I’ve often written that in retirement one begins to lose track of what day it is? The traditional days of the week don’t work any more because weekends, vacations, and holidays all blur together. I’m basically free to do as I please every sunrise without a fixed schedule of places to be and people to see. At first, I began to invent new names for each day depending on the activity such as “Trash day,” “Leadership day,” “Date Night day,” “Errand day,” and “Movie Night day.” The one thing in common with each day is my morning run – that has not changed in ten years.

My younger, working wife is unfortunately still on a Monday thru Friday regimen, while still looking forward to weekends and holidays. I often have to remind her that she still enjoys her career, and that perhaps she isn’t quite ready for the sedate days of retirement. Today was her “Hump Day,” after a rare Tuesday off. She also went into the office on Monday, as the holidays played havoc with the usual work week. Christmas and New Year’s day both fell on Tuesday this year and will be on Wednesday next year. Thanksgiving at least remains consistent, allowing for a four-day weekend. It’s particularly confusing to me as I try to hold-on to my “everyday is the same” attitude.

Today’s calendar highlights Odeon of Herod Atticus that crowns Athen’s highest spot. My wife and i were able to visit the historic site in March. I had just had my jacket ripped away from my body during the morning run on the cruise ship, so the weather was not great for travel. Nonetheless, we visited the beautiful island of Santorini and were able to look out over the city of Athens from the Acropolis or “upper town.” Only an excursion to the ancient city of Olympia was diverted because of the high winds and rain that followed us from Venice. As a result, the Temple of Hera where the Olympic Games originated still remains on my bucket list, but at least we were able to cross-off the Parthenon.

With just over a quarter of my birthday year completed, I have been able to pare my original list of “67 things to do before I’m 68” down to 56. Many of these items are monthly or weekly commitments, so they will remain unfinished until my next birthday. (See Post #642). Some of these plans are also listed as part my resolutions and bucket priorities. I feel that I am on target with all my goals and travel plans.

To add further confusion to my days this week, I will have two “Leadership” meetings, including an I.U. basketball game. We also hope to visit the King Tut exhibit before the week is over and see at least one movie at the theater thanks to some thoughtful Fandango card gifts. “Date Night” was actually New Year’s Eve, replacing “Meatless Monday.” Our dogs are also mixed-up on days, since their “Schnauzerthon” was on New Year’s Tuesday instead of the usual Saturday & Sunday, while we were still traveling. They do not have the benefit of the “1000 Places to see before you Die” calendar that now allows me to cheat on what day it actually is, thanks to another gift from our good friends in Colorado.