We had a great Mother's Day - started with church at St Charles where they gave all mothers a flower. We saw one of my old Thomas Edison HS students Alexis Speen and had a great conversation after church and then Kelly and family picked us up for a picnic trip to Taughannock Falls outside of Ithaca with Katie and her family. We had a beautiful sunny day - playing on the playground and walking the 1.75 miles up the gorge to the falls. The water was really gushing since we have had a lot of rain this spring.
At church, I enjoy the message and the time to reflect about God and why we are here. As a retiree, I always wrestle with the question of what am I doing during the week. I came up with another idea this time of spending evening time going through old pictures - putting dates and names on them and then scanning them in the computer. We have the technology now to store all the pictures on the computer and then organize them by key words. I am also thinking about how I can bring technology to the elderly who do not realize what computers and technology can do. When I brought my laptop to my Uncle John's nursing home in Burlington, Pa - I was just going to show him a slide show I made of old pictures of my Mom, but then I realized the nursing home had a wireless hub and that I could connect to the internet. I was able to show Uncle John my brother in Charlotte on Skype which is an interactive video program. He had a hard time comprehending that my brother was right there on the computer screen.
I reflected on my attending mass every week. At church, I am able to listen to a few readings that remind me of God and his intentions for us. I am able to hear a homily that gives us a few insights on how we can incorporate the readings into our lives. I remember the last supper and how Jesus gave his life for us and then I receive the Eucharist. In Sarasota, I really enjoyed the music at mass. The music director is a young lady who sings very well but it is not that uplifting.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Wednesday - April 20th
We have just returned from Florida. We left the week after Christmas, spent New Years in Sarasota, Florida watching the Pineapple drop with Mary's cousin- John Illig and wife Marti and John and Karen Lesky. We had a great winter in Sarasota - golfing, biking and beaching. We spent most of our time with the Leskys and Owdienkos. Mike and Sis Owdienko rented in our community where we rented - it was called Forest Pines - which was located near the Amish Community called Pinecraft. John and Karen purchased a double wide home in Sara Lake Estates - about a mile from us.
We were able to see all of our daughters during the winter. We saw Kristin, who lives in Durham,NC both coming and going from Florida. In addition, she and her husband, Andy spent the weekend with us in Florida where they surprised us with the news that they are expecting identical twins in September! Katie and family spent a week with us in Florida and the weather was great. We joined Kelly and family for 2 nights in Orlando as they spent 5 days at Disney World. We took Kelly's girls, Megan and Molly back with us to Florida for 3 nights while Kelly returned to teaching and Mile went to visit his Uncle in Vero Beach, Fl
On our return trip home, we learned of the passing of Clare Reidy. Clare was the CCC theater director for many years and the wife of Tom Reidy, one of my former colleagues and golfing buddy. Interestingly enough, I rented the movie Hereafter with Matt Damon last night. Matt Damon played a psychic who could communicate with souls after they have died. It has always fascinated me about what happens to us when we physically die. I know that I am more than just a body and that some part of me continues on. As a cradle Catholic, I believe that we will be resurrected in heaven with Jesus Christ, our God. I have known people who experience death for a short time and then miraculously come back to life. They all talk of a warm, safe feeling. This morning, the reading from my daily book talked about the resurrection and how we will be reunited with God in heaven. How appropriate.
We were able to see all of our daughters during the winter. We saw Kristin, who lives in Durham,NC both coming and going from Florida. In addition, she and her husband, Andy spent the weekend with us in Florida where they surprised us with the news that they are expecting identical twins in September! Katie and family spent a week with us in Florida and the weather was great. We joined Kelly and family for 2 nights in Orlando as they spent 5 days at Disney World. We took Kelly's girls, Megan and Molly back with us to Florida for 3 nights while Kelly returned to teaching and Mile went to visit his Uncle in Vero Beach, Fl
On our return trip home, we learned of the passing of Clare Reidy. Clare was the CCC theater director for many years and the wife of Tom Reidy, one of my former colleagues and golfing buddy. Interestingly enough, I rented the movie Hereafter with Matt Damon last night. Matt Damon played a psychic who could communicate with souls after they have died. It has always fascinated me about what happens to us when we physically die. I know that I am more than just a body and that some part of me continues on. As a cradle Catholic, I believe that we will be resurrected in heaven with Jesus Christ, our God. I have known people who experience death for a short time and then miraculously come back to life. They all talk of a warm, safe feeling. This morning, the reading from my daily book talked about the resurrection and how we will be reunited with God in heaven. How appropriate.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday - October 18th
I am just recovering from a bad head cold that prevented me from playing golf on Wednesday and cancelling a trip to New England with the Quattrones. I have resting and taking medicine for the last 5 days and finally I can see the end of the tunnel.
