***Originally published on 07/11/2023

My last living aunt has stage 6 dementia.

At age 97, she forgets people and their names. She hallucinates. Frequently.

For the first time she didn’t recognize me on July 4th when I visited her.

It was heartbreaking for me. She is like a second mother.

She asked about me as if I were a stranger to her.

Near her window is a man-made pond with ducks.

“Look at that beautiful tree near the pond. I look at it all the time,” Aunt Sue cheerfully said.

There is no tree near the pond. Foolishly, I asked, “What tree?”

“DON’T YOU SEE THAT BEAUTIFUL TREE BY THE POND?” she asked loudly. She asked with tears in her eyes.

“Why…yes, I see it now. It’s beautiful,” I said.

“It’s so beautiful,” Aunt Sue said with tears in her eyes.

I wept with her.

Fighting back tears, I headed north on the interstate. It was incredibly difficult to leave even more friends. But I had to leave. Danny understood, or at least he said he understood. I know he wanted me to stay. But as stubborn as I had been about continuing this journey, I was equally determined to end it by going home. My family was waiting on me. I was going to call my mother again when I got to Gainesville, Florida. Danny said it was slightly over 100 miles from Orlando.

Read more

***Originally published on Medium on 07/17/2023

I attended a function of the senior center outside my normal teaching of computer basics. I helped take disabled seniors to a touring circus giving its last performance.

It was tough. Tougher than I had anticipated.

Many of the disabled had tough demands during the entire 3 hours we were there.

But everyone from the senior center forgot about the hardships when the show started under the Big Top.

Returning one senior from the restroom, I came upon a scene I had never witnessed before.

I saw a crying clown.

I mean great distress and tears.

He looked at me.

“This is my last show as a clown. I have no skills other than being a clown at age 39. I don’t know what to do. I’m the last clown.”

Speechless, I moved on.

I truly saw the last clown that day.

February 19, 1977. I will never forget that date, as long as I live. That is when the journey back home began. It was met with some somber reflection on my part. This was the start of the final ride. The final ride on a tumultuous adventure that I never saw taking place when I left my hometown in April 1975. I could hardly believe my great adventure was coming to a close. It was painful to admit that it was all coming to an end. I thought briefly of continuing my journey. I contemplated just spending the rest of my life as a vagabond on a 1972 Triumph 650 motorcycle. But I knew I had to begin my life. I couldn’t live my life like this forever.

Read more

I had suffered with insomnia since the late 70s when I completed a nearly 2-year adventure across the USA on my motorcycle (Travels With Bear). Whether that had any bearing on my insomnia, no doctor could tell me.

I tried every type of prescription that is available. No amount of Ambien, Lunesta, Restoril, or anything worked. Exercises, drinking milk, and all the other bullshit did not work.

I slept maybe an hour, 2 hours if I was lucky. Combine that with my sleep apnea, and I was in a living hell.

I went from doctor to doctor to doctor. All to no avail.

I went to a doctor who had just emigrated from India. “Dr. Rohan” suggested a simple solution to try. “Try using a night mask at night and let’s see what that does,” said Dr. Rohan (I could never spell his last name).

I told the good doctor I already have a CPAP mask that I wear at night. “Then one more won’t hurt, right?” Dr. Rohan said. I was ready to just give up.

But his statement, “Then one more won’t hurt, right?” kept going through my mind. Oh, hell, why not?

I bought a night mask at Walmart…and let it sit in the bag for a week. I just felt it wouldn’t do anything for me.

“Then one more won’t hurt, right?” Okay, OKAY DR. ROHAN!

I got the night mask out of the bag and put it over my CPAP mask. My girlfriend at the time told me I looked like the alien in “Predator.”

7.5 hours later… I woke up.

Yes, I slept 7.5 hours. My girlfriend finally woke me up because she was afraid I had died.

Something so simple but so effective solved my insomnia problem.

Apparently, any type of light has an effect on my ability to sleep. That includes any indicator lights in my room. I had tried turning off all those lights prior to trying the night mask. It didn’t work.

The Blessed Night Mask was the Holy Grail that I had been searching for nearly 10 years.

Thank you, Dr. Rohan, wherever you are, dear sir.

Thanks also to my Medium pal, Roz Warren for suggesting this for an article. I responded to her excellent article “I Never Fly Without My…” and commented that a night mask solved my insomnia problem.

A NIGHT MASK.

Pete screamed in pain! “David! You sorry bastard! You shot me in my leg! I’m bleeding to death! Get me help! Please!” Pete yelled at me. I ran to the restaurant (they were still closing up) to call the police and an ambulance. They heard the gunshot and had already called the police. I could hear Pete screaming. “Pete, sit still! You are going to bleed even more if you don’t stop moving around,” I said. Pete was in immense pain, and there was nothing I could do to help him. Within 5 minutes, police showed up. They took the gun from me and wanted to know what happened. Luckily, Detective Braley was working that night. He filled everyone in on Pete.

