It’s almost Labor Day and I’m wondering where the summer went, let alone the year.
It’s my first year of retirement and it seems to be sailing past.
As we all know, we probably had the mildest winter in a lifetime. The lack of snow seemed very appealing at first but, as I would learn, the lack of precipitation would have consequences later on.
Terri and I had decided to get away from upstate New York for part of the winter. The past couple of years I had rented a condo in North Myrtle Beach and she visited the middle two weeks of the month I was there. I loved the daily routine of walking thee beach for an hour each morning with a cup of coffee while listening to NPR. I would have breakfast, go to the gym and read on the beach for the rest of the day. Listening to the waves crash on the beach all night was pretty tranquil.
This year we decided to try another location and settled on Asheville, North Carolina. Set in the mountains on the North Carolina-Tennessee border it afforded some great hiking opportunities. Asheville is a pretty compact city. We rented a house in North Asheville and were able to walk into the city each day for breakfast or lunch depending on what time we got moving.
Asheville has a neighborhood called the “South Slope” which is home to 19 craft breweries and barbecue places all within walking distance of one another. Adjacent to that neighborhood is the “River Arts District.” In which a number of warehouses have been converted to artist studios. It also has the Vanderbilt Estate with its mansion and miles of beautifully kept walking, biking trails and bridle paths.
The University of North Carolina-Asheville caters to retirees, offering a number of educational courses and programs geared to their interests.
Terri and I agreed that if our children and grandchild were not living in Central New York, it would be a tempting place to relocate in retirement.
Returning home in April, it seemed summer was here.
If the winter seemed barren of snow, the summer was the hottest and driest that I could remember. It was ideal for golf although I can’t say that my game has approved measurably. After a few initial cuttings, the lawn didn’t need much mowing.
We live on a well and it didn’t occur to me that we might have a problem until Terri filled the 100 gallon water trough that the mules drink from and I went to get a drink of water and nothing came out of the tap. Fortunately water came back after a half an hour and the water conservation light bulb went on in my head.
On some days we were able to kill two birds with one stone by diving in our two acre pond to escape the heat with body wash and shampoo. Waiting until we had a full load before running the dish washer and clothes washer, along with other measures large and small.
I did learn that the five hens that Terri bought to add to her menagerie didn’t require much water. The only complication they presented was the mules sticking their heads into the chicken coop because they liked the chickens’ food. Go figure.
As the days got longer, hotter and dryer I found myself getting wistful about life in the city.
I also wanted to strangle anyone who denied the existence of climate change.
When we got a succession of thunder storms during these past two week I felt like a kid on Christmas morning.
Retirement is great. I enjoy it more with each passing day.
I have changed my outlook in one respect.
I was always saying that I wished the winters would slip by as fast as the summers seemed to.
It has now occurred to me that if that came true, I’d be dead in no time.
I’m looking forward to a real long winter and a lot of water next spring.
Hi Joe, Hi Terry,
So much of what you say so much of the time is just what I am feeling. Does that have anything to do with the years we have spent living and learning.
I love your blogs, have a wonderful end of summer. Take care. Jeanne
Thanks, Jeanne. I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog. I think when we get to our age and retire, we just have more time to ponder and reflect. Enjoy this time.
How our perspectives change with circumstances. I have become a steward of water watching the Great Lakes system rise & fall at our cottage. We have also become like the rest of the “old people” doing the Snowbird routine & loving the opportunity!
Ame, you’re right about perspectives changing and, of course, we are the only species blessed or cursed with 20/20 hindsight. As far as the “old people” routine goes, it is wisdom that makes you realize warm weather during winter is a wise choice. Just remember that we are only young once but we can be immature forever. I still live by that sentiment.