Category Archives: AAH-RETIREMENT

31

May. ’14

Outings Galore

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Again I have had a full week and, right now, I am pleasantly tired.  This week I’ll write about two things, ROMEO and The Traveling Vietnam Wall.  First ROMEO.  At Imperial Plaza ROMEO stands for Retired Old Men Eating Out and we had two meals this month (May).  When we were originally scheduled to go to the steakhouse there was a vicious rain and hail storm.  All of us were on the bus, except for Ron, raring to go.  All of us men were on the bus having fun laughing and joking with the storm raging all around when Ron came on the bus to say the trip was cancelled because of the storm.  We didn’t want to cancel because we knew it would soon blow over.

We went to the White Squirrel and had dinner there.  We didn’t care about the storm or anything else because it was our evening out and we would not be daunted.   Ron came in and we jokingly told him the tab was on him because he cancelled, we didn’t.  He laughed it off and said he would reschedule the outing.  He called me three days later and said we were rescheduled for the following Thursday.  We went to the steakhouse and partied hard because we are ROMEO.

The Vietnam Traveling Wall may not be as good as seeing the real thing but it was something a Vietnam vet should not miss.  While there, the vets had the opportunity to computer research the name of a fallen service member and locate the name on the wall (where it would be in DC at the real wall).  The display also included some small items used in Vietnam along with a few pictures.  Some of the pictures bought back memories that were being suppressed but I made out ok.

I was a little sad but after talking to a couple of vets (we all can start a conversation with another vet at the drop of a hat) we lost that feeling (they admitted they felt bad also) and we had a pleasant but short conversation.  All of us Vietnam Vets are brothers, no matter where we may meet, and all other vets are second.  A hard thing to say but vets understand this because we all went through the same thing.

That was a short week but a full week.  Take care!!

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11

May. ’14

Warm Weather

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I know I am late getting this out but, yesterday, I was at a Mother’s Day/Graduation Celebration at my daughter’s house in Chesterfield.  Her daughter just graduated Richard Bland College (a branch of William and Mary University).  Everyone was there and it was great.  To all the mothers that read this HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY and many more to come.  I hope that you are taking it easy today or, if you are reading this after Sunday, you took it easy and had a great day.  You all deserve it more than I can say.

I haven’t had much time to ride my bicycle because of commitments and the weather.  I know there are riders that ride in any weather, at any time, but I do not.  Mine is strictly a fair weather thing and for exercise.  It is better than a stationary bike and requires many more muscles.  On a two wheeler, a person must maintain balance, go up and down hill, dodge vehicles and obstacles and use almost every muscle in the body.  That is exercise over being on a gym bike.

The people playing the WII on Thursday and Sunday afternoons (ran by my wife, Alba) seem to be having a good time.  I have sat in the White Squirrel drinking draft beers and cheering them on.  A couple of people, which have been there from the beginning, have been absent the past couple of times but the majority is still there and wants to expand.  They are looking great and, believe it or not, it is mild exercise.

Imperial Plaza, as scheduled, went to Maryland Live casino and, as usual, it was great.  I enjoy these trips because I don’t have to drive and it is so relaxing.  This way I can eat, drink alcohol and play without the thought of driving.  The bus still had empty seats although it is usually full.  Maybe people are finding other things to do during the warm weather months.  I understand because I also have so much on my plate that I can’t attend everything I used to attend.  I will try to do better but, as I said a few times before, I will get my bicycling in when the weather allows.

I am asking you to pass this blog on to others as well as my Facebook page and my writings with Yahoo Voices.  Bye-bye!

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03

May. ’14

The Bicycle Races Are Here

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Now that the bad weather bought about the real spring it is now the actual time for bicycling in earnest.  I have been out and about parts of these fine locations (we are a few yards from Henrico) and I have traveled both by two wheels and have had lots of fun doing it although my rear end disagree.  The small seat, which comes with the purchase of the bicycle, really does a number on your rear end.  I understand why a lot of bicyclists rise up to ride.

