On The Fly

In this episode - Refire! Don’t Retire . . . It's 2024, and I'm feeling overwhelmed with all the talk about New Year's resolutions, goals, exercise, and spiritual growth. On top of that, this year marks the 50th anniversary of my graduation from Cuba High School. Some of my friends have been suggesting that I take a break and enjoy the simple pleasures of retirement. Imagine sitting in a cozy rocking chair on your back porch, watching the beauty of nature unfold before your eyes. Being able to pull out that old camera and explore the creative world of photography, travel again, explore the Sierras, or just spend some time with family and friends. You’ve heard it said that it’s important to prioritize your well-being and find joy in the little things, so why not consider retiring and taking it easy for a while? Doesn't this sound inviting? Be careful what you wish for. Recently, while meeting with my primary care physician for an annual physical, he asked, “Do you have a...

In this episode (166) - A Look at 66 . . . Can you believe it's the middle of August already? School is just around the corner, and summer is coming to an end; this year, the 2022 Sierra adventure is in September. And - this week, I'm looking at 66. You're thinking, well, as another year slips by, we're wiser, stronger, pondering retirement, and developing a plan to stay active. The fleeting reality of time. However, staying active when you retire is not just turning on a switch. An active lifestyle depends on foundational health habits built over many years to transport yourself physically into the future. My exercise program has always included bicycling, hiking, stretching, and daily walks to keep myself fit. But we're all destined to face that reality - as you age, you cannot do what you did as little as five years ago. For example, reading old blog posts, I realized my last Sierra wilderness backpack trip was five years ago. How is that possible? In hindsight, ...

In this episode - Happy Thanksgiving . . . "The year has turned its circle, The seasons come and go. The harvest all is gathered in And chilly north winds blow. Orchards have shared their treasures, The fields, their golden grain, So open wide the doorway~ Thanksgiving comes again!" -Author Unknown On this Thanksgiving Day, we wish you happiness, tasty memories, the warmth of friends, family, and  healthy life.  Happy Thanksgiving! I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.