Retirement Begins

Foggy View From Our Cabin

Our first week of retirement at home. Last week, we cabin camped at Bahia Honda State Park with three other couples. Eleven months ago, I had been at the ready on my computer exactly at 9:00 AM and managed to snag two cabins.

By the time I was finished, all the other cabins and all the campsites were reserved. Florida so needs more state park campsites and cabins. And Floridians should get a head start on making reservations.

The Crew at Bagatelles 

The beginning of the week was windy (30 mph) and cold (low 30’s in Fort Lauderdale with frozen iguanas falling out of the trees), so we spent days walking in the sun, and evening happy hours inside the cabins rather than sitting around the fire. One day we visited the Key Deer Refuge. Another one a trip to Key West, tour of the Audubon House or Old Town Trolleys, and dinner at Bagatelle’s, our group having the upper deck all to ourselves 

I am charged with getting cabins for next year. May the goddess of good computer entry be at my side, her energy flowing through my fingertips.

Great Egret

This week we walked Key Biscayne beach every morning with my charging ahead until my timer rings and I head back, picking up Grant, and walking back to our condo at a leisurely pace. Afterwards we’ve gone to my doctor’s appointment to have the stitches taken out of my scalp, picked up new hearing aids for Grant, ate dinner at darling and delicious Balloo (Caribbean Thai Japanese Filipino Fusion),  drove to Windermere to see houses (and may have found one), paper work paper work paper work, turned in Grant’s UM computer and given his boss all the passwords he might need, laundry, had lunch with Patten and Ryann (Pho 79) and with Marjorie (Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza), attended service at our congregation (River of Grass Unitarian Universalist), all in anticipation of our trip Friday to Okinawa, Japan to see Remus Takeo Warner, our grandson born last Friday. Seven pounds, twelve ounces, he and mom Mary both absolutely perfect, big sister Isabella and dad Ryan ecstatic.

The Cat Man
Mallory Square, Sunet

Once we got the call that she was heading to the hospital, I was anxious, not knowing how labor was going. I didn’t even enjoy the Cat Man and his performing cats.

Mary is healthy, and her pregnancy uneventful, but worry is my job. She called a couple of hours later when we were at dinner in Key West so the whole crew passed around the phone to see her and the new baby. Another quick, easy labor. In fact, so quick the antibiotic shot Mary got didn’t have time to work, so she stayed in the hospital an extra day while Remi was observed for any signs of Strep B.

The Deed is Done II

Grant’s Goodbye Note

Grant said he didn't want a retirement party, so he agreed that he would send out an email to say he was retiring, first to the bar so everyone could say goodbye, then to our new life. Beers were bought, lies were told, I shed a few tears.

RSMAS, the Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, has been his work place, but also where our children were welcome to come and visit. Any day was Bring Your Child To Work Day, and Grant often did. They would chat with professors and researchers, adults who were excited about their work and willing to discuss it with interested children, a perk of being homeschooled. Lunch on the patio overlooking Biscayne Bay, then playing in the sand. Tours of the sea slug facility. Aquaria with baby sail fish. All sorts of boats and instruments strewn about. A magical place for anyone curious about wind and water.

Perhaps some Friday evenings, we will ride our bikes back over Bear Cut and have another beer in the Wet Lab. Best bar in South Florida.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Redux

Another up and back day to Windemere to look at houses. One belonging to a former mayor would be a possible if it weren't 2-story. Another was cheap but a disaster. I'd consider remodeling if it were concrete block rather than wood frame; too much potential termite food. The third even had a full mother-in-law suite, however it's on a busy, busy street people use to get to I-4.

The fourth was a lovely house originally built in 1915 with additions over the years. Fronting on a sand road around Lake Bessie, it has lovely views and deeded right to rebuild a dock. Maybe. Nice porch, bedroom downstairs even though the master is upstairs. I may revisit.

