Dollars and sense

Most anybody with their retirement in investments may be wavering between wringing their hands or pulling their hair out watching what is going on in the markets lately. Granted it's been going on for several years now with a lot of downs and a few upward spikes that last only long enough to catch our financial breaths. Today in the midst of these mental rollercoasters we had our first annual state of our financial report with our advisor. Fortunately we're doing a little better than treading water at this point of making the commitment to seek professional help preparing for our retirement. We had some elements of our planning just recently coming together so those are still in the early stages but given cyclical nature of investing we expect to see good things down the road.

Grilled to perfection

Spent the weekend being grilled - as in the sun beating down on me. Carol and I rolled out the camper again this time to Hanover, Maine to Stony Brook Recreation and Camping. We had a drive-thru site that was out in the open and with the temps in the 90s assured our fate.

The rig was situated somewhat facing southwest so there was to be no relief with shade from the camper itself until the sun sank low enough for a neighboring camper to stop the barrage. We had supper in the camper after which it had cooled down enough to go outside and start a campfire with another bottle of wine it made for a real nice time.

In the morning our plans did not include staying in campground all day so after our typical hearty weekend breakfast and cleanup we drove off for a look around the region towards and into Rumford and Mexico, twin river towns nearby. The overall region is like a gateway to the western mountains of the state accompanied by rolling hills of forest and farmland. Regardless of the temperatures we traveled with the windows down satisfied with the breeze of the drive. Not a whole lot special to see in Rumford/Mexico though very nice towns. We stopped at a local information building at Rumford Falls where the hydro dams are and a nice memorial to the late Senator Muskie, statesman, Secretary of State and Vice Presidential candidate who was born in Rumford.

 The real centerpiece of the area is the paper mill on the Rumford side of the river, center of commerce and community. We eventually drove through Mexico where there was a Walmart and we picked up several items we needed in the camper. On the way back we stopped at the Route 2 Diner in Rumford.

Once back at our campsite I cranked up the AC, the temp in the camper as hot as outside - we decided to leave for both a bit of sightseeing and maybe some relief. Grafton Notch State Park's Screw Auger Falls. Busy place with a lot of people and kids very pleasant though. We brought along a couple of camp chairs and hung out in the shade reading, people watching and occasionally wandered over to cool our feet on the pools of cold water.

Very geologically interesting as the falls have that 10,000 years ago glacial history. Next up this way we probably should spent the whole day in the park.

Finally returned back to the campsite again, inside the camper it was 100 degrees - AC on high, once the sun went down behind the other camper I broke out the grill and did up a thick steak, corn on the cob and a folded over tinfoil of dice potatoes and sweet potatoes. I did start another campfire but the heat of the day seemed to catch up to me so I dowsed the flames and we called it a night.

They do float

Finally, after work today Carol and I put the recently purchased kayaks into some local water, Crescent Lake about a five minute drive from home. Last Sunday we had taken a paddling class for kayak beginners so we wanted to get out soon to put to practice what we had learned. Spent an hour in the general area where we entered the lake after which we went home and I grilled up some Italian sausages for supper that I washed down with a Guinness Dark Lager. Need to do more kayaking.

a shareholders work is never done

I actually "voted my proxy" for Election of Directors with my one share of Green Bay Packers stock that Ian, Ali and Carol bought me for Christmas. I also had the option of attending the Annual Meeting inside Lambeau Field itself. Next year or so I'll try to make it. In the meantime I could watch the webcast of the meeting - access available to shareholders. Of course I voted online and for all the recommended candidates - recommended by the Directors that I guess is recommending for themselves... but what's to complain about, I love the team, I love the way the organization runs the team, we'll be in the thick of it again this coming season. GO PACK GO!