A Conversation with Elizabeth
2017
Retirement Life

From:           Elizabeth 
To:             Larry
Sent:           Sunday, May 21, 2017 5:54 PM
Subject:        Re: Just Curious What Your Thoughts Are
 
Larry,
 
I agree in that Season 3 of "The 100" so far hasn't been hardly as interesting, but I'll probably stick it out.
 
I did the 23andMe genetic analysis workup a few years back.  I was enrolled in an online genetics class at the time and we got a bargain rate.  I can't recall right now if there are genetic markers for Parkinson's or not.  Some genetic markers, for example the BRCA gene for breast cancer, are significant in that presence of the gene is strongly predictive.  Other genetic markers aren't as predictive.  For example, the genetic marker for increased Alzheimer's risk is absent in many who get the disease, and many who have the marker never get the disease! 
 
Your father certainly has done well in continuing to live independently!
 
Do you already have your home site (lot) located or purchased in Gainesville, or is it one your relatives have?  It sounds as if you already have a site picked out.  Just yesterday I finally tossed out the files of mine I've saved for years on interesting house designs.  My thought was, "I don't think I'll ever be doing that, i.e. having my own house built or building one." Most weren't pedestrian family home plans, but novel ideas for smaller dwellings mostly.
 
I don't know what the BMW electric car you mention looks like.  I'll have to Google it.  I'm happy with my Subaru Forester.  I think it will be my last car.  I love the way that I can get into it without banging my head.
 
Regarding your interests, I always find it remarkable how you and I are often interested in the same things, but you are more often a "doer" than I am.  For example, I think building or constructing models would be a fascinating hobby, or it has always fascinated me.  I think my fingers may be too clumsy to do it well now though, or maybe always so.  I was always fascinated with the kits which some children had growing up, but I never got one.  When I visited Vicksburg, I went to a museum that had an incredible collection of models, trains and airplanes mostly.  I think the friend I was with found it boring though!  Why did you choose to do the Golden Pond model.  That seems like an out of the blue choice for things to build.
 
Unlike you though I have only a little curiosity about my family tree.  I enjoyed finding out how much Neanderthal I have in my bloodline though.
 
About a year or so ago, I bought a Casio full sized electric piano keyboard. I love it!  I did a great deal of research anad had some input from music lovers before deciding on it.  The other choice might have been a Yamaha.  I am very impressed with the sound, but not as impressed with how slowly I have learned to play anything!  
 
I've never paddle boarded, but I still love to swim, but have no opportunity to ever do so where I live.  I would love to have an "Endless Pool," but the price is quite steep.  Also, I don't let anyone see me in a bathing suit these days, so water sports in public are pretty much out.
 
I got very interested in the "RV" lifestyle a few years back, maybe around the time of retirement, BUT I had no interest in driving around in a huge monstrosity!  I joined an online group for awhile, something like "solo women RV'ers." I looked really close at what is called the Class B motorhomes which are somewhat like very elaborate van conversions, but some even with a tiny shower or kitchen.  Yikes though--the prices for a choice model can be 85-100,000.  You might be interested in a new development which is called the class "B+" models.  They're a bit big for me though. Many national parks have volunteer opportunities which allow you to park an RV free and give you cable and electricity hookups free, for extended periods, in exchange for a bit of volunteer work, doing naturalist talks or helping visitors.  I'm still a bit attracted by that notion, as I've met some folks on and off who do that all year long, traveling all over the country.  I even encountered a teacher who did it, by teaching only online!  My last year teaching I taught some online courses.
 
Blue Apron sounds fascinating and a bit of fun as well. That's something I might enjoy.  I knew about such programs, and heard a radio personality talk about his plan in depth one day, although I don't know if it was Blue Apron.  I looked at their website and all in all the price sounds very reasonable, especially since you get two meals from each choice.   Lately I have rebelled big time about wanting to buy groceries, store them, and cook meals, even though I have a small handy chest freezer I use.  It began to feel as if I was always in the kitchen having to do things.  So, I sort of fell into fixing sandwiches or very quick items, not wanting to cook and make a mess to clean up.  The other day though I bit the bullet and made whole wheat pumpkin muffins.  I think another thing interesting to do is join a gardening co-op where you get a box of vegetables a week.  One got started in Tuscaloosa before I left.
 
I used to make stuffed squid baked in white wine when I lived in Gainesville, but you could get fresh squid for 59 cents a pound.  I never ever see it for sale anymore.
 
As I emailed you, I found out today that Fred had died in late December.   I came across the notice in a science blog published in February.  Since he was still apparently pretty active, I don't know what the cause was, but in one photo of his I came across in the U of F archives a year or so back, he looked very, very worn.
 
I think you'll enjoy retirement.  In some ways it is heaven!
 
Elizabeth

next