I was born shortly after Pearl Harbor, Jim, so I'm staring 70 down. Must admit I don't feel that old. In fact, I'm in better health than I was at 60, probably because I'm taking better care of myself and also because I can smell the sweet air of freedom.

It's been hard disciplining myself to the 8 hour day, 5 days a week for over 50 years, when I'm not basically that kind of person. I made the trade-off: security (with pension and health care) versus independent contracting (lots of money, no guarantees) years ago. I knew at the time that it would be difficult, but it was made with my eyes open. I don't regret it.

However, that said, it feels really good to know that the servitude is coming to an end. I won't have the money to go wild and crazy, but I will be more able to live the kind of life I prefer, for as long as my health holds.

I'm grateful beyond words for the opportunity.

TT, the clock? If you double click on it, it will take you to the website that has the clock. After you've chosen which one you want, the html code to embed it is there to be copied/pasted into your site.

Time goes by so fast. It's May already. And so slowly each day, as I wait for the clock to tell me it's time to go home. Once retired, it will be lovely to be able to get up when my body wants to do so; to be able to read far into the night when the book won't let me go; to be able to rearrange tasks and commitments as the spirit moves me.

Or even do nothing at all on occasion.