Friday, what a day.
I was off from work, every other Friday is off, I rather like that about my job. Had a couple of errands to run in the early part of the day, which were wrapped up by noon. The Missus Herself had a doctor's appointment in the mid-afternoon, routine checkup, and would I like to come along?
Why sure and why not? Gets me out of the house and there was the promise of food afterwards. (She knows how to get my attention. "Want to come with me? We can go eat afterwards." Yes, food gets my attention.)
While the love of my life was in with the doc, I sat in the waiting room and read my book. Oh, what a book it is. If you have any interest at all in flying, heck, if you have any interest in life, you should read this book.
Brigid is a dear friend. She's led an amazing life, let me tell you, the lady is as tough as nails but has perhaps one of the most beautiful souls of anyone I have ever met in this life. She dedicated the book to our Lex, Captain Carroll LeFon. Apt, as it was he who encouraged her to start writing. Another thing I have to thank Lex for. (Buy the book, here. No seriously, you need to read this. It will make you smile, it will make you cry, it will make you think.)
As the picture might hint, I've been trying to forge ahead on learning the drums. Someday, who knows? I might actually get good at it. In the book Brigid has an excellent quote -
The only time you are too old to learn is when you cease to breathe. One is never too ingrained in their habits to take up the instrument that, for them, will be the perfect blend of the joyous with the sublime... (Page 141, True Course)Playing the drums is something I wanted to do as a kid, I was turned away with "we have enough drummers in the school band." Hhmm, I didn't want to play in the bloody school band, I just wanted to beat the drums! So now I get my wish.
The opening photo was the view from our table at dinner. A hazy day but a beautiful day. The food wasn't all that special but it was tasty enough and like I said, the view was very nice. Fish and chips washed down with a Sam Adams' Summer Ale, the lady of my dreams actually allowed that a piece of cheesecake would be just the thing to finish the meal.
It was.
I have been bouncing all over the place emotionally as of late. I want to retire, but I really like the people I work with, I would hate to walk away from them any time soon. Clayton, Liz, Larry, Camille, Jeff, Paul, Rui, and Dennis, you guys rock. Even on the bad days it's good to work with you. While sleeping late is nice, getting up to hang with y'all is awesome.
A lot of nice comments the other day on the post commemorating my Dad's birthday, sometimes y'all embarrass me with all the kind words. Thanks again.
I'm really missing the kids and grandkids. Last summer all of the grandkids visited, may only see The Naviguesser's kids this summer. But in the fall we're all gathering for a big event. Which will be announced in these spaces in due course.
Heading for Alexandria in August to meet up with Clan Lex. I don't see these folks often enough, friends of my blood, friends of my heart. I'm really looking forward to that.
Okay, we're all caught up, while it might seem that I am caught up in the grip of melancholy, I'm not really. It's just that there are times that I think too much, that I feel too much. But that's what life is supposed to be like.
Another Foo Fighters song that has caught my fancy as of late. Enjoy or do not. I like it.
Somehow the words remind me of Lex and other friends long gone.
Summer's End - The Foo Fighters
Written By
Chris Shiflett, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel & Dave Grohl
Early morning without warning
Woke me with a scare
I had that dream again
That the sun was dead
Make me warm or take me home
It's so cold in here
Can't we meet somewhere
Is it winter there?
Is it winter there?
This winter
Meet me in the summertime
We can move the air
Sweet Virginia countryside
I will meet you there
Golden lips and cherry wine
Moonshine in your hair
Just keep staring at the sun
Pray for summer's end
Come on over brave my storm
Oceans overhead
Come inside, my friend
Getting bad out there
Every moment we have stolen
All we have to share
No one wanted them
But you know I did
You know I did
This moment
Meet me in the summertime
We can move the air
Sweet Virginia countryside
I will meet you there
Golden lips and cherry wine
Moonshine in your hair
Just keep staring at the sun
Pray for summer's end
Meet me in the summertime
We can move the air
Sweet Virginia countryside
I will meet you there
Golden lips and cherry wine
Moonshine in your hair
Just keep staring at the sun
Pray for summer's end
Meet me in the summertime
Meet me in the summertime
Meet me in the summertime
We can move the air
Meet me in the summertime
I will meet you there
Any day with desert is a good day. The group of people I worked with in Chicago were good people, several were very good friends but leaving that place to come here meant losing touch with them. Here was a bigger office, more people, some good people but not as close friend-ships as before, probably because I was older..... Never had a problem walking away from work upon retiring, a few I missed but life goes on. Becoming a care-giver shortly after retiring gave new direction to life and now re-adjusting to non-caregiver life is like retiring again. Nice choice of song there Sarge...... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Nylon12.
