Today, I’m back to being my homebody-self, after four nights of making Marriott my home-away-from-home. I’m not back on the road again for 38 days, perhaps a new retirement record. I try to keep that 80/20 blend of 20% travel (See Post #323) versus the 80% comforts-of-home, meaning I’m usually gone about once a month. We’ll be home the entire month of August, as I celebrate my 67th birthday. Our next trip is to Austin in early September, our former home prior to moving to Portland.

This past week, I spent two nights in Chicago and two nights in Washington D.C., as part of my coast-to-coast-meet-and-greet. In the process, I met a new relative, a new granddaughter, and a new boyfriend. As you spend time on the road, you also meet hundreds of what I call “service friends.” These are people that you may only meet once in your life as they shuttle you from place to place, serve and prepare your meals, entertain, check-you-in-or-out, clean-up after you, answer your questions, and pump your gas along the way. Some I remember better than others like India James, who waited on us at Joe’s Stone Crab and the Shucker Brothers who served us oysters at the Doukenie Winery. There was the guy who played songs in the background, the bartenders who made my martinis, and those who hailed the cabs. They all took a little bit of my retirement savings, as I tried in my own small way to help them eventually get to a point where they can enjoy retirement like me. Some, I realize will never get that chance. A few dollars went to the homeless, but most of it was in exchange for assistance. Hopefully, I can continue to be generous in my giving, but it’s still disturbing that they are often not compensated by their employers.

Over these past few days, I saw one of the best baseball games of my life in the company of my nephew, my son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. The Cubbies won in the bottom of the ninth, after innings of frustration. I got to learn a little more about my suspected birth-mother while sharing time with an 85-year old woman whose daughter is a proven blood-relative via DNA testing. She is the first blood-relative that I’ve ever met, as I hope someday to meet her daughter, as well. I also met Ben, “the boyfriend” of my wife’s daughter nick-named “Ro.” I jokingly referred to the two of them as “Benro,” after getting to know him for the first time, and noticing that they are becoming an inseparable couple. It seems like a serious relationship, that I hope continues. We enjoyed several meals with them, and they drove us through Virginia wine country. I wrote them a poem to give them a hard time about some of their tasteless, healthy snacks that they prefer, and I prefer to avoid. I also learned how uncoordinated I’ve become in old age, after trying to catch a Frisbee after years of not touching one. Finally, I learned how . Iboard games have become with this next generation, as hundreds mobbed a tiny store that was advertising a used game sale.

While spending time with Benro, one last observation that I’ll add is that my wife seems to tiring of my “retirement uniform.” (See Post #150) It typically consists of a dry-fit Columbia shirt (short or long sleeve depending on the weather), blue jeans, sporty socks, and black “old man” shoes. She has always known me from the business world as a dapper dresser, and is obviously not impressed by my newly found casual nature. She’s more than just hinted, as we actually shopped for shoes in the airport Johnston and Murphy store during a several hour delay on the way home. I’ll need to pick up my “game” in the future when I travel, and avoid “homebody wear” when I’m on her arm. Unfortunately, so will Ben, who also prefers to wear comfortable Columbia styles. Right now, he can do no wrong, while I’ve apparently lost some points from the “love bank.”

 

Benro

We got to D.C.

And all got Crabs.

Arrived a bit late,

Via planes and cabs.

.

Met Ben at Joe’s,

After checking in.

Marriott Points,

Free room again.

.

Miranda’s man,

My Columbia twin.

I’d just been to see,

A big Cubbies win.

.

With Mom in town,

For a first impression.

Not so unlike,

An interview session.

.

A few martinis,

And a bottle of wine.

Helped all of us,

Enjoy a good time.

.

We felt your attraction,

That magnetic draw.

As we tried to explain,

The re-generating claw.

.

After starting day two,

As seminar suckers.

We were glad to meet,

The Brother Shuckers.

.

Live music, Lobster rolls,

Chocolate, and cheese.

Wine Country fun,

Despite toll fees.

.

We tasted wine,

And bought more snacks.

Once I tried,

What you guys packed.

.

A mental note,

For future reference.

Cardboard pretzels,

Seem Ben’s preference.

 

Frisbee bruises,

From poor coordination.

Then back in the Capitol,

Of our great Nation.

.

The wait at the Wharf,

Worked out as it should.

The food was quite good,

Once back in your hood.

.

A run on the Mall,

The Market for brunch,

Kitchen gadgets and games,

We spent a whole bunch.

.

Our flight on delay,

So National Parks.

Glad that you two,

Are generating sparks.

.

My favorite game,

Is word formation.

And Benro makes,

A great combination. 

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