Christmas Newsletter, 2008

Houston, January 2009

 

Admittedly, this newsletter is a little late -- by about 3 years.  It has been a disgracefully long time since we offered a newsletter to friends, not since the letter of 2005 announcing our plans to retire. Here is a partial but illustrated accounting.

 

(All these photos, and more, are in this on-line album.)

XmasLetter2008

 

After nearly three years of non-employment, I can recommend it. I miss the fellowship of former colleagues but not the daily labors or commute. I've largely occupied myself with financial studies, proceeding to the 3rd level of the Chartered Financial Analyst program, and leading the monthly  "Getting Started SIG" at the Houston Investors Association.  My main discovery is that while in theory there is no difference between theory and practice, in practice ... I'm not Warren Buffett. But at least it's been exciting to be an informed spectator to the most remarkable set of financial events since 1929. My plans are to continue studying finance for personal interest, not gainful employment or aggressive speculation. I'll keep teaching investing basics in informal venues such as Houston Investors, and possibly present a Leisure Learning or similar course. If I can help a few people avoid financial train wrecks and build a sound investing program, that will be sufficient reward.

 

Bettie continues in her multiple roles: president-for-life (by acclamation of all except herself) of our townhouse association,

 

active volunteer with Houston Early Music  (though no longer president), and lately, bluegrass musician.

This last is her true love; she formed Allen's Landing Band with two other fine musicians and has released a CD Dimming of the Day.

 

As always our travels have been high points of our time. Shortly after retirement we bought a Prius (thanks for your contribution to our tax credit, by the way) and promptly toured New Mexico.  (Coming down from Cloudcroft we drove 89 miles on one gallon of gas.)

 

 

Later that year we traveled to Hong Kong and Macao, 

and on to Thailand with Cliff & Sandy Siegel.

In Ko Samui we learned to make (and eat) Massamun Curry and other delicious Thai dishes. Somehow it always seemed much easier to  order out back in Houston.

We enjoyed the expected temples and canals of Bangkok,

but the most memorable experience was a day spent in "mahout" school learning to ride elephants.

I use the term "ride" in the limited sense that we learned to successfully sit on the elephant's back while it went pretty much where it wanted to go. It is best to be flexible in your objectives when sitting on a beast taller than the first story of your house.

Our introduction to the course was not calculated to reassure: the application form asked us to specify our blood types. We were further informed that elephants can sense fear, so we should approach them in a calm and friendly manner. I asked what if I am a bit nervous, and was advised to "try to love the elephant. She will know if you do not love her." Below I am pictured trying my best to follow this advice.

Somehow we managed to get through Elephant Riding 101 and had a great (though scary) time trekking through the Thai countryside.

 

In 2007 we explored Big Bend and the Davis mountains,

and relaxed in Surfside, a beach community near Houston.

.

 

In the fall, Scott Rozzelle, a friend from high school, made an offer I couldn't refuse: a ride to our 40th year class reunion in his classic Beech-18 plane. When the engines coughed and sputtered to life, roaring and belching smoke, I felt I was in a scene out of an Indiana Jones movie.

 

In 2008 our foreign extravaganza was 5 weeks in Portugal and Spain, just when the Euro was peaking against the dollar. We have excellent timing. We got our fill (almost) of churros and chocolate and port wine,

and the local delicacy, steamed barnacles.

Between gastronomic adventures, we managed to work in a little sight-seeing,

and I'll refer you to our trip blog for the full story.

In the fall we returned to Surfside, just two months after hurricane Ike ravaged the coast. Surfside was hit less hard than Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula, but the damage was profound. Our favorite rental house was still standing and livable, but the beautiful dunes in front of the property were completely gone, as these before/after shots show.

Other nearby properties were not so lucky

 

Besides our customary pursuits, Bettie & I are getting in touch with our inner rednecks. We are acquiring firearms skills, and I have finally gotten a motorcycle: a dual-sport (on-road/off-road) Yamaha XT250.

This latter is not the common senescent folly: I've wanted a dirt bike for many years. I rode it down to Surfside and enjoyed negotiating the washed-out sections of Bluewater Highway.

 

 

So that's the story of what we've been up to these three years. Our next phase is probably more of the same: traveling, bluegrass, motorcycles, and financial markets. Or, on the other hand, maybe we'll finally get around to figuring out what we are going to do when we grow up.

We hope this letter finds you in comfort and good health, and looking forward to a more tranquil 2009.

Leigh & Bettie Anderson

anderson@tayara.com