My partner Denis and I have been together almost thirty years. When we first hooked up and were both still working, we were accustomed to short holidays mostly in the winter months. It was a time of year when my sole practitioner’s law practice was less busy. Denis (a longtime employee of the federal government) retired at age 51; I retired at age 66. Since our conjoined retirement one decade ago we have predominantly wintered in Florida for six months and spent the others at home in Canada. Although during that decade for familial and collegial reasons/purposes we have taken what might be called summer vacation to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island; and, although we took a brief trip to Newfoundland, predominantly we have remained in situ during the summer months.

There is another feature which distinguishes our mobility. And that is public holidays and festivities both of which we prefer to ignore. We find the increased activity on those occasions overwhelms the time and adds unfavourable conditions. Naturally at our advanced ages and bearing in mind that normally we have already exhausted our travel instincts, remaining at home is neither a burden nor a deprivation.

The odd (and perhaps foolishly unanticipated) chronology of progressive aging has been for me at least recognition of commensurate immobility. Though I still tricycle almost every day (on the roadways or in the subterranean garage) walking is right out. This means that shopping is now passé. As a result wandering about a park or a mall or going to a concert or doing anything which requires standing erect for more than 30 seconds is history. This naturally is fairly limiting. The good news is that it has diminished my retail interest (though I confess to using on-line shopping occasionally but admittedly with qualified success).  By now however I have confined my wardrobe to the simplest apparel which thankfully I am able to repeat as needed; that is, as things wear out.

Luckily for me as well on the broader picture is that I get a thrill driving my car with the windows down and the landau roof open. Especially after having expiated my athletic guilt by tricycling 4 Kms, I find that driving is an unsurpassed reward and a vicarious connection with the countryside whose proximity is also another fortuitous advantage. We have as well the view upriver to the Village of Appleton across the lush summer farmlands to the distant horizon.

These seemingly imperceptible transitions have altered the way we approach each new day. We still have things to look forward to, new adventures. But we have narrowed the scope by reducing the time away from home.  We’ve currently planned a January Caribbean cruise and a February stay on Hilton Head Island.  Gone however is the six month sojourn. We’ve agreed – on the heels of prolonged winter sojourns and two weeks in Montepulciano and Sardinia – that apart from these diminished outings we’re satisfied to stay the course.

Granted we’ve left room for consideration of other ventures of similar short term but we have as yet to settle our collective thinking on that particular topic. We want to avoid planning lots going on with nothing happening. Currently our aspirations and objectives are wide open. It is itself a refreshing juncture, one which revitalizes the character of our relationship with one another and with the world beyond. In plain terms we have few restrictions. But we both recognize the value of what is at hand and both agree it is a hard act to follow. We’ve considered hopping on an airplane; or driving to the east coast; or railroading across the nation; or staying in a local B&B. We’re relishing the options and opportunities.

Perhaps because we’re still adjusting to our new digs; or because we’re accommodating unfamiliar territory both physically and culturally; or because old age has sent us a message, we’re caught in a moment of unpredicted metamorphosis. And because we haven’t been moved to the point of making a decision, we’re in limbo. The curtain has by no means fallen on our exploits but for the moment at least there will be no summer vacation. Instead I am resolved to continue to enjoy the inexpressible benefits of a proximate sunbath on the balcony; the magical music of our friends at Apple; splendiferous home cooked meals; and the prospect of short nearby visits with family and friends.