Hello Garrison! Your poetry anthologies are front and center on my bookshelf. Would you consider doing another one? My appreciation for poetry has grown immensely with your guidance. Thanks!
Thanks. My friends in the library reading thingy expect me to introduce proceedings with a poem ...for free! and months or years when i can't produce I start with something amusing or edifying so i am stealing your essay on NOT retiring. The czek is in the mail...
I don't like clicking on links but for you, Garrison Keillor, I clicked. Regarding retirement, one of the best days of my life was when my employer fired me shortly before age 65. Finally. Thank you. I did a happy dance. I haven't once been bored since that day. It felt like Christmas Day when I was four years old. I highly recommend retirement. I get to read sentences such as "...when a drug-crazed bluebird flies up in your face and pecks at your eyes, it's something you never forget" instead of getting ready for the drive in, to be voluntarily tethered to a desk and a hard drive. Instead I get to enjoy a cup of coffee sitting down, deciding what quilt to sew, and saying hello to the trees, birds, grass, and sky, instead of saying good-bye to my soul until 5 in the afternoon. But on the other hand, you're correct that you don't retire from something that you do for fun and incidentally get paid for. So thank you for NOT retiring.
you are right: retirement is a snare and a delusion. I was a professor. People now expect me to give lectures for free since I supposedly have nothing to do, and to write essays or evaluate their work for nothing or perhaps a symbolic sum. One gets devalued! But fortunately, publishers still treat me as they always have, and writing for them under contract gives pleasure and purpose to life. Retirement is not for bird watching!
Well, in theory I am retired but am fully employed and occupied in useful work, old house and garden maintenance, woodworking, dog and old lady care/service. I've long since had my fill of community service,(politicians take the credit but don't maintain what's been built). So now I've written and will go out to good work (turning the compost today) Keep writing!
Where can I sign up for your course!?! 😊 I will try your suggestions; I actually started the memoir long time ago. The satire might be fun; I can choose between my medical or bartending career or both. But 1st I need to edit my poetry book ( my first). Been writing poetry since college “Ass to seat” step one, when I can pull myself out of the garden now. Needless to say I enjoyed this column & could comment more on it but I need coffee & to water the garden. Thanks for the reminder of what I need to do.
"The point is to stay busy. You rise in the morning with stuff to do. Work is a necessity of life. Serious work" takes energy that gives life. Before autos, people could only go as far as they could walk, unless they saddled a horse. That took energy. Serious work takes energy and keeps the fluids flowing.
Retired, choose work in gratitude for the life you've been given. Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave me as a woman the opportunity to own a home. I had a career, small by comparison, which enabled me to retire early, as soon as possible. Then I could contribute a lifetime of experience, which was appreciated, by volunteering where I could be useful. That takes enthusiasm and courage, at times, and keeps the blood flowing through the brain and body which keeps it alive. Women have a tradition of volunteering to uphold worthwhile activities. It is an easy transition. Men need to try it. If democracy and the human race are to survive, we need essential workers with essential skills. Find the work you love and do it. As a volunteer, you choose.
"The point is to stay busy. You rise in the morning with stuff to do. Work is a necessity of life. Serious work" takes energy that gives life. Before autos, people could only go as far as they could walk, unless they saddled a horse. That took energy. Serious work takes energy and keeps the fluids flowing.
Retired, choose work in gratitude for the life you've been given. Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave me as a woman the opportunity to own a home. I had a career, small by comparison, which enabled me to retire early, as soon as possible. Then I could contribute a lifetime of experience, which was appreciated, by volunteering where I could be useful. That takes enthusiasm and courage, at times, and keeps the blood flowing through the brain and body which keeps it alive. Women have a tradition of volunteering to uphold worthwhile activities. It is an easy transition. Men need to try it. If democracy and the human race are to survive, we need essential workers with essential skills. Find the work you love and do it. As a volunteer, you choose.
Garrison, It depends on what you mean by "retirement." Some years ago I retired when I stopped working in my "career" and started drawing Social Security and a pension. But I still work every day doing things that I want to do. As we get older two things happens - one is that we have friends and relatives who are getting older and who need help, and - two - it takes longer to do things. Years ago I had a full time job and still kept up the yard and house but now I don't have a job but can't get around to all of the yard work. Of course I find time to walk the dog, do some reading, listen to Performance Today, etc. My idea of the good life is spending as much time as possible doing things I like to do; we hope that those things I like to do are also of value to someone and are worth doing. Kindest regards. Aubrey
I am a relatively newly retired paralegal, and yes, I use the word retired because I will gladly never again be a paralegal.