I ordered and received a larger and softer seat for my Schwinn and it feels wonderful.  I don’t know why it doesn’t already come equipped this way.  I guess the company wants a person to spend more money for additional equipment.   I don’t mind as long as it’s something that is necessary.

I guess you have heard about the National Bicycle Championship being held here in Richmond this weekend.  I rode my regular route yesterday, which was Friday, and then headed downtown to check out the time trials.  It was a nice setup and I think the International Bicycle Races, next year, will be pleased with the route.  This year’s contest is on a portion of the track for next year.

There were not a lot of people watching and I am guessing it was because it was a workday Friday.  Today and tomorrow should be much different and have crowds everywhere.  Richmond has something for everyone and that is something most cities can’t say.  In fact there are three or four major events happening at the same time.  Each week there is something different in the area and at Imperial Plaza.

Next Wednesday Imperial Plaza will again go to Maryland Live casino and, of course, my wife and I hope to be there.  It should be a lot of fun and the weather should cooperate.  I expect to lose, as usual, but it is fun eating, trying to hit a jackpot as well as just getting away for a few hours.  That’s what it is all about.

I’ve had a couple people say they don’t know when a new blog is out.  Just look to the right and “follow” or “subscribe” and every time a new blog is posted, you will automatically know.  You may comment or contact me, which ever or both.  Oh, by the way…..FISHING TIME!

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11

Apr. ’14

The Great Outdoors

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Those that missed the trip to Washington and the cruise on the Potomac missed a grand day.  The weather co-operated and there was no shortage of fun, good music and great food.  Ron and Tracy took a lot of pictures of people and I took many sightseeing pictures especially close-ups of the take offs and landings of the planes.  I even have some good shots of the helicopter before it landed.  From what I understand, there will be other great trips.  Don’t miss the next one.

I am still vigorously riding my bicycle and now I am all over Lakeside, Dumbarton, Stapes Mill and Broad Street.  It feels better than just riding in Bryan Park.  I am almost ready to go further than I am now but I must first get the gel seat Ron was telling me about.  My rear end is killing me.  I don’t have much back there and the bike is trying to take what’s there.  I’m sore as hell.  My legs are doing fine and, in fact, I surprised myself by getting back to Imperial Plaza quicker than intended and I wasn’t even winded.

The drivers out there are crazy dangerous and here I am on a bicycle in their way.  I had a crazy lady turn into a car lot, right in front of me, and then tried to park in the row of cars along the sidewalk.  Instead of stopping at the edge of the side walk, she went out a little further and almost hit me.  Riding a bicycle is not crazy, it’s the drivers out there that are crazy.  As I said in an article I had in Yahoo Voices, the drivers only care about themselves and, if you get in their way, you will be hurt.

There was a big accident, here at Imperial Plaza.  A woman was driving to the rear of Dogwood apartments and as she came around the corner of the building, instead of turning, she kept straight.  She hit a car so hard that she knocked it into another car and pushed both vehicles two parking slots away.  She was not injured but the vehicles were badly damaged, at least one was totaled.

Don’t forget the last blog, see me on Yahoo or contact me and I’ll tell you how.  Have fun, spring is here outdoor activities are starting and I see people in the garden plots.  Take care!!!!

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28

Mar. ’14

Retirement Is Wonderful

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Retirement……..I was never this busy when I was working but, I guess, staying active will make me feel younger and spry (or so it is said).  I feel good and being here at Imperial Plaza is a way of making sure I stay good.  I finally received the tire pump for my bicycle and, weather permitting, I will start back to bicycling.  My two son-in-laws want to cycle with me when they can.  That should be fun.  I just can’t wait for the three of us to be bicycling in Bryan Park and around the grounds of Imperial Plaza.