Read more

***Originally published 07/21/2023 on Medium

There are 5 things that surprised me in retirement once the retirement party ended. Now, I may have spoken about these in the past. But I’m talking about 5 things I noticed within a month of retirement. I could probably name at least 10 or 20 things that surprised me. But since I’m trying to keep articles under 1500 words these days, I’ll settle on the top 5.

Now, my top 5 aren’t necessarily the same as most or any other recent retirees, as I was in November of 2003. But as most of those who follow me will tell you here, I march to the beat of a different drummer (so to speak). If there is anything unusual, I usually gravitate toward it. That’s just me. So, let’s discuss my top 5 surprises upon retirement.

(We will start with #5…remember I’m unusual.)

AARP And Other Businesses That Cater To Recent Retirees

#5 — Phone calls and snail mail about AARP and other businesses that cater to retirees. Within 3 days of my retirement, AARP and every travel agency called me. Non-stop it seemed. The mail from AARP in that first month probably represented about 5 trees (which disgusts me as I think about it) being cut down for the sole purpose of something I immediately put in the garbage.

I got calls from travel agencies from all over the country. I told them I had already made travel plans. I credit them for hanging up as soon as I informed them. I guess the biggest surprise to me about all this is how these people knew I had retired. I sure as hell didn’t advertise it. My employer didn’t let people know I was retiring. So how do these companies get this information about me? It’s alarming if you stop and think about it.

#4 — That strange feeling that is difficult to describe. I had been working since I was 12 years old. I was a paperboy, and after that, at age 15, I was a stockboy in a supermarket. I worked every year until I retired. The day after the retirement party was Saturday. So, no big deal. That was a normal off day. But that following Monday I felt…melancholy if you can believe that. I had thought of little else but retirement after my last 5 years of working.

And here I was feeling…what? I didn’t know what I felt. Is this a feeling of loss? A feeling that your life was coming to an end? I still don’t know how to describe that feeling that first week, that first month. Things were different. I’m not sure if everyone experienced what I did. I discussed it with a couple of retirees I knew at the time. They both said they were too happy to feel anything other than sheer happiness. I guess it was just me.

Feeling Envy?

#3 — I actually started feeling envy for those heading to work. I could not stop getting up early to drive to McDonald’s for an early breakfast at 5:30 AM. I would see those on their way to work in front of and behind me. I felt this way for a long time. Yeah, I was surprised I was feeling “envy” about people rushing to work. I don’t know why I felt this way!

Eventually, 3 months later, I started my own IT business. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I had waited 30+ years to retire and couldn’t handle not working. My wife (now my ex-wife) said I needed counseling. In retrospect, she was probably right about that. I just couldn’t stand not having a job! It took me years to get over this feeling.

#2 — People’s reactions to me telling them “I’m retired.” This one was almost #1 for me. “You’re retired? Is there anything you’re going to do now? “Hell, I couldn’t stand doing nothing all day, blah, blah!” ARRRRGGGGHHH!!! I felt like screaming hearing this bullshit! Do they think once you retire you check in at Sunny Hill Rest Home for the Aged? The complete IGNORANCE of people astounds me!

I’ve traveled the world in retirement. I have almost finished my bucket list of 25 items (one still remains, skydiving). I’ve decided I’m not jumping out of a plane. Nope!) I could go on and on about what retirement means to me and has meant to me. But try telling that to anyone not retired. Try it. Even now, almost 20 years into retirement, I get strange looks when I tell them I’m retired. (Sigh.)

The #1 Surprise That Still Bothers Me

#1 — Losing “friends” at work after retirement. I’ve discussed this at length in at least two other articles. So, I won’t go into too much detail here. But I will say that was the biggest surprise I experienced after retirement. I had about 12–15 good workplace friends. We were friends for at least 15 years and more. I should say, I THOUGHT we were friends. But within a month of retirement, I got the impression they weren’t interested in continuing our friendship.

That hurt. I’m not sure how retirement ends friendships. But it does happen. I know this is common among retirees. Is it jealousy? I honestly don’t know for sure. But I think jealousy has something to do with it. It’s sad on so many levels. I attended weddings, graduations, and funerals of relatives of these “friends.” But, as I’ve stated, I moved on and now have a cadre of coffee club/wine club friends I meet with each weekday. I love those guys.

I could add more surprises upon retirement. I’ll probably add 5 or 10 more surprises in another article. But the reason I did this article is seeing a “friend” from my workplace at Walmart last week. I decided not to say anything to him. This was a guy with whom I attended the graduations of all 3 of his daughters and the funeral of his wife. I’m not saying “he owes me.” He owes me nothing. I owe him nothing either. Life changes and so do people. He’s moved on and so have I.

