The Crotchety Old Man

Category: My Life

  • Reunited

    The trip to my old Kentucky home was great! I had no expectations. Having finally learned they are mostly precursors to disappointment, I avoid them. From start to finish, my homecoming weekend exceeded any expectations I could have had. The drive up quashed any lingering thoughts of driving myself. Between heavy rain, road construction, and…

  • Trippin’

    My interest in travel has declined with my vision. The last night away from home was in early 2018. A friend from Lexington, KY picked me up on her way to Florida. Our birthdays are in the same week and she wanted to celebrate our 60th at the beach. Andy took care of Toodles. Without…

  • Next-Level Retired

    I’m grateful to have been able to retire. Not having to work is great. A few recent changes make me even more retired than I already was. Getting Mavis was the first big change. She drags things into the house from the yard. She’s especially fond of pine cones and small branches, both of which…

  • Experienced Retiree

    Last month marks the beginning of my sixth year in retirement. With five years of experience, I’m no longer a rookie. The new may have worn off a bit, but I’m still very much enjoying a life of leisure. Work is a distant memory. I stopped checking work email last year after a security change…

  • Pile Shifting–Again

    Cataract surgery in late February significantly improved my vision. For the first time in years, I saw exactly how dirty my house was–especially the carpet. Seems my little dog had more “accidents” than I thought. “Accident” suggests she couldn’t help it. I’m sure that’s how Tootsie see it. She thinks going outside in inclement weather…

  • Precious Junk

    I’m updating my will–finally. The current edition was generated from an online provider. No executor was named and Andy was the primary beneficiary. An attorney who specializes in elder law is working with me. My situation isn’t complicated. Things with beneficiaries, like life insurance policies and retirement accounts, bypass probate. A will covers the rest–in…

  • My Summer Vacation

    Public schools here in Athens opened the first week of August. Fall semester at UGA started last week. Where did the summer go? My “What I Did this Summer” essay would be brief and more than a little boring. I didn’t go anywhere or read any good books. I rarely left the house except to…

  • Never Bored

    One of Mom’s friends recently asked her if I ever get bored. Mom laughed and said I have too many things I enjoy doing to get bored. It’s true. I haven’t been bored since my last faculty meeting. It’s a fair question. My life sounds pretty boring. I rarely leave home for more than a…

  • Retired Attire

    For the second time since retiring, I have reorganized all my drawers, cabinets, and closets. I got rid of a lot two years ago, but had just retired and had no idea how my lifestyle would change. Now I know. This time, I was ruthless. I wear sweat pants, gym shorts or pajama bottoms just…

  • Two Months with Tootsie

    Hard to believe Tootsie has been in my life for two months. Doesn’t seem that long. Time flies when you’re having fun. And Tootsie is fun — more fun than any pet I’ve ever had. It’s her personality. She wants to play all the time, with or without me. Her solitary play often revolves around…