The White Squirrel is open.  It is a small café, next to the restaurant, and it serves, for now, breakfast and lunch.  Their menu is great and the prices are even better.  What makes the place so good is the serving of beer and wine.  I have been there twice, one breakfast and one lunch, and I have complaints.  Maybe it will get better as time passes but I have my doubts.  The service is slow, you have to hunt for someone to get a bill and the tables are always short of sugars in the bowl.  I guess I’ll have to wait because I don’t want to say anything to the supervisors and get someone in trouble or even fired.

One good thing about being retired is you have all the time in the world to do whatever.  All this week I did just that, I did whatever and that amounted to nothing.  I just can’t explain what it felt like except that it felt good.  I believe I accomplished some good writing with all that relaxed time.  A couple of articles I’ve been working on are almost ready for submission.  After I finish this I will get back to work on them and try to have it ready by tomorrow night.

I have a writers club meeting in the morning.  It is usually the third Saturday but the third Saturday in April will run into Easter.  The writer’s club is a great group of people and those of you that write and don’t belong to a club should consider joining one.  There are several here in the Richmond area and each one is different yet the same.  In other words, they tend to accomplish the same thing by meeting at different times on different days with different people.

By the way, I was told the article I did two weeks ago did not print out.  Everything is there except for the body and I have tried to put the body in place without any luck.  If I have people that want that article reprinted, I will do so, just give me the word.  Until the next time……Take care, be good and keep reading.  It really helps if you would pass my address on to others and hit the like button.  This way I won’t think you want a dislike button.  Bye-bye!

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08

Mar. ’14

Graves Mountain and Imperial Plaza

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The people at Imperial Plaza that did not take the trip to Grave’s Mountain Lodge for lunch missed a fantastic trip.  I was in my apartment thinking, before we left, about the road conditions and the weather in general because of the recent snows.  To my surprise the roads were clear and dry and very few pot holes.  Thumbs up for the state of Virginia which is not like the state of Georgia and never have been.  Then the scenery can be added in and it made for a wonderful ride.

Those of us that went on the trip had the pleasure of travelling in the new Imperial Plaza bus.  Of course our favorite driver, Terry, was behind the wheel and Ron led the way, as usual.  However, Terry and I were looking at the bus and, of course, inspecting it as we looked at the rear camera that had a large display for the driver.  Then we found a leak on the right corner of the windshield that came from the snow that was on the roof of the bus.  Always something but it’s better than the other bus which had most of the windows leaking and, at times, the person sitting next to a window would get wet.  Now, that’s all gone and a smoother ride to boot.

We had a delicious meal and fantastic table talk and the usual beautiful view out the window.  The weather co-operated and the day was wonderful and it wasn’t too cold.  If I were to eat there every day, I would be big as a house and then some.  It was a lot and I could not have eaten everything; I was stuffed to the gills.  Then we left for our favorite stop, The Yoder Store.  There is so much there to choose from that I usually find myself spending more than I counted on, but it’s all good.  Then there are the small corrals with all types of animals in them.  In the goat corral there is a long ramp that wraps around the corral, slowly going high in the air.  The goats will walk to the top and wait for someone to get a cup of grain and send it up for them to eat.  If you want to see pictures of this, you need only to contact me.

I enjoy these trips, they are simply wonderful and, being selfish, I don’t have to drive.  So far, everywhere I have travelled with Imperial Plaza it was Terry driving and a couple of times Ron drove and, of course, the James River Bus Line.  My wife kids me about overly enjoying myself and, yes, I am enjoying Imperial Plaza.  More residents should go on these trips and enjoy themselves also.

Until next week, all take care and join me on some of these trips.  There is plenty room or there can be a second bus.  Let’s have some fun together.

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08

Feb. ’14

This and That

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It’s been a long time since I went on a long bus trip with Imperial Plaza, the beginning of last fall, to be exact.  That was when we went to the mountains for lunch.  That was nice because the food was good, we stopped to buy apples fresh off the tree and we stopped at a store owned by the Amish.  This time we went to Jamestown Museum and had a guided tour through the Black Culture section for Black History Month.

