I’m about to see if I have both passion and perseverance for the things I’d like to do in retirement. I believe I’ve had those assets in my professional life and I’m looking forward to seeing if I can cut it in my own work. I know I get along with the new boss and I’m partially in control of the budget. So we are off to a good start.

I’d like to leave something special for all my family. Be it images, words, carvings, videos, or just my time and energies or all of them.

I’d love to create a beautiful picture of the place I live because I see a lot of beauty in it. I’d love to do a few books even though I don’t consider myself a writer. I’d like to see others enjoy the meals I prepare. I’d like to teach my grandkids anything they want to learn and maybe some things they haven’t thought of.

I want to make something and be something special for my friends. Be it lending an ear, a shared experience, laughs by the firepits, or a phone call to a vacation or a special image or video. I want to be the best friend I can be.

I want to do something for others. For instance, I had thought about taking the work I’ve created at Arlington National Cemetery and offering prints or images to anyone who has family or friends interned there for nothing. Or maybe do a photo book and donate any profits to family members of the lost military in need. Maybe volunteer to do gravesite photos for families that live far away at various seasons.

I’m sure I’ll be out and about doing some volunteer work of some sort. There is a local place called Small Miracles Rescue that a friend told me about and I might inquire about putting some time in there. I could kill two birds with one stone if I spent some of the time walking the dogs. I like cats also and I’ve missed having a pet of my own for years now. So I think I’d get as much enjoyment from the contact with pets as they would with me.

I’m trying to get a jump on things and I’m getting a lot more done in my personal life and hobbies than I have in a while. Trouble is I’m burning the candle at both ends. Soon I can extinguish one side.

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Random Thoughts of the Day

• Nothing like going into retirement with a new hammock.
• One thing I’m trying to resist the urge for in retirement is tinkering with my car. It’s a lot of fun but also can be a pricey hobby.
• It would be nice if hostilities near and far could be paused for the season. It would be better if they were paused forever.
• As I reach for the bottle of water in the fridge I can’t help but stare at the Cherry Coke and hear it whisper “Drink me”.