What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
There are things that I am afraid to put into writing for fear of making them too real. For this week’s post, I had planned to write a lighthearted self-reflection on something or other. Then the past few days happened. Without going into specifics, these days have been tough beyond measure. All lightheartedness instantly evaporated.… Continue reading Ties that Bind
When I first made the decision to begin blogging, I believed that it would be a great way for me to record my thoughts and experiences as I transitioned into retirement. I also hoped that it would help me to keep in touch with friends around the world, especially since I had just returned home… Continue reading Face-to-Face
I am writing this post on a bit of a dare. If you have been following my blog/Facebook page/life in general, you already know that I am in Palm Desert for a month-long home-exchange. As my husband and I didn't know a soul who would be in the area during this time, I had assumed… Continue reading How to Get Yourself Invited to Dinner
I sit and mentally savor the list one more time: Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters and The Who. Not long ago, this line-up would have sounded too good to be true. Yet, here I am at the end of Day Three of what has been referred to by many… Continue reading A Postcard from Desert Trip
My husband and I first visited Palm Desert (Palm Springs area) in July 2000. Friends had lent us their condo for a week. Although we were grateful for their generosity, and we certainly enjoyed our trip, we never really got into the Palm Desert vibe. The summer in the desert was hotter than hot. Even… Continue reading Palm Desert: A Change of Perspective
So far, I’ve written a fair amount about the perks and freedoms of retirement. Without a doubt, the list of retirement pros is long. However, I would be neglectful not to portray the flip side. As the famous saying goes: “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With (great) freedom comes (great) responsibility."(Source) … Continue reading Retirement Responsibilities
Here I am packing for another trip. In the past, this would not have been unusual if it were official vacation or even business travel. But, it’s simply a random get-away. Insert light bulb going off here: 'I am retired!!' As strange as it may seem, I often forget that I am no longer employed.… Continue reading You Know You Are Retired When….
When I was cleaning up some of my digital photos this past week, I ran across the above baby picture of our dog, Cody. He is such a handsome dog (truly, see below) that I had forgotten what an incredibly adorable pup he was as well. I stared fondly at the photo, lost in nostalgia. … Continue reading What Has Your Dog or Cat Done for You Lately?
My friend, Louise, has a house and family in California. Still, she returns to Vancouver Island for a few months every year. "It's the small towns out here that continue to lure me back," Louise has frequently proclaimed. "There's just so much going on...so many cool things to try out....It's never boring!" Photo Credit Today… Continue reading A Walk in the Hood
Labour Day Syndrome—almost every student and educator has experienced this condition to some degree, even if they call it by another name, or start their school year at a different time. You know, that restlessness deep in your stomach that begins to churn as the last weekend of holidays comes to an end, and a… Continue reading Playing Hooky
Retirement Reflections 