[Cglrcng]

Did I say time of my life yesterday?

Not part of the build thread per say, but for an older but not old guy who roughs it racing and camps out the old die harder way. This 2nd racing chance actually makes me feel younger and the only thing that could make this stuff better for a 68 yr. Old graying semi-self retired guy is maybe to be actually retired.

So, a single trip to my local (which today thanks to DOGE, is an all day trip to the heart of the State), trip to the SSA Office, and yesterday I officially retired back in February 2025! Well past retirement age so no reporting of income necessary at this point, just pay your taxes and live well. Med Part A now, Part B in Jan. 2026 SS straight into the racing account.

Life is good if you work hard enough at it for long enough. The key though at this point is to live long enough to enjoy some of it.

My own mother did not...As her executor I returned her 2nd SS check at the age of 65.5 to the SSA and that was why I waited so long (like 65 was a bad omen, but came to the realization that the good lord takes us us all when he is good and ready to), not when you want to wait to do so. And retirement does not figure into that decision.

Note to self: change that online tech card data from semi- to Retired so it is accurate. Whoohoo! No Golden Watch, but decent planning. Don't go crazy, bit go, go, go race as long as I am physically able to in the future.

Just 1 (or 2 steps I found out when I got home from the Northwest trip-which actually necessitated the trip to the SSA office), of a future home downsizing and moving as close as I can possibly get some land reasonably across the street from a longtime not closing anytime soon full long season racing dragstrip to call my new home track so I can drive out my driveway and into theirs and live out my final days in bliss. Still will travel and tow-and the family the track noise will not be bothered by, as when the noise is going on, we will be helping to make the noise 9/10 times!

Once I got home, after all the pics sent, and all the green seen (we now live in a quite brown desert), it was mentioned immediately that not only is my wife of 35 plus years ready to do that deed (cannot this year as school contracts are locked in and both High School and Community College Assoc. Prof. Years started already...until next MAY. But, that our 2 youngest grown boys are both beyond interested in doing the get outta Dodge thing with us as long as we downsize 2 homes and a business and upside on the other end and maybe even formulate a new business together...along with that shop out back I want and need.

The desert is a hot place to race, and makes slow even that much slower.