As you will see in pretty short order, I have no idea what I'm doing trying to teach myself how to start a blog. So please bear with me and contribute suggestions on how I should be doing it.
Just a little back ground. Up until about 2 years ago I have worked at some sort of "job" since the age of 12 when I mowed lawns in the summer time to make a little money for myself. The next summer at the age of 13 bused tables and washed dishes in the student lounge at Iowa State University for 55 cents an hour. (And all the left over French Fries and Florida oranges you could ever want) I've shoveled manure, stocked grocery shelves, cashiered, driven school and city buses, grilled hamburgers, managed restaurants, installed and repaired dental office equipment, detailed new cars, been a service writer at several car dealerships, managed a auto service department, and the last 25 years worked for the premier truck manufacturer, PACCAR. The last 20 years as an IT person.
As I approached the later years in my life, I was terrified by the prospect of not knowing what I was going to do to occupy my time. For that primary reason and the fact I had not prepared for retirement financially very well, I waited until I was 70 years of age before pulling the plug on the "working" stage of my life and beginning the "Golden Years" as they say. Who the heck are "They" anyway?
Well I have to tell you, that first 6 months of retirement was not very fun for me. In fact I would suggest that I came very close to what I assume was clinical depression. For the last several years I had always said that I would be a "Snowbird". I love the Pacific North West. It's a beautiful place to live and gave massive opportunities to pursue my love of the water and sailing. But the winter weather was beginning to bother me more and more each successive year.
As fate would have it, I spent most of that first summer on Whidbey Island which, in my opinion, is the nicest place in the PNW. While there and living close to one of my lovely daughters and son-in-law's home, I had the opportunity to use some of the tools in their garage to build a boarding ladder for their new sailboat. I had a great time designing and building this ladder which folds up to take up less storage space when not deployed. I thoroughly enjoyed the design faze and then executing that design. And it turned out very nice and functional, Even if I do say so myself.
Just a little back ground. Up until about 2 years ago I have worked at some sort of "job" since the age of 12 when I mowed lawns in the summer time to make a little money for myself. The next summer at the age of 13 bused tables and washed dishes in the student lounge at Iowa State University for 55 cents an hour. (And all the left over French Fries and Florida oranges you could ever want) I've shoveled manure, stocked grocery shelves, cashiered, driven school and city buses, grilled hamburgers, managed restaurants, installed and repaired dental office equipment, detailed new cars, been a service writer at several car dealerships, managed a auto service department, and the last 25 years worked for the premier truck manufacturer, PACCAR. The last 20 years as an IT person.
As I approached the later years in my life, I was terrified by the prospect of not knowing what I was going to do to occupy my time. For that primary reason and the fact I had not prepared for retirement financially very well, I waited until I was 70 years of age before pulling the plug on the "working" stage of my life and beginning the "Golden Years" as they say. Who the heck are "They" anyway?
Well I have to tell you, that first 6 months of retirement was not very fun for me. In fact I would suggest that I came very close to what I assume was clinical depression. For the last several years I had always said that I would be a "Snowbird". I love the Pacific North West. It's a beautiful place to live and gave massive opportunities to pursue my love of the water and sailing. But the winter weather was beginning to bother me more and more each successive year.
As fate would have it, I spent most of that first summer on Whidbey Island which, in my opinion, is the nicest place in the PNW. While there and living close to one of my lovely daughters and son-in-law's home, I had the opportunity to use some of the tools in their garage to build a boarding ladder for their new sailboat. I had a great time designing and building this ladder which folds up to take up less storage space when not deployed. I thoroughly enjoyed the design faze and then executing that design. And it turned out very nice and functional, Even if I do say so myself.
During this time of extended interaction with my daughter's family and specifically my grandson, Cory, I learned of his interest, no obsession, with the British TV series; Dr. Who. And specifically the Tardis which is an integral component of the series. As a result I spent about 6 weeks building a full sized Tardis with Cory providing input on what it should look like. It gave me a great deal of joy and satisfaction to be able to use my fairly analytical brain and my hands to create something from nothing. And it gives me great joy that both of these creations are still in use and enjoyed today.
Much of the earlier feelings of uselessness and depression were now gone and I was again enjoying life. A state much better suited to my normal way of life. As fall approached, I knew I would be leaving soon to go south to Panama to spend the Fall, Winter, and Spring months there. Didn't know just how that would manifest itself, but feeling much better that it would be a great new adventure.
Well that's the introduction to my new life as a Snowbird. Dividing time between my family and friends in the PNW and my days in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Stay tuned for the next addition.
Well that's the introduction to my new life as a Snowbird. Dividing time between my family and friends in the PNW and my days in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Stay tuned for the next addition.