After the tour we all milled around the souvenir shop in which a few went in and a few of us stayed by the front door.  The museum had let three women use a power scooter to get around the museum faster.  One of them decided to drive through the shop instead of walking.  While I was talking with one of the men, by the front door, the lady decided to go up an aisle to the rear of the shop, tried to make a sharp turn and knocked down a stand of glassware.  That was the same woman who slowly walks through Dogwood’s basement parking, down the middle of the vehicle travel lane into the outside parking lot and slowly down the middle of the parking lot to Boxwood.  Vehicles coming down the street or not.

We went to a restaurant in Yorktown, looking out onto the water.  It was nice, upper class and had really good food.  We all sat at one long table and had good banter among all of us.  Then the subject turned to fishing between Ron, two women and I.  I showed my phone pictures of coolers of fish caught off Cheatum Coast Guard Station’s quarter mile long pier.  I love fishing there, especially when I have my son-in-law with me.

Now I must be a semi-hermit.   By that I mean that most of my time will be spent in the apartment because I am at the end of my project and must finish.  I am entering a writing contest and the first part is due next week.  If I am selected as a finalist, forty thousand more words are due by the end of March.  Wish me luck!  I love writing and have a couple more contests to enter and a short time to do it.  However, there are a few more trips to go on.

As usual, most of the bad storms are missing us.  Don’t get me wrong, I like it, but, I don’t want us to be like the west coast and be bone dry.  All eyes are on these storms and, as long as we get lite storms, we should be okay until this summer.  Another thing real quick, I was happy to see the really cold temperatures because it will help control the bugs during our warm season.

Leave a comment or contact me and let me know what to write or something like that.  SEE YA!

PASS IT ON!!!!!

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06

Feb. ’14

Tail Gating

Sorry that I have not written anything in the past week and a half.  I have been to New York for a funeral, the omnipresent “Honey Do” list and out with Imperial Plaza.  The Plaza always has something going on although most of the tenants do not attend.  Those of us that do attend have a great time and, as always, look forward to more.  According to Ron, there is more coming (I just have to look at my personal calendar and see all the things I have signed up for this month) especially when warmer, nicer weather get here.

New York City’s traffic was crazy.  I know what you are saying, it’s always crazy.  Well, last week was New York’s crazy traffic, The Super Bowl traffic and Chinese New Year traffic.  Parking was not to be had.  A person damn near had to call a tow truck to tow a vehicle out of the way in order for you to park.  Other than that, it was not bad at all.  In fact, I got out of New York a day ahead of a snow storm.  That was luck.  I’ve always said that if it was not for bad luck I wouldn’t have any luck.

There was a Super Bowl party (Tail Gating) in the auditorium and I was helping to set it up.  It was fun to actually do this but then I noticed how the people were acting (I kept my mouth shut).  The people started to arrive forty five minutes early, we had to close the door and I was the guard to keep them out.  We had six tables set up and when I sat at a table a lady told me she was saving the other seats for her friends.  I have been to a lot of functions and this is REALLY getting out of hand.  I then sat at another table and was told the same thing but I refused to move.

Now, that was not too bad.  Have you seen how a kid will act when they are really hungry and someone say “Let’s Eat”?  Well, that’s how these people acted.  The table where I sat was near the front of the line for the food table and when the announcement came to get the food, three ladies at my table jumped up and almost knocked over two other ladies that were rushing to the tables.

Later one small featured woman came back to the table with her food, which was overflowing the plate, and sat down to eat.  I was wondering where she was going to put that large amount of food.  Then I noticed people going to the table a second time before others had been once, including me.  All of this has been an eye opener and I also saw who I can and cannot be friends with.  In the meantime, comment and pass the address to others about this blog.  Until next time, SO LONG!

