Tag Archives: retirement

From Driving Miss Daisy to Cruising with Pablo

Posted on June 22, 2012 by

The summer before I turned 16 my gearhead dad brought home a car for me–a 1971 442 Cutlass convertible, royal blue with white hood scoops, white pinstripes and white interior–and with a monster 455 engine under the hood.  In my … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Cars, Retirement, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

My Mind Has Been a Mess Lately

Posted on June 14, 2012 by

“You could have all the crazy thoughts you wanted, as long as you smiled and kept them to yourself.” –Mara Purnhagen, Past Midnight My mind has been a mess lately. The teachers and students have all gone home for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fears, Humor, Retirement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

This Is It: The End of the Beginning

Posted on May 17, 2012 by

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.–T. S. Eliot (“Little Gidding”) How is it possible that one little day on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fears, Humor, Retirement, Simple Pleasures, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

A Secret Revealed, A Dream Taking Flight

Posted on April 16, 2012 by

“You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings … Continue reading →

Posted in Fears, Retirement, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , | 21 Comments

Hey, 2012: Come Meet Your Master

Posted on December 31, 2011 by

Bleary-eyed and bone-weary, I sit watching the remaining minutes of 2011 slowly ticking away as I anxiously await the arrival of 2012, more affectionately known as “MY year,” the end of my beginning.  This is the year I bid a … Continue reading →

Posted in Retirement, Simple Pleasures, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Leaping Out of the Comfort Zone

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

I am a creature of habit.  Sometimes I fantasize about leading an exciting life as a crazy, spontaneous, thrill-seeking adventurer … hopping on a plane with just my carry-on and my laptop, headed off for the museums, side streets and sidewalk … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Humor, Retirement, school, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

From My Side of the Desk

Posted on August 19, 2011 by

On August 20, 1982, I began my teaching career in a small, rural school district in southern Missouri.  I was 22 years old.  Shorter than almost all of my students and only four years older than some of them, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Back-to-School, Gratitude, Retirement, school, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 24 Comments

An Important Message from My Employed Self to My Future Retired Self

Posted on October 12, 2010 by

Hardly a day goes by that I don’t spend at least a moment thinking (dreaming) about June 30, 2012.  That day will mark the end of my first life and the beginning of my second; that day will mark the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Humor, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments