Grugger’s Way

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)

My Want TO DO List

After thinking about what I should be doing in retirement I decided that perhaps a list would be helpful. I thought about all the things I’ve never done but wanted to; the goals I once aspired to, but gave up on or forgot about; the trips, the hobbies, etc. (I think there must be more.)

At the top of my list–although “top” doesn’t mean “first”–I want to write my memoirs. I also want to try my hand at writing fiction. I have always written a lot as part of my regular jobs, but always as an assignment, you know, material for someone else to use. I’ve pretty much found over the years that I am better at editing (and improving) the written work of others than I am at beginning from scratch. Perhaps I have never taken the time to figure out WHAT I want to write about, that is, on a personal level. And…I don’t seem to be a good “idea” man. Give me an idea of what you want and I will give you as many hundreds of words as you need. If my final product included ONE ORIGINAL THOUGHT, then I felt it was a successful effort. (Even an original way of saying something that was someone else’s original thought could qualify.)

One of the techniques I would use to obtain a higher mark in college was to review my written term paper or exam to ensure that I had developed at least ONE ORIGINAL THOUGHT. That is how I learned to think about what I was saying. I never received less than a “B” grade if I could come up with an original thought. Never failed.

So I recently spent a few days just thinking about my goals and ambitions for retirement, now that I am finally here. I found that I could be pretty mundane about it all or really grandiose. I could keep it generalized or get really specific. I scribbled out many partial lists. The final ideas–and that’s all these really are–ideas, fell into a couple of broad categories, and then some specific goals that I can identify with (for now):

1. Children and Grandchildren, now ranging in age from 1 to 40, deserve a little more attention from me, while I also try not to impose on their lives.
2. The homestead.  Okay, it’s not the “north forty,” just a one-acre lot.  I have delayed improvements for years.  It’s time to plant some more trees, start a real garden space, perhaps a small greenhouse, refurbish the deck, build or purchase a shed to store the big mower, etc., so I can use my half of the garage for my pickup truck.
3. Health and Fitness.  I used to be an athlete.  I ran a 26- mile marathon when I was a 47-year-old.  I had five half-marathons and over 40 ten-kilometer races under my belt before I was 50. Then I moved away, changed careers, and didn’t do much of anything for fitness.   I need to spend some time on this.  My weight is also twenty pounds heavier than my running weight (but I am still twenty pounds lighter than my heaviest lard-butt days of a couple years ago.)
4. Hobbies.  I’ve never developed any hobbies.  Don’t know if I will, either, so I’ve decided to classify photography as a hobby.  Although I would like to make some money with photography, that’s okay too.  Making it a hobby takes the pressure off; calling myself a freelance photographer will make tax deductions easier.
5. Writing.  I was tempted to put this in the hobby category too, but I need to take it more seriously.  Earning money on the internet by freelance writing is WAY too competitive for my liking.  (Do you know that there are THOUSANDS of freelancers online?) I will try a fiction novel and my memoirs.  After that, I will look for a new goal.
6. My marriage.  I don’t know that my relationship with my spouse has deteriorated, but I do know that we all have to work at our marriages to keep them healthy, so that is a good goal too: spend lots of time improving my relationship with my wife.
7. OUTDOORs.  After years and years of sitting behind a desk, I must fight the urge to just sit in front of a computer screen (well…here I am).  Outdoor activity, whether walking the dogs, flyfishing with my son, camping with my wife, or climbing a mountain by myself, must become a priority.  Working at this will also accomplish the Fitness Goals too.

So here I am: I have written a Post that fits into several categories.  That should feel good, but instead I feel intimidated by all that I feel I need to accomplish.  And I should NOT feel like I need to ACCOMPLISH!  I am retired, or trying to be, so I now give myself persmission to TAKE A BREAK!