it's quiet in here

[edmontongreg]

How is Spring going for you all? I am in second year of retirement, the non-working part lasted 6 months, then i had to do something. I have a part time job, which is ok, not great but non stressful. I read a lot more, about 5 books a week. I took a trip to South East Utah in March, Moab, Monument Valley, Zion Canyon - great places to visit if you have never been.

[hcsodale]

Two years to the day for my retirement! Haven't gotten bored enough to even consider going back to work! The Sheriff's Office called me last month wanting to know if I would consider coming back part time to work in the elementary schools, due to the new rules passed about all public schools (not just middle and high schools) having cops in them in Hillsborough County. They are asking the retirees and reserve deputies because it is taking away too many deputies from working the street and they haven't had time to hire and train enough new deputies. I politely (and VERY QUICKLY) told them thank you, but no.
Still riding my bicycle many miles. Did 104 miles Friday a week ago. It took me 7 hours, but that isn't bad time actually. I'm getting some sexy-ass looking calf muscles! (Wish it would transfer to other parts of my body....oh well.)
You must have picked up on my vibes. Two days ago I was thinking you had been MIA lately and wondered if you were still in South West Canada, but judging from your Utah trip, etc., I would guess you still are.
I harassed Tommy a little at his birthday, but haven't heard a lot since. Though I see he logs in most every day, as I also try to do.
Hope you're healthy and getting some!

[edmontongreg]

My laptop is how I access this site, I rarely turn it on. But in order to process pictures in Lightroom or Photoshop I use it. When I have it on then I come in here. People see Photoshop and cringe, I am a minimalist in there, I change the light, contrast and highlights. I do not change elements of the picture. I actually went to a class for photographers and the guy had a stock sky, which he would add to a picture. When I see a picture that too good to be true, I look for indications it has been altered.

Still single, not trying very hard to find anyone, I figure it'll happen. In this corner of the world there is lots to do, every sport except deep sea diving. Since moving here I have bought a kayak and snowshoes. I joined a golf club too. Pretty dynamic here, when Spring comes all the snow starts to melt, causing a bit of mayhem. But we have waterfalls everywhere. I go out and read by them. I have kindle unlimited, and have been reading a lot of books which take place in South Florida. I guess I learned to enjoy them after reading Carl Hiassen's books.

I still have the Jeep and once a week some friends and I take off to some place to see if we can get stuck and then do the rescuing. knock on wood, I have been the one pulling them out. It doesn't sound like much, but after 8-9 hours of concentrating on moving a large object through a narrow space or up a steep hil a person is tired. I love not having to wake up to an alarm clock!

Utah wasn't the only trip, my reading gives me ideas. I went to Missoula after reading some books. I tried to go to the places in the book, but Private Property - Rattlesnake Canyon etc. Persons with extra cash have bought up all the scenic places, which sucks. It is happening here too, but laws in Canada require that the public be able to access public water - lakes, streams rivers etc. Sometimes you have to circle the lake to find the public access - ergo the Jeep.

I am not sure my ass would like 107 miles on bike seat. I'll stick to 25 mile rides. Kayaking is fun, but it can be tiring on a River. You learned to go upstream after you launch. Getting back to the launch site is a lot easier. The fun part is picking some landmark to indicate where your launch site is. On the Pend D'Oreille River I can park on the shore, so thats easy. On a lake it is a different animal, we have some pretty big lakes. They look like little rivers on most maps, but they are huge.

Anyway, I am happy to hear it is working out for you. I am not sure I'd want to work in a school either.

[bluepride]

Venturing out of my self-imposed hibernation for a few minutes!! I'm glad you guys are staying busy! Believe it or not, I'm still recovering from my cataract surgery so my online time has been a bit limited. When I overdo it, I pay for it for a few days. Eye pain and headaches are no fun! You never get told about the recovery part of this stuff, only that you're "in and out in 20 minutes"! As of now I still can't drive at night (which gives me a perfect excuse to get out of some social situations!) and actually being a passenger is no bargain either! It looks like I'm in the middle of a meteor shower or a scene from Star Wars! Even walking at night, with all the street lights and traffic, can be treacherous!

So anyway, yes, I've been scarce (what else is new, right?). Around the time of my surgery, I almost cut out all my internet time to concentrate of my vision and all the related stuff. But I'm getting better day by day. And now....the pollen is another problem!! YIKES!

One funny thing: For the last couple of months, even though I try to log on just to keep this pot stirring, I hadn't logged on as admin till, I think, last week. There were a few requests to join which I didn't know about. One guy tried to join twice with different names and I seem pretty sure he's not qualified, so that's gonna be a big X. Another one seems like a LEO but the application is kind of old so I don't even know if I should vet and accept the guy. A quandary but...there you go. So they're in limbo for now.

So anyway, I see things brighter and somewhat clearer, I guess. But I still have days where things can be fuzzy and have discomfort. Eye drops have been ruling my life for the last few months!

I'm still here and looking forward to some decent weather finally! Glad you guys are doing good! Remember, retirement is a full time job!