I’m back to the grind this evening (Tuesday) after spending a couple of days at The Hideaway Ranch and Reserve for some much needed rest and relaxation.

“But you’re retired, aren’t you? You should be rested and relaxed all the time.”

The person posing that question would be entirely correct, if it was true. Even being “retired”, there are times when getting away from one’s own home is beneficial. There’s a lot to be said for driving the better part of three hours through two major (and several minor) cities through some rough weather to sit on the front porch of a cabin just to listen to the peace and quiet.

Even tucked out of the way in my little corner of the DFW Metromess, there’s not that much in the way of peace and quiet. I walk out my back door to entertain the dog Filbrix by throwing a tennis ball and am usually greeted by the barking of one of the neighbors’ dogs or noise from the minor highway a quarter mile away. Add air traffic headed to the airport less than five miles away and the occasional siren from someone’s emergency vehicle racing by and my little corner becomes a cacophony of irritating sounds. If I were hard of hearing, I might not mind it too much, but…

Contrast to my major occupation for the past couple of days. I sat on a rocking chair listening to squirrels chattering, trying to bait the dog Filbrix, happy noises from kids at the swimming hole a quarter of a mile away, cattle lowing, goats bleating, and various birds happily chirping away. There were, for a short time this morning, sirens going off somewhere in the valley below us, but they were incidental – likely being tested for their effectiveness or for setting off the cattle. Take your pick.

There were quiet conversations with the better half and a sing-along session (entirely unrehearsed) lifting my heart and my soul. Even the conversation we had while checking out at the ranch with our hosts was a delight to the ear.

Anyhoo, we’re back home now. Rested, relaxed, and looking forward to that next little island of peace and quiet.

Be Seeing You!