How to fill time in retirement

I am continuing to read from my list of classic and recommended books. I have finished books 7 through 10 on my list and also have read two extra books that I bought at Barnes & Noble. Both of these books were in the current Top 10 best sellers and were 30% off plus my B&N discount. Let's look at what I have read lately: #7 The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini, this book was excellent and memorable. It was #37 on my original list but also showed up on other recommended lists. I moved it to #7 because I wanted to read it. The book takes place in both Afghanistan/Pakistan before the wars (Russia, US, Taliban) including the fall of the Afghanistan's monarchy. The main character (Amir) moves to the US with his father, what most normal families in Afghanistan did if they could afford it. There is much discussion of classes among people in the country and how life was before and during the upheavals of war and religious zealots. There are some interesting twist an...

I wanted to try 26 new places to eat in 2019 and I have hit the goal with 3 months remaining. Here are the last four places with a short review of each... A Steakhouse in Dunn North, Carolina A Brewery in Waitsfield, Vermont A fancy Restaurant in Eau Gallie, Florida A seafood Station in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida Sagebrush Steakhouse On my drive to Vermont, I decided this year to make it in 3 days, 2 full days on the road and one half day. The first day (not sure why I left on 9/11) I was able to make it to Dunn, NC. After driving 583 miles, I stayed at the Hampton Inn - Hilton. Out front of the hotel was a Steakhouse called Sagebrush. I googled it and see there are 17 locations, most of them in North Carolina. The front of the restaurant... There was a large dining area and also a room with tables and booths plus a long bar. Since I was alone, I asked the host to sit me at the bar. The bartender brought me a Goose Island IPA and a menu. There were lots of choices of...

I visited the zoo today, here are some photos I took... Bald Headed Eagle Red Fox (not from Sanford & Son) North American Otter in clean water Wrinkled Hornbill family - dad, kid, mom Wrinkled Hornbill - I like the eye The Emu pair - two heads are better than one - I was told the two kids hatched last year have been sent to another Zoo Cassowary standing in the pond (you have to believe me on that one) Red Crested Turaco Karate Kid Duck - be one with the post... Roseate Spoonbill Lorikeets and an orange Lorikeet Lorikeet eats orange Turtle in Cassowary pond - help, this black thing under me is following me around!!! Baby Babirusa working on plumbing FYI There was going to be a goat presentation - as I walked by I told the handler "Nice Goat!" Sexy Military Macaw Hyacinth Macaw Meerkat It is October - lots of Halloween decorations I am not sure who ran into this gir...