Three penguins neatly in a row, but look carefully and you’ll find the one who is hiding behind a plant, probably pretending he is a secret agent. This penguin knows things the other three don’t.
How do you step out of line when then world seems a bit too regimented?
Being regimented means, to me, that I have the ordinary chores of being around the house (or home): cooking, washing, straightening, writing letters and bills, etc. to face, That is part of being retired for me. So, when I feel I can’t face another chore I step out of that role, although with a bit of concern for the chaos that has developed, and sit and watch PBS, CREATE or MNZ public broadcasting channels. Whether it’s an international mystery (to which I am addicted) or Rick Steves or Bert Wolf showing exciting, often exotic travel journeys or a social activist program such as Frontline, I use it to get away from the “madding crowd.” I can tell myself that even though I am participating vicariously in others’ lives, I am relaxing, without any restrictions being placed on me.
I recently took a two night vacation by myself to the nearest major city, and did only what I wanted to do. My husband and I had been getting on each other’s nerves a lot, and he gladly sent me off to a nice hotel so we could have a little break. I got to spend hours at the art museum without worrying about dragging him someplace he didn’t enjoy, had brunch with my sophisticated sister, and I danced at a gay club (I’m bi, but seldom get to do any queer things). I realize how fortunate I was to be able to go on this trip. When I came home, we got along better. (And my husband and friend had painted my craft room while I was gone, so now I have my own special space to retreat to.)