Life, outside of work

While Mitt Romney talks, I want to make a short list of things I really enjoy doing outside of work. What prompted this was knowing how hard it is for some people to ever retire from work, especially men! (It's completely unrelated to the Republican presidential nominee.) My friend Carol's dad is 84 and still works several days a week! I mean, bravo for him, but that's not what I want to be doing when I am 84 (if I make it that far!).

Things I love that I can't do at work:

1. Work out
2. Read for pleasure
3. Write
4. Take a walk
5. Meditate
6. Spend time with my family
7. Travel
8. Go camping
9. Volunteer
10. Spend time in prayer and worship
11. Visit with friends
12. Play the piano

I knew I could come up with 10 things easily! Most of these activities are cheap or free (except #7-8).

I know I won't end my life wishing I had spent more time in the office!

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan seem very upstanding, clean cut, and good people, though I'm not voting for them. I detest the Republican platform's black-and-white statements supporting the life of the unborn child as supremely important, and opposing gay marriage. I thought that the choice of Paul Ryan was a great sign that the Republican Party wouldn't get sidetracked from the critical discussions about our nation's debt, military spending, entitlements, and what combination of taxes and spending cuts are needed to bring fiscal restraint without sinking us into a depression.

The president does not control the economy, but he/she can certainly help shape spending and tax decisions. We need responsible politicians willing to make difficult choices and compromise compromise, compromise.