May 1, 2014 - Thursday (May Day)

39 degrees/clouds/fog/rain

Pentoga Road

I'm going to take a vacation away from writing. My friend, Pat Fager, used to say that our possessions tend to own us; that we work to maintain what we own rather than enjoy them. That's how I'm beginning to feel with writing; its become a daily obligation, a chore. Why? I have no idea, but after fifteen years of writing daily, (thirty-five years if you include the newspaper column I penned) I've grown tired of the activity.

Perhaps its the grading of papers and obligations that come with teaching university classes. My eyes are tired when I get up in the morning and after reading papers and projects, are downright weary by day's end. The weather is monotonous and not at all suited for working outdoors. I can only talk about grading papers and walking five miles a day in so many ways. 

Though I still have the energy and willingness, I no longer have the giddy up, go-get-'em lifestyle that I once enjoyed in Alaska. My retirement years are much like other's who are my age. I have a set lifestyle that I enjoy very much and am so fortunate to be able to share it with Sargie and that puppy dog of ours. I truly am the happiest (and most grateful) man I know. None-the-less, it's pretty much the same day after day.

So for now, I'm going to hang a sign on Tales of Pentoga that says,

"GONE FISHING or GARDENING or HIKING or PLAYING IN THE SHOP or TAKING A NAP!"

All sound like something an old retired guy would do, eh? 

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...