It's early on Saturday morning and I am sitting in the Toronto Pearson airport waiting to fly home.
Chris is out in search of breakfast, a diet coke and coffee.
We have had a great time visiting our northern neighbors and need to do so more often (but not in the winter). Canada is a beautiful country and I'm sure there is so much more to see. I should probably work on learning how to travel more efficiently.
I think that we have exhausted our travel budget for the year, but are already looking forward to traveling in 2017! I think that we will also look at visiting around the US next year. I hope to make a few solo trips on the motorcycle -- short rides -- one day out, one day back kind of trips. Maybe Memphis for a Cardinals AAA game, Indianapolis to see my baby sister, Arlington for a Rangers' game -- that kind of thing. I might have to think backpack, small tent and inexpensive camp ground. It's nice to be able to think with that kind of freedom. If a few short trips go well, maybe I'll work on something a little longer.
Any suggestions for something around 500 miles or less from Ozark?
It would be cool to meet some of my readers. Many of you are friends and relatives that I have not seen in quite some time, others I see often and some I have never met. Maybe a meet the readers motorcycle trip(s) summer would be cool.
Writing of riding makes me want to ride. We'll be home by mid-day so maybe I'll get out for a little ride this afternoon.
I hope that you have a great day and weekend!
John <><
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Friday, September 16, 2016
Friends
I have posted on friends and friendships in the past.
I'm not sure why some people just seem to connect and others don't.
It is 2:20 in the morning and Chris and I have only been back at our hotel for a short time. We spent the evening and the early morning hours visiting with people that we barely know, but are most definitely our friends.
Back in June of 2011, Chris and I were on vacation in Mazatlan Mexico and ran across a crazy group of Canadians that were staying at the same hotel. Two of the women (Alyssa and Monika) didn't travel as a part of the rest of the group; they were traveling together and joined their fellow countrymen at the pool each day. Those two young women and one woman (Jo) from the main group (by main group I mean the loudest craziest ones) have kept in contact with us over the years. We have become better acquainted with each other through contact on Facebook.
Last fall we made plans to meet Jo and her husband Gord in Cancun. (Gord was not on the 2011 trip.)
We met at the end of January and had a really great vacation. Chris and I had never been to Canada and talked about coming here to visit their country and to see our friends.
It has been a grand time.
We managed to see Alyssa for a day in the Niagara area and Monika for a day in Toronto. We had a couple of great meals out, but the best ones were the ones sitting at Jo and Gord's dining room table.
They invited a couple of their friends to join us for dinner last night -- Leah and Andy. Andy is from Cuba and has just recently completed the necessary documentation to move to Canada. The six of us at the dinner table were from three different countries!
Jo's oldest son, Ryan, joined us for dessert.
Andy has to get up early for work, but stayed much later than he intended to stay. After he and Leah left, Gord and I went out to the deck to enjoy a cigar and more conversation. Chris and Jo came out and we just enjoyed visiting and laughing with our friends.
I'm sure that Jo and Gord will eventually make it to Southwest Missouri, but first we are working on another winter trip to Mexico and I think that Alyssa and Monika are planning to join us.
As I said at the beginning, I'm not sure what it is that brought us together more than others we have met. It's a real kinship kind of feeling, though -- more like family than friends.
As much as I have enjoyed seeing Niagara Falls, going to a MLB game, seeing the beautiful Lake Ontario and dining on great foods -- all of that would have been just another trip without being able to visit with our friends.
Sometimes I say, "God loves you, but I'm His favorite!"
Tonight I really feel that way, for I am truly a well blessed man.
It is close to 3 AM now; way past time to call it a day.
John <><
I'm not sure why some people just seem to connect and others don't.
It is 2:20 in the morning and Chris and I have only been back at our hotel for a short time. We spent the evening and the early morning hours visiting with people that we barely know, but are most definitely our friends.
