 |
| At a Rest Area in New Jersey OAFS Photo |
Well, we're back in Little Rhody, made really good time on Sunday instant. Left Chez Tuttle et Nuke before 0900, stopped to get food and fuel a couple of times, and we were home before the sun went down. Haven't made it back from Maryland like that since Covid times. Yup, wasn't much traffic to speak of. We even went over the George Washington bridge in New York!
Now, as my old boss and dear friend Liz said, I'm really retired. Everyone was back to work on Monday, except me. My old desk remains vacant for the moment (I might have mentioned that it might be haunted 😱) so my absence is kinda obvious. Yeah, I miss the old crew but this new found freedom is kinda awesome.
So what have I done since returning home?
Uh, not much.
Watched a couple of movies, watched a bit of football, read some, and listened to a lot of music. Yes, I'm hitting the relax mode rather hard.
I did check in with the pharmacy I use to pick up a prescription. Seems that Medicare A and B plus Tricare for Life saw no change to the cost of that particular prescription, which really eases my mind. It's one thing to be told there won't be any issues, quite another to experience it for yourself.
I am pleased. Very pleased. We'll see how things go.
I haven't been inspired to create any new fiction, I have to wrap up that tank vignette I started last month. Might not be much left in that well. We'll see
For the moment I am enjoying retirement.
A lot.
Desiderata
ReplyDeleteby
Max Ehrmann
Springs to mind.
SNIP:
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
The phrase "Failed Retirement" exists because folks forget the discipline of their work lives was what made them at peace and successful.
Replacements like wildly spending savings to substitute for that loss of feeling satisfied at a day of successful work production and or respect of their peers for being so a valued member of THE TEAM causes great distress financially later. As in "You BOUGHT WHAT?"
Enjoy your freedom friend, you earned it but remember the discipline that made you who you were.
Der Titel des Beitrags war rhetorisch.
DeleteReturn of Rhetoric? No obversions of many retired friends I know.
DeleteWork discipline needs replacement with something, or entertainment becomes an expensive substitute friend.
Was at the funeral of a recently retired friend that I'm pretty sure didn't die "accidently". He had nothing to live for after all the visiting family and grands wore thin. I'd like to have you around a long time with interesting stories buddy.
Ah the TITLE was Rhetorical. Still concerned about post-Retirement "Glow" when even the Kids are not inviting you over. It happens.
DeleteMichael #1 - Work did not define me, I have lots to do in retirement, all of it enjoyable, many things were purchased while I was still working so that I'd have them when I retired.
DeleteI have everything to live for. I'm just concerned that there aren't enough hours in the day to do it all!
Michael #2 - I think this retirement "glow" is going to last a while. I am enjoying being a man of leisure.
DeleteSo retirement is pleasing.........post Monty Burns GIF..... "Excellent"............enjoy Sarge!
ReplyDeleteTime, apparently, no longer has any meaning. I've been home for three days, feels like three weeks. When I was working it would have felt like three minutes.
DeleteI got up early today. Why, did I have something I needed to do? Nope, I had something I wanted to do. Big difference.
Finding a group of mature men to drink coffee with on most mornings helped me slow down after I retired. The crowd changes every half-hour or hour so you need to check out several time-slots to find the group you are most compatible with.
ReplyDeleteMature men? I'd rather hang out with hyper-active grownup children like myself.
DeleteRetirement timekeeping - The fat newspaper comes on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteSundays are the days when I get up early for church. Every other day is Saturday.
DeleteGood to hear about Tricare. I was concerned the cost would be up.
ReplyDeleteAs was I!
DeleteNow you're home & retired & wondering what to do with your time? My immediate suggestion shouldn't really be mentioned on a family accessible blog...
ReplyDelete#2, When was the last time you went to a big book store with nothing but time on your hands?
#3, Any friends in the area you can meet for a once a week breakfast kind of thing?
#4, Are you familiar with your local library? I was surprised at what I found at the local libraries besides book & DVDs. The local library has passes you can check out for local museums.
#5, Gun shops &/or ranges in the area? Other places that were a bit down on the list of things to do when your time was spent at a job?
#6, Please notice my use of the word "spent" in #5.
I was going to wish you luck but you're over 70 years old, you have a wife, a family, enough to eat, a roof over your head and now the time to do what you want. The good luck is evident!
Have fun!
I'm spending this morning reading your blog & responding....
DeleteThe title (as mentioned above, auf Deutsch) is rhetorical. I have many things to do, things that I want to do.
DeleteWent to a book store with daughter and granddaughter just last week, didn't spend a dime on myself, which was awesome.
I don't think I've ever had an explicit list of things to do, I'm very spontaneous.
Fun is high on that implicit list of things to do, that's for sure.
Rob #2 - Hopefully it's time well spent. 😎
DeleteI think it's time well spent, I must as I seem to spend a little here each day!
DeleteWell, we're glad you're here.
DeleteSarge, I would anticipate things developing exactly as you have described. It is a really big life change and I suspect there will be some "work detox" that has to happen as well. So of course, be kind to yourself.
ReplyDeleteMy vote? Write more.
Oh yes, write more is high on the list.
DeleteConsider maybe getting some "business" cards with your new job title. No, not "Olde Retired Phart" but "Author" or "Communications Facilitator" or "Wordsmith" or "Military Historical Fiction Author" or "Chant du Depart- Host."
ReplyDeleteDelighted to see you enjoying retirement so much, so quickly. YOU EARNED IT!
John Blackshoe
Hhmm, I like the business card idea. Perhaps we should have a contest?
DeleteNowadays, business cards are inexpensive. Don't limit yourself to just one. Myself, I rent out two separate farm areas and lease space for two wind towers on one of them. I am toying with the idea of getting cards "McCollor Farms" and "McCollor Wind" - "A Division of McCollor Enterprises".
DeleteWhat do I need business cards for really? Just saying, "I'm retired," seems sufficient.
Delete