Rolled out relatively early (just before 7:00) and had my coffee and breakfast, then walked.  Got ready and met Bill, the QB Club Pres. at The Lodge to pick out door prizes for the Thurs. meeting.  Following that went to Bible study at FUMC.  Susan was up not long after I was, and she actually went to walk before I did.  Damn near fainted -- about the walking and the early hour of it.  After lunch we went to Matthew and Joanna's place here and cleaned up.  I went to the grocery store for a few things, and we combined on a really nice dinner -- peas, Italian grilled chicken, and eggplant parmesan.  All in all a productive day.

Role change of sorts today ... I walked this morning, then went to Rotary.  Susan still in PJ's when I returned.  I worked on stuff on computer when I returned, and then I met a handyman at our son and daughter-in-law's local gift house.  Made a liquor store run, got an anniversary card for our daughter and son-in-law, whose anniversary is Wed., mailed it, and came home.  Watched a little Netflix tonight.  Think it will be an early night.

Slack again!  Not much to show for Fri.  Susan's cleaning/organizing spree continued except for a long lunch meeting with a friend.  I had a QB board meeting at noon, and later I made the weekly grocery store run.  Grilled burgers Fri. night.  We called it a night early rather than watching movies.

Sat. was my walking day, so I got up early and met my group at a new place.  One regular was here for his last Sat. before moving to AZ for a nutritionist/medical school, and a former regular who has moved to WA was back in town.  I was pretty wiped out after the long walk on a very warm, humid day, so didn't do much until dinner.  Made stuffed squash, which is pretty labor intensive but quite tasty.  We watched the movie Whiskey Tango Foxtrot on AppleTV; it was about a 7/10.

Okay, I've been slack the last few days ... not much to tell.  More of the same.  We've each gone about our own thing -- Susan organizing and cleaning out what and where she wants and me doing my thing.  Frankly I'm feeling a little uneasiness.  Not sure if she feels I'm supposed to be helping her do what she's doing ... and since I haven't been asked to participate or what I thought about it until after it's done, I've tried to just stay out of the way.  I'd rather that she would take a more deliberate approach and that she'd start walking to try to get (and stay) healthy.  We have a limited window to do some of the things I'd like us to do, and if she's not healthy and fit, we can't do some -- maybe any -- of those things together.  I'm happy doing some things on my own, but I'd like us to do some things together and not just be two old people living in the same house.  There's some distance right now; maybe something we have to address sooner rather than later.  Maybe it's just me?  We'll see.

Not much to tell today.  I went to church, ate lunch, watched some AFL football and read.  Susan slept in and piddled around.  The kid who does yard work for us showed up and worked.  Fixed a nice dinner, including a yummy butternut squash dish, and grilled chicken.  Watched a movie we had seen before on TV, then I watched an episode of Narcos on Netflix.

Stayed up too late last night -- missed my roommate and had to read for awhile -- and 5:30 came awfully early this morning.  Had a good walk (although a muggy one); today was one of the last days that one of the stalwarts of our walking group, who will soon move to Tempe, AZ.  I watched the end of an NRL game -- my lad from Manly prevailed -- and some Olympics, and I read some too.  Susan got home around 5:30, and we fixed spaghetti and watched more Olympics and some NFL exhibition.  A pretty quiet Saturday, but that will all change in 2 weeks when the college football season begins.

Got up early (for me) and rolled out to get my lab work done for my annual physical.  That was my most significant contribution to mankind today.  Susan left after lunch to go to her mom's for a visit and a DYW meeting Sat. morning.  This afternoon I went to the grocery store and to George's to visit with the boys and get caught up on life in 'Vegas.  Had leftovers for dinner, while watching the Olympics.  Bolt is amazing!  Glad I was around to witness his accomplishments.  Then -- thanks to my son's reminder -- I turned over to the NFL Network and watched State's Dak Prescott continue to eat the NFL alive ... 2 TD passing and 2 more running and incredibly high completion rate while playing for a half.  Those stupid MF's in the NFL!  As in many cases, they just buy into their preconceived notions and hate being encumbered with empirical evidence to the contrary.

Yesterday was my coffee day with my old work friends, so that killed most of the morning.  It's always fun to get together with that group and share some laughs.  Susan met with some DYW folks in the afternoon.  We had what has become our routine afternoon summer rain, but today's was harder and a little longer than most have been.  Tonight we went to dinner at Anthony's in West Point with our friends Dean and Lauran -- good company and good food.

Our son reminded us that it's Hump Day, but as I told him, once you both retire, there is no Hump Day and no TGIF.  Got up intending to either get my lab work done in anticipation of my annual physical next week or to go to the Rec Center and get back into my weight routine.  However, I realized that the grass was relatively dry, was high, and could stand cutting, so that was my workout instead.  It wasn't too hot, but the humidity was challenging, so my energy for the day was pretty well spent.  While Susan continued her quest to get us cleaned up and organized, I read and watched Olympics.  We decided to go out to dinner either tonight or tomorrow night ... Susan finally decided she would rather go out tonight.  We went to the Veranda, and it turned out to be a poor decision for 2 reasons:  1) We had our first disappointing meal in all of our times we've eaten there.  Service was slow, and the food was ordinary.  2) While we were there, we had a missed call, which I soon returned, from some friends from Collierville who have a weekend home here.  They said they're coming into town tomorrow and wanted us to go out to dinner with them to Anthony's in West Point, which has food that is similar to what we ate tonight.  Oh, well.

Same but different.  Walked this morning, but I waited way too late because I watched the Olympics and ESPN.  It was hot and humid, and I had trouble stopping sweating after I got cleaned up.  Made it just in time to go to Bible study at the church at 11:00.  I was disappointed that Susan didn't want to go -- should have known it from the way she was acting.  I thought it was something we could do together and would be a chance for her to be around some women who she used to work with.  Since she has shown no interest at all in going to church even after retirement -- no excuse of "it's one of my only days to sleep late" -- it is becoming a burr under my saddle.  Having grown up with parents who showed up whenever the church doors were open, I was raised to feel an obligation to the church and the vows I took.  It bothers me that she doesn't ... and frankly makes me wonder about her commitment to other vows she has made.  Her loyalty is hard to understand -- much to some things and people, but to others not so much.  This will be a hurdle that we'll have to clear or trip over somewhere down the road ... and not too far.

Other than that, she stayed busy cleaning out and organizing, and I watched some NRL and Olympics, went to the farmers' market, and made dinner.  Slow day and night.

Feeling better today, but decided to take another day of rest to kick this thing to the curb and be done with it.  Susan went out to visit her LA sister who is leaving today, and I had Rotary.  It was nice to get out for awhile.  Later this afternoon after reading and watching the end of the AFL game I went to the grocery store.  Felt like one more spicy meal, so I had to get stuff for tacos and Spanish rice.  Susan spent the afternoon cleaning and organizing, but she helped me get dinner ready.  Our satellites are not in the same orbit, but we occasionally intersect without crashing.

Ugggghhh.  I've been steadily getting a cold, so took an antihistamine before I went to bed.  Woke up once with chills, so figured I had fever.  Slept until 8:40 and felt like walked on feces when I awoke.  Had a little fever.  Susan got up later than I did -- shock!! -- and fixed breakfast for us.  I laid around all day, slept some, read, watched the Olympics and an AFL game.  Susan left shortly after lunch to go out and visit her sisters.  Truly a day of rest for me.  Feeling better, but not great just yet.

Long day ... especially the morning.  Got up early for my Sat. walk, went by the farmers' market, then came home to finish mowing the back yard.  Not nearly as warm today -- actually a cool breeze over the last half of our walk -- but still plenty humid.  This afternoon I finished the Last Chance U series, read a little, and emailed some, then took a brief nap.  Susan left soon after lunch and spent the afternoon with her sisters.  Tonight we had pizza and watched the first half of the Dallas vs. LA Rams game, which marked the NFL debut of Miss. State's Dak Prescott.  He was just as poised and proficient as he had been in college ... very proud of him and happy for him.  I'll bet the damn Cowboys can't believe their blind luck.  They too were apparently enamored with some of the duds who were in the Senior Bowl with Dak, and they were clearly boys to the man.  Some of the midirons were drafter early, and they had to "settle" for Dak.

I may have whined about this before -- haven't gone back to read a single post yet -- but one of the disadvantages of retirement is that there is no traditional joy in Fridays ... more of a SWIF (so what?! it's Friday) rather than TGIF.  Today was especially unjoyful because I had to mow.  We often have very dry Augusts, but we've had rain every day, and it's predicted to continue ... so rather than waiting for the grass to dry, I had to cut it before it got too long and while it remained damp.  The mower didn't choke out often, but it was relatively slow sledding.  I was pretty well spent with the humidity.  This afternoon Susan's middle sister, who lives in Slidell, arrived to visit the younger sister who also lives here.  We were invited to dinner, so went and had a fun evening.  Susan is the oldest child; these girls were 15 and 11 when we got married, so we've been family for a long while.  Not long after their parents separated and their mom took a trip to Scotland a few months after we had married and moved to Gainesville, FL, the girls stayed with us in our tiny 1-BR apt. in a married student housing complex at UF,  We sorta had to grow close in a hurry ... and we did.

