You are inspiring, thank God that you made it...and I appreciate your messaging. Good stuff, I hope to do the same, enjoy retirement. I have flunked two times so far...now age 76 and calling it quits...in a few months.
@taycotrains I would normally not comment but just put up a "like" - kind of hard to like something where you were nearly running trains in the sky. Wow a close call. Glad you are recovering.
As for me I met with our retirement folks and it looks like either the end of February or May 2023. Depends on how much I would leave the team in a bind - it does matter to me. Long story, but working remotely would help ease the transition. Staying makes my share of healthcare costs really low, and provides continuing income. I have had paper routes since I was 12 so the though of not having a paying job is somewhat disturbing and uncharted waters.
Still looking forward to building a new layout where I can minimize the mistakes I made on TPRR. Still will make more, but what else would I do with my retirement time? Maybe building a wood fired pizza oven would take some time?
@ScoutingDad posted:@taycotrains I would normally not comment but just put up a "like" - kind of hard to like something where you were nearly running trains in the sky. Wow a close call. Glad you are recovering.
As for me I met with our retirement folks and it looks like either the end of February or May 2023. Depends on how much I would leave the team in a bind - it does matter to me. Long story, but working remotely would help ease the transition. Staying makes my share of healthcare costs really low, and provides continuing income. I have had paper routes since I was 12 so the though of not having a paying job is somewhat disturbing and uncharted waters.
Still looking forward to building a new layout where I can minimize the mistakes I made on TPRR. Still will make more, but what else would I do with my retirement time? Maybe building a wood fired pizza oven would take some time?
Agreed about @taycotrains...Bob, what can we say, but me personally, I am glad things worked out for you and you made it into retirement.
@ScoutingDad- you mentioned above about working your whole life and the uncertainty of "not having a paying job is somewhat disturbing and uncharted waters." It was exactly that sort of uneasiness, the anxiety, etc. which is really one of the main reasons I first started this topic...to understand from others what retired life was like and were there any hurdles ahead as I dreamt of a time when one of my biggest worries could be which locomotive to run.
May God bless all who have posted or read our topic!
As many of us have already discovered, our trains can be remarkable distractions for a lot that happens in the real world.
Tom
Just a side note to those who haven't retired yet. I would strongly recommend you apply for your social security and Medicare three months before you want it.
I purposely waited until I was 70 to apply. It allowed me to max out the benefits and allowed me to continue having a Healthcare Savings Account.
I was shocked at how much work you have to put in to get that benefit.
My wife just applied and found they had 3 names for her and none were correct. She had to fill out forms and go stand in line for hours and it's still not right.
So best make it an important part of you retirement planning.
Sorry to hear about the stories of loss. They illustrate why we need to cherish what we have and not postpone getting the most enjoyment that we can out of the time we have left.
Here's what I hope are a couple of practical exercises for preparing for retirement...
1) Plan ahead and take at least a two-week (or longer) vacation from work. One week is too short. Stay home - don't go on a trip. Make it a "pretend" retirement - don't take calls from work, don't check work emails - act like work doesn't exist. (If you think that you HAVE to be available, imagine what would happen if you got hit by a truck - your employer would figure it out.) Do the things you would like to do (trains, exercise, honey-do, etc.), and see how it feels. You might (like me) find that you can stay happily busy without your job.
2) Figure out how much your retirement income (pension, IRA withdrawals, etc.) would be if you retired now. For 3 months, spend only that amount of money, regardless of how much is coming in from your job. You might find that you can make it work with some minor adjustments, or you might learn that you have some work to do.
Good luck!
@PRR8976 posted:...As many of us have already discovered, our trains can be remarkable distractions for a lot that happens in the real world.
WOW! So true.
What a flash back joy to run through an assortment of locos exercising them around the basement perimeter. Sometimes I feel like a kid with my first train when I pull a recent rendition of my long lost original early Lionel scale Hudson and run it through it's paces dragging today's scale length SS "Madison" cars.
Other wise, not much else encouraging going on in the world.
As a person who a good case of CRS I don't know if previously replied to this thread or not. Please forgive if I am repeating myself here.
