Category Archives: AAH-RETIREMENT

11

Oct. ’15

Fall is Here

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It’s that season again. Is it HOT or is it COLD? Mother Nature can not make up her mind and we humans pay the price for it. I even check the outside temperature before I dress, or get a long sleeve shirt, or get a jacket or even venture outside. Once outside, is the wind cool or warm; once outside, will it rain, be sunny or stay cloudy? Even the weather people, on TV, can’t get it right. But, I love spring and fall because it is not the extreme of anything. Then, why complain? There is nothing anyone can do about Mother Nature and what she have in store for whomever gets in the way. All I can say is watch the weather and don’t be hardheaded and dress wrong for the weather. We are not getting any younger and will suffer harder and longer for being foolish. When the leaves change, your clothing should change.

New carpeting have been laid on the first floor of Dogwood, at Imperial Plaza, is pretty. There was some moaning and groaning, as usual, about the inconveniences while putting in the carpet but the inconvenience was worth it. There are people that will complain about everything, just to be complaining. These are the people that will be given a pot of gold coins and they will complain that a coin is missing.

I’ve been told that approval was given for the art work to be done on the windows for Christmas but, to my understanding, there are to be no cartoons. I can live with that. The bottom line is the drawings can be done. This should make a lot of people very happy. It almost came to a riot when it was disapproved last year. For those that have not seen the Christmas drawings being done, when it starts, go by, sit and watch. A lot of people sit and watch the free hand drawings going up window by window. And, may I add, they are beautiful.

I’m making this blog a little short this week. It’s been quiet and I’m not sure if that is a good thing or not but I can’t see behind the scene. All I can do is wait just like everyone else. Until next time, keep reading and drop a comment on me.

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13

Sep. ’15

Memories

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Memories are everything. It drives us as well as, sometimes, makes us cry. Some memories are happy and some are sad but any memory is what can make us stronger. Fourteen years ago, do you remember where you were, what you were doing and who you were with? Do you remember the twin towers in New York City? That is what I am getting to and I still remember it well.

It make me feel very old knowing I remember it so clearly and remember how I felt, etc. Memories can have a nostalgic effect so powerful that it can consume your entire being and overwhelm you to a point that you will cry, laugh or just see the whole episode appear before you like a picture show. The sound, emotion and every other thing that goes with it will sometimes seem so real. You can hear a song that will take you back to a time that has long ago passed. Memories certainly have a strong effect.

I remember I was in the radio studio reading my last commercial of the morning, preparing to leave for the day. I remember how a young intern ran into the room and handed me a note. I remember reading the note, while I did the commercial (back then I could do more than one thing at a time). I remember putting the note down and continuing the commercial. The intern picked up the note and gave it to me again. I closed the mike and said I didn’t have time for jokes. She said it wasn’t a joke and I froze. I only had ten minutes left at the station but it turned out to be another five hours that I was on the air. The Twin Towers had fallen.

Memories are everything. Relatives, friends, incidents (pleasure and/or disaster) and just plain craziness. At Imperial Plaza more memories, than I care to imagine, are floating around in the heads of the many people here. Stories about WWII, Korean War, Viet Nam War and just plain life from many, many years ago. When these people, myself included, are gone, so are those memories and the history that was never written. These are people that are in their nineties and early hundreds. I was speaking with a gentleman that was ninety one and he was telling me about the WWII B-29’s. First hand experience. Real life history and not the canned stuff that is shown on the History Channel. Only the stuff that makes good documentaries and the stuff that makes the government look good is there. Not the stuff that falls between the cracks and goes unknown to the generation that doesn’t know how it really was back in those days.

Let us cherish the memories of our self and of others. Memories of others may tell you something interesting as well as something you may not have known. Once that person is called away, that memory is gone forever and it can not be retold the way it was remembered.

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02

Aug. ’15

Activities

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It is getting to be more and more exciting at Imperial Plaza these days. Trips, parties, and just plain entertainment that goes over and beyond pure fun. Just can’t get enough White Squirrel on Tuesdays and the Summer Concerts in the auditorium. Let’s not forget the monthly Dinner Dance or the bi-monthly casino trips (I won a little again) and WII bowling. But, would you believe that I still have not named everything on the schedule and there are those that still say there is not much to do at Imperial Plaza.

The other day I talked and talked to a gentleman about going out with the ROMEO group (ROMEO stand for Retired Old Men Eating Out). He and his wife have been here a long time but I can’t convince him to join us or his wife to go out with LIFE (for the women). He is not the only one I have spoken to and I get the same reaction from them. Yet, there is nothing to do here. Unbelievable!!!!

