Beautiful day we had yesterday after all the cold and rain. I played hooky from the computer because Bill took a 4 hour vacation day. We took the trike over to be worked on and then we rode for several hours it was lovely. Winter for us gets kind of depressing when we can’t get out and ride. Bill has heated gloves for those days that are really cold when we ride otherwise his hands turn white and  go numb with regular gloves. Yes, we do ride occasionally when it’s really cold and yes people look at us like we’re nuts.

It really would be nice if Bill could retire this year, but he says he just can’t afford to. We’ve seen many of our friends retiring only to find them working in weird odd jobs just to supplement their Social Security. It’s a shame that the majority work hard all their lives and when they think they might be able to enjoy a few years of leisure they can’t afford to. If you retire before you’re 65 and decide you can’t make it and get a job then you’re only allowed to make so much otherwise they cut your benefits if you go over the limit.

Of course if you are able to work til you’re 65 then you get your full benefits and can make as much as you want on the side without having to take a cut. Many retirees find that they have no clue what to do with all that leisure time after a few months though and get bored. I’m afraid that might happen with Bill because other than his bike he really doesn’t have other hobbies. I think he would be fine for a few months until the novelty of doing nothing wore off and then he would need structure again.

I have the computer to occupy my mind, but he isn’t interested in this sort of thing so maybe it’s a good thing that he’s decided to continue working. With all the companies that are shutting down around here we’re surprised that the small company he works for is still standing actually. If it closes then I’m sure he would retire instead of looking for another job since he’s been there over 40 years it’s like his second home. We would like to travel some, but I really don’t think the dreams of retirement are all they’re cracked up to be.

On another note  the York Harley Davidson plant is considering staying put, but it hasn’t been decided for sure. They did announce that the workers may have come up with a viable solution that would keep them here and Gov.  Rendell is offering the 15 million incentive to keep them here also. I guess we will find out in December what the final decision will be hopefully they will stay otherwise our local economy will take a beating. Bills’ Son works for a company that makes Harley skids and if they move that plant will be in jeopardy also. So many jobs dependant on one company.