I am doing my best to avoid getting swept up in the political arguments, demonizings, dogmatizing and other craziness preceding the American election. No doubt this is part of a learning, refining process.
The far left seems to be focused on the illegal (I imagine) assassination of a man who was tried and found guilty by the press and popular opinion. The far right is focused on the business acumen of a man who evidently (who knows, really???) is a tax dodger and a man who outsources employment to sweat shops in China and India, and hides millions in Europe.
All this is to be expected, and part of the political process. What really bothers me the most is the alliance of right wing fundamentalist 'Christianity' with the republicans. The VP hopeful is an admitted fan of Ayn Rand, well known for her recommendations of selfishness, independence, and total disregard  for the well-being of others, especially the weak and the poor. How does this bear ANY resemblance to the teachings of Christ? So many of the 'christian' Americans i meet online seem to believe in the American constitution as much as, or more than the Sermon on the Mount.
Ahh, I feel better. Blogs are so good for ranting.

So here we are, and another year has slipped away. Retirement is really close now--12 more actual days, 8 more work days! I am about 85% excited, looking forward to a new phase, with its accompanying adventures, and 15% apprehensive. There will be less money coming in, but I have a lovely partner who helps with Everything, including keeping heat costs down by providing and burning wood, and keeps repair costs down by doing most of it himself.
We'll have to stop going out to eat so often. I've been squirreling away money, canned goods and other staples for those lean months: October and November, before my first GIC matures.
How will the days look?
Well...on weekends I tend to catch up on cleaning and laundry, do a little baking, and then happily putter and read. I guess I'll be doing more of the same, as well as making more of an effort in relationships, and maybe take a course or two at the local Resource Center.
Of course there's painting, and other creative endeavours. It would be good to find a market for some of it, so we can free up some space, and buy more art supplies. Our dream is to have a studio and gallery/shop. One day!!
And there's the Kindle! Thanks Janna :-) I just downloaded Ken Follet's second in the Pillars of the Earth series. I found I missed the people I encountered in the first book, and the second was available on Kindle, so now I have it! I love the immediate gratification of acquiring books this way.