Retired and Bucket List

Time is still flying and I am as busy as ever but still enjoying it. It seems like I can stay busy but doing things when I want and as I want to for the most part. I think that is the real pleasure and key part to being retired. I always thought that when I was lucky enough to retire that I would travel and do all the things I was able to do or didn't have time to do while I was working. Of course I knew that I would have to have money in the bank and my health so that I could do those things. WELL, I got part of the equation in that I have some money in the bank, less this year than I had 1 1/2 years ago, but I do have my health. I am physically able to get around real well and like doing some physical things, walking, bicycle riding, go-kart racing, going on photo shoots, etc., but also enjoying relaxing and kicking back.

I have a list that is probably 2 pages or so long with the list of my "to do's" and although they are not my "must do's" they could be called my "Bucket List". The nice thing about the list is that they all or mostly all within reach. I don't have to travel to far points of the world or spend a lot of money (oh yes, some are rather expensive) because these are things that I can do and want to do. Since I have gotten more involved in photography a good number of the things have to do with going places to get great photos or doing things to get that "perfect photo".

Needless to say, most things on the list are there because I have got a good friend and life companion to share these adventures with. Since I met Suzanne, 2 years 1 month and 2 weeks ago, I have laughed more and just flat enjoyed life more than I can ever remember. Sure, being retired has helped because I was able to relax and not answer the phone at all hours of the day or night, or stress about getting something done by this time or this date. Also, with her I have talked or walked or enjoyed the slower pace. We like the same things and yet are able to let the other go do what they want to while we do our thing. We thank eHarmony almost daily and praise their organization constantly for matching us or at least introducing us. Often times we will be going somewhere or just sitting around and we talk and talk and talk about everything. It is great that we are able to do this as we therefore learn about each other and learn about ourselves. In our conversations we sometimes think about things or realize things about ourselves that we didn't know or think about before. Occasionally we point out a flaw or short coming about our previous lifetime (that is how we think about it, "a previous lifetime", and realize how we were so involved in our work or ourselves that we didn't consider the effect on others around us.

I am sure that aging and maturing have a lot to do with our view points but it is funny sometimes how you can really get deep in to your brain and soul and pull out some real gems. I know that in our conversations I often just "blurt out" what I am thinking and it is so truthful and so revealing. I used to joke about how older people sometimes would say things without thinking about the consequences but it was just the truth, and hey, they had been around long enough to give an opinion. (wow, now I am one of those older people). Honesty can be enlightening and revealing at the same time.

I guess you may wonder what some of my bucket list things might include and although some are written down a lot of them are floating around in my head. You may be thinking that I should write these down quick before I forget them and you may be right. The nice thing about a bucket list is that it is ever growing and ever changing. I am going to a photo class tomorrow then out on a photo shoot with friends, next week I will read a little and study some, maybe take another photo class and then go out for a day at the races to photo Go-Karts in action. I have other things planned but they may be local or a ways away and maybe I'll do them or not. Life is to be enjoyed and in these times it may be a little difficult but I try to relax and enjoy my time with Suzanne and enjoy my time here before I get called away.