Back in June of 2011, Chris and I were on vacation in Mazatlan Mexico and ran across a crazy group of Canadians that were staying at the same hotel. Two of the women (Alyssa and Monika) didn't travel as a part of the rest of the group; they were traveling together and joined their fellow countrymen at the pool each day. Those two young women and one woman (Jo) from the main group (by main group I mean the loudest craziest ones) have kept in contact with us over the years. We have become better acquainted with each other through contact on Facebook.
Last fall we made plans to meet Jo and her husband Gord in Cancun. (Gord was not on the 2011 trip.)
We met at the end of January and had a really great vacation. Chris and I had never been to Canada and talked about coming here to visit their country and to see our friends.
It has been a grand time.
We managed to see Alyssa for a day in the Niagara area and Monika for a day in Toronto. We had a couple of great meals out, but the best ones were the ones sitting at Jo and Gord's dining room table.
They invited a couple of their friends to join us for dinner last night -- Leah and Andy. Andy is from Cuba and has just recently completed the necessary documentation to move to Canada. The six of us at the dinner table were from three different countries!
Jo's oldest son, Ryan, joined us for dessert.
Andy has to get up early for work, but stayed much later than he intended to stay. After he and Leah left, Gord and I went out to the deck to enjoy a cigar and more conversation. Chris and Jo came out and we just enjoyed visiting and laughing with our friends.
I'm sure that Jo and Gord will eventually make it to Southwest Missouri, but first we are working on another winter trip to Mexico and I think that Alyssa and Monika are planning to join us.
As I said at the beginning, I'm not sure what it is that brought us together more than others we have met. It's a real kinship kind of feeling, though -- more like family than friends.
As much as I have enjoyed seeing Niagara Falls, going to a MLB game, seeing the beautiful Lake Ontario and dining on great foods -- all of that would have been just another trip without being able to visit with our friends.
Sometimes I say, "God loves you, but I'm His favorite!"
Tonight I really feel that way, for I am truly a well blessed man.
It is close to 3 AM now; way past time to call it a day.
John <><
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Canada -- Days 4 & 5
Yeah, so I missed posting yesterday.
Tuesday was a fairly relaxing day. After our morning drive from Niagara back to Barrie, Gord went to work while Chris and I chilled at the hotel. We met up with Jo and Gord in the evening to watch Gord's slow pitch softball team play the semi-final and then finals of their league tournament.
Unfortunately, one of their players was injured late in the game and they ended up losing a pretty close game. So they took second place in the league and second place in the tournament. All-in-all, I think they had a fun season.
Yesterday was a fun day!
We took the drive back into Toronto for a Jays game. The Blue Jays are in the hunt for a post-season spot so the fans are pretty excited about their team. The visit to the Rogers Centre was my 13th major league ballpark and apparently bad luck for the Jays. (It was also bad luck for the Cards who took another beating at the hands of the Cubs.)
But I had my ballpark dog with kraut and mustard so I was a happy boy!
We had dinner on the waterfront after the game and walked to view the lake. We took a few pics and entertained a couple (or just interrupted their peaceful view of Lake Ontario) in the process.
Our friend Monika joined us for the game and dinner and then we moved to the rooftop lounge of her downtown condo for a nice visit with some spectacular views.
Moon rise over Lake Ontario
From the rooftop lounge
And later in the evening, looking towards the city...
At some point I suppose I should mention that hotel room in Barrie is on the top floor (4th) and at the very end of the hall. When Jo made our online reservation, she added a note in the comments section, "We would like a room away from others because we like to have loud sex."
We got an odd look when we checked in, but apparently they aim to please and our room is away from other guests!
Chris is already plotting her get-even event!
Have a grand day!
John <><
Tuesday was a fairly relaxing day. After our morning drive from Niagara back to Barrie, Gord went to work while Chris and I chilled at the hotel. We met up with Jo and Gord in the evening to watch Gord's slow pitch softball team play the semi-final and then finals of their league tournament.
Unfortunately, one of their players was injured late in the game and they ended up losing a pretty close game. So they took second place in the league and second place in the tournament. All-in-all, I think they had a fun season.
