September arrived and with it a senior pass to aquatic classes at a nearby pool. 3 mornings a week I climb into my chariot and 8 minutes later I’m in the deep end of a heated outdoor pool. I climb down the ladder with my waist float strapped on and am accepted and buoyed by the deep water. I chose the easiest class with the gentlest movements. Every joint in my body is stretched. It’s a meditative space for my mind. I look up at the sky and see flocks of geese pass overhead, or a heron, or hawks, sparrows, clouds. The sun pours its nourishment over the water and all is well. After class I scoot off to the jacuzzi for 10 more minutes of water therapy. Readers, it is heaven on earth.
I can’t recommend the books I’ve finished so far this month highly enough. Let’s start with Jane Eyre (1847). I savored every word. This led to Go
A couple weeks ago, I zipped off south about 65 miles to visit Pam. Then this week I headed north to visit Sharron. How good it is to head out of town on a weekday to see an old friend just as the chaotic school day is beginning.
Retired life continues to contract and expand.
I’m following the Global Sumud Flotilla and its brave souls as they make their way through dangerous waters carrying food and hope to Gaza. Are you following them too?
Be well middle-aged mammals. Keep me apprised of the goings on in your cabins, kitchens, cottages, tents, vans, and local swimming pools. I want to know everything.
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I ordered I must betray you from the library. Oh my Lawdy, I could not put it down. Such horrors! Those poor Rumanians. Its was frightening as it was easy to draw parallels to todays society, with having to watch what you put onto the internet, and political infighting, with the favored ones getting a big slice of the pie, and no pie for those who do not subscribe to their thinking. Might have to have nap now, as I did stay up a long while reading last night!
Best wishes
Wendy
Shout out from the ATL…. In the last throes of “Elementary Child Minding”… I am inspired by you and your lovely readers that great joy and freedom awaits May 2026🙌 in the meantime… wrote down all book Recs 📚 Mary Ann…Thanks for sharing your play by play as you navigate your earthly sojourn😉
Good morning, Southern California gal here semi retired. I still help out my son and my husband doing their bookkeeping and some administrative work. Been thinking about going to one of those water stretching classes, but haven’t pulled the trigger you make it sound so lovely so now I’m more inspired to find one around me to go to. I love reading your posts. You’re very good writer. I’m not much of a reader however I’m gonna try some of your books that you recommended because you make everything sounds so lovely. I also want to say I love your outside space I love the table and the tablecloth and it looks so peaceful to sit there and do artwork. I also love the the two chairs you have sitting outside with the orange covers so inviting I wish you well from the southern California gal
Thank you for your book recommendations. I love reading your dispatches
Isn’t retirement just the best? Thanks for book recommendations. i have 3 library systems I pull from so I’ll add to my pile of books staring at me from the coffee table. Always enjoy your posts so much and have since early typepad days, which is why I’m perplexed as to why I didn’t show as subscribed, but I went ahead and subscribed again anyway. I am nothing if not a curious traveler in the far reaches of the internet and oh gawd now AI. Stay well and post!
Diane, i.e., Glorified Child Care Worker, retired.
God, yes it is, Diane- the best of the best and I’m realizing it more each day. I’m starting Heartwood soon after waiting for it for at least 6 weeks. I hear it’s worth it. We’ll see.
I am busy making journals. Got obsessed with Treasure Books on YouTube. Gardening and making kimonos for an Etsy shop I hope. Glad to hear you are enjoying your new phase in life. Been sending supportive vibes to the flotilla. Hope they can get there without incident.
Dearest Violet Cadbury Bunny: Treasure books! I just looked them up and it looks like fun! Enjoy yourself. Perhaps while wearing a kimono xo
Thanks for the recommendations, I have all three now!
After Jane Eyre a MUST read is Wide Sargasso Sea, a prequel to Jane Eyre, describing the life of Mr Rochester’s first wife. Colourful and utterly brilliant.
Jean Rhys was born in 1906 but didn’t write this until 1966! I love everything Jean Rhys wrote.
I didn’t realise that your pool is open air, how lucky. We’re lighting our wood stove these evenings!
