Notes from the Lab RDate 15.31

N and I just completed an eleven day trip south, including a few days hanging out at Disney's Vero Beach resort. During the trip, I completed a review of some of my early posts, performing a little cleanup and looking for loose ends. Here are a few updates.

Emerging from the Cocoon (7/17/12) - In my initial post, I noted that in retirement I would likely be in for new experiences. Although much of my time so far has been spent on old pursuits, I was right about the new stuff. Here are a few examples (yes, there is sort of a theme):

• Arthritis in my fingers, mostly in the morning. Seems to fade after coffee. If only all ailments had this characteristic.
• An annual pneumonia shot along with my flu shot.
• A larger storage area for medications.
• Gastroenterology.
• Figuring out my Medicare statements (more accurately, watching Nancy trying to figure out my Medicare statements).

Okay, here are a few non-medical new experiences.

• Sitting on the deck at Wiser Times communing with hummingbird moths, so named because of their ability to hover and fly backwards like a hummingbird. They can perform these feats because their wings vibrate rapidly (and actually buzz) just like those of a hummingbird. They are very friendly and tame, and they love the phlox that grows wild around the deck railing. I don't remember seeing them before this year, but they were around just about everyday in August and September. Here's a shot of one of the two different types that we have seen this year.

• A big-honkin' oversized driver (bought it with some of my retirement gift money). Can't believe I didn't get one of these things earlier. Most of my good shots are now hit with this club. I'm having it share a section in my golf bag with my wedge and chipper, hoping some of the "goodness" will rub off.
• Appreciating new music that I already own. Through having the time to screen hundreds of CDs and old vinyl albums for uploading to my iTunes library, I've discovered dozens of wonderful tunes that I had previously skipped over (or possibly have forgotten) in favor of the more popular and well-known "A-cuts". I've just about completed the loading of CDs but have a couple of hundred more vinyl LPs to review, so I expect this good fortune to continue.
• Downloading music from iTunes or Amazon, which I had never done before I retired. Now when I come up with a song I want and don't own, I search for it, find it, click on download, and it almost instantly shows up in my iTunes library. Magic. And sometime in the next month or so a 99 cent charge shows up in my credit card statement (or in my case which mostly involves old music, a 79 cent charge). I can even afford this new hobby on my reduced, "board-approved" retirement allowance.
• Bingo. True, I had actually played bingo at Tippecanoe Park (my parents' retirement community in Florida) before I retired. Then I was more just spending time with my parents than engaging in the competition. But now, it's different. We arrange our Florida visit schedules to make sure we hit at least one bingo night (Friday) each trip. I pay attention to the little nuances like "four corners", double bingo, wild-card numbers, and the dreaded phrase "that's a good bingo", signifying that some other senior, a more-experienced bingo-shark, has won, likely with a doctored contraband card, again depriving me of victory. Depressing, as I could use the money. Oh, but the thrill of the call....I-19, G-59, O-75...you just have to be there.

Well enough of this. You get the idea.   

Elizabeth (7/21/12) - Our former cleaning lady is still going strong at 99. She phoned a little earlier this month to catch up and congratulate us on Cathy's upcoming marriage. She remains an inspiration.

Chores (7/29/12) - Things have been going pretty well, especially during the late fall and winter months when the grass doesn't actually grow. Easing things a bit, and of great surprise to me, is the fact that I've been able to convince a few friends that raking leaves and pulling weeds out of the beach are really fun social activities that shouldn't be missed. And the deep cleaning hasn't been too bad either, since most of it has been under close supervision with frequent safety briefings. Also, the warden my Bride allows the inmates workers to use their iPods during cleaning tasks.    

Music Night (8/6/12) - Our longstanding music group has continued its tradition, having completed our 110th collection this month - Illusions. We're also cued up to create 111 - Gambling - this December, with no slow down in site. The frequent evenings filled with music and close friends is still a big part of the cycle of my life, and a signal that things are normal, and well. As is our way, we continue to add new members including a couple more from the next generation. And the new blood continues to expand our musical horizons.

Up North (8/15/12) - My current Up North - Wiser Times - has seen an increase in activity since I retired (duh). Lots of company this year, a new kayak, upgraded electronics, new glider cushions and most impressively a new sign at the road. This beauty was my family's retirement gift to me. Thanks are owed to my good friend (and all-round handy man) Dave Dyle for helping with the final mounting. What do you think? 

This addition is the complement to our beach-side sign crafted by our Tennessee friend Miguel Rodriguez a couple of years ago from a select piece of driftwood - very beachy. Note the font. It was fashioned by Miguel (from a well-known whiskey bottle label) and served as the model for the new roadside sign.  

You probably noticed the mechanical heron prominently displayed in the bay window, along with the neck and head of a flamingo on the right (it lights up in bright pink after dark). The story behind these treasures will have to wait for a later post.

Labor Day Listening Room (9/16/12) - This past Labor Day we continued our tradition of hosting close friends for a weekend of music and beach activities. Some of the regulars were absent this year due to other commitments and one medical emergency (patient doing fine now). But we still had our usual great time. Here is a shot of this year's attendees sitting down to a barbecue dinner.

