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Retirement lasagna

So far I don’t like retirement.


I keep thinking of a well-known Hemingway short story called Hills like White Elephants. In it the main characters listlessly tour Spain. She points out to He, “That’s all we do, isn't it -- look at things and try new drinks?” For me, like for the woman in the story, “everything tastes of licorice.”


What I mean is that everything is nice, but there is a sameness to it. I feel like an uninterested tourist, passively observing my own life.


It’s only been a few months, but most days I’m watching the clock by 9 a.m. The wash is done, the spices are alphabetized, and the house plants watered and pinched to perfection. I hate this.


So around noon I start thinking, I could make a nice lasagna for our son, for one of our nieces, for an elderly neighbor … a nice lasagna for somebody. Maybe I could make a nice lasagna and simply freeze it? It's pathetic.


It turns out that work is my dream retirement activity. So that's it. I can't take it any more. I’m gonna make artsy and herbal stuff to sell. I’m gonna write and teach. And I’m gonna do it a lot. I’m going to work.
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Comments

SHERRY said…
When your bored there is always myplace to clean...now that could be a real challenge. Oh and I like lasagna too ;-)
November 4, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Therese said…
Love it, Holly. Write what you feel. Looking forward to reading your blog. You have a wonderfully creative voice to share. You'll do well whatever work you put your mind to.
November 4, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Maureen said…
You've come a long way since the "boredom" of 2011. I enjoy watching your second life arc. And your story cards are phenomenal. You should try to publish them for real.
February 9, 2023 at 9:21 AM
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