So, I have been retired from my (paid) job at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage for almost a year. How has it been, those of you contemplating “the big move” might ask?
I do like to loaf around, sitting or lying on the couch, reading magazines or stuff on my phone (you can waste a lot of time doing that, but also learn a lot from whatever is coming through your news feed!). And I do watch my share of streaming content. But that definitely gets boring after awhile. For me, it’s more a reward than a default.
I also like to sleep in. But, two or three days a week, I rouse myself to go to water exercise at our local high school pool. We are mostly “women of a certain age” although a few are younger and occasionally a stray man will wander in. It is a fun and well-traveled group, who casually say things like, “When I was in Paris last week…” or “I just got back from a three-week trip down the Amazon.” (That from the oldest of us, too. She’s been down the Amazon at least twice.) I can also throw in things like “I won’t be here for the next few weeks because we’re going to the Nordic Countries… see you later!”
Once a week, if I’m “in town,” I go into my old office. Some people, when they retire, don’t want to go within miles of their old office. (In fact, they move away to avoid going anywhere near it, I think in some cases.) But, I like my old office, and the people therein.
I am an official Smithsonian volunteer, which comes with perks. But mostly I wanted to be able to have lunch once a week with my best work buds, and get all the latest gossip. Since we don’t have a receptionist on duty at the Front Desk, that is my realm and it is very cozy. From there, I dispense wisdom, answer the general number phone messages if there are any, and let people into the front door who don’t have a key card or forgot theirs. I also do some work, if anyone needs anything done. It’s fun!
Those are my regular gigs, along with physical therapy (ugh, that comes with getting older). If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you have followed our travels this summer and into the early fall. Trips with husband Steve and with “girl pals” help break up the “monotony.”
Keeping intellectually and professionally relevant, learning new things and accomplishing service to local and further afield communities, is also something that retirees have time to do. For my part, I fulfilled a goal to take the Master Gardener class here in Northern Virginia, and work toward certification as a Master Gardener volunteer. Class began in September and just ended (with graduation!) a few weeks ago, and it was A LOT OF WORK! Now we are “interns” and have 60 hours of service to do before certification. Not for the faint of heart.
I’m also serving on the American Folklore Society Executive Board. That keeps me on my toes, and I have also met a few folks in our field that I didn’t know before who are on the Board. Hard to believe, since it is a small field and I have been involved for the past 40 years, but it’s been great.
That’s a glimpse into how I’ve been spending my retirement so far, and here are a few pix from the adventure. Keep tuning in to find out what else I’ve been doing, seeing, experiencing, and feel free to share your own retirement activities in the comments!
My latest collage project has been making new business cards (from my old ones) with a unique mini collage on one side! Gave these all out at the annual American Folklore Society meetings in Albuquerque earlier this month… time to start a new batch!