Watched some more Olympics today, highlighted by a Miss. State 800m runner who was a NCAA champion and represents Canada, who easily won his heat.  Unfortunately our petite 1500m runner who won the NCAA this year and represents Portugal didn't advance.

Weather has gotten into a pattern this week of sticky, cloudy starts to each morning, followed by a drizzle at some point, then sun, then hard rain/thunderstorm, then some clearing but muggy still.  Too bad it's dreary because tonight is the Persid meteor shower, which is supposed to be spectacular this year.  Don't think I'll stay up late or get up early because the clouds appear poised to have us obscured.

Got up a little earlier (7:40), and after coffee went for a walk on my downtown route.  Barely beat the rain.  Susan got up before I left.  Today we shared some Olympics watching, but each did his/her own thing most of the day.  She continues to organize and clean up, emptying drawers, etc.  I piddled around most of the day.  Watched the end of the NRL game I began a few days ago and watched another episode of Last Chance U.  Finished my book, Before the Fall, last night, and I've not decided which one I want to read next.  It was a hard book to put down ... although not really a mystery and not the kind of book I usually read.  Glad I read this one though; I will recommend it to many.

Guess it's apparent that I changed my mind about watching the Olympics.  I knew I'd watch track & field, but women's gymnastics and most all of the swimming have gotten my attention.  Michael Phelps has been phenomenal -- guess they're right that he's the best Olympian ever, given the success and duration of it.  It's hard for me to think anyone can be better than Mark Spitz was in Munich in '72, but that was only one Olympics.  Phelps just keeps getting better.  I seldom cheer for overdogs, but he's an exception.

Today has felt like a Monday.  I slept late (8:00) ... Susan slept later, of course.  I had good intentions of walking or working out at Sanderson, but after coffee and breakfast, I was called by my book to return to the story.  Susan actually did some work on the computer, and I read.  Later this afternoon I went to the grocery store and was inspired to prepare a Mexican dinner.  It was pretty darn good, if I say so myself.  We're trying to find a new, happier series to watch on Netflix, and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (sp?) looked like a good possibility.  As it turned out, it was just meh.  The search continues.

Fun day with the grandgirls.  We began with breakfast at The Original Pancake House -- very good! The older one, who is a real stringbean, amazes me at how much grub she can put away.  We had a restful later morning, which was good because it rained hard for awhile.  This afternoon the girls had "Meet the Teacher Day" at their school, and we met Katie there and tagged along.  Afterwards the girls and I had ice cream.  Back home for dinner and watching the Olympics.  I've begun a new book, Before the Fall by Noah Hawley, on my Kindle.  So far I really like it ... hard to put down.  In fact, ....

Come Sunday ....  Slept late, and Susan slept later.  Had breakfast, then went to church.  Paid bills online, then we packed the car and drove back to B'ham to keep our grands a cuople of days while their parents go to work.  Olympics are on ... and more proof that I'm an old codger.  Not only was I disinterested in the two political conventions; I don't care about watching the Olympics.  Maybe later, but not now.  Should I be worried?

Fortunately I went to bed early last night so I could get up at 5:30 and be ready to go to my walking group early.  Even the dogs thought it was reeeeallllly early -- it was the first time I ever remember that they were still asleep when I walked up to open their crates.  We had a small walking group, but it was good getting out ... my first day to walk in the heat and humidity after having been spoiled by cool beach walks at Cannon Beach. Went to Farmers Market and got a few veggies, then came home and mowed the soggy patch in front.  Finished the Silva book (which Susan had done a night or two ago) and went shopping for a clear box to put CB shells in for Maren.  Leftovers for dinner.

Today Susan spent most of the day on the computer organizing our bank drafts for our newer bank account.  It really needed to be done.  However, since she was on the computer all day, I couldn't be on it.  So my routine was changed, but I handled it with grace and aplomb.  I can foresee that sharing the computer at suitable times for each of us is one thing we'll have to work on.  I'm sure there will be others, but we hopefully have some years to work things like this out.  Keeps life interesting.

Not much to tell.  We each adjusted to being back home in our own way.  Both of us have napped some, and Susan said she had had a hard time sleeping at night.  Consequently, she has slept a little later.  I had to get up and mow -- it needed it badly, but it had rained yesterday afternoon.  So I mowed all but a small patch in the front that was soggy from the rain ... and because I had the sprinkler set for Fri. morning.  After lunch I went to George's to visit my buddies at the store, whom I hadn't seen in a couple of weeks.  I've begun watching Last Chance U on Netflix during lunch.  Since I grew up living and dying with the JCJC Bobcats, I was pleased that something on MS Juco football had gotten national attention ... but this is not exactly the kind of attention I'd hoped for.  What a bunch of dimwits and outlaws!  And the coach comes across as a foul-mouthed, classless redneck.  Pretty sad, but I'll watch the entire series.  I'm also reading Daniel Silva's The Black Widow, which has been very exciting ... and depressing because it's probably closer to the truth than I want to believe.  I fixed dinner tonight, and it was pretty good.  Susan continues to help and to clean up after me.

Back to the routine ... sorta.  This morning I got up and went to coffee with my former colleagues and mentors.  It was a fun time, as usual.  When I returned, I went to the grocery store to get that out of the way.  Susan was into her first "real" day of retirement because school started today without her.  We had an easy lunch, then read and took naps.  She worked some cleaning and organizing, and I read a little more, then began working on catching up on this blog.  Later went to a meeting at my old fraternity house at MSU, then came back to grill burgers for dinner.  We watched a show from a Netflix series, which we began last night.  It's clear that we'll have some interesting days ahead as we adjust to life in not just the summer off, but in retirement.  So far, so good.

Cannon Beach Trip - July 26 - Aug. 3

After some thought I realized it made more sense for me to capsulize the trip rather than to do a day-by-day travelogue.  I've no idea how long this entry will be -- or the length of it -- but here we go ....
We left on Tues. to drive to Birmingham in time to pick up our granddaughters, the older who was at her mother's school, and the younger at a day camp.  We enjoyed the afternoon and evening with them, spent a short night, rising in time to leave our daughter's at 5 AM, and drove to BHM for a 6:50 flight to Portland via Dallas.  Security was relatively painless, and we left on time.  We had a long enough layover in Dallas to eat breakfast, and we met our friends Don & Denise from Dallas, who joined us on our journey.  Again our flight to PDX was on time -- and beautiful, as always when clear, as we sailed between Mt. Hood to the south and Mts. Baker and St. Helens to the north in the final glide through the Columbia River Gorge.  We landed to pleasant temps (though warm by Portland standards -- probably 80), got our rental car, and headed to the OR coast, stopping for lunch in the suburbs of Portland and at the small but attractive Apolloni Winery in Forest Grove.  We tasted their wines, bought a couple of bottles each, and unwisely let ourselves get talked into a "scenic route" through the mountains to Cannon Beach that added a couple of hours to our trip.

We approached CB from the south on Hwy. 101, a coastal highway, which offers one occasional breathtaking scenes overlooking the rocky, mountainous coastline and the mighty Pacific.  Once we checked into our rooms, which had balcony views overlooking the ocean and gave us spectacular views of Ecola State Park and the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse to the north, we ambled the block to town to Bill's Tavern for beer and ended up being talked into fish and chips there.  It was perfect, and we all crashed early since we had had long days and lost 2 hours traveling to the PDT zone.

Our days then fell into a relaxing and pleasant routine.  I would wake each morning, make a cup of coffee, get dressed, walk the beach toward the iconic Haystack Rock, pick up any sand dollars and shells that I thought needed a ride back to MS, returned to find my blushing bride awake, get cleaned up and dressed, then walk to Insomnia, a local coffee shop, to have coffee and a pastry (the most interesting and unhealthy being a huge biscuit made with bleu cheese and bacon), and going from there.  Each day we spent some time wandering the beach and into the shops and art galleries in CB. We found wonderful places for salads, sandwiches, or fish & chips for lunch, and we ate at some remarkable little restaurants at night (always sharing great PNW wine and one or more decadently interesting desserts).  I had halibut, seafood stew, salmon, etc., so that part of the diet was quite healthy.

As I said, our hotel was right on the beach ... and OR beaches are wide (tidal swings of ~330 yds. between high and low), rocky, hard near the waterline, and have packed sand which make it easy to walk on.  And the water and air are quite cool ... the sea is like a mountain stream, and the air with the sea breeze typically required long sleeves, caps, and sometimes something on the ears, even though we were there during their warmest time of the year.  It was foggy, overcast, and about 55 every morning; eventually the clouds and fog would burn off, and it would warm up into the mid to high 60's (although the one really bright, sunny day we had it got all the way up to maybe 73).

