Retirement???

I'm taking a few days off this week and just being a bum -- well that's probably not an accurate description. I wonder if this is what retirement feels like. Yesterday I worked on a couple of minor projects, did some mowing, bought some parts for a repair job this morning, and then just "piddled" around the house. I played the guitar and the fiddle some and read and took a nap. This morning I got up and completed the repair job that I bought parts for yesterday and then mowed and edged the lawn. I plan on relaxing the rest of the day. I may read, nap, or blog....

Tomorrow I may take on another minor project and then I plan on golfing on Thursday morning. I'm not much of a golfer but it can be enjoyable occasionally. This weekend my son is traveling to Midland, Texas, to "Rock the Desert" which is a 2-plus day Christian music festival. While he is in Midland, my spouse and I plan on heading up to Raton, New Mexico, for the weekend. We've not spent much time in that part of New Mexico. It is usually just an area we pass through on our way elsewhere. I've heard there's some good fishing in the area and I plan on scouting it out. Mainly though, we just plan on relaxing for a couple of days.

Raton is probably the nearest point from us to the mountains. It's only about 3 1/2 hours drive from here. That's not bad. It is close enough that we someday might want to build a small cabin getaway. You never know.

We are expecting high temperatures of 100 degrees or more for the rest of the week. Any projects will need to be done in the mornings and the afternoons will be better spent indoors. I've had my share of working out in the hot sun and wind. If I can avoid it, I will.

Retirement is something
We all work toward
Although it is a point that I think is misnamed.
It is really a time of self reward
Where we decide that it's our time to choose

Just what it is we do each day
Rather than punching someone else's clock.
For many people it is a time to quit
But for others it's opportunity's knock
That starts them on the path

Of their own choosing rather than
Jumping at the whim of a boss.
It is a time to enjoy what you've worked to acquire
Or you will be at a loss
And slowly drift into the nursing home.

I look forward to the change that is signaled
By what we call retirement
Although I will never stop working or
Achieving because I believe we are meant
To be productive as long as we are able.