Our version of retirement: Living a childhood dream

RadishRose said:
They're waiting for your garden!
Click to expand...
Got that soooooo right

Friendliest deer I've ever seen
...and black tail too

The black tail I've been around are quite skittish and can hide in the tiniest of places

Further north, near the coast, the black tail are thick
You can flush 'em out, but only by accident

They have low paths thru thickets that they crawl thru
I know, I've crawled thru them

They can scare the crap out of a hunter, because they'll jump straight up,
but only when yer about to step on 'em

These deer here are darn near pets
They were frolicking in the field last night like baby goats
Never seen anything like it
I've only seen deer jump when there's something to jump over
These guys were playing/romping

I rather enjoy that

I won't screw on my silencer when that trophy buck appears again

I will keep my Nikon loaded, however

It was a muley (quite common in the mountains here, and at our cabin)
With a rack the size an elk would be proud of
 

Gary O' said:
Got that soooooo right

Friendliest deer I've ever seen
...and black tail too

The black tail I've been around are quite skittish and can hide in the tiniest of places

Further north, near the coast, the black tail are thick
You can flush 'em out, but only by accident

They have low paths thru thickets that they crawl thru
I know, I've crawled thru them

They can scare the crap out of a hunter, because they'll jump straight up,
but only when yer about to step on 'em

These deer here are darn near pets
They were frolicking in the field last night like baby goats
Never seen anything like it
I've only seen deer jump when there's something to jump over
These guys were playing/romping

I rather enjoy that

I won't screw on my silencer when that trophy buck appears again

I will keep my Nikon loaded, however

It was a muley (quite common in the mountains here, and at our cabin)
With a rack the size an elk would be proud of
Click to expand...
They sound delightful!

I hope they don't damage your crop too badly. I hear human hair is a deterrent, but who wants to go all over town sweeping up hair in barber shops and hair salons?
 
We have a huge rose bush on the south end of our lot

Yellow roses

Its just another reason I know God gave us this place
They're my lady's favorite flower, favorite color

rose bush.jpg 2.jpgrose bush.jpg 3.jpgrose bush.jpgrose bush.jpg 4.jpg

I also know He got us this place because its butt ugly

If it was a cute little bungalow, I'd prolly be hesitant to go to heaven
(much like the cabin)

....aaaaand it gives me something to do
(make it a bit easier on the eye.....tough trick with this barn)

I best git to it
 

Last edited:
RadishRose said:
I hope they don't damage your crop too badly.
Click to expand...
I'm counting on that six foot fence

I know they can jump it, but will they.....

I built a screened cage for the strawberries
(to keep the cat poop, birds, and deer out)

The other raised beds are a bit exposed.....time will tell
 
Gary O' said:
We have a huge rose bush on the south end of our lot

Yellow roses

Its just another reason i know God gave us this place
They're my lady's favorite flower, favorite color

View attachment 166710View attachment 166711View attachment 166712View attachment 166713

I also know He got us this place because its butt ugly

If it was a cute little bungalow, I'd prolly be hesitant to go to heaven
(much like the cabin)

....aaaaand it gives me something to do
(make it a bit easier on the eye.....tough trick with this barn)

I best git to it
Click to expand...
Beautiful yellow roses! You are both meant to be there. Your wife will feel so much easier when winter comes.

You'll make it all pretty, you have the creativity. You're not just another Town Clown, hahahaha! 🌹
 
RadishRose said:
I once stepped in a rolling pan full of paint.
Click to expand...
Getting paint everywhere but where it should be is what I'm really good at

Drives my lady nuts (but she ain't any better)

Heh, I was doing some gorgeous black trim on a place we were refurbing
No masking...rather proud of my capability
Took one misstep
Toppled down the stairs, grasping/flailing in the air for the rail
Ended up at the bottom of the stairs in a fetal position
Paint, all over the drive, the stairs, the rails, me, the Jeep tire and wheel

Black, epoxy based paint
 
iu
 
The grands stopped by

They had a ball in the sandbox, and 'cooked' me many sand meals

The eldest had some wild seizures a couple nights ago, and had to have the back of her head stapled

The good news, she's being put on some new meds
She'll be a zombie for a week or so, then level out
The wonderful news, no more seizures
My fisherman son is wore out
Watching over her 24/7
That guy is the epitome of a workaholic
Eats it like candy
But that duvet's syndrome is eating his lunch

Anyway, once they left, I was able to finish the 'other' tiny abode for my ol' boss

It's become my current fav;

wip best.jpg

wip best 3.jpg

wip best 2.jpg

I'm going to include a letter

In it there'll be some words
Words that'll make him laugh
Words that'll make him weep like a baby

I'm pretty good at that
Lotsa practice

I'd love to be there when he reads it
But only as a fly on the wall

Some of the content;

Hey Ol' Man-

Hope you enjoy these tiny abodes
Consider them a small token
One of appreciation

Over thirty years ago, you gave me a chance by kicking me upstairs
I know it was a sink or swim deal
....and I swam
Boy, did I swim
Like a seal
Made my own rules
Dictated my own laws
Beat yer hind end in most rounds of golf

You taught me much
You were patient when arguing with me

You...were.....my...dad

Then it gets mushy...... and funny

gonna put him on an emotional roller coaster

Yeah, I'd love to be there
 
Gary O' said:
Getting paint everywhere but where it should be is what I'm really good at

Drives my lady nuts (but she ain't any better)

Heh, I was doing some gorgeous black trim on a place we were refurbing
No masking...rather proud of my capability
Took one misstep
Toppled down the stairs, grasping/flailing in the air for the rail
Ended up at the bottom of the stairs in a fetal position
Paint, all over the drive, the stairs, the rails, me, the Jeep tire and wheel

Black, epoxy based paint
Click to expand...
OMG! Thank God you lived. But what a mess, :cry:
 
@Gary O' , so sad your girl hurt her head like that! What great news: a new medication that will stop the seizures!!! What a Blessing.