I'll mention a few highlights of what we saw:

• About a mile to our south was Haystack Rock, which is a 235' rock in a shape one can guess from the name.  It's about 100 yds. our in the sea at the typical high tide, but at low tide the eastern edge of the rock juts out of the water, leaving a number of tidal pools filled with sea anemones and usually starfish (or sea stars, as I was informed they're more appropriately called); however, this year the starfish are suffering from something called wasting syndrome, and there were very few to be seen. A number of species of birds, including the fascinating tufted puffin, nest on the rock and are constantly flying off and back.  Each summer a group of volunteers armed with displays and equipment, including a telescope and binoculars, sets up shop on the beach near the Rock and helps visitors understand what they're seeing.  It's an impressive endeavor at a stunning site.
• One day Don, Denise, and I drove the 30 miles north to the old town of Astoria OR, which is located on the Pacific and on the Columbia River.  It's where Lewis & Clark spent the winter of 1805-6, when they arrived at the coast, at what they named Ft. Clatsop in honor of their Indian hosts.  In 1811 two parties sent by fur magnate John Jacob Astor, one seagoing and one overland, arrived and established a trading post, which they named Astoria.  It has blue collar roots -- first the fur traders, then the canning industry for all of the salmon that were/are caught on the river.  The Columbia River Bar, where the enormous river runs into the Pacific, is a treacherous area known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific" because of all of the ships that have been lost while trying to enter the river.  Astoria has a Columbia River Maritime Museum, which we found fascinating,  and on a mountain overlooking the city and surrounding area the Astoria Column, which a railroad magnate had commissioned in 1926 with artwork celebrating the history of the region.  It's impressive, and the view from atop the 600' mountain it's on is terrific.  They also have some great restaurants on piers jutting out into the Columbia, and we had lunch at one of these, Baked Alaska.  We found Astoria to be quite a nice place to spend a half day.
• And about a mile north of our hotel, as I mentioned above, is Ecola State Park, which has a long history.  The name comes from the Indian word for whale ... apparently reports that one had washed up on the beach reached Lewis & Clark, and some of their group went down to look at it.  The south end is called Chapman Point and has a collection of rocks called Bird Rocks because thousands of birds nest on them.  Just over a mile out from Ecola is Tillamook Rock, on which some genius decided they should build a lighthouse in 1880.  The weather was so constantly awful and the tasks of keeping it supplied so onerous that they decommissioned it 60 yrs. ago.  The lighthouse is known as "Terrible Tilly" because it had such a (predictably) wretched history. 

All of our crew had been to Cannon Beach before, and it was all that we expected and more.  It was just about a perfect trip to me.  We drove back this past Mon. to Portland and spent the night at the Hotel Lucia, a charming boutique hotel in downtown.  We checked in, ate lunch, roamed down to Pioneer Place, where they were having a community market, then walked along the RiverWalk on the Willamette River.  That evening Don and Denise had dinner out, and Susan and I drove to one of my high school friend's house to have dinner with her and her husband, as we've done before when in Portland.  They're neat people and are easy to be around.  He grilled salmon, and we ate on their deck.  The next day we had breakfast, loaded up, and left for the airport.  Our flight left a couple of hours before Don and Denise's did, but they checked in when we did, and we visited for another hour in the airport.  The first leg of our flight, which was to Houston, was on time, and the Houston to BHM leg was only a few minutes late.  Katie picked us up at the airport.  Tobie was still up, so we had a glass of wine, then went to bed.  The next morning we stayed with the girls while they went to work.  Katie came home after a meeting, and after a short visit with her, we loaded up and returned home.  We were pretty tired, so we had a nap after playing with the dogs for awhile.  It was good to be home, but it's hard to believe the trip for which we had planned for months is now just memories ... but very positive ones.

Annnnnd they're off!  We got up -- make that I got up -- early, checked in 24 hrs. in advance for our flight, and started off the day.  My bride followed.  After breakfast, I did a few last minute things, spent some times with the dogs, got cleaned up and dressed, and began loading the car.  The dogs, who had been acting as if they thought we were being a mite suspicious for a day or so, definitely sensed that something was amiss.  Benny especially is a big cry baby when we leave.  They weren't as bad when we left.  Got to B'ham in time to have a late lunch with the older grand and to pick up the younger one after her day camp.  We had a relaxing evening with Katie, Tobie, and the girls.  Getting ready to turn in early ... and hope sleep comes easily.  ETD from here is 5:00 AM.  Onward to Cannon Beach!  Oh, and I noticed that the forecast for Portland for tomorrow is a high of 90, so the tourism folks are striving to make those of us from MS and TX feel right at home.  Nice.

Sunday & Monday

Got up later on Sun. than I had planned, had breakfast, and got ready for church.  The preacher decided that for the good of unity and to accommodate preparation for a big gospel concert this evening, the regular congregation would meet with the snake handlers (contemporary) in the CLC.  Jake's (the young assoc. minister who does the contemporary service) sermon was a good one.  He's a bright, personable guy who is speaks effectively.  Prepared for the trip -- packing, researching, burning CD's, etc. -- this afternoon.  We had an unexpected rain that stopped in time for me to grill burgers, and we watched a movie on Netflix. 

Today (Mon.) I got up, mowed (plenty warm and humid), then got ready for Rotary.  The Starkville DYW whom Susan had worked with all summer spoke and did a superb job.  She's a bright, happy kid who has learned to handle herself well in front of crowds.  This afternoon we continued to prepare for our trip.  We leave tomorrow morning in time to pick up both grands by 2:00.  A short night, then off to the BHM airport for an early flight to PDX.  Can't wait!

I'm not sure how well I'll be able to keep up with the blog while at Cannon Beach.  Even if I figure out how to get to this site on my phone, I'm not too keen on trying to type much with my thumbs.  We'll see.  Worst case scenario, I'll take notes and transcribe when I get back, as I did while we were in Canberra 2 yrs. ago.

A full day that started at 5:30, when I got up to get ready to go to my Sat. morning walking group.  Had to cut up watermelon to take out, and I had my coffee and banana to get me going.  It was relatively cool when we started walking, but it was so humid that I was wringing wet by the time we finished.  Went to farmers' market on the way home and got a few things, then came home and had breakfast.  It was lonely at the house without Susan, but the dogs tried their best to keep me company.  I talked to Matthew, who was on his way to the Neshoba County Fair, and had a kip.  Susan got home around 4:00, and we FaceTimed with our oldest granddaughter, who had just returned from a week at church camp last week (her first one).  We went out to eat tonight, came home, watched a TV show, and are crashing early.  I'm really sleepy, given my early start and long walk.  Susan is always ready for bed early.  I'm glad she's back; the house feels pretty darn empty when she's gone.

Annnd that brings another week to a close.  Worked out at Sanderson this morning, then came back and enjoyed leftovers for lunch.  Susan had packed and left with her younger sister, who lives here, for Meridian and their mom's. The other sister is coming up from the NOLA area, and her brother, who lives down the street and around the corner from her mom, will all get together.  They'll be back tomorrow afternoon, so I'll only be on my own for today and tonight.  I put on my big boy pants and plugged my iPhone into our desktop to sync and back it up for the first time in the 2 yrs. I've had it.  Things went well, I think.  Tonight I decided I needed Gulf seafood since this time next week I'll be enjoying an abundance of Pacific seafood, so I got take away shrimp po boy from Oby's.  Watched the movie Summer of Sam, which I hadn't known was a Spike Lee movie.  It was pretty graphic -- violence and sex.  Think I'll read and turn in early.  I have my weekly early Sat. morning walking group tomorrow.

One quick parenthetical retiree experience:  This morning I took several pairs of pants to the cleaners to have them starched and pressed ... have to take 1-2 pair with me to Oregon next week.  The funny thing is that while we were working, I probably went their once a week to get dress shirts and pants starched and pressed and coats and suits cleaned.  I honestly think this is the first or maybe second time I've been there in the 2 years since I retired.  With my typical wardrobe, I just don't wear suits and seldom need starched shirts and pants.  On the rare occasion that I do, I do it myself.  That has definitely saved money, and it certainly is a significant change in my weekly routine from my working days.

Can I be sued for plagiarism if I write on my own blog that today was the best of times and the worst of times?  Hopefully ole Chuck Dickens won't find out.  Today began as a great day when I learned that I will have another precious granddaughter to love and spoil.  There's nothing quite like the smell the softness, and the sounds of a baby, and I feel so blessed that I'll have that experience one more time.  I can't wait to hold her and to see her older sister and brother and her cousins making a fuss over her.

I also had my semiweekly coffee with my old work buddies.  I was so fortunate to have been part of a work family made up of friends as well as colleagues.  We always have lots of laughs.  Then I got some ad sales calls made for QB Club, which I'll serve this year as VP.

Now for the bad news ... tonight I watched the Republican National Convention, where Donald Trump was nominated and gave his speech.  What a blowhard!  No substance; just promises and pomposity.  God help us that one of our major parties -- the party for whose candidate I've often voted -- has nominated a candidate who seems to be so unqualified.  God help us.

