It's a common question. You hear it all the time. I've asked it myself over this past year, since I knew I was going to retire. I would meet an acquaintance who had already retired and I would say "Well, tell me how are you liking retirement"? Some would share a positive response but most would admit that they are bored and would go back to their old job if they could.
I am not even officially retired yet, that happens on June 30th, 2014, but Derrick Wright the young man who was hired to replace me told me he would call if he needed anything. I think that's just his nice way to say " Go home old man and get out of my way". So for several weeks now I have pretty much enjoyed myself cutting grass, bush-hogging, and working in the garden. (The best garden I've had in years.) Those who know me know that is the way I have fun. But let me share a few more things I have done that should keep you from having to ask the old "How are you liking retirement question".
One evening, after Keva got off from work, we drove up to Lloyd's on 280. I ate their fantastic salad, a BBQ plate, and topped it off with lemon pie. It was great. That food has tasted the same for I know over 35 years. Since the time coach Danny Alverson and the Calera Eagles allowed me to work with them and enjoy that weekly experience during each football season. The waitress told me that the same cook had been working there for years. Nothing beats a good meal with a wonderful friend and a beautiful lady especially when they are one in the same.
Another afternoon, Derek, Lauran and Kinsley came across the field and ate burgers with us. After dinner Kinsley and I decided we needed to go out and put a little water on the garden. She accompanied me there dressed in her little pink sun dress and her Dora The Explorer shoes. After a good time in the garden giving the plants a little drink, I returned her to her parents, wet, muddy and with her princess shoes covered with crud. We both enjoyed our little task, and mom and dad didn't even yell.
Two large trees crashed in our front yard a few weeks back. So last Saturday as James Sanders cut them up with his big chain saw, I swung the old log splitter and loaded firewood on the truck then unloaded it and stacked it under the wood shed for the winter. At almost 63 I put in a very long, hot day and slept like a baby.
We have spent time with Chris, Juli and their family watching them slide down the homemade slip and slide, made of a large sheet of plastic covered with Dawn dishwashing soap and water. We shared a meal together under the big Black Walnut trees at the old farm place.
Perrin spent the night not long ago. He work up about 5:00 a.m. and climbed into the bed beside me. After Nana went to work the next day he and I rode the "big tractor" and the "little tractor", we made a boat out of tree bark and sailed it down the creek (which he called a river). We sailed that "ship" over and over again. Out in the barn, he found some old toys that his dad use to play with and spent a long time enjoying them. I planted a maple tree, given to me by Betty Cofer, while he was playing and took his picture next to it. We laughed and played like two little kids.
"You are going to be bored", they said. "You will go crazy the first week", they predicted. But just in case you are one of those who feels like I won't make it. Just read my short list of activities above. You can save your breath and not have to ask the old retirement question. Cause this old guy is having a blast.
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