9/27/2020

More Mustard (The Catch Up)

Periodically, I find myself here intending to say something but then I remember I'm far too shallow for the deep end.  While I am prolific at creating draft entries for this blog, much of my creative energy is spent posting Instagram and Facebook photos of discarded toilets I see curb side and on their sides, an important mission to be sure.



You may ask yourself, "well...how did I get here?"  Let's see.  One of the biggest changes for me over the past few years is that neither of my parents now require greeting cards or phone calls on significant occasions.  Both are either looking down or up at me from other planes.  I hope the gates weren't locked when you got there Ma!  I jest.  It's easy enough to keep them in my thoughts as I inch ever closer to my Kominsky Method years.

 

My other great upheaval happened at the end of May 2019.  It was then that I hightailed it away from the working world for good.  Now, it's retirement that greets me with a warm embrace each day and not a freshly toasted and buttered bagel.  I happen to find myself incredibly easy to entertain and I do enjoy the look on anyone's face who asks "what do you do now?" as I reply "anything or nothing", heavy emphasis on the nothing.

  

I'd nearly forgotten how joyful it can be to pick up and read a book and then then feel that same book hit my chest, lap or the floor as I drift into an undeserved afternoon nap.  Sure, there will always be things I miss about work - the lunch hours, the leaving at the end of the day and the three or four people with the best gossip but I try not to dwell on these losses.

        

While each day, I devote some worry to the ethically challenged leadership Canada has at the moment, it isn't long before the spectral shadow cast by the United States puts things in terrifying perspective.  I did pay close attention to the first few seasons of The Walking Dead and feel adequately prepared for specific nightmare survival scenarios but the threat from down under (Canada) may yet be the ruin of us all.



In other cheery news, I realize that it's this very morning when I was to be ambling around getting my bearings in Barcelona (thanks Covid 19!).  I am comforted thinking about the many great memories of past vacations and adventures I've had and the still more I hope to have.  Until then, it's YouTube for city tours.



While I remain optimistic and grateful through these dark times, I should be in a really pissy mood as soon as the weather shifts again.



In the meantime and in case you missed it last time, there's always this to help you realize, you're probably a better singer than me and Willie Nelson put together!












19 comments:

shamundson said...

Thank you! That’s exactly what I’m talking about!

JennyJenny911 said...

Love this Dale!! I will turn the writing lamp on this evening!!!!

JennyJenny911 said...

I am Flannery

Dale said...

All you had to do was ask Miss Sharon haha!

Jenny / Flannery - I don't know if you know who I am. I got your number baby!

Jenny Jenny Flannery said...

Hell yeah that's for sure!!! Love your song!!

I so missed the Bee...

SkylersDad said...

Absolutely wonderful my man!

Tanya Espanya said...

Hahahahahahah! I miss your dumb face, Dale! 😊❤️

Dale said...

That song makes me happy, even when it’s raining.

Dale said...

Thanks my friend

Dale said...

And it is a very dumb face!

Cup said...

You and your metronomic head brought me all sorts of Monday sunshine! And how did I miss my invitation to your retirement party?

Dale said...

My aim is true Ms. Coffey! There was no party, just a sprint home. You may have heard the massive sigh of relief. I haven’t missed it for a moment.

Raul Robledo said...

A new day, a new chance to feel amazing: start a new page and therefore a new nap, choreograph a racoon video to janet jackson's precision, collect super valuable antiques or novelties from the curb. I will have to send you out some mexican sunshine! You will feel more joy than an audience member on the Ellen show, promise!

Dale said...

Mr. Robledo- your gift of sunshine is most appreciated and welcome. Please help me with the raccoon choreography because you know I'm hopeless at dancing. Getting rained on, I know how to do!

VEG said...

Well that was just life affirming, my dude. The song brightened my day substantially, even when it, ya know, got distinctly less sunshiney at the end. Perfect! Glad you're embracing retirement (early I assume as you're so youthful!) and good god, who doesn't love an afternoon nap. I got sick a year ago, still sort of recovering from that nonsense and every day at 3pm I'm down having a nap on my lovely memory foam mattress heaven. The joys of working from home, yes. So glad you're back. Wish we all were. So miss the old blogging days.

Stay COVID free and you know, away from fans of the Orange Carrot Demon.

VEG said...

P.S. I should probably mention I got mad when my a) computer speakers didn't work (desktop computer, as I live in 2001) and had to b) resort to watching your song on my phone and still couldn't hear it because you did something wrong, only you didn't, turns out I plugged my ear phones in but WASN'T WEARING SAID EAR PHONES therefore, couldn't hear anything because stupid. Yes.

Dale said...

Veg! I’m glad you sorted out the sound problems (something I would do)! The old blogging days were such fun and who knows, maybe we’ll spur each other into a renaissance. I was able to retire at 55 based on my age and years of service so am I a lucky guy or what?! Loving it even in these stupid dark pandemic-y times. We’re all praying the Orange one is banished and if possible locked up! Keep napping and stay well my friend.

Mistress La Spliffe said...

Oooooh just catching up. I hope your retirement is going swimmingly!

Dale said...

Mistress LS! Everything's going so well. Not included in sentiment: winter or pandemic. I hope you're doing well too.