#28: Culinary Hell

In theory, retirement is my opportunity to become a better cook and a more gracious hostess.

But having just spent 2 hours roasting and peeling beets, and another hour (or did it only feel like that?) stripping all the pith from 4 oranges for the beet/orange/feta salad I intend to serve this evening, I am wondering if I am up to the challenge. Perhaps there is a better way to spend my time?

Or maybe I need more practice.

#27: Guests

Friends will be staying with us for the next four days and for the first time ever, because I am retired, I have had time to clean not only the basement apartment, but other parts of the house that might also be of interest to guests.  The arrival of company brings a collateral benefit:  incentive to clean. 

And that should hold us until the next batch arrives.   



       

#26: Just Say No

I was warned that soon into my retirement, volunteer opportunities would come my way from people who discovered I was (to use my daughter's term) fresh meat.

And that is just what happened.  I recently received an e-mail from a friend who asked me to serve on the board of his organization.  I was flattered to have been asked, and I did think it over but concluded that my strongest recommendation for the position was my availability. 

My boss wasn't giving me this job; it was not mandatory.  I could decline, and that is what I did.

The freedom to say no is powerful.

 

#25: Fun and Games

Surely midday online Scrabble is good for the aging brain.

Right?  Right?

#24: Gone Ape

I have a powerful need to use my time wisely.  Blame it on my Presbyterian upbringing.

So what was I doing this morning, still in my pajamas, reading online movie reviews?  Not one review, several, and all for the same film.  I wish I could report that I was investigating the upcoming Don Giovanni  (Live at the Met), but no, I was doing in depth research on The Rise of the Planet of the Apes. I frittered away a pleasant half an hour reading about a movie I had already seen.  I feel a little bit guilty.

But not too much.  It was a good, but not great, movie -- Roger Ebert and I agree.    

#23: Dinnertime

In my pre-retirement life, 6:30 dinner preparation went something like this:  open cookbook, read recipe, check cupboard.
Damn!  Essential Ingredient is missing. Sigh. Poached eggs again.

Now I am able to spend all day shopping for groceries and cooking up a storm.

More likely, however, I:  open cookbook, read recipe, check cupboard.
Damn!  I was sure I had black beans.  Sigh.  Cue the eggs.

#22: Clock Watcher

Oh, Lord!  I slept in today.  On a Tuesday.  Will this become a habit?  Is rot setting in?

It was dark and rainy this morning.  I'll blame it on the weather.