The trip to the Cultural Heritage Museum in Stautan, Va. was really great. I wish we could have spent more time there in order to see more and also not be rushed. What made it even greater was the stop for lunch at Mrs. Rowe Diner. If you want good, down home, southern, fresh (not from a can) food with homemade buns, that is the place to go. The food was delicious!!!! I want to go back just to eat so I guess I will have to drive my wife and I back to the place. The trips are becoming so popular that, at times, a second bus have to be added to accommodate everyone. It’s about time more people started to take advantage of the opportunity to get out and about with very little cost involved.

I am going to miss the Director of Activities. She is leaving for another job. The other day, I told her that I couldn’t express how much she will be missed and I didn’t think someone from the outside could come in here and do the things she have done. I wish her well.

The bicycle races are a month away and they are still working hard on city clean up, etc. This is something that should be done on a continuous basis instead of whenever a larger than large event is coming to town. This is a Capitol City and should always be presentable plus there is always a large event in town. We are always swamped with visitors, yet, we are never ready and, to piggy back onto that, it seem as though the city’s monies flows into the wrong pots. This have been happening for years and the city government still have not learned from their mistakes. By the way, parts of the races will start at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens on Lakeside Ave. and come within a block of Imperial Plaza. Lakeside Ave. and Hermitage Ave. will be shut down during that part of the races. I’ll be out there watching and cheering the racers on. Join me!!!!

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21

Jun. ’15

Fish-A-Rama

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I love fishing and can’t get enough of it. I’ll fish at every opportunity that is available to me and then try to squeeze in more. I do have a couple of problems, though. First I put into the freezer much more than I can consume in a year. Then, second, which piggyback the first one, my wife does not eat any of the fish which mean all that is in the freezer is for me. Here is an example….Imperial Plaza just went on a fishing trip to Virginia Beach. To put fresh fish into my chest freezer I had to throw out six bags of my oldest fish. I usually freeze six to eight fish to a bag and I threw out fish from 2013 and 2014. I now have three bags of eight fish from the trip. It hurt me to my heart to throw the fish away but I didn’t have any choice.

The fishing trip was on a Wednesday and, to top that off, my son-in-law and I went fishing the following Friday night. Sitting on the pier with my chair, a tablet for music, food, and a cooler with ice for the fish and sodas was relaxing as well as great. We were in heaven and have done this, in the same place, many, many times. We just love fishing and, like me, he’ll go fishing every chance he gets. Many fish were caught and we had a great time talking, eating, snoozing and, of course, fishing.

For the first time, I swear it was my first time, I gave ALL of my fish, that I caught Friday night, to a few residents at Imperial Plaza. I will not say that I will always do this but I decided to slow down filling the freezer. I plan to do a lot of fishing and don’t want to load forty or fifty bags into the freezer like I normally do. There are a lot of people, here at Imperial Plaza, that I have become friends with and I know they appreciate having fresh fish that is free. Of course I keep the best stuff (puppy drum, speckled trout, shark, etc.) and I will not clean the fish for them. A few people did not accept the fish because I would not clean it for them.

It was great going out of Virginia Beach from Ruddie’s Inlet because I haven’t taken that trip in a couple of years or so. Most of the time the boat goes out over the ship wrecks, a long, long way from shore, out in the Atlantic but this time the boat went out over the tunnel. For those of you that do not know, this is the tunnel that runs under the Chesterpeak Bay from Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore. Fish just love this area and dolphin hangout there because of that fact.

While fishing, a lady about six feet from me, caught a small shark but didn’t want it. I could not let good meat go to waste so took it from her and cooked it the next day. Shark meat is good eating although many people turn their nose up at it. They really don’t know what they are missing. Shark is good eating without bones; good boneless white meat. The only bone in a shark is the spine down to the majority of the tail.

Finally, I want to mention the Imperial Plaza activity that I have just come from (Saturday). I want to commend the people that put the Father’s Day Celebration together. It was just grand and it was FREE. We had a live band (BBB [Better Blues Band]), plenty of food and drink, tables under the trees and most of the Imperial Plaza Staff was there to serve. A person couldn’t ask for anything more although, as usual, there were people that had to complain. Personally, I could not see anything to complain about. Even the weather was nice. Again…..Thank You, Imperial Plaza Staff. Job well done.

