A transformation is occurring in American life—middle-class Americans are taking more active responsibility for their financial futures. The change is good and probably profound, yet it appears induced by worry over a weak economy.
Should Old Men Get New Teeth, or Merely Philosophize about It?
Old age comes gradually, yet its arrival is often punctuated by unwanted events, like a visit to a dentist. So it was for Daniel Klein, author of, “Travels with Epicurus—A Journey to a Greek Island in Search of a Fulfilled Life.” Mr. Klein’s dentist recommended he spend thousands of dollars to buy implants, which would require nearly a year of painful appointments with an oral surgeon and several weeks of living on the equivalent of baby food. Continue reading
Hang On to Humor as You Slide toward the Grave
We’re all sliding toward the grave, and older people naturally think about it more. Maybe that is one of the reasons many old people sink into despair. I say, “To hell with despair.” We all know where we’re going, so let’s have some fun along the way. Humor surely gives as much help for despair as a shrink, and it’s free.
- A lawyer called his client overseas to tell him his mother-in-law passed away. “Should we order burial, embalming or cremation,” asked the lawyer. The fellow replied, “Take no chances—do all three.” (unknown author) Continue reading
After the Election: What Is Next for Retirees?
The Maine photos of last week offered a respite from election turmoil. Life is heading toward normal now. The political advertisements relented suddenly, and election forecasting and handicapping stopped. Yet important policy issues, some involving seniors, remain unresolved, therefore a peculiar, almost restful anxiety appears to be growing in the country. Continue reading
Enough Election—Let’s Go to Maine
A working Maine Farm, with barn attached to house, selling pumpkins.
I write tonight while most everyone else is likely watching election returns. After the votes are counted, let’s break away and go to Maine. Continue reading
New York City Before Sandy
My wife, Barbara, and I traveled to New York City on October 22, and we left a few days before Sandy hit. We were on a “retirement vacation,” which is a vacation from retirement, and we visited a friend who lives in New York.
Some images of New Yorkers follow. The photos show people doing ordinary things, and they offer a contrast to the images now on television. Ordinary things offer a goal toward which New Yorkers now work.
An age-old group
The Well-Kept Secret about Longevity Insurance
In America we can always find things for sale that we do not need, and for most people longevity insurance may well fall into that category. A retiree who can manage investments and control spending should be able to provide his own longevity insurance. Continue reading
Hawking: Meet Jim Keighton on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
People often wonder what they will do when they retire, and many delay retirement because they feel uneasy about striking out anew. Jim Keighton, a retired middle-school science teacher, has solved the problem for himself. Jim has doubled-down on birding, especially with hawks, a hobby he started as a boy. As I wrote about hunting, retired men often return to activities from their youth. Continue reading
Memories As Moments of Peacefulness
[A week or so ago I mistakenly published this post for a few minutes. Emails were sent out to subscribers, but the post was not available except in the email. It was supposed to be published October 2, as it now is. Sorry for the confusion.]
In later life it seems memories occupy our minds, crowding out missions, goals, and objectives. Recalling the past is a worthy enterprise especially if we bring to mind hopeful experiences or beautiful images.
Fall is here—temperatures are cooling—and winter is surely coming. Continue reading
A Summer Retrospective—Southern Magnolia
The smothering heat of summer is gone, and from a cooler vantage point, we can look back to one element of summer that has special charm—the southern magnolia. The magnolia is a large tree with dark green, leathery leaves and spectacular white flowers.
Today we look back a few weeks and view images of magnolia blossoms at their most beautiful, from their beginning as flower buds to the end as fruits with developing seeds. Continue reading