North Carolina Thanksgiving

Shelley and I took different Thanksgiving paths this year. She visited her aging father in Lincoln, NE, while I visited my son in North Carolina. They love watching Husker football, but this year’s team has been challenging.

I arrived in NC on Tuesday morning. The rainy/misty weather made biking impossible. After the airport, we went grocery shopping and planned Thursday’s feast. This year, we’ll have at least four more guests, bringing the total to 14-16 adults and a child. My son’s neighbor hosted, so we brought a dish to share. It was a feast.

I made a Tater Tot hot dish, which was my favorite!  The recipe was simple.  Information at https://www.spendwithpennies.com/easy-tater-tot-hotdish/

I went on bike rides over the past three days: 27.55 miles on Wednesday, 20.16 miles on Thursday, and a shorter 13.32 miles today. I could feel it in my legs, but since I am on vacation, I get plenty of rest—although I am not sleeping well!

While I was here, I also took some pictures of my son, Kira, and the dog, LuLu. They are below.  

We're still three days away. Then, I'll be home to the siding contractor, who will be causing some disruption for about a week.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

An upsetting event

In my previous post, I had mentioned that I had decided to retire at the age of 61 due to the premature passing of several friends. On November 1, 2023, I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of another dear coworker, Rebecca “Becky” Schindler (Robertson), at the age of 50.

Our paths crossed in 1996 when Becky was still a college student. We hired her as an intern, and I had the pleasure of working with her extensively during that summer. Becky possessed exceptional talent and dedication. Upon her graduation, we offered her a full-time position, and she remained with us throughout her career. Becky’s unwavering commitment to her family was truly admirable. She consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and stayed with the same employer for her entire professional career. Her impact on me and many others has been profoundly positive.

Becky and I developed a close friendship and became excellent colleagues. I witnessed her personal growth, including her marriage and the birth of two wonderful children. Last year, I had the honor of attending her first child’s high school graduation. Regrettably, her second child will not be able to experience this milestone with her mother. This situation is profoundly sad. While I strive to find the positive aspects in this challenging world, it is becoming increasingly complex.

Becky was profoundly religious and a staunch conservative. Despite our differing political views, we engaged in meaningful conversations that often elicited strong reactions from both of us. However, she was a remarkable friend, even amidst our disagreements. We respected each other and cared for one another. I will deeply miss her. It is rare to encounter individuals who possess such a profound sense of mutual respect in our conversations. When we find ourselves on opposite sides of the political spectrum, it is disheartening to witness the prevalence of hatred.

It is crucial to recognize that our time on earth is finite. Therefore, we should embrace each day as if it were our last while simultaneously planning for the future, the following year, the next decade, and beyond.

Carry on my friends, carry on!