11

May. ’14

Warm Weather

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

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!

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

03

May. ’14

The Bicycle Races Are Here

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

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!

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

26

Apr. ’14

Here’s The News From Imperial Plaza

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

From the Imperial Plaza “Plaza Professional Pharmacy Newsletter” April is alcohol awareness month.  I did not know this.  After reading the newsletter I only found a couple things I did not know but, for the most part, it was pretty informative.  It is very true that elderly people should not drink or, at least, drink very, very little.  I drink very little because I need my faculties for driving, bicycling or writing.  I’m not trying to be a Puritan but, over the years, I’ve had MORE than my share of alcohol.  I still, every now and then, put one on but the hangovers are stronger now.

The play last Saturday night was really good.  Before I went, I was pretty apprehensive but, while watching, I was lost in the performance.  The actors were better than I thought they would be and I was surprised at the few stage props that were used.  I would go to see them again if all of the performances are like this one.  It was only an hour and cost only three dollars.  I heard a few people complaining about having to pay but, personally, I don’t think it was much at all.

Next month is casino month.  We are going to Maryland Live again and this is one of my favorite casinos.  I have been to many casinos but this one has everything a person would want.  Unlike a lot of casinos, this one have the mall next door and, no matter how hard you try, you will not be able to shop all the stores and have time for the casino also.  That means half casino time and half mall time along with keeping a close watch on the clock so you won’t miss the bus.

Lastly, today was a great day to be riding bicycles in Bryan Park.  It was such a beautiful day but, having things to do, I only put in a little over four miles and I stopped four or five times to take some very beautiful pictures of the flowers (mostly all different colored Azaleas)and a few blooming trees.  The storm, yesterday, bought down a few trees.  They did not fall close to the road therefore they did not damage anything.  There also was evidence of the roads being flooded all over the park but no damage was seen.

Take care and I’ll see you again.

Posted by . Categories: Imperial Plaza. Tags: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

20

Apr. ’14

Very Fine Outings

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

It was a very fine, although busy, week and my wife and I had plenty of fun.  I thank the Activities Department, here at Imperial Plaza, for having so much to do and making sure it is all very interesting.  No one could ask for any more from their hard work and the care of all the concerns of everyone.

I will start with the trip to The Riverside Theater in Fredricksburg, on a beautiful Wednesday morning, for a wonderful lunch and a nice play.  Like the normal dinner theater the waiters and waitresses were the actors/actresses for us.  The musical was great although it did not hold mine or my wife’s interest.  To tell the truth, with a full belly, I almost fell asleep.

Thursday evening, my wife went out with The Red Hats to the dinner/theater at The Swift Creek Mill House Theater.  She told me it was like Thursday’s theater but the music was better because it was all from the sixties.  The women (I know a lot of them because I go out on the majority of excursions) wanted to know why I didn’t accompany them to the theater.  My wife told them I didn’t want to come to a women’s outing.

I haven’t gotten onto my bicycle but twice this week because, like I’ve said before, I’m a fair weather rider.  It was kind of cool and, although bundled up like a mummy, I still had a wind chill factor on my face.  I will try to do better and I know the weather will have to get warmer.  Some days I just want to sit and write an article or two for Yahoo Voices (pocket money).  There is work to be done around the apartment also.

By the way, the Harp Trio was great last Monday evening.  I really enjoyed the music and I won the door prize, their latest CD.  I listened to the CD and put it on my computer for some good music while I do my thing.  From what Ron say, there are some great things coming to the auditorium.  Stick around for more and greater things.

I have written more and more for Yahoo Voices and I am now up to seventeen articles and counting.  Look me up and pass me on (this article and that one).  Take care and I hope you had a Happy Easter.

Posted by . Categories: Imperial Plaza. Tags: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

11

Apr. ’14

The Great Outdoors

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

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!!!!

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , . Leave a comment

06

Apr. ’14

Finally It Is Spring

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

I’m two days overdue but there is an excuse.  Its spring and I’ve been out enjoying it as well as doing other things.  Yes, that means I’ve been riding my new bicycle and I’m doing ten miles a day, to start.  Ron and Tracy, from the Activities Department at Imperial Plaza, want the three of us to travel by bicycle down the trail from Richmond to Williamsburg and back.  I’m game and I’m getting into bicycling shape as quickly as I can.  As time go by I will increase the mileage.  That is why I bought a computer for my mountain bike.