This morning, I was reading an article about Earl Woods, Tiger's father. He was a womanizer just likeTiger. He loved himself and he was always looking for more. He said he made a list one day of things he wanted to have in 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 5 year and 10 years. He actually had realized most of them early because of the money he had received. Most of the things were material things like cars. I was thinking that it would be a great idea for me to do the same thing. The other thought I had was to change some of my habits. One that I am anxious to change is watching a movie at night. I am thinking there are many things I could substitute - like scanning and arranging old pictures, making cds of old viny records, writing, etc..
The other thing I would like to change is my exercise program. Right now it is non existent. When I am in Florida - Mary and I join the YMCA and go every day during the week. I gave my exercise machine to Ray LaBounty when I moved from my old house to my new house because it was too big. I should join an exercise club around here or make room for my old machine.
One of my dreams I had before I woke up sounded like a movie. I am not sure of everyone's relationship but there was an older lady who I was helping to move to California. There were teenage children and I think another strange woman involved. I can't remember the details but it sounded just like a typical modern day movie. The older woman dies and we all sit around and reminisce how great she was.
Back to the list - I sometimes make a list of short term projects and long term projects. My long term projects usually involve the aforementioned scanning pictures and converting vinyl records into CDS. I have recently purchased a new printer that makes scanning pretty easy - so I should start that sooner than later. My computer has some problems with sound that I have not been able to resolve with free software. There are commercial setups that you can buy that do not require a computer but they are fairly expensive. The other long term goal is to try painting. There are lessons at the Senior Center but I have not started it yet. I have been taking piano lessons and I enjoy it very much. I am at the stage where it is becoming more difficult - playing left hand and coordinating the right hand with the right timing. I am also practicing my accordion - hoping to get good enough to entertain at nursing and senior homes. I have a pretty big repertoir of christmas songs. I am hoping to get the right key and sounds to actually sing along with the music so I can get people to join in.
The other thing Mary and I need to do is plan our next trips. We went to Europe this year and visited Janneke in the Netherlands and Mary's 2nd cousins in the Alsace region of France. We were treated royally and look forward to several of them visiting us in the US. We have not been to Arkansas in many years where our good friends, Andy and Janet are living. We used to get together at least once every two years but things have been hectic. I think we probably need to plan a cross country trip that covers Arkansas, Colorado and Michigan. We have also been thinking about seeing other continents but not sure which one. I would like to see Asia - China or Japan. Mary has mentioned South America - Belize where our good friends Don and Rita Barber have ventured many times. Australia and New Zealand are possibilities but they seem very far and expensive.
The other issue I have been struggling with is my commitment to helping others. I have joined Kiwanis and I enjoy participating in activities but I do not enjoy the luncheons and I do not feel I can be more involved because I am gone for 3 months. We should look into RSVP or Meals on Wheels but it is something that requires a commitment and I am not sure I am ready for that.
Till another day....
This morning, I was reading an article about Earl Woods, Tiger's father. He was a womanizer just likeTiger. He loved himself and he was always looking for more. He said he made a list one day of things he wanted to have in 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 5 year and 10 years. He actually had realized most of them early because of the money he had received. Most of the things were material things like cars. I was thinking that it would be a great idea for me to do the same thing. The other thought I had was to change some of my habits. One that I am anxious to change is watching a movie at night. I am thinking there are many things I could substitute - like scanning and arranging old pictures, making cds of old viny records, writing, etc..
The other thing I would like to change is my exercise program. Right now it is non existent. When I am in Florida - Mary and I join the YMCA and go every day during the week. I gave my exercise machine to Ray LaBounty when I moved from my old house to my new house because it was too big. I should join an exercise club around here or make room for my old machine.
One of my dreams I had before I woke up sounded like a movie. I am not sure of everyone's relationship but there was an older lady who I was helping to move to California. There were teenage children and I think another strange woman involved. I can't remember the details but it sounded just like a typical modern day movie. The older woman dies and we all sit around and reminisce how great she was.
Back to the list - I sometimes make a list of short term projects and long term projects. My long term projects usually involve the aforementioned scanning pictures and converting vinyl records into CDS. I have recently purchased a new printer that makes scanning pretty easy - so I should start that sooner than later. My computer has some problems with sound that I have not been able to resolve with free software. There are commercial setups that you can buy that do not require a computer but they are fairly expensive. The other long term goal is to try painting. There are lessons at the Senior Center but I have not started it yet. I have been taking piano lessons and I enjoy it very much. I am at the stage where it is becoming more difficult - playing left hand and coordinating the right hand with the right timing. I am also practicing my accordion - hoping to get good enough to entertain at nursing and senior homes. I have a pretty big repertoir of christmas songs. I am hoping to get the right key and sounds to actually sing along with the music so I can get people to join in.
