Retirement is a time for contemplation, study,
travel, kids and grandkids, and doing things you may not have had time to do
while grappling for a buck. A hobby can
keep the mind active in retirement and I guess I have a few. Music and writing are just two things I enjoy.
I have a
curious mind, which is why my business life was more concerned with learning new
things; consequently I owned businesses or worked in areas totally unrelated to
each other. This was consistent with my
philosophy that life is like a buffet table and I wanted to sample as many
experiences as I could before reaching the cashier.
All this is
to say that I never run out of topics that interest me and things I want to
write about. However, it is becoming
more and more difficult to avoid what I consider the elephant in the room –
that being the destruction of America ;
her moral constructs, economic power, educational system, weakened military,
social and racial divisions, and the joke we have become on the global scene.
In a
nutshell, I think it’s time for me to take a respite. I’ll keep my blog up for those who enjoy
reading my stuff, because there are close to 150 articles in the archives under
three categories. By the time anyone who
is interested has read them all, I may have decided to get back at it. In the meantime, pray for America .
Thanks to
all of you for reading my posts. Who
knows – when Gayle and I are snowed in this winter and I can’t ride my
motorcycles and travel, I may get back at it.
Writing sure beats shoveling snow.
I think I have read all your blogs Ralph and enjoyed them all. I will be looking forward to more, but in the meantime Happy Trails to you.
ReplyDeleteBob
Thanks, Bob. I always know you're out there.
DeleteSpeaking of "trails" - I'm going to hike some trails with my dog after writing this. Keep in touch, buddy.
Take a break but come back soon, yes writing does beat shoveling snow. I am sure there will be some topic that will pique your opinion in the near future.
ReplyDeleteAudrey
Thanks, Audrey. My problem is that I have too many topics I want to write on, but it's difficult to avoid being too controversial for a general audience. Based on responses via email, I may post an article no and then.
DeleteWell, that saddens my heart. I enjoy what you write. At this age, keeping the mind active is almost as important as keeping the body active. If not, we become an empty shell.
ReplyDeleteDiscussions, whether controversy or not, are always worth while. We all tick in a different way, yet sometimes, we come together and agree. And if not, that is ok too.
Remember, we are only as far away as your computer. Hopefully, not hoping, but if you get snowed in for just a little bit of time, your mind will overload and you will send us a blog.
I appreciate your comments and encouragement, Sharon. Maybe a post now and then would be a compromise. I dashed off several articles on different subjects for today's post, but then decided to hang it up, at least for now.
DeleteWhat the hey! You get us all hooked then tease us with a respite? I'm not too worried Ralph because you always have something to share with your word talent even though we don't all know some of the big fancy words you always come up with. Some I can't even figure how to pronounce? You will be back and I will be waiting. If I don't hear something in 3 months I will start bugging you. Your forever friend, Jim Loar
ReplyDeleteJim -
DeleteI knew you would rattle my cage. In three months I may be buried in snow, so that would be a good time to bug me. Based on my emails, I may have to come up with a post once in a while. Gayle and I will have dinner ready for you next time you're in California.
You will be sorely missed!
ReplyDeleteEd - I was surprised at the number of emails I got, so I may post a blog once in a while.
DeleteEnjoy yourself Ralph and I'll miss your wisdom!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Malcolm.
DeleteI like the decision you have made. And I believe you. I believe we were all given a gift, and just one of yours is an intelligent mind, and a gift for writing.
ReplyDeleteYou make writing sound easy. I've taken a couple writing classes, and had to write papers on statistics, description, persuasive, informative etc. And it was a challenge, not only in the writing, but the tenses (past tense, present tense) and so on. It would be nice if I could write the way I speak, or NOT. tee hee
But writing is painting a picture for someone. And in that area, you are a great artist. I don't believe anyone is ever confused as to what your topic is about, and the point you are trying to convey.
To me Ralph, you have a Gift. A Gift to write. And that is probably why it seems so easy for you.
Thank you for keeping us in mind when you made this new post. We do enjoy YOUR WRITINGS..
Sharon -
DeleteThank you for reading.