So I forget whether I shared this little bit of information yet or not on this humble little page of mine. I am retiring at the end of April this year. I’ll have 43 years in the natural gas business and that seems enough to me. And so I want to go do other things. Things that don’t involve meetings especially, things that involve helping people directly. Like those guys at Home Depot, you know what I mean. You say excuse me but I want to blah, blah, blah blah, and they say well you are going to have to have this, this, and this and you need to watch make sure that blah, blah, blah. I like that, on your feet, helping people. Only problem is that I am a piss poor handyman if you want to know the truth. So I need to do something else.
So a few months ago I got on the advisory board of the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition. Urban Wilderness is something I can get into and have enjoyed my experiences so far. We had a meeting a brewery and meetings are not too bad if you have a beer to sip on.
So the other thing is I signed up with an outfit that helps grade school kids learn to read. It’s called Reading Partners and it involved working an hour a week with a particular child helping them learn to read. That is something I can get into. I may not be the greatest Dad in the world but I read to my son Logan a lot. Almost every single night of his life from the night we brought him home from the hospital to when I told him at age eight or so that he was on his own with the Pokemon books. When I read to him I sold it as much as I could. I used different voices and emphasized inflection and tried to be as silly and goofy as I could. I have learned that little kids like goofy a lot.
So I heard about this organization and thought that what better thing can I do for somebody than helping them learn to read. Reading is such a gateway to the world. So the other day I went to east Tulsa for an orientation. Afterward I decided to proceed with it and they asked if I would mind working with a child in their highest need school. Nope, that is what I am here for. So I am not sure what I am got myself in for but next comes an introduction to the child I’ll be working with and then four sessions with coaching. Wish me well!! I think I can handle it. I am not a natural with children but I’m going to give it my best shot.
Be thinking about me!! This structure, a Route 66 gateway on the east side of Tulsa is close to where the orientation was and where the school I will be working with the child is located. Hey if you have any other ideas for retirement gigs that involve directly helping people let me know!!
I am linking with Skywatch Friday.
Alan – you rock!!! Congratulations on your upcoming retirement, and on seeking out ways to help people. The world is in desperate need of volunteers that are genuinely interested in assisting people. If you are looking for suggestions, homelessness is a GIGANTIC issue as well.
Interesting sculpture. Is the ground swallowing the highway or the sign?
Congratulations on your retirement! I think it’s awesome that you want to help children learn to read!!! I wish you the best of luck with it! You made me laugh with ” I told him at age eight or so that he was on his own with the Pokemon books” 🙂 I would have told him that too!
Hello,
What a cool road sign for Tulsa. Congrats on your retirement! It is awesome, you will be helping children learn to read. I love reading books, one of my favorite things to do. Thanks for hosting Skywatch! Enjoy your day, wishing you a great weekend!
Looks like I got here just in time to congratulate and wish you a very happy retirement. As many things as you’re involved in, staying busy shouldn’t be a problem. I like that you place a priority on helping others. Love the images. I am currently taking a break and possibly revamping the blog. Have a blessed week.
I like it. I know I would be taking all sort of photos
Nice looking sculpture that looks like emerging upwards from the ground. Wish you well in your commitment to help children to read. That is a great way to contribute to society.
Congratulations on retirement! It will be busy with you helping children. Happy New Year! Thanks for hosting Skywatch Friday.
I like it. It’s cool.
I like the Sign a lot. Thanks for hosting!
Very creative. Happy New Year!
Alan, congratulations on your retirement! Great minds – I’m retiring in March (shhhh it’s a secret!) Seriously, I haven’t thought yet exactly what I want to do except I do want to do some advocacy work. As I think I’ve mentioned to you, I have an autistic brother in law. My bil loves to read, by the way and good for you spending the time reading with your then young son- I have a feeling you weren’t a bad Dad at all!
Very swirly and cool indeed. It looks like a Vegas sign. I bet you’ll take even more photos in retirement. Good for you!
Wow! Congrats on retiring and helping children to read ~ am sure you will find lots to do ~ enjoy every minute ~
Quite the creative sculpture ~ for the gateway to Tulsa and great photos ~
PS. ~ We are having a mild winter here in MA at the moment ~ lots of high winds and you know could turn cold any minute and be a hard winter ~ Take what we get ~ Enjoy ^_^
Happy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Very cool sculpture!!
Helping a child learn to read is tops on my book …you’ll do a top notch job in all your retirement endeavours
Thanks, Alan, for your compliments/comments!!
You’re a good man, Alan! So great that you will be using your “free” time in retirement to directly help others. I know you’ll do great! Oh, and a big CONGRATULATIONS!! My only advice is be sure to save time for yourself and enjoy your free time. You’ve earned it!
It’s neat about the reading, that’s a nice thing for you to do – I use to read to my kids when they were growing up too.
Cool sculpture! I used to volunteer at a library and that was nice.
That’s a cool looking sculpture.
Congrats on retirement…my husband is retiring in July and I am sure looking forward to it.
Have a great weekend!
Sounds like you are going to be busy!
43 years is enough to give any company, whether you like your job or not. Congrats on your upcoming retirement. And I love that you are already looking for things of interest to keep you busy and give to your community. Especially helping kids read, and I have a feeling you’ll be great at that. Cool sculpture.