Novice Blunders

On my first day of running errands as a retiree, I was surprised to find Wegmans full of seniors lunching and shopping. It was almost as crowded as a weekend but with a slower vibe. Then, on the way home, I was stuck in traffic for 30 minutes when I took a two-lane road that goes right by a high school. It was dismissal time, and the backup was phenomenal as student drivers, parents, staff, buses, and non-school traffic tried converging on the narrow road. We were also impeded by a light at the t-junction ahead, so traffic only inched along during the green.

I have filed the experience under live and learn. Still, as I piloted my cart around meandering shoppers and then again as I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, I did question whether this retirement situation is all it's cracked up to be.

And So It Goes

An unfamiliar number flashed on my screen this afternoon, and so I let the call go to voicemail.

Surprise!

The new fridge that was supposed to be delivered on September 2 has been delayed.

Fortunately, the old one is chugging along now that it's repaired, and the service company is on speed dial.

Preferred Pronouns

I went to school today to help Heidi set up her tech, unpack, and organize her stuff. We chatted as we worked, and I had to correct myself several times after referring to "our school," "my classroom," "my tables," or "my job." 

It's getting easier, though.

If It Is Broke

The refrigerator repairman came just when he said he would and texted a 20-minute warning as promised, too. He examined the old thing kindly, and his diagnosis was hopeful. For under 300 dollars, he could have everything fixed. It would be an hour today and a follow-up next Monday, but the fridge would be working when he left, and the ice maker would be working on Monday.

I hesitated for a moment. I needed it to work until the new one was delivered, and I didn't want to overpay. When I explained the situation to him, he gave me several options with estimates to go along with them. "It's a good machine," he commented. "They really don't make them like this anymore."

I considered my choices. What if we could keep this refrigerator from the junk heap for another few years or more? With a reliable repair company, it seemed very possible.

"Let's fix it all!" I said and crossed my fingers.

My New Life

 

Early Bird Special

We took my aunt and uncle to a matinee performance of Beautiful: The Carole King Story at a theater near their retirement community. The four of us agreed the show was terrific-- good performances and great music, although looking around at my fellow theatre-goers I noted that Heidi and I were among the youngest there.

Since we had purchased the tickets (3 seniors and 1 adult), they invited us to a meal afterward, so we found ourselves in a line of older folks waiting for a table at a nearby tavern at 4:30 PM, a good 3 hours before we usually eat. The college-age wait staff was friendly, patient, and deferential, and service was very quick; I had my salad within 10 minutes. 

Sometimes I chafe at such an interruption in my routine, and I confess to a moment of despair when I wondered if matinees and 4:30 dinners were what I had to look forward to as I approach my golden years. But tucked away in a cozy windowless booth in a corner of the restaurant, I realized that it could be any time of day or night, and I might never know unless I chose to look at a watch. 

Routines, like time, are just constructs, and it's okay to break them once in a while or even to let them evolve.

Market Share

"You have a little icebreaker activity you have to do for Monday," I told Heidi as I read her school email. (I know, I know, but I had a good reason to be on there-- I wanted to see how much money Treat will be making as a first-year 8th-grade English teacher since he was just hired for that job, and I can't access the staff resources as a retiree.)

She groaned as I turned my screen around to show her the slide she was supposed to fill in. "I'll do it for you!" I offered. "Find a picture you like, and I can do the rest."

Five minutes later, we laughed at how quick and easy it was. "I can't wait to tell the people at school," Heidi said. "They are going to be so jealous."

"It was fun!" I told her. "I love creating materials!" The truth is, I loved all the parts of teaching, but there were just too many of them. "Maybe I can start a teacher task rabbit service where I can do the things that teachers are too busy to do."

She nodded, "That would be great if only teachers could afford to hire you."