So, your raccoons took out your tomatoes, eh? That's not a problem I've ever had. I'm sure the raccoons could climb into our garden easily if they wanted to. But we don't have a lot of raccoons (I think because we have foxes), and they mostly bother the garbage cans, not the gardens.
What did you retire from? Sounds like you made the right decision. If you can afford to retire, I say, do it! I like parts of my work, but I'll keep doing those bits, for the clients I like (and who pay without hassles!). But not having to get up and go into the office every day will be a blessing. And I know EXACTLY what you mean about feeling you're stealing time when you read. I read in bed, but that's about the only time I feel it's totally okay to read for enjoyment. (Oh, also in the bathroom, which drives my wife batty, but my mother read in the bathroom, it was about the only free time she could read without any interruptions, and so did my father, so I assumed it was just the normal way people lived. Until I was in college I didn't realize that there were any people who DIDN'T read in the bathroom!
My office (actually, my library, which I will use as my at home office) windows will look out on the water -- across the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island. It's one of the finest views on the island, I think; most people who come to our property are awestruck by its beauty. I am blessed to have married into it!
I'm not sure the Northwest is the most beautiful country anywhere, but it is certainly in the running. I admit, though, to being partial to the classic English village landscape, also to Maine, and based on pictures I have seen to parts of Africa. But we are certainly blessed here, and with such variety of landscape -- from our property we see the vast stretches of water, rocky bluffs covered with fir trees, pebble and sand beaches, then looking across the water we see the magnificent snow capped Olympic mountain range. How many people get to bask in their hammock on the water's edge enjoying the 78 degree heat and the light breeze and look at snow covered mountains?
I'm just grateful I'm able to appreciate my good fortune. |
