As I noted recently, I’m working with Pathfinder Resilience in my retirement. They do a blog, and a podcast, periodically. I’m going to post the podcasts here, as they are usually gold for people in First Responder positions.
So, if you know a First Responder, or someone else that is interested in wellness, please pass this along.
Here it is: The Dreaded Podcast!
Boy, is that true. I never dreamed that retirement would be so busy.
Right now, I’m writing this blog, doing qc work on a course I’m teaching, and getting ready to write a blog for that course. And, once that’s done, I’ll be editing the written manuscript and audio book for DiMercurio’s new novel.
Yeah. That’s in the wake of Chewy and I doing a couple of miles this morning.
The best part is that I get to sequence the events and do it as I see fit. That’s the goal of retirement. I pretty much could just chuck it but for 3 hours a day and still meet my goals. That’s the cool part.
The other part is making sure you don’t just turn into an alcoholic turnip on your couch, nursing that bottle of Canadian Club until Wheel of Fortune comes on after the frozen dinner at six.
I’ve seen too many people live that life. It’s no life. I’ve been blessed with a lot of things to do in my retirement, and it’s a joy. If only I could get Chewy to quit his heavy breathing the minute I turn the microphone on. I have to kick him out of the room to get that done. I like that dog. Tradeoffs.
So far Kip is tolerating me well. We’re going out a couple of times a week to check out the neighborhood/region, and have found some good places to eat. We’re only tethered here occasionally, and once the solar panels are in this week, we’re even more free to roam.
All that hard work for years paid off.
Ah. Now, for a cup of coffee while I start that work blog.
Have a great week, and be blessed.
that’s why there’s no capital letters… it’s just to test the system.
There you go.
It’s about 92 outside, I did the yard work early, and now I’m inside working on the computer.
Two computers, actually. I’ve got a switched monitor linked to a desktop in another area that I do my audio books on, and the other is my writing/mentoring desktop.
Why two? Originally they were in different parts of my house, and so it made sense given the two functions were linked to acoustic issues for recording. But, with one office being the home to most of my inside trouble making, I jump back and forth between the two while I’m in here.
Today Chapter 17 of the latest DiMercurio book is being edited. But I wanted to take a break to talk about Pathfinder Resilience. That’s the mentoring job I’ve had since last fall.
We teach resilience strategies to first responders. Mind you, the course work would help all sorts of people with stress issues, and that probably includes you. We have a great program, one that is founded on scientific research, and emails. Yes, emails. The kind where the first responder says, “Until I started this course I saw no way out and was thinking about suicide.” Yeah. For real. So we know from the data we gather, and the confidential talks we have with our students, that it works.
Today I’m making this a shout out to #firstresponders for #wellness. There are a lot of bogus programs out there, the “flavor of the month” kinds of training. Not us. We really do what we say, and we can prove it.
So, without further ado, I’ll link to our website www.pathfinderresilience.com, our blog at pathfinder, and our podcast.
If you are a first responder, or related to one, or know one, take the time to check us out. Then show it to the ones who need it. We’re ready to help them. It’s who we are.
And I’m very proud to be one of the original staff. I love it.
Now, back to sinking submarines in some distant ocean. That book, “DARK TRANSIT” will be out in the next two months. It’s amazing. DiMercurio was gone for a decade or two doing other things, and he’s back better than ever.
Now that I’ve annoyed the residents of my new state for a five month period, it’s time to give back to those who have so generously contributed to my collection of things to use in novels.
The “Florida Flag.” This is a handicapped parking tag hanging from the rearview mirror of the car while driving. Many of my fellows down here never take the thing down for any reason, just peering around it. I have found from experience, that the rearview mirror itself is an annoyance, and blocks my view of cars approaching the intersection from my right. It’s because of my height, and the general placement of the mirrors. I have learned to work around it. But that big, blue tag hanging down in their field of vision blocks them almost completely. Thus, when entering traffic from the right, I exercise extreme caution because of the startling large number of grey-headed ding-dongs driving with a Florida Flag.
The double yellow line meant no passing, uh-uh, never in the north. In Florida I have decided, based on keen observation, that it means you can pass, but only on the curviest part of the road, and you MUST pass at least two cars at once. As a preliminary to this, you are obligated to tailgate the cars you will pass for a minimum of 1/2 mile.
Cart corrals are relatively new to this part of Florida. I’ve been visiting for almost 20 years, and it has been with joy that I’ve seen them spreading. During my first visits, they were virtually unknown. But for at least the last 10 years they have become a normal thing. Evidently the learning curve for some residents is more than 10 years, because I routinely see them leaving the cart in the space next to them, even if the cart corral is the next space over. I, being very helpful and whatnot, will often point out the corral to them as they enter their vehicle, hope they are soon cured of their terrible illness causing such vision loss and weakness, and roll the cart to the collection point for them. I am so friggin helpful that it evidently causes pain in their middle fingers on occasion. I wish I could massage their digit for them, but it seems to pass quickly as they drive off.
The super majority of people down here are way nicer than Minnesota Nice. I’m good with being called bubba, honey, sugar. At least when it’s women. Men calling me sugar makes me suspicious and is not welcome. But people go that extra mile around here to be helpful.
This is especially true for my neighbors. Dear me, I love those people. I have great neighbors here, just like I did in Saint Paul.
Another astute observation from my long-distance walks: if the fence has a “beware of dog” sign, and the gates are open, use caution. Today, on my walk with Chewy, we approached one of those properties where I’d never seen a dog before. The gates were open. I heard a Chihuahua barking but couldn’t see the driveway yet due to the gigantic hedge.
Well, no problemo, I says to Chewy. That little yipper will stay in the yard and we’re good. Kind of amusing, since they have a picture of a snarling Doberman posted on the fence. Heh, some people’s sense of humor.
As we approached the end of the hedge, I could see the driveway – they’re kind of long around here, around 40-100 yards – and the dog. Not the barking Chihuahua, but the 12 foot tall Doberman with razor sharp fangs. He was at least that big.
Being marginally sane, I did two things: popped the snap on my holster to get a gun ready and turned right around with Chewy to leave the area. I don’t fancy getting mauled, and Chewy has never expressed an interest in this either. (You are insane to walk the back roads around here without a weapon. There are wild hogs, bobcats, big snakes, gators, and former linguists all over the place.)
We escaped unharmed, but I guess that gate has to be watched more closely from now on. Yikes. That Dobie was big.
This, clearly, disappointed Chewy, who has grown fond of walking down that road. In fact, he woke me up this morning and wasn’t subtle about wanting to go for a walk. The minute I touch my walking pack it’s all over: he loses it. This picture is of me trying to put my shoes on with his help. (He’s not actually helpful.)
Well, that’s the observational update for now. I hope you are having a great day. I know I am.
