October 9, 2026
It's been a while since I've been here however today I found a little free (spare) time which if rare these days as I've reached the "over halfway" part of being in my eighth decade on our glorious planet. It's not easy getting old (or in my case, older) and I'm reminded of the quote by Bette Davis “Old age is no place for sissies.”
Today however, it is Friday of "Fleet Week" in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Blue Angels United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron flew over my neighborhood making a lots of noise, which only ignited the patriotism gene that I have, causing me to go outside and enjoy the show and be so very happy that I live in the country in which I do, enjoy the benefits of the best "microclimate" on the planet, and get to enjoy retirement in all its glory.
I've returned recently from an automobile excursion through several states including driving out of California, through Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska and Iowa, driving through Kansas City and ending up at a gathering of like-minded people that I get to see on occasion, and if I'm lucky, once a year. A week visiting, sharing, learning and participating ended with another excursion enjoying our country through Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and ending up back in Southern California for the ride home. We live in a wonderful country.
Now that I'm back at home it's relaxing, convenient, enjoyable and liberating knowing that I don't have the responsibility to go anywhere or do anything (until next year where I've committed to representing one of my organizations in a National Conference) but go to bed when I'm ready, getting up when I'm ready, eating when I feel like I need to and keeping up the "old homestead" with only the responsibilities of paying bills (the monthly kind like utilities, insurance, property taxes (due this month), and I'm fortunate to be able to (just barely) cover these recurring costs. It's a small price to pay to be able to live in one of the best places on the planet.
So, it seems like I've been considering each day at home similar to a well-deserved vacation where I get to sit on a beautiful beach, sip a tasty cocktail through a straw (the kind with a little umbrella), and enjoy the weather. It seems like that, even though I am sitting in my "Driveway Sittin' Chair" in my driveway, watching the neighborhood and getting to watch the Blue Angels overhead. Retirement is a wonderful thing.
If you get a chance, stop by my project website at www.WozMemorial.com for updates and photos.
