December.  It rolls around every eleven months without fail. Whether we like it or not. I like it.  And while fall will always be my absolute favorite time of year, fall leads the way to the spirit of the holiday season, which is a good thing – in my book. Christmas trees, twinkling lights, holiday window displays, gingerbread, snow angels and nostalgic memories of Christmas long ago, all come alive in December.

It’s 38 degrees outside and I’m thinking, “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”  So, of course I just have to listen to the song.  You know, “Baby It’s Cold Outside!”   Number 1, because it’s cold, foggy and rainy outside while I’m toasty warm inside, and number 2, well, because it’s just a good song for this time of the year.

“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going
too fast–you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.”  –  Eddie Cantor

I think I may need to add #11 to my 10-step program to retirement – or whatever major life change that applies – and that is, give yourself permission to be tired.

“The Smithsonian museums are among this country’s most endearing treasures and I look forward to helping maintain and enhance their coveted works of art.”  Xavier Becerra

I don’t know why walking the Camino de Santiago has such a hold on me, but it surely does.  I learned of the Camino through my blogging community and then Abi and I had the opportunity to see the documentary, “Walking the Camino, Six Ways to Santiago” and I left the theater completely inspired and fully committed to walking. I mean, if a young woman can push her 3-year-old son in a stroller across the country of Spain, then surely, I can make the walk.

One of my most favorite things to see when we travel across the vast prairies of this country is the mile-long freight trains that often run alongside the highway. I start out trying to count the number of cars but soon give up because I simply can’t keep up.  But if I’m really lucky I’ll hear that long drone – somewhat lonely – call of a train whistle.  There’s just something about it that tugs at my soul; almost makes me want to bum a ride in an empty freight car headed for parts unknown.  Almost.

First impressions of redefining retirement and life on the east coast… well, let’s narrow it down a bit to first impressions of life in an vertical community apartment and the surrounding neighborhood business district.

The Road to Retirement

In 7 1/2 days we drove Big Betty approximately 3,109 miles and she sucked down approximately 448 gallons of gas.  Big Betty did her job well, we had no problems whatsoever, but I gotta tell ya I was more than ready to say farewell when we dropped her off at Home Depot.

The Road East – Day 7

For the past 9 years I’ve been driving my little ’05 Honda Civic Hybrid (a.k.a Hazel) and I could zip, zip, zip around town and easily access any parking space.  I loved that car and was sad to say good-bye to her when we left Ashland.  Driving Big Betty is a bit different than driving my little Hazel.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve attempted to look in the rear view mirror that doesn’t exist, or look over my left shoulder before changing lanes, only to see a wall of yellow truck over my shoulder.

The Road East: Day 6

Here we are in Frankfurt, Kentucky watching our absolute favorite show, The Big Bang Theory.  Please tell me you think it is hilarious.  I’m trying not to be overly panicked worried concerned that there are flash flood warnings scrolling across the bottom of the screen.  I think I heard the word tornado; we are in the midwest after all.  No worries.  Only (only?) torrential rains and flash flooding.