Aging My Way
One of the best things about being retired is that you are not usually beholden to someone else’s schedule. And one of the more dubious things about being retired is having a full day ahead of you and deciding how to make it count.
I’ve been retired for 19 years now, and you would think I had that aspect perfected. Ha!
It was easier the first nine years, when I lived in my RV full time and had road trips to plan and all of this country to visit. It was even easier for the next five or six years when I was more mobile and could still hike a trail.
But my mobility became a bit restrained this past year. I’ve become mostly a nest dweller. Now, it’s a nice nest, with good neighbors and a caring granddaughter and her wife living just next door, so I’m not complaining. The truth is, I’m really enjoying this period of my life.
But that still leaves me waking each morning and wondering how I’m going to spend the day. Not so easy as it seems – especially because I’ve never wanted one day to be like the next. It helps, however, that my activity basket is quite overflowing – and my daily self-generated to-do list is always too long to finish.
I do art, I write, I review books, I judge books, I birdwatch, I watch TV, although I read much more than sitting in front of a screen. I also listen to audible books. I keep up with all my own household chores except ones requiring heavy lifting, and I even do a little yard work. I email and have snail-mail pen pals. I journal and moderate a writing chat group. I cook. I visit the library, go to a play, attend a movie, or even party with friends. And I walk my dog, which gets me outdoors where I can do a little nature observing. I also try to learn something new each day, even if it’s just a new word.
But I’m always open to something different. And I found it a couple of weeks ago. I’m taking a poetry class – me who in all my nearly 60 years of writing never wrote poetry. So, here’s my first assignment. Of course, it’s about my canine companion.
My Dog Scamp
A lap full of hair
A nose full of sniffing
Four prints in the sand
And a tail always wagging
A tongue full of kisses
A belly full of rumbling
Brown eyes that melt hearts
And ears up for alerting
A balance to my life
A companion worth having
Pat Bean's blog 
It sounds a busy retired life, but there is always room to try something new. Scamp sounds a delight.
He is. Thanks for commenting tidalscribe.
A wonderful poem about your 4-legged companion.
Thanks Pit.
👍
We’re newly retired and still looking for new things to do each day. Thank you for some great ideas! Love your poem.
Thanks Robin for reading my blog as one of your new things to do.
Love your poem and Scamp does have those eyes that melt hearts in spades 🙂 I strongly believe in learning something new every day or every week. A being in motion stays in motion type of thing and it is the whole and the wellness of the whole being too. Happy Day – ENJOY!
Thanks cravesadventure. I will enjoy. You, too.