Grugger’s Way

We are sitting still right now, contemplating our good fortune and fate.  My spouse had surgery a couple of days ago and is now recovering from that trauma. 

The other trauma, anticipating the biopsy results, is over.  Her left ovary, with a tumor the size of a cantelope, is benign.  No cancer.  Her surgery included removal of both ovaries as well as a repair of a hernia.  Her nightmare is over. 

Our family has been hard-hit with cancer these past few years, with my Father, my wife’s former daughter-in-law, my own eldest daughter, and my Mom.  All are in recovery and doing well at this point.  We have been fortunate. 

Even sitting on the sidelines, I realize how difficult it must be to face down this disease.  My heart goes out to all who face the diagnosis, the surgeries, the recoveries.  My prayers go out to you. 

Here is a reader’s input:  A Retired School House.

This old school house in McKenzie County, North Dakota, is 100 years old. I think it looks to be in pretty darn good shape. Looks better than any of us do at 100!

I know that old, rural schools often close because of the lack of students, with so many families moving to the city. With modern transportation, families can live in the city and still work the farm; not like the horse and buggy days. I recall seeing old school photos with hitching rails out front (or back) for the students’ horses, which they rode to school, often two or three kids all mounted up bareback, kind of like a snow tobogan. I won’t say these were the “good old days” but this old building does bring back fond memories.
Some of the old school buildings were moved to other locations to nearby towns and found new life as restaurants, saloons, even boarding houses. We should recycle the things we can, and that means finding new uses for old buildings like this.

Old Retired Stuff - a brand new Category

What…this ol’ thing?

I recently drove past a row of old tractors that I thought appropriately represented the farm’s display of “old and retired.”

I shot a photo, naturally, and then as I was driving home I began to think about all the other “stuff” that has been officially “retired” from current usage.  From tools to appliances to gadgets, we have been known as a disposable society, with things going by the wayside as something newer or better comes along to replace it.  I was able to think of just a few, and so I found some photos from my own travels to depict these items.  (Each of the photos is a “thumbnail,” so if you click on the “thumbnail,” a full-size version of the photo can be viewed.)

The items below are:  wood skiis with leather bindings, a wringer-washing machine, a “two-seater” outhouse, a display of “brace and bit” drills, and a very scary hair perming machine.

I don’t want to go overboard here, so I thought maybe I will invite you to come up with some of your own items of “retired” stuff and then post your memories and ideas into the “Leave a Reply” space.  If you have a particularly interesting memory, you could even write a little story about the item. If you want to include a photo, just email the story to me and attach the photo and I will put it here on the Retired and Restless website as a “guest” Posting. We should have no problem recalling many more items than just those I have listed.   Have fun!  (p.s. e-mail me at dkueffler@gmail.com)

Boomer Toys we must have to Compete

To be “competitive” with our Boomer Generation cohorts, we must always keep in mind the importance of new technology, and “Power” equipment, along with Prices and “Prestige Value.” Here are some essential possessions to consider (all are essential):

An All-Terrain Vehicle 4×4 for just wheeling around in the forest and making new roads.
A snowmobile for doing the same thing in the winter.
A Waverunner for doing (sort of) the same thing on the water.
Perhaps a Motorcycle, but not just any bike.  A BIG one. (My own Father called them murdercycles, so I’ve never had one).

Techie Gadgets:

Newest high-end laptop computer
Newest digital camera and video camera equipment with highest resolution.
GPS device (If you don’t know what it is, this may be the exception to “essential”)
Smart phone. (ditto above)
Satellite Phone
Satellite Radio
Satellite Dish for the motor home
In-vehicle Navigation System (Make certain that it actually “talks” to you too.)
Amazon’s Kindle, the digital book reader

Other “Stuff”

Newest model ski, snowboard, and snowshoe equipment
Bullets that can pierce ANYTHING
Fly rod that threads itself, ties its own flies, and throws the line thirty feet with no assistance. Golf clubs that do all the stuff fly rods can do plus drive the ball 300 yards
Bicycles, two each, (one for the road and one for the mountain trails)
Latest smart fabric in outdoor wear
The coolest outdoor boot on the market
The most expensive running shoe. (It doesn’t matter whether you run in them or not; just wear them occasionally.)

Tools:

Pets:  A dog.  A “big dog,” because the size of a man’s pet reflects on his masculinity.  After all, he has to retain the “alpha” position in the household, and it is a negative reflection on a man’s virility if he can only “manage” a ten-inch pug or shih-tsu at the end of a leash.  (Have you ever witnessed a man taking a cat for a walk on a leash?)

Trophy Spouse:  Okay, a spouse is not supposed to be a “toy” but then neither is a pet.  And, the term “spouse” is used because this works both ways.  Ideally, the trophy spouse is at least ten years younger.  Fifteen years is better; and Twenty years younger “almost” says it ALL. (You have to also re-read “big dog” above)