Here I am with Bailey, walking down Alvanley Gardens in the golden morning light of November. When it's sunny it's beautiful at this time of year, but it's rarely sunny. We've had two bright days and now we're in for a week of clouds and rain, starting today.
I found this tired-looking quilt folded over a railing on Finchley Road. It looks handmade, and I imagine someone put a lot of work into it. I didn't even consider trying to save it, though. It looks beyond saving, and besides, I have two family quilts of my own. Plus, used bedding -- blech.
I spent yesterday morning working on slides, and then took the dog to the cemetery in the afternoon.
Again, we had lots of dramatic light and shadow...
...including on the grave of Mordaunt Allen Gwynne, which is historically listed and one of the most beautiful in the cemetery. I've photographed it several times. It now has a small tree growing right next to it, which seems potentially destabilizing, but I guess that's not my concern.
Bailey has started rubbing her harness on walls as she walks past. I assume she's trying to get it off. She used to do this with her old harness, too, but since this one covers more of her body she's a little more vigorous about it. I'm trying to get her to stop because she's wearing it out! You can hear me say something to her at the beginning of the video -- it sounds Russian, but I don't know any Russian so I think it was actually "Crazy beast, stop."
Dave is starting to make noises about wanting to imminently retire. We had a conversation about it last night. I suspected this would happen if I retired. When he initially urged me to take the school's buyout deal, he said he wanted to work five more years -- but I guess going to work while I stay home is understandably no fun for him. Unfortunately, if he really wants to stop working, it will necessitate some major life changes -- we couldn't afford to stay in this apartment and, perhaps, not even in England. But at the same time, it's not exactly fair for me to demand that he keep working. It caused me enough anxiety to keep me awake for a good chunk of the night. Marriage means negotiation, and this will require negotiation!
I was interested to read about Bailey and her wall rubbing.......Tommy does similar when he has got his coat on, though seems to be happy to wear it! Just looked it up......could be several reasons. Will text you the reply I got from google!
ReplyDeleteGood hints about the reason for the rubbing! (For other readers, Google told Frances that the harness might be causing "static electricity, itchiness or sensory irritation," but it could also just be stress relief for an over-stimulated dog. And Lord knows Bailey is perpetually overstimulated!)
DeletePerhaps if you had a little job - even volunteering in a charity shop - Dave would see that you were still connected to the working world. Is Dave old enough to retire? Any pictures you have shown of him in the past year suggest that he is a good ten years younger than you.
ReplyDeleteDave may appear handsome and youthful compared to my bald, elderly persona, but he's only two years younger than me -- he's 58 now.
DeleteWould it be economically feasible to stay in England but move out of London? Although I suppose it may be difficult to find somewhere affordable that offers all that London does.
ReplyDeleteI think that's an option. There are tax reasons why staying in the UK is undesirable, but in the USA we'd need to buy health insurance and pay for health care, so I think that would roughly balance out.
DeleteI worked for two years after hubby retired, once retired I had to wait another 4 years before I received my state pension, it's always about choices, would you consider moving out of London.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we'd consider it! We've talked about retiring to one of the coastal cities.
DeleteJaycee's idea is a good one. London is hellishly expensive and that includes accommodation. Or at least move to the outskirts where it might be cheaper. But sudden upsets do keep you awake at night, it is better discussed in the bright light of the morning;)
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely. Little problems seem immense in the dark of night, and bigger questions appear insurmountable!
DeleteWould it be possible for Dave to reduce his hours? At my college it was possible to go down to an 80 per cent contract. That one day off a week was so good. It is a good start.
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed another option we're considering!
DeleteA quilter would have restored that ..but you are no needle person!!
ReplyDeleteAutumn light shows so many different aspects.
Reducing hours sounds good, better than plunging headfirst into retirement.
Maybe a move out of London could be a good idea..so many things to consider...cultural events, medical care, public transport ......
but think...new places to walk and photograph...a move could still have all that and ve reasonably near London if it had to be.
I don’t blame Dave for wanting to retire young, especially with you already retired. Tough spot. I hope you can figure out a way to do it comfortably and stay in England (if that’s where you’d prefer to be). I would think returning to the States would be an expensive proposition, especially with a number of years before you’re both eligible for Medicare. Poor Bailey. She does look like she hates that thing. I wonder what your options are. Beautiful Russian pronunciation.
ReplyDeleteShe looks good in the harness but she also looks cute trying to remove it.
ReplyDeleteAnd the used quilt just hanging on a fence? Hard pass.
It's no fun going to work in the morning when your partner is snoozing comfortably! I know how Dave feels; unfortunately, as I'm 16 years younger than Gregg, there's no chance of me retiring anytime soon. At least I love my job and get lots of time off!
ReplyDeleteWhatever you two decide, I would not consider moving back to the US, especially not right now.
In the USA health insurance at your age, is astronomical in cost, until Medicare kicks in. Time for life in the English countryside? I worked 5 years beyond SweetBear, he was able to arrange an early retirement buy out that included a year of full pay and benefits including insurance. I am four years younger.
ReplyDeleteLots to think about, obviously. I would have been awake half the night too. You'll figure it out. There are many options.
ReplyDeleteDave's very young to be thinking retirement. Maybe a change of job would work for him, something not school related with all the travel, but maybe regional. I don't know the world of music he's in and how much employment there's to be had. Decisions, decisions. Would you redesign how you share household responsibility if he were also there in the daytime?
ReplyDeleteYou have lots to think about. Money is always an issue and I'm guessing London is expensive to live in. No easy answers but I trust you two will figure it out.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is terrified of retiring because he doesn't know what he will do with himself and he worries about money. We have enough money, that's not the problem. He doesn't know who he is if he doesn't work, if he isn't the "terminator". That was his nickname when he worked for Philips. He was a world wide specialist who was sent in when nobody else could fix the problem. He's good at what he does, but remains clueless about who he is as a human.
You retired awfully young so of course Dave wants to as well. I didn't retire until I was 67 and that was just the etched glass commission work. Still did the cast glass until about 3 years ago. But my job was a job of my own making. Retiring to a coastal city/town sounds really nice.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure some homeless person would love to have that worn out quilt.
Minnie doesn't really care for her harness either.