A couple of months ago, I wrote I would be changing the tagline of my blog, which was, “Aging badass with health, happiness and cannabis.”
I realize you aren’t breathless with anticipation about such routine blog matters, but your bookmarks might look funny as I work through the changes.
As my retirement journey evolves, I don’t think badass describes me well, unlike The Widow Badass, who definitely owns it and wins the prize for best blog name ever. And then there’s cannabis. I like it and continue to use it recreationally and medicinally but not as much as I expected. It doesn’t seem worthy of such prominent placement.
I’ve come to embrace the term slacker, as in a person who avoids work. Because I am definitely done with that pesky job thing. I changed the tagline to read, “The continuing adventures of a full-time slacker.”
Sounded great to me, but as I started to share the news with you, I looked up the definition, which described people who shirk obligation, particularly military service. Well, that would not be me! Perhaps I am being too literal, but I deleted that tagline and left the space blank. Is blank best?
As for retirement, I seem to have landed in a happy place devoid of ambition. I do what needs to be done around the house and that sort of thing, but the rest of my energy is focused on activities that give me pleasure. I see myself as the face of resistance to over-engineering retirement, which isn’t a contest to see who accomplishes the most.
In retirement, there are no performance reviews.
I updated my About Me profile to read:
My full-time job is to take care of myself, be kind to others, enjoy simple pleasures and indulge in creative pursuits. I like to play golf, walk, swim, cook, read, write, watch TV, listen to music, make art and grow cannabis.
That pretty much sums it up. Maybe I don’t need a tagline. I would love to hear your thoughts, if you should be so inclined.
THE PANDEMIC PRESIDENT
Like everyone else, I woke up to news that the president and his wife tested positive for COVID-19. I seriously hope this gives them some perspective on the pandemic … that maybe science is real? Maybe setting a positive example would be good for America? The other option is that he’ll only have mild symptoms and come back claiming he was right – no worse than a cold.
Whatever. He has been irresponsible, and now here we are.
Pizza!
Dale makes pizza almost every Friday. He makes the dough on Thursday and lets it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Tonight’s is one of my all-time favorites. It’s a white pizza with bechamel sauce made with parmesan cheese. That goes on the bottom, and then he tops it with mozzarella, smoked gouda, red onions, capers and smoked salmon.
We were going through the grocery list, and I said be sure to check the milk because you’ll need it for the bechamel. A few minutes later, he said, “Oh, and I’d better check the milk.”
I just said that.
No, you didn’t.
Yard work
We finished cleaning up the backyard without killing each other. It’s not going to win a yard beautiful contest, but it looks clean and well-maintained. Our unlimited yard waste day is next week, and we have 17 bags ready to go! There are some areas with small stones that have thinned out, so when the bags are gone, we’ll add more stones.
Then we’ll be pretty much done. There are bare spots in the beds along the fence line that could use plants, but now we can take our time and deal with that as the mood strikes us.
Oh, and we may replace the pavers. As for ongoing maintenance, we have a small patch of grass I usually mow with a push mower. It takes less than 10 minutes. An occasional blow and some spot trimming, and the yard becomes quite manageable.
Now the backyard looks good and the air quality is bad, so we’re not spending any time out there, but the smoke is supposed to clear soon. Fall is my favorite season, and it looks like we’re headed for some lovely weather.
I was grumbling about all the labor involved with this yard project, but it occurred to me I would rather take care of our home than hold down a regular job. I’d rather clean my house than work so I can pay someone else to clean my house.
Even though I fared quite well in the business world, I’ve always been somewhat contemptuous of the whole scene.
Like you, Donna, I consider my home and myself the object of my work in retirement. When I’m asked, “What do you do?” I often respond, “I look after myself and my home.” One thing I’ve noticed in retirement is that I can no longer use work as an excuse not to have projects done. I often said those things I used to do before 8am and after 5pm would now be done between 8 & 5. The truth is, the “work” happens between 10 & 5.
“I see myself as the face of resistance to over-engineering retirement, which isn’t a contest to see who accomplishes the most.” I love this line. I don’t see you as a slacker. You seem to be committed to your health, home and relationship.
Thank you, Mona, for your most excellent insights! I’m thinking you are correct. Slacker isn’t the best description. I’m leaning toward no description at all!
I love what you said about looking after yourself and your home. As a young woman, I would have run fast from such a sentiment. But as you get older, you see home in a different way.
Thank you for the shoutout, Donna! And the kind words. I think you definitely have earned the badass moniker. What’s wrong with being a badass slacker?😁
Deb
And you have earned the shoutout! I’m thinking neither badass nor slacker, but it does have a nice ring to it.
I have no problem with the word slacker or the word lazy when it comes to retirement, lol. I’ve occasionally worked at home on my own schedule to make money (mainly cause I like sewing and freelancing and if somebody wants on occasion to pay me for doing fun things thats peachy). But I’ve never been willing to earn money to pay others to do things for me that I can do. I suppose this year I might have broken down and hired a shoveled if I stayed. As for laziness, its eleven and I’m still in Jammies and a sweater.
Jammies are good! I guess the whole point is that retirement is an opportunity to go at whatever pace suits us — sometimes lazy, sometimes not, but it’s our choice.
If you really need a tagline, I liked your line, ‘a happy place devoid of ambition.’
So far, you’re dead-on in your assessment of the pandemic prez…’no worse than the flu.’ I’m beyond words.
Thank you — it really is true — a happy place devoid of ambition. As for the prez, I’m beyond words as well.