And it's a new modern day record!  I slept until 8:49 this morning.  Felt like I was hung over, had a tough time getting myself going, and just barely got away on my walk in time to get back and get cleaned up and dressed for the VCC Board meeting at 11:30.  Actually I was late, and was still sweating like a pig.  Funny ... on the walk I thought I'd cut it short and get back in time to cool off and get ready; but I got lost.  Lost!  Me!  In Starkville, a small town where I've lived for 26 years and went to college 5 years before that!  I found a street -- a circle really -- that is only 3 blocks from our house, but which I'd never been on before.  And it was hot and very muggy since I walked so late.  Gotta change my routine.  The meeting was interesting, and I got to have lunch from the Veranda, which our neighbors own and run.  Great chicken and dumplings, which is my favorite of their lunch dishes, and fried okra.

I was a brave lad after lunch ... once I'd fortified myself with some Aussie NRL rugby, which I had DVRed a few days ago.  NRL and AFL (Aussie Rules) games are filling my sports void now that the Euro Cup soccer is over and football hasn't begun.  The bravery comes in when I went to Wal-Mart, something I try to do no more than 2-3 times/year.  I needed CD's and a few other items, and I decided to do a little grocery shopping while there (which I really hate to do at Wally's).  Here's the cruel, ironic truth:  Once there I got everything on my list except the very thing I had gone for, the CD's.  Dammit!  I hate forgetfulness, especially my own.  In the last couple of weeks I learned that one of my very best friends, who has early onset Alzheimer's, has gone downhill.  I saw him twice in the past 15-18 months, and he was not in too bad a shape -- I'd say he was himself 80-85% of the time.  A few years ago I lost one of my dear friends to the disease.  It's such a shitty disease ... I'd say Alzheimer's, stroke, and cancer would be at the bottom of my choices of ways to go.  Guess I don't get a vote.  But it's hard knowing that my buddy has it, and that while he's still alive, I will never again have the warm, generous, fun friend that he is.  As I've said a few times recently, the worst part of growing old is not the knowledge of one's own mortality; it's facing the loss of close friends and family.  The world starts to feel emptier.  Maybe that's part of The Plan ... that the loss of those you love -- and the joy they bring -- makes it easier to ready oneself for the inevitable end of one's own life.  Somewhat analogous to your dear children turning into surly teenagers, which helps to turn them loose when it's time for them to leave home. 

Sorry ... I strayed into much more serious territory than I had planned.  Good night, Chet.

A steady Tuesday.  Yesterday I had started reorganizing my sizeable CD collection.  Made good progress before I ran out of steam, then today I finished.  But this morning it was off to Sanderson.  This afternoon I finished the CD job, and went to farmers' market for a few veggies and some eggs.  Then later I made dinner, and Susan helped.  Tonight we watched a Showtime series called Happyish, then watched The Big Short on Netflix.  Not much excitement, but we got some things done and relaxed some.

Happily, my roommate returned home today.  Funny that I used to enjoy the occasional time alone when she took a trip, but now that I'm used to having her around all the time, I miss her.  Slept later today (8:40) than I have in many moons, but had time to eat breakfast and mow the front yard and still be ready for church.  This afternoon I puttered around, including watching some Aussie Rules footy (the Swans looked awesome) and part of an NRL game that I had recorded early this morning.  I did 3 loads of laundry too.  When Susan got home, we had a glass of wine, then I made dinner -- a chicken coconut curry dish that I had made before, and it was much better this time.  I loved it, but Susan said it was a little too spicy for her taste.  Too bad because I'm going to put this dish on my regular menu.

Friday

A busy day for me.  Worked out at Sanderson, came home and got cleaned up, ate lunch, and met George to see the movie The Free State of Jones, which is about the county I grew up in.  They took some artistic license with the movie, but it was generally true to the actual story.  It was disappointing to me that the director and producer decided to film the movie in south LA rather than in Jones Co., so their Ellisville didn't look at all like my Ellisville.  Still, I'm glad they made the movie.  After seeing it, I hurried back home, changed into shorts, and scooted out to help a group from our Rotary Club by tending bar for a gathering of Rotarians in town for a district conference.  It was hot and muggy, and I was on my feet for over 2 hours, so I was happy to get home and fix dinner.  Afterwards I tried to watch some movie -- don't even recall what -- but fell asleep and went upstairs and went to bed by 9:30.  Tomorrow is the day for our group long walk.

A trazy Thursday ... seemed more like a Monday.  Margot got up at 6:30 looking for her sister, who was sleeping with their mom ... which woke the dogs, who started barking, who woke me up.  The girls and I had breakfast, and Katie got up, then Susan.  Katie and the girls went to see one of Katie's friends and her sons, who were here visiting her parents at about 10:00.  I went for a walk them -- toasty! -- and Katie finished packing,  After lunch everyone packed up.  Katie and the girls headed back home, and Susan left for Meridian.  I went to the grocery store and bathed the dogs, had leftovers, and watched The Revenant.  Full day.  Sweet dreams!

A Wednesday that felt like a Friday.  I had a dental appointment today, and Susan and Maren drove out to see Leigh.  Stopped by George's on the way back, and got home about the time the girls did.  This afternoon we puttered around for awhile, then Maren and I made ANZAC biscuits ... I changed the recipe to account for using whole wheat flour, which I've always done.  The cookies/biscuits were tasty, but much flatter.  Katie and Margot arrived late this afternoon, and the excitement and noise levels were racheted up a few notches.  We went out to dinner at the Grill -- had my weekly salmon -- then came home and wrestled the girls down.  They return home tomorrow, and Susan will go to Meridian for DYW.  The dogs and I will be lonely.

So much to do, so little time.  The granddaughter wanted biscuits, so we had a relatively big breakfast.  I went to Sanderson to work it off.  This afternoon we went swimming at Mike & Marcie Whites' with their grandchildren.  Maren had fun, and so did I.  Tonight I made a tostada casserole and some Spanish rice for dinner, and Susan made a guacamole dip. Nice change of pace.  Maren watched another Harry Potter movie ... she's addicted.  Early to bed is the plan tonight.

Nice start to the week.  As I enjoyed my coffee and the replay of the Euro final this morning, I realized my granddaughter had quietly gotten up and tiptoed into the living room to read (to avoid waking her grandmother, who was sleeping in the other twin bed in our son's old room).  We had breakfast together, and Susan got up a bit later.  I did my walk, puttered around, and then went to Rotary.  Ran a few errands on the way home.  Maren and I went to the monthly used book sale at the Starkville Public Library, spent an hour or so shopping, and made quite a haul.  We then stopped at 929 coffee shop and had afternoon tea (hot chocolate and a frozen coffee drink actually).  For dinner I made a new chicken dish, which was quite tasty, and Susan made a nice salad.  We finished one of the Harry Potter movies Maren brought, then read some Aussie books.  (Two years ago this day Susan and I were in Australia.)

Today is also my parents' anniversary; they married 73 years ago in the side yard of my mom's parents' home in booming Lawrence, MS.  I've thought of them both often lately.  They were loving and generous people, and I owe so much to them.  I hope they're able to look down from Heaven and see their grandchildren and great grandchildren.  If so, I know they're smiling.

A summer Sunday.  I went to bed late and slept late, then went to church.  After we had lunch, then drove to Tuscaloosa and met our son-in-law and granddaughters.  The older one came home with us for a few nights while our daughter holidays in the Sarasota area.  She'll come Wed. to visit a friend, will stay the night, and take the grand home.  Tonight we ordered out pizza and watched one of the Harry Potter movies -- or at least she and Susan did; I slept through most of it.  Maren loves Harry Potter.  Don't think it's my cup of tea.  Anyhow, it should be a fun week.

A productive Saturday -- one that illustrates that the weekend means little to retirees.  Walked with my running/walking group early this morning.  Went about 5 miles, and it was plenty humid and warm.  Susan had organized a reception for the Starkville DYW who is leaving tomorrow for Meridian and the state program.  It was a fire drill -- building was locked and no one to contact, needed some things from the house and the store, torrential rain, etc. -- so I jumped in where needed. The downside is that I had planned to go to see the movie The Free State of Jones this afternoon (after waiting for a week for different people to go with me, all to no avail).  Oh, well, maybe later.  After resting a little while at home, I went to the grocery store, Lowe's to get gas for the grill, and to the liquor store for wine.  Then I grilled burgers, and we watched the last 2 episodes of the most recent season of Homeland.  It's the best thing I've seen on TV probably ever, but definitely since the original Roots.  Full Saturday.

Wed. - Fri.

Perhaps I had a raging case of the lethargy of which I spoke in the last post.  Three days have passed with little to show for it.  I did get walks in, the yard mowed, and some tasks accomplished, including selling some ads for QB Club.  Also watched the first semi in Euro and am brokenhearted that my dark horse favorite Wales were beaten by the Portagees.  Oh, I also prepared a couple of nice fresh veggie dinners.  And helped Susan with a mock interview with the Starkville DYW, who goes to Meridian for the state program next week.  She has been very busy with helping the young woman prepare; it's been much like when she worked and we went our separate ways daily but slept in the same bed.  Not complaining; just describing behavior.

