Seniors...how do you stretch the hours to get more things done?

[DrRod]

I also confirm the value of a nap -- especially in a hammock. Plus I let myself move slower -- I used to really press on myself to run through the day but now with more time I don't need to and so I let my body and mind relax as I accomplish one thing at a time.

I've had to cut way back on heavy field work so some things are a little more ragged than they used to be but its still under control. Gave up on some of my Christmas trees as they were growing faster than I could keep with shearing. Hated to do it but that was the reality of it all.

But keeping things lean and organized is key. I used to dread starting a project [even something a simple as hanging a picture] because it meant digging about in tool boxes, shelves, and work benches. Then I organized my tool boxes into one for carpentry, one for machinery, and one for general household repairs. Now things move along more lightly. Also went through my shed which contains 50 years of left over project parts and sorted out the good, the bad and the ugly. Not done yet but have taken three pickup loads to the weekly Amish auction.

Heard a psychologist once say that the most important room in the house is the garage. Its the last thing you see each morning and the first thing you see each night. But for most people it is a pit of despair -- dirty, disorganized, and a reminder of all you haven't done. I think the same applies to sheds and shops -- keep them in shape and everything else goes better.

 

[DrRod]

And one more thing, I find that doing the farm related projects keeps me active, flexible, and happy -- better to burn out than to rust.

I lived for a short time in a retirement community outside of Albuquerque. I saw people playing solitaire on their deck, driving to town just to pay the electric bill, and generally drifting about looking for something to do. Maybe that's what they wanted but that sort of idleness is just not good for you. Plus they were generally crabby as they had nothing else to chew on beyond tiny violations of condo policy.

So enjoy your nap but keep moving.

 

[oldballs]

I, too, keep lists of chores to do. Each day they are prioritized according to the present and coming weather, how I feel and other commitments. Going to bed requires no sleeping pills. With good health and good sense, one can stay away from doctors, hospitals, pills grouchy old folks and stupid young folks.

It is fun to read TBN posts on sundry subjects. Thanks to you who take the time to post.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[OldMcDonald]

I do pretty much the same as others who have passed their use by date (three score years and ten) by working shorter hours and havimg a sleep of about an hour and a half after lunch. I have never been an early riser, preferring to work later in the day, and because I have moved around the world so much I do not have more than a few years' collection of stuff. I do have a few unfinished or failed projects, but use them for some other project.

I am full-time farming, but have gradually moved to doing less long day physical work. The main reason we left Scotland was that we were both working in excess of 100 hours per week (free range eggs, honey and various mushrooms with markets at least 3 days a week) and eventually decided that not only was it becoming too difficult, but we did not have time to eat properly and knew it must be shortening our lives. I agree with the notion that I have two short days every calendar day, and on a 7 day week basis that means I can still manage about 60 hours each week without wearing myself out.

I still like to do some hard work every day because I think it keeps me fitter than if I did everything from the seat of the tractor. I have taken to no-till in the vegetable garden though wherever possible. Potatoes I still like to put in a shallow trench with FYM and build a big ridge over the top. I have a small home gym and if I do not work up a sweat at least once in the day - easy at this time of year, then I try to fit in half an hour or so before dinner. I also pay for somebody else to service my tractor and car. Every few hours saved helps to cut down on what must be done. And, sacrilege to some of you, I have never had a lawn that needs to be cut. I simply cannot see the point in spending time making grass grow that will not be eaten by livestock.

I do not have a to do list, decisions on what is the most urgent job is easy on my present place, although my wife has a shortish one for me, and all jobs I really do not want to do. Unfortunately finding reliable tradesmen in this country is near on impossible. Portugal's only fault I have found in 12 years here is that they make the Spanish mañana sound like urgency. There were a few similar blokes in Scotland - "first week" was a phrase I used to hate hearing. It was supposed to mean the job would be done in the following week, but I soon learned that it meant they had no intentions of turning up at all. Anybody who specifies a particular day can usually be relied upon, a range of a couple of days, maybe; but just "first week" means they cannot because they are not sufficiently organised to know their own commitments.

I think the most important thing is not to become stressed when we fail to make the body do what was easy when we were younger, or when we fail to complete a task in the allotted time.

 

[MacLawn]

DrRod, now that's some good, serious advice.

OldMc, Portugal, eh? I've been looking a bit into retiring overseas. We lived in Japan over 25 years, been about everywhere, so we know ex pat life well. Love it too. Our weather here is either too cold or too hot for me much of the time. I tolerate heat better than cold. We plan to visit Portugal to check it out. Been to Spain several times, but not for us.

 

[OldMcDonald]

OldMc, Portugal, eh? .

I highly recommend the country. The people are extremely friendly without being obtrusive; most businesses have staff who are fluent in English; the food is good; the wine is excellent; the cost of living is very low (the minimum wage is about $US500 a month) and the temperature is mild - we have never reached 40ºC here in 13 summers, and with the general slight rise in temperatures (I have daily records going back to when we arrived) the winter frosts are less than they were. We recorded minus 6ºC in the first few years, but not below minus 3 in the last few years.

Decent houses on their own land are hard to find in rural areas. We bought the only one we saw. Most people live in villages with their land a little way out of the village, but usuall within walking or tractor driving distance. If you want idle retirement there are plenty of coastal communities, but I reckon that is the way to an early death.

We considered Spain too, but opted for Portugal on the basis that it is just about the only country in the world that has not been at war against Britain, so we reckoned they must be decent laid-back folks. We were right. As I said in my previous post some self-employed people are the typical unmotivated southern European.

I have alwasy been curious about the little bird in your Avatar. What is it?

 

[MacLawn]

Unmotivated southern European, eh? Sounds a bit like me! I'd fit right in! The bird is a blue bunting. I love birds, and feed them as a hobby. I've identified 47 different species here at my Georgia place, that includes crows, buzzards too, but hey, they are birds. Ethyl and I plan to make a trip to Portugal when we can. Don't reckon we've, USA, been at war with them either. It's so hot and humid here today, I canno' get much of anything done outside! I could stand some Portuguese weather I think!

 

[OldMcDonald]

MacLawn, Thanks. We fed birds in more northern climes (I made numerous bird feeders from surplus cut offs of another project) but it is not necessary here - nor really practical. Most of the birds are insect, carrion or predator species, much fewer seed eaters, and those that are have plenty to go at. We tried feeding when we first arrived but insects consumed everything we used.

 

[tcreeley]

In Maine we call them indigo buntings- beautiful birds, but not so common. Once every 7-10 years I'll see one. Birds are like flying flowers!

 

[MacLawn]

You know tc, you're right, it's an indigo bunting. I knew better, but I have mistakenly (one time) called them blue buntings before. I don't think I've ever seen one actually.