Newly Retired, So Many Possibilities
I’d mentioned in a couple of earlier posts that I was closing in on retirement. That date (last Thursday) has come and gone, but passed barely noticed in the context of my son’s serious injury.
Nate update: his condition has been upgraded from Critical to Serious and he’s been moved from the Intensive Care Unit to a Trauma Unit (which has three levels of severity, he started in their “most severe” wing, but may be moved again, to a “somewhat less severe” wing if he continues to improve). The bandages have been removed from his head revealing what will eventually be a wicked-looking scar. With the dried blood and 65-70 staples that are currently holding the scalp together, he looks like he just stepped off the set of a dystopian science fiction movie. He seemed fairly “with it” when speaking. But when I later stopped by his apartment to pick up his mail, his roommate mentioned that when he asked Nate yesterday what his freelance business was, Nate answered painting. My boy is not a painter. This may be a long road.
So Thursday was my last day at work. Cake and handshakes and hugs. Then out the building, dropping off my badge with a security guard at the exit.
I have some definite plans, and some nebulous ones. Plan Number One is to be a househusband. I’ll be doing many more of the household chores, having dinner ready for my wife when she gets home from work (she’s several years younger than me and plans on remaining in the workforce), and puttering around the yard more. Expanding our garden next spring. More reading, and hopefully more writing.
I still hope to be able to make it to Steemfest4 but as there are so many unknowns with my son, that it’s a bit of a question mark. Depending on how his cognitive testing and rehabilitation go, there’s the possibility that he’ll need to move in with us for care, a home office could potentially be converted into another bedroom.
And there are many thing that I want to study and learn, either independently or in classes. Story structure (most of my fiction has no framework), maybe some programming skills (starting with JavaScript to help build out the Steem blockchain?), possibly sailing lessons next summer, music theory and practice, maybe some time at folk schools learning old-time skills. I really can’t understand people who are bored in retirement and can’t find things to do with their time.
And I’ve no longer got the excuse that I can’t find the time to exercise. My son’s a big fan of LISS (Low Intensity Steady State) cardio. I’ve mapped out a 4.2 mile route that I’m planning to do tomorrow morning, so I should have a good step-count for an Actifit post tomorrow. ;-)
The coffee house where I’m writing this from posed a chalkboard question. Guess which response is mine:
The meme may be by the prolific wag Anonymous. It was texted to me on my last day of work by a friend who might have found it on Reddit?
To listen to the audio version of this article click on the play image.
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I'm glad to hear your son is getting better. I hope and pray for full recovery.
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Glad to hear some positive news about Nate, Wombat...and congratulations on your surviving years of the daily grind.
They don't give out engraved gold watches anymore to departing dedicated employees???
You can just practice being a full time steemian and show them all how to retire here! More free time for 10k+ steps everyday, to make an enviable garden, and learn some new stuff.
I am doing the same a few years earlier than you by just having my own business, enjoying being underemployed, and enjoying life a little more each day.
Congrats and here’s hoping things return to normal for the family.
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That is great that your son is doing a bit better. Congrats on the retirement as well. Welcome to the club. The main thing is the keep yourself busy. Luckily I found photography. I hope that you are able to make it out to Steemfest this year. It would be cool to meet up with you.
Best recoveries for your son. I am myself in bed, sick 🤒. But no big deal, just strong flu 🤧 probably.
Anyway, awesome 😎 seeing your retirement update. When it gets to my turn I know I will have the same feeling as you! So many things to do... exploring and learning will be even funnier.
Hopefully we will see more of your quality writing ✍️ from now on.
Cheers 🥂
That's a gnarly amount of staples. Hope he gets better soon. Maybe he has a secret yearning to be a painter? Who knows?
Congratulations on your retirement and I hope your wife likes your cooking.
Congrats to the official next phase of life which I also look forward to as it seems like a great opportunity to do things for ourselves instead of only others!
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Huge congrats on your retirement! Your retirement plan sounds great. I have a friend who retired a few months ago and is depressed because she misses work. She stays in bed all day and mopes around. I don't get it. I'm so glad that your son continues to recover!
Congrats and all the best on your new phase in your life, I think we all dream of getting up from your desk pushing it over and walking away for good lol living the dream
So true! I also can't understand them, I'm not retired but during holidays, I always have more stuff to do than I have time! Between learning new stuff, reading more books, seing good TV shows (I added 6 to the netflix list yesterday), going around the world... how can people be bored, how can people not find anything to do in a world that has way too many experiences for a human to experience in just 1 lifetime!
good to see Nate is making some progress
Congrats on your retirement and love to see you are wanting to learn more about the craft of writing. There sure is a wealth of books and sites you can study to accomplish that.
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I hope your son is on the mend!! You really have a gift for writing. This:
he asked Nate yesterday what his freelance business was, Nate answered painting. My boy is not a painter. This may be a long road.
Word economy, words that pack a lot of punch - anyone can learn story structure (except me! I resist it with irrational vehemence). But not just anyone can learn style and "voice" - yours naturally manifests even in nonficiton - and you've got the raw talent to really write.
I want to study and learn, either independently or in classes. Story structure (most of my fiction has no framework),
I'm the last editor to help you with structure and framework, and freewriting may not be the way to find it--and I have half a dozen books on Structure in writing. Too often, structure calls for contrived conflict or plot tropes. I have read and loved many novels that would win awards for structure, but the ones I love most tend to meander more, or to move more slowly than a thriller.
But I digress. Thank you for this!
And for this: Low Intensity Steady State) cardio.That's what I've been doing, along with the daily 12-hour (or longer) fast, and I've finally, FINALLY, lost ten of the 15 to 20 pounds that crept up on me after I turned 50.