Kristine, thanks for your post! I just wanted to also applaud the Herriot books and PBS series. I read the books as a teenager. My Dad was a large animal vet in the midwest in a dairy area. The books were so true to life. Many of the experiences that were told, I would remember similar experiences from travels with my Dad. Thanks for your work with the animals. Bob
My brother-in-law still farms at age 68. I have gotten to help with the harvest the last few years. It's hard to imagine the stress of once a year gathering your income in about 6 weeks and if you don't have a good 6-8 weeks, there goes your year. He loves being outside, working on equipment, running the equipment and thinking about every aspect of the job, every year. At this stage, he does it strictly because he loves it! And he will miss it dearly when he retires. (And so will I). William, thank you for writing about farming!
David, I enjoyed your article on procrastination! It hit home. When I was working, time was short so if something broke, I fixed it then so as not to be bothered later. After I retired and my wife became ill, I started delaying some things because they didn't reach a threshold of importance. She passed away two and a half years ago and I am now trying to get back to dealing with the issues of daily life. It's taken me a while but I am getting there. Each task I do now feels like an accomplishment and I once again like that feeling! Thank you. Bob
I am sorry for you about your parents. Dementia is a devastating illness for the patient and the patients family. My wife passed away due to dementia two and a half years ago. I was able to care for her here at home by myself until the last five months and then we had in home help. We also had the love and support of our three children and their families and an extended family that included her mother. The last part of her illness took place during covid and by having her at home, family and friends could visit at any time. She was a small lady and she never became combative and those were factors that helped to make her care at home possible. In the last six months of her illness, and probably longer, she didn't remember my name and didn't know I was her husband, but she knew I was someone who loved and cared for her. After the caregivers helped her get ready for the day, she would come down the hallway to the kitchen and when she saw me she would shuffle towards me and say, "I love you so much, so much". She passed away at home. I write this to give others another side about the care of a dementia patient. My children, my MIL and I believe that caring for her was a privilege and for me, the most important undertaking of my life. My wife and I had always been best friends but her illness and her care brought us closer. Looking back, I am so thankful she chose to let us care for her.
Before I retired I was a surgeon. About 20 years ago I had a patient who developed severe postoperative complications. He was hospitalized for 6-8 weeks. Near the time of his discharge, I talked with him about his hospitalization and how close he had come to not surviving. He brought up his experience in World War II. " When we were fighting, we always felt that if there was a bullet with our name on it, that was just the way it was going to be." "But we always kept our heads down because we never knew when one might show up addressed 'To Whom It May Concern'." We do our best to prepare, but sometimes things just happen.
Comments:
Kristine, thanks for your post! I just wanted to also applaud the Herriot books and PBS series. I read the books as a teenager. My Dad was a large animal vet in the midwest in a dairy area. The books were so true to life. Many of the experiences that were told, I would remember similar experiences from travels with my Dad. Thanks for your work with the animals. Bob
Post: No “Go-Go” by Kristine Hayes Nibler
Link to comment from January 7, 2025
My brother-in-law still farms at age 68. I have gotten to help with the harvest the last few years. It's hard to imagine the stress of once a year gathering your income in about 6 weeks and if you don't have a good 6-8 weeks, there goes your year. He loves being outside, working on equipment, running the equipment and thinking about every aspect of the job, every year. At this stage, he does it strictly because he loves it! And he will miss it dearly when he retires. (And so will I). William, thank you for writing about farming!
Post: Do Farmers get to retire? Article recommended by Bill Perry
Link to comment from December 20, 2024
Vanguard also keeps a list of the QCDs on their site along with the RMDs, although they can sometimes be a little difficult for me to find.
Post: QCDs: Concerns for First Timers
Link to comment from December 3, 2024
When it's not my style, I still get joy wearing it and seeing the smile on the gift giver! Happy Thanksgiving!
Post: What I Always Wanted
Link to comment from November 28, 2024
Agree. Bowles-Simpson came out in 2010. No one had the will to follow the recommendations then or since.
Post: The dilemma of fixing Social Security. Quinn has a few ideas focused on fairness for future and current retirees
Link to comment from November 7, 2024
David, I enjoyed your article on procrastination! It hit home. When I was working, time was short so if something broke, I fixed it then so as not to be bothered later. After I retired and my wife became ill, I started delaying some things because they didn't reach a threshold of importance. She passed away two and a half years ago and I am now trying to get back to dealing with the issues of daily life. It's taken me a while but I am getting there. Each task I do now feels like an accomplishment and I once again like that feeling! Thank you. Bob
Post: Don’t Procrastinate
Link to comment from September 24, 2024
Jonathan, thank you for your comment. You are in my prayers. Bob
Post: Preparing for the unthinkable.
Link to comment from August 16, 2024
I am sorry for you about your parents. Dementia is a devastating illness for the patient and the patients family. My wife passed away due to dementia two and a half years ago. I was able to care for her here at home by myself until the last five months and then we had in home help. We also had the love and support of our three children and their families and an extended family that included her mother. The last part of her illness took place during covid and by having her at home, family and friends could visit at any time. She was a small lady and she never became combative and those were factors that helped to make her care at home possible. In the last six months of her illness, and probably longer, she didn't remember my name and didn't know I was her husband, but she knew I was someone who loved and cared for her. After the caregivers helped her get ready for the day, she would come down the hallway to the kitchen and when she saw me she would shuffle towards me and say, "I love you so much, so much". She passed away at home. I write this to give others another side about the care of a dementia patient. My children, my MIL and I believe that caring for her was a privilege and for me, the most important undertaking of my life. My wife and I had always been best friends but her illness and her care brought us closer. Looking back, I am so thankful she chose to let us care for her.
Post: Preparing for the unthinkable.
Link to comment from August 15, 2024
Thank you to you and your Dad for your service! Bob
Post: Good Enough for Me
Link to comment from August 13, 2024
Before I retired I was a surgeon. About 20 years ago I had a patient who developed severe postoperative complications. He was hospitalized for 6-8 weeks. Near the time of his discharge, I talked with him about his hospitalization and how close he had come to not surviving. He brought up his experience in World War II. " When we were fighting, we always felt that if there was a bullet with our name on it, that was just the way it was going to be." "But we always kept our heads down because we never knew when one might show up addressed 'To Whom It May Concern'." We do our best to prepare, but sometimes things just happen.
Post: The Risks We Miss
Link to comment from July 13, 2024