Something Different

by Irwin Lengel
(Lakeland, FL)

August 3, 2012

One of the things I love most about my quest to share information (aka my writing) with you is the fact that it creates within me the desire to constantly be in the know about something.

Remember the old saying “ jack of all trades - master of none”. That is me! While I know a lot about many things, I am by far a master of anything.

What I do find interesting though is that when out with friends and a question comes up about something that may appear to be coming out of left field, at times I surprise myself by knowing the answer.

See, reading can be beneficial. Here is an example: My wife and I were watching a television show the other evening. As I was reading the list of actors that were part of the cast (you know how they flash their names across the screen when the show begins), I said to myself, I know who that individual is. Sure enough, as soon as the star made his appearance, while much older and quite gray, I said to my wife – that is the actor that portrayed “Data” on Star Trek, The Next Generation. It was Brent Spiner.

She looked at me and said – how do you remember and know all this stuff? I said it is due to my never-ending attempt to find something to write about. Sometimes it is just useless but fun trivia and then again sometimes it is a particular lifestyle or whatever.

Trying to keep up with what is happening in the retirement world today, I find myself reading numerous newsletters/blogs and so forth. Many times the information I read, while informative, isn’t necessarily something I absolutely need to share with others. It is merely entertaining – something to read and then move on to something else. However, every now and then I come across an article that I find very interesting and of such a nature that I want to share it with others in our same situation (retired and wondering what to do with the rest of our lives).

Let’s face it retirement is a fun time of our lives. It can be as fun and as challenging as we make it. Some people downsize from their large home to a smaller home. Some give up owning a house to live in a condo or possibly even try apartment living. Others may travel clear across country and resettle in a different area.

But, no matter what they do, they are facing retirement by taking on different challenges versus just sitting on the porch watching the grass grow. But hey, isn’t that what our retirement life is all about – doing that which makes us happy especially if it is something that we did not have the time to pursue when we were working.

I myself, enjoy traveling, line dancing, visiting with our children, sitting in front of the computer just scanning news articles whether they be about retirement, something funny, information about how to stay healthy, and – yes, I will admit it, the closer we get to November – even reading about - ugh - politics.

But today I read an article that came to me via one of the sites I frequent and this article discussed the unique living style of a retired couple. A story I thought those of you that follow my postings might enjoy reading. It never ceases to amaze me the challenges some people entering retirement are willing to take on and this story is about such a couple. Make sure you take a few minutes to page through the pictures provided as well.

Who knows, the article might create a spark in your adventurous side and you might just wander off and do your own thing. Remember, we are only here for a short period of time whether it is for 50 years or 100 years. Make every minute count!

Here is that website:

Off the Grid, Floating cabins

By the way, Hope you enjoyed my two cents…read on!

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