When I retired, some ten years ago now, I was given lots of
advice. The key principle seemed to be that I should keep "busy."
Poor man apparently would have a hard time finding things to do! Many
recommended that one should volunteer, helping to benefit all mankind.
Apparently forty years of teaching the youth of the nation hadn't counted for
too much.
To be successful in this vast endeavor, I was advised to
look for a "role model." Someone (often the one giving the advice)
who could show me the retirement ropes and was successful at it. I looked. And looked.
There he was right in front of me. His name was Simba. Mrs.
T’s precious cat. I watched him
carefully for several months. Fortunately, he had a basically invariable
routine. It was a pattern which I began to emulate especially during the long
and harsh Minnesota winters. Basically, it was to go from room to room and
follow the sun. Yup, that's it. Follow the sun. Then get comfortable.
Simba’s gone now but I have been working hard at it ever
since. It takes dedication and perseverance. The results speak for themselves.
Happy retirement. BTW. We’ve elaborated
on the principle a bit more recently by following it all the way to Florida….:)
Great idea! However, I know you're a very active guy. Reading counts!
ReplyDeleteSimba was a beauty and cats always have the best ideas! With birding and hiking you have some great outside interests...and reading when the MN weather chases you inside:)
ReplyDeleteSince our son was in the hospital for most of hubby's first year of retirement, we hardly slowed down. Now that he has been able to, he and the recliner have become very attached, especially in the cold weather.
ReplyDeleteBeing close to retiring I really enjoyed your post. Good advice! Follow the sun, not anyone's advice.
ReplyDeleteLove this series, Trout! :)
ReplyDeleteReaders of your blog know you two are anything BUT the "lay around" types.
ReplyDeleteHubby retired early---and a fellow that ran an antique store we were at commented that he wouldn't last 6 months---he'd be "bored". Eight years later, we're wondering when that will happen. That man must have had NO interests whatsoever. Hubby wonders how he ever had time to work.........
Since I retired I have found even more things to do. I was told to 'keep busy' but I think a bit more relaxation would be good. Simba definitely had the right idea. I would follow the sun if I could find it... smiles.
ReplyDeleteOur snuggly cat is gone too, but there was something special about having him purring on my lap.
ReplyDeleteYou gave me a good laugh and perhaps some pointers on who I should watch closer. My stable cats are terrible, I was shocked to see one running the other day.
ReplyDeleteYou seem pretty active for having used a housecoat as your retirement example, TB. And going to Florida for the winter seems like a great idea to me. :-)
ReplyDeletesuch a cute post! loved it. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the last photo! Very cute.
ReplyDeleteGreat post this morning, TB! You have mastered the art of retirement to a "T". Simba was a great teacher beside being a tummy warmer.
ReplyDeleteShe taught you well. We could all learn from the cat who knows no stress, lives to enjoy and will sleep on most problems.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice. I'm trying my hardest to follow it in Yuma this winter. ;)
ReplyDeleteI know just what you mean, TB. Sometimes I wake up in the morning with nothing to do, and find when I go to bed I didn't get it done.
ReplyDeletePretty smart taking lessons from Simba, and very smart following that sun all the way to Florida! My parents enjoyed that for quite a long time and now my sister and her husband have begun that trek!
ReplyDeleteI like that cat's schedule! I think we should all live like a cat---well, at least like one in my house. They live like kings!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Simba: follow the sun! What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteAh, fun post -- funny how one gets advice on what one should do when one is retired. Who should know better than a cat! -- barbara
ReplyDeleteFunny, my cat has the same philosophy of life! And when there is no sun, a heat vent will do. I think it makes good retirement advice. I've only been retired a year and I'm still in the stage of there not being enough hours in the day to do all the things I dreamed of doing! Thanks for the visit to my blog and kind words. I think I will enjoy your blog as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laugh.
ReplyDeleteI hope you haven't put any animal behaviorists out of work. Well, they could retire.