Yesterday was a fun day!
We took the drive back into Toronto for a Jays game. The Blue Jays are in the hunt for a post-season spot so the fans are pretty excited about their team. The visit to the Rogers Centre was my 13th major league ballpark and apparently bad luck for the Jays. (It was also bad luck for the Cards who took another beating at the hands of the Cubs.)
But I had my ballpark dog with kraut and mustard so I was a happy boy!
We had dinner on the waterfront after the game and walked to view the lake. We took a few pics and entertained a couple (or just interrupted their peaceful view of Lake Ontario) in the process.
Our friend Monika joined us for the game and dinner and then we moved to the rooftop lounge of her downtown condo for a nice visit with some spectacular views.
Moon rise over Lake Ontario
From the rooftop lounge
And later in the evening, looking towards the city...
At some point I suppose I should mention that hotel room in Barrie is on the top floor (4th) and at the very end of the hall. When Jo made our online reservation, she added a note in the comments section, "We would like a room away from others because we like to have loud sex."
We got an odd look when we checked in, but apparently they aim to please and our room is away from other guests!
Chris is already plotting her get-even event!
Have a grand day!
John <><
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Canada -- Day 3
Yesterday another of our Canadian friends (Alyssa) joined us for the day as we headed out to the areas around Niagara falls. The new member to our group is a chef and planned lunch for us at one of the many Niagara region wineries.
Lunch was an epicurean delight!
Appetizers, soup, salad, entree and dessert!
Oh my!
The scenery was beautiful and the service was grand (I suppose it helped that our server was friends with Alyssa). I'm not a wine drinker and didn't purchase any to bring back to the States, but I did find a bottle of ghost pepper ketchup in their little store and that, I did buy!
The afternoon also included stops at a couple of the local breweries. This one is in an old church building and it is beautifully covered with vines and hops!
We ended the day with a nice walk to Doc Magilligan's Restaurant and Irish Pub.
The pub was designed and built in Ireland, then packed into shipping containers and shipped here to be reassembled.
Awesome Scotch eggs, soda bread with some kind of bacon onion jelly, and again -- delicious entrees.
I had a Fisherman's pie (think shepherds pie with sea food) that was delicious!
No dessert. We were all stuffed!
The walk back to the hotel was welcomed by all.
We're going back to Barrie today (something about Gord having to work this afternoon) and I think that today will be another easy day of relaxing and visiting.
Life is good!
I am truly blessed.
John <><
Lunch was an epicurean delight!
Appetizers, soup, salad, entree and dessert!
Oh my!
The afternoon also included stops at a couple of the local breweries. This one is in an old church building and it is beautifully covered with vines and hops!
We ended the day with a nice walk to Doc Magilligan's Restaurant and Irish Pub.
The pub was designed and built in Ireland, then packed into shipping containers and shipped here to be reassembled.
Awesome Scotch eggs, soda bread with some kind of bacon onion jelly, and again -- delicious entrees.
I had a Fisherman's pie (think shepherds pie with sea food) that was delicious!
No dessert. We were all stuffed!
The walk back to the hotel was welcomed by all.
We're going back to Barrie today (something about Gord having to work this afternoon) and I think that today will be another easy day of relaxing and visiting.
Life is good!
I am truly blessed.
John <><
Monday, September 12, 2016
Niagara Falls -- Canada, Day 2
Oh my!
One of God's great naturals wonders!
Yesterday, we rode with our friends to Niagara, Ontario. It was a couple of hours but the trip was comfortable and the visit with our friends was great. Jo grew up in the area around the falls and it is still a place that they like to visit.
After checking into our hotel, we made our way to the falls.
Spectacular!
There really aren't words to describe it and pictures cannot do the falls justice. I guess that's why when people talk about them, they simply say, "You have to go see them."
Here are a few pics.
The Horseshoe falls.
Our friends Jo and Gord
Me and Chris (fighting the bright sun)
The pot of gold is deep beneath the falls!
