Somehow I forgot that public libraries are more than just books. I’ve always had a library card. These days I borrow my books digitally and only occasionally step foot inside a library. I used to recommend the summer library reading programmes to my students. I was aware that they had more to offer others but,… Continue reading Libraries: More Than Just Books
Tag: retiredteacher
Love What You Do
What do you love doing so much that the words failure and success essentially become irrelevant?” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. I loved teaching this way. I remember being embarrassed that I was earning a paycheque when I taught my first kindergarten class. I was enjoying what I was doing so much, I… Continue reading Love What You Do
Patient Persistence
I need to be very patient to access my family doctor these days. I am grateful that I still have a family doctor. But, since my old doctor sold her practice a couple of years ago, the doctor that bought it has changed with the times. She’s added nurse practitioners, medical administrators, a call centre-like… Continue reading Patient Persistence
Talking ‘bout My Generation*
The value of sharing ideas between generations is being recognized, and lamented. According to The Harvard Business Review, a huge wave of older employees retired during the pandemic and this has created a serious loss of “institutional memory, expertise, and loyalty.”*** There is no big population bubble to replace them. Subsequent generations are smaller. There… Continue reading Talking ‘bout My Generation*
Impatient At The Crossroads
I’m that person who’s been known to stop reading half-way through a mystery novel and read the last few pages. Sometimes the suspense is too much and I need to know how it all turns out. Sitting with uncertainty is a challenge for me. I’m trying to figure out my next steps in my retirement… Continue reading Impatient At The Crossroads
Doing The Time Warp
I’ve noticed an annoying time trap, now that I’m retired. Errands that used to take only a part of my working day, now seem to take the entire day to complete. My weekday calendar is dotted with a little something every day. When a friend asks me if I’m busy on Tuesday, a quick check… Continue reading Doing The Time Warp
Nothing Compares To Being There
In the digital age, it’s easy to think of progress as something that is created by new technology. A new app or Zoom conferencing or assistive technology can, and do, make life easier in many ways. I see tech companies plowing money into developing assistive devices for seniors.* But, tech. is a weak substitute for… Continue reading Nothing Compares To Being There
First Year On The Roller Coaster
Being a guest at a retirement party feels a lot different when you’ve been retired for almost a year. There’s the nostalgia of a wonderful celebration with colleagues, the speeches and the singing tribute. For me, there was the huge high of finishing something I was proud of, and the relief of finally letting go… Continue reading First Year On The Roller Coaster
To Label Or Not To Label
Being kind to others involves letting them do their own self-discoveries. As a teacher, I was able to read my students fairly well. It would take only a few moments after meeting my class in September, to realize which kids might need extra support. It’s a skill teachers develop over time, after interacting with many… Continue reading To Label Or Not To Label
Hold Me Accountable
Investigating a new opportunity can be so daunting that we avoid doing it. I know I do. Part of my retirement journey, has been to follow different paths that look interesting, and to see if they hold possibilities for the next stage of my life. Most of this trip has been interesting and self-motivating. However,… Continue reading Hold Me Accountable
Retired, And Now What? 