down time then i deserve BECAUSE I TAKE IT. i never understood the climbers who got the money and need to buy vacations, so much every day to enjoy…
friends, political activism, book club
most people don’t appreciate what is mostly free for the taking
Thanks all! Rayne, I saved your post. I’m walking out the door right now so I won’t be back on line for a while. I will post a link to my web site and more info when I get it uploaded this weekend.
Debbie Ray
5th District Council
South Bend, IN
Proud to be a doggie.
Good morning all, way late to the thread but here is my tentative retirement plan: I still have 5 years to go, but since I’m a municipal employee I will probably stick around a couple years after that and go into the DROP program and save up a pile of dough through that option, thereby (hopefully) enabling me to relocate to the north of England and spend the rest of my days in beautiful Cumbria :-)
What would I do if I was retired and could afford it?…..
Well, I am retired. Yeah. And as my husband says, financially we have “enough plus a little”. That said, we just took the big plunge and sold our place (almost paid for) and bought a ranch style home, called a villa in the midwest. It has two bedrooms, a large den/office/computer room, and a light, airy floor plan. Total of 1680 square feet, deck, and walk out basement – if we choose to finish and add more space. Lovely. Scary, cause we now have a bigger house payment stretching out a few years.
In the last few years our family has gone through the trauma of moving parents from large homes with stairs to a place they could manage on one floor. Our condo had three levels and you could go nowhere without steps. Laundry was in the basement. I made up my mind that we would get a place on one floor – that was something we could live in for the rest of our lives. And that is what we have.
We still have “enough” money to enjoy life, as long as our tastes stay the same. Which they will. We also have “enough” money that our children will not have the same worries someday that we my brothers and I have in taking care of our mother, about $500 a month so that she could have a private room.
I don’t comment too much, but I read here every day. And am looking forward to seeing some of you in Chicago.
TiredFed at 81, and thereafter
congrats to TiredFed for getting one delicious detail that I believe even all the seeing-and-all-knowing (but not as fasttyping as the peerless EW) Pach missed, cf. http://tiredfed.spaces.live.com/ : the rest is worth reading, but here is the laughoutloud moment:
“‘Request denied.
Fitz jumps up to remind Judge Walton of a technical matter of the right to appeal within 10 days – and to say “if you cant afford a lawyer, we will appoint one.” Hahaha’”
Hoosierville @ 249
Hoosierville! Best luck. I want to send a small contribution.
Proud to be a doggie.
re Ventures: well even god needs a chick singer
Driveby OT:
scroudge on in here and check out:
http://www.woodyguthriesguitar.blogspot.com
where you can watch a piece of really neat ethnographic film and listen to the sounds of the favela; dunno if you’ve heard of DAGMAR 2, but this clip–at least–is well worth the effort.
meanwhile, on the Lamb, there’s a story about the troubles afflicting (mainly User) mercs as they do the Occupation for the money.
http://www.thewell-armedlamb.blogspot.com
finally, on the Pond, there’s some lexicological trivia to enhance your future pronouncements on matters as diverse as “ab musculature” to ‘impotence.”
http://www.walled-in-pond.blogspot.com
i’ll be out most of the rest of the day…enjoy
.
The Older I Get, The Better I Usta Be…
Heh. What would we do if we retired? We’re doing it, well, Mr. BuggyQ anyway. He just took an early retirement buyout (a rather generous one, I might add) and is opening a fine art photography gallery. His work will be prominently featured, along with that of other photographers and artists as we find them.
He won’t be retiring officially yet–he can continue to build his retirement years by teaching part-time, which provides a reasonable extra income in the meantime. This was one of those very, very few win-win situations. We feel really, really lucky. And since I am still employed, and still have benefits that cover him, we’ve got quite the safety net.
Not that it’s all been roses and champagne. This has all taken place in just over a month, and there have been some very emotionally trying patches. When you’ve been in the same job for 27 years, it’s hard to leave, especially with so little time to adjust to the idea.
