A downturn can bring with it pressure and untold misery for even the strongest of families. The certainty of a guaranteed job, taken so much for granted during better times, no longer applies in today’s tough climate. Even scratching a living may not be enough to keep the wolves away from the door. Continue reading →

Ronald Reagan once proclaimed Andy Williams’ voice a “national treasure”. His career was in full bloom when I was reaching my late teens and early twenties. One of my best friends and I used to listen to his albums by the hour together, singing along (badly).

Andy died this year in September of complications from bladder cancer, at age 84 – still going strong in the entertainment industry in Branson Missouri.

Just 3 years ago, he completed his memoir – titled “Andy Williams – Moon River and Me”, saying as the last sentence, “The last chapter of my life is still to come”.

I had wanted to see Andy Williams live at his Christmas show in Branson for the past 6 years, but just hadn’t made the time. Andy was heavily involved in planning for the show for 2012 and in fact was intending to perform in it as well. Although too late to actually get to see him sing, I went this year to the show, because it was the last one he had a hand in planning.

Here is a version of the Christmas show in Branson uploaded to You Tube in 2007.

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I’m honored to host this November 12, 2012 version of the Carnival of Retirement on the day after Veteran’s Day.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Many of our WWII vets have been retired for years and now many of the Vietnam era vets are entering retirement as well.

The laying of the wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington Cemetery is moving each year.  It is humbling to think of all the veterans who have given their lives for our freedoms, rights and privileges - throughout our history.

A bit of Arlington Cemetery trivia:

Robert E. Lee lived in the house on the grounds (1100 acres) with his wife (who had inherited the property built as a living monument to George Washington).  After Virginia seceded from the union in 1861, Lee advised his wife to move out as he thought the estate would be dangerous for her.  Because Mrs. Lee did not appear in person to pay taxes, the property was confiscated by the federals and sold at auction in 1864.  A tax commissioner bought it.

The official site of the Arlington National Cemetery details the history of the cemetery establishment as:

“Arlington National Cemetery was established by Brig. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, who commanded the garrison at Arlington House, appropriated the grounds June 15, 1864, for use as a military cemetery. His intention was to render the house uninhabitable should the Lee family ever attempt to return.”

And so, ironically, an estate lived on and managed by the Confederate General Lee came to be the final resting place for union soldiers.

Later, the rightful heir to the estate sued the federal government for the property, because it had been illegally seized.  It was returned to him, but later the government bought it back.

Today it is managed by the National Park Service.

Carnival of Retirement Continue reading →

If your kids are just grown and starting out on their own, they might be entering their first ‘grown-up’ holiday period. Here are some tips to help them avoid the common problem of holiday overspending. Continue reading →