An Itch to Go

My husband retired 45 days ago. God help me!

Actually, Doc’s doing much better in retirement then I feared. He’s kept himself busy and is much less stressed than he was pre-retirement. He’s joined a gym/spa and has been going three days a week for water aerobics. After working out, he “takes the waters.” I had no idea what that meant. I assumed it had something to do with a high colonic. Apparently, not.

Pre-retirement, Doc kept talking about travel. He has visions of spending three months in Italy in a Tuscan villa, or renting a beach house in Ventura for the summer. He’s talked about a six month around the world tour. That’s this year. I have no idea what he wants to do next year.

Last time he talked about getting out of Palm Springs for the summer, I told him that was fine with me. “Really?” he asked. “You’d go away for a couple of months in the summer with me?” “Who said anything about ME going!” said I, “I love the summers in Palm Springs but I’ll come visit a couple of times where ever you go for the summer.” That won’t happen…. Doc won’t travel alone.

We’ve already scheduled trips for this year. We’re spending a week in Ft Lauderdale in March, two weeks in Northern California in April, then a month in Europe for July. I’m going to Black Rock City for 10 days in August/September and then we fly off to Cape Cod for a week in Mid September. That’s nine weeks of vacation already planned for 2011; tickets purchased, accommodations booked.

I put my foot down; said I’m not going on any more trips in 2011, I want to spend some time at home in the heat. If we’re going to travel, make it in the winter. And tropical: Tahiti, Australia, Costa Rica. You know, someplace WARM! I can even take the rain if it’s stinking hot outside. It’s nice sitting on the lanai in a sarong or a Mai Tai, watching the rain come down.

For the past several days, Doc has been on his computer & on the phone. Nothing unusual there. He’s a phonaholic, he’s always on the phone: but the phone AND the computer? Not so much. I knew he was up to something with those travel sites and airline schedules flashing across the screen.

If Doc hadn’t gone to Med School, he would have been a travel agent. Thankfully, he chose well. Perhaps he was tweaking one of our 373 flights booked for 2011? Or assisting another friend with travel plans? I know better than to ask. Besides, I’m maxed out with travel in 2011.

Doc came in into my studio excited & anxious to talk. He found a great deal on a week’s trip to Puerto Vallarta in early March he’s interested in. WHAT??? Then he asked did I mind if he & a buddy went without me? I think Doc is finally beginning to figure out he can vacation without me and, perhaps, still have a good time? Retirement IS good, no?

GO! Have a great time! I’ll be perfectly happy working in my studio.

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Thank you for listening,

Jerry L. Hanson