The Year of Billy

One year ago today Billy took a well-deserved permanent vacation. After 38 years of early-to-bed and early-to-rise (4:30 a.m.) and a LOT of commuting, it was something that we counted down to. Even though they offered him an early retirement, it seems like we had been counting forever. I would say that there is absolutely no regret.

It took him some getting used to though. He had to deprogram the whole Sunday night anxiety of gearing up for the next week. Now everyday is a weekend.

At first, I would see him each morning before I left for work. That rarely happens any more. He has slowly reverted back to the "night owl" that he was born to be. Late night reading and a glass of brandy is one of his favorite pastimes.

This picture was taken only two days after he retired. Just look at the warm sparkle in his eyes.

Great Eyes!

And even though the celebration wasn't for him, I believe he was partying a little extra that night.

That's Right!

Oh Yeah!

HOLLA!!!

So, "What has changed over the past year?" you ask. A whole lot.

There is more of this.

He has been making his way back through his favorite reads, and enjoying every minute of it.

The Man Loves to Read

There is less of this.

We definitely feel a difference in the automotive department.

No, we have enough gas, thanks!

Out with the old and In with the new.

The old car (4 Runner) was retired shortly after Billy did. He was putting 100 miles a day on it for quite some time. Now the new one (CRV) gets only a fraction of the wear and tear.

His commuting now consists of what he calls his "Errands". Excursions to Total Wine, the book store, the 99 cent store, the bank, Trader Joe's and the like.

A couple of his other favorite things to do is watch sports, the news, The Food Channel and Pawn Stars or Storage Wars. You know, stuff like that. And, of course, he's an excellent napper.

But, he is not the only one that is affected by this retirement.

I had often heard the housewife's lament, "Just wait until he's retired and home all the time - It will drive you crazy." I'm still working, but I can tell that I won't feel that way. I'm thrilled that he is home and happy.

And these are just a few of the perks.

Virtually no ironing.

Seriously, I used to iron almost everyday of my life. Those days are gone. Now it's only an occasional thing. There are almost cobwebs on my iron.

My Old Friend

Almost No Cooking

He cooks almost every night and I don't have to come home after a long day at "the office" and worry about dinner. Thanks, Honey!!! I really do appreciate it.

Yummy Ground Meat and Noodles

Now, if I could just get him to do some of the housework....Yeah, Right!!!


So, in a nutshell, retirement has been a good thing for both of us. Learning how to relax and take it easy. We are both happy campers.

The Happy Couple

But the best part of retirement is the non-grumpiness. To quote a line from Wind and the Willows. "He's a relaxed toad. A happier toad".

I didn't take this next one. His buddy, Mariano, did. But doesn't he look like he's on vacation?

Just Chillin'

Yup, I would say the The Year of Billy has been a good one.

Making Some Progress

Does anyone remember the Carousel of Progress? (Yes, I am THAT old). It was an attraction at Disneyland (now at Disney World) that was a trip through the ages highlighting inventions that made a difference in the way people lived. There were about five scenes and each scene showed the same household with the latest and greatest doodads starting at the turn of the century. Then you would spin to the next era and see how it was upgraded until, finally, you were in the present/future. Well, if you insert me as the main character, I am the one that was usually stuck in the second to the last scene. Not quite up with the latest inventions. Content in my backwardness.

I have always been a little behind the times. I jump on the train when it's just about out of the station. I never wear the latest styles. I don't have the newest gadgets.  That is, up until now. I finally left my dinosaur of a telephone behind and moved to this century. I was chastised by my niece that if I was to call myself a photographer, I would have to have a phone that could take and send pictures that were worthy of my craft. I had been seriously thinking about it any way, so off I went to join the rest of humanity in the new and exciting electronic age of "The Smart Phone".

I was also advised that I MUST get an I phone. I'm not exactly sure why. I think it was ease of use, but I chose to be a rebel on this particular point. I figured I was coming in from the dark and whatever I got I would learn and be none the wiser. I also have a friend that has a Galaxy S4 who took a picture at a function I was at and her picture was amazing. So, when I got to the store to make my purchase and saw the difference in the screen size, I had to go with the Galaxy (S5 in my case).

So, each and every picture in this blog is taken on my new-fangled phone. I have to say that I do love it. The content of the pics is all over the map. Indoors, outdoors, nature, curiosities, people and even a gratuitous selfie.

