Most of you have already heard by now that I'm planning on retiring.
I haven't signed the papers yet - that's supposed to happen next Thursday. That'll get the ball rolling and the effective date will be either Feb. 1, or Mar. 1. Right around the corner! Yay!!!
As you can imagine, I'll have lots to say about all this - it will, after all, be a whole new phase of my life - but for now I just want to tell you about one of the things I'm going to miss most by not coming to the office every day.
I walked out of the office this morning to go check the mail, and glanced at this wonderful piece by Janet Bloch.
When I got back to the office I stopped to spend some time with it, as I've done quite often over the past 12 years. It's a collage just full of delightful and interesting things placed, tucked away, and hidden in whimsical array.
And here's the caption:
This piece has brought me a great deal of joy, and at times even a bit of peace & solace. No matter how crazy things might get, Peter Allen is always going to be sitting on the back of that bicycle with his arms wrapped tight around his friend, singing "Dear Prudence."
I love the thought of that.
Dear Prudence
(Lennon/McCartney)
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, open up your eyes
Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies
The wind is low, the birds will sing
That you are part of everything
Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes?
Look around round
Look around round round
Look around
Dear Prudence, let me see you smile
Dear Prudence, like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again
Dear Prudence, won't you let me see you smile?
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, open up your eyes
Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies
The wind is low, the birds will sing
That you are part of everything
Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes?
Look around round
Look around round round
Look around
Dear Prudence, let me see you smile
Dear Prudence, like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again
Dear Prudence, won't you let me see you smile?
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
15 comments:
I love this post! It's mix of art, song, and perhaps its autumnal feel is a beautiful one, Kaye. That is one special piece by Janet Block, too (along with that selection of Dear Prudence, one of my fav's from The White Album). Thanks so much for this, Kaye.
I'm sure retirement is going to be just another fun-filled adventure for you, Kaye. And of course everyone in the mystery world selfishly hopes it means that we get to see even more of you...
How exciting to have an actual date for your retirement. I know you'll fill all that 'spare' time with wonderful stuff!
Here's the truth about retirement, Kaye--If you have a lot of interests, it's very likely you'll end up working harder than ever.
The good news is that you're able to pick and choose how to wear yourself out. :)
That is a beautiful piece. It looks like one of those works that everytime you look at it, you see something else. I can image that you will be busier retired than you are now.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Retirement is wonderful! I retired August 31, just two months ago, and haven't regretted if for one moment. My favorite time now is Sunday night when I realize that I can have that extra cup of tea and finish the book I am reading because I do not have to get up early Monday morning! With your interests, family, and friends, you will be so pleased with yourself and life. Lovely post. Way to go, Kaye.
Michael, hey there! I'm glad you enjoyed this - it is kinda right up your alley, isn't it?!
Meredith - y'all are going to be SO sick of seeing me. Unfortunately for me, it'll all be "virtual." I will be a very poor retired person. I've opted for a life of poverty; but at least it'll be a life. But as Donald says, "we've been poor all our lives, why expect anything any different now?" My hubbie the philosophyer.
Vicki - As things happen, I heard from Celia this week. She & Nan are going to do another anthology, and I think I'm going to help them. Grunt work kinda stuff that they're just too busy to deal with. Looking forward to it.
Patricia, one thing I want to do is do some painting inside our little house. It's in desperate need. And yes, I do see some busy days ahead! And you are so right - picking and choosing how I exhaust myself will be a welcome change!
Mason, I love this Janet Block piece. WISH I could take it with me when I go, but that's not in the cards, I'm afraid. waaahhhhh.
Phyllis, hi! I really thought retirement might be a dream for me that wouldn't have a change in a million of coming true. I'm pretty excited about it, and now I'm also impatient for it to begin! My mom was tickled to death when I told her (I think she's already busy making plans).
Congratulations! After about a week, you'll be wondering how you ever had time for a job.
Yes, indeed, you will miss the people and the experiences you share with them. You will miss all the things you accomplished; your sense of self will change too. What you will gain is an enormous amount of freedom and serenity, a look into a future with a blank slate.
You can prepare for retirement; but it is a brand new experience most of us never imagined.
Bill - I think you're exactly right! My list of "want to dos" and "gotta dos" is growing by the minute!
Lakeviewer - I loved reading this - thank you! Your philosophy regarding this next passage is perfectly articulated, I think. I'm looking forward to my new "sense of self." (I love that!)
Kaye, just ask Joe. You're going to love retirement because you aren't just going to go home and sit in a rocking chair (although rocking chairs are okay, too, esp. if you have a porch that overlooks the mountain.)
Guess you knew that "Dear Prudence" was Mia Farrow?
Margaret, Hi! I did not know "Dear Prudence" was Mia Farrow! I need to know more about this, please!!
Love this post! Hope you will have lots of time to post more reflections in the future! :)
The best thing you can do right now is to sell half of your paintings.
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