We decided to stick closer to home this year as our 16 weeks on the road last year was really taxing and we had little time to enjoy East Tennessee.  After all, we did move here to retire and enjoy life.

While many people consider “Retirement” to be sitting on the porch in a rocking chair and watching the world go by, we have found it to be something very different for us.  I did sit in the red rocker on the porch for a few minutes but that was to recover from laying concrete blocks in our newly tamed area to the left of the driveway.

If you leave out the medical appointments (a more regular part of out lives since we retired), this past week is a fairly typical one.

Mary picking wildflowers

The week began with our special Sunday breakfast of blueberry pancakes and watching Sunday Morning on CBS.  We have been fans for many years as we enjoy the upbeat news presented more than the depressing day-to-day world presented by the regular news media.

Then off to Bailey links for a round of golf in the afternoon – Mary has hooked up with a couple of new women friends and they are beginning to play regularly.nbsp; I get to play by myself on these excursions.  I don’t mind as it gives me a chance to work on my game without the distractions of playing with a group.

Dinner at Key Largo

Then off to Key Largo Grill so Mary can sample the shrimp & grits and try to steal my flounder sandwich.

Monday found us on the spillway from Tellico Lake and Mary picked wildflowers while we walked along the shore.  Then in the afternoon, I played golf on out Toqua course with our neighbor Karl.

Tuesday through Thursday morning, we stayed close to home and worked on the yard, cleaned house, played the banjo, watched movies and did the laundry then Thursday night more golf for Mary & friends and more practice for me. Friday found us grocery shopping and then taking a trip to Madisonville just to check things out.  We bought a Keyboard for Mary (she has been hinting for some time) driving by the Kahiti course where we will be playing this coming Monday and just exploring.

Saturday morning – golf, what else?  Then lunch at the Tanasi clubhouse, home to watch a bit of golf and then off to the yacht club for a late afternoon sail.

Life is good!  Now, if only we had more time……