DeleteTruth be told, we are all going through those times. Some are on an even keel, and the "bouncing" is just a bit, here and there. I know I'm watching a lot of the Old Timers retiring at work. Folks I've developed a relationship with for 20 plus years.... Now, instead of trying to get Karla to laugh out loud when I stop by the office, there is an empty desk, and she's retired to travel and dote on her grandkids. Those kind of changes are tough.... if you care. If you are as hard as woodpecker lips, then maybe not. That ain't me.... most days.... ;)
ReplyDeleteJust about everyone who was an "old timer" when I arrived have retired. Lots of new faces, some good people there, it's weird to see things change. But that's what life's about - change.
DeleteRetiring vs staying at a job you enjoy. That's a tough one...
ReplyDeleteFor a great many years (just about forever actually) people worked right up until they could not, they had to eat. We are living in the Golden Age right now, choose wisely.
I don't plan on making the leap too quickly. I'll retire when I'm ready, I'm not quite ready.
DeleteFor some people, grandkids are the new career. I told my daughter that I was not crippled up enough yet to settle down & do child care for my grandkids.. I'll see that set of grandkids next month & be there (in our RV) for the rest of the summer.
DeleteI wouldn't mind that.
DeleteSo you work 9 eights? We have that option here, and a few take it, but I prefer the flex-sked I'm on. I work my 40 however I choose, often leaving early on Friday. I still have 11-14 years left to work if, although we have a handful of gents in their 70s here. Nobody is forcing anyone out.
ReplyDeleteYup, 9/80. It took some getting used to, but the every other weekend is a three day is nice.
DeleteI could probably work until I drop, I'd like to still be useful but...
Also, the book needs tending to, and that takes time.
Seems like life is a period of adjustments, one way or another.
ReplyDeleteThe dynamic of a really good relationship with coworkers is pretty special.
True, little tweaks here and there to keep all the balls in the air.
DeleteOr most of them anyway.
Time is the most valuable thing you have. Use it wisely.
ReplyDeleteGood point Rob.
DeleteThere is a great joy in being good at your job and your job being good to you. The combination is amazing. Miss one joy and it can truly suck, especially if it is the job that is no joy.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the job is keeping you young and providing a good mental challenge. Jobs that are drudgery will eat you alive and kill your soul quicker than anything.
Can't wait to the big announcement. Wonder who's getting married or who's having a child? Or both?
As to a good day with the wife. Nothing is better, isn't it?
Looking forward to catching BJ's book. Thanks for the heads up.
The book is really good. Tough to put down.
DeleteThanks for the shout out! The photo on the cover was from an airshow in Minnesota. - Brigid
ReplyDeleteThe book is amazing Brigid!
Delete"...meet up with Clan Lex." When you do, say ' hello ' to Mary for me. I'm sure she doesn't remember me, but I'll never forget meeting her because of what she gave me.
ReplyDeleteAs I never worked in the type of environment in which you work, I'm sure I don't fully understand the ambivalence which you are feeling. ( Ambivalence may not be the correct word, but it's the best I can come up with right now. ) However, having come to know you to some degree from your web site, I know you will come through this phase of your life just fine.
Nice view in the opening photo. I shall add the book to my list.
Thanks for the post.
Paul L. Quandt
I will certainly give Mary a "hello" from you. She is a most gracious lady.
DeleteAmbivalence is exactly the right word for what I'm feeling about work versus retirement. There are pros and cons to each course of action. We shall see.
Definitely read the book, it's a treasure!
By the by, "...we were both on "The Rock" and he was known as Chuckles." This story would make a good post, I am thinking.
ReplyDeletePaul
I might have told that one, I'll dig through the archives.
Delete75 next month and still working. Guess work is my hobby.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I refer to my job at times. 75 and still going strong, stay tough WSF!
DeleteWe don't see it so much anymore. There was only one blogger I know that used it to express his feeling about time, 'the fire in which all men burn.'
ReplyDeleteSigh...
DeleteI remember.