A long time ago someone said that I live my life like I’m on perpetual vacation. I guess in a way that’s true.
Take today…
Got home from work, changed clothes, kissed the wife and headed out the door. Five minutes later I’m walking the shore of the creek. A couple of couples were sitting in lawn chairs fishing the nearby pond.
Not another person around.
Dead quiet.
In less than an hour I caught and missed over a dozen smallies.
Stopped and stared off into space for five minutes and thought about absolutely nothing.
Took a bunch of pictures.
Went home and filled a couple of quart sized containers with cherry tomatoes.
Ate a handful of them.
Washed all the tomatoes off at the sink in the bright red and white colander, slowly.
Watched a hummingbird feed at the feeder that hangs just outside the kitchen window.
Went out, smoked a cigar and sat there mindlessly petting my fat, pregnant feral cat buddy.
If I choose to I can do this every day. Sometimes I just take the two minute walk down to the river. Other days I head out with the wife to look for monarch eggs or pick a few quarts of berries. Maybe just stroll around the lake at the nearby state park.
This all happens in that short time after work and before dark.
I’ve always done this, it’s one of those things that requires no real thought on my part. When the kids were young, they’d come along. Wander down some wooded paths, throw things in creeks, pick flowers, kill bugs, run down a trail just for the sake of running.
Just go do it.
I learned how to do this from my dad.
I know people that bite at the bit waiting for their yearly paid vacations so they can go north or south or wherever it is they go for a week or two. I can’t afford such luxuries and even if I could, I probably wouldn’t go north or south or wherever.
Get home, change clothes, five minutes, sometimes ten and I’m on vacation.
Somewhere.
bob
22 Jul 2013well, nice way to look at it. and accurate too.
Ken G
22 Jul 2013The creek was in perfect condition Bob. Didn’t want to make an ordeal of it so just wandered down the rocks. Enough fish to make me happy.
walt
22 Jul 2013That’s the way I do it, Ken. Most people just don’t understand. As Otis Taylor sings, Live your life, before you die.
Ken G
23 Jul 2013It seems like my dad used to do something with us all the time after work Walt. Parks, walk, throw balls around, ice cream. I’m just carrying on the tradition.
Jim McClellan
23 Jul 2013Your dad was a smart guy! Most of us forget to live well while we are well.
Ken G
24 Jul 2013I didn’t know we didn’t have much while growing up Jim. My dad is an expert at doing things on no budget apparently. His legs are pretty well shot now and it drives him nuts. He never was any good at sitting still. One of many things I’ve inherited from him.
Howard Levett
23 Jul 2013Ken, it sounds like you’ve discovered the secret to a successful retirement and a long life. Geez, what a disappointment to find out that you really aren’t a cantankerous old man! I think I need to pay a little bit more attention. I’ve retired once and it didn’t take. I’d like to try it again your way.
Ken G
24 Jul 2013I want and need very little Howard so these simple things are easy for me.
I’ll have to spew some bile soon in another post. I don’t want people to start thinking that I might be a likable guy. It’ll ruin my image.