I chose the Ides of March in 2017 as my retirement date. According to Wikipedia it was notable for the Romans as the deadline for settling debts. I was finally reaping the rewards of decades of work.  Unlike Julius Caesar I enjoy this anniversary.

Retirement has been great, I’m active in the community,  practice Tai Chi, play music and take photographs. However 2020 is nothing like 2017.

This will be the year of the Pandemic as Coronavirus disease spreads across our nation. I’ve withdrawn from public life but not from online engagements. I expect I’ll be doing more writing about My Strange Life. First I need to get suited up,

In 1986 I  worked in Wuhan, China for Digital Equipment Corporation installing computer systems. Imagine my surprise when I learned that that this was the origin of  the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.

As this thing spreads exponentially across our nation I’m playing it safe and avoiding crowds. What a strange way to start my third year of retirement. Today we went grocery shopping and I found myself maintaining a six foot barrier from the other shoppers. I found most of our food items with some notable exceptions. Where is the chicken? Who bought all the Kielbasa?

Empty Shelves and Sinking Investments

I guarantee that lots of people will be eating spaghetti for the next couple weeks, That is my plan also. Tomorrow will be corn beef and cabbage for Saint Patrick’s Day. But no parade.

What is with people hoarding toilet paper?  I didn’t need any but was swayed by the sight of just a few remaining packages.  Thankfully the store imposed a two package limit.

My retirement investments have tanked, a victim of the Pandemic.  I might be able to sell a few rolls on the black market and buy some more spaghetti.

Some Good News, Spring is Coming

I want to end with something positive. I was given a gift certificate to a nursery as a retirement gift. I explained that I was going to plant a “retirement” garden and post photos as the plants matured. Some did well, some died. The Helleborus bloom early each spring. They appear about the same time as the crocus. This is my first blossom of 2020. Now go wash your hands.