So, are we abnormal? (And let's be polite enough to read the blog before answering, okay?)

It has come to our mutual attention that perhaps we're not of one mind with our compatriots, those of similar age and background. They're discussing where to retire and we're discussing... not.

This was brought home to us this weekend when two things happened. A good friend who lives near Detroit emailed that she and her husband had just purchased property in NC where they would build and retire. Now, on the one hand, given the choice between x-voluntary years in Detroit and the same number in NC, I'd become a Tar Heel, too. Still, retirement home?

The other occasion was our 35th college reunion. Sitting around a concrete table under a live oak tree (and being pelted with acorns in the wind), we visited for over 5 hours with people we hear from at Christmas and see once every 3-4 years when various of us convene at a reunion. (And, yes, we could certainly bestir ourselves to see each other more often.) Retirement may have been mentioned. In truth, we were too busy telling stories none of the rest of us have ever heard, that my head still aches.

We live in a small town. It's certainly not ideal. We were big-boxed years ago and small businesses come and go. Unofficially, the most growth would appear to be in pizza places because we have five, two of which have just opened. In order to get anything bordering on a huge selection of merchandise, one must either go online or travel 30-40 miles. We are blessed with a six-screen theater but the movie industry has been a bit slack this year, so we're good customers down at the video store.

All this aside, we have no desire to pack up and move elsewhere to retire. This is small-town Texas. This is where people leave the cities to come to retire, and we're already here.

So, abnormal? Don't think so.