OK. So now I have a lot of time on my hands. I remember complaining, through the years,  that there was to little time and too much to do. But now it is the reverse. I know many people would relish this luxury because they have developed hobbies and habits that they want to pursue. But for me, a person whose whole life was defined by work, retirement is a challenge and that makes me laugh. People do not understand. Are you crazy?  If I could look forward to weekends free and summers off I would be in heaven. Be careful what you wish for!
As with everything in life, each chapter is what I like to call, a happening! My husband and two daughters enjoyed many happenings as they grew up. There were no rules, no designated stops and a hazy, if best, destination. We would pile into the car packed with only necessities and a target destination and drive down any beckoning roadway in pursuit of the perfect memory. And there were many! Now my children are grown and have children of their own and the thought of getting into a car with a nowhere destination is as unappealing as retirement.
Oh, I have not lost my sense of adventure. However, now it will cost more and I will be much more comfortable knowing where I am going to end up. Let the happenings begin!  Laughing, laughing, laughing!

Maybe I should give air travel a pass!

     I recently took a trip to visit some dear friends in Vegas and decided against gambling. My  plane landed beautifully and was taxing to the gate when it slammed on its brakes. Trying to lighten the mood the stewardess said, "That is why we ask you to keep your seat belt fastened until the plane comes to a complete stop."  Evidently, another taxing airplane did not see us and we almost collided. So I figured I had used up a Hugh chunk of luck in that encounter and gambling would be a risk. I had a wonderful time in Vegas, the highlight being a rafting trip on the Colorado river.
     The two other trips I took this year had flight issues also and I was beginning to think air travel was not a good choice for me. Visiting a friend in Maryland my departure flight was canceled due to lightening. My trip to South Carolina my flight was delayed six hours due to high winds in Chicago. I figured I had my air travel incident all handled in the Vegas arrival. I boarded the plane at 2pm. for a return flight. It was very hot in Vegas and the old "it's a dry heat" excuse for why it is bearable did not impress at 109@. It was hot! As we taxied to the runway the captain announced the temperature in Chicago. Hot, Hot, Hot! Oh yes, and humid...although he did not say this. The engine fired for takeoff and then the pilot slammed on the brakes. Everyone flew forward in their seat waiting to see what happened. A warning light had gone off in the cockpit and the flight had to be aborted. We taxied back to the gate with no air conditioning on the plane and had to deplane. Six hours later a new plane arrived and I was headed home. I'm thinking maybe I should give air travel a pass for awhile.

Moving on towards health.

        I can honestly say that I never began feeling old until I hit sixty. Maybe it is because we finely sold our full service restaurant of thirty seven years and I now have time to relax. I still work a full time job but it is like being on vacation compared to being in the hectic environment of a restaurant. Or maybe it is because my body is punishing me for the long hours and frenzied pace. Whatever the reason I notice I am not as spry as I use to be and my knees hurt from standing on concrete to cook and running from table to table to please and serve.
     All in all though, I feel pretty good considering. I do have issues. Don't we all?
     I could rant about those issues the loss, the heartache, the grudges; oh yeah, sorry I hold a lot of grudges. But instead I would like to consider them life lessons that I will never repeat. I want to focus on the joys and the gifts I have been given, and they are many. One of those gifts is the gift of health. Oh yes, as everyone I have issues with health too. But what I am talking about is the big stuff. The stuff that is life changing.
     I have too many friends with cancer, that I want to stop counting. I have lost so many wonderful people that enriched my life that I can not attend a funeral without uncontrollable sobbing. This is, in a way, a bit funny because some of my closest friends are involved in the funeral business. Their funeral home is across the street from what, use to be, our restaurant. We grew up together and now it has come to them drawing straws to see who will sit next to me in a funeral church service. I have turned sixty with all it's life wisdom and I am laughing at myself.