Separation Celebration

Separation Celebration
30 March 2013

The announcement on Facebook
Of celebrating retirements
Was the invitation's hook
To meet a party's requirements.
Annette and Earl get to ignore
That hated alarm clock chore,
Rolling over for one more snore
And don't report for work anymore.
Common folks, both young and old,
Gathered at Vicki's Ramona bungalow,
Socializing all over the threshold
Inside and out, going with the flow.
Eating before hunger could vanquish us,
Chicken was a stomach-filling contender.
The barbecue sauce was delicious;
With ham and short ribs being tender.
Mixing and mingling in knots,
While drinking soda and beer,
People were toasting with shots
Making for plenty of cheer.
A band was set up in the driveway
With dancing just because,
Live music was more organic that way.
What a fun party it was!

View Adieu

View Adieu
22 December 2012

By a series of jerks and tugs,
The old man awkwardly lugs
His familiar rocking chair
From it's usual spot to where
The best view appears.
Then he takes down the sheers
For an unobstructed sight
Of the winter solstice sunset.
He sits to catch the daylight,
Then he half-stands to reset
The rocker with a final salvo
So the sun is centered in his window.
He didn't always get to enjoy sunsets.
Much of life was earning a livelihood,
One of his best retirement assets
Is having time to enjoy as he should.
Only by glances can he watch the grand show.
On this eve of the longest darkness,
This late in the day, the sun's glow
Hurts his eyes to look at its starkness.
When the sun goes behind a tree.
The light decreases slightly.
Moving at its own stately pace,
The sun slowly slides with grace
Paralleling a palm tree trunk.
When the sun's two-thirds shrunk,
He stands to watch the radiance
Gradually diminish in brilliance.
Finally, the last sunbeams peek
Thru a tree branch's leak.
When the show's over, he tows
His chair back to where it goes.

Actually, he's not like he's made out to be
Because he's really just little ol' me.

Right Way Overnight Stay

Right Way Overnight Stay

6 February 2012

There's a smile on my face

And joy deep in my heart.

All day thru at my place

My thoughts get a kick start

Recalling to my mind

The recent visit with you.

Lounging around, inclined 

To taking our sweet time to 

Talk of this or that event,

Letting me acertain

That our time in retirement

Is pure gravy train.

I say thanks again for 

The omission of formality

And the pleasant ardor

Of gracious hospitality.

Permanent Vacation Choice of Vocation

Permanent Vacation Choice of Vocation

17 May 2011

My doctor’s office was next door

So I went to the fabric store.

I enjoyed walking down the aisles

And touching cloth gave me smiles,

Like calico cotton prints, flannel, velvet, velour,

Felt, lace, fleece, linen, chiffon, satin and more.

In the middle of that textile environment

I realized this isn’t my grandmother’s retirement.

In those days there were limited activities

Now I get to pick other proclivities.

With wide-ranging skills and interests

Quilting falls to the bottom of my lists.

Realizing I could do much worse

I came home and wrote this verse.

Peek Week

Peek Week

23 March 2011

I can’t believe it, I’m pinching myself,

I get to take my dreams off the shelf.

At first my retirement felt like vacation.

Now it’s starting to sink in, no vexation.

I get to do as I please,

To go or take my ease.

Today I went hiking with friend.

We felt unrushed to the trail’s end.

We hiked Torrey Pines, then at my mention

Went over and trekked around the extension.

Next we looked at the handpicked

Displays of the Cedros Art District.

A day to do as I wanted,

My will got flaunted.

Tomorrow I get to vote in

A new activity or the same again.

Current Plan

My, My, A Last Good-bye

4 February 2011

Life is sweet,

Bring a treat,

An afternoon dessert potluck

To wish Al Smith good luck.

After twenty-two years plus

It’s his turn to leave us.

Join him from 2 to 4

Before he’s out the door.

March 16th is the day

For this last hurray.

The North Central FRC

Is the place to be.

At the 5055 Ruffin Road lunchroom

We'll toast, roast and consume

The food and dish the dirt

So he gets his just dessert.

You'll have to ask the guard

If you don't have an ID card.