A beautiful bow, looking from above the falls
We stopped at an outdoor karaoke bar and had a few snacks while listening to Jo taking her turn at singing. She has a beautiful voice but threatened me with severe beatings that could result in permanent disability or death if I shared what I recorded. (And since I think she meant it and I am afraid of her, you miss out!)
We walked Clifton Hill (the touristy street), ate at Kelsey's and really enjoyed our time together.
We were getting in some good people watching while dining in the outdoor section near the street.
Everyone you see has a story...
...and since we could, we told their stories as we made them up.
The couple at the table near us was breaking up. It was clear that they were not there for fun. Perhaps the return to the falls was a vain attempt to recapture their earlier love, but it was plain to see that it was over. She was tired of it. He had checked out. There was nothing left.
There was a well dressed man that stopped on the street as he walked by. He looked a little lost. Perhaps the sound of the music stopped him. He had just come from the casino where he lost everything.
The balding man that walked quickly and looked nervously over his shoulders as he walked. No doubt had tons on child porn on the computer in his pack.
You get the idea. We were having a good time and feeling pretty good about ourselves!
In the middle of it all, Chris jumped up from the table as if she saw somebody she knew only to move in to photo-bomb an unsuspecting tourist. You should have seen Jo! She was so proud of her student.
We drove back past the falls to see them lit up at night and then back to the hotel to relax in the hot tub before calling it a night.
John <><
One of God's great naturals wonders!
Yesterday, we rode with our friends to Niagara, Ontario. It was a couple of hours but the trip was comfortable and the visit with our friends was great. Jo grew up in the area around the falls and it is still a place that they like to visit.
After checking into our hotel, we made our way to the falls.
Spectacular!
There really aren't words to describe it and pictures cannot do the falls justice. I guess that's why when people talk about them, they simply say, "You have to go see them."
Here are a few pics.
The Horseshoe falls.
Our friends Jo and Gord
Me and Chris (fighting the bright sun)
The pot of gold is deep beneath the falls!
A beautiful bow, looking from above the falls
We stopped at an outdoor karaoke bar and had a few snacks while listening to Jo taking her turn at singing. She has a beautiful voice but threatened me with severe beatings that could result in permanent disability or death if I shared what I recorded. (And since I think she meant it and I am afraid of her, you miss out!)
We walked Clifton Hill (the touristy street), ate at Kelsey's and really enjoyed our time together.
We were getting in some good people watching while dining in the outdoor section near the street.
Everyone you see has a story...
...and since we could, we told their stories as we made them up.
The couple at the table near us was breaking up. It was clear that they were not there for fun. Perhaps the return to the falls was a vain attempt to recapture their earlier love, but it was plain to see that it was over. She was tired of it. He had checked out. There was nothing left.
There was a well dressed man that stopped on the street as he walked by. He looked a little lost. Perhaps the sound of the music stopped him. He had just come from the casino where he lost everything.
The balding man that walked quickly and looked nervously over his shoulders as he walked. No doubt had tons on child porn on the computer in his pack.
You get the idea. We were having a good time and feeling pretty good about ourselves!
In the middle of it all, Chris jumped up from the table as if she saw somebody she knew only to move in to photo-bomb an unsuspecting tourist. You should have seen Jo! She was so proud of her student.
We drove back past the falls to see them lit up at night and then back to the hotel to relax in the hot tub before calling it a night.
John <><
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Canada -- Day 1
Yesterday was our first day in Canada. We slept in late since we didn't make it to the hotel until 1 AM.
We drove from Toronto to Barrie to pick up our friend Jo for lunch. After meeting her son Ryan and getting the house tour, we went to lunch at an Irish pub. I had the shepherd's pie and it was very good.
We drove around the lake and then scoped out the area for a hotel room. Something is going on in the area and many of the hotels were completely booked. We ended up at a Holiday Inn Express (I don't feel any smarter) that said they didn't have any rooms left but we booked one through Expedia in the parking lot and went back into the lobby. The clerk looked a little confused and wondered where the magic opening came from, but we ended up in a nice little suite with plenty of room.
