someone else' introspective

As I've aged, I've become kinder to, and less critical of, myself. I've become my own friend.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon;  before they understood the great freedom that comes with  aging.

 

Whose business is it if I choose to read, or play on the  computer until 4 AM?  I will dance with myself to  those wonderful tunes of the 60s & 70s, and if I, at the same  time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

 

 I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a  bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to,  despite the pitying glances from the jet set.  They, too, will get  old.

 I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life  is just as well forgotten. And, eventually, we remember the important  things.

 Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your  heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or  even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are  what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never  broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being  imperfect.

 I am so  blessed to have lived enough to have my hair  turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and too many have died before their hair could turn silver.

 As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less  about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.  I've  even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being older. It has set me  free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but  while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have  been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single  day (if I feel like it). excerpt from a msg adapted and reprinted.

boca raton

Today Leeandah leaves for Boca Raton, Florida USA. I know this because yesterday when he came with my godson to deliver 3 boulders that I wanted to adorn my humble abode, he told me.  My knowledge of him was as a happy drunk that had retired years prior, who was kind and helpful. He looked his usual self, dishevelled, unshaven a little in the cups with bloodshot eyes. I was curious so I asked what he did in Boca Raton, so he gave me the whole story. His paramour resides there and he goes to bang her 5 times a day, but  now with all that activity he's down to 3 times a day. What a life, what a perfect retirement occupation. We all, though happy for him, can't help but be  a little envious of his setup. Being a BOTC, his visa waiver allows him to stay in the US 3 months at a time and so he would return to Anguilla after 3 months, stay a month and return to Boca Raton. It was 20+ years ago when an American tourist visiting Anguilla with her spouse met and fell in love with Leeandah, returned without her husband soon after and they commenced a romantic liaison, Since retirement it became more convenient to have him fly to Boca Raton. So today he travels sober, well-shaven, closed up shoes, looking dapper in his shirt-jack and a big grin on his face to board American Airlines at 2:30pm bound for Miami from SXM to be with his paramour.  Retirement does have its perks in all sort of creative forms, find one that suits your taste.

Leeandah see ya in 3 months

  

retiree, let's keep it happy

Enhance your feel-good factor with laughter

roast corn

Last evening a few minutes before 6pm I got a call from Owen saying they were just about finished roasting corn at the farm and I must come quick if I wanted roast corn. The farm Sensational Flavours, is a new brand of entrepreneurship where all kinds of herbs, fruits and vegetables are grown, harvested and sold on the premises.

Sensational Flavours at Mount Fortune, East End

 Puss and Owen have a huge following with regular farmers market sale days on Saturdays. Local drinks and johnnie cakes are available til supply lasts. These young guys have a set up unlike any other on the island which is really  a throwback from yesteryear, with a modern twist. They have even been invited to the US Virgin Islands to collaborate on farming, but that's another story. When I got to Sensational Flavours there were 2 other retirees there all devouring roast corn. I paid for my corn, still hot from the grill and started munching, it was deliciously soft and sweet. The ease of  conversation and ability to relate to each other reminiscing about corn and how it was prepared when we were growing up made for an interesting hour and a half that I spent, punctuated by patrons stopping to inquire if there was any more roast corn, forced only to abbreviate because the sun was going down and there were no lights. For the retiree this was another serendipitously entertaining evening unplanned in great company, well spent at no cost. The roughage was an added benefit.

bushie's niece rhonda

Rhonda has been retired for 4 years now and at 64 she is one of the most energetic retirees I have come across in a long time. If you look closely you will notice her 69 year old sister over her shoulder. These two dynamic women epitomizes the mature active lifestyle after leaving the workforce. The retired sisters were banker and immigration officer respectively. As we were conversing, I couldn’t help but think of my colleagues who at age 60 has slowed to a standstill and turned into a slog of sorts with no energy or inclination to do anything other than stay home. I am now even more convinced that it is our own attitude and perceptions that determine our disposition. I am also convinced that if you keep too much company with a slog you will turn into one before you know it. These ladies get up, dress up and show up everyday and for that they won my immediate admiration and respect. And since imitation is the best form of flattery I will endeavour to be as astute upbeat and engaging as Bushie's niece and her sister are. I resolve to be out and about with energy to burn. So, if you are a retiree and can be considered a slog, think of the negative impact on yourself and colleagues, Inject more vigour and excitement in your life, encourage your colleagues to do the same. Let's keep it happy.

images from sxm parade

may day / labour day

Today is May Day, International Workers Day also known as Labour Day which in some countries  is a celebration of labourers and working classes. This to say that though retired, those of us that are working class should celebrate. Admittedly, for the first time for as long  as I can recall I have not been keeping track of public holidays. Guess that is one of the causalities of retirement, everyday is a holiday of sorts. For my part, today I shall by traversing to St.Maarten to watch their parade. Hopefully, I can share the images that I capture with you. Enjoy your holiday, Happy May day, Workers day or Labour day.