In the meantime, even though I know I may will regret it, I decided to consider ones with pools. I am also going to drive up to Winter Garden to see if there's an area we'd like. In my copious spare time in the next 2 weeks.

At least we have gotten new phones and have almost finished signing up for Medicare. And I saw 2 crested caracaras on the trip up the turnpike.

Time Out

The young man next to me on the subway was reading Chemistry and Artists' Colors, 3rd Edition, which caught my eye because he was the only person actually holding a book. Everyone else had phones in their hands, including me. I peeked over his shoulder and saw dense text and lots of molecular diagrams, and I wondered if I could ever pay attention enough to read a chemistry book again. Unlikely. And I wondered if anyone could read a book like that on a screen. Grant said yes; I have my doubts.

The Cello by Felix Valloton  

We were in New York City to see Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera. Magnificent cast, magnificent set. We heard Kevin Short and Angel Blue in the title roles. We had flown in that morning and spent the day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art at an exhibit of Felix Vallotton, a contemporary and sometimes colleague of the Nabi painters we had seen in DC last month. Cited as the person who revised woodblock prints, once he married a rich widow, he spent more time painting. I particularly liked his Red Peppers and his "composite landscapes" of sunsets. Somehow I missed a highlight of the exhibit, the side-by-side display of his and Picasso's portraits of Gertrude Stein. Perhaps I was distracted by the two old ladies I heard discussing how disappointed they were in the exhibit even though "the Times really talked it up."

I had found Citadine's, a boutique (i.e., small and catering to Europeans) hotel, at 45th Street and 5th Avenue. Location, location, location. On the same block is Valerie, a bar and kitchen (much chicer than calling it a restaurant, I guess), with delicious food and marvelous gin and tonics. I broke my no-booze-until-I fit-my black-pants resolution and shared with Grant a citrus one, (Fords London dry gin, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, Fee Brothers grapefruit bitters, Red Penguin Thistle tonic), and a spicy one (Seneca Drums gin, 5 spice, Bar Keep apple bitters, Thomas Henry classic tonic). With as much walking as we did, I hope to come out calorie even.

Untitled (Four Arches) by Sam Falls 

Sunday morning after brunch at Gotam, oatmeal with fruit for me, a salmon bialy for Grant, we walked the High Line which we had never seen in winter. The weather was sunny after days of gray; everyone was out, filling the space like a mall at Christmas. The installed art this year, En Plein Air, included a series of ceramic and rail arches with impressions of plants in season along the line.

We took the bus back to our hotel, picked up our backpacks, and subwayed to LaGuardia. A long, tiring, delightful weekend and respite from finding housing, healthcare and new phones.

Time Is Not On My Side

Stop, Start. Push, Pull. Crazy, Crazy. Deciding about Medicare, buying new phone, viewing potential homes, visiting friends, teeth cleaning, etc., etc., etc. As we say now, all first world problems, but they are my first world problems and consuming my psyche.

At least I found out we can have a vacation override on getting prescripts filled for our 2 months in Japan. Mine is done (1 drug); Grant's (7) are in the works. The pharmacy and the drug management department can duke it out. The fact that we are changing from UM health insurance to Medicare during that time is just being not mentioned. Once we get the drugs in hand, I'll worry about sorting out any payments.

Our new roomie/cat sitter, Kelsi, has arrived and even better than I hoped. A PhD candidate studying the mangroves (I think involving social aspects of removing them, but it’s fairly technical), she loves cats. Annie is in hog heaven with all the extra attention even though she is now on the vet-suggested diet of only dry food, and damn little of that, in her eyes. Since there are now 3 of us living in the apartment, she can complain about the short rations to each of us as we come in the door.

I joined Annie in a serious weight loss program and downloaded an app where I can record what I eat and how much I exercise. At least in my case, it’s of my own volition. Annie was still not impressed when I told her I was sharing her pain. I am waiting to hear of the couch potato diet: lie on the sofa and eat potato chips. Until that study is published, I’m going with the eat less, exercise more. So far, I’m down 2 pounds with 8 to go.

