I had my teeth cleaned today for the first time since retiring. When Heather, the dental hygienist, knew about my changed circumstances, she pounced on me.
Nancy! Now you'll have more time to floss!
I hated to break it to her, but I've asked many, many people about their retirement plans, and flossing is not on anyone's top ten list. Or their top 100, for that matter.
No one ever says, I can hardly wait to retire so I can floss as much as I want.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
#117: Dress Up
No trip to Saskatoon is complete until I have visited "The Mendel", the lovely little art gallery that overlooks the South Saskatchewan River.
I always pop into the gift shop, and this time I overheard an older woman, a Mendel volunteer, admiring a display of hand-woven scarves. These are lovely, she said, but I have so few opportunities now to get dressed up.
Ah yes -- I surveyed my own ensemble -- the truth about retirement attire.
The good news: you can wear jeans every day. The bad news: you can wear jeans every day.
I always pop into the gift shop, and this time I overheard an older woman, a Mendel volunteer, admiring a display of hand-woven scarves. These are lovely, she said, but I have so few opportunities now to get dressed up.
Ah yes -- I surveyed my own ensemble -- the truth about retirement attire.
The good news: you can wear jeans every day. The bad news: you can wear jeans every day.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
#116: Laundry List
So far, one of the most interesting things that has happened to me in Saskatoon was my guest appearance on the community radio program, Laundry List. The topic under discussion for this episode was....ta dah... Retirement.
Daughter Jenny and her friends Tracy and Brenda co-host this "anything goes" program. (That Saturday morning, they also recorded a second 1/2 hour item about home ownership.) These three young women have great rapport, and it was fun to see them in action. They are completely poised and thoughtful, and very entertaining.
Me? I was terminally boring. I won't be looking to break into radio anytime soon, but why should I? I'm retired.
Daughter Jenny and her friends Tracy and Brenda co-host this "anything goes" program. (That Saturday morning, they also recorded a second 1/2 hour item about home ownership.) These three young women have great rapport, and it was fun to see them in action. They are completely poised and thoughtful, and very entertaining.
Me? I was terminally boring. I won't be looking to break into radio anytime soon, but why should I? I'm retired.
Friday, 4 November 2011
#115: Crank
Here in Ontario, the leaves are still on the trees and the mums are still blooming in our gardens. It is autumn, for heaven's sake! But our stores seem to be consulting a different calendar, one where December 25 comes right after Halloween.
Thus, I walked into the grocery store yesterday and found a huge display of Christmas flowers. I understand the amaryllis which take 8 weeks to grow and flower, but who buys poinsettias in early November? So I had a little rant (more like an annoyed observation) to the poor floral clerk who admitted that she also thought the store was rushing the season.
I don't think I would have sounded off about Christmas Creep 10 years ago.
Perhaps I am crankier now because I am retired? That is such a scary thought that I bought 3 amaryllis bulbs and went home and planted them.
Thus, I walked into the grocery store yesterday and found a huge display of Christmas flowers. I understand the amaryllis which take 8 weeks to grow and flower, but who buys poinsettias in early November? So I had a little rant (more like an annoyed observation) to the poor floral clerk who admitted that she also thought the store was rushing the season.
I don't think I would have sounded off about Christmas Creep 10 years ago.
Perhaps I am crankier now because I am retired? That is such a scary thought that I bought 3 amaryllis bulbs and went home and planted them.
Thursday, 3 November 2011
#114: Info Service
While I was at the preview night for the Friends of the Library book sale, I encountered one of the organizers, a retired librarian, standing by the exit with her smart phone. "The reception is better here, so I'm looking up an author for someone" she explained, adding "You never stop being a librarian!"
Too true. I've just spent an hour putting together a rather involved answer to a reference question for a friend.
I was glad to do it. "Can you find out something about....." is a request I cannot ignore.
But now the information desk is closed and I am back to packing for my trip to Saskatoon. I'll get to hang out with my librarian daughter, talk shop, and no lieu time or holidays days were required.
Too true. I've just spent an hour putting together a rather involved answer to a reference question for a friend.
I was glad to do it. "Can you find out something about....." is a request I cannot ignore.
But now the information desk is closed and I am back to packing for my trip to Saskatoon. I'll get to hang out with my librarian daughter, talk shop, and no lieu time or holidays days were required.
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
#113: Trekking
In our neck of the woods Star Trek is on at 12 noon, so I occasionally join my husband for lunch with Captain Kirk.
We saw all these programs and loved them when they originally aired back in 1966, but I remember none of the details-- just the characters and a few tag lines like "Beam me up Scotty". Watching the reruns is like seeing them for the first time. I have no idea how each episode will unfold. My fellow Trekkie, however, recalls all the details and doesn't mind sharing. "This is where the bad guy from the penal colony arrives." "Here's where Kirk is at the OK Corral".
I enjoy the commentary, and the company. The closest I got to Star Trek while at work was once a year when I turned up in my "Information Officer on the Enterprise" Halloween costume.
We saw all these programs and loved them when they originally aired back in 1966, but I remember none of the details-- just the characters and a few tag lines like "Beam me up Scotty". Watching the reruns is like seeing them for the first time. I have no idea how each episode will unfold. My fellow Trekkie, however, recalls all the details and doesn't mind sharing. "This is where the bad guy from the penal colony arrives." "Here's where Kirk is at the OK Corral".
I enjoy the commentary, and the company. The closest I got to Star Trek while at work was once a year when I turned up in my "Information Officer on the Enterprise" Halloween costume.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
#112: Early bird
Why do older folks take advantage of restaurants' early bird specials? I would like to think that it because a 5 o'clock meal guarantees more time for evening activities such as movies, concerts, dance lessons, or book groups.
My book club meets tonight and I am so happy that this is no longer an after work activity.
I now have time to prepare dinner from scratch, eat it, and get out the door in time for the 7:30 meeting. I will even be able to quickly review the book which I read about two years ago and have totally forgotten.
On second thought, I should planned an even earlier dinner -- 4:00, or maybe 3:30?
My book club meets tonight and I am so happy that this is no longer an after work activity.
I now have time to prepare dinner from scratch, eat it, and get out the door in time for the 7:30 meeting. I will even be able to quickly review the book which I read about two years ago and have totally forgotten.
On second thought, I should planned an even earlier dinner -- 4:00, or maybe 3:30?
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