Another reason I am late getting this out is my writing.  As some of you know I write for Yahoo, pacifically Voices for the Yahoo Contributor Network.  I put in three, four or more articles a week and will do more as time permit.  For anyone that wants to see my articles, without looking at all articles under Yahoo, this is how to do it.  Go to Yahoo home page (Yahoo.com).  On the left side of the homepage, under the Yahoo banner is a column of features.  At the bottom of those features is…more Yahoo sites.  Click and hold it there and a menu window will pop up.  Click all products and a directory will pop up.  Click Voices and on Voices homepage put my name in the search box at the top of the page (Robert Threatt).  I hope you enjoy the articles.  I have been constantly writing for a while and many articles already have been removed.

I was at the White Squirrel watching the people play the WII, in particular, bowling.  They all seem to be having a lot of fun, especially my wife (Alba) and she is the top scorer (I guess that’s why she is having so much fun (smile)).  I also took a long walk today.  I don’t know how far it was but I walked from Imperial Plaza to the Valero on Lakeside and back up to the Bryan Park Ave. entrance to Bryan Park.  I stopped to watch two teenage boys fishing, then a man (he said he was sixty) at the tennis courts learning to ride his unicycle and, lastly, all the soccer games being played.  I wasn’t winded and it was fun.  Come join me next time.  Contact me and I’ll tell you when.  Take Care!!

Posted by . Categories: RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

28

Mar. ’14

Retirement Is Wonderful

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

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!

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , . Leave a comment

23

Mar. ’14

Travelling

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

[contact-field label="Name" type="name" required="1"/][contact-field label="Email" type="email" required="1"/][contact-field label="Website" type="url"/][contact-field label="Comment" type="textarea" required="1"/][/contact-form

I’m back again to talk about retirement here at Imperial Plaza.  When you get to be my age, people in the age group start dying and that is why my blog is late.  I was in North Carolina at a funeral and decided to look around while I was down there.   First, let me say, I am glad to be a Virginian and to be in Virginia.  It’s funny how you never appreciate a place until you are not there.  To compare North Carolina to Virginia, Virginia wins.  I guess the people of North Carolina will say the same thing but we all look through “rose colored glasses”.

I’ve been to many, many places around the world and I have found something in each place that would make me want to stay a while.  I really can’t say the same thing for North Carolina except for the larger cities.  Anything outside of that and I can’t see it.  The only thing I can say good about the state is the condition of the paved roads.  I also see there is a lot of work being done to build new roadways.  The roadways are smooth, fast and non-congested.

The thing that bothered me the most (or am I spoiled) is other than a large city there are no lights or sidewalks.  Here in the Richmond area someone would end up being “road kill”.  People here are crazy compared to down south so maybe they’re not that bad.

Being retired gives you all the time you would need to go to things like that and stay awhile instead of rushing back.  Take your time and scout around and go to other places.  Being retired means you don’t have a clock to punch and no one to answer to (my wife may have something to say about that).  I love to scout around and see the country, any country.

We left Sanford, North Carolina and went to Fayetteville, North Carolina and Pope AAF/Ft. Bragg.  It was great seeing another military installation that I rarely have a chance to see.  There are changes that, in my day would never have flown, really surprised me.  They did not have a Class VI (liquor store) or a NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) Club.  My wife and I ended up at a Ruby Tuesday, in town, because they only had fast food places on base.  This would never happen in my day.

Instead of reversing and taking I-85 back to Richmond I took scenic I-95 and it was a delightful ride.  Traffic was running smoothly and the average speed was around 80 to 90 miles an hour.  There are always fools and I-95 had its share.  There was one driving in the dark without lights.  Then there were those passing me when I was speeding along at 90 in a 70 (what can I say.  I speed on the interstates).  Other than that, there was no trouble anywhere along the way.      Until the end of the week..TAKE CARE!

]

Posted by . Categories: RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

15

Mar. ’14

This And That

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Posted by . Categories: RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , . Leave a comment

08

Mar. ’14

Graves Mountain and Imperial Plaza

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

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.

Posted by . Categories: AAH-RETIREMENT. Tags: , , , . Leave a comment