My mind, heart, and soul were consumed by the ambush in Dallas of a dozen police officers, 5 of whom died,while providing security at a Black Lives Matter protest rally following the death of 2 more apparently unarmed black men by police in other states.  The cruel irony is that the officers were providing security for the protesters to be exercise their 1st Amendment rights to protest police bias/brutality and that the Dallas officers had gone out of the way not only to generally police the city in a respectful yet effective way, but to show an extra amount of courtesy and friendliness to the protesters.  They had even foregone body armor and some weaponry to show a less foreboding presence to the marchers.  The murderer told officers that he was angry because black men had been killed by police and that he wanted to kill white officers.  Talk about setting his cause back a generation or two!  Just as the continuing killing of unarmed blacks by police has done.  Jesus.  Just when I think we are making progress on race in this country, this craziness keeps happening.  It's so hard to be optimistic ... I am almost convinced that Thomas Jefferson was right when he said that slaves should have been freed then repatriated to their homeland because they would never be happy here.  And who could blame them?  But now 150 years later can their descendants not be shown trust and respect ... and in turn not feel that any obstacle faced or misfortune that befalls them is mainly or solely because of their race?!?  The legacy of second class citizenship is the abdication of personal responsibility, which in turn reinforces the stereotyping and bias, etc., etc.  Not so much when, but how can it stop?!?

I find myself so frustrated and angry at President Obama.  As the first half black President, he has had the unenviable job of trying to be true to both races -- to make African-Americans feel that he is sensitive to and will represent their interests (is not a "sell out"), but to not cast the pall of "white guilt" over the nation.  To many, if not most, white Americans he has done a good job at the first at the expense of the second.  Consequently, I think the climate of racial tolerance and understanding is at its lowest point in 50 years, and I think that's why we are saddled with a divide that has left us with a Presidential choice between a loudmouth buffoon and a conniving crook.  Unquestionably Obama is not to blame for where we are, but he has at best done nothing to help.  The ship is in heavy seas and taking on water with him at the helm.  And God help us with one of the clowns to whom he will hand it over to.

Aging makes one wonder, and the question of the day is whether I'm getting old or have gotten old.  For lo the many years I worked, I typically got 6-7 hrs. of sleep a night ... and more and I typically felt groggy.  When I retired, I still was sleeping about 7 hours and feeling good when I awakened.  For the past few months, however, I've been sleeping 8 hours.  Do I need more sleep now?  Hmmm.  Today I got my 8 hours and felt lethargic.  Although I didn't feel like doing much, I made myself go ahead and go to Sanderson to work out because it was the only way I could get 2 workouts in this week.  Once there and going, I felt fine and had a good workout ... even upped the weights on some exercises.  After I returned home and had lunch, I felt really tired and sleepy. I lazed around for a couple of hours before making myself get up and get going on some errands.  So again, I'm wondering if I'm losing steam -- and having had a heart attack nearly 4 years ago, that gnaws at the back of my mind a bit.  I don't want to overdo it, and I damn sure don't want to admit it if I'm just slowing down.  I've always been fit and a pretty high energy guy.  As the late, great Marvin queried, "What's going on?"

4th of July

Today felt like a Sunday.  Slept late, had a big breakfast, and lazed around most of the day watching TV -- finished the replay of yesterday's Iceland loss to France in Euro, and we had a binge night watching the most recent season of Homeland.  Got some things done on the computer that I needed to do.  I grilled chicken for our 4th meal.  No big celebration, but a needed day of relaxation.

JULY 4 WEEKEND

We left around 1:00 PM Fri. to travel to visit our son and his family in the Hub City.  This retirement has worked wonders for Susan!  Normally when we go on trips, she is nodding off before we're all the way out of the driveway.  But on this 3 hr. trip she was awake pretty much the entire time!  Guess she's well rested now that she's a lady of leisure.  Our grandchildren greeted us with their usual enthusiasm upon our arrival.  Matthew arrived home soon after we did, and we went out to eat at the Crescent City Grill, an excellent seafood restaurant in H'burg.  Matthew had taped the Wales vs. Belgium soccer match, so I watched the tape after we got back home.  Great win for the Welch!

Sat. was a full day.  After breakfast Matthew and I took the kids swimming at one of the pools in the subdivision.  We were impressed at how well the little ones are swimming now, and we swam, played, and splashed around for well over an hour.  In the early afternoon all of us took the kids to see Finding Dory, and it was a terrific kids' movie.  The theater has huge reclining seats, and I confess to having dozed off once or twice, but I did enjoy the movie.  Matthew grilled chicken, and afterwards we played some games with the kids, and they entertained us with some Bible School songs they had learned.  Everyone was so tired that as Susan and I were putting the kids down, Carson said that he wanted to sleep "until 100 o'clock" in the morning.

We were up a bit before 100:00 and had breakfast, then went to church.  They had a new minister, replacing one who had been there for 16 years.  We were impressed with him.  After church we went to Half Shell to eat, which is one of my favorite places in the H'burg area, plus it's near Matthew's neighborhood.  We played with the kids and loaded the car, then left around 2:00.  Stopped in Meridian to see Susan's mom, and happily found her in good spirits and feeling as well as in a good while.  We arrived home before 6:00, and our dogs enthusiastically welcomed us home.

Susan has been saying to everyone that she plans to do nothing for about 1 1/2 weeks until her next trip.  I know better ... she'll be busy with DYW things the entire time.  It sounds good though.  I have plenty of tasks I need to get done, few of which I'm particularly enthusiastic about.  But tomorrow is July 4, so we'll have one good holiday before getting busy.

Busy day for the retired couple.  Susan -- the great procrastinator -- hadn't signed up for Medicare Parts B&D and faced starting life as an official retiree tomorrow with no health insurance.  She stayed busy taking care of that much of the day.  I worked out at Sanderson and packed, then after getting cleaned up and eating lunch, I spent the afternoon on the sofa watching sports.  First, the 3rd and deciding game of the College World Series was rained out last night and played today.  I had thought it would be tonight and had planned to watch it then.  But noooo ... it started early this afternoon, and I turned it on in the 3rd inning and watched the mighty Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina win the NC.  Then I flipped over to check the score of the quarterfinal game of Euro Cup between Portugal and Poland.  It was 1-1, ended that way in regulation, went to extra time and remained tied, then went to a shootout and came down to the last of the 5 PKers.  So much for anything productive this afternoon.

Hump daaaaay!  Not much to show for today.  We each stayed busy doing our own things, one of mine being mowing the yard.  DYW for Susan, of course.  Tonight we had to bow our heads for a moment of silence to acknowledge the passing of a tradition.  For the past 6 or so years we've been going to Old Venice Pizza downtown for their Wed. night special, which meant house wine and a one-topping pizza for half price.  We'd each have a glass of wine, a salad (not discounted), and split a large pizza (eating half and taking the other half home for leftovers).  The total bill was about $25 for what worked out to be 2 meals for 2.  A couple of weeks ago, however, as I was taking a morning walk downtown, I found a sign on OVP's door saying they had closed, and the store would reopen as a Moe's BBQ.  We have a plethora of BBQ places, a couple of them legendary.  Good luck, Moe.  But sadly our Wed. night tradition has expired.  We ended up going to Harvey's and having chicken ... and spent twice what we usually did at OVP, even with a $20 gift card that Susan had.  RIP, OVP.

"Monday, Monday, can't trust that day."  Who knew there were Mondays in retirement?  Well, not every Mon. is a Mon., but some are.  Today was kinda one.  Went to Sanderson this morning ... in case I haven't said this before, I don't like to lift weights.  I do it because I have to ... or at least need to.  Resistance training is supposedly good for old guys for a variety of reasons, and after having rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders and surgery to repair a ruptured quad tendon in a knee, all a few years back, I need to do the resistance training as ongoing PT,  But  it's real work and not fun.  Like doing some types of manual labor, I usually have a sense of accomplishment after I've done it -- sorta like finishing a marathon -- but I don't enjoy it and don't look forward to doing it.  But I man up and go twice a week.  Since we're going to visit Matthew and his family this weekend, leaving Fri. around noon, I decided to do Sanderson this week on Mon. and Thurs. rather than the usual Tues. and Fri.

After Sanderson I had to scramble to get cleaned up and ready to Rotary.  Then I had to run errands for two of the younger women in my life, i.e., my daughter and my daughter-in-law.  Before ending the work portion of my day by going to the grocery store, I watched Iceland beat England in Euro Cup competition.  It was one of the penultimate slayings of Goliath by David (even though England have been a Goliath in soccer only in their minds for the past few decades).  Tonight Susan went to a sorority house corp. meeting, and I played on the computer and watched The First Man on the Moon, a documentary about Neil Armstrong on Netflix.  (I contend that Apollo 11 and D-Day are the two most incredible and important feats accomplished by modern man.)  Timely too because a) last night I watched a Netflix documentary about Eugene Cernan called The Last Man on the Moon, and b) the anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission is coming up in a couple of weeks.  When Susan got back from her meeting, we watched a couple of episodes of Nurse Jackie ... sorta frustrating and depressing.  But Mon. is almost over.

