June 2019 (very, very late in posting)

Apparently I am too busy with my "new" life to blog.  That may well be.  Where were we.....  way back in May, I believe.  Seems like a lifetime ago.

First I must say that I suck at staying retired.  I have been working at least 1/2 time since I left full-time work.  This is a conflict for me.  I like doing things on my own terms (yes!) but I also like the challenge that some of the work offers.  So most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays I do at least a bit of work, sometimes a whole day's worth.

May/June 2019 catch-up

There was a lot of gardening in there.  You would have laughed out loud to see me in my anti-mosquito outfit.  First a ball cap, covered by a net hat.  Heavy sweatshirt, leather gloves, heavy canvas pants tucked into rubber boots.  Not going to get bit by those suckers!

There was quite a bit of Hospice work.  I even did a presentation on cultural safety at a meeting. (the Real speaker couldn't make it!).  I visited in the hospital every Thursday afternoon.

There were band practices every Sunday evening and choir every Wednesday until the concert early June.The band played a few gigs around town which was fun.

I practiced viol and cello in there somewhere and got together with my good fiddling friend, Marilyn every week we could manage.

There was Tai Chi a couple of times a week as well.

We had a really nice house/not a house concert with Gary Fjellgaard.  So many people wanted to come that we moved it to the 100 Mile United Church and we had a full "house" with about 90 people.

June started out warm and the mosquitos were horrible!  We put up two net tents - one for the table and one for the hot tub.  We couldn't have gone outside without them.  Then as quickly as it turned warm, it got cool and started to rain.

Melissa and Cathryn came by on the way to the coast and back.  Short and sweet visits.  Cathryn was staying out at Ruby Lake for a while.

Mid June I went to Vancouver to work for a week while my replacement was away on a vacation.  Because I was in Vancouver, I was able to go to the Graduation of Gretchen MacNaughton, daughter of my boss and friend, April.  She was loaded down with all the awards and scholarships she won!

That same week Dad turned 90 and I made my way up for the celebration and caught up with all the family in Sechelt before heading home.

The last week of June it really started to rain.  And once it started, it didn't know how to quit.  It was dull and depressing.

So what does all the activity of May and June 2019 tell me and you about retirement?  I don't think I qualify to comment.  But when I look back over the changes, it is not the number of activities (Tai Chi and Hospice are the only really new things) but the attitude.  Things feel a bit more on my terms.  And even though I still worked quite a bit, I didn't feel the full weight of responsibility and I certainly didn't feel any need to get involved in the politics.  So busy, yes, but with a difference.