Portrait of a Retired Person

 

Today I joined the ranks of the retired.  It was not an easy thing to do, because I had been performing my job for quite a few years, and there are many things about it that I will miss.  I will be forever thankful for the work I was given to do and the people with whom I worked.


It was time to retire, though.  I look forward to morning walks and afternoon naps.  If I get up at 5 am, it will be because I choose to get up then.  In high school I was known as an artist.  It's time to be an artist again.  Once an English major, always an English major, there are books to read and hopefully things to write about.  There are sewing projects.   There is a house that needs better feng shui.  There are grown children and growing grandchildren to visit.  There are national parks to explore.  It is possible that I will do better about cooking.  Next winter when there is snow and ice, I will be comfortably at home in my sweat pants.


This is something of a big change in my life...  we shall see how it all unfolds.

Improvements to the Longview Lake Trails

Improvements are underway along the Longview Lake biking and hiking trails.  The old asphalt is being removed and replaced with crushed limestone, as shown in the photo.  The improved trails will be considerably wider, too, which will provide added safety for bicyclists and walkers.  There's still a bit of work to be done, but progress has been made.

The Luna Moth

A luna moth has been on our patio door screen at least since Saturday morning.  Oh, and by the way, they don't glow in the dark like they show on the Lunesta commercials.

Look! Up in the Air! Is it a B747-400?

Debbie has been in Miami Since late April, training to fly the B747-400, a new high-tech airplane.  On June 26, 2010, she passed her check ride in the simulator, and received her new rating.  In order to get to that point, there were many hours of study, exams, and work in the classroom and in the simulator.  Ten weeks is a long time to be away from home, and Debbie will be very happy to return home to Denver for a few days of rest and relaxation before she begins flying again.

The Howth Loop Trail

Cindy, John, Liam, and Miles recently visited Ireland.  Here are Miles, Cindy, and Liam where they stopped for lunch along the Howth Loop Trail, overlooking the Irish Sea.  Ireland is such a beautiful country, and Howth is particularly so.

Fathers Day

The man in the center of this photo is my dad.  The little child beside him--that would be me.  There is also my mother and my two elder brothers.


My dad had a favorite greeting, (please bear with me on the spelling, because I am unsure of it):


How's your corporacity seem to be negatiating?


To which, we were expected to respond:


In a supreme state of unsophisticated felicity.


It meant, simply:


How are you?


I am fine.


I hope that everyone who reads this is in a supreme state of unsophisticated felicity.

The Big Worm

Herb called out in a voice filled with excitement:  Get the camera and come see this!
(Some may consider us a low-key family, but we tend to become enthusiastic about this kind of thing.)  There was what looked like an earthworm on steroids crossing our front walk, headed for the damp shadows under the Japanese yews.  It was definitely a worm, not a small snake.  For comparison, that's Herb's shoe, which measures about 12 inches long.  On close examination (down on my hands and knees), I could see the worm's little round mouth.  I did not examine the other end.


You know, I really do think I should have studied Biology.