The Good (Enough), The Bad (Really), and The Ugly (I Love It)

Second day of the new year and my second sunrise, this time as I drove over Bear Cut and the Rickenbacker Causeway. Miami is so beautiful in the morning light. I love this city. But Grant is not willing to buy on Key Biscayne or in any south Florida city, and evidently our landlord is going to need his apartment back next May. Unless we want to live in our car, I must find us a new home.

Up to Orlando and Windemere to meet my new realtor Jodi and look at possibilities. I picked her because she works for a company in downtown Windemere, has lived in the area for more than 20 years, and was a runner. I hope she's up for this marathon.

Little Lake Sawyer 

The Good Enough: two houses side by side on Little Lake Sawyer. The one I looked at had lots of arches, niches, and black counter tops. Ugh. Who really uses spa bathtubs? On the positive side, big screened porch and a dock. Being just houses around a lake and 1/4 mile from a highway means no community. Lakefront is only desirable feature.

The Really Bad: a darling all-cedar cabin built in 1961 with a god-awful second floor (with a spa bathtub!) added later. The smell of old dog made my eyes water. The owner whispered to me that she had sealed all the windows because she was afraid of break-ins. Hmmm, perhaps that was a bad idea.

Our Driveway Redux 

The Ugly: Love it, love it, love it. Too ridiculous to even consider. This is what we just sold: an expensive, unique house in bad shape on the water. Plus it is 2-story and crazy layout. Big lot, lots of trees. Did I mention in bad shape? I love it. My fantasy is that Grant will grudging go along with an insultingly low offer that the owners are desperate enough to take. As the listing realtor said, it's the lot that's for sale, with the house thrown in for free. We can't afford to tear down and build new, but that's what's going to happen. Just like our old house. Maybe it's in good enough shape to live there for a few years, then sell and reap the profits. Or buy a camper and live in the backyard.

By the time I got home at 8:00 PM, I was too exhausted to begin to talk about my day and what I'd seen. Jodi assured me more houses will come on the market since the holidays are over.

Happy New Year and New Decade

Invitation Postcards to Our New Year's Day Brunch  

For many years we hosted a New Year's Day brunch for everyone and anyone. We'd say, "You always know what date it is. Please come." Our guest list grew and grew. Over time, everyone expected to start the new year sitting on our porch, eating Grant's pulled pork, my black beans and rice, cheese grits, etc. It was so ingrained that when I went to New Zealand for my sister's wedding at Christmastime, we had to spread the word there would not be a brunch. "Please don't come."

Happy New Year  

This year, with no brunch to prep for, we set our alarms to wake us up in time to walk to the beach and see the sunrise. What a beautiful way to start the day, the year, the decade.

The beach was crowded with lots of young people, high school or college aged, I can no longer tell how old anyone is. They stood around, taking pictures of themselves and each other. I am envious of their youth and all the possibilities that are coming towards them that they cannot even imagine. What lives of luxury they live here in this secluded paradise. I am not naive enough to think everything will be perfect for them, however they certainly have a good start.

With Shades, Mascot of the Solar Bears Hockey Team

We opted not to participate in a Polar Bear Plunge like our granddaughter who jumped into 68° spring water. Of course, can one even call swimming at Key Biscayne beach a PBP?

Two hearty young men swam as the sun rose, but we didn't even dip our toes in. Northerners tease us about our thin blood, but I notice the second winter of living south, most people aren't as enthusiastic about swimming once the water turns cool.

But, as several friends asked us, what would they do today without our brunch? Fortunately a lovely couple offered to continue the tradition if it was okay with us.

Absolutely okay. I wrote up a bill of sale which they displayed next to their sign-in book. Now I'm just waiting for my $1.00 payment. They say the check is in the mail.