The space shuttle came home yesterday to the Antelope Valley where she was built. She thanked the men and women who gave her life before she headed off to retirement in a LA museum. Libby and I joined 1000’s of people on Sierra Hiway yesterday to get these photos.
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As has been stated in this space, last June 8th I worked my last day at Buchanan High School. Actually, it was my last day of work anywhere. Not counting working the two sessions at Michael Jordan Flight School in Santa Barbara. Although that’s not really working since it’s the only time of the year I get to see old coaching friends from all over the country, e.g. Florida, Ohio and Louisiana. Sure there’s a ton of responsibility but since each of us has done the job for over ten years, it’s more of a feeling of “Old Home Week” than anything else.
Then there’s also my baby gift business (CuteBabyNameGifts.com) which would be considered work but, luckily, I have incredibly talented artists who do the real work. I keep the books and come up with innovative ideas but it’s more fun than work. More orders would be nice but that will come when the word gets out. Note: That’s a hint for you to either order a gift or tell everyone you know about the business. Or both.
The main reason for this blog is to speak on behalf of retirement. If your working life has been managed right, there’s nothing like retirement. My wife (who is retiring at the end of the calendar year) and I have been working over 40 years. Each of us has a pension, as well as both of us having contributed to social security (I’ve lived in nine states and have to admit I thought everybody had social security withdrawn from their check – until I got to Fresno) and we saved money and made investments, some good, some bad. Actually, some really good and some really bad. If you were to follow that strategy, you’d be in the same financial shape we are, i.e. have enough money to continue living in retirement as you did prior to it.
Someone asked me just yesterday what I thought of retirement. My response was that it is wonderful. If there’s something you don’t want to do, you don’t do it. If there’s something you want to do, go after it. Once 2013 comes around, we’ll be traveling to Monterey to watch our son, Alex, play college basketball. Every game. Following the season, it’s “travel-time,” including the cruise we’ve been talking about for years. Retirement is the ultimate freedom.
I asked our financial guy if we had enough money to live as we pleased and his remark was, “Sure. As long as you die by December 15.” Just kidding! My wife gets a little antsy when I tell that story.
Here’s my advice: Work hard. Spend but also save and someday you’ll be wealthy. At least wealthy enough to retire right. Leo Rosten had the right idea:
“Money can’t buy happiness, but neither can poverty.”
Its great to be back home…missed Libby lots but, it is tough to leave Dad and Mom. 89 years old for Mom and 94 for Dad. The are still on their own and doing very well for their ages. Love you Mom and Dad.
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Sunrise after rain showers last night and it got down to 49 last night. Slept well as usual and had a breakfast of sausage and pancakes cooked by Brother Dave and Sister Connie. Off on my morning walk and picked a Milk Weed Pod.
Connie is cooking chili and fresh bread for lunch. We are heading to Perham this morning to go to the Veterans museum to see a Greatest Generation show.
Great trip to Perham. The community has put together an outstanding museum. Went fishing and caught a bunch of sun fish.
Days 5, 6 Friday and Saturday
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It got cool. high 40’s at night and 70’s during the day. Fish didn’t bite well but had lots of good food…sister Connie doing the cooking. Lots of visiting. What I unexpected. Rog and Deb couldn’t make it to the lake as they were busy with work and church. They did by a trailer(30 footer) for the lake so they will join their daughter and Connie and Dav’s family with trailers at the lake.
Abby…my niece and college student…came over in the afternoon and has a long visit and played cards with Dad and Mom. I called Bailey to wish him happy birthday.
Day 7, Sunday
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Headed home from lake and got here at 1045. Mom was happy to be home. Dave and Kathy got here with chicken for a visit for Mom’s birthday. Great day over all.
Just finished breakfast and getting ready to pack the car. Slept 9 hours last night.
I got into Minnesota 25 minutes early and then rented a Ford Taurus . The car has so many bell and whistles that before I got out of Minneapolis, I got pulled over by a HI way Patrol officer for…no not speeding…no taillights. Between the officer and I we figured out how to put on the tail lights. Every thing else worked fine. Crazy, ever hear of a car that has its headlights on with out its tail lights?
Got to my hotel in Hutchinson in a light rain at 1 a.m. All is well.
Up and ready to go by 8:30 am.
Up early and finished chores around here. Made breakfast and watered the plants. Put the suit case in the pickup. Need to leave around 12 noon as I need to fill with gas.
Slinky, our cat is watching me closely to see if I am leaving. She won’t care much as long as Libby is here.
Just downloaded the book “No Easy Day” the story about the Navy Seals killing of Osama Bin Laden. Interested to see why Obama was trying so hard not to allow this to get this published.
Heading off to Van Nuys Park and Ride and getting on the bus to LAX and then heading through the wonderful security. Oh well.
About 20 years ago, 8 years before I retired, I read an article that said the leading movie goers were teens and retired. I was excited about that because working 60 hours a week didn’t allow me to see many movies. Maybe 3-5 movies a year.
Retirement came and Libby and I started to go to more movies. Ouch! Talk about disappointment. Nearly every movie had a “message” built in that was so obvious. I am sure you can guess that it was Hollywood’s liberal message. I had been so busy with life that I didn’t have time to notice how movies had changed. All police, military, companies and gas powered cars were evil. Wow. Luckily, we now have a 52 inch TV with Netflix in Hi Def. Add to the great “old” movies, we can watch some great English dramas like Downton Abbey and Doc Martin. Pop Corn isn’t $8 bucks at home either.
So how has Hollywood done since they make sure their message is more important than the movie content?
The number of people going to the movies dipped noticeably in North America this summer, putting increased pressure on the final four months of 2012 to bolster the bottom line.
According to preliminary estimates, 533.5 million tickets were sold this summer, down 4 percent from last year and the worst turnout since 1993. The lowest attendance before now came in summer 2010, when there were 534.4 tickets sold.
How many movies have we seen in a theater this year? One, Harry Potter, Deathly Hollows II. If I want to get “Hollywood’s Message” I can just flick the channel to CNN.
Traveling Retired 