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Goodbye Lucy, See you Later, Van Life

The deal is done. Lucy the Van is moving to Montana, and will be home to a young woman who plans to spend some time as a full time van lifer, and then who knows what her next will be. Thanks to Van Life Trader, a website that worked really well for selling in this […]

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Y is for Yes!

Over this month, I’m learning more about what I want to say yes to in my life going forward, as well as those items or ways of being that I’m willing to let go. I’m recognizing that pacing matters. It’s not new but it’s a reconfirmed understanding. I don’t like to hurry. Related to that […]

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Reassessing

It’s R day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Reassessing seems a good thing to explore as I am finding it an important component on my new journey of retirement. What matters to me now? What do I want to keep? What is it time to let go of or do differently? Sounds […]

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I Quit

I quit working. Finally, after many years, I don’t have a next on the work for pay list. Done. Three weeks ago was my last day seeing clients. I’m not missing work, or the schedule. I’m surprised by how quickly I can lose track of days. I’d like it not to matter at all what […]

What’s Next?

Odd Squad is a children’s program PBS. All the “agents” have names starting with O, and they investigate all manner of bizarre and absurd events. It’s funny, and my child self would have enjoyed this a lot (think Monty Python for kids). One of the characters is Doctor O. Once she’s finished with a problem, […]

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Magpies, meadowlarks, Mergansers and More

Its M day in the Blogging from A to Z April challenge. Halfway through the month and the alphabet. My theme this year is split between two; this is the first month of my retirement and it is the fourth month of recovery from the Marshall Fire in my area. Today’s post covers both themes. […]

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No Hurry

I guess I better hurry, this post was “due” on Saturday. Actually, I’m not hurrying. It will or will not get done. Part of this challenge for me is allowing. This is my first month of full retirement, and I’m tired of feeling obligated or scheduled. So, doing things when and if I feel like […]

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Good? Grief

Apologies to Charles Schulz and Charlie Brown. I’m behind on my A to Z challenge. I stalled out whilst working on G, which I originally intended to be on gardening. One of the deals I made with myself in taking on this challenge in my first month of retirement is viewing the challenge as an […]

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F is for Fun

I thought about using Fire for my F word today, as it, along with retirement, is this months blogging theme. Instead, I’m choosing Fun. In the aftermath of the Marshall Fire, and following many years of working, first as a family physician, then as a therapist specializing in trauma, both fascinating and intense occupations, I’m […]

D is for Ducks

Ducks? OK, Steph, you said the themes for this month are retirement and fires. How do ducks fit in? Well, mid-morning yesterday, BA and I were taking a walk. Down to the tiny “fishing” pond in an open space area half a mile from the house. And sure enough, there were ducks and geese down […]

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C is for chores and choice

This retirement thing is work. As a self-employed person, stopping seeing clients isn’t the end. Cleaning out my desk and turning in my key, like one sees in movies isn’t how it goes. Yes, I’ve cleaned out my desk and removed some stuff from my office. I’ve spoken with my landlord and we’ve a plan […]

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A is for Ambivalent

So, here it is April 1. Last year, I found out about the Blogging from A to Z challenge a few days into the month. I liked the idea and began participating. I made it through R before I ran out of motivation. I told myself that this year I’d do the whole thing. And […]

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Winding Down

I’ve been working for a long time. Sometime in the early 1960’s I started having chores around the house, and to collect my miniscule allowance, those chores had to be completed. Then other jobs appeared that could be done for pay. As the oldest child of 4, I started babysitting young. My parents got both […]