The sabbath ... a day of rest.  Ahhh.  Everyone slept late, especially Susan, our daughter, and her husband.  The dogs and I got up around 8:00, and the girls soon thereafter.  We had a leisurely morning -- girls watched a movie -- then got ready to meet Matthew and his crew for lunch at a Mexican place.  We then came back to our house and had a surprise little birthday party for Matthew's older one.  The grands began hitting the wall today -- couple of meltdowns -- and made me happy we're past the point of having to deal with those ... and their aftermath.  We had a lazy remainder of the afternoon, then I fixed some veggies for dinner.  Tonight we watched our Netflix shows, and dammit, ended the season for Bloodline.  Now we'll have to wait until the fall to see what happens ... if anything.  I assume -- and hope -- it will be renewed for another season or more.  Packing it in a little earlier than normal tonight.

Saturday

That darn alarm!  Dragged myself out of bed and tried to coax the dogs into quietly going out, eating, and sitting around -- a task made more challenging since Lucy, their old dog came too.  We were fairly successful in quietly taking care of them and making my coffee.  A good walk, but man, was it hot and humid!  Summer is here!  I didn't stay long after the walk, as I normally do, so I could get back and take the girls to the Farmers Market downtown.  There was a big crowd and there were lots of vendors ... we even saw a couple of people from the MSU Entomology Dept. who had given the kids their Bug Zoo tour during Camp Papa.  We bought a few things and made it home so Katie could get the girls ready to go out and visit GG, Susan's mom, who is in town for our nephew's wedding tonight.  Between 12 and 1 Susan made it back home and Matthew and his crew arrived.  We had to be at the Chapel of Memories on the MSU campus in time for pictures at 4:00.  Hold the presses!  The photographer was running late, and we sat around for a half hour.  It was an awful day to be outside with the oppressive -- but not surprising since it's summer in MS -- heat and humidity.  It was a pretty wedding, and we went to the reception at the Crystal Cathedral a/k/a Hunter Henry Center afterwards.  Two signs that I am no longer getting old but have obtained the mixed blessings of having arrived at that destination:  1) The music, while by an R&B band playing mostly 60's stuff initially, was waaaay too loud!  My ears felt like they were bleeding, and any conversation was accomplished through primitive gestures and lip reading.  2) Two kids who used to drive my mother crazy when they visited her soon after she moved to Starkvegas in the early 90's were there ... surprisingly as adults (very young adults, of course).  Despite the festive nature of the occasion (this being the wedding of her brother's son, the last of the 3 he'd have to pay for), my bride suggested that we fold our cards and head home early.  I could've kissed her!  Did, in fact.  All of the girls went to bed early, and Matthew came by after he had tucked Joanna and the kids in, and he, Tobie, and I visited for about an hour.  A challenging but satisfying day ... good night, Auld Prince!

Friday

Tough day to be old and retired!  Got up and worked out at Sanderson after breakfast, which always wears me out a bit.  Then I came home and had to bathe the dogs and clean house in preparation for the arrival of Katie and her family.  I finished in time to veg on the sofa for a little while.  They arrived a little earlier than I had expected, and we ordered pizza.  After we got the girls down, I crashed on the sofa while Katie and Tobie visited the Guest Room, our sorta new speakeasy.  I was ready for bed, especially since I was armed with the knowledge that I'd get up early to walk with my group in the morning.

Oops!  Forgot to post last night.  Okay, here's the deal ... as I had said, Susan is out of town.  Most times in the past when she's gone away on a trip, I haven't minded it so much.  As an only child, I kinda enjoy some alone time every now and then.  Not this time though; I miss her more.  Logic would say that since she's around more, I'd enjoy my alone time more; but the opposite is true.  Hmmm ... maybe I really care about this woman and enjoy her company?!  Who knew?!

Not much to show for today.  Walked early, then went to the coffee drinking session with my old buddies from work ... always entertaining.  After lunch, I washed dishes and clothes and watched another episode of the ESPN OJ series.  Pretty interesting and distressing tale ... if one doesn't buy into the reality that there are (or at least were in 1994) 2 Americas, he needs to watch this.  Given perception = reality, it is/was true.  It's hard to harbor much hope for race lessening as a Great Divide between blacks and whites.  Anyhow, watched another episode last night after I had cooked cornbread, a tasty new okra dish, and one of my favorite chicken dishes to go with leftovers.  By the time I had cleaned up and put up after the OJ episode, I was whupped and forgot to post.  Ah, the Golden Years.

Different day.  Susan left for Mobile and the National DYW program this morning.  I waited around for her to leave before mowing the yard, but she was in no hurry.  It was getting really hot and humid, so I finally started at about 10:15 and worked until around 11:30.  It pretty well wiped me out for the day ... and took me forever to stop sweating.  I managed to get an appointment with my barber to get my haircut and went to campus to have that done.  Also visited some friends I worked with since the salon I go to is in the Union at MSU, where I worked.  Stopped by one of my best friends traditional men's clothing store to visit.  He wasn't in, but I hung around and visited with the others for awhile.  Came back and crashed on the sofa while watching Euro.  Had a nice leftover dinner of boiled shrimp etc., then watched the 1st episode of ESPN's OJ series.  Wow, I had forgotten how good he was as a football player, and it reminded me of why I just didn't think he did those murders ... he came across as such a nice, bright, easy-going guy.  It had some shots from his rookie season, and I saw him play the Oilers in the Astrodome then.  We had gone to see State play Houston, a game in which the Cougars eked out a scant 74 point victory.  We toured the 'Dome, known as the 8th Wonder of the World back then, and the Bills were practicing.  A ball bounced over near our tour group, and O.J. was standing nearby.  One of my fraternity brothers whom I had ridden out with yelled out, "Hey, Juice, throw me that ball."  He did.  I thought, "What a nice guy!"  I stayed fooled for a long time.  I'm interested in seeing the next 4 episodes of the series ... wonder what made him change (or how he fooled me and so many others for so long)?

We continue to make our way by both sharing time and each doing our own thing.  This morning she had to get ready for her upcoming trip, and I went to Sanderson to work out.  Got back in time to get cleaned up, eat lunch, and hurry to meet her to do a mock interview with the girl who is Starkville's DYW.  It's fun to watch such bright kids in action ... and there were two of the past DYW winners who served as interviewers as well.  Again, it's interesting and rewarding to see how much those young ladies have grown in intellect and confidence and to know that my wife played a significant part in that.  Got back in time to watch my boys from Espana go down to the Croats in Euro.  (Hard not to be happy for the underdog though.)  Went to Farmers Market and got some veggies, came back, worked out a menu, and began preparing squash, a coconut almond rice dish, green beans, and grill salmon.  It all turned out well with Susan's help, so we had a nice meal together and watched our Netflix flicks.

Had something to deal with today and tonight that isn't any fun, but is important.  One of my favorite Pike pledge brothers from 50 yrs. ago had both liver cancer and a heart problem a couple of years ago.  I learned from another one of our brothers that they had recently found 2 small spots on his liver and that he would undergo surgery in Jackson in 2 days to get them taken care of.  This evening he and I talked, and he is very upbeat, as always.  I have an list of about 150 old Pikes and sent an email to those closest to Tommy letting them know what was going on with him and asking them to pray for him, as he had asked me to do.  Cancer is nothing to joke about, and we have lost some brothers, including 2 of my best friends, to it.  Yet as I was building an email list of those closest to Tommy, I was struck by how many cancer survivors we have.  It's bad, but it's not automatically fatal, as it was not so long ago.  Anyhow, I've shared the news with those who most need to know, and he'll go to the top of my prayer list.  I'm optimistic for him for now ... it helps that he's always positive.  As I said to some of my friends not long ago, the toughest part of growing old isn't the certainty of my own mortality, but having to deal with the illness and death of those I care about and have shared life with.  Real life is not for sissies.

Up in time to have coffee then breakfast before the cleaning lady came.  I walked before it got too hot.  We stayed upstairs to be out of the way, did some cleaning and putting up.  I got cleaned up and ready for Rotary.  Susan had more DYW errands -- helping the Starkville DYW get ready for the state program next month and getting some things ready to go on her annual "girls' trip" to the national DYW program in Mobile.  I read and watched a little soccer this afternoon, then looked for some music to begin putting together a CD of easy listening music with a beach theme for our trip to Cannon Beach, OR in about 5 weeks.  Checked the weather for there, and it's lows of about 50 and highs of about 70 this week -- quite a contrast to the 93-96 days with high humidity which we had here last week!  Tonight we had leftovers (her) and sandwiches (me) since I always have a big meal at Rotary on Mons.  Watched some more of our Netflix program.  Funny ... we're watching Nurse Jackie and Bloodline, and neither has many characters who have much socially redeeming value.  In the past we've watched House of Cards, which has zero characters who are likeable.  What is it about these Netflix shows?  But we watch them zealously.