After stopping at the store to pick up a few evening necessities, we headed back to the house to meet up with Gord (the other half of Jo and Gord).
It was a wonderful evening!
Jo prepared a great meal for us. We later moved the conversation out to the deck where Gord and I enjoyed a couple of fine cigars and we all enjoyed the visit.
When we made it back to the hotel, I was checking to see the results of the UFC 203 fights and (because of the 1 hour time difference) I got to see the last few fights. Bonus!
We check out of this hotel in a bit and then the four of us will be going to Niagara Falls for a couple of days.
Life is good!
John <><
We drove from Toronto to Barrie to pick up our friend Jo for lunch. After meeting her son Ryan and getting the house tour, we went to lunch at an Irish pub. I had the shepherd's pie and it was very good.
We drove around the lake and then scoped out the area for a hotel room. Something is going on in the area and many of the hotels were completely booked. We ended up at a Holiday Inn Express (I don't feel any smarter) that said they didn't have any rooms left but we booked one through Expedia in the parking lot and went back into the lobby. The clerk looked a little confused and wondered where the magic opening came from, but we ended up in a nice little suite with plenty of room.
After stopping at the store to pick up a few evening necessities, we headed back to the house to meet up with Gord (the other half of Jo and Gord).
It was a wonderful evening!
Jo prepared a great meal for us. We later moved the conversation out to the deck where Gord and I enjoyed a couple of fine cigars and we all enjoyed the visit.
When we made it back to the hotel, I was checking to see the results of the UFC 203 fights and (because of the 1 hour time difference) I got to see the last few fights. Bonus!
We check out of this hotel in a bit and then the four of us will be going to Niagara Falls for a couple of days.
Life is good!
John <><
Saturday, September 10, 2016
North of the Border
This is our first trip to visit our northern neighbors!
At this time last year, we were in Ixtapa, Mexico. This September finds us in Toronto, Canada.
Tomorrow we will meet up with a couple of friends that we met vacationing in Mexico. Later in the week we will meet up with a couple of other vacation friends that we haven't seen in quite some time.
The week will include a trip to Niagara Falls and a Toronto Jays baseball game. I'm sure that we will find plenty of other things to do and see and a few places to eat.
I was just thinking -- you never hear about Canadian food in the US. I've never seen a Canadian restaurant. There are plenty of Mexican restaurants as well as other ethnic eateries.
Hmmm...?
I'll get back to you on that.
It's past 2am local time so I'm going to get a little sleep.
Enjoy your week.
John <><
At this time last year, we were in Ixtapa, Mexico. This September finds us in Toronto, Canada.
Tomorrow we will meet up with a couple of friends that we met vacationing in Mexico. Later in the week we will meet up with a couple of other vacation friends that we haven't seen in quite some time.
The week will include a trip to Niagara Falls and a Toronto Jays baseball game. I'm sure that we will find plenty of other things to do and see and a few places to eat.
I was just thinking -- you never hear about Canadian food in the US. I've never seen a Canadian restaurant. There are plenty of Mexican restaurants as well as other ethnic eateries.
Hmmm...?
I'll get back to you on that.
It's past 2am local time so I'm going to get a little sleep.
Enjoy your week.
John <><
Monday, September 05, 2016
Not Laboring this Labor Day
Yes, it is a pitfall of retirement -- no more holidays!
My cousin warned me that once I retired, there would be no more days off.
Yep.
No more days off.
No sick days.
No paid holidays.
Just retirement.
I guess I'll have to deal with it!
This Labor Day finds me not laboring at a Starbucks in Springfield.
I'm out of coffee so I'm here for my standard 5-shot Americano and added a breakfast sandwich. I'll grab a bag of beans to take with me and will be set for a little while.
Back to the not laboring thing...