But the chance to do what you’ve always wanted to do?
Priceless.
Defending death penalty cases and deprogramming neocons (somebody has to do it!)
Well, sharkbabe, here are the Ventures, and it looks like this was before they had the falling out with Simi Mosley, so they appear to be playing Mosrites instead of Fenders. Ventures
I retired at age fifty- and have been work free since. I have a business that I own with my brother- but it’s a thousand miles away and he runs it. I’d actually like to be a bit more active in it- but it’s a long ways away. Golf and travel and dinner parties are all good- as is reading.
Scarecrow @ 62
One of my favorite movies.
Mornin’ Christy & all ~
Periodic poster, just had to chime in on the matter of pets.
My homeopathic vet says the best place for sick pets is at home, if you can manage the care. So much of their lives is about their relationship with us that just our presence and touch are critical to their surviving and healing. They don’t mind much if we are with them.
I’ve had to use kennels but each time my darlings acted like they really thought it was the end for them. I have someone come to the house for them if I’m away but I can’t really bear even that anymore.
Well, I’m on a relatively small income of about 28,000dollars/year here in Germany but it affords me ample opportunities to travel. I fear getting started because travel is something that is my main addiction in life and most of my available money goes towards that and photography. I do photo exhibitions when I travel now, to attempt to defray(sic?) some of the expenses and also to give me some write offs. I’ve already been to Turkey for 17 days this year, Berlin/Budapest/Vienna for 10 and to the newest country in the world, Montenegro for 10 days. When I lived in the states, I never had vacations that were longer than 10 days (okay, one in 2001 when I went to Europe for the first time to follow my favorite rock band around for 17 days) and now I will have all of August off where I plan to be in SoCal for part of the time and back east the other part, got 8 days in the south of spain planned for mid-September and another 2 weeks in California for Xmas. This will be first year in 3 years I most likely will not have 100 days of vacation. 2005 was the peak when I had 126 days of vacation while still working full time. It was a jam-packed year.
check out my blog sometimes for stuff more about living in germany and cultural things that happen here.
http://www.jasonconga.blogspot.com
If I had all the time and money in the world? Well, I guess I wouldn’t change a thing. I see my grown kids, the work in Russia continues, I am getting stronger and more stable, life is good.
This Old Brit @ 83
wow! old brit in the house! i’ve got you bookmarked!
Morning, all! It’s a bit embarrassing to admit I just woke up, but…I just woke up. We party late in NYC.
If I had an independent source of income? Easy, pursue writing and composing fulltime.
I work for myself. I guess Ill not get to retire but I do have the luxury of not going to “work”. If I were rich I think Id go all over and take classes.
Was listening to Kris Kristofferson and this gets in my head
http://kriskristofferson.com/news/
Dang, Snowbird, now you got me going through Kristofferson’s stuff in my head. How does he get a hook in such simple tunes every damn time? Like John Prine can do as well.
Surge, insurgency, sectarian violence, death, destruction.
Fun and games in Iraq.
[Mod: Is this your answer to Christy’s question in the post?]
‘Morning, Christy! ‘Morning, Peanut! Stay inside, kitty!
And Phoenix Man’s definitely been better at that than me. He’s already got his first fifty-mile biking day under his belt this season, and hopes to do a century soon.
Welcome to those who delurked and pulled up a chair.
I am so ready to retire but it will be many years before that phase of my life. But, the thought of bunnyslippers and meds at noon can sound pretty good when you are having a bad week.