I need a haircut and have for a week.  My barber left a message on her shop phone that she'd be out a couple of weeks to have surgery.  She was supposed to be back today, but if she was, she didn't answer her phone.  I'll be in crisis state by the end of the week with our nephew's wedding coming up Sat.  I hope for my barber's sake and mine that she comes back soon!  My mother and dad are undoubtedly looking down in displeasure.  Speaking of my dad, I thought about him a lot yesterday with it being Father's Day.  I still really miss him after 30 years.

FATHER'S DAY

Awakened long before I had hoped by my vigilant watchdogs, who yap at every sound they hear.  Got up with the older grand, then the younger one, and fixed them drinks and a breakfast snack and me coffee to tide us over for awhile.  My daughter got up and made pancakes, eggs, and bacon for us for Father's Day.  Susan got up and came down to help.  We all had our fill and then some.  Soon thereafter they packed up and headed home so the girls could spend most of Father's Day with their dad, who had just returned last night from an out of town conference.  I got dressed, went to church solo, and we had a light lunch.  We spent the afternoon resting and napping, then Susan fixed a Low Country Boil, and we watched Netflix movies.  A restful day, which we both needed.

Saturday

What a start!  Each Sat. I get up really early and go to the home of some friends who live south of town to walk with a group of people.  (I used to run before my knees quit on me, and lots of young people meet there to run.)  I got up, had my coffee, let the dogs out and fed them, got dressed, and went out the door.  As soon as I shut the door -- locking it behind me since no one else was up -- I realized I didn't have my car keys.  (The night before our daughter had used my car so we'd have her van with the girls' car seats. My keys weren't where I usually keep them.  I put something in my pocket where I keep my keys, but not what I needed.)  No worries ... I'll just text Susan.  I did ... no response.  Okay, I hate to wake Katie up, but she's downstairs anyway, so I'll text her ... no response. Damn, I hate to do this because it's my fault I'm in this predicament, but I'll just have to call her ... no answer.  Ditto for Katie.  Damn!  So I walked my usual loop downtown -- a 30 min. walk, which is what I usually do in the week, but on Sat. we normally walk closer to 75 - 90 mins.  When I returned, one of the kids was up and playing outside, so I was able to get in the house.  I see this not as a function of joint retirement, but of basic human differences (Susan is a late sleeper; I'm an earlier riser ... I keep my phone charged and by my bedside; she does neither lest an incoming text or call awaken her).  And my forgetfulness, which I have to admit I'm more prone to as I've gotten older.  Damn.

The granddaughters and I had breakfast then went to the Farmers Market for fresh veggies, fruit, and baked goods.  Katie and the girls went to a picnic/kickball game with her reunion, but came back a little early since it was hot and humid.  We piddled around in the afternoon, and all 5 of us went to the Grill for dinner since Katie's reunion event wasn't until later.  We got the girls bathed, read to, and to bed.  Katie came in before too late, meaning we were still up.  Despite my self-inflicted rocky start, a good day.

FRIDAY

Up and running.  Since the cleaning lady isn't coming until Mon., and our daughter and granddaughters are coming this evening, we're the cleaning crew.  Got most of it done, then we went off on our appointed rounds -- Susan shopping and running errands and me to Sanderson for my twice weekly weight work.  Grabbed a Newk's salad on the way home, and we finished our cleaning after lunch.  Time for some R&R while watching Euro soccer. Susan had a meeting, and while I was resting, we had an unexpected, severe thunderstorm ... something like a 20-30% chance of rain, and we had high winds, thunder and lightning, and torrential rain for an hour or more.  Scared me at points -- reminded me that the night before we closed on this house 26 yrs. ago there was a severe storm that resulted in a big limb from an oak on the east side of the house falling on the corner of the house.  All was well, other than the umbrella on the patio furniture getting caught by a wind gust and being lifted out, turning over the patio table, and breaking a couple of little bowls of Susan's. 

The girls made it fine despite having to drive in some of the bad weather ... and just in time for Katie to head to the reunion.  Since the rain stopped, I grilled burgers for dinner.  We watched a movie with the girls, read to them, and tucked them in.  We soon followed.  We awoke around midnight to the sound of our older child coming home ... for the first time in many moons.  Speaking of that, I should mention the shock and incongruity of the cold, cruel realization that we have a child who graduated from high school 20 years ago.  Of course, a glimpse in the mirror and/or some simple math would make that totally (as the kids say today) congruent.  Still ....

Susan slept a little later, but got up and got started running errands.  I, on the other hand, had breakfast and began watching Wales vs. England in Euro 2016.  Ended up recording it because I had to mow the back yard before it got too hot.  Summer is here -- according to my car, it reached 100 today, and was plenty humid to boot.  After lunch I went to Kroger, the big grocery store in Starkvegas ... takes me forever to shop there because it's expanded and I am still figuring out where things are.  Also went to the wine store to replenish Susan's white and my red.  More soccer after lunch ... I find UEFA soccer far preferable to the NBA, which I just can't make myself watch for more than a couple of minutes, if at all.  As I told our son, today Gareth Bale of Wales, who is the highest paid athlete in the world, scored an incredible goal on a free kick from about 40m out.  The most refreshing part was that after scoring he didn't pound his chest in self-promotion or do any of the sliding and ripping his guernsey off in self-congratulations that many of his colleagues so often do.  Instead he ran over in front of the Welch fans and pointed to the dragon that is their national symbol ... playing for the name on the front of the jersey rather than the one on the back.  Unfortunately England came back and won 2-1, but David had his moment.

Late this afternoon we learned that the person who cleans for us wanted to go and visit her grandbaby tomorrow rather then cleaning for us.  I was afraid that Susan would freak because our daughter and her girls are coming for the weekend tomorrow afternoon.  However, she told the lady to go ahead ... that we could handle it.  She started cleaning tonight, and we'll finish in the morning.  It's nice that we both work here now.

Wow!  A whole week of joint retirement!  Today was typical of so many work days the past couple of years.  We got up, each doing his/her own thing, and ended up both at home around 4:00 this afternoon.  I got a late walk in this morning, had lunch with some old colleagues with one who is retiring and moving away, and spent the afternoon watching Euro 2016 soccer and reading until I fell asleep.  Susan went to work to finish downloading and copying files, then purging her computer.  Cheap night at Old Venice Pizza, then back to watch our Netflix series.  Just another day in paradise.

Tuesday

Inevitable, right?  Yes, today was the day when we had a conflict over the TV.  As I had said, for the past 2 years it had been "mine" during the day.  Today when I came home and was looking forward to watching some of the UEFA soccer tournament, she had it on one of those "fix up a house" shows.  (Those shows hold no interest at all for me, and are at times like someone scratching fingernails on a blackboard ... probably the way she feels about some of the sports shows I watch.)  I didn't feel like I could or should come marching in and demand to watch what I wanted to watch, so I didn't say anything.  Eventually she said, "You can watch whatever you want to watch; I'm not that interested in this."  And eventually I did (not changing channels immediately because I didn't want to signal that I was chomping at the bit to watch anything but that show). 

Otherwise it was the kind of day that I expect to be -- and has so far been -- typical, i.e., we each go our own way some of the time and find things to do together some of the time.  It was very comfortable for me, and I think for her. 

Day broke for me at a few minutes after 8:00 a.m., which is the latest I recall having slept in a long time.  My beloved managed to sleep for about another hour.  This was the first real test of our long term togetherness.  The real rub is probably the use of the TV and the computer.  We have multiple TV's, but we both usually watch the one in the den.  She has an iPad, and we both have iPhones, but we both like to use the laptop.  For the past two years I've had squatter's rights on both all day until she has come home for work.  How will this sharing work?  Not an issue at all today.  I still watched the Today Show and Sports Center, and she got on the computer.  Later in the morning she went to another DYW meeting while I walked.  Then I went to Rotary.  We both piddled around the house this afternoon.  Leftovers tonight, so dinner was a joint affair, as it had been last night.  (If I haven't mentioned it, before I retired, I seldom cooked anything except breakfast on weekends and the occasional dinner on the grill.  For the past 2 years I've been chief chef, and the kitchen has been mine.)  Tonight we watched Netflix series that we have enjoyed, Nurse Jackie and Bloodline.  She stayed up until after 10:00, something she almost never did while working.  Amazing!  And I've had plenty of time to check email, read the stuff I want online, etc. without having to wait.  So far this has been easy.  {knock wood!}

Fortunately our grandchildren slept a little later than usual, but the younger one still was up by 7:20.  A typically slow Sunday morning with Susan sleeping later, but not as late as usual ... the little rascal went up and woke her up a little after 8:00.  We had a groggy morning with a late breakfast, and Matthew, Joanna, and the kids packed up and left a little after 11:00.  That meant that I missed church ... and perhaps that we missed church since I hope now that Susan won't be able to say that Sun. is a rare day off from work, she's get ready and go with me.  We lazed around most of the day, as is often the case on Sun.  Late in the afternoon she met with Starkville's Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) winner and a past winner.  Susan has been working with the program since our daughter won it 20+ yrs. ago.  She enjoys it, and she's really good with the kids.  This will be something she will continue to do, and it should be lots less stressful and demanding now that she doesn't do it on top of work.  When she came home, I grilled pork chops for dinner, and she helped with the veggies.  A night of TV, then off to bed early for her and later for me.

