The walls in my office are starting to come alive, as baseball bats in acrylic cases and framed memorabilia surround the big screen TV. Jerseys will be added next to complete the look before the custom bookshelves are built next year. It’s starting to look like more and more like the special retreat we built in our Portland home where I spent the first two years of my retirement. It’s where Post #1, “Practicing for Retirement,” was written and here we are at #1700, as the daily ritual continues after nearly 5 years. I’ve gotten plenty of practice in that time as time is preserved on these pages.

My wife and I had our first weekly financial meeting last evening, taking some advice from a wise acquaintance. We were very angry with each other as we fought about money, but she was aptly struck the next morning by several unsolicited comments from neighbors about the difficult first year of home ownership. One partner typically wants to buy all new things and accelerate all those dream projects, while the other sees it as “bleeding money.” Our conversation last night was to get both of us on the same page, so we plan to continue to talk each Sunday night rather than squabble about each and every expenditure as they occur. Hopefully, it’s a new chapter in our relationship.

We enjoyed watching the Indy 500 together yesterday, as we unpacked and organized. I hauled out the last of the boxes while we saw our friends’ son lead the race for 40 laps. A Rahal flying tire took out his nose cone and nearly his life. Helio won his fourth. This was a kid that I first laid eyes on as a baby whose father was a driver/commentator  and mother a skilled sports marketer. We met in the media business, and crafted some racing oriented  partnerships involving radio, TV, and personal appearances. It was great to witness the recent success of their child that will someday eventually lead to a big win and bigger sponsorships. I’m happy for all of them, as I recount the memories of many a Memorial Day. Like all other retirees, I’ve had to give up vacations and holidays – but I still have the day off.