Today is October 1, 2013. It is amazing to me that I have been retired for six months. April Fools’ Day, 2013 seems like such a long time ago.
With some perspective, I can now answer the question, “What is it like to be retired?” I love it. In fact retirement is better than working and I am a guy who loved his job. Being retired makes me feel like I did when I was a kid in the 1950s, but with more donut money.
Nobody knows this, not even my former employer, but I feel I can trust you so I am going to tell you the truth about why I retired.
You see, I wore Danner boots when I worked at the police department. My left Danner boot started squeaking with every step. I reasoned that if you are retired and wear a squeaky boot, the worst thing that can happen is you irritate the people around you. If you are employed as a police officer searching a dark warehouse for a burglar and your boot squeaks, you will draw gunfire. I was faced with either spending $200 for a new pair of Danner boots or retiring, so I retired. I have always been thought of as a good decision maker.
What else could I do? It did not take me long to figure out that I can buy 73 short, wet Starbucks cappuccinos with the $200 boot money.
I am happy I retired and it is not like they gave me the boot.
Paul Webb says
Have a happy retirement Joe – and keep writing! I love your articles. Paul W.
Lorraine Robertson says
Have a nice retirement and thanks for the wonderful stories. You helped me once a few years ago when my car broke down, will never forget it. Lorraine R.
Mary Hammond says
Do you still wear your squeaky boots, now that you don’t have to? That’s the most creative rationalization for retiring that I’ve heard. 🙂