Routine Captain Musgrave believed that routine was important for morale. Thus, he had everyone rise daily with the cook at 6:00 a.m. The early time was important not only for psychological reasons; it took a lot of wood to keep the cabin heated—they kept the blaze going night and day—so the earlier the start, the […]
Resourcefulness (If you haven’t read Part I) Where did the men of the Grafton look to find materials to build? Obviously, the answer was in their new world, things natural to the island and the wreckage of their ship, much of it still submerged in icy water. So they found copper to line their stove, […]
In 1864 the British schooner Grafton wrecked off the coast of the Auckland Islands. The crew’s story, as told by Joan Druett (Island of the Lost, 2019) became a primer for how to survive a shipwreck. And reading it during the quarantine of 2020, I found a guide to surviving retirement in a pandemic. I’ll […]
“But I don’t plan to retire.” My friends words were typical of what I hear when others learn of my book. I think my response surprised him. Him: “But I don’t plan to retire.” Me: “Neither do I.” Him: “But you did!” Me: “Not really.” Him: “Yeah” (said with heavy sarcasm), “so that’s why you […]
So last week we drove up the Pecos Canyon near Terrero, New Mexico, and what did we see? More fishermen (and fisherwomen) casting for trout than I’ve ever seen along the Pecos. Ever. Which made me think of Walmart during the quarantine. Do you know what was missing from shelves other than toilet paper? BICYCLES. […]
Couldn’t help but notice—my early days of retirement and this social distancing thing are alike—same isolation, same sense of aimlessness, same anxiety. So I learned some things from the first that are helping me with the second. Phrased as advice for others, they are . . . You are not alone. Reach out to others […]
Wanna make a friend smile during these days of quarantine? My book is not only about retirement. It’s about health, creativity, fun and, yes, hope—no matter how old you are. ANNOUNCING MY ALMOST FREE EBOOK GIVEAWAY Starting Monday, April 6 and for a limited time, I’m almost giving away the e-version of my book. Almost—because […]
Enough of this Coronavirus talk. Today, I want to talk about my happy thought, the birthday present I gave myself this year. I’m talking about a Diamondback, Hardtail Mountain Bike, complete with aluminum frame, 27.5 inch wheels and disk brakes, all new features for me. I have a long history with mountain bikes, starting at […]
Of course, there will be life after the Coronavirus. Just a little knowledge of history tells us that. Our grandparents got on with life after both the Great War and the Great Depression. Ditto for our parents after World War II. In my generation, we’ve seen the assassination of an American president, two major stock […]
Well, it happened. I got my first negative review on Amazon. Came from a guy named The Darkside. Yep, a little spooky. Didn’t know whether to purchase a lightsaber or string garlic around my computer. Anyway, Darkside’s critique was insightful. Evidently, I “started off good,” but “dragged on with little substance especially for a gen […]