I'm Free! A Novice's Guide To Retirement

Although only four months have passed since I retired from my post as director of the Pasco County Health Department, the memory of the position and its responsibilities seem far behind. My urge to dress and return to the office proved intense for two or three days, then I finally accepted a joyful revelation: I don't have to go there anymore!

I cannot deny that I miss the challenges of dealing with phone calls, policy changes, funding shortfalls, staff issues and guiding Pasco's public health ship through the best and worst of times, but I am OK with that. I'm free! I can get up each morning and do what I want.

That freedom presents a challenge: What shall I do today?

An orderly routine becomes essential. Without a plan, I could find myself on the couch, watching soap operas, snacking on cheese balls and ballooning to 300 pounds. I have enough trouble keeping my weight down when busy.

Of course, there are the usual projects: cleaning the garage, mending the fence, painting here and there. Add to that my wife's demands that I mop the kitchen floor, vacuum and look after the house.

After receiving Helen's current list of chores before she went to work one day, I remembered I was big once. Now I'm just the maid, and unpaid at that. I sighed and put on an apron. Don't forget to dust, she shouts, before closing the front door.

Projects pave the way for successful retirement. Such an approach served me well as a working stiff.

Always an early riser, I start my day at 6 a.m. I now put on jeans or khakis, a T-shirt or tennis shirt but never Bermuda shorts - too senior. Then, of course, it's a pot of coffee and the morning newspaper. And then it's to the computer to e-mail friends, follow investments, write a bit and consider the project of the day, most recently building a gazebo.

Ah, the routine: Tampa Tuesdays have special significance. I get up at the usual hour, dress casual with an open- collared shirt and make my way to the city. I park the car and walk to the busiest intersection among the multistory office buildings.

By 8:30, I witness what proves to me the highlight of my week - other people going to work. I wave and wish them well. I ask some what they do. I've met a stockbroker, clerk, lawyer and so forth.

By 9:30 the street is empty, and I wander to an outside cafe and have a latte and biscotti. Life is good! Perhaps I'll mosey over to the library this day or take the trolley to Ybor City. All tourist options are open on Tampa Tuesday.

Board activity also fills my time: West Pasco Habitat for Humanity, Medical Society, Good Samaritan Clinic, Port Richey Rotary and volunteering at the CARES senior clinic. Certainly, those responsibilities fill a number of hours during the month and prove very rewarding, but I will mention that some boards function better than others.

Sports could fill some idle hours. My attempts at golf, for 20 years, have established an uncanny lack of skill. Recently, I donned my Ben Hogan flat cap, checkered shirt and green pants, secured by my Greg Norman belt. It was a regular golf course fashion statement.

During the round I stood at the tee, trusty 3-wood in hand, and hit the ball solidly. My errant hook made such a clatter on somebody's roof that the owner came out to check for damage. Although I have had my share of bad shots, I had never before met the unhappy owner of an accidental target. He was not happy. I may have to give up that sport to protect life and property.

I also go sailing and, as the unofficial photographer of the boat club, find myself out to sea on some weekends. Now that's fun, and trouble is rare.

Recently, Helen and I completed a trip to visit friends and children. The trip took us to Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, New Orleans, Tallahassee and home again. Driving those distances proved a bit tiring, so another motor trip is doubtful. Maybe a 30-day Amtrak pass makes more sense.

I conclude that cabs, planes and trains make more sense for travel. In Chicago and St. Louis, we used public transportation. It's cheap, efficient and safe. Unfortunately, public transportation in the Tampa Bay area leaves much to be desired. A car is a necessity, with dangerous roads all too common, especially U.S. 19, which recently was tagged No. 1 in area fatalities.

I have to admit that some days prove challenging for my life as a retiree. Well, maybe retirement does have its drawbacks, but one thing is for sure - it beats working.