If you truly love what you do, then perhaps you should never retire. My hairstylist is 85 years old. He works two and a half days a week, and he'll be cutting hair 'til he drops. It works for him.
Not for me. I never truly loved being a paralegal. I much preferred my second job as a semi-professional musician for the past 40+ years. I am still a semi-professional musician. Lately I've taken up photography as well. And yes, I am primarily a nature photographer, which includes photographing birds. But hey! I make pretty pictures of pretty birds and I sell them to people who like them. That's useful, right?
I have to admit that your disdain of bird watchers made me laugh out loud. It's a wonderful way to start my morning as I sip my coffee and listen to the birds sing. Not watching, just listening.
Hi Garrison, I've enjoyed your curmudgeonly sense of humor for so many years - thank you! I couldn't agree with you more about "not" retiring! I'm 69 and have been on an extended "gap year" of reinvention since the age of 61, along with my husband, a former practicing physician. We moved from DC to the coast of Maine where life is quieter and better. He's published a book on end-of-life care for the elderly. I've started a podcast, launched a storytelling event for women and more related to writing & editing. PLEASE COME ON MY PODCAST to rant about non-retiring. THE GAP YEAR PODCAST is about non-retirement, aging with wisdom, dealing with change and transition and more. You can check it out at https://debbieweil.com/podcast.
As an early "retiree" (at 49, now 51), I really laughed out loud and long on this one. Thank you, keep in touch, keep up the good work and know that you are quite well already :-)
I don't particularly like the last line. Do you write your poetry from the last line or the first one? I am a minister and sometimes come up with a wowzer sermon title on Monday then spend the week trying to come up with the text to fit it.
Hello Garrison! Your poetry anthologies are front and center on my bookshelf. Would you consider doing another one? My appreciation for poetry has grown immensely with your guidance. Thanks!
Thanks. My friends in the library reading thingy expect me to introduce proceedings with a poem ...for free! and months or years when i can't produce I start with something amusing or edifying so i am stealing your essay on NOT retiring. The czek is in the mail...
I don't like clicking on links but for you, Garrison Keillor, I clicked. Regarding retirement, one of the best days of my life was when my employer fired me shortly before age 65. Finally. Thank you. I did a happy dance. I haven't once been bored since that day. It felt like Christmas Day when I was four years old. I highly recommend retirement. I get to read sentences such as "...when a drug-crazed bluebird flies up in your face and pecks at your eyes, it's something you never forget" instead of getting ready for the drive in, to be voluntarily tethered to a desk and a hard drive. Instead I get to enjoy a cup of coffee sitting down, deciding what quilt to sew, and saying hello to the trees, birds, grass, and sky, instead of saying good-bye to my soul until 5 in the afternoon. But on the other hand, you're correct that you don't retire from something that you do for fun and incidentally get paid for. So thank you for NOT retiring.
Glad to hear you're happy. Bravo.
you are right: retirement is a snare and a delusion. I was a professor. People now expect me to give lectures for free since I supposedly have nothing to do, and to write essays or evaluate their work for nothing or perhaps a symbolic sum. One gets devalued! But fortunately, publishers still treat me as they always have, and writing for them under contract gives pleasure and purpose to life. Retirement is not for bird watching!
Well, in theory I am retired but am fully employed and occupied in useful work, old house and garden maintenance, woodworking, dog and old lady care/service. I've long since had my fill of community service,(politicians take the credit but don't maintain what's been built). So now I've written and will go out to good work (turning the compost today) Keep writing!
I learn and laugh from all of your columns. Thanks and please keep it up.
Where can I sign up for your course!?! 😊 I will try your suggestions; I actually started the memoir long time ago. The satire might be fun; I can choose between my medical or bartending career or both. But 1st I need to edit my poetry book ( my first). Been writing poetry since college “Ass to seat” step one, when I can pull myself out of the garden now. Needless to say I enjoyed this column & could comment more on it but I need coffee & to water the garden. Thanks for the reminder of what I need to do.
"The point is to stay busy. You rise in the morning with stuff to do. Work is a necessity of life. Serious work" takes energy that gives life. Before autos, people could only go as far as they could walk, unless they saddled a horse. That took energy. Serious work takes energy and keeps the fluids flowing.