As one of those people that worked at a 24/7 kind of job, I did work many holidays throughout my career as an air traffic controller. Chris is working today -- no holiday for those that need surgery, either.
I suppose that I need to mention that I am able to enjoy the retirement that I have because of a good pension and benefits that were largely due to a strong union and the work that was done by many others of the distant past.
Without the sacrifices of many laborers, we would not have so many of the work place benefits that we now take for granted -- most have become legal reforms in labor conditions.
It's sad that I live in such and anti-union area. So many workers have believed the lies of their employers that under pay them and exploit their need for a job in so many ways.
I do need to do some laboring at home today. Plenty of household things to be done today, laundry, mowing, fixing dinner -- it's all good though. At least I don't have to go to work -- ever!
And I'm sure that I'll manage to sit and read for a bit and maybe enjoy a good cigar.
Ahhh ... the perks of being in control of your schedule!
Happy Labor Day!
John <><
My cousin warned me that once I retired, there would be no more days off.
Yep.
No more days off.
No sick days.
No paid holidays.
Just retirement.
I guess I'll have to deal with it!
This Labor Day finds me not laboring at a Starbucks in Springfield.
I'm out of coffee so I'm here for my standard 5-shot Americano and added a breakfast sandwich. I'll grab a bag of beans to take with me and will be set for a little while.
Back to the not laboring thing...
As one of those people that worked at a 24/7 kind of job, I did work many holidays throughout my career as an air traffic controller. Chris is working today -- no holiday for those that need surgery, either.
I suppose that I need to mention that I am able to enjoy the retirement that I have because of a good pension and benefits that were largely due to a strong union and the work that was done by many others of the distant past.
Without the sacrifices of many laborers, we would not have so many of the work place benefits that we now take for granted -- most have become legal reforms in labor conditions.
It's sad that I live in such and anti-union area. So many workers have believed the lies of their employers that under pay them and exploit their need for a job in so many ways.
I do need to do some laboring at home today. Plenty of household things to be done today, laundry, mowing, fixing dinner -- it's all good though. At least I don't have to go to work -- ever!
And I'm sure that I'll manage to sit and read for a bit and maybe enjoy a good cigar.
Ahhh ... the perks of being in control of your schedule!
Happy Labor Day!
John <><
Saturday, September 03, 2016
Oh! I'm going for a ride!
I'm getting ready to meet a friend this morning. We're going for a ride!
I've never traveled with anybody when riding my motorcycle and don't really know what to expect.
I am looking forward to it. It's been a little while since I've had time to talk with this friend and so I'm looking forward to the stops and conversations as much as I'm looking forward to the ride (Well, maybe not quite as much, but you get the idea).
I'm not exactly sure where our ride will take us and plan to be a follower on this one.
Short post today so I'll leave you with this kids' song that I remember from the distant past. There is no motorcycle in the song. Maybe I'll have to come up with my own words for that!
Enjoy the weekend!
John <><
I've never traveled with anybody when riding my motorcycle and don't really know what to expect.
I am looking forward to it. It's been a little while since I've had time to talk with this friend and so I'm looking forward to the stops and conversations as much as I'm looking forward to the ride (Well, maybe not quite as much, but you get the idea).
I'm not exactly sure where our ride will take us and plan to be a follower on this one.
Short post today so I'll leave you with this kids' song that I remember from the distant past. There is no motorcycle in the song. Maybe I'll have to come up with my own words for that!
Enjoy the weekend!
John <><
Friday, September 02, 2016
Thursday (in a retired guy's life)
So yesterday was another easy day (aren't they all?).
I had a few things on my phone's "to do" list, but nothing that was a large task of any kind.
I'm a little low on coffee and decided to go out for coffee yesterday. (Actually, picking up coffee for home is still on my list.)
I slept in since I had been up late watching something completely meaningless on TV. By the time I decided to skip making coffee, showered, grabbed my Chromebook and hit the road it was almost 11.
I was trying to pick a coffee shop and thought I'd pick something in downtown Springfield. I was planning on doing a little sermon prep while I drank my coffee.
