It hasn’t been that long…
The saying, “time flies” is true! I have been living in this great state of Tennessee for almost a year now and it seems like I just got here. A lot has happened in that year, a lot of new experiences for me. A new home, new job, new friends, farewell to my boy… life has happened for sure.
One of my new experiences is the bi-polar weather. I’ve heard it said since we’ve gotten here (regarding the weather) that, “this is unusual for us …” but I’m not so sure. Has the crazy hot weather we started with to the freezing winter we’ve had were all something of a “one-off” for Tennessee? I don’t know so I have to take the Tennesseans at their word, I don’t think the state of Tennessee is conspiring against me? Of course, the “unusual” has happened with it being my first year here, why not? I expect nothing less. As I gear up for summer weather again, and to be honest, I’m not looking forward to it – at all. I hope all the “unusual” has gone out and I get to experience what it should be. Lord willing it’s cooler and not as extreme because there is no going back.
Another new for me is my job, well, working is not new but Tennessee law is. I work a 37.5 hour work week, without a five hour lunch law (California), and loving it! The company I work at has a strong healthy culture and mission to help others. Full of people of all ages striving to bring the idea of a purposeful retirement, by planning for that future lifestyle, to those who want to plan and do it right while they are young enough to do so.
Not new but definitely not nice is the insane traffic. At times it can take up to two hours to get to work. Did you know the traffic here was this bad? Or are all Tennesseans used to it? I mean Nashville at 7 am and 5 pm is a parking lot. I want to warn those moving here (news says it’s 100 people a day), to stay away, traffic will get you, you’ve been warned. Traffic didn’t scare me, I drove in it in California or so I thought. Ha! I had no idea what traffic was until I started commuting in Nashville. Same kind of jerks here as anywhere, those who zig-zag around to get one car ahead, flip you off for any infraction real or imagined. You know they are the ones who think they are the only ones on the road. Let’s not forget to mention the overwhelming amount of semi trucks that share the road with you toting their products across country. God Bless those drivers because they need it, to be in this traffic every day, all day, they deserve a medal. But the redeeming drivers that get you through the commute, are the polite ones that let you over, not in a hurry, seem to have all the time in the world. Nope, just courteous and some thank you by a quick wave of their hand, a courtesy long lost for sure but a little more prevalent in Middle Tennessee.
A BIG new for me is the Healthcare system here. For the last 30 years I have been a part of an HMO and thought I was very happy until I came here. Healthcare here is a game changer, you have one doctor for this and another for that and no referral required. You mean I can go to a dermatologist if I want to without asking permission? What? I love it. Now they charge you handsomely for every little thing but it’s your health so now is not the time to cheap out. With my first year almost up, I’ve been in the ER twice, at least five different doctors offices, even had a semi-major surgery and all were AMAZING! I know it is very expensive and thank the good Lord I have insurance, but the level of care I’ve received I have never experienced before. I feel confident that my doctors are working in my best interest, not the hospitals, when I’m in their care.
First TN goodbye – we had to say goodbye to my sweet baby boy Jesse, he was the best dog anyone could ever ask for. He was 14 years, 2 months, 6 days when we had to say goodbye to him. He lived a long happy life, with a family that doted on him every day. Silly, he was a big dog, 100 lbs and got anxious if left alone and as he got older it got worse. Towards the end we made sure he was never left alone, had someone with him by his side so he never felt scared. I know to some this sounds crazy, well then I guess you’re just not a true animal lover. Because anyone who is understands. I will always miss my boy, I know you are in Heaven running as fast and free as you can. Go get’em boy. Love you!
