If you’re a boomer—particularly part of the cutting edge of this demographic—you have become accustomed to the hackneyed reference to the huge mass moving through the body of the snake. It has never been particularly inspiring to think of yourself as a consequence of unchecked post-war euphoria. But now, as we have completed the majority of our destined journey through the snake and find ourselves moving inescapably closer to becoming snake poop, the allusion and the reality are even less inspiring.
We have been repeatedly reminded that we are choking the snake with our sheer numbers. And, in fact, it seems that now more and more of us are trying to contact the social security administration—which should come as a surprise to no one. After all, our progress through the snake has been slow and well documented. But, as those of you who have attempted a call can confirm, a recording informs you that the social security administration is now serving over 50 million Americans, and as proof of that overwhelming fact, you can have the privilege of waiting 46 minutes before being given the privilege of speaking with a very nice person who can’t help you, thank you very much.
You see, I’m retired now. Yep. Retired. Sixty-six. I came along in the third year of the boomer wave. I’m guessing that I showed up early enough that the demographers hadn’t yet come up with a clever name—much less with an understanding of the magnitude of what was occurring in America. But here we are.
I recently read that there are currently 76 million of us in the U. S.; that we are turning 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day and further, that we will continue to turn 65 at that rate for the next 18 years. All of this makes me feel rather lemming-like.
I’m sitting on the porch of our home, looking out over Puget Sound. It is a spectacularly beautiful spring day, complete with exuberant rhododendrons and azaleas. I just finished mowing the lawn. I’m now free to do that simply because it’s a sunny day and the lawn needs it. I no longer have to wait for the convergence of dry grass and Saturday. Did I mention that I’m retired?
My goal here is to document life after everything else. I suppose that there has always been time for reflection. It’s just that we tend to fill it up with other stuff. Now, I feel more inclined to consider what has past, and more to the point, what lies ahead.
You are welcome to join me if you like. But I feel like I have embarked on something that is important and urgent. So I’m making the journey whether you come along or not.
Boomeresque 
So happy to be the first person to comment on your first of (I hope) many more blog posts to come! WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF RETIREMENT! Well, actually it became wonderful after the micro-managing stopped (hum, mostly stopped) in the kitchen.
Thanks for the encouragement, Claudette. Our first post-retirement adjustment came as a result of my effort to help out with laundry. Becky was in Boise visiting our daughter, and I did the laundry in an attempt to have things spiffed up when she came home. A day or two after she got home, she casually said, “Do you mind if I give you a couple of pointers about how to do the laundry?” I hadn’t mixed colors. But I had put some things through the dryer that Becky prefers NOT to put through the dryer. So, I am still a work in progress. We miss you.
Really nice read, Bill. I’m so glad you’ve started a blog. It’ll be nice to keep up with you after you move. If you want to check out my blog, you can find my waatersofpeace.wordpress.com
I look forward to following you in your second career.
Keep the words flowing. And penmanship counts.
Enjoyed your first post Bill. It will be great to follow and read about your retired life. I perfect way to stay in touch with great neighbors who became very special friends. I am really going to miss your family and of course, I will miss Katie the most of all. Happy retirement!
Love the blog Bill. I look forward to the next inspiring edition. It’s like the rebirth of “Masthead Goes Here” with a much more modern twist and even better subject.
Cheers to your retirement and cheers to YOU!
Who knew one could be on the cutting edge of snake poop? Love it.
Bill
A great post. Welcome to the world of blogging. In reading your post, I was reminded of a couple of weeks ago when three of our mutual friends, Ulmen, Teska, and Williams, were visiting me. I posed the question, “Who feels like they are 65?” and no one felt that way.
Yes, we’ve seen a lot of change as the boomer generation, and I think it’s mostly been a positive experience. But as the answer suggests, even though we’re all retired, there’s still a lot more to come, at least in our minds.
I’m fortunate to have a wonderful wife who’s still working so I haven’t had the ‘pleasure’ of navigating the medicare morass yet. I only have Part B, and so far, I’ve managed not to use it.
Social Security was another matter. Due to various loopholes, I’m collecting far less than I anticipated, but again, it’s a manageable twist in the larger picture.
I look forward to your future posts. I even have your RSS feed sent to me so I know when one occurs. Keep it up. One thing we’ve learned from our reunion experience of a couple of years ago is that we all have a bond, one that was forged more than 50 years ago and maybe forgotten for a while. But it’s still there, and now at this stage of our lives, stronger and more profound than ever.
Mike Worley
http://www.mikeworleybooks.com
http://www.mikeworleyhistory.com