I play golf a lot. At least once a week. That’s once a week twelve months a year. Remember, I live in Southern California. Even when the weather is slightly insane (remember the snow?) it always goes back to “normal” which is warm, sunny and mild. The big golf clothing decision is usually shorts? Or long pants? It doesn’t get much more complicated than that. I have wind shirts of all colors. Most have been worn once, maybe twice. Cold, wind, rain, snow, etc. etc. is not much of an issue in Southern California.
However, my future, those retirement years that we all look forward to, involves moving back East to be close to the family. Who wants to grow old 3000 miles away from those you love? After all, it’s not just anybody who will change your Depends. That takes family and love or else a lot of money. I don’t have a lot of money, hence the ageing process needs to be near family.
Don’t misunderstand. I’m a “youngster” by today’s standards of ageing. I feel great, I’m full of energy, I’m still working, but I worked in healthcare for many years and I now teach healthcare. Therefore, I can easily see the possible handwriting on the wall. I hope I age as well as my mother who is in her 80’s and perking right along quite nicely. I hope to still be golfing when I’m in my 80’s but, just in case, it seems prudent to live near family and loved ones, all of whom are younger than me. I am a planner by nature and this seems like a good plan.
However, all this is really beside the point of this post. The point is, how will I live in a place where “winter” really means winter? Where it’s cold and rainy, or maybe snowy, and the golf courses close down for months at a time?
I can’t imagine not doing outdoor activities whenever I feel like it. We plan outdoor events with never a thought for the weather. The Hollywood Bowl has no cover. Rain? So rare it isn’t an issue. Cold? I have coats, but then I live in the high desert ABOVE L.A. so it does get pretty nippy. I just drive down the hill to “normal” L.A. weather, 45 minutes away, and then we play golf. How will I deal with the phenomenon of real winter for months at a time?
I see a Florida vacation home in my future. Winter golf is a must. I must look up the exact definition of "Snow Bird."
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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2 comments:
Oh, it would be nice for someone in the family to have a beach vacation home. I MIGHT come to visit now and then.
Retirement, Huh? These days the word strikes me as one of those concepts from the good old days. We've all heard of it, but none of was will practice it. Unless your pension, IRA, 401K or what have you is a whole lot healthier these days than mine.
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