The Princess Bride speaks truth.
Well, it usually has an appropriate quotation for almost any occasion -- without all the Platonic analysis. And one line will suffice for today's scripture.
I am retired. I have written that sentence numerous times during the life of this blog.
I suspect, if Inigo Montoya stopped by the blog today, he would say: "I don't think that word means what you think it means."*
And he would probably be correct.
Since Saturday, when I promised a big announcement this week, several of you have left comments. They fall into two general categories: 1) Mexico has beat me to a pulp, and I am a quitter; and 2) I have a special personal relationship to announce.
The first is a failed syllogism because it is based on a false premise. The second is an interesting idea -- and not to be lightly dismissed -- but not today.
So, here it is.
I retired last March. My employer recently decided to fill the position. And that is where I come in.
The obvious guess is I am abandoning Mexico permanently to return to my old position. That would be wrong.
What I am doing is returning to Oregon to assist in training my successor. That should take about six months starting on 1 May. And it will give me three more months to tour some potential future home sites in Mexico.
The job will also allow me to do some repairs on the house that I did not accomplish last year before I moved to Mexico. When the repairs are done, I can put the house on the market.
The temporary stay will also resolve a logistical problem for me. My house sitter will soon be heading south to Los Angeles to pursue his entertainment career. I can avoid the empty house syndrome with my return.
My bottom line is: the Mexican adventure is not over. When I finish the training, I will return to Mexico. It is just the same life in a new location. (See, Felipe. There was a reason for keeping the title.)
As for pursuing a new personal relationship -- let's just leave that as an open agenda item.
* -- Actually, my favorite quotation from The Princess Bride is: "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." But there are so few occasions these days where I can use it.
