After retirement, time remains for rest plus interesting and enjoyable projects: time with friends, hobbies, repayment for years of hard labor.

I spent a great deal of time with my friend Robert Bates, watching him as he built ship models. He talked me into building ship models. I built my first model in his shop. It was a whaling ship, the Charles Morgan. The ship has been restored and is at the dock at Mystic, CT.

A friend of Bates' from Annapolis visited, saw the model, and made an appointment with the famous Howard I. Chapelle at the Smithsonian Institution. Chapelle became a close friend. He kept me very busy and happy building several models that are on display at the Smithsonian. It is a pleasure to create models, and working on them is not a big task for an old man.

The greatest thrill of my model career was the Half Moon, which I built for the Statue of Liberty. This ship was used when Henry Hudson discovered the Hudson River. The model is mounted on a wall in an exhibit located in the base of the Statue. When I see the Statue on TV, I am so excited and proud knowing my work is on display.

I built models for my friends and relatives, and they proudly display them. I know the gifts are appreciated. This helps me as I spend time reliving the wonderful times of my past. Life is worth remembering. I pray a lot, thanking the good Lord for longevity and the happy days I continue to love. I love life, and I try to help others feel the same. In my 92 years, I try to remember the formula for happiness: comfort, remembrance, hope, and friendship.