Blogs from Benton, Arkansas, United States, North America

May 17 . Whoo hooo I'm on my way. Right now setting in the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport waiting for my flight which leaves here at 6 p.m. Central Time. Next stop Charlotte North Carolina for the night. Tomorrow my flight for Madrid leaves at 4:30 p.m. eastern time and arrives at 7 a.m. on the 19th May. One interesting thing about this blog entry is that I am not typing this rather using voice activation with my cell phone. I noticed that there are a bunnch of misspelled words or maybe I'm not speaking clearly? Anyway .if you see a misplled word or two its the machine not me :). May 18 Arrived Charlotte last night had a good night's rest and now packed and ready to head to the airport at 11:30 to catch ... read more

I'm newly retired !. I was given a celebratory wholesome breakfast , a tasty BBQ lunch on Friday by my work buddies and an awesome evening surprise party on Friday a week later organized by Laurie. I also had a wonderful surprise visit from my good friends and family Michael and Alice from North Carolina also organized by Laurie . It all made my head spin . I need to retire more , really. it's been a whirling durbish world. I received so many cool parting gifts , Gift cards , Headbands , a "Carol" T-Shirt ( that's Walking Dead Carol) , Ice Cream Cake ( sugar free) , a ballooned and streamer- ed cubicle , a $300 donation in my name to the Samaritan Community Center ( wow!) and a Go Pro Hero 4 Silver ... read more

78 days to retirement!.( 55 workdays ) I will miss it , making and tasting food for a living is fun . I will miss many of the people I worked with. One of the things I will not miss is all the acronyms. I don’t believe we used acronyms back in the 70s when I started in the food industry, Maybe we did but I don’t recall using any. I think the more acronyms one uses in the corporate world today in conversation and meetings is a clear sign of corporatitis . I believe If one can get a message across in a meeting using the least amount of dictionary words the better their chance for promotion. I sit in meetings and bob my head as saying “ Oh ya , I know exactly ... read more

I'm.. leaving.. on.. a ..jet plane , I know when I'll be back again.( I think I know). Round trip tickets purchased with American Airlines Frequent Flyer Miles total price $165 for taxes and some complicated fees. May 17th arriving Madrid the 19th. I still have to plan a way to get to Logrono then sit tight for a couple days R&R hence onto Los Arcos for a "Buen Camino" . I should be on the trail by the 22nd or 23rd . Thrilling! Oh Boy ..It's that time again. What time is that? Its time to get serious! Step up my walking regimen, study my "stuff" to make sure I take the lightest , most relevant equipment /clothes/essentials. It needs to come together seamless like . My return flight is July 13th from Madrid , ... read more

April 29th , 2016 . After 46 years in the Food Industry...Fini. Hard to comprehend . Anyway , this opens up an opportunity for my next Camino ! . No finish date :) ... I can walk until I want to stop walking . No hurry back you have to be at the office in 32 days so be quick about it scenerio! Nope ... I will be officially an unemployed bum wondering a dirt path in Northern Spain. Yowlsaaah! That's what I like . As I mentioned earlier May is the month I will restart , not sure of the day yet . Might be the 15th , but will get back to you on that . Have a crazy day ,,, make sure it's fun. Buen Camino :)... read more