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.

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

Katie VanVliet said…

i like lasagne.

November 9, 2011 at 10:35 AM

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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