My Dad didn't mind travelling ... if there was a friend or relative at the other end to make the trip worthwhile. I like it better than he, but did trans-Pacific three times, and round -the-world once, so have done a good bit of it, in earlier times. On the first trans-Pacific trip (I'd never seen the ocean till that summer of '53) we left Los Angeles on a Swedish ship with six passengers, travelled north of Hawaii, not too far from the Aleutians, I think, on our way to the Philippines .... out of sight of land for 18 days: gives one an idea that this world is a big place! As we entered Manila Bay, about 30 miles long, we passed Corregidor, the last hold-out as the Japanese took the Philippines, from which Macarthur departed by sub, vowing to return. I thought that, had our ship been in those waters, 10 years earlier, we'd have had two choices - go into port, to be interned ... or go below. I figured that in that great war, those guys and gals had bought us some time, and that it was our job to learn how to build a world where we could get along with one another, not just "without fighting" ... but where we could have really positive lifestyles, respecting and caring for one another. I get some lonely at times, but have lived alone for over 40 years, some of it sharing with an arm's length friend, and have learned to build pretty well the life that I choose. Some have suggested that I get on with life - to remarry, etc. but I maintained a sense of affection for the former spouse, even though we scarcely ever spoke. Part of it related some to the situation that, after one had been run over by a truck ... when one heard truck wheels coming down the road ... one started to shake. She died nine years ago. Not having come to terms with that and having taken more active interest in finding another candidate for a closer relationship may have meant a less interesting life ... but we'll never know about that. One offspring married for about 5 years, broke up and has had a couple of relationships since, one currently operational. The other hadn't had a close relationship till past 40, has built one in recent years but is keeping that at somewhat arm's part-length (his instigation, I think). I have a number of interests, including that mile of garden row last summer, that I did only a half-assed job of operating: last summer was not a good time for gardening, many local gardeners claim. I have interests at church and in the community, and friends in different areas of living. I've sometimes suggested to folks approaching .. or in ... seniorhood that it's a good idea to keep making new friends ... cause the current ones tend to die off on one: a tendency that becomes more pronounced as one advances in years I've heard. I find that as I move about in the community, I'll make a comment to strangers on the street, in the checkout line at the store, etc., and suspect that I'd do less of that if I shared house with someone(s). Usually there's a good, short, exchange ... and seldom do I get chopped of, and seldom by women, either: I look rather old and harmless, I guess. I enjoy living in the country, grew up on a farm, and figure that I can live in what used to be uncle's house as long as I can drive. I've suggested to landlord that one of his becoming-adult sons may want the house, but he says that I can live there as long as I choose. I think that the eldest might want to have a fancier house than the one that I inhabit. He and his girlfriend broke up a while ago, which set him back on his heels some. We have a non-contributory government payout program, (term of residence required) and a mandatory contributory national pension plan, plus my partial private pension and personal retirement program ... and I am able to manage, Frugal Fella that I am (by choice) to live within them. While many clergy in an earlier time lived in employer-provided housing, they knew that when they became unemployed or retired ... that deal would die, so they'd need to provide their own. They had the advantage of being able to save for that, not be living in accommodation only partly theirs, and partly the bank's ... for which the bank expected (reducing) compensation, over many years. Along with that saving plan, however, it was important to put some current income aside for possible need during one's retirement years. As I live within my pensions ... I regard my investments as more or less "play money" ... ... that I may need in case of health problems or need for care in future. Or can leave to offspring and charities. As my body has seldom told me, "Listen, you darned (now 'old') fool - I can't do that for you any more!" ... I've been sort of spoiled, over the years. I think that one of my major concerns is the possibility of becoming disabled, of the physical or mental variety. All in all ... I'm pleased with my life as it is. And very thankful. ole joyful ... well - that, too!

A month and a half later ... I'm feeling more complacent about the driving situation. And find that I drive less than earlier (apart from the gas-cost issue!). I've been working on my substantial garden, recently ... but have pretty well run out of space, with quite a few seeds let over - but the corn's sort of spotty, so unless some of the laggards come up pretty soon, I'll be putting more corn seeds into those blank spots. And no potatoes planted, either: no room. Planning on some major travelling this summer - to Mom's family's reunion at my retired brother's farm near Regina, capital of Saskatchewan, north of ND-Montana border, with possibly visiting with some KT people en route. Plus travel to a reunion of former Korea missionaries at Methodist Conference centre at Lake Junaluska, NC, at the end of July, with a visit with my niece and family in nw GA ... and possibly a visit with a KT person or two (visited Pooh Bear, near Chattanooga, three years ago). Plus ... daughter, who recently bought home near Phoenix, tells me that I'm to visit her for 80th birthday, next Jan. Who knows ... maybe I'll stay on till spring?? I've been looking for someone who'd share two houses with me - here in Ontario in winter ... and in FL or AZ in summer ... but it seems that folks willing to agree to such an arrangement are about as scarce as ... hen's teeth (as Dad used to say). Just some more musings as I make my way through the interesting experience called "retirement" (or something). ple joyful

I'm 56 and retired on a small pension. I packed up my house and travelled for months. I then returned home and moved to another city - one i like much better. I love being free from my uncontrollable need to make other people happy, to look after them and make them feel loved. I spent many years trying to make my violent unhappy husband happy but to no avail. I then gave myself, my time and energy to work, work friends and my children. Now to be able to live in silence and listen to the birds, to be able to sleep all day, watch tv all day, knit all day, go to town all day, read, surf the net, walk the parks and beach close to my place, visit interesting places is heavenly. I'm never bored or lonely. But most of all getting to know myself and i'm learning to be kind and loving to me. PS my biggest challenge is feeling the need to explain this to my friends and family who are bemused and worried about me, but i decided not to try and explain it, I decided to just be me.

By the time you read this, I hope you will have had a wonderful experience, filled with friends, colleagues and best wishes for a wonderful retirement!