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Still with me? Okay, here are my..., Musings on retirement I retired at the age of 62. Prostate cancer showed up when I was 60 and I decided I didn't want to bet against myself by working three more years. Besides, I was pretty much retired anyway. I was working for two small water districts doing maintenance, system checks, and being a meter maid at the end of each month. Not making much money but still having to "stick around" because of the job. I discovered I could retire and make about the same amount of money. What is called a "no brainer"! So now I am living off my social security check. I get thirty dollars a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty five days a year! (Got a cost of living adjustment in 2005 and am up to $36.00 per month!) Having downsized repeatedly since the divorce in 1980 my out-go easily fits my in-come. For me, less is definitely more! And so, living in the slower lane I find myself quite amused at the view from this end of life and the changes in me "old age" has wrought. For one thing, I don't think of myself as old. In fact I feel like I did when I was a young boy. Endless play! And that is exactly what I am doing. Playing! Having fun!! I was quite depressed during my 40's and 50's. I didn't really value my life much. I smoked and drank and ate what I wanted to eat, rib-eye steaks, Big Macs, no fruit. Just another fool in the rush towards the end. Now, I really love living and I have started taking care of myself. I finally, really, quit smoking (after quitting ten times!). I quit drinking alcohol. I eat oat meal for breakfast and cut way back on red meat. I'm trying to eat more fruit. I'm walking more. The end result is a remarkable reduction in my blood pressure, cholesterol, and improvement in my liver and kidney function. Not bad! Plus, I'm getting a substantial (to me) boost to my meager income by not buying cigarettes and alcohol!! Think about it. Cigarettes are running around five bucks a pack. Cheap wine is three to five bucks a bottle! We are talking eight to ten bucks a day! Take that times 365!! Another, "no brainer". I'm doing my watercolors again. I getting into bird watching. Hiking. Simple, enjoyable things. Life is good!
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