Year 1

 Well its been a long time.....

And although it's only been really 11 months, it seems a heck of a lot longer than a year!  Feel that now is maybe a good time to look back on the last year or so, just to see where we're at and where we're going.

This is not how I expected retirement to be.  I should have been going to concerts and ballgames, taking day trips and seeing the good ol' USA.  As we all know, not a whole lot of any of that going on this year.  Started off OK, Hawaii is a beautiful place, and I'm happy I got to go.  It was nice spending time in Utah with the sister/brother in law on the way home, and nice to spend some time with friends at spring training.  Headed to FLA shortly after to visit the mother in law, and that's when the Covid hit.  We spent 7 weeks there...nothing to do, but we were warm, and I know we were much more fortunate than some.

So do I miss work?  Not one bit.  I miss some of my old co-workers, and some of the customers. but I don't miss the work.  And talking to some of the guys, I would have really been not happy.  Long hours, massive amounts of parcels, new management team.  I guess I'm lucky to be out when I got out.  I've gone back twice to visit people and I'm over it.  Hope to see a few of the guys socially, hope it works out.

I miss my friends.  The Misses and I had great plans to reconnect with all you guys who we had drifted apart from.  No more work obligations.  No more kids to chase around.  We are mobile, and had plans to travel the country to visit with our old friends.  There was a little golfing here and there, but that's about it.  And, sadly, Cath and I lost a couple of friends this year.  Scot, you were truly the nicest guy I ever knew.  No offense to the rest of my buddies, but you're not even close.  And Sue, wow, so sad.  Covid is a bitch. Stay safe people.

And they're not the only ones who left us this year.  The ball players of my youth (childhood heros) are passing away at an alarming rate.  And all the singers and entertainers.....man oh man.  Glad I got to see some of them. nothing but great memories.  How in the hell are these people getting so old?  I'm happy and thankful every time I wake up on this side of the sod....

So what's up for year 2? Well I'm hopeful the virus thig gets under control.  I think we need a vaccine, and I think we have to learn to live with it some.  I want to go to restaurants again, without constraints.  I want to go to a ball game, and I'd like to get to some concerts.  I want to travel--so much to see and do!  But I think more than all this, I want to spend some time with my friends again.  Some of you I haven't seen in years...heck, decades.  I'm tired of just seeing people at funerals.  So you can expect to hear from me.  And if you don't, reach out.  Everyday is a Saturday now, and I'm trying to take advantage of them all.  Happy holidays to you all, take care of yourselves and your loved ones, and hope to see you soon....