Retirement

For the last two years I can truly say that I have enjoyed my retirement very much. Virginia and I have continued to travel to Europe each year as well as Alaska and Hawaii. We have recently returned from a 3 week European visit which included a visit in London, then a river cruise on the Danube from Prague to Budapest, then on to Milan to visit our Italian friends.

Both Virginia and I have been retired for several years and I have more time on my hands to do a few things I haven't been able to do before. At her suggestion I have been enjoying substitute teaching at the LSU Laboratory School. I find about two days a week that I substitute when a teacher is ill or must be absent from the classroom for a day at a time. I love to read to the lower elementary classes. The Middle and High School classes are enjoyable, even though they are sometimes a challenge for me due to discipline opportunities (not problems).

I enjoy teaching when I can stand in front of a hgh shool class and relate a few of the lessons I have learned throughout my life. I hope the list below will be helpful to some young persons as I have benefitted from all these that were first taught to me by my mother, Abie.

My mother tried to teach me and Wren all these lessons while trying to raise us. I call it:

LIFE 101

1. Treat others as you would like them to treat you.
2. Set a goal in life. Do not lie, cheat, or steal to reach that goal.
3. Find a mentor or someone to inspire you - a teacher, leader, or neighbor
4. Adversity - (trauma, suspense, or loss) Learn to overcome it.
5. Accept responsibility for all your actions or statements.
6. Three "C's" : (Criticize, Condemn, Complain) Don't do either of these unless you have a solution to offer that will improve the situation.
7. Be tolerant of other people and their religious or political beliefs.
8. Focus on the job at hand. If you make a mistake, admit it and do it right the next time.
9. Learn patience. You can only eat an elephant one bite at a time.
10. Have a sense of humor.
11. Stickability. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Get as much education as possible and stick with any project you start.
12. Always be proud of yourself. Don't do anything you would be ashamed of.
13. Be thankful for what you have.
14. Help others who are less fortunate.
15. Get a job. Earn self-respect. "Earn a dollar, save a dime"
16. Register when you are eligible and vote in every election for the best qualified person, regardless of the party affiliation.
17. Be proud to be an American.
18. Respect authority and your teachers, they are here to help you.
19. Keep a positive mental attitude at all times.
20. Find a Church you are comfortable with. Join it and support it.