don't chase replace

One of the things that being retired afford you is time to be objective. You actually have time to read between the lines, read the fine print so to speak, assess the situation and realize that you have options. When my long time plumber didn’t show up after 4 weeks of calling him, it was time to take the hint. I stopped chasing him and replaced him with a younger more energetic plumber who responds within a few hours. The previous plumber is still in bewilderment. It took my retired BFF to tell me that the yardman was dodging me. I had gone to pick him up from his house 3 times and he was not there notwithstanding he set the time and promised to be ready. I stopped chasing him and replaced him with one that though he cut down the shrubs he shouldn’t ,at least he shows up as promised.    
Similarly, difficult as it may be we must acknowledge that chasing and replacing on a social level happens too. People come into your life for a reason and or a season after which it may become necessary to let them go and move on. It makes no good sense and is a waste of valuable time chasing a friendship that has run its course. Instead keep your memories, find new friends and build some new friendships which will be far more in tuned with your current circumstance.

keeping pace

Vow to become technologically knowledgeable, it is liberating and opens up a whole new world of experiences that will assist the retiree with adapting to this ever changing technological world. I can recall the day my mother then 83, she is now 86, showed up to visit carrying her Tablet which she proceeded to use to take pictures. It took me a while to recover from the astonishment. You should understand I was in awe (and proud) because I had not yet purchased a tablet being content with the laptop and smart phone. Her NRSV bible and crossword puzzles are bookmarked for easy access, she sends and receives emails and can browse the internet. She now has a Smartphone with WhatsApp and uses a number of different apps.
For those contemporaries lagging behind due to an imagined phobia and are still not savoir-faire with the technology you must keep pace or miss out on so much. Be inspired by my mother’s story. She sought help from a trusted friend, learned and was able to show off her skills and put us to shame. Invest the needed time and effort in yourself I promise it will be rewarding.

surprisingly

When I did my personal recharge I had to acknowledge a number of things that had been altered in my life since retiring. I will share 6 of the most interesting revelations, in no particular order, that changed since retirement:
Before I did the crosswords daily now I do jigsaw puzzles daily
Before I did not listen to the radio now I listen for headlines and death announcements
Before I made the bed now I do not make up my bed
Before I seldom wore sandals now all my new footwear are sandals
Before I got up early now I get up even earlier
Before I had zero tolerance for tardiness and mediocrity now I am learning to forgive
What were some of the things you noticed had changed about you? For your efforts the below can be yours, please join me

not so funny now

For a lighter read, today I share with you the excerpt from an email that years ago my colleague Dorothy Jean and I, then in our early 40s, thought was something to laugh about. But this past week when she re-sent this email it wasn’t as funny, hmm, what a difference a few years make. Perhaps you can relate.  It was entitled; being over 50 does have its advantages...

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

3. No one expects you to run into a burning building.

4. People call at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?"

5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

6. There's nothing left to learn the hard way.

7. Things you buy now won't wear out.

8. You can eat dinner at 4 p.m.

9. You can live without sex (but not without glasses).

10. You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.

11. You get into a heated argument about pension plans.

12. You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.

13. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

14. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.

15. You sing along with the elevator music.

16. Your eyes won't get much worse.

17. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

18. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the National Weather Service.

19. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

20. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.

21. You can't remember who sent you this.

just say no

Today's post offers some straight forward common sense. Do not lend money you cannot afford to lose. This advice does not just apply to retirees, it is a general rule applicable across the board. For some unknown reason(s) persons and in particular family members and close friends are of the misguided belief that a retiree has lots of money and should loan/give it to them when they ask. Adult children, siblings and grandchildren are the main culprits and will get an attitude if refused.
Hold on to your money; but if you feel compelled out of some sense of loyalty to hand over your money, make sure the amount you give will not set you back too far, if you never see it again. The best thing you can do in order to preserve a friendship, is just say no to the person who wants to borrow money from you.

no maggots

Last Sunday afternoon Joe B and I were having a chat about varied and sundry matters when we touched on the topic of the alarming number of human carcasses’ infested with maggots in various stages of decay that had been discovered in homes in recent years. Disconcerted by the fact that this phenomenon seemed like an emerging trend, we proceeded to hypothesize as to the reason for this anomaly and how to eradicate  such an undignified atrocity. We concluded that the implementation of a simple and effective buddy system was all that was needed to ensure that others or yourself would not suffer a similar fate and become part of the seemingly new trend. Here is what you should know.

To date, it appears that all the affected persons were of retirement age and living alone. Because such persons usually guard their privacy zealously and have intermittent contact with other persons on a irregular and inconsistent basis it is highly probable that they can become  ill and die in their residence without anyone else being aware, Time will pass before they are missed and usually the stench of decaying flesh emanating from the residence is what alerts persons that something is amiss. In order to avoid the likelihood of maggots partaking of us while  still on earth, we can, starting today institute a buddy system. Make a habit of daily calling or having other contact with one or more persons within a specific timeframe. This means that if within the agreed window no contact has been made, the buddy will go in search of you. It is especially important that if you reside alone, you make the commitment today. Have someone check for you daily. While this can not stop you from dying, it could prevent the maggots from having their way with you.  

so many books

Spend time at the library. There seems to be a misnomer that the public library is only for children. Like the staff at the public library, it has been some time since I have seen adults (retirees) sitting in the library leafing through magazines or reading a book or draft legislation. Did you know that you can use the computer there to write, research, check and send emails or just surf the internet. You can peruse the displays on a variety of different topics.  The current display features black history

So many books so little time...Browsing the library can be so much fun, free of cost and good for you. There is so much you can learn. Sitting in  the library you get to observe other patrons and sometimes even eavesdrop on conversations (that’s ok because no one is supposed to be talking in the library anyway). you can enjoy the comfort of air conditioning in a safe environment, use your tablet if you brought it along to read your ebook. The library has free WI-FI.  It is possible that you will discover relatives that you didn't  know you had and of course you can always make a young friend or two. Before you leave, use your library card to check out(borrow)a DVD or book. Remember to return them once you have finished using as late fees are accessed for overdue returns. Take some time one day soon and stop by the public library, you will be glad you did.The friendly staff at the library is expecting you and will be happy to assist you.