When I retired from teaching I was 62 and still loved the kids, history and geography. What I didn't love was how computers made us all more 'efficient" by requiring more redundant and unuseful paperwork than ever. I did a rough calculation several times and determined most of the staff was wasting two hours a day on this nonsense. For Special Ed teachers with Federal requirements it was in excess of three hours per day. We had just built a more "efficient" house for us largely paying for it with the sale of our old one next door to a woods we already owned. But not quite. My beloved spouse volunteered to work two more years and pay it off. Thus, I became a House Husband. She loved it when she came home to find dinner ready, the laundry done, as I had put serious study into these diverse tasks. Still there was a little slack time here and there and I needed to find a mentor on how to use it. He was a friend of Mrs. T's who lived with us and his name was Simba.
Yes this is Simba and this is how it all began. While I don't have any actual pictures of his mentoring retirement techniques, the following pretty much demonstrates the method.
I found the idea to follow the sun around the house all day and to nap the most effective. The aquarium sun lamp technique was definitely unworkable and I also had my 130 German Shepard Baron pile on top of me for warmth just plane dangerous. Thus I survived two years of retired house husbandry very amenable and WE BOTH LIVED HAPPY EVER AFTER IN RETIREMENT.....:)
Cats can indeed lead the way when it comes to creature comforts.
ReplyDeleteI miss my sunporch on my last home, my realm each morning.The paperwork pushed me away from teaching public school.
ReplyDeleteHi TB - well done .. makes purrfect sense ... and the happily ever after with whichever 4 legs were around is even better to read - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteRetirement...I hope you got to enjoy some of it. How wonderful of Mrs TB to work whilst you took care of everything else:)
ReplyDeleteThat gave me a big smile. May you and Ms Troutbirder enjoy a long time of relaxation together.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I love this. May retirement continue in the same vein. Love the photographs, especially the one of the cat in the aquarium.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful post, filled with love and appreciation of a partner. I'm glad you were able to leave behind such a position and become a house husband. It seems you excel at everything you do. :-)
ReplyDeleteI adore the picture of the line up--rather lay down-- in the patch of sunlight. You tackled your new normal with admirable vigor. Great sample of teamwork.
ReplyDeleteI love your story and the pictures. My sun cat follows the sun during the day, too. Now me, I just throw a blanket on top of me and take my nap.
ReplyDeleteYou're very efficient. At the end of the day I still have a load of clothes to do. Anyway, good story, aptly illustrated. I'm going to leave a comment as soon as I get up from my nap.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, the cat in the reptile house!! That is funny! I think cats are great inspiration for slowing down, enjoying the sunshine and lowering your blood pressure. Since leaving my full-time Corporate job this summer, I am working on slowing down. It's hard though, at first. I feel guilty...like I should be doing more. I am working on that.
ReplyDeleteHi Ray! (Let me know if you prefer Mr. T) This is a great post. Since finding you in the blogosphere I have learned that we have quite a lot in common. The Micro Manager (learned that one from Red, Hiawatha House) here is still working and I am in charge of ALL home duty. Yes, fixing dinner, doing laundry, etc. etc. The thing I like least of all is folding laundry. :-) You are way ahead of me when it comes to the pets. I want a dog but our landlord will allow no pets at all. When the MM retires we will move to a place where I can have a dog! I enjoyed the pics of your pets. Can it be true that the kitty is in the aquarium alongside some sort of lizard? Do they get along? Wow, if that can be true, what is wrong with our country? :-) By the way, I loved your comment on Red’s blog about the political situation here in the USA. I so hope you are right about your prediction. Have a great week ahead. Thank you for sharing your blog and for your kind comments on mine. John
ReplyDeleteExcellent post!
ReplyDeleteI had to share this post (and your blog) with my readers. If I know most of them, they will love your cat's attempt at education you on the importance of a good nap. Mine has tried, but I just can't get the hang of it until 9 PM.
I'll keep trying.
Also loved the bird pix in the next post. Great shots. Watching the Hanover eagles still improving their nest which was a mess ... waiting for that first egg!