Fun Parts of Getting Old
@DeborahDiane (40849)
Laguna Woods, California
May 26, 2016 11:51pm CST
My last couple of posts have been about the more depressing aspects of aging ... elder abuse and scams that victimize senior citizens.
Today I want to list just some of the fun aspects of retirement.
Many people think that retirement means not having to do anything. In truth, I think I am busier than I ever was ... and many other retirees I know are very busy, too.
Among the things I enjoy doing includes taking classes at the local community college, which has the largest Emeritus program in the United States. They offer courses ranging from art classes, computer classes, accounting classes, political science, history, photography and physical education classes, such as yoga and weight-training.
My retirement community also offers a variety of programs, clubs and activities. Among the ones I enjoy are horseback riding and occasional parties. Since our community is only four miles from Laguna Beach, my friends and I walk almost daily at the beach in the photo above. Some of my friends do even more than I do.
In addition, I have a daughter and her two teenage children who live nearby. I take the kids to breakfast at least once a week and my husband plays golf with our teenage grandson once a week. We also do other activities with our daughter and grandkids, such as going to movies, watching their sporting events, or going out to dinner.
We also have three other daughters and we either visit them and their families or they come to see us as often as possible.
Yes, as we age, our lives are complicated by medical issues and other problems. However, there are many rewards, as well.
Sometimes, it is good to focus on the positive! If you are retired, what are some of the things you do? 
18 people like this
15 responses
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 May 16
@JudyEv - I agree ... I don't know how I ever found time to work, I have been so busy since I retired!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382337)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 May 16
@DeborahDiane Employment was never like this, was it?
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 May 16
@JudyEv - You are so right ... employment was never like this!
2 people like this
@transcendent (709)
• Xian, China
27 May 16
You do have a good state of mind, just enjoy your life and you will live to a ripe old age.
I just begin my career, so I haven't really thought about this remote question. hahaha
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 May 16
Someday, you will be retired and enjoying your life, too!
1 person likes this
@transcendent (709)
• Xian, China
28 May 16
@DeborahDiane hahaha,it's in the dim and misty future.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 May 16
@transcendent - Retirement comes up sooner than you might expect!
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (148749)
• Roseburg, Oregon
27 May 16
I retired i n December 2015 and we sold our home and moved to Oregon where the climate is better for my ashtma and my husband's heart.
We are still trying to find a house to get into. The owner had a lien for child support so I hope he gets that taken care of.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 May 16
I hope you get the house you want, too. Isn't retirement great?
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
28 May 16
@DeborahDiane it's good to keep the mind alive!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 May 16
I love our ongoing learning programmes and classes. They can be so much fun!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 May 16
@valmnz - You are so right that it is good for us to keep our minds alive!
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 May 16
That is wonderful that you have been able to get a bit more social now that you have retired!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
30 May 16
@just4him - Yes, it is fun to have more freedom to do the things we want to do, after we retire.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
29 May 16
@DeborahDiane I'm able to do things I couldn't while I was working and that is lots of fun.
1 person likes this
@shivamani10 (11035)
• Hyderabad, India
14 Jun 16
Yes. you are right. But, I do not think many retirees will have the same dynamism. They become fallouts psychologically and withdraw themselves from social activity..sometimes voluntarily ..and...sometimes by the society itself. You are really enjoying the life...retirement life to be specific..keep it up,...God bless you with good health and happiness.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
15 Jun 16
Thank you for your good wishes. It is very important that retirees stay active. That is one reason retirement communities are so good. They help people stay active. When people don't live in a retirement community, they should get involved in a senior center.
1 person likes this
@shivamani10 (11035)
• Hyderabad, India
15 Jun 16
@DeborahDiane Generally everyone wishes to have to have a peaceful retirement life. But, only a few are blessed. You are one among them. People do not realize the importance of health and go on earning and accumulating which has no meaning Finally at the age of 55 - 60 they realize that it is not the money that gives one happiness but the health. They recollect the old saying 'health is wealth'.
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jun 16
Hi "Fellow Californian!" Garden Grove is not very far away from Laguna Woods, the retirement community where I live!
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 May 16
@jaboUK - I'm glad you like the photo of the beach where we walk. Yes, retirement can be fun!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
27 May 16
i've always found plenty to keep me busy 'round here. dunno if'n the hubs'll do such when he retired. my greatest fear's he's gonna jest sit'n his recliner sleep watchin' t.v. 24/7 'nless there's a golf tournament..... i shudder't the thought!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
28 May 16
@DeborahDiane yes ma'am, that's what i fear...
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 May 16
@crazyhorseladycs - I have known men who did do nothing but sit in their recliners and sleep after they retired. Most of them did not live very long, however, I'm sad to say.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 May 16
@crazyhorseladycx - You have good reason to think that is what would happen.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
29 May 16
I agree, i keep busy with many things although semi retired. I do enjoy my children, travel, freedom to do what I want to do..
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
30 May 16
Isn't it wonderful to be retired? I'm glad you are enjoying it!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 May 16
I have written about playing table tennis up to three days a week and shooting pool at our little retirement community. The indoor swimming pool has been great too. There are many other activities that one can take or leave too. I still have my part-time job too, working ten to fifteen hours a week at a Wild Birds Unlimited store here.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 May 16
@JamesHxstatic - You are one of those people who have kept very busy after retirement. I think that is the way to stay happy and healthy!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Jun 16
I agree completely! One of my former co-workers just retired and she was very nervous that she wouldn't have anything to do. I have assured her that she will get busy very quickly!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
16 Jun 16
@DeborahDiane And right you are! Gotta run. I'm busy. Ha ha!
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
3 Jun 16
@DeborahDiane I think your retirement is as exciting or as boring as you make it. You are so right, there are a ton of things out t here for a senior to do. I am in the beginning of my retirement and yet I already wonder how I will have time to do everything I want to do.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
4 Jun 16
@HazySue - Yes, your retirement is as exciting or as boring as you make it. I understand how someone might wonder how they will have time to do everything!
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122256)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 May 16
I like to write Wordgirl or super hero crossovers fan fictions for fun even though her show that ran on PBS Kids from 2006-2015 is considered a kids cartoon with good humor..
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 May 16
It is enjoyable to write fiction for fun. It doesn't matter that the show is no longer being broadcast!
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122256)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
30 May 16
@DeborahDiane That is true. At least Wordgirl had great humor and clean material even though it is aimed at kids.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (17039)
• United States
27 May 16
Mike will be retired 2 years this summer. It wasn't a hard adjust for us at all. I still work, self employed, so not an every day thing.
It gives us time to go and explore new parks and places. We also have been hiking which we love to do. We're able to see his parents more which is good since his Dad is dealing with some serious health issues.
Mike always loved to garden but didn't have time like he wanted especially when he had to change jobs when the one place he worked at for 30 years went out of business. I kept a few things growing but nothing like he likes to do. So these past couple years he's been happy working in the garden again.
Have a blessed day
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 May 16
It sounds like you and your husband have been enjoying your retirement years. That is wonderful!
1 person likes this
