Snowbirds Living in the Philippines : Thirty Minutes of Garden Project Here at THD

Sunday, August 4, 2024

Thirty Minutes of Garden Project Here at THD

I attended the first meeting of this activity hosted by Galen- Our THD Activity Director the other day. I was curious since I was a previous avid Gardener in my younger years. Three other THD residents attended the planning meeting.

However, after reading in detail the brochure (above), I realized that the two days scheduling for this activity is in conflict with my corn hole, ladder ball and Chair Volleyball Activities that I loved.

I left the planning meeting after 5 minutes and joined the Haiku Writing Activity scheduled at the same time last Friday. My Haiku meeting experience I posted in my blog yesterday.

Anyway, the brochure above ( not easy to read) listed a Sample of Garden Projects that the Participants may enjoy doing. Some of the projects are improve the soil, plant flowers in containers, put down weed screen, add garden ornament/ art etc....

I have done most of the listed planned projects in my younger years, But it will be fun again to do it, so I plan on attending the Friday session and not the Tuesday session as Galen suggested.

Here's my postings on some of my gardening projects during my younger years and prior to my downsizing move here at THD.

My Purple ( Red ) Okra- My first Planting of this Variety. Also have beautiful yellow flowers ( see photo below;

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2021/04/spring-planting-time-to-cultivate.html

My Bitter Melon (Ampalaya) in my Backyard, Fair Oaks, CA June 2022

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2022/05/i-am-planting-ampalaya-and-okra-again.html

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2019/08/our-four-favorite-garden-plaques.html

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Joys of Retirement

I have been retired from USFDA since 2002. At first, I feel I have lost my identity as an individual or have lost my contribution to society. However, within a few weeks all these feelings were gone. It started when my wife and I started baby sitting one of our grandchildren. As some economics professor states: "Your children are your capital investments, but your grandchildren are your profits. That is why you love your grandchildren more than your children". I really agree with the statement. Retirement also gives you lots of time to do things you like to do, such as your hobbies and of course travel. In my case, I turned my hobby of gardening and landscaping into a small business in the Philippines. This endeavor was planned about five years before 2002. That year my wife and I started construction of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque , Philippines. The next year we built a beach house, followed by a Conference Hall two years later. Needless to say, planning and executing the landscaping was a challenge and very enjoyable. With the help of local labor, I not only enjoy the time gardening and landscaping, but also help improved the economic situation of the province by providing work and jobs to the local residents. With plenty of time, I have engaged into two specific activities as follows: First, I created a website for my small business. By trial and error, I created and design the website, www.chateaudumer.com I have never been a computer nerd or expert. But with plenty of time and patience, the fruits of my labor could be enjoyed if you visit the website above. The second activity, I have not done before was to utilize on-line activities, such as shopping, paying bills ( save you stamps) and playing computer games in the Internet. I really enjoyed playing duplicate bridge on line. You play with players all over the world and can chat in between games. But be careful, you are not spending too much time in the computer. It is very addictive. With a lots of time, my wife and I devoted more time on our favorite humanitarian project. For the last 15 years, we have been involved with medical mission to the province of Marinduque. For details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org As a summary, the joy one gets on retirement is very specific for an individual. Some enjoy their free time by learning new activities, getting involved with humanitarian projects or spending more time with their grandchildren. Others hate it, since they missed their former jobs and co-workers. Others with no children still enjoy retirement by traveling, turning their hobbies into business or more community involvement. Of course those that retire and hate it, is believe to die earlier than those that enjoy their retirement years. So, plan your retirement as early as you can. The happier you are on retirement, the longer you will live.