Optometrist
I went to the optometrist. Although I’m glad I went, it was the most uncomfortable I’ve felt in months.
My appointment was the first of the day. Masks required. Someone came outside and took my temperature with one of those remote gun-things. He asked me questions about fever, cough, etc. I passed the first test.
I was invited in and directed to wash my hands at a sink down the hallway. I did that. Then all the testing began. I signed up for two extra tests not covered by insurance, because I have weird things in my eyes (drusen) that could morph into macular degeneration at some point.
The doctor was thorough and made a small change to the progressive part of my prescription. She was reviewing test results from the fancy machines and wanted one of the images redone. I had to go back to another room, and at one point, it was me and three employees.
Other than Dale, it was the closest I’ve been to anyone since this whole business started, and I found myself trying to crawl into the wall. I didn’t say anything, mostly because it was over quick.
Then I went out into the optical area, where I was still the only patient allowed inside. I wanted my sunglasses replaced exactly as is – new frames but the same brand and style, same coatings, etc. So, that was easy. The technician asked me what I wanted in new regular frames, and I said something similar to what I have now.
She took me over to a wall and explained everything I tried on would be put into a basket for disinfecting. She pulled out the first pair, and I loved them. They are perfect. It was the fastest I’ve ever picked out frames in my life!
Now it’s a waiting game. Surprise – she said orders are taking longer than normal.
Artistic Endeavors
I’m continuing my relentless pursuit of nothing much in particular. I finished two more woodburning pieces and have started adding photos to my gallery. I still don’t know what I’ll do with these creations, but there they are.
Although I’m a novice at all artistic endeavors, I put it out there for you to see partly because it helps validate my experience … as in, yes, I am really doing this. It’s not perfect, but that’s OK. I also want to show how retirement activities evolve. Sometimes it feels like anything is possible.
I splurged on fancy colored pencils. They just came yesterday, so I haven’t had a chance to try them out yet. The cheapo ones are fine for now.
climbing mountains
On the entertainment front, I watched a movie on Amazon Prime called, “Edie.” It’s about an 83-year-old woman in England who feels she wasted her life and now wants to climb a mountain in Scotland. It made me wonder about the definition of a wasted life.
Unlike Edie, I’ve gone after almost everything I wanted in life. However, in the grand scheme of things, I haven’t accomplished much. I consider making enough money to retire my greatest achievement. And here I am approaching 65, piddling around and relishing in simple pleasures.
I guess you could say the slacker retirement model works for me … at least for now. I am the happiest I’ve been. I don’t miss my career. I enjoy how I spend my time on the planet. Of course, the go-go model is another option, but I see that as just another race, only the rats are different.
But never say never. I suspect we experience different phases throughout retirement. Three years in, I might still be in my nesting phase, but something might switch over, and I’ll wake up wanting to climb that mountain. If we’re lucky, we get to make choices along the way.
I asked Dale what he thought, and his response was so profound I immediately ran to get a piece of paper and pen to write it down, but by the time I returned, we could barely reconstruct what he said. It was something like this:
If you can do what makes you happy and help people along the way, then that is a life well-lived.
Pretty good, yes?
You wood burnings are spectacular! I see a gallery show in your future. (If we all get to have a go to the gallery future)
You are so kind! May we all have a gallery in our future.
I think your wood burning art creations are awesome Donna – especially combined with the use of colours. I’d encourage you to keep on tinkering. It’s great to have an artistic outlet for ones creative side.
Thank you, Derek. It’s interesting. For many years, I did what I needed to do and earned a good living, but I didn’t find much satisfaction. Now I create this stuff and have no idea what to do with it. So, I just keep going. Way more satisfying than a job!
Really, your wood designs and colors are wonderful! Dale’s comment is spot on:)
Thank you! I love it when he surprises me with a comment like that.
Really nice looking! Could you do a little tutorial about what you exactly use and how to do the burning and coloring? Looks like something fun to plan for during a long cold winter!
Sure — I’ll start working on it!
Thank you so much for doing that! Between upcoming knee replacement surgery on 9/11…. limiting interactions and having no family and being alone, I thought this looked like something fun to try to do maybe. I have no artistic talent. It always liked to doodle! Maybe can order the burner and whatever type of pencils for color you use, via Amazon……thank you again!
You are welcome. I already wrote it, but I asked my sister to read it with a critical eye first. To be posted soon!
I added a woodburning tutorial to the downloads page. Once you click on the document, there’s a toolbar at the bottom that will let you download, print or whatever. Please let me know if you have questions or run into any problems. Good luck with your surgery!
I’m interested in a tutorial! I also think Donna should have a gallery show. I’m wondering if a coat of varnish would set off the colors. 🙂 They’re beautiful!
Best,
Pam
Thanks, Pam! The pencils I use to color are sort of muted, almost like a weathered tattoo. I use gloss sealer, and that does help set off the colors. I started using the fancy oil-based pencils this week, and the colors are much more vibrant. The different pencils produce different results, but I like them both and will continue to experiment. Can’t wait to finish the current piece so I can add it to the gallery and you can see the difference.
that comment is so good that i copied it into my journal. Thank you! This was a timely post for me – i’m a couple of years into retirement and sort of thinking i should be “doing” more – i liked your remark about the “go-go” model of retirement being a sort of different rat race
It does seem like a lot of retirees press themselves to do more or otherwise feel guilty for not doing enough. Think of this blog as the resistance. I’m glad you liked his comment! Journal-worthy — that will make him happy.
Love the wood burning..especially the COLORS!!
I have a skin lesion removal on Sept. 1 and not thrilled to have to be in their office for a while..but they are being extremely careful, only Doctor and assistant and me in the room, all masked. Still,if I could avoid it I would, but I can’t.
I enjoyed the few weekly social activities I had on my calendar pre-Covid, but somehow am developing a new slower approach to daily life and just hunkering down for a “Round Two..” Just accepting “what is..”
Cooking,art, music, pool, movies, occasional intelligent discussion with hubby (Ted talks help..) and an every other dinner where our son comes over.. he is also isolating,able to work at home.
Life’s small pleasures have become something we savor.
Thanks — I started using the new pencils yesterday, and the colors explode!
I’m with you on hunkering down for round two. Some days are harder than others, but at least we are fortunate enough to enjoy those small pleasures.
I needed this one today. Too much “doomscrolling” – your blog is like a nice breeze on a stagnant summer day. I’m also 3 years into retirement after a “rat race” corporate job and I don’t miss anything about it. I was “giddylicious” happy the first year to just not be working. We sold a house, built a new one looking at the Blue Ridge Mountains and are now 5 hours from family and friends…great for our new world of social distancing. I have moments of “I should be doing more” but they pass as fast as the days. I’ve tried a couple of volunteer gigs, but have decided it’s just not my thing. I HATE the commitment part of it after 35 years of having my days dictated by others. It’s nice to know that someone else is living a retirement life without grandchildren, checklists and daily/monthly/yearly goals. Too many blogs like that out there – thanks for your perspective and sanity. Have a great week.
Hi Dot — your comment made my day! I am so happy to be a voice for our overlooked community of retirees without goals.