My mother turns 80 next week. I lost my father a couple of years ago and I try to visit with my mom whenever I can. She is in Boca so it is a two hour trip. Once a month, I pick her up, we go to a new town somewhere and stay for the weekend. We shop until we drop. I don’t really buy muchbut my mother is happiest when she is in a new store she has neverbeen to. We don’t do malls–we do small shops off the beaten path and we love consignment & thrift stores and we never pass a garage sale sign. We’re going to Tampa for the July 4th weekend and staying at the Seminole C*sino. It should be fun. I have all the stores mapquested already. My mom is the most sweetest and the most naive, and she loves Cosmopolitans. The last time we went to Sarasota, I thought we were going to get kicked out the hotel because we were laughing so hard we were screaming. Most times I have to pull off the road because I can’t laugh so hard when I am driving. There is just something about her & me that always gets us going. She is my best friend.
Kris’ “in the news” has been around since Scott Peterson and the tune goes round and round. Besides it says a lot too.
Dang, Phoenix Woman, way to make me feel like a wuss. I was proud of my 8 miles yesterday.
But last year I did ride home from work three times–36 miles! It’ll take a while to work back up to it again. Sigh. I really need to get a trainer for winters.
G’mornin’ Firepups, great folks that y’all are.
Gonna only be 106F here today in Vegas.
Bike on upstairs for Phoenix Woman’s new thread.
Come Saturday Morning Let’s Do The Bike Thing
Good Morning all !!!
Christy, I used to give my nieces and nephews Chocolate ice cream on occasion, for breakfast and they turned out fine … Peanut is lucky to have such a fun mommy.
If I could retire comfortably today, I would devote more time to coordinate efforts to treat autism. This is a growing and gathering threat to America’s future and that of the world. The increasing pollution is having a devastating effect on our children’s health and consequently, our future generations.
I would also teach my meditation techniques to inner city schools, I have already given a few classes, which were very well received. These kids are raised with such strong self- resentment that they are not even able to dream of success.
And I would spend time on a wonderful island called Sardinia with my two darlings.
Phoenix Woman has a great post up, for anyone who is ready for some fresh reading. :)
Has anybody seen this?:
http://www.prometheus6.org/node/16937
I love it.
Gardening, gardening, gardening.
When he was three, our eldest escaped the house naked, stole the tricycle from next door, and tried to run away to his godparents house. He was nabbed by an off duty policeman who returned him to the house the tricycle was from.
Retired 8 months ago to a sailboat in the Caribbean. Finally the opportunity to read as much as I want. Enjoying the travel and new places, loving the chance to meet new people from all over the world. And I’m actually appreciating the work – I’m learning about engines and batteries and woodwork and plumbing, among other things. After 5-7 years we will return to land and I’ll take up volunteering again with a vengance – politics, schools, social justice.
rwcole @ 268
i would like to see a Caracal in the wild. [gobs of photos available thru google, sadly - very few taken in the wild]
they are native to the areas of most fighting and destruction in the ME right now.
suffice to say . . .
It would go a long way twd making me less depressed right now to see IMPEACHMENT hearings begin ASAP, and some serious frogmarching from the bigwhitehooch straight into jail, while we still have some world to save.
lovely post, Christy.
sorry. wish my mood could match & add something positive. i better hush & stay a safe distance today, sigh…
*grabs shovel and broom, and another box of tissues, #*@!*
G’morning…I got crazy bed hair this morning. A super faux-mo.
I’d be playing and collecting/trading guitars. And continue songwriting…I love recording and pro-audio stuff. A real gear acquisition junkie. Of course, lotsa travel to the Cape and the SouthWest.
Dan
In addition to several months a year traveling. I would buy/rent an FDL safe house/flat in Manhattan which would have a fantastic multi media conference set up that even John Amato would envy (not much since he would be on the VIBlue list).
I would round up a group of my favorite folks and develop a focused plan of action on a a few issues we consider important. (In other words expand upon what I am doing now.)
I would immediately set up a crew with cameras and other equipment to follow and document every disastrous move my Lieber-lovin Senator Mark Pryor makes and give it to anyone who runs against him. (or simply distribute it myself.)
But most of all I would not change most of the life I have right now..
