Very strange feelings.

[IrishAyes]

13. Sorry about the job loss. But I'm sure a smart survivor like you will come through fine.

Yes, there's a lot of difference between doing something for pleasure and doing it to survive. Been there, done that too many times to count. I'll spare you the long list. But the only thing that got me safely to early retirement on a wing and prayer was the fact that I'd always saved as much as possible, and I sucked it up enough to make a sea change in my retirement plans.

I could move to the beloved Northeast and rent a room, hoping for some kind of job but likelier being forced to live on savings for 3 1/2 years, then facing an extremely painful early retirement. Or I could turn my sights to flyover country - aka the Bible Belt - and buy the nicest house I could score in an economically depressed area and live as a stranger in a strange land but at least with my privacy and elbow room. It's been hard as hell but still the right choice under my circumstances. I've planted so many trees and bushes that I can sit on my front porch in absolute privacy and pretend I'm home in Maine. Same climate as southern ME. Despite the challenges and occasional heartbreak, plan B turned out best for me all considered. I count my blessings and am happy enough most of the time, occasionally quite so.

That's why I have no concerns about your doing well in this challenge too. The method you formerly practiced for pleasure has been a good teacher and will prove a true friend now and forever.

No offense, but you're one of the last people I know that I'd worry about.