As 2009 wanes, the first blogiversary draws near. That’s right, this blog was launched on January 2 of this year. And what a year it has been.

For a few days, it had another name. And then I renamed it, “Secondary Roads.” There are several reasons for that. True, I live on a secondary road. It’s a gravel road, and that means our cars are always dirty. Always! It also means that the snow plow will come through some time after other roads have been cleared. It helps to have a sense of adventure if you live on a road like ours.

I’m officially retired. I do a few things for my local WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider). I’ve done the Website (www.reliableinter.net) since the company was formed. I also process work orders. No office to go to and the commute is only a walk to the computer room.

I’ve spent my time in management and board meetings. Today it’s fun to get off the expressway and enjoy the secondary roads of life. Life is more laid back and there is time to smell the roses.

No longer do I drive into the big city. No traffic jams. I don’t mind backing up and pulling into a handy driveway to let my neighbor have the road. He needs it. The equipment he pulls behind his huge John Deere stretches from one side to the other of our secondary road. The sights, smells and sounds are more interesting on secondary roads. And there is less traffic. Yes, the road is usually rougher, but just go slower and enjoy it.

Even after I got off the expressway, I could still see folk jetting by — overhead. That’s okay. I don’t participate. Well, not anymore. If I sing “I’ll Fly Away,” trust me it’s not on a jet plane.

I’ve given up the fast lane, expressway interchange and jet plane. I’m living a laid-back retiree’s life.

No more business meetings, time cards and dead lines. Is it boring? Only if you have no imagination. No sense of wonder. Only if you are not comfortable in your own skin.

I love secondary roads, driving slow and being able to see the world about me. There’s a freedom here that you can’t find on the expressway.

This post is taken from a couple of posts from earlier this year. In case you missed them, I wanted to let you know why this is “Secondary Roads.”