Hello jacky b. Because of the inactivity of this board, I don't check it often, so I am just now seeing this. Four hours MIA can be tough. From your post, it sounds like you must work from home or are retired, which complicates things. Most subs would just say they have an early work meeting or something.

From My experience, retirees or work from home guys tend to use hobbies as the main excuse - as mentioned: golf, tennis, fantasy football, etc. Have you considered taking a class or going to some "meet up" groups that interest you or forward your career? Something of that nature would give you a regular excuse to be absent.