Retirement and a trip

LuLu - Australian Shepherd

On Friday, January 31, I attended the retirement ceremony of my former supervisor, who retired a year after I did. I am retiring at 61, but he is only 55! In my opinion, he needed to retire because of his health and stress, but that’s just a guess. He disliked conflict, and I handled most of the controversial and complex issues for over a decade, shielding him from them. My replacement is more similar to my supervisor and shares many of his qualities. I hope he made the right decision.

On Saturday, I flew with Delta Airlines to Cary, NC. I had plans to work with my son on bikes, build prosthetics, plan his epic trip route, babysit the puppy, and visit. I left my camera equipment at home, assuming there wouldn't be many sightseeing opportunities, as this time of year tends to have fewer activities due to the cooler weather.

The flight proceeded smoothly, but many passengers felt uneasy after two recent air crashes. The most severe incident was a military helicopter colliding with an approaching American Airlines plane over the Potomac River in Washington, DC.

Unexpectedly, on Sunday, I was sore and had difficulty walking, and I felt like heavy water retention was an issue.  I rode a bicycle outside for the first year this year for the past three days, 20 miles on Sunday, 30 miles on Monday, and 20 miles yesterday.  Today, the forecast is 40 degrees, which may be difficult to ride.  I also lifted weights on Monday, so a day off may be warranted.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Images and outings

I consistently ride my bike every other day. In early January, I took three consecutive days off, which was exhausting, so I chose to alternate my days. During the warmer months, I plan to ride outside and enjoy exercise on my off days. Using Rouvy, makes me quite competitive, and it offers a challenging workout! So far, I’ve traveled 278 miles in about 17 hours, averaging 16.35 miles per hour—quite a good pace. Most rides over the past two weeks have been at least 16 miles, with some exceeding 20 miles. Despite being careful with my iron intake, I haven’t noticed any changes. I will continue to monitor my health and explore ways to improve it.

I have been diligent about my iron intake, yet I haven't noticed any improvement. I will continue to monitor my health and look for ways to improve.

I did get out and test the new camera at a friend's broomball game.  It was my first time seeing Broomball in action.  It was a cold day, but it was worth the experience.  Sample images below.

In case you missed a previous update, we relocated our mom from the Wheatland, North Dakota, farm to All Saints Senior Living in Shakopee, Minnesota, this past August. Her adjustment has not been as smooth as we had hoped, and the expenses are nearing $5,000 per month. We have been researching options and found a new residence for her in Prior Lake, which resembles North Dakota-style housing. We plan to move her there next month, with an estimated monthly cost of approximately $2,900. This lower rent is available through a buydown program, which requires an upfront payment of $17,000. The program will be repaid in roughly 15 months, but it is non-refundable if she passes away. At this rate, her funds should last approximately eight years.

Today, I took my mom to see the snow sculptures at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. This year, fewer people entered the competition, likely because there has been very little snow, and the weather forecast predicts temperatures will rise to 50 degrees on Wednesday. Interestingly, Florida has already received more snow than Minnesota so far this year! Some images are included below.

  

 

My retirement savings are still on track. I hope this will be a more decisive year for the market, but I worry President Trump will undermine much of the stability. He is not a leader but a dictator who frightens me. I hope we can get through the next few years safely and financially secure.

Until next time, carry on my friends, carry on!

Start of 2025

It's been a hectic start to 2025. I feel overwhelmed for some reason, but I'm having trouble identifying what I've been doing. One thing I'm certain of is that I've been riding a bicycle for at least an hour every other day, keeping my heart rate between 125 and 130 beats per minute. I chose to exercise every other day to prevent overexertion at my age. Plus, working out too intensely and risking injury would only set me back.

On January 7, I eagerly awaited the results of my annual physical and blood test. I was thrilled to see my weight was 302.7 pounds, an unusually high number that I need to control. However, it’s a positive sign that I’ve lost about 23 pounds since retiring, when my highest weight was 325.3 pounds. I’m losing about half a pound per week, a sustainable rate that I hope to maintain. The stress of helping my mother move from a nursing home to a closer facility caused me to gain a few pounds back.

One very disappointing part of my visit was that my iron level was extremely low. Again, it's frustrating because I've been battling anemia for a long time! Test results were:

• Iron (normal range 61-157 ug/dL) 
• Current 20 ug/dL - 31 below normal range
• This is the lowest it has been since the diagnosis in 2017, when it was 23 ug/dL

• Iron saturation index (normal range 15 to 46%)
• Current is 5% - 15% below the normal range
• This is the lowest it has ever been, with 7% in January 2023

• Ferritin (normal range 31 to 409 ng/mL)
• Current is 11 ng/mL - 20 ng/mL below the normal range
• The lowest ever, with 8 ng/mL in July 2016. I was 11 ng/mL in November of 2023.