That said.. My kayak is calling and so are the crystal clear waters of the Kings river. Time for this firepup to pull up a floating chair.. where my inner child who always despised clothing is free to be once again.
Power to the peanut! We all need ice cream in the morning, on occasion…)
Twisted Martini @ 181
Wife and I were in Bora Bora about 4 years ago. It is spectacular. Absolutely nothing to do but regenerate. We are planning on going back soon. If you do make it there sit on the left side of the plane when you fly in. It has the best view of the island you will ever see and by all means do go swimming with the sharks. It’s kinda exhilarating.
I am already retired, and I’ve been scanning and proofreading public domain books for Project Gutenberg. Right now I’m working on a complete run of The Penny Magazine, one of the first large-circulation magazines, published from 1832-1835. Actual quote: “I lent him such a thwack with a quarto volume as broke the poor fellow’s back, and enabled me to demolish him at my leisure.”
I’m also thinking of writing a novel, learning Hungarian, or doing a score of other things that I just can’t seem to find the time for.
sofistic @ 7
Whoa! Tomorrow’s my birthday too.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 47
The Canadian passenger railroad is now known as VIA. I won’t give you the pros and cons about taking VIA into the Rockies because there is a terrific alternative for that area- Rocky Mountaineer trains . They are geared for sight-seeing with lots of big windows, slower speeds through scenic areas, and occasional announcements about wildlife sightings. They only travel during daytime and passengers stay overnight at a motel.
There are two levels of service, Red Leaf and Gold Leaf. Gold Leaf costs twice as much, but it has a lot more to offer, and how often does anyone go train traveling into the Rockies? The Gold Leaf cars have their own dining room with stunning food and the rest of the time all of the Gold Leaf passengers sit on the higher dome level. On the Rocky Mountaineer I saw and understood 5-10 times more than I previously experienced on a VIA train on the same route- Vancouver to Banff. (Then take a tour bus from Banff to Jasper for more sight-seeing.)
Maybe you can get a train car full of FDLers.
I did, I retired in 1998 at the age of 48 and my wife retired in 2003 at the age of 52. There is no way that either of us would ever go back to work!!! Retirement is the only way to live. No having to get up early, no fighting traffic, if we want to just go someplace, we do, no having to wait for the weekend or for vac. time. I LOVE IT!!!, btw, I am getting in retirement about 10,000 a year more than I did when I was a wage slave. car insurance is now less than half of what it was when I was working. Still have great health care insurance, and a lot more money in my pocket(even if the 10k is not added on) because of zero work related expenses. Got rid of the second car in late 98. I worked for the 2000 census(a great experience overall)-the office where I worked had lots of FEMA employees-still on the clock-as the census paid not much over minimum wage. Since then I do volenteer work for the DAV-Disabled American Veterans, driving people to VA hospital for appointments, and driving some familes of soldiers injured in the current war who are at BAMC, the local military hospital. Life is good.
And if you are already retired, what would you be doing if you could?
I retired almost 2 1/2 years ago at the age of 60. So did my husband. Our combined monthly income is a lot lower than we used to live on, but the house is paid for and so is the car. We spend a lot of time reading – our home library is huge. We spend money on books for us and our grandson. I’d have liked to travel more, particularly in Europe, but I’m glad I did it before I retired, and before 9/11. I’m too embarrassed to be an American to try that now.
So living quietly, doing the things that really matter regarding family – well, that’s a lot more fulfilling to us. Peace.
For “retirement” what I’d really like is a pot of money so we could buy a piece of land. On it I’d build a house for us, then several “cottages.” I’d continue the dog rescue work I currently do, but with the cottages we could offer temporary housing to students or folks in transition, in exchange for their caring for/socializing dogs we would rescue and ready for adoption.
I wonder if Bob Barker’s foundation would like to fund me?
dancinfool @ 289
We were in Spain about two years ago, Madrid & Barcelona & it is bush & his idealogue that they dislike. Liberal or progressive Americans are still well accepted. Their biggest question and what they are most curious about is how he became our pResident. I certainly hope that the actions of this current administration leaves a lasting memory to many that think it’s not that all important to cast your vote or not.
