Most people I meet are thrilled with their retirement! They saved and planned and looked forward to the day when time would be their own and pursing their dreams was now the focus of their lives. On the other extreme, I have also conversed with people who seem lost, out of their element or just downright unhappy. They just don’t know what to do with themselves. Their lives focused around their jobs not only for work, income, but social interaction as well. There are even some I have met that take offense with the word “retirement”. Perhaps it’s a reminder we’re in the third act of life, getting older and don’t want to think about it. But, it’s just a word. To me, all retirement connotes is not having to work to support myself. It definitely is an adjustment but the key to making it happy is all in the planning. Most things in life just don’t spontaneously happen - everything takes at least a little planning, a little knowledge. And with the internet at our disposal, there’s no excuse!
Social media can be great thing if you use it right. It’s a fantastic resource for connecting and gaining information. I have found so many useful groups; some I’ve joined to be part of a community; some temporarily, like when we’re getting ready to travel or I need more information on a particular subject. I can get specific answers to questions, help others who need support, find out what’s going on in my area - or other parts of the country or world. Today, I researched how to get rid of the suckers, growing on the bottom of ornamental pear trees. Think I finally found my answer! I also adore YouTube! The diverse subject matter I watch and find fascinating- from slot machine players, catfish scams, living in a van, tiny houses, following a couple in Indiana converting an old school into their family home, cruising ports….
I feel like my weeks have been so busy - things just seem to come up! I was recently contacted and asked to create a retirement piece for an upcoming event. I was given an original brick(stone) from the building this person worked at for 18 years and painted insignias and text as requested. When I picked up this beautiful stone it had a layer of cement on the side I was to paint; there was no way paint would adhere to that surface. But as I thought about it, knowing the talents of my husband and all the tools he had, I would bet he could sand it down. Charlie did a great job and it was definitely smooth and looked almost like a stone countertop! I made different sketches of how I would lay the designs out; Charlie made the best suggestion of all - standing the stone on its side. That was perfect! We were actually in love with the stone itself and really hated to do anything to it but it came out pretty good.
After the sanding ( I didn’t take a before)
Recently, I become a moderator for the Boston Minimalist Group Facebook Page. I have been a member for many years. Most people are still in the minimizing stage; I am in maintenance mode, having reached the level of downsizing that fits our lifestyle. It is surprising how excess creeps into your living space but it does. Right now I’m leading a month long minimizing challenge. I try to inspire others to make a happier more relaxing and less cluttered environment.
Last week with two ladies from my yoga class, we took the commuter rail - right from Stoughton- to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. I had been wanting to visit this museum for a very long time, especially during the warmer months when I knew the courtyard would be in bloom! It was a wonderful day! It took only 25 minutes by train, with a short walk passing college campuses and interesting buildings. The ISG is infamous for having the largest art theft in the world 30 years ago; the 13 paintings have never been recovered and the empty frames that once surrounded these beautiful and priceless works of art, still remain hung in the various rooms of the palace. Netflix has a wonderful short series I highly recommend called This is a Robbery, covering this story.
Charlie has been getting the Harley road ready after a long winter’s sleep. We will be celebrating 25 years of ownership in November! People still tell us it looks brand new. ( it does) He took it in for inspection and then asked Deena and Wally if they wanted to help him change the oil filter. Dee is definitely the more inquisitive and daring of the pair (not always a good thing) but they learned and helped. And then she took her first ( of now many) rides. She looks so big for 6-1/2!
I’m leading another rock painting class next week then joint-hosting a thank you luncheon at the COA for our gentle yoga instructor, Judy, whom we love. She is an amazing 85 with such a fun personality.
Yes! So much to do, so little time!
