LANCER wrote on 08/01/23 at 09:08:01:


Lancer,

Y'all are welcome to come on down and ride with me anytime.  

The problem now is my endurance.  I can't do ALL day rides EVERY DAY.  Just wears me out.  

And, I still need to be home at night most nights.  Family health things.

On the waterfront someone inevitably hangs a handle on you. The first few didn’t really stick old man , grandpa , pappy and then one day two longshoremen were having some fun messin with me and there it was , one of them said “you look like Santa Claus”. It spread across all the terminals , where ever I went the handle followed. Mostly dock bosses have nicknames and of course the most colorful personalities too. Working the waterfront isn’t for everyone , it just happened that I was a perfect fit , I always felt lucky & privileged to have a job there and still hella proud  I had that opportunity. Years ago me and another apprentice turned out almost at the same time. He became day foreman and I was night foreman at a truck dealership. He had moved on after some years and one day I got the call. I remember telling my wife “ I have to try even if I fail I have to try”. Usually someone brings you in , most don’t get in , like I said I was lucky and privileged and while my buddy knew I had the skills to make it , what he didn’t know is if I could fit in and handle the weather. On the waterfront you working in the elements , good or bad. I think I completely exceeded his expectations. We wound up working on different terminals and I will always
be thankful for his gracious offer to work with him ! He’s still in the same place while I have moved several times , I have worked 3 of the 4 terminals and held my own in every shop. Challenges and victories , feeds a good journeyman mechanic , we survive on both !

You could have a part time self-supporting hobby of searching out old or damaged bikes, fix them so they are road worthy, sell them and make some money.   That gives you something to do with your excess time that is productive and profitable.   Besides that, you provide another person with needed inexpensive transportation.  It’s a win win.  
Zoom Zoom  😎🏍️

That’s what I do with the parts I sell.
Tinkering with the bikes and providing parts is a type of therapy for me.

Thanks for the advice Lancer and Dave. I do not believe I am good enough at mechanic-ing to rescue bikes, though the thought is appealing. I have considered volunteering once retired, just really do not know where yet. I guess we'll just have to wait to see where life takes me.

Ruttly and Youzguyz Congratulations to both of ya'll .  

I retired 17 years ago and have loved every day of it !!  

Part time job being keeping the cows happy works nicely.  

Once a week I help out with the local "Trail Life " group (It's what Boy Scouts used to be) .

I'm also happy with my decision to start going to Planet Fitness a few times a week. It gets me out of the house and into a bike ride to get there and I feel better too !  

There are so many things a person could get wrapped-up in that could take up too much of your free time , so be careful what ya get into .  

I really miss the cattle ranch across the street. Gonna move next to a ranch or orchards , I don’t belong in town anymore.

I have 3 weeks of work left before retirement day.

All paperwork has been looked at by lawyer and deemed acceptable.
401k has been rolled out to IRA and will be generating income.
I have Legal Advice benefit through September, so I need to do will, deeds on death, powers of attorney, living wills, etc, etc during that time.
House network and internet need reworked.  I will be dropping cable and going with Google Fiber.

And.. all this EQUIPMENT.. geezzzz.   Most going to recycling place.  Lots just dumping.   Antiques..  
I am keeping the IBM luggable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Portable_Personal_Computer

I don't know what I will be doing to keep busy.  Do more with the PGR.
Get rid of stuff we don't need or use.  Spoil grandson.  Be the definitive example of a Grumpy Old Biker.