A Very Important Day

Today is a very, very important day for me. I have decided to retire at the end of this school year and today is the day I sign my retirement papers. This is my second retirement so one would think it is a slam dunk. However, it is always a bit disconcerting to quit working when it has been one of my identities for the past forty years. Ten years ago, when retiring for the first time, I got so nervous at the signing that I had to go home and try again on another day. I laugh now at that recollection. And even though the photograph on this post is one of relaxation and solitude, I really don't plan to be relaxing that much.

I have several projects running around in my head that need to take wing. Yes, we bought a new little travel trailer but I see it as the vehicle that will allow us to give life to our creative endeavors. We have a story project that includes art pieces I want to create; I have a photography project I want to work on; I want to rev up my Etsy store and fill it with more vintage items; I want to become more comfortable with my Canon Rebel; I am planning a new blog with stories of my childhood; I have registered for a soldering class and also a mosaics class; I want to study Spanish, the language of my childhood, so that I am able to carry on a conversation that is more than basic; I want to visit new places; I want to launch myself into the artistic part of my life.

I am sixty six years old; I will be sixty seven in July. I have a lot to do. I work best with a focus and a deadline. I always need to have a goal. I know I will need to structure my days so that I am productive. To be non- productive is not ok; that's the way I was raised. The reason I went back to work after my first retirement is because I did not feel productive. I know now that a schedule is important, even or especially when working at home.

And so today begins the next part of my journey. I will sign my papers today and work until 6pm on June 30. And then the next leg of the trip will start. And I will write about it here. So come along, my friends, and join me on this adventure. I expect that it will be an interesting one as life and art reveal themselves to me.

Act II

At sixty-five years of age, I am seriously considering how I want to configure the rest of my life. I come from a line of long-lived individuals and both my parents lived into their ninety-sixth year. Considering that I will probably live another twenty to thirty years, I would like to craft my life into one of independence that extends well beyond the norm. In other words, I want to be on my own for as long as possible.

Having moved my parents against their will in order to better care for them, I do not want that for myself. I would like to be an active participant in the process of shedding possessions and distilling my life into meaningful minutes, hours, and days. I do not want to live out my life in an isolated environment where I am dependent upon others for something as simple as going to the post office to mail a letter or going to the grocery for a loaf of bread.

I currently live in the country in a wonderful home that was built to mirror a farm house/beach house. It is small, yet efficient, with skylights and glass doors that let in lots of light. I have a garden and bird feeders and wildlife. This should be fine for the next five to ten years. After that, however, I think I need to be in a city where I can live near stores and shopping, have access to efficient public transportation, and be able to walk almost everywhere. I do not want to own a car when I am old; I want to walk to find what I need.

I am blogging about this because I would like ideas about places to live that will provide me with what I need. I don't need a big place or an expensive place. but I need a space for two people with at least a small bit of the outdoors so I can have a few plants, one or two bird feeders, a little space for a dog. some good light, and walking access to almost everything.

The picture I have in my head is a place like San Miguel de Allende in Mexico where you can walk out the front door and walk into town. Or you can hail a $2 taxi that will take you anywhere. If the ride is particularly long, the ride costs $3. You can walk or ride to the Centro (Center of town) where you can buy a newspaper and sit in the park to read it. You can shop for fresh vegetables at the public market or buy a coffee at a local stand. You can stay at home and watch the birds or go to the Biblioteca Publica (public library) to check out a book or watch a movie, play, or musical performance. Why don't I just move to San Miguel? Well, my health insurance is no good in Mexico and they don't take MediCare. That scares me right now. Although I am currently healthy, I don't know that I always will be. Maybe I should take a chance, live on the edge, take a risk. I could always go into Texas for health care, I suppose. That's what other ex-Patriots do.

I would appreciate it if you would tell me where you live; what you like about your city and what you don't. I feel as if I am involving myself in a great research project and I can't wait to get started. Let the games begin!!