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24

May. ’15

Retirement And More

Nachi-No-Taki Falls, Japan

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It’s been two weeks since my last “Retirement” blog and I have decided to write this every two weeks. During the off week I will do the “Faith In God Ministries” blog (faithingodministries.net or find it on my facebook page). I’ll do it this way because I am very short on time but I also want to keep doing the blogs. So far, I have found this to be the only solution and if anyone have a better solution, let me know.

Now that it is warm and getting warmer, Imperial Plaza is going to more interesting places. We have just come from Yorktown, Va. (history buffs can look the place up) and will be going to Virginia Beach, Va. for some salt water fishing off the coast. I have fished where they are going many times and nice sized Black Bass are really plentiful this time of year. If the boat captain goes to where the ship wrecks are, there should be a lot of other fish also. This coming Wednesday is a two day trip to the casino at Charlestown, WV. Of course us ROMEO (retired old men eating out) guys have found more interesting restaurants. We have been to the Marine Museum at Quantico, the White House and a few other places. It is restful and a lot of fun when someone else is driving and the cost is low. Retirement is wonderful.

When I was younger I never thought about when I would get older and retire nor what it would be like. It was as if I would never get older or retire. My mind was never thinking that far ahead. Sure, I heard all about saving for retirement and all the other commercials that came with that but it still was something far off into the future, not right around the corner. Well, it’s here and have been for a few years now (boy, time flies) and I want to enjoy every minute of it because tomorrow is not promised. I could run into a bad cop or just keel over, who knows? I made it this far and want to enjoy what is left before it is too late.

Richmond is getting ready for the bicycle races that will be here in September. There will be participants and observers from all over the world. It will also be televised and I plan on watching from the sidelines. I will probably get a better view on TV because it will be covering many miles, through many sections of the city. I want to be in that circle for the time trials and whatever else that happens there. This is a once in a lifetime event because it may not be here next year or again during my lifetime. I love riding my bike so I’ll ride my bike to the races to avoid traffic and parking but I am not the person for competition nor am I young enough. I leave that to the younger guys and gals.

Before I close I just want to say that I want you to enjoy life and, when you decide to retire, enjoy it even more. There are many things out there and all you have to do is get out and find it. There are so many things geared toward people that are retired, even the handicapped. There is no excuse not to enjoy the things that are there. Life is short, enjoy it now.

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18

Apr. ’15

Time For Everything

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Finally started riding my bike and I found out, quickly, that I am a little out of shape. It won’t take long to get my body back into shape which will mean I can then explore further out and be out a much longer time, like I used to. It feels so good to be out early in the morning, before a lot of traffic and when it is cooler. I also love to ride until I sweat because I believe it releases a lot of toxins that is in the body. Sweat is good but I must have time to wash the funk away. LOL It also provides a peaceful solitude for thinking.

Now that I am a Deacon, I must have my mind in the right place and think about what is coming up. I must pray and prepare. I believe and have witnessed going from not having any idea about what direction I was going in or what to say to having a revelation that is clear as a bell. Sometimes it is well in advance and at times it is at the last minute. I just let God and God has never let me down yet and never will. That is where bike riding come into the picture. Solitude, peacefulness, exercise and release of toxins gives me insight into what I must do. It also gives me energy to do the multitude of things that is on my plate. I have to take things slower than when I was younger because at my age I must remember that my body tire easier.

Lately the weather have been mostly good and I even had the opportunity to have my car washed. I needed an interior cleaning more than anything else because I am lazy. The exterior is getting more pollen than dirt but the frequent showers we are getting help wash off the car occasionally. Now those little green worms are dangling from their web cords everywhere. It’s just starting and, in a few days, they will be everywhere. I will then have a use for them.

The other day I received in the mail order I made the other night. I now have a Venus Fly Trap. I sat it up and will have to wait a few days for the plants to take hold of it surroundings. When the rest of the pods (I think that is what the little mouths are called) open I will feed it a worm or two. The instructions say it only eats one bug once a week per plant. I have two therefore I won’t hurt the worm population at all. The instruction paper say the plant doesn’t have to eat, it will just be smaller. There are a lot of plants in the apartment and that takes a bit of caring also. Then I have my fish tank.

I must mention that my wife and I went on the Imperial Plaza bus trip to tour the White House and then ate at a fine restaurant across the street from the White House. The President’s motorcade turned the corner, heading back to the White House, while we were waiting for our bus. We didn’t see the helicopter but heard the one man helicopter that landed on the Capitol lawn. What a trip we had and a trip to the Pentagon is being planned. Imperial Plaza always have good trips like ROMEO (check previous blogs to see what that stand for) trips once a month.

