When people ask what I do in retirement, I usually tell them, “Not much of anything.” It’s the easiest answer. The truthful answer would take several hours, a few cups of coffee, and possibly a PowerPoint presentation. “Doing nothing” has always had a bad reputation. It sounds lazy and unproductive. It brings to mind someone … Continue reading Retired Life Is Boring?
Tag: volcan
A 90% Chance of Rain – A 100% Chance of Coffee
Today’s forecast called for a 90 percent chance of rain, with a low of 63 degrees and a high of 71. I grabbed my umbrella, stuffed it into my backpack, put on a long-sleeved shirt, and headed out to find the newest coffee shop in town. A friend had recently asked me, while we were … Continue reading A 90% Chance of Rain – A 100% Chance of Coffee
My Spiritual Routine
Every Friday morning in Volcán, something sacred happens between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Community Market opens! For me, this has become a weekly habit, a ritual, and most of all, a spiritual experience. The market is about three or four blocks from my house and takes less than 10 minutes to walk. On … Continue reading My Spiritual Routine
The Year of My Dad
I’m sitting on the patio of one of my favorite coffee shops in Volcán. It’s a very pleasant morning, and I thought I’d write about my dad over coffee and an English muffin. My dad died in the year he turned 73. I am now in the year when I will turn 73. Both of … Continue reading The Year of My Dad
The Art of Doing Nothing In Volcán
The Finns have a word, joutilaisuus, which means something close to “idleness” or “leisure.” Some describe it as "the art of doing nothing." The Italians have the more poetic phrase, dolce far niente, which means “the sweetness of doing nothing.” That's one of my favorite phrases from the movie Eat, Pray, Love. The Dutch have … Continue reading The Art of Doing Nothing In Volcán