"Anticipatory Pleasure"

Ted.  One of my grandmothers taught high school English. She often used a phrase to describe the utter joy of looking forward to something. She explained that the upcoming event did not always live up to expectations so the anticipation was often the greater pleasure.

Forty years ago, three months after we were wed, Judy and I headed out on a three-month trip backpacking around Europe. The attached photo pretty well exemplifies our feelings at the airport waiting to board.

Now, having packed our remaining few belongings into storage, hugged our family and friends, and received a special blessing from the rector at our beloved church, we are heading out again. In our dreams, everything will be perfect. The reality will be shared right here.

And what is my greatest expectation? Making the acquaintance of wonderful people all over the world and enjoying unexpected rendezvous with friends and family!

Setback

Judy. Well, sorta.  We went to New Hampshire to celebrate our niece’s wedding and spend time with Ted’s family. So since grandson Parker was with us, we spent a few days in Boston showing him the city.  By the way, at his request we went to one of the three

Museums of Bad Art.  What a hoot—I highly recommend it!

Of course, we had to go skating on the Boston Common Frog Pond —Parker had never tried ice skating, and, after a 37-year absence, I was dying to get back out there.  We both were careful, both had spills, then I started feeling my oats.  Halfway around the rink, I decided to stop and check on Parker; hit a lump in the ice, and went down like a ton of bricks.  When I tried to get up, it was clear I’d hurt my hand.

Long story short, Ted and I sent Parker off to the Science Museum, and we spent the day in the emergency room at Massachusetts General Hospital getting my broken wrist taken care of.  On the positive side, I got excellent care, and the orthopedist said my bones look good, and there’s an excellent chance no surgery is required.  Great news for this traveler, as I have every intention of follow-up care in Atlanta, and plan to get the cast cut off in Australia!

If this is the price of livin’ large, I’ll pay!  But, dang, it hurts.

Kudos to everyone we met along the way.  Boston is full of fantastic people.

8 Goals for Retirement

Ted. I have been looking forward to retirement for several months but the arrival has been a bit anticlimactic. I still get up at 5:30 and want to fill each day productively. Sure, there are still logistical details to work out for the trips we plan but how will I live each day, whether I’m in Georgia or New South Wales? Since I am a big list maker (it’s actually genetic), the first step is obvious. So here are my goals for my first year of retirement:

1.     Drink more water

2.     Eat more healthy food

3.     Exercise more

4.     Learn more about my electronic devices

5.     Learn more Spanish

6.     See more live music and theatre

7.     Volunteer more

8.     Listen more

Next Step

Judy. Said goodbye to my sweet Lucy—my little red Acura RSX. We’ve been together for 11 years, and, if ever I’ve loved a thing, I loved Miss Lucy. But it’s time to move on, she’s in good hands (a lovely 30-year-old), and I’m not as pained as I thought I might be. It was remarkably easy to walk away

Also had my hair cut from the old standby to a short ‘do that’s easy to maintain on our travels, but pleasing to my agents, who are still trying to get me work.

And I sold my favorite painting. I sold several folk art pieces when we left the house, but this one really attracted me when I first saw it in a gallery.  I remember going back several times to see it, drawn by the women at the end of a dark hallway—I wanted to walk down the hallway and meet them.  So in the end, I brought them to my home, where they’ve been for years. A friend has always loved it, and accepted the price I put on my ladies, so they’re gone, too.

Bit by bit, we whittle further. Last week we walked around the apartment and decided what furniture will go in storage and what will go away, to the kids or a thrift store. Six bags of an assortment of things headed to the FODAC Thrift Store sit on my bedroom floor.

All this while I acting in my last play for awhile: a one-woman show.

It’s getting real, y’all. And I’m so ready!