When my wife and I retired, we expected that we would be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace. Unfortunately, we soon found that real life has a habit of getting in the way of any plans that we might have.
In my case, my health problems have rather impacted on what I hoped to do and has rather slowed me down. Since the end of 2020 I seem to have been visiting - and sometimes staying in - the two local hospitals on a fairly regular basis and the medication I have been on has added to general feeling of debility. The upshot of this is that although I have the desire to do work on various wargaming projects, I don’t always have the mental energy to do work on them.
I’ve already put my Eastern Front/Great Patriotic War project on the back burner and work on my Belle Époque project seems to have stalled, albeit temporarily. At the moment I am concentrating my efforts on making sufficient 4-inch/100cm square terrain squares to experiment with FP3x3PW and FP5x5PW rules as well as preparatory work on the next PW Compendium and David Crook’s Ironclad Naval Wargame rules.
I will be trying to write blog posts as and when I feel the urge, but I expect that my output might be significantly less than it has been over recent years. I’ll still be here but taking a bit of a break from trying to blog on a daily basis … so if I seem to have disappeared for a few days or a week, don’t worry … real life will have got in the way of my plans, and I’ll be back soon.
Health is the important thing. Take it easy and wishing you the best over the next few - well, whenever it takes.
ReplyDeleteRob Young,
DeleteCheers! I suppose that I’m just taking longer than I expected to settle into the new norm. Once I have, I hope to be back firing on all cylinders. A short break or holiday might help.
All the best,
Bob
BOB,
ReplyDeleteYou sound very positive on what you need to do and prioritize your time and energies. I've been feeling very tired and low on energy of late - my Sci-Fi Project and Blog keeps me going. I've stopped some of my medications and tend to feel better for it- perhaps not the best thing to decide upon though I figure I've lost that much weight that some of the tablets I'm on are now far to powerful and keep me back. Looking forward to seeing your scenic squares completed. Best Wishes. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteI’m rather surprised that I haven’t had a visit from the infamous ‘black dog’, but - touch wood - I am managing to keep positive and to retain enough control of things to continue to move forward.
I hope that stopping your medication doesn’t have any adverse impact on your general health.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
BOB,
DeleteToday I've invented a new gaming Project for myself- doing this has lifted my spirits no end. So, my lethargy may all be psychological and not caused by my medication. Stay well there mate - I read that you may be going on another cruise- that'd be great for Sue and yourself. Best Wishes. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteI saw the information about your new project on your blog, and I’m very pleased to read that it’s given your morale a big boost.
Sue and I hope to go on a cruise in the near future, and hopefully the break will do both of use the world of good.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
Sorry to hear, Bob, but as you say …life doesn't always follow ‘plan A’. Wishing you well, and looking forward to your posts, whatever the intervals between them may be (your blog is on my ‘daily check’ list) .
ReplyDeleteI’m sure you have the thoughts of all your online gang with you.
Martin S.,
DeleteIn some ways I’m surprised that this hasn’t happened earlier, but as I’ve discovered through experience, there is no point in worrying about things that are out of my control.
I hope to be blogging regularly soon, but in the meantime I intend to try posting a couple of times each week.
All the best,
Bob
Do what you need to do, Bob - and if that's 'nothing much' for the nonce, then so be it. Whatever the volume of output, you won't be far from our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteCheers! I suspect that a bit of a break - and possibly a short holiday - will help me to recharge my batteries.
Since 2008 I’ve written over 5,000 blog posts, which I think is quite a good output. If I slowdown a bit, so be it … but I hope to return to regular, daily blogging in the near future.
All the best,
Bob
Posting once or twice a week is a good output. Doing it daily could be seen as a chore. Take it easy, nobody will mind a reduced level of posts. Hopefully one of those cruises you mentioned will be coming up soon, that will give you a good break. Regards.
ReplyDeleteTony Adams,
DeleteI’m going to do pretty well what you suggest … including going on a cruise!