EPU’d, but probably the appropriate thread…
We are in the deep planning phase of trying to move to France for 1 year (in Sept. of 08). I would love to hear from any FDL’ers who have done such a thing in the past, or are there now (including other parts of Europe). We have a daughter who will be going into 3rd grade then, and believe it will be a great experience for all of us, but it is a massive undertaking, or so it seems at the moment. Thanks in advance. rbrowne at mind dot net
flatford39 @ 291
My husband and I retired several years ago when Bill was the Prez and the economy was flying high. We have a good cash flow and did lots of traveling and boating. Every year Bush has been around, finances have gotten a little bleeker. But, our family is close by, we are doing OK for now and we are healthy, so no complaints. The biggest change for us have been our obsession with the War and how this War is morally, financially and spiritually tanking our country. Bush has trashed our country the way Katrina devastated New Orleans. It is a tragedy there is so little outrage, although I think that many more people are outraged but don’t know what to do about it. The DEMs let us down with the Iraq Funding vote. It could have been their moment to show courage to the country. I don’t know why they can’t get their message together. Maybe their diving poll numbers will clue them in, but I doubt it. I don’t think Harry Reid is the guy to speak for us.
One good thing that has come out of this mess is that we have become more introspective and feel compelled to make a difference. We now do volunteer work instead of a lot of traveling and find it more rewarding than those long trips.
We are also book people and having the time to read now that we are retired is something to treasure. I believe it changes the kind of person you are. Reading has played a big part in making us want to make a difference. You can’t know about what is going on around you and not want to make things better.
Mauimom @ 290
Have you seen these? Cute as a bug’s ear, eh?
Write a plan, itemize the needs and estimated expenses. Talk about it with people, write about it more where people like us will see it. And keep your mind and heart open to possibility; don’t say no if an opportunity comes up that doesn’t initially look like what you had in mind.
Once upon a time I attended some goofy-assed motivational program my workplace hosted. Apparently they couldn’t think of anything to boost our morale except hire some rich white guy with a bunch of buzz words and slick presentation skills. (A raise didn’t cross their minds, go figure.) The guy spoke to a crowd of more than 100 women, most of whom ate it up with a spoon. I was skeptical, as I always am, particularly since I detected a bit of ennui on the presenters part. Seemed like he’d done this too often.
But I played along since managers were there and you know how they are about “the girls” not being team players. Grrr. So I followed the instructions on the last exercise, wrote out what I wanted my life to look like in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, ten years, a kind of inventory. Even swagged some of it a bit. I punched the paper and stuck it in the back of my Franklin Planner and forgot about it.
Sonovabeeyatch if I didn’t run across that yellowed piece of paper last year, about 10 years after I first stuck it in my planner. Every single thing on that page had become mine, in roughly the timeline I’d expected.
Write out your dreams and goals, even if you have no current means to achieve them. And then go with the flow. Mauimom, I hope those little cottages are yours.
Hey all, late as ususal to the party. I am semi-retired. I have to supplement a dinky SS check hustling books and music. I have and Old Town canoe and like to fish and visit hot springs. Someday I will be techno savy and be able to share my outdoor photos. I also make beeswax candles, garden, chop wood and change the oil on the vehicle.My S.O. insists we leave town every other weekend aproximately so we we don’at stagnate with the ‘noise’ of the machine. She works a little over 1/2 time and is 7 yrs. before retiring. We talk of living somewhere else but health, $, and age are closing the window fast. We will reunite with Canadian friends we haven’t seen for 15 yrs. later in the summer. Thanks for the tip on the Rocky Mtn. Trains. they’re a romantic respite.
rat bastahd @ 292
rat — Google this: american moving to france — lots of information just in the first page alone, enjoy in particular the Kiechle family’s site on the topic. Hope you have your visa application and carte de sejour already in process.