Next week the blog will have more things that I hope is interesting for all to read. I should have some stuff concerning what is going on with Imperial Plaza (oh, I forget, Brookdale’s Imperial Plaza). So until the next time take care, be good, stay safe and God bless you all.

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12

Apr. ’15

Not Much To Be Said

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Where should I start? I don’t know because not much have happened this week. My wife spent a week, with one of her daughters and two grand-daughters, in Puerto Rico. I stayed home although we talked each day. I enjoyed a nice easy, relaxing week although I missed her dearly. She bugs the hell out of me all the time but when she’s gone I really miss her.

Last Sunday, Easter, was a long and full day. It really started on Saturday when my Pastor, the other Minister at the church and I went to the Bishop’s church for a service that lasted longer than I anticipated. Although it was long, I really didn’t know that time was flying by and the food was excellent. I don’t know what it is about church food but it is always good. Maybe it’s because it’s in the house of God or the cooks are saints. I don’t know except that it’s good food that fills a deep hole in my stomach. Then on Sunday, after my church, we all went to another church. Good food again as well as the service. I finally got home during the late afternoon.

What do you think of the police shooting in South Carolina? What about the police assaulting a suspect in California Friday? This has been going on for more years than I can count. I’m a Black man that grew up knowing to be careful around the police. It was instilled in me when I was very young and I have, over the years, heard many, many tales about what happens if you are stopped by the police for any reason. I became a policeman and I have heard the derogatory comments made by my so-called brothers in uniform. I’ve seen the unnecessary rough treatment meted out by my so-called brothers in blue. I was written up once because I used caution and kindness instead of man-handling a suspect. It was said I was a danger to whomever was my partner. The way I saw it the suspect was compliant and was not creating any problems.

I agree that some people deserve rough treatment but not the overall majority. On the other hand, kids and older people today are rather arrogant and show no respect to the police officer or anyone else that have authority. I’m talking about when they are sober and it gets worst when they are intoxicated in any way. Look at that woman that left her car in the middle of the busy highway and started walking down the middle of the busy road. Sure she was drunk but, after she sobers, I bet she will get a lawyer and try to sue for some outlandish reason. There are lawyers that would sue their own mother if they could make a dollar or two. Don’t get me wrong, there are many more good lawyers than bad ones but the bad always float to the top and be seen by everyone, just like the bad cops. Keep watching the news. It’s not over yet and won’t be for a very long while.

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08

Mar. ’15

Update

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Two weeks have gone by and it is warming up again.  It’s been a challenge to get through the snow and cold because it has been a while since I have endured this type of cold.  In fact I was still in the air force, in North Dakota, and that was what made me retire.  I can take the cold when I am prepared for it, however, moving to Imperial Plaza I didn’t think I needed my cold gear since I wasn’t shoveling snow or staying outside working anymore.  I didn’t think about the walking to and fro from my car or being outside cleaning the two cars.  My wife says I should get some boots, long johns, etc.  I say no because I will only use it two or three times a year.  It’s a waste and storage problems are also involved.

Here at Imperial Plaza, we are in a wait and see mode.  I am of the mind to zip it and let the explosion of angry people happen.  Granted, I could be wrong but, as of yet, I don’t see it.  I see, hear and know the underlying anger that is all around.  There are situations that have gone underground and are still there but it will see the light of day, eventually.  In other words, the situations are not so blatant as before.  I am afraid that the ones that are to be hurt the most are the most favorite employees.  That is a shame.

Another thing that is fast approaching is my installation as a Deacon.  In two weeks I will become a Deacon at the new ministry and I hope there will be a large crowd present.  The church, at this time, has only a few people that attend and I will be the only Deacon.  With the growth of the church, I am assuming we will add more of everything.  But, at this time, everything is at a minimum.

I was driving to work, the other morning, at the height of the snow storm, because the dayshift person could not make it in to work, and noticed the road condition.  I thought of this many times before but this is the first time I am writing about it.  I had to drive in a part of Richmond and a part of Henrico and the road had been plowed in Richmond but was still hard to travel.  However, in Henrico the road was plowed also but it was almost clear.  What a difference.  I could always tell the difference when I worked for an armored car company.  Those trucks are pretty bumpy and I could tell the difference in the road surface between Henrico, Chesterfield and Richmond.  The roads were rated from best to worst in the order I gave.  People have been complaining about the roads in Richmond but, with the exception of the main roads, the roads seem to be getting worst.  All I can say is, if you are driving in Richmond, stay on the main streets and stay away from the narrow side streets.