We are going to start with a pile of rocks.

Rocks and Glass

Rock n Rose

While I am in the flower section...

A Drop of Yellow

Okay, a couple more flowers/plants and then I will move on.

Delicate Succulent

And this one looks like a water color painting to me.

Pretty Petunias

Before I go on, I want to tell you that one of the main reasons I made this big phone move is to get on Instagram (I told you this was all about the pictures!) So, follow me there...rgphotoz


Moving on...

We went to wine country with our friends and I really liked this pic of Billy and his best buddy, Mariano.

Best Buds

Of course, there were grapes.

Luscious Cluster

And vines.

Tender Vines

We took a trip to Palm Desert to hang out with my father-in-law. I walked around the facility that he was staying in and came across interesting things.

Vase in a Window

Dried Grass

Wild Animal Chess

In my travels, I found this tough guy flexing his muscles. See his "face"?

Saguaro Cactus

I would have to journey back to the house every so often to feed the dogs, birds and fish. This gave me some alone time to putter around and, I don't know, take some pictures.

A View at the Top

Do you know how hard it is to get fish to stand still?

Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy

Hello, Gill!

As I looked around, I noticed some vignettes that showed each of their styles.

Cool Old Watch

Dad

Nancy

Kabuki

And these two are just Sooooo Nancy.

Ken'l Ration?? Liva Snaps?? Puppy Chow?? - Name That Dog

Cute Little Shitzu

While I was killing time, I took a selfie.

Cooling off in the Car

While we are on people, here is my grandson, Zach on his first day of Eighth grade. I know I already shared this on Pinterest and Face Book, but I just couldn't resist.

And look who I just happened to run into unexpectedly. It's my cute niece, Bella. Good thing I had my handy dandy new cell phone.

Bella Boo

Now I need to throw a little nature your way. How about a still life.

Bulbs of Flavor

Are these butterflies or moths??? Not quite sure.

Get in Line

Now, for those of you who need a heads up...my final one is a snake. It's actually a really cute one, too.

Just Peachy

That is it for now, but remember....It's a great big beautiful tomorrow!!!

Delayed Disney

I had a conversation the other day with my niece about some pictures I had taken that she wanted copies of. She has had a "FAMILY" frame for a long time that she finally mounted on the wall some months back. Her in-laws are coming and she promised herself that when they arrived, it would be displaying actual family members instead of the fake ones that come from the store.

We talked about several different occasions that we had gotten together that might have produced some good printable pictures. I remembered that last December, my son was in town from Portland, and we all went to Disneyland and I thought that I had taken a good family picture of their, then, family of four (they are five now).

So, as I am looking through these pictures, I realize that I only went through them once, quickly, oh so long ago. I only shared a couple of pics that I took of the kids. That's it! This was a moment in time that was forgotten amidst a whole bunch of craziness that was going on all at the same time...a family wedding, our Florida vacation, a couple of photo jobs and a week of picture-taking with my kid flitting about so he could cram everything into that one week. Phew!!!!

It's not often we have both our kids together. Our family was almost complete. The only one that was missing was my daughter-in-law, Sarah. Maybe next time.  There just aren't enough walls in my house to contain all my pictures, so I am sharing my family photos here.

The Clan

As per usual, we take a tram picture to start the day.

Mama and Papa

This is my boy. So nice to have him home.

Billy Bob

 And, of course, the other love of my life.

Zachy Boy

 Here we come, walking down the street.

Beanie Boys

And my pink-loving sunshine!

Cher Bear

And her pink-loving hubbie!

America's Next Top Model

We get a little serious when we ride the rides.

All in Good Fun

Watch Yourself, I have a Laser Gun.

Gotcha!!

Ooh, My Babies!

Ooh, His Babies!

Father and Son

Family Photo Bomber!

The family that plays together, stays together

Feeling the LOVE!

The Other Woman

Taking a Break

Told you She Liked Pink

My Handsome Boy

SHAUNCHO!!

Showing Some Attitude

Window Sitters

Leaners

Us and the Kids

Add Zach

Add Shaun

At the Lockers

The Mens

 Then we always take a pic on the last ride of the day...the tram ride back.

Still All Smiles

Well, I think I took some slapping good photos.