All the best,
Bob
It serves us all well to sometimes remember that this is a hobby …. not work! Going at an enjoyable and sustainable pace is essential to keeping that hobby focus. Maintaining a blog and hobby writing can develop a life of its own that seems to require constant feeding and sometimes I just think that needs to be put ‘back in its box’ to enjoy a bit more time of taking care of oneself.
ReplyDeleteNorm,
DeleteVery true. It is only a hobby … but it can be very addictive, as can blogging. Taking a break is no bad thing, and it’s what I intend to do.
All the best,
Bob
Please take it easy and ration your output . A blog is not something to wreck your health over. Focus on what is going to entertain and inspire you. If at times that's the blog, then lucky us.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Clipsom,
DeleteCheers! I intend to take things easier until I feel the need - and the energy - to do otherwise.
All the best,
Bob
Hopefully your present treatments will result in a great improvement in your health. In the meantime don't over do it. Get well soon.
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteThe treatment seems to have stopped my cancer getting any worse, but at a cost. I’m generally tired most of the time, find it difficult to concentrate sometimes, and have lost muscle strength. I’m hoping that as I gradually get used to these side effects, I’ll find ways to overcome them to some extent. In the meantime, I’m hoping that a bit of a break - and possibly a holiday - will help me recharge my batteries.
All the best,
Bob
Holidays are always a good idea, when possible. A change of scenery is sometimes just what the doctor ordered..
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteWe missed out on a lot of holidays due to COVID and then my cancer treatment, and could really do with taking one now.
All the best,
Bob
Understandable.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you!
Fitz-Badger,
DeleteCheers!
All the best,
Bob
Take care of yourself Bob, if blogging is becoming chore, then yes take a break and concentrate on what you enjoy the most. All the best. Paul.
ReplyDeletePDL (Paul),
DeleteI have lots that I could blog about, but there have been quite a number of days recently when I’ve not been able to concentrate well enough to write a coherent blog post. I’m hoping that by blogging less frequently, I’ll gradually be able to regain my ability to concentrate better.
All the best,
Bob
Do what works best for you, Bob. Take care of yourself, Aaron
ReplyDeletePrufrock (Aaron),
DeleteCheers! With luck I’ll be blogging regularly again soon.
All the best,
Bob
Take it steady Bob and recharge your batteries.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Geoff
Elliesdad (Geoff),
DeleteDon’t worry, I will do!
All the best,
Bob
Concentration of Effort and a Focus on the Objective are important prinicples in life as well as in military operations.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself and hang around for a long time to come Bob.
Ross Mac,
DeleteVery true! I hope that I’ll be back to blogging regularly sooner rather than later.
All the best,
Bob
Health is more important than anything Bob, time to heal and rest is the priority. Everything else with follow in turn.
ReplyDeleteAll the best
Steve
Stephen Smith,
DeleteCheers! I intend to do as you suggest.
All the best,
Bob
Take it easy Bob.
ReplyDeleteNundanket,
DeleteCheers! I certainly will do!
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that your medical problems are slowing you down.
Its important to remember that the all of this is a hobby. As such it is meant to be enjoyable. As soon as it becomes a chore it is time to downsize.
On the other hand it all gives a purpose and structure to our lives, particularly after we retire. Or indeed are forced to slow down due to ill health.
It will all be there when you feel the urge to "take up your pen" again. As will all of the followers you have gained over the years.
We all wish you well, and look forward to your return to blogging.
take care
Paul and Jan
Paul Leniston (Paul and Jen),
DeleteThank you for your kind words of support.
I enjoy blogging, but because I am not doing as much wargaming, I have less to blog about. Rather than stress myself trying to find something to write about, I felt that it was better to step back and only blog when I have something worthwhile to write a blog post about.
Sue and I are also hoping to take a holiday - probably a cruise - in the near future, and I know that it will recharge my mental and physical stamina.
All the best,
Bob