Three things that used to be a lot easier: getting up from a squat; getting out of my car; feeling hopeful about the future.
Three things I appreciate: that rare quiet day in my neighborhood; having the most alarming health number from today’s annual be that I’m 4’11” something; a good night’s sleep.
Three projects I’m making progress on: a random patchwork blanket; my Supreme Court wall hanging; uploading book to various platforms.
In three weeks, Ken retires.
Nice! I love the Supreme Court piece, but you already knew that. I hope you and K take up flat water kayaking and join us for paddling adventures. No tenting tho’, please.
I don’t know how tall you were last year, but I think 4′ 11″ is better than 5’11”. Who would want to be that tall?
I have been rolling up the bottoms of all my long pants for the last few years and I refuse to hem them. So?
Your book!!! Your book!!
I think I was five foot even last year. I knew this was coming.
We HAVE two kayaks. We havent used them in so long they’re probably defective.
cool … just test them first of course 🙂 goes for old as well new boats.
Of all of your 3 things, your book, your height, and Ken’s retiring, stand out: You know how I feel about your important Supreme Court cloth, it deserves to be seen by many. As for the future, I simply am giving myself a pause, where the future is concerned, lest I drop down into a pit of despair that even my usual optimistic outlook will not let me climb out of… no, my focus is on good things here because my darling Dad always told me that good things always come in 3’s:
Good thing # 1: Your book is so eagerly awaited; any time you send word on how it is going, makes for a good day.
Good thing # 2: Now that you are shorter, why you can simply call yourself Petite which to me has long been a term of endearment especially since I lost over 2 inches over the past twenty years! The term Petite gives us an ethereal and gamine quality that I quite like…(Audrey Hepburn has always been my feminine ideal.)
Good thing # 3: Ken’s retiring will bring a whole new chapter to your lives that will be rewarding, possibly frustrating at times, but over all, a wonderful time of enriching each other. I speak from over 23 years of experience. When Rich retired at 58, I wondered now what ? The what turned out to be a fascinating time of exploring this country and getting to know each other in a way not previously experienced.. We had to rely on each other, as we moved about the country, not knowing a single soul in the many states that we lived in for over eleven years. We discovered we each had unique strengths and interests., I was more outgoing and loved to listen to a good story as well as telling a good story. Rich took a somewhat more “scientific” approach to a new place, wanting to know about the land and the history. It made for a good combination. As you and Ken explore this next phase together, may you learn new things about each other and have many unexpected and good experiences..”
Thank you Marti. Why were you moving around so much? We look forward to what’s next although the idea of downsizing is very daunting. He too is more scientific. Likes non-fiction. Is a planner. Very handy about the house. I tend to shoot from the hip and make sweeping assumptions! But it’s a good push/pull.
Rich wanted to see the country in an RV, I told him no because he would be dead by my hand in a week, if we lived in an RV. So we took the $ that would have been used to buy an RV, and with a little more, moved every couple of years, sometimes, staying as long as five years, renting houses, in interesting small communities, finding them after doing extensive research.
Rich had a national wanderlust but for me, it was more deeply personal A few weeks before my Dad died, he asked me to go and see his glorious America. I took his request to heart. He was so proud to have become a citizen of America, always he called it America, never the USA, why I do not know. He had come here in 1923 on a contract to be a shepherd, working for the man who would become my godfather when I was baptized. My Dad traveled across the USA by train, marveling at all that he saw. Spent a little time in New York before moving to California and working there as well as in Idaho and Nevada.
Love your scotus piece ( but not the reason behind the need to create it!!!)
& Some happy things in the post! 😅
Yay!
I think you and I might just be the same height 😂
You too? BTW who is this?
retirement, such an odd concept, when you think about it; sounds like your Ken is much like my Duco, very level headed et cetera, whereas I’m always busy with several things all at once, almost never in the order I’d planned (I notice this in many of my female friends). As long as there’s friendship respect and laughter [I know I don’t ask for much;-)] spending lots of time together is bliss!
Are you moving?
Grrr, politics, your piece is magnificent btw! Was political life in Western democracies really better a few years ago? it does seem that way
Look forward to reading your book!!! there are fortunately many things to look forward to
Because of Covid, Ken has been working from home for years and his international travel pretty much vanished. So the transition doesn’t feel worrying. Nevertheless I dread having no more excuses for beginning the hard work of getting rid of some of our stuff.
So much goodness, big goodness here Dee. Your Supreme Court wall hanging is stellar…RETIREMENT!! Yes. Looking forward to seeing the patchwork…and your BOOK!!! Yay.
I’m 5 feet now. Didn’t use to be. sigh.
Funny I pictured you as much taller. Like 5’6” or something.
I noticed last your that getting up from the floor was becoming impossible without help .. I started doing 10 squats every time I’d go to the bathroom 🤣😂I know I felt funny when I first started but it works.
Retirement .. is the best thing ever!! I worried a bit when Michael retired because I was 3 years ahead of him and had found a comfortable Routine .. but no problems!! You’ll love it!!
Lastly .. can’t wait to actually have your book in hand.
Stay well …
Sending you wonderful summer BLESSINGS 😘
Squats are a great idea. Right now I’m adding leg kicks (to work my hip) to my morning and evening routines (while brushing teeth etc.)
Whatever you do, do not let go of that beautiful house in Newton. You can never get it back now. The one thing I regret about moving after retirement is that when I wanted to go back to Brookline I could no longer afford it as a retiree. My two cents.
This house would costs at least 2.5x what we paid for it (and maybe 3x) but I don’t want to be here forever and we can’t afford a second house so…