The wood/blue Bobcat was my first muzzleloader and I really liked it. I got my first muzzleloader deer with it. Shame they don't make them like that anymore. I thought they were going to keep making them so when mine got worn out, I traded it for a recurve bow.

I settled on the Traditions "Woodsman". It's the closest thing I've found to the old Bobcat. The price is about the same and the accuracy is certainly there. The Traditions "trapper pistol" makes a nice addition to the woodsman too. Both shoot great. One word of warning though, when you get the double set triggers, it's hard to go back, those things are sweeet.

</softly spoken>
Greetings John,
I have done a lot of thinking about "retirement", since I am 61 and have worked in the US govt as a statistician and network manager for 36 years and am near "retirement" age. I would like to share mythinking on retirement, since it may edify some and make others review their personal retirement policy.

First, I don't see any evidence in the Bible for "retirement". Secondly, how is "wisdom" (which God says He gives liberally to those who ask him for it) going to get into the next generation---God says to us to talk about Him as we walk along the road (basically to our children, but it doesn't say to ever stop)? Maybe, just maybe the secular idea of "retirement" is just a deception of the enemy (Satan) to keep wisdom from the workplace. To show evidence of this, my proof would be tothink of the Amish and ask ourselves how knowledge (offarming and life)gets primarily from 1 generation to the next? Via the older teaching/training and giving guidance to those that are younger. An now to contrast that with how is this global US economy isbeing managed by the "60's generation of folks with secular wisdom"---like the Amish or like the "greed is good" model of the almighty dollar? I think we see it fruit of the secular model of America.

Alsoif you read about "idleness" in the Bible (they use the term sluggard), there is not one kind word about idleness, the Bible doesn't consider it a good thing. Now what is the difference between "selfishness, idleness and retirement"? God's word doesn't have many good things to say about selfishess either, which is what I believe "American style" retirement is (the AARP model of seniors in homes playing poker or shuffle boardhanging out til death). Now if you go into a 2nd career and use your gifts to glorify God and transfer wisdom to the next generation, then I say "Amen to that".

Please do NOT consider any of these things I have written John as a description of you or ANY person on this forum, this is just my thinking on the "retirement" subject and maybe some push back on my thinking from forum members.
Chap
</end softly spoken>

I retired last march. I have been busy, busier than ever. With the exceptin of deer season, I have to actually schedule "playtime". Don't know how I found time "to work" before!!

Push Back? You want push back Chap? I'll give you some push back!!!

I retired at the end of 1999 after 32 years of Federal service and 6 years in the private sector beforejoining the Feds. It was the best decision I ever made. It took me almost a year of retirement to realize that it's OK to enjoy a life of leisure. At first, I almost felt guilty for not getting up and going to work every day. Well heck, I lived a frugle life, raised three happy and productive kids, didn't knowingly do anyone harm, and worked hard to reach a point wheremy wife and I could live reasonably well on our savings and retirement income. Dang if I ain't having fun too. No guilt here!! A life of gardening, hunting, fishing, and playing with the grandkids is pretty nice.

Amen, Brother Semisane. I worked 38 years for the same company and earned a decent pension. I was involved in a savings plan when others would buy new cars every two years. I was able to retire because it was god's plan for me. All things are possible thru him.