Summer of New Horizons

 

Beyond the blue horizon

Waits a beautiful day.

Goodbye to things that bore me --

Joy is waiting for me.

I see a new horizon --

My life has only begun!

Beyond the blue horizon

Lies a rising sun.

-- "Beyond the Blue Horizon" (Robin, Harling and Whiting)

 

Shortly after starting this blog, I wrote about "Working on the Lay Away Plan" stating my intention to "work until they lay me away." Last year, I wrote that I was "Not Ready for the Rocking Chair." Both essays lead to the conclusion that there are too many interesting and wonderful things to see and do to sit passively on the sidelines and let life happen. 

 

My attitude has not changed. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I still want to explore new ideas and places and experience new things. Now, circumstances have changed to allow me to do just that.

 

Earlier this summer, I left my job and joined the army of retired Americans.

 

It's like right after I graduated from high school and saw nothing but opportunity ahead. Since I retired I have visited San Francisco and walked across the Golden Gate Bridge with my bionic bride. We rode the streetcar to Fisherman's Wharf. We feasted on at least five varieties of clam chowder -- each different, and all excellent. And we renewed friendships and swapped stories with my Vietnam flying buds from the Pink Panthers.

 

I have grown a respectable garden and feasted on home grown zucchini, green beans and tomatoes. as the song said, "I forget all about the sweatin' and diggin' each time I go out and pick me a big un." 

 

I have pitched in to a community garden growing food for the hungry. Who would have thought of gardening as a community social activity?

 

I bought a new grill and have been grilling a lot of new and different things. (I have also seen a nutritionist and embarked on a healthy eating program.)

 

When offered an opportunity to do something, I find myself asking "Why not?" rather than "Why?"

 

I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but I can't wait to find out.

 

"Beyond the blue horizon lies a rising sun!"

 

It's time to go exploring.

 

What new horizons are facing you?

 

How will you find the rising sun?

 

 

Nowo