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24

Jan. ’14

Ramblings

It’s wonderful and fun to be completely retired.  It is wonderful to just look out the window, relax and just look.  You don’t have to go anywhere unless you want to.  You don’t have to get up early unless you want to or your bladder calls for you to do it.  You don’t have to cook unless you want to.  You don’t have to go out to eat unless you want to.  You can either go to the café or restaurant or have it delivered.  Here at Imperial Plaza you don’t have to do anything at all except if you want to.  How great is that?  Tell me of another place that you can do this and it is forbidden to tip.

Remember I wanted to have a cup of coffee in my hand and look out at the falling snow and watch the cars being covered?  Well, it has finally happened and the feeling was as great as I expected it to be.  It may have been greater because I really enjoyed it.  My wife thinks I have lost it for good but I am completely sane since being here at Imperial Plaza.  It felt good not having to get up to shovel snow and salt walkways.  When it is too cold to walk the short distance between buildings you can walk the connectors and never get wet, cold or hot.  Kings should live like this (smile).  Don’t wake me, this is a dream I want to keep.

My wife and I went to the dinner dance this evening and, as usual, the place was packed.  This is the first dinner dance that I didn’t care for the food.  Everything was superb except the food.  At my table of four, I was the only person that almost finished the food.  I left some and I ate what I did because I was hungry.  It had a Japanese theme and décor but most of it was not my thing.  The wine, music and people were the only thing that kept me going.

My wife did not want me writing anything about it but I had to do it.  It’s not that next month will be the same because it will not.  I just want to vent.  Those of you that read this article please don’t fault The Activities Department.  Like in the military, they are only following the orders given to them.  I see Ron and Tracie have scheduled some good programs for next month, to coincide with Black History Month (February).  It should be great and I can’t wait to see what else is on the calendar.  Those two do a great job, over and beyond expectation, making the calendar.  They need more space and they need more help.  By that I mean help in distributing and in getting the calendar together.  So far, as I see it, No one needs the help more than the Activities Department.  Give them a long and loud round of APPLASE!

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20

Jan. ’14

Love It Here

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It has been a good weekend and I have had fun each and every day.  For those that want something to do, there is plenty to do.  All you have to do is get up, go out and do it.  I was at the pool event at Boxwood Saturday morning and the turnout was fair.  A couple of people I expected to be there didn’t show.  Those of us that did come had a good time.  And, although I can’t shoot pool like I want to or like a couple of guys I have met, things went good because the rest of us can’t shoot worth a darn also.

There was a disagreement about the rules of the game and some other little things.  There was one woman complaining about the condition of the pool cues, especially the bridge (the metal portion came off).  I promised to get my screw driver and come back to fix it.  I forgot and, while writing this, just remembered.  I stay so busy lately that I am forgetting a few minor things.  It is not old age forgetfulness but it’s me staying busy.

Let me explain.  I entered one writing contest that is due on February fifteenth.  Now I am entered into another that is partly due on February thirty first.  Put that all together and it spells constant thinking, writing, rewriting and thinking again.  Then there are things to do in the apartment as well as what my wife have planned.  This does not count going out to Imperial Plaza events.  They say staying busy keeps a soul young and strong.  I say it keeps a body tired.

The weather forecast says there will be snow tomorrow into Wednesday.  I will finally see a good snowfall while here at Imperial Plaza and enjoy NOT shoveling snow, deicing walkways and parking spaces, and standing at the window watching the happenings.  I have dreamed of this and now it is finally here.  I just hope the employees are okay because they have a family and a life that is other than this place.

I can’t count the years that the weather did not exist in my life.  I had to travel to work regardless the weather.  I have worked in the extreme cold, heat, snow and whatever.  I fully understand and feel for all the employees.  I’ve been in their shoes and, at the time, enjoyed it.  It is so very hard to give that up and let others do it without me.

So, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!  But, when it is all said and done, there is a place in my heart that feels for all the employees at Imperial Plaza.  They all do a fantastic job and are super friendly every time I run across one.  I am glad to be here while I can enjoy all the things Imperial Plaza have to offer.  Keep up the good work!

 

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