I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. It was Pete, and he had a gun pointed at me. Of course, I had left my gun in the shed. That was the only time since Pete went ballistic that I had left that gun behind to go anywhere. I took it with me everywhere. But not on this night. I have no idea why.

“Pete, let Luna go. She is completely innocent. I’m innocent. I’ve done nothing to you. But if you want to inflict your insanity on someone, do it to me. Let her go. If you have an ounce of humanity left in you, let Luna go. Take me, Pete,” I said. Luna was sobbing and very frightened. I looked around for Danny and his two friends. They had already gone to the bar to continue the party. Pete was looking at me with a blank look on his face. Pete was completely out of his mind. I had to come up with something to at least get Luna free from this.

Read more

***Previously published on Medium on 07/24/2023

“I feel like God has forgotten about me, David.” — Mrs. Nelson

Mrs. Nelson was a dear 89-year-young lady who graced us each day at the local senior center. She completed my computer basics classes about 12 times. She just enjoyed talking to everyone.

She would bake sugar cookies for everyone at the senior center. She expected them to be eaten before she left on the community senior bus, which would take her back to her assisted living facility.

Mrs. Nelson talked at length about her long life and her dearly departed husband, Jack. She outlived all 5 siblings and 2 of her 3 children.

She brought laughter, joy, and blessings to us all at the senior center. Mrs. Nelson suffered so much in life and still had a smile on her face each day I ever saw her in my computer basics class.

“There is so much love and joy in the world. All you have to do is open your eyes and open your heart!” — Mrs. Nelson.

Last Thursday morning, Mrs. Nelson decided to do what she loved to do most. She was going to start singing. I jokingly offered her $20 not to sing. She laughed me off and belted out her favorite song, “Amazing Grace.”

While singing this song for everyone at the senior center, God suddenly remembered Mrs. Nelson at long last.

As I type this on Sunday night, she is being transported to her birthplace of West Virginia, where her husband, two children, and both her parents are buried.

Mrs. Nelson, I’ll miss your singular wit, your joy, your smiling face, and your sugar cookies.

I’ll even miss your singing.

Goodbye Mrs. Nelson.

I was not able to work for 3 days after my encounter with Pete and my pants catching on fire. I had minor burns. But it was painful. It was tough to get around. I agreed to go to a farewell dinner on the last Friday night in January 1977. I would be helping Danny in his office for the final two weeks of my employment and my stay in Orlando in February. I was not yet able to ride Bear. I had a long ride ahead of me back home to Mobile, Alabama. But by the middle of February, I should be well enough to ride. My concern was still Pete. What if he followed me back home? I was thinking of going north again to fool Pete. But that tactic, if it worked at all, would last a short while. Pete knew I would have to eventually turn west to get home.

Read more

***Previously published on Medium on 07/28/2023

I like to talk about things I’ve noticed during my retirement life. I don’t do this enough. I enjoy doing it. But for whatever reason, I meander off to something else to write about. I want to talk about the loss of someone special at the local senior center whom I wrote an article about earlier this week. Plus, I’ll discuss some other things from the past weeks.

The loss of Mrs. Nelson. As I published an article on this wonderful woman earlier this week, I will say that her death is felt throughout the senior center. This is felt by everyone who knew her. To know Mrs. Nelson was to love her. I know that is a cliché. But it is certainly true about her. Mrs. Nelson was buried in her native West Virginia after a small service according to her wishes.

It will be extremely difficult to teach the computer basics class without her. Mrs. Nelson definitely kept me on my toes about computers. She could have taught the class herself after taking it 12 times. But, to be sure, Mrs. Nelson was fascinated by technology. When senior center officials wanted to exclude her from the classes since she had taken them so many times, I told them they would have to find another instructor if they did that. Mrs. Nelson never forgot I did that for her. I’ll always miss her.

Senior Center To Undergo Changes

Senior center to undergo a face lift. As if Mrs. Nelson’s loss wasn’t enough, seniors will be displaced for up to a month. The center will get an updated roof, improved exercise facilities, and a cafeteria. This is causing many people to become angry. The center tried renting another place temporarily, but the rent price was astronomical. Rent in our area is skyrocketing. Officials are still trying to find another place before construction begins on September 1.

Food banks are running out of food. Since happy days are here again and inflation is over, area food banks are running dry. I’ve never seen this happen before. Some churches have shifted from 3 days a week food pantries open, to 1 day a week in some cases. Many retirees depend on these food banks since the maximum food stamps is $255 a month in my state. So, for many retirees I know, it’s back to using your money to buy food or medicine. At least gas is cheap now. This is happening more and more as things improve in this country. Sure it’s easy to blame these old people for their current problems. But once you stop blaming people and feel better about yourself, these people will still be hurting.