I don’t have any concrete tips, but I think that reading David Sedaris’ ‘Me Talk Pretty One Day‘ for his snarky insights on moving to France, and Adam Gopnik’s ‘Paris to the Moon‘ for familial insights on similarly moving to Paris. And I love this blog, mostly because of the great blogroll of ex-pats.
Keep us posted, would love to hear how it goes.
Rayne @ 294
Everyone I know that is involved in animal rescue gets soooo much more out of it than anyone could imagine. Dogs teach us more about goodness than any human every could. That is a wonderful goal. My own dog is my roll model. She has all the qualities I strive for but fall short of.
I can relate about the motivation seminar gig. The last time I sat through one of those was in the 80’s. It was supposed to be something about choices and life enrichment. After it was all over, we found out the speaker was three times divorced and estranged from his daughter. Kind of makes you wonder about his choices. Frankly, I am more motivated by animals and people that I see that are living a good example than any motivational infotainment seminar.
If I had the time and money I would want to be a philanthropist and figure out ways to give it away to young people – fosters aging out of the system who need seed money, good kids who need help with school, poor kids who need someone to fund trips to cities or countries to have oportunities to experience the kinds of wonderful and non-consumer driven destinations I did. I would set up the foundation and want a part in the grant funding review. Then I would travel with my David (we’ve never had the intersection of time and money to get farther than the west coast), spend time with family and friends.
I’m making every effort to preserve good health and humor so that when great good fortune comes my way I can enjoy it for a long time. But if it doesn’t, there is nothing I don’t have that I need – meaningful work, loving marriage, roof over the head, dear friends, all parents alive and still married after 50 years, nephews and other children to love and care about.
If time and money were not a problem, I would do what I darn well please, thank you! Volunteer work,golf, photography, further educating ourselves about items of interest would all be on the agenda We love to travel, and have camped throughout western and central europe for long stretches ( one of the few perks of working in education). For those of you who like to camp, European camping is totally different than camping in the states and a great way to see Europe and meet lots of different people. We leased a car for two months and visited 8 countries and really loved all of them (although Italy and Slovenia stood out for me). Re dancinfool’s comment (289), when we were in Paris ( 2 years post 9/11) I spoke daily with an incredibly nice Muslim businees owner who said ” we like Americans, it’s your current government we don’t like ” Don’t let the criminals running our government get in your way-show people who we really are.
I’m planning to do volunteer work for progressive election campaigns and parrot rescue organizations.
I’m EPU’d to levels previously unknown, but I have to say that the report of a little Peanut talking her Momma into vanilla ice cream with sprinkles for breakfast leaves me smiling. After all, I’m a member in good standing of The Peanut Fan Club. (I’m thinking that photo of The Peanut with Kobe that’s been previously featured on the site would make quite a t-shirt.) The Peanut’s already learned a valuable lesson — once in awhile, ice cream for breakfast isn’t a bad thing.
In the meantime, I really like what I do. I hope I’ll get to keep doing it. I realize how absolutely lucky I am to be in this position.
-S
Strategerie @ 301
This comment belongs upstairs. You should advance it! OT, but very nice.
I have been retired for a few years and do the fun and enriching activities that I used to do after work, but now all day. I also sleep late.
After the Military Commissions Act of 2006 was signed into law I decided to find another country to live in, at least for a while. Have been trying with limited success to explain to people why due process for detainees is so important to all of us.
I am going to move to Costa Rica. Whether I have my permanent residency approved by then I do plan to be out of the US during the last 3 months of next year, during which I fear there may be great repression here.
Wishing all of you a happy retirement and hope you get to it sooner than later.
Ricardo now
P.S. I’m learning Español.
Thank you Rayne! I’ve found lots of good stuff on the internets, but a few real contacts would be nice.
I’m with you RichyBassman, except for me it’s learning French.