The other thing Mary and I need to do is plan our next trips. We went to Europe this year and visited Janneke in the Netherlands and Mary's 2nd cousins in the Alsace region of France. We were treated royally and look forward to several of them visiting us in the US. We have not been to Arkansas in many years where our good friends, Andy and Janet are living. We used to get together at least once every two years but things have been hectic. I think we probably need to plan a cross country trip that covers Arkansas, Colorado and Michigan. We have also been thinking about seeing other continents but not sure which one. I would like to see Asia - China or Japan. Mary has mentioned South America - Belize where our good friends Don and Rita Barber have ventured many times. Australia and New Zealand are possibilities but they seem very far and expensive.
The other issue I have been struggling with is my commitment to helping others. I have joined Kiwanis and I enjoy participating in activities but I do not enjoy the luncheons and I do not feel I can be more involved because I am gone for 3 months. We should look into RSVP or Meals on Wheels but it is something that requires a commitment and I am not sure I am ready for that.
Till another day....
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Saturday - August 14th
I was thinking about retirement and how many people put off retirement because they enjoy their work and they feel as if they are accomplishing something with their life. I could not argue with these people about their reasons. However, I do not feel we as a society do enough to prepare people for retirement.
Retirement should be a time to reflect on your life and do things that you have always wanted to do but never had the time to do. It is a well deserved slow down from the quick pace and responsibilities of having a job. In my particular case, I have pursued my music interest - taking piano lessons. My goal is not to get a job but to be able to play beautiful music for myself and occasionally for others. I would also like to try painting but I have not made that commitment yet. I have stayed away from pursuing things that were related to my job of teaching because I am afraid that I will make commitments that will tie me down. I do not want to be tied to a part-time teaching job with a schedule. I like the idea that I can go anywhere I want when I want.
Everyone should give back to their community by volunteering - so far I have stayed with projects put forth by Kiwanis which I have joined. Again, I do not want to commit myself to a schedule.
One of the highlights of retirement is the freedom to wake up in the morning at a leisure pace -read and think about life and decide what you want to do for that day. I am not sure I could ever go back to that pace of getting up and rushing out to a job in the morning.
Another issue is health - We just do not know what tomorrow will bring. There are so many cases where people develop cancer, arthritis or some other health issue as they age. I try to do some kind of exercise but I am not as dedicated as I should be. When my wife and I are in Florida, we join the YMCA and make a concerted effort to go just about every day. We need to make a similar commitment while we are up North.
Another thing to think about is community. Where will our life long friends live? Will they follow a similar lifestyle or will we make new friends. I do like the idea of living in a community and sharing thoughts and ideas about growing old. My ideal setting is to find a church within a community that I feel part of and want to grow with. The catholic church has always been my religious focus but it does not meet my needs for community. They are not meeting the needs of the communities in the US by finding ways to ordain married and female ministers. Smaller communities are better than larger and the catholic church's solution is to make larger parishes with fewer priests.
Retirement should be a time to reflect on your life and do things that you have always wanted to do but never had the time to do. It is a well deserved slow down from the quick pace and responsibilities of having a job. In my particular case, I have pursued my music interest - taking piano lessons. My goal is not to get a job but to be able to play beautiful music for myself and occasionally for others. I would also like to try painting but I have not made that commitment yet. I have stayed away from pursuing things that were related to my job of teaching because I am afraid that I will make commitments that will tie me down. I do not want to be tied to a part-time teaching job with a schedule. I like the idea that I can go anywhere I want when I want.
Everyone should give back to their community by volunteering - so far I have stayed with projects put forth by Kiwanis which I have joined. Again, I do not want to commit myself to a schedule.
One of the highlights of retirement is the freedom to wake up in the morning at a leisure pace -read and think about life and decide what you want to do for that day. I am not sure I could ever go back to that pace of getting up and rushing out to a job in the morning.
Another issue is health - We just do not know what tomorrow will bring. There are so many cases where people develop cancer, arthritis or some other health issue as they age. I try to do some kind of exercise but I am not as dedicated as I should be. When my wife and I are in Florida, we join the YMCA and make a concerted effort to go just about every day. We need to make a similar commitment while we are up North.
