What Do You Do When You Retire?

Sunrise on our deck - time to water the flowers. We've had almost no rain for a month - very unusual for Vermont!

We still have friends and family who are working full time way past 65. They worry about what they'll do with themselves once they stop work It's really hard for Scott and I to empathize. Of course, we retired around 55, sold our home in Boston, bought a sailing boat and moved aboard. And for a good deal of next 20 years, sailed around the Caribbean. But since we sold it in 2022 we've been more at home and still find an enormous amount to do. In fact we both need to practice the work "No".

Heather manning the cash register at Pierce's
Store in Shrewsbury., since 1864!

Here's the view the other direction but there are
several rooms out in the back too.

In 2007 we bought our current home here in Shrewsbury, VT and we could be here full time and never be bored. This community has provided wonderful friends and opportunities to serve and be served. We're often asked if we plan to move closer to our children or permanently to a warm climate. No chance. We are confident that no matter our needs as we grow old, this is the place that will meet them. 

Marty, Debbie, Ted, Scott, David, Karen and
Heather in Plymouth for dinner.

Scott, David, Dick, Debbie, Marty.

Post Modern Jukebox

It's been a busy summer. Besides the big trip out to Michigan, we visited friends in Plymouth and saw Post Modern Jukebox and a weekend up in Burlington to see the premiere of Downton Abbey The Grand Finale (amazing dinner at this year's Vermont best restaurant, Honey Road). Our youngest son Sean and his husband bought a lake house in Western Mass. with friends and we had a lovely time visiting them. Scott's brother Brent, wife Wilma and their cousin Lisa came to a stay. 

Sandy Bragg is the Sommelier at Pierce's Store
and funs wine tastings and here, a Wine Pairing.

The Wine Pairing Seminar was held in the 
Pierce's Barn - an event space now.

Our friends Silvana and David came for a visit
and we saw them earlier at their home in Boston.

Scott's copper heron

Scott's on the board of Green Mt. Neighbors
and led a hike on the AT/LT.

Heather's little studio space at Rutland's Maker
Space - The Mint.

Theater and concert productions continue: Amelia at the Northern Stage, Other Desert Cities at the Dorset, and Stand Up Shakespeare at the Plymouth Folk Festival. We ate lobster at the Lobster Fest benefiting the Rotary and had several events with Green Mountain Neighbors - a local volunteer group that work to keep Seniors At Home. Of course there were dinner parties, at our home and at friends'. 

On a long weekend in Boston we visited the 
Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.

The Yin Yu Tang House, a century's old Chinese
family home. 

The U.S.S. Constitution rests at the Yard and is
still afloat. She's taken out into the harbor once
a year and turned around. 

Amusing bronze statues provide a seat at the table!

Heather volunteers once a week running our local Coop and General Store, Pierce's (watch this U Tube video on the store - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-Dy1f_oYyk) and often also at our local volunteer run Library. She belongs to the Rutland Garden Club and maintains the garden at the Godnick Senior Center. She a member of two Book Clubs and has a studio at The Mint, Rutland's Maker's Space. She cooks meals for needy neighbors, has a Cooking Class once a year to benefit Pierce's Store and provides the appetizers for their wine tasting events. 

So no problem keeping busy out here in the country!

The view from Sean & Will's deck in Beckett

Their friends and co owners of their new vacation
home , Jesse, Sarah and Oscar.

Scott, Sean, Rowan and Will

Rowan - now 2 and very cool!

Shira, looking pensive and lovely. Unfortunately
this is the only photo we got during their visit!

Scott is on 5 boards around town and the treasurer of all of them! He ran twice for State Senate and did very well, but not quite enough. He's very active in local politics. He is a talented sculptor and takes a week long course every summer at the Carving Studio/ Sculpture Center in West Rutland. One year he was chosen as one of 5 featured sculptors at their fall Sculpfest. This year he did a copper 5 ft tall heron which ornaments our garden. 

Enjoying lobsters at the Rotary Dinner.

Brent, Lisa and Scott

Burlington VT - Main St - foot traffic only

One of the fabulous tapas at Honey Rd - this
one was big!

Heather just taking advantage of a bunch of
balloons for a photo.

The Sugar river runs through Claremont, NH and
powered the regions early industries. We stopped
there on the way home for lunch.