Yes, I like the abode a lot. Even more, the letter. Reminds me how much better it is reach out and show appreciation now, while our heroes and loved ones are still alive.
 
RadishRose said:
so sad your girl hurt her head like that! What great news: a new medication that will stop the seizures!!! What a Blessing.
Click to expand...
Yes
We should be getting it via FED-X tomorrow


RadishRose said:
Yes, I like the abode a lot. Even more, the letter. Reminds me how much better it is reach out and show appreciation now, while our heroes and loved ones are still alive.
Click to expand...
Ended up sending him both abodes

The letter got a bit mushy, as he was my mentor

Wrote that his legacy would be carried on thru my family generations, as when my grands come to me for advice, I often cite what he taught me

Heh, now he'll be mean...but I know it'll get to him
(that's always been how I know)
 
Moving along, I bought a denim shop apron

Harbor Freight isn't the best place to find quality
But, if you know your tools, there's some good buys there

Thought this shop apron would be some thin, weak material
Didn't really care, as I considered it a throw away
Still, it'd save my clothes
Nada
Thick, good, tough
me in shop apron.jpg

Hated the ties, so I pounded some grommets into the tie ends, and used a small carabiner for a clasp

shop apron clasp.jpg

Not unhappy about it

Turns out, those little bins come in handy when looking for a certain something


bins 2.jpg

bins.jpg
 
Gary O' said:
Ended up sending him both abodes

The letter got a bit mushy, as he was my mentor

Wrote that his legacy would be carried on thru my family generations, as when my grands come to me for advice, I often cite what he taught me

Heh, now he'll be mean...but I know it'll get to him
(that's always been how I know)
Click to expand...
Got an email from my old boss

Guess my letter got to him;

'I very much appreciated the note you sent along with it.
The thoughts you expressed meant and mean a lot to me. The bird houses came through unscathed and will be a great addition to my gazebo area in the backyard. You were able to make them look like they were actually handmade– –You did a great job! Thanks again and you take care – – Charlie'

He doesn't say those things.....ever

Maybe old age (he's in his mid 80s) has mellowed him some.

Anyway, creating these tiny, butchered, avian abodes have been rewarding.
Rewarding in the creation
And rewarding in the appreciation when received as gifts

The money is secondary
But, nice too

''The bird houses came through unscathed and will be a great addition to my gazebo area in the backyard.'

His place is in one of the poshest areas of Lake Oswego
So, that's quite the honor
 
Dear Diary;

I did something I swore I wouldn't do

Tapped my stash

Drew out $1000

I knew I'd overspent this month
Did it with full knowledge
Thought I'd squeak thru

Nada

An expense came up we couldn't deny
A long term money saver

I'm no hoarder....by a long shot
We live comfortably
I just don't care to break good habits

Bought this place for my lady
With the in case thought if I go first, she could continue living comfortably

No, I don't plan on kicking all too soon
But, I'm in my seventies
Stuff happens
I could be romping thru the day, and drop like a rock

Then, that 'dream' would be all that's left of me

I wanna make it a good one
 
"The Yellow Rose of Texas" is an American folk song. A version with altered lyrics was used in the American Civil War by the Texas Brigade of the Confederacy. The altered lyrics reference Confederate General John Bell Hood, Joseph Johnston, P. G. T. Beauregard, and Robert E. Lee.
 
Meanderer said:
"The Yellow Rose of Texas" is an American folk song. A version with altered lyrics was used in the American Civil War by the Texas Brigade of the Confederacy. The altered lyrics reference Confederate General John Bell Hood, Joseph Johnston, P. G. T. Beauregard, and Robert E. Lee.
Click to expand...
I may have heard a bit of that version in this movie;

A1nwWob7dbL._SY445_.jpg
 
RadishRose said:
Hey, those roses are so beautiful!
Click to expand...
I've been told they are 'wild'

Whatever

I consider them crazy

rose bush.jpg

rose bush 12.jpg

The deer really like them......for cover

Their path path goes right thru them
They can be seen early every morning...... going to town
deer path 2.jpg

Made another tiny abode 'tween garden chores
I'm happy with it, but didn't take a pic (too many b hse pics)

I was, however, able to wear out the grand girls
(rather proud of that)

sleep fin.jpg






Won't tell 'em how I ended up


are they gone.jpg
 
As I was hand watering the lawn (green weeds) this evening
I recall what drove me to a cabin in the mountains

No watering lawns
No fertilizing lawns
In order to mow/trim lawns

It was all a redundant, meaningless cycle

No, was gonna retire from even that

Heh heh

I didn't need to water or fertilize snow

But I did need to shovel and blow it

Npb49kO.jpg


And ensure a nice path to a very necessary place

path to the privy.jpg


Had to stay on top of it




Some winters were a bit tougher than others

thv0SLB.png







I'm good with hand watering and mowing
 
Last edited:
After looking at the forecast for next week, and the temps dipping into the high 30s (F),
my lovely lady is considering wrapping her tomatoes in some sorta swaddling blankets over night

I haven't the heart to tell her, 'if you coddle those plants too much, they won't have the strength to fend for themselves'

'You'll turn 'em into.......vegetables'
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top