Another thing to think about is community. Where will our life long friends live? Will they follow a similar lifestyle or will we make new friends. I do like the idea of living in a community and sharing thoughts and ideas about growing old. My ideal setting is to find a church within a community that I feel part of and want to grow with. The catholic church has always been my religious focus but it does not meet my needs for community. They are not meeting the needs of the communities in the US by finding ways to ordain married and female ministers. Smaller communities are better than larger and the catholic church's solution is to make larger parishes with fewer priests.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
August 12 2010
Went golfing at Reservoir Creek in Naples with John Lesky, Jeff Rubin and Barb Mattison was suppose to play but cancelled at last minute. Rick Ek, Dave Q, Jerry Golden and Dan Hoover played in 2nd group. We got a great coupon price of $20 per person for cart and golf. I drove well but did not score well - I missed alot of putts and my irons were long enough but off direction. I shot a 92.
After golf - Mary's brother invited us to the lake for dinner with Illig cousins. Mark and his daughter Melissa, her fiance - Justin, Joe Illig and friend Mary, Joe Driscoll and daughter Kennedy, Diane Driscoll and mother Gloria came in from Olean. Weather was perfect - we stayed till 10 pm.
Plans for today - need to practice piano, check on lawnmower, car needs oil change - maybe practice my irons over at Willowcreek. Neighbor Dominic stopped over to see my accordion the other day - he may be interested in buying my old one. I was keeping it because there are times when I do not have access to electricity. However, I checked online and I could get a battery powered amp to my Roland FR-3 accordion. So I may ask Dominic if he wants to buy it.
We have a busy weekend planned - Saturday evening we are going to a 20th anniversary party for Don and Rita Barber on a boat in Ithaca and then Sunday we are going to the Rennaissance Festival in Sterling, NY with our free tickets we won when we played putt putt golf
After golf - Mary's brother invited us to the lake for dinner with Illig cousins. Mark and his daughter Melissa, her fiance - Justin, Joe Illig and friend Mary, Joe Driscoll and daughter Kennedy, Diane Driscoll and mother Gloria came in from Olean. Weather was perfect - we stayed till 10 pm.
Plans for today - need to practice piano, check on lawnmower, car needs oil change - maybe practice my irons over at Willowcreek. Neighbor Dominic stopped over to see my accordion the other day - he may be interested in buying my old one. I was keeping it because there are times when I do not have access to electricity. However, I checked online and I could get a battery powered amp to my Roland FR-3 accordion. So I may ask Dominic if he wants to buy it.
We have a busy weekend planned - Saturday evening we are going to a 20th anniversary party for Don and Rita Barber on a boat in Ithaca and then Sunday we are going to the Rennaissance Festival in Sterling, NY with our free tickets we won when we played putt putt golf
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
August 10th
Today is Tuesday - Mary is babysitting Megan and Molly this morning - I have piano lessons at 9:30 - girls will be with us all day and most of the night - Kelly and Mike are celebrating their 10th anniversary (Aug 12th) Yesterday - Rick Ek, Jerry Golden and I went up to Waterloo to play the Silver Creek golf course - I drove the ball generally well but my chipping was not too good - ended up with an 89 but could have been alot better. Eight of us going to Reservoir Creek in Naples on Wednesday - they have a special $20 including golf and cart!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
1st day
Today is Sunday, August 7th
Started the day by going to church at St Charles Borromeo in Elmira Heights at 7:30 am with my wife Mary. Sermon was about doing something to become a better person - don't wait. The message from last week was reiterated about "what does it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul" At the end of mass, three teenage girls talked about a youth conference with over 3000 teens. They were very excited about the event and all said that it affected them positively and changed their lives. They indicated that it was the first time for our parish to send teens to this event but my wife Mary and I know that we took teens to several national teen conferences - Louisville, Indianapolis and Philadelphia. We both reflected what a great time it was.
Our plan is to take a drive to Waneta Lake and visit the Allisons at their cottage.
Started the day by going to church at St Charles Borromeo in Elmira Heights at 7:30 am with my wife Mary. Sermon was about doing something to become a better person - don't wait. The message from last week was reiterated about "what does it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul" At the end of mass, three teenage girls talked about a youth conference with over 3000 teens. They were very excited about the event and all said that it affected them positively and changed their lives. They indicated that it was the first time for our parish to send teens to this event but my wife Mary and I know that we took teens to several national teen conferences - Louisville, Indianapolis and Philadelphia. We both reflected what a great time it was.
Our plan is to take a drive to Waneta Lake and visit the Allisons at their cottage.
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