I was looking for parking when I found a place at Walnut & South for motorcycle parking.
Perfect!
Park the bike, grab my Chromebook, library book and Bible and find a place on foot.
Since it was now 11:30 (lunchtime) and I hadn't had anything to eat yet, I decided that lunch was in order first! I was parked right by Black Sheep burgers and shakes which I had heard plenty about. I ducked in, ordered a Cuban burger (1/4 angus burger topped with ham, pulled pork, cheese and dill pickles) and cracked open my library book while waiting on my order. I skipped the shake (I still hadn't had my coffee) and passed on the fries. Reputation told me that the burger would be enough.
Oh. My!
Yes, the ham and pork that fell off the bun would have made a decent sandwich by itself! I'm glad I skipped the fries and shake (adult or otherwise). I did order a cup of coffee to go with my meal but was still planning on hitting a coffee shop to do a little studying and writing. This will go on my list of places to frequent. There are many more burgers to try!
I left there and walked up the block to the Urban Cup. I ordered a 16oz Americano and grabbed a stuffed cookie, as well. I thought about an extra shot but didn't order it. Then the barista making my drink turns and says, "We usually make the 16oz with three shots but there'll be an extra one. Do you want me to just throw it in?"
I stayed long enough to get some work done then headed out to knock a few things off the list.
Grilled Italian sausage along with a cucumber, onion, tomato salad for dinner, more time reading, a short evening ride and a little late night TV with Chris rounded out the day nicely.
Listen, this retired life isn't for everyone.
Many people tell me they'd be bored doing nothing.
It takes some real discipline to live each day without getting anything major accomplished.
It's like I always say, "Retirement isn't all fun and games. Sometimes it's just fun!"
John <><
I had a few things on my phone's "to do" list, but nothing that was a large task of any kind.
I'm a little low on coffee and decided to go out for coffee yesterday. (Actually, picking up coffee for home is still on my list.)
I slept in since I had been up late watching something completely meaningless on TV. By the time I decided to skip making coffee, showered, grabbed my Chromebook and hit the road it was almost 11.
I was trying to pick a coffee shop and thought I'd pick something in downtown Springfield. I was planning on doing a little sermon prep while I drank my coffee.
I was looking for parking when I found a place at Walnut & South for motorcycle parking.
Perfect!
Park the bike, grab my Chromebook, library book and Bible and find a place on foot.
Since it was now 11:30 (lunchtime) and I hadn't had anything to eat yet, I decided that lunch was in order first! I was parked right by Black Sheep burgers and shakes which I had heard plenty about. I ducked in, ordered a Cuban burger (1/4 angus burger topped with ham, pulled pork, cheese and dill pickles) and cracked open my library book while waiting on my order. I skipped the shake (I still hadn't had my coffee) and passed on the fries. Reputation told me that the burger would be enough.
Oh. My!
Yes, the ham and pork that fell off the bun would have made a decent sandwich by itself! I'm glad I skipped the fries and shake (adult or otherwise). I did order a cup of coffee to go with my meal but was still planning on hitting a coffee shop to do a little studying and writing. This will go on my list of places to frequent. There are many more burgers to try!
I left there and walked up the block to the Urban Cup. I ordered a 16oz Americano and grabbed a stuffed cookie, as well. I thought about an extra shot but didn't order it. Then the barista making my drink turns and says, "We usually make the 16oz with three shots but there'll be an extra one. Do you want me to just throw it in?"
I stayed long enough to get some work done then headed out to knock a few things off the list.
Grilled Italian sausage along with a cucumber, onion, tomato salad for dinner, more time reading, a short evening ride and a little late night TV with Chris rounded out the day nicely.
Listen, this retired life isn't for everyone.
Many people tell me they'd be bored doing nothing.
It takes some real discipline to live each day without getting anything major accomplished.
It's like I always say, "Retirement isn't all fun and games. Sometimes it's just fun!"
John <><
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