days_unfolding

Woke up at 6:30 AM.

I had an online seminar at work given by a committee for which I'm a liaison, so that took up at lot of my day. Otherwise, I've been discussing retirement with my dad. (I asked him how he decided when to retire.) My dad also thinks that I should "paper trade" his investment system until I get the money from the trust. I need to write the trust about wanting the money, but I've been dreading the explosion.

I was discussing with my dad things that I want to do in retirement, and learn photography is one of them. I ran across a photography tour of Yosemite, which would check two things off of my list---photography and seeing Yosemite.

My list: Mostly learning things. I wanted to learn how to do Web programming, but the classes at the U of I were too fast-paced, so I want to work on it at my pace, and maybe volunteer to do Web site work for non-profits. Also, work on programming for mobile devices. Learn more about economics. Work on my languages (Italian and French). The big thing that I want to do is spend a year studying Italian in Italy (and possibly French as well). Learn singing (I belong to a chorus), piano, and guitar. Garden. I don't have a plan for a part-time job but am open to one. Basically doing stuff that I'm already doing but with more time to do it. Oh, and start writing again (a mix of non-fiction and poetry). And I want to learn to write songs. I want to write humorous songs about getting older and post them on YouTube. And learn photography. I have a lot of resources about it, but haven't had the time to put into it.

My therapist said that Obamacare gets more expensive as you get older, and COBRA is expensive, so I should wait until I'm eligible for Medicare to retire (2.5 years). I need to learn more about it. I think that Fidelity has a webinar about Medicare that I'll look for.

Got the recycling out, including a ton of plant boxes that were on the porch. I have more boxes inside, but I’ll get them out next week. I strained my knee in taking out the recycling, sigh. I need replacement parts :)

I forgot to mention that I received more plants. The ferns for my shade garden look like happy little plants.

Oh ack, it’s going to be in the 90s on Sunday. I need to get up early to mow.

Woke up at 4AM. I wonder how long it will take until I get back to getting up later.

Zara has decided that my suitcase is a perfect kitty bed.

“Just A Song Before I Go” (Crosby, Stills, and Nash) is playing in my head.

Fed the cats. Had breakfast. I think that I’ll go back to sleep for a while. Zara is snuggled up next to me. Aww. Napped. Target opens at 9 AM. I need to make a copy of my driver’s license and mail it too.

My Venice watch loses time and I have to reset it periodically. Aargh.

I need to install my printer ink, but Mimi is on my lap.

Hmm. Maybe I should work on my clothes and file folders today as a way to ease back into organizing. My clothes sure need work.

Okay, made a copy of my driver's license to send. Did my Road Scholar evaluation.

Hmm. I’m feeling tired. My food was delivered. Napped. Zara is head-bonking me.

Showered and wearing a crisp white Firenze t-shirt and jeans.

I need to figure out what to do today. Get my glasses, but then what? My suitcase is mostly unpacked.

“Under Pressure” is now playing in my head. Now I’m thinking of Auden: “Hunger leaves no choice/To the citizen or police/We must love one another or die.” I’m in a funny mood. Restless and dissatisfied. I guess that I should put my energy into learning Italian (and French), getting organized, and getting exercise.

It’s so quiet here after the hubbub of the last couple of weeks.

Picked up my glasses and mailed the copy of my driver’s license.

I signed up for LanguaTalk. I signed up for Blue Cross Blue Shield's Fitness Program. I'll go on Wednesday to get started. Okay, I'm boiling and need to go downstairs. Napped. Zara is very deeply asleep.

It’s the middle of the night in Italy. I think that I’ll eat and go to bed. Well, I should make up some time for work.

My tomato plant has blossoms! I’m sitting outside and my neighbors are saying “Hello”.

Okay, I'm toast.

I was looking at a book of poetry by someone who was with me in the writing group at my high school, and an idea for a poem is percolating in my head. I'll have to squeeze out time to write, but I have so much to do today. How do people who write creatively for a living get things done? Okay, ideas kept flowing and I have a draft that I like.

Passages

I might have walked right past you
Not knowing
The map of your face
The cup of your heart

I might have walked right past you
Not knowing
The strings of your hands
The sparks of your years

I might have walked right past you
And not knowing
Walked with my head down
Staring at the sidewalk

©2023 Adrienne Radzvickas

I think that it's not bad given that I haven't written poetry in years. Writing was on my list of things to do in retirement, but maybe I can start earlier? I'm also going to look into getting a book of poetry prompts. Maybe try to write a poem a week? I came up with ideas for another poem as I was falling asleep for my nap. Actually, I have a book of poetry prompts on the Kindle. I bought Mary Oliver's book on poetry. I found a poetry critique group that meets in Champaign. It would be a good way to meet people too. I drafted another poem, but I'm not sure that I'm done with it yet.

I had my session with the life coach. She was impressed by how much I'm getting done. She asked if I was doing stuff for me, and I mentioned the singing and guitar and Italian lessons. I also mentioned the diet, and she was impressed.

Took a short nap. Talked to my weight loss coach. She still is talking about the water even though I don't want to talk about the water. Sigh. I lost another pound, maybe more because I weighed myself in the afternoon with clothes on.

Brought this week's food in the house. Paid my next installment on my Italy bill. Worked on clearing a path for the guys to bring the stepper downstairs. Placed a Meijer order for garbage bags and soda.

I'm getting a headache, so I need to eat and lie down for a little while. I dozed a little while, but pieces of poetry bubbled up. My creative mind is most active when I'm falling asleep. I also found that with writing programs. I now have a poetry notebook that I keep by my bed to write down ideas.

Paid some bills. I'm running out of steam, so I'm going to go to bed and get up early.