Until the next time, take care and be good.  Like I used to say on my radio programs…Be kind to your neighbors because you’ll never know when you’ll need them….also, ensure your words are soft and sweet because you’ll never know when you’ll have to eat them.  SEE YA!!!!

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22

Feb. ’15

Bad Weather

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We have had some really rough days here at Imperial Plaza but not as bad as the people in the northeast. Extreme cold, rain, snow, ice and, mixed in it, sun. I finally had my chance to do what I threatened to do; stand in the window with a cup of hot coffee and look out at the weather. When I got rid of my house and moved to Imperial Plaza, that is what I said I wanted to do during the worst weather.

When a person (man) have a house, bad or good weather doesn’t mean anything. Yard work, repairs and beautification must be done, each and every day. That mean rain, shine, hot, cold, daylight or darkness. The work never cease and that is just the outside. Remember, after it’s all said and done outside, the inside awaits attention (which does not include the “honey do” list).

This is the reason I “Love” Imperial Plaza, work only if you want to. I now have everything done for me and that is why I took on many other things I had been neglecting or wanted to do. This even left time to take on the responsibilities of the Church. In my younger life, I had been very active in the Church but drifted away. Now I am back and, believe it or not, have a better vision about what is to be done at the new Church.

The six o”clock news showed a film clip of a fire at the place where I have a part-time job. Luck was with the place by having no injuries and minor damage. This is the season for that sort of thing happening everywhere because people love to use space heaters and will sleep while they are on. I am glad it has not happened here but the other day we had a sprinkler pipe burst and cause water damage. A few residents had to spend a couple of days in a hotel as the cleanup people did their work.

Last week all outside activities and excursions were canceled because of the weather. It is the first time “ROMEO” (retired old men eating out) did a cancellation. We did do the WII bowling and a few other things but the weather kept things to a minimum. Hats off to the support people for, first, getting here through the cold and snow and, second, doing a fine job taking care of all of us. Thank You and I wish I could do more than to say……. Thank You. I am dry, warm and thankful for being able to stand in my window, drink my hot coffee and look out onto the bad weather.

One other thing to smile about is many churches closed due to the bad weather, that is, except for the church I am a part of. If they close of presumed bad weather, what are they going to do when the weather is really bad? Never presume, act only when needed. In other words, don’t jump the gun.

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14

Feb. ’15

Busy In Retirement

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The past couple of weeks have been busy with more to come.  Since retirement, I have been busier than when I was working full time and owned my house.  Now I am retired, working part-time, don’t own a house anymore and live in a retirement community.  I find more things to do, to get involved in and I wonder how I got myself into this.  I really don’t know but it sneaks up on you and before you know what happened, there are more things on your plate than you have room for.

It is said that activity keeps your heart pumping and keep you in good shape.  I don’t know about all of that but it is so bad I find myself looking at my pocket calendar two or three times a day to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything and should be somewhere else instead of relaxing.  Here I am relaxing and writing this blog and I know I have a group of other things to do.  Alas, to tell the truth, I love it and really can’t give up the activity.

My son-in-law is a preacher and started a new church four Sundays ago and I was there each Sunday except for one, so far.  Now, I have accepted the position as Deacon and will be officially seated on the twenty second of March by the Bishop.  I started being busier than ever this week because I have to be at Bible study, be busy after Sunday service and other things for the church.

My wife and I went to Maryland Live Wednesday and I gave back the money I won at Hollywood Casino in West Virginia a couple of weeks, or so, ago.  Oh well, it was fun and we had a good time.  It is fun to just get away, even if it is only for one day.  Then it is back to the grind with smiles.   The traffic wasn’t bad because I left Imperial Plaza at ten in the morning and left Maryland at seven at night.  This way I miss the working people traffic in and around Washington D.C.  The trip is one hundred and thirty three miles one way and it took me two hours each way.  Of course I was carefully speeding (smile).

We got back to Imperial Plaza and, I should not have been surprised, there is only one elevator again although the Otis elevator people were here the day before.  The elevator was out of order a week but, as usual, one of the two is always down.  When there is a move, it gets really bad because of the backup of people trying to go up or down the elevator.  I pray to God there is never an emergency and the elevator is needed.  From what I have been told, someone was stuck on one of the elevators for more than twenty minutes.

Wish me well on me becoming a Deacon and I invite all to my ceremony.  Contact me and I will give directions.

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