Lunch Poetry (9/21/12) - There has been a recent expansion of the poetry tradition, one on a sad note. In an effort to express my appreciation for a friend who passed away, I penned a poetic tribute that was graciously displayed at the memorial service. The friend was Caroline Trinkwalder with whom I (and several of you) had worked for many years. Caroline was a bright, independent and caring person who engaged life directly and fearlessly, contributing much to many. In her honor, I offer the poem here, for those who were unable to attend the incredible memorial service (which included a fly over of a B-17 Liberator - Caroline and her husband Tom were active members in the air show/stunt flying community; the fly over was part of their tribute to her).  

Ode to Caroline

She was one of a kind, you know.

Upbeat, and raring to go.

Set at the ready,

Constant and steady,

And always looking to grow.

She loved to work on new things.

And the learning that doing so brings.

She never said no

When I asked her to tow

Others, on her powerful wings.

She liked to mentor and teach,

And at times to her coworkers preach

The rules of the game

So when crunch time came

Their goals they’d more likely reach.

Always in pursuit of perfection,

She majored in error detection.

As a senior reviewer

She strived to make purer

The art of data collection.

But critiques were just a device,

To help others be more precise.

‘Twas easy to see

She consistently

Was constructive, helpful and nice.

Automation was, if you please,

Another area of her expertise.

She knew how to tutor

A wobbly computer

And make it behave, with ease.

With clients she was a smash,

Managing them with panache.

She quickly weeded

Out what they needed

And provided the goods in a flash.

And with words, she was a whiz,

A critical part of the biz.

Using tables and charts,

And a boatload of smarts,

She’d explain what’s not and what is.

But despite her wealth of skill,

I remember most her will.

She was tough and proud,

And lived out loud,

And of good times, had her fill.

Caroline, we’ll miss you, that’s clear.

We so wish that you were still here.

But we’re glad you’re at peace,

And free of the beast,

And thankful for your friendship so dear.

And here is a picture of Caroline as we will remember her.

I also had the opportunity to add a little poetry to a happy occasion - the 60th birthdays of three of our Music Night group - Linda Crandall, Robyn Mullinger (Dyle) and my Bride Nancy. These milestones were celebrated at our Music Night gathering last weekend with cake, memory books and, yes, poetry readings :-) The memory books were assembled by our gracious host Deandra Reinhart from pictures and birthday messages submitted by the group. Here are the poems.

In this first tribute, I honor Linda's invention of a practice known as "Crandall-izing". This is a Music Night habit (only rarely practiced, or so I think) of replacing a song on a Music Night collection that you're not crazy about with another of your choosing. Although a little tricky to do in the early, cassette days of our group (the 90s), this is fairly easy to do in the digital age. As the first song to ever be Crandall-ized was one of mine, I saw the opportunity to heal an old wound. Here is my birthday poem for Linda.

As she played the Summertime collection,

Linda thought, “This needs correction.

Seas’ns in th’Sun?

That ain’t no fun.

I need a better selection.”

Mattered not what new song she picked.

Pain, she did knowingly inflict.

And from that day on,

The phenomenon

Of Crandall-izing would stick.

But the victim, he took it well.

When he heard, he just said, “That’s swell.”

But deep inside he,

Thought “Oh woe is me,

I’m trapped in Music Night hell.”

But with time, poor Charles came to see,

That choice is what makes us all free.

So to Linda he wishes,

Despite her past switches,

A happy birthday this will be.

Robyn, the second honoree, and her husband Dave have been our frequent partners on Florida and more exotic vacations for the last 20 years. Her poem is about a little habit she has picked up recently of losing track of our various trips.

It was many, many years ago.

When the plan was hatched, you know.

The Burks and the Dyles

Would combine their miles,

And vacation in style for less dough.

Through the years the plan worked just fine.

Like clockwork, time after time.

There was just one hitch -

The “Robyn” glitch -

A minor aberration of the mind.

As the departure for each trip drew near,

Her memory would just disappear.

With a slightly knit brow,

She’d explain just how

‘Twas our first vacation this year.

In time, we learned to just smile,

And reply, “Yes it’s been a long while”.

Though most often for sure,

It was trip three or four,

We were happy to support her denial.

So to Robyn I say with good cheer,

“If you’re worried ‘bout age, don’t fear.

The experts agree,

This will only be

Your very first birthday this year!”

And wrapping up the birthday trilogy is this offering to my Bride of more than 33 years.

To my birthday girl quite sublime,

I say thanks for the wonderful time

We have had so far

Being who we are

Together - one heart, one mind.

Unlike some who’ve completed careers,

We retired without any fears.

We knew it would be

Peachy that we

Could live in a “play date” for years.

I look forward to times at the lake,

And the cocktails we so often make,

To golf and good flicks,

And annual picnics,

And the neighborhood walks we take.

So don’t fret that you have one year more.

‘Cause I’m six ahead on that score.

Just fill glasses with ice,

Add pre-mix (so nice)

And we’ll drink to the fun still in store!

Here is a shot of the three birthday girls from our Music Night gathering last weekend, enjoying the memory books and contemplating their revenge (from left to right, Linda, Nancy and Robyn). Note the gorgeous cake in the foreground and the easel in the background to the left with a commemorative photo of the three honorees.

I think this has been quite enough catching up for now. Thanks for listening. I'm off to put on my costume. Happy Halloween everyone!

Grosse Pointe Charles