Retired, choose work in gratitude for the life you've been given. Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave me as a woman the opportunity to own a home. I had a career, small by comparison, which enabled me to retire early, as soon as possible. Then I could contribute a lifetime of experience, which was appreciated, by volunteering where I could be useful. That takes enthusiasm and courage, at times, and keeps the blood flowing through the brain and body which keeps it alive. Women have a tradition of volunteering to uphold worthwhile activities. It is an easy transition. Men need to try it. If democracy and the human race are to survive, we need essential workers with essential skills. Find the work you love and do it. As a volunteer, you choose.
"The point is to stay busy. You rise in the morning with stuff to do. Work is a necessity of life. Serious work" takes energy that gives life. Before autos, people could only go as far as they could walk, unless they saddled a horse. That took energy. Serious work takes energy and keeps the fluids flowing.
Retired, choose work in gratitude for the life you've been given. Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave me as a woman the opportunity to own a home. I had a career, small by comparison, which enabled me to retire early, as soon as possible. Then I could contribute a lifetime of experience, which was appreciated, by volunteering where I could be useful. That takes enthusiasm and courage, at times, and keeps the blood flowing through the brain and body which keeps it alive. Women have a tradition of volunteering to uphold worthwhile activities. It is an easy transition. Men need to try it. If democracy and the human race are to survive, we need essential workers with essential skills. Find the work you love and do it. As a volunteer, you choose.
you said it! And said it again! Brava
Garrison, It depends on what you mean by "retirement." Some years ago I retired when I stopped working in my "career" and started drawing Social Security and a pension. But I still work every day doing things that I want to do. As we get older two things happens - one is that we have friends and relatives who are getting older and who need help, and - two - it takes longer to do things. Years ago I had a full time job and still kept up the yard and house but now I don't have a job but can't get around to all of the yard work. Of course I find time to walk the dog, do some reading, listen to Performance Today, etc. My idea of the good life is spending as much time as possible doing things I like to do; we hope that those things I like to do are also of value to someone and are worth doing. Kindest regards. Aubrey
Glad you're doing well. Keep going.
You are so funny. Yes, comedy is hard!!!! But so essential! Thank you for reminding me to do hard work. Facebook memes have made me lazy!
I am a relatively newly retired paralegal, and yes, I use the word retired because I will gladly never again be a paralegal.
If you truly love what you do, then perhaps you should never retire. My hairstylist is 85 years old. He works two and a half days a week, and he'll be cutting hair 'til he drops. It works for him.
Not for me. I never truly loved being a paralegal. I much preferred my second job as a semi-professional musician for the past 40+ years. I am still a semi-professional musician. Lately I've taken up photography as well. And yes, I am primarily a nature photographer, which includes photographing birds. But hey! I make pretty pictures of pretty birds and I sell them to people who like them. That's useful, right?
I have to admit that your disdain of bird watchers made me laugh out loud. It's a wonderful way to start my morning as I sip my coffee and listen to the birds sing. Not watching, just listening.
Follow your muse. Do what you love to do.
Hi Garrison, I've enjoyed your curmudgeonly sense of humor for so many years - thank you! I couldn't agree with you more about "not" retiring! I'm 69 and have been on an extended "gap year" of reinvention since the age of 61, along with my husband, a former practicing physician. We moved from DC to the coast of Maine where life is quieter and better. He's published a book on end-of-life care for the elderly. I've started a podcast, launched a storytelling event for women and more related to writing & editing. PLEASE COME ON MY PODCAST to rant about non-retiring. THE GAP YEAR PODCAST is about non-retirement, aging with wisdom, dealing with change and transition and more. You can check it out at https://debbieweil.com/podcast.
I shall check that out. Good luck.
As an early "retiree" (at 49, now 51), I really laughed out loud and long on this one. Thank you, keep in touch, keep up the good work and know that you are quite well already :-)
Many chuckles. Ditching any plans to retire.
My tribute to the bird watcher piece:
There once was a wren named Pricilla
Who had the dark thoughts of a killa
But because of her size
When she dove at her prize
They ducked and laughed, "look at that, willya!"
I don't particularly like the last line. Do you write your poetry from the last line or the first one? I am a minister and sometimes come up with a wowzer sermon title on Monday then spend the week trying to come up with the text to fit it.
Your biggest Okie fan,
Pastor Kathy