If it weren’t for current events what would people have to talk about other than the weather, children, grandkids and gossiping about other people and even then there is only so much one can say. We know pretty much everything there is to know about our family and our mate and we’ve probably heard the same stories over and over and even told our stories over and over. There’s really only so much any one person can say before it all becomes a repeat. That’s why I always hated family reunions unless they were every 10 years because then I’d have new events to talk about instead of rehashing all the old stuff.

I’m also not good with reruns or watching a movie over and over unless I haven’t seen it for 10 years. Some people live to talk and are never without words. When I was young we talked about our current boyfriend, clothes, makeup, sex, school and our dreams of the future now we talk about all the dorks we dated and married, all the mistakes we made, dreams that never became realities, children and grandchildren and all of our sickness and illnesses. I’ve never been a great conversationalist because I was really never good at chit chat, but I was usually a good listener and often encouraged the other person to talk so I didn’t have to.

I also prefer being the visitor instead of the visitee, yes I know that’s not a word. I like visiting for a half hour or so catching up on the kids’ news and watching the grandkids play and mess up their house and then leaving when I want. I don’t mind visitors, but I never know how to entertain them or what to say to them so I usually happily leave it all up to Bill to entertain and just sit back and listen, usually if they stay longer than an hour then I’m ready to pull my hair out. I’m getting really cranky in my old age apparently, but I can only be pleasant for so long then I need quiet. For the longest I’ve blamed everything on menopause now I need to find another excuse.

We’re going for a nice peaceful, cold ride with no chit chat so I’ll wish a nice Sunday for you all.

Sunset In A Small Town

I’m sure everyone has heard by now about the black youth holding up the business in Indiana and ended up praying with the woman instead because no one had ever really talked to him before? How weird and sad for everyone involved and how much money are they making touring the television loop? Sometimes people just do the dumbest stuff.

Just this past week in my area a woman was approached in her car the guy was asking for directions and ended up yanking her from the vehicle stabbing her and taking her money. Another woman saw a group of children beating up a smaller child and stopped her car to stop it and they all kicked the hell out of her and stole her cell phone and ran off. What the crap is wrong with people?

Thank God I’m not working right now because I think I would resort to carrying a gun and shoot first and then ask questions. People scare the crap out of me.  There was a time when we picked up hitch hikers with no thought of them slitting our throat or any thing else. No wonder people don’t like to get involved they never know what some idiot might do. People are just plain weird sorry about the crap have a great weekend and don’t read the news.

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.