Scammers Making Extra Effort To Scam The Elderly

Scammers are targeting more and more elderly people. The Geek Squad scam is ripping into the savings of elderly people. What this means is someone will receive an email or text saying their credit card will be charged $399 for a year’s support. Of course, normal people will call and say they never authorized such a payment. The scammer will then ask the unsuspecting person to download a file (anydesk.exe) so they can gain control of their computer to steal banking info and anything else they see that they can use to get money out of the victim.

There are many more scams just like this one, such as the Norton Antivirus scam, which is very similar. A lady in a nearby city lost $8100 to a scammer with the Norton Antivius scam. Scammers seem to be getting more desperate to steal money.

Finally, I have decided to help Meals On Wheels deliver meals to homebound elderly or disabled people. This is much easier than what I have been doing with the homeless in my community. I’m taking a break from working with the homeless for a few months. It has been absolutely draining, and I asked the local Catholic Relief Charities to get someone to fill in for me.

I want to help disabled and elderly retirees for a while. Plus, I want to spend more time with some sick relatives, which I have discussed before in other articles. I am not giving up my work with the homeless. But after 3 years of working with the homeless, I need a break. The homeless can’t escape being homeless for a few months, some may say. That would be true. But I’m just one person, and at my age, I need some time off.

As the days slowly went by, we all managed to try to let the murder of Angel and the threat of Pete take a backseat in our lives. There had been no sighting of Pete for at least two weeks. I was letting myself believe that the police were correct and that Pete had taken off and left Orlando. But, deep down inside, I felt Pete was hiding and biding his time. I was still amazed that I never saw this side of Pete. It’s uncanny how you think you know someone. But, in reality, you don’t know anything about them. I still made sure I was aware of my surroundings when I was in public. When I was making deliveries, I was always checking the rearview mirror. I doubt Pete still had that little green Ford Pinto.

Read more

***Originally published on Medium on 07/31/2023

Read more

As I was looking at Angel’s smile, I felt what I thought was a mist of water spattering on the right side of my face. I quickly took my right hand to see if it was water. It was blood. I looked quickly at Angel and saw that the back of his head was practically gone. He stood in place for about 4 or 5 seconds with a blank look on his face. Don’t ask me how he did that. To this day, no one has been able to explain it. But Angel did collapse to the ground. I reached toward him and heard a gunshot (I did not hear the first one for reasons I’ve never understood).

Read more

***Originally published on Medium on 08/04/2023

Read more

Once again, I found myself being interviewed by police on this journey of mine. Danny Cushman was watching his business and his entire livelihood go up in flames. Angel, Luna, and virtually all the drivers were at the business watching firemen go over the still-hot cinders of the charred building. Firemen were still not willing to say if this was intentional or if there was a possible short-circuit in the wiring. But we all knew this was intentional. There could only be one person capable of pulling something like this off.

Pete.

Screwing my door in place to keep me from coming out was the nail in the coffin (no pun intended). There was gas on my door. For some reason, the door did not catch on fire. I later found out that it was made of particle board treated with fire-resistant materials. It came off a construction site that Danny used to make a door for my shed. Both sheds did not burn, in fact.

Read more

***First published on Medium on 08/07/2023

I’m sure most ha…

Read more

“That’s far enough, Pete. You are not supposed to be here. You know that! Now get in your car and get out!” I said. Pete stopped. “I ain’t getting out until I get all my shit in the shed. Danny said I could come get it, and you ain’t stopping me!” Pete replied. I didn’t remember Danny telling me any such thing. He would have warned me about Pete coming onto company property. “Pete, I’m calling Danny. The locks have been changed, and you can’t get in anyway. So, wait right here, and we can get through this with no one getting hurt,” I said. “I wish you would try to hurt me, you damn hick from Alabama. Please try. I dare you, you sonofabitch,” Pete angrily said to me.

Read more

***Originally published on Medium on 08/07/2023

It’s over 3…

Read more

It is now the second week of December 1976. Danny’s delivery business was really taking off. He hired more delivery drivers to meet the demands of his customers. He also had to hire a new bookkeeper to replace Pete. This bookkeeper was really quiet. I’m thinking I hope this guy isn’t another Pete. But he was good at his job, just as Pete was.

Pete was seen around town. He was not leaving. Orlando police had a talk with him. They told him if anything happened to me or anyone at Danny’s business, they would come looking for him. That didn’t give me the warm fuzzies. It seems that North Dakota would have a warrant out for him for leaving. But police told me Pete was a free man and had no charges currently against him. There was no way Pete was going to let go of me. I was his mission in life now. It makes no sense. I did everything I could for Pete. Everything. But apparently, I didn’t do enough.

Read more