• Hemoglobin (normal range 13.3 to 17.7 g/dL )
• Current is 11.4 g/dL - 1.9 g/dL below normal range
• This is the lowest it has ever been; in January 2023, it was 12.1 g/dL

• MCV - Mean Corpuscular Volume (normal range 78-100 fl)
• Current is 72 fl - 6 fl below the normal range
• This is the same as January 2023, and it is the lowest it has ever been.

• MCH - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (normal range 26.5 to 33.0 pg)
• Current is  21.3 pg - 5.2 pg below the normal range
• This was at 20.9 in January 2023.

• MCHC - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (normal range 31.5 to 36.5 g/dL)
• Current is  29.6 g/dL - 1.9 pg below the normal range
• This was at 28.8 g/dL in January 2023.

Therefore, my anemia has worsened, not improved. I should have noticed it through the shortness of breath and low energy! I've been busy cleaning out the basement and getting rid of the junk. This will be a multi-week project as I build shelves to organize my belongings.

Since I retired, I haven't seen markets this volatile. I have cash ready to withstand the downturn. I am living off my tax-deferred savings because the market has performed well over the past two years and is currently at a high level.

Carry on, my friends, carry on!

Good start

Since my two-month trip to Tennessee and the Carolinas, I have been doing intense workouts every other day. I avoid daily workouts as I get older because rest is essential. In December, I biked a total of 106 miles. The actual distance was higher, but I couldn't automatically load miles from three club workouts into Strava. I rode on the past three days, with an easy ride off day with Shelley.

My mother's memory remains stable, but she is becoming more demanding. Visiting her can be depressing because it reminds me that I might encounter similar issues in the future. This realization helps me stay mentally focused on my health and reduces the risk of future problems. Eating well and exercising intensely benefit my aging body.

I had some fun with Mom and the photo booth app on the iPad. Images below.

 

After traveling for 61 of the past 75 days, I feel exhausted. However, being at home during winter while retired isn't very enjoyable. I become aware of all the chores I should undertake, but tend to avoid them. These include minor house repairs and decluttering six decades of belongings—including items in the pantry and garage—that require deep cleaning and sorting.

Over the New Year, I began reflecting on where life might have gone off course. My relationship with Christopher has faded to nothing. I reached out to him, but like before, he stressed that we should keep in touch; I never heard from him again. I wonder if I would have fought harder for other relationships if those individuals had faced their challenges. I regret not expressing myself when I had the chance, and I also regret what I said when I did. As I grow older, my thoughts about life become more intense. Thankfully, I can manage and understand my emotions better, which helps me better grasp why older adults have higher suicide rates.

I recently learned that my boss is retiring at the end of the month. Despite being only 55, I was told after my departure that all the issues I had managed for decades were considered his problem now, and he found them overwhelming. He has always disliked conflict and complexity, which I had no trouble handling. Being more intelligent than I am, we worked well together. It’s difficult to accept that a leading organization has been dysfunctional for over five years, resulting in high staff turnover. By the start of this year, nearly 40 percent of employees had less than two years of experience. It’s truly a sad situation.

I'm gradually learning the new Zikon Z7iii.  There are fundamental similarities; however, setting precise parameters for a shot takes time to feel natural. I have the opportunity to go out for practice, but the temperatures are below zero!

Hope the new year has been good for you!  Carry on my Friends, Carry On!

Final Day Away

 I was up at 7:30 and headed to the club. I got an 8-mile ride and weight lifting in before heading back for breakfast and play. Since the weather was better, there was much outdoor time. The kids were exhausted and took a long nap as we enjoyed football.   It was a ham and beans early dinner when they woke, followed by more play and packing.

Some will be sad as we prepare to close this trip and head home tomorrow. Leslie appreciated the time but started crying at the thought of us leaving. It will be nice to get home. However, this trip was less pleasing than the ones where I roamed at will and had no responsibility or expectations.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Christmas 2024

Shelley and I left early Sunday, December 22, and visited her father in Lincoln. The drive was windy, yet there were no issues with snow, ice, or rain. We arrived, checked into Staybridge Suites hotel at 2:00 PM, and unloaded before heading to Jon's. We arrived at Jon's by 3:00 PM, and Shelley and he went on a reminiscing drive. I went to Planet Fitness to work out.

At 5:00, we were back, opened gifts, and set up his frame before heading to the dining room for dinner. I don't know the dinner cost, but the food was marginal. Shelley and I had fried chicken, and finding the meat under the breading was hard.

Later, Shelley, Helen, and Jon sang some Christmas carols. I recorded their effort; I didn’t sing! It was late, and we were tired after a long day, with a long drive ahead tomorrow, so we returned to the hotel and called it a night.

On Monday the 23rd, we were up about 5:00 AM and packed. We planned breakfast with Jon before heading to Arkansas. The drive to Arkansas was simple, but it took longer than I had anticipated. We arrived in Fayetteville at 4:30 PM and proceeded to Tim's Pizza to pick up pizza for dinner.  