The First Saturday

Got up early and drove out to the Whites' to walk with our group, as is my custom.  Small group and cool day that got warmer and muggier in a hurry, but it's summer in MS.  Susan brought the grands out to play with the White grands, and they had fun while I was visiting with the other walkers and runners after the walk.  I then took to the kids to get Shipley's donuts on the way home -- got to make sure they are fully sugared!  We piddled around most of the rest of the day until time for baseball again.  The 'Dogs have their chance to rebound and set up a deciding 3rd game and get back on pace to Omaha and the College World Series.  Unfortunately, again Arizona did not follow the script.  After Brent Rooker smashed a couple of home runs and had the 'Dogs cruising in the 8th inning, the wheels came off.  The Wildcats tied it in the bottom of the 9th, then won it in extra innings.  Although I'm disappointed, I'm not that surprised.  This State team looked solid with good hitting and pitching, but I just never felt that the confidence in them that I had had in some previous teams.  They got out-scrapped by a decent but not great Arizona team and lost two 1-run games.  Everyone else, including Matthew, had left the game early, and they were all down for the count when I came home.

All in all, another day that was typical of baseball weekends the past decade. 

Day Two

After a good night's rest at the Alluvian, we got up and had the complimentary breakfast, which was first rate.  Susan went to the spa for the rest of the morning, and I wandered around Greenwood, first going to Fort Pemberton then to Turnrow Books.  There's not much at the fort, which is the site of a hastily built Confederate fortification built where the Tallahatchie River runs into the Yazoo River to intercept Grant's flotilla which had been sent to find a back door by which to attack Vicksburg.  Turnrow was filled with lots of Southern and MS books, as well as a good selection of children's book.  I managed to easily spend $100 on a book for each of the four grands and one for me.  I then met two of my fraternity brothers from Greenwood for lunch at the Crystal Grill, which is always a treat.  After lunch Susan and I drove back home in time to get ready and go to the NCAA Super Regional baseball game, which Miss. State was hosting, as a national seed.  Our son and daughter-in-law, who are also State alumni, and their two kids arrived soon after the game started.  Despite State's lofty ranking and easy cruise through the regional tournament, Arizona refused to be impressed and beat the 'Dogs 1 - 0.  Very disappointing end to what had been a good week.  At least our son and his family -- featuring our grandchildren -- are here for a visit.

So far this joint retirement stuff seems a lot like the past couple of years following my retirement.  Of course, a) Susan has always had the summers off, and b) we've been on holiday (brief though it was).  It may be the fall before we begin to really settle into what the rest of our lives will be.  I know ... that doesn't sound too upbeat, but it's real life.

The First Day

The first day of Susan's retirement we both got up around 8:00, later that I expected to awake and much earlier for her than I expected.  As usual, I fed the dogs, made the coffee, and fixed breakfast.  I had my twice a month coffee with several old mates from work at 9:30.  We always have some good laughs over current events and old times.  Got home in time to eat lunch, and we got ready, then traveled to Greenwood to the Alluvian Hotel, a boutique hotel with a spa and great restaurant.  I had planned on a night there for Susan because she loves to do the spa.  We got there in time to rest up a bit, go to happy hour at the Alluvian bar (where we ran into a fraternity brother and his wife), then a superb dinner at Giardina's, which is the Alluvian's restaurant.  Nice seafood, then an early night.  We were both probably asleep before 10:00 and slept until 8:00 the next morning.  This joint retirement isn't bad.

Two years ago I hung it up, i.e., retired at the age of 65 1/2, having worked over 40 years in higher education.  Like most people, I had heard lots of mixed reviews and advice about retirement.  I decided that the timing of retirement was a very personal, individual decision.  Lots of factors to consider, particularly 1) can I afford to? and 2) will I be happy? (Those two are, of course, related.)  I crunched the numbers and found that I would earn essentially the same that I had been earning while working.  That suggested the question of whether I wanted to "work for free."  While I loved working with college students, the answer was no for a number of reasons.  Nearly three years earlier I had had a heart attack -- a shitty, cheating one given that none of the indicators (genetics, cholesterol, weight, tobacco use, level of exercise, etc.) led me or my doctors to expect it.  One stent later I recovered fully and quickly, but it did bring to light my own mortality and the obvious given that none of us is promised another moment, much less decades more life.  Another factor was that I had done a good job of hiring and helping develop young staff members who were ready to assume my roles ... frankly I was in their way.  Finally, although I felt young and thought I acted young, the cruel, inevitable, biological reality was that I was older than my students' parents -- was, in fact, the age of many of their grandparents.  Hip though I might try to be, I was in truth Mother Nature's bitch.

An obvious question to me -- and one I would implore anyone contemplating retirement to ask him/herself -- was what I wanted to do with my remaining time as a relatively healthy, functioning adult (okay, senior adult).  Not just what would I enjoy, but what would I find meaningful?  The psychologist Alfred Adler, one of my personal heroes, spoke of life as a striving for significance, and he intimated that that overarching life task is always there.  I buy that.  I came to the conclusion that the most important thing for me to do was to be useful to my children and significant in the lives of my grandchildren.  We have four, and they all live about three hours away.  When I was called to keep them when their parents had conflicts, when a grandchild was sick, or when we simply wanted to spend some time together, I wanted to be able to do that.  While I loved my students, the most important people in my lives -- those whom I had the greatest chance to impact and encourage (another Adlerian term) -- are my grands.  Furthermore, from having been a grandchild once and from observing our children with their grandparents, I realize that there is a window of time a child enjoys and truly connects with her/his grandparents ... and that that window closes when the typical child reaches age 10 - 12.  At the time of my retirement my oldest grandchild was 8.  Time to make a move if I was going to follow my value system.  Then and now I am still a superhero to my grandchildren (at least most days, particularly those when I don't use the N word ... no, not that one! ... the word no!)  So I looked and leapt.  Now, two years later, I have had absolutely no regrets.

Buuutttt ... yes, isn't there always a but? ... for my 2 years of retirement I've had for the first time in my life no adult supervision.  Like many males, I married a woman nearly 3 years my junior.  She has been working and waiting to reach Medicare age, the cost of health care being an important financial factor to consider in retirement.  For 2 years I've done what I've wanted to do when I've wanted to do it.  And today my beloved is at work for the last day ... ever!  We've had a couple of opportunities for testing this experience the past 2 years because she has been working in public schools and has had 2 months off each summer.  This afternoon, however, she comes home, where she will stay till death do us part (or until one or both of us drive/s the other crazy).  As the late, great Lou Rawls sang, "Your Good Thing Is About to Come to an End."  She's excited ... I'm excited ... but I also realistically acknowledge that my life will be different.  For most of our married life other than the weekends and school holidays we've spent about 6 hours a day together.  Now we'll spend 4 times that ... every day ... from now on ... until one of us goes to the cemetery or nursing home.  I think we're up to the challenge and that we'll enjoy each other's company, but I also think we'll both have some adjustments to make.  It will be interesting to remember just what it was that attracted us to each other a mere 44 years ago ... and how those factors have traveled over time and through life.

So now I'm waiting on the call that will signal a transition from a solitary retirement to one spent with the love of my life and my partner in life.  As if on cue, there's the call.  I've been summoned to drive the entire block from our house to her school to load my car and help bring home her things from her office.  That same task took me a full car load 2 years ago, but I'm a notorious packrat.  She claims her things will fit in a couple of boxes.  We'll see.  Back soon ....

Well, she didn't exaggerate much.  We filled my trunk, had a few boxes and some framed pictures on my back seat, etc.  She arrived home, saying that "it" hadn't hit her yet.  Since she has normally packed up and brought some of her stuff home at the end of each school year for about 25 years, this feels routine.  We each did our own thing for awhile, went to our favorite pizza place for "cheap night," i.e., half off house wine and a 1-topping pizza, and came back home to watch episodes of two of our favorite TV shows in Netflix, Nurse Jackie and Bloodline.  Our big celebration will take place tomorrow when we go to Greenwood's boutique hotel, the Alluvian, for a night.  We'll eat well at their restaurant, enjoy a restful evening, and she'll spend the late morning tomorrow getting a spa treatment.  Meanwhile I plan to work out, maybe nose around town (their tourist site has a walking tour map one can download), and catch up with a couple of my old fraternity brothers who live in Greenwood for lunch.  We'll return in time to go to the first game of the Super Regional of the NCAA baseball tournament between Miss. State and Arizona at Dudy Noble Field, "the Carnegie Hall of college baseball," as Sports Illustrated once wrote.  Go, 'Dogs!  Our son and his family are driving in, so it promises to be an exciting weekend.  Bring it!