For the past two summers, I have enjoyed Aqua Aerobics. Terrific for you that
you have access to 3 classes per week in Sunny California. It is a wonderful for building
up your Core muscles. Thanks for the book suggestions.
Holly
I love being in the water so much, Holly. It’s mahvelous. Your classes must be ending soon 🙁
Thank you for the book recommendations. I can highly recommend “The Eights” by Joanna Miller, about four women who are among the first to matriculate at Oxford University in 1920. Hard to put down!
I’m searching for a flight to England for next spring. I really dislike the drive to JFK airport and am considering flying out of Philly, but the miles/points are pretty high for that. However, the taxes are rather low for flying into Heathrow–so I’m very tempted!
Waiting for fall weather as well.
I adore that photo of OTTO! Are you reading out loud to him? I can’t wait to scramble down the ladder and into the pool with you on our next adventure. Keep those chairs set up for our reading stations out back too!
Swimming is the best, letting your body be
It all looks wonderful! I wish I was there!!
I’m so happy you’re finding your way in paradise now. The freedom of retirement allows you to explore and develop parts of yourself and glimmers of interest you previously had. There is nothing better than water aerobics and especially in an outdoor pool! You will slowly find yourself getter stronger and feeling better in every way. Thanks for your book recommendations. Be sure to read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans–the writing is sophisticated and the story is one of healing and growth, told in a page-turner kind of way by letters.
Thanks Betsy, I am waiting on The Correspondent at the library. It had a v.v. long waitlist, but I’m getting close now.
I just got back from a 5 day painting retreat with the California Art Club in Gualala. Had a fabulous time, painting two watercolor paintings every day. Was able to paint two and 1/2 days at Barking Rocks, the estate of Millard Sheets at Fish Rock north of Gualala. Now owned by Susan Routledge and Frank Johnson. Millard Sheets taught art at Scripps College for forty years and did many Home Savings and Loan buildings all around the US with stained glass, mosaic tile art installations, sculptures and huge murals. His company also did the “Hail Mary Jesus” mosaic art at Notre Dame University, a 13 story high installation and the Scottish Rite Temples in Los Angeles and San Francisco. It was a great gift to be able to paint there.
Oh what a gorgeous part of our coast that is! Years ago I went to Timber Cove for Christmas.
Oh my dear art tart number 2 -I love following you everywhere you go – into the books , into the swimming pool, up and down the coast! You deserve every moment of freedom and adventure. I see that you still live in Moss cottage. Did I mention that I am working on my 92nd year and still enjoying playing with pictures, reading books.,etc. You might like the book Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier – I just reread it – fabulous, psychological.
They haven’t taken away my drivers license yet so I can still push the pedal to the metal on my way to Dr’s visits!
Keep posting baby! Scads of love. AT1
Dearest Art Tart No. 1 I LOVED Rebecca so much and now want to read Jamaica Inn, but first I have a long list of vintage reads waiting for my fingers to start turning the pages. I want to come see you and go for joy rides. You can do all the driving. We’ll put the windows down and tie our hair (wigs) up in big scarves. love you truly madly deeply xoxoxo
Thanks for the Flotilla link xox
Your retirement days sound blissfully perfect. Yes, there is such freedom in being able to take off on a whim midweek to go- anywhere! Or to go away, then say I might stay longer, or go again.
Your swimming sounds perfect! I love a good outdoor pool.
Ahhhh thank you Cynthia. I’m getting used to the slowness of my days and little field trips out of town when I can find a cat sitter. I’ve wanted to visit the pool for ages and now I finally can! Hope you’re well. xo
I also loved Sally Diamond. If you like books with strong female characters I cannot recommend enough The Frozen River. Mid wife, Massachusetts, 1870’s. I also reading Jodi Piccoult’s latest By Any Other Name-2 strong minded women who are related but centuries apart but both living in a male dominated world. Also questions the validity of Shakespeare as a writer.
So glad you are living your best retired life! I work in a bookstore so as long as I am surrounded by stories it may be a lot by while before I retire.
I’m on a waitlist for The Frozen River Midwife and I can’t wait to read it. Seems like everyone who has read it has given it great reviews. Long list at the library but I’ll get there!
Oh I would have loved to work in a bookstore, Lisa. One with no customers and lots of old books.