We’ve had our dogs for 13 year [see above]. We got them when they were 6 weeks old and we had only been retired 6 weeks not what Mrs Summerhouse had in mind for our retirement she thought we were going to travel the world and then I showed up with two fluffy bundles and… Continue reading Dogs and worrying
Author: The Summer House Years
A blog about the psychology of retirement and finding a new identity while maintaining my self esteem. It's also about 'the missing link', an answer to that feeling that there must be more to retirement than this. Or is that just me?
What’s the secret to old age?
I came across this article in the weekend papers a couple of weeks ago. I’m attracted by anything old age related now I’m seventy eight. This guy – Jared Diamond (never heard of him, I admit) – is 88 and looking pretty good I thought. The sub-heading caught my attention – writer, academic, committed to… Continue reading What’s the secret to old age?
Vineyard 102 Another year experimenting
We have always described our vineyard as experimental and no year has been more experimental than 2026, so far at least. True much of the ‘experiment’ has been forced upon us through no choice of ours. A combination of events such as the partial retirement of our 83 year old ‘handyman’ who lives next to … Continue reading Vineyard 102 Another year experimenting
A piano and retirement
I have a question for all of us retirees, a simple one. If, in our retirement, we find ourselves with money in the bank, what should we do with it? Simple enough. A number of options present themselves – give it to a deserving cause; leave it to the children or spend it on ourselves… Continue reading A piano and retirement
A Retirement Imperative: Giving Back Your Own Way by Bruce Kirschner
My parents raised me with the notion that every one of us was responsible for giving back to others, not just family and friends, but the local community as well. They modeled that behavior. But as I look around it’s clear to see that most people are self-absorbed, typically being focused only on their own… Continue reading A Retirement Imperative: Giving Back Your Own Way by Bruce Kirschner
A guest blog from Rachael Dixey and a big thank you from me
In retirement, it’s the first time I’ve had a career plan. It’s ten years this year since I left paid work. It was as easy as taking off a coat that had got too hot, too heavy and too scratchy. In short, it was a relief. I knew I wanted to be an artist when… Continue reading A guest blog from Rachael Dixey and a big thank you from me
RIP David
When I was 40 (seems like a very long time ago, in fact it was a very long time ago)) I managed very nearly to meet three of my heroes within the space of a couple of weeks. I saw Bruce Springsteen at Roundhay Park, narrowly missed meeting Mike Brearley ( ex-England cricket captain) at… Continue reading RIP David
Regrets? well maybe one or two
I’ve written quite a few blogs over the last 13 years about regrets. Usually from the point of view of having very few of them and generally of having done what we wanted to do. But now, maybe it’s the number of funerals we’ve attended (2 or even 3 depending how you count them) that… Continue reading Regrets? well maybe one or two
3 Funerals and no wedding
My mother was always of a somewhat negative mind-set. ‘They say people are living longer, well, God help ‘em,’ was one of her favourites (she lived to 94 as a reward for her negativity). She insisted on calling the film ‘Three Weddings and a Funeral’, Three Funerals and a wedding. Well funnily enough she wasn’t… Continue reading 3 Funerals and no wedding
I don’t believe it
You might believe I’ve made this up. It certainly seems that way to me as I write about the experience a week or so later. To cut right to the chase, after nearly 13 years of retirement I seriously considered going to back to work. There, I’ve said it and jolly embarrassing it is to… Continue reading I don’t believe it