My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
horizon of colors
ms
with quiet and solitude
pre-dawn on the farm
I am blessed to have the natural areas so close and with easy access. Yet, this morning I felt the desire to drive eastward, into Weld County. For I can also experience the quiet and solitude my soul needs out here. Taken this morning near Weld County Road 15 and County Road 78. And, I talked myself into stopping at the Bean Cycle on the way back into town for a mocha latte to bring home. This retirement life is pretty exciting!
Seems the ride of choice in retirement communities isn’t a Lincoln or a Cadillac. It’s a golf cart. If the garage door is open you will see a nice car sitting next to a golf cart. The speed limit in the retirement community is 25 except on the four main roads, which is 40. Most people drive under the 25 mph because they are in their golf carts. Almost every morning on my walk I encounter someone heading for their tee-time, a tennis match, Bocce ball game, Pickle-ball game or meet someone for coffee. And, a smile crosses my face when I see the unusual amount of dogs sitting on the passenger seat. 🙂
And, some of these carts are pretty tricked out. If you look at this one it is not even setup for golfing as there is no place for golf clubs. This baby is for the streets.
I never thought of this but maybe it could be a part time job in retirement. 🙂
Nah! I have more important things to do.
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
C. S. Lewis
On March 10th I gave my two week notice at work. I’m hanging up my wings. Moving more into my retirement years. Going to avoid airports and airplanes while keeping my feet on the ground as I take my time driving, anywhere. I may never wear another tie for the rest of my life. I found my uniform pants kept shrinking due to decompression cycles or the altitude. No more checking for unbuckled seat belts, telling people to turn off their cellular service. No more telling them the cannot have that purse between their feet and properly stow their bags. I do not have to hear a passenger ask if I’ll call and see if the airlines will hold their plane for them because we’re late. No more crying babies during descent. It’s all good news.
But, just like any job loss there will be things I’ll miss. The unique life style of visiting cities, finding those mom-and-pop coffee shops and restaurants. Conversations with total strangers. A paycheck. And, last but not least, cleavage in 17C. On to new adventures.
I came back to cold Colorado yesterday. Spent the last four days with my parents in warm Phoenix. My dad celebrated his 85th birthday on the 17th. Not much hoopla as this time in their lives is spent relaxing. It was 15 degrees this morning and expected to be in the upper 40’s this afternoon.
Today’s another birthday for me, which means I’m getting closer to those Social Security and Medicare woes years. This birthday is number 61 so I can start collecting a bit of cash in another year, if I wanna. I must admit I struggled last year when I turned 60 because I felt like that number was still another 10 years out and so was retirement. However, with a year in the 60’s under my belt, I’m more comfortable with this one. I’m looking into what all this retirement hoopla is all about. How much will there be? When do I want to start collecting? Do I still want a “Sugar Mama?” How many more years do I want to work? Do I want to work and also collect social security? Questions, lots of them.
Actually the book I’m reading, “The Complete Idiots Guide to Social Security and Medicare“, I’ve found to be quite interesting and informative. So, for another year at least, I keep on working and putting money into that fund and figure out what I want to do. I start a 4-day trip today and will be in Santa Barbara tonight. We will be getting in about 11 pm so I’ll be resting my eyes then. I like the hotel and they serve up a mean breakfast on their patio in the morning. After breakfast I’ll get a walk in, maybe down to the beach and then back in the air.
What will you do when you retire? Most of us will want to enjoy the latter years of our lives but will the days be spent loafing or will we keep active. If you do a google search on the question, “What will you do when you retire?”, you will get hits leading to links for money management/investments. That’s not what I’m asking here but asking what we will do with our time. It’s a valid question and one we all can look at.
Don’t simply retire from something; have something to retire to. Harry Emerson Fosdick