The kids were so excited to see Grammy. They jumped into the car and onto Grammy's lap before we reached the driveway. It started to rain, so we had to stay indoors with Tickle Monster and other activities. During the drive, we again tried to get to bed early and have a good night's sleep.

The next two days were filled with playing, opening more gifts than we could have imagined, and, of course, eating. Taylor made brisket that was smoked to absolute perfection! It was so enjoyable. Below are some holiday images.

On Christmas Eve, I sent serious emails to Jordan and Chris wishing them a Merry Christmas. For some reason, having no relationship with Chris bothered me, maybe because Taylor and Leslie were not aware of him more than he existed, and there was a conversation at the dinner table about Jacob. 

I decided to share the most profound song I ever wrote, in my opinion, with Chris.  I wrote it in 2006.  I believed he would read it and think it was also his life.  The song, "What's the matter with me?" is as follows.

Ask what's the matter

I have had a hard life

I’m placing the Don't Disturb sign on my door

I’ve lost my place in line again

Losing my life

I’ve never seem to want to smile anymore

I take the long way

Trying to find my soul

Riding a freight train

Off its track

And as my life continues without a single goal

Life seems gone, and I will never get it back

Here I am counting sheep once again

What's the point of trying to dream anymore

My heart is pounding hard with pain 

Drowning in the ocean, I can’t find the shore

I know my emotions 

Move at full speed

Moving in the wrong direction in this time of need

I take a few more bruises

And there will be many more

My life is lost as I head out the door 

I hide the truth

I am not happy

Wasted energy censoring my tears

Act like a crusader

Always on the right track

But I’m a lost man with knives in my back

I can’t take a moment

It is plain to see

Life races faster than it should be

All that matters

Is showing my happy lies

Clouded to hide my tear-filled eyes

Will someone please

Please tell me?

Is there hope of love and happiness for me

I can only wonder

How to set me free

I can’t find the answer

What's the matter with me

I can only wonder how to set me free

I can’t find the answer

What's the matter with me

It will be enjoyable as we prepare to close this trip and head home tomorrow. Leslie appreciated the time, as she started crying at the thought of us leaving. It will be nice to get home. However, this trip was less pleasing than the ones where I roamed at will and had no responsibility or expectations.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

GIFTS GALORE

I drifted off to sleep around 1:15 a.m. and woke up bright and early at 5:15 a.m.! It was a bit of a struggle to catch some Z’s because the front lights were on, including that wall-washing light that practically blinded me from my window. I’m guessing they left them on for Christmas since they were off on Monday night. Anyway, at 6:00 a.m., I hopped in the shower and got ready for the day ahead!

The kids were up and ready to dive into the incredible array of Santa gifts before we even had breakfast! Leslie whipped up an excellent egg scramble, delicious monkey bread, and a bunch of fruit. After breakfast, we spent the next three hours opening Christmas gifts and assembling the kids’ toys that required some assembly.

After dinner, Christmas carols were sung using the Santa face masks they had created.  The family has a solid tone, and until I join, it is pretty good!

The rest of the night was spent resting and recuperating. At 8:30 p.m., everyone but me watched a Christmas movie. I was so tired that I called it a night.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Christmas Eve

I jolted awake at 5:30 a.m., and bam! A rainstorm was already in full swing. I tiptoed out to Planet Fitness to get my workout in before the storm really hit. When I got back around 8:45, Taylor was off to a local farm to grab some raw milk and bagels. And guess what? The farmer’s 14-year-old son was whipping up bagels using raw farm milk and selling them right there with the milk! 

The farm was quite a sight, with its rustic charm and a bit of wear and tear, but it somehow made my family’s farm feel a bit more put-together. The farm person we met was a rugged middle-aged man who handled the sale. Taylor wished her a Merry Christmas, and she replied, “Farmers don’t celebrate Christmas; there’s just too much work to do.” It was a bit sad, but I completely understood.

Once we returned, we had breakfast and spent quality time with the children until it was time for them to nap at 2:00 p.m. We then took the time to prepare for the evening meal and get ready for Santa. Taylor smoked a brisket in his barrel smoker while Leslie made Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo. The rain was constant, so outdoor activities were limited. However, we did get a chance to test the drone.

Once the kids arose, we decorated a gingerbread house, had dinner, and prepared the living room for Santa. It was so cute to see how charming Leighton was about Santa! 

TAYLOR'S  EFFORT	LEIGHTON'S EFFORT
SAWYER'S EFFORT	LONDELL'S EFFORT
SHELLEY'S EFFORT	DEACON'S EFFORT

LESLIE'S EFFORT

I was really wired and unable to sleep at all. It was after midnight before I felt I could sleep. Tomorrow might be a long day!

Carry on my friends, carry on!