I am in the "soon to be" category. I can retire today but I got 22 months to go before I am eligible to do it without penalties. It would be a big hit if I went now. I personally can't wait. I have a lot of car and train projects I want to get to. I am 56 and I work for the Post Office in the Maintenance department at one of the plants. It amazes me how many Postal workers want to work until they are 66 or 70. We currently have 3 guys that could have retired last year but they are still holding on. One of them has been saying he is going to retire for 5 years. I think the main reasons for this is what ScoutingDad was saying. Obviously they will get a check every month but they seem to have a fear of not having enough money to live on or live comfortably on. The other thing I keep hearing is these guys have no hobbies or interests whatsoever. There have been many stories of a guy who retires and does nothing but sits on the couch. In no time he has taken that last train ride to the sky. One particularly sad story told to me by my friend who used to also work in Maintenance (He worked in the Newark, NJ Plant) . The senior guy who had a day shift job with Sat/Sun off (a dream job in Maintenance that most will never see-including me) finally retires. One week later he comes back and is literally crying (he was seriously crying) to management for his job back. He says he is bored and he doesn't know what to do with himself. Management gives him his job back but he loses all his seniority and has to work the overnight shift with Tue/Wed off. One month after that he retires again. A few weeks later he is dead. So sad. I can't help feeling that if guys like him had a hobby like ours they would have lived longer. My friend who told me that story retired last year. He told "Just do it, you will find a way to make it work and you will be happy you did it." I believe he is right because he has hobbies like me. OTOH, I have heard some guys tell me they wished they could have worked longer. My opinion is I have seen too many guys die young. Every day is gift and I really don't want to spend the good years I have left working. I am counting the days until June 2024!
@ScoutingDad posted:Maybe building a wood fired pizza oven would take some time?
In addition to a rural themed military layout in one of my other available rooms, I think building a brick, wood burning pizza oven next to the pool is a great idea for me as well, although I've been known to make some great pies in our regular oven. The thought of retirement just keeps getting better and better - if it just wasn't for sky high inflation and economic uncertainty, leaving at the end of December would be a no brainer for me.
@PRR8976 posted:As many of us have already discovered, our trains can be remarkable distractions for a lot that happens in the real world.
Tom
That brings to mind a scene from the movie The Day The Earth Stood Still (the real movie from 1951), and little Bobby just returned from seeing the spaceman go into his space ship. He goes upstairs, pulls his Lionel layout from under the bed and starts running his trains.
Earlier on this topic I had posted that at the beginning of my career a mentor, who was preparing for retirement, stated,”Everyone prepares for retirement financially, you have to plan psychologically too”.
I was fortunate In having two successful,and diverse, careers that I enjoyed. However, nine years into retirement I still can’t understand how I had the time to go to work. Today I would have to call in and say, sorry, too busy to come in this week. Next week isn’t looking too good either.😄
@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:Earlier on this topic I had posted that at the beginning of my career a mentor, who was preparing for retirement, stated,”Everyone prepares for retirement financially, you have to plan psychologically too”.
I was fortunate In having two successful,and diverse, careers that I enjoyed. However, nine years into retirement I still can’t understand how I had the time to go to work. Today I would have to call in and say, sorry, too busy to come in this week. Next week isn’t looking too good either.😄
So absolutely true !!
I own a small successful company. I sold the company to my sons. They have taken it over and are doing a great job.
In my world we do not have pensions, you have to save your own money and invest it appropriately. Which I have done. The company does have a health plan. My wife and I will be covered for the duration of our lives.
All of that sounds great, but small companies are very fragile. Think about the current hiring problems.
My wife and I still go into work 2 days per week. She is the bookkeeper and I am the helper for issues that require attention.
My point here is we probably have many small business owners in our ranks. I am sure they know the difficulty and angst of leaving their company.
It has been very interesting reading this thread. I would love to hear from small business owners. Let us know how you planned your escape.
A very long string here (since 2015!). My experience: with the help of an early out, I was able to retire from Boeing at age 56. Four months later, got bored and a part time job came up on LinkedIn, 20 hours per week working with the Army on advanced manufacturing. Mostly working from home.
About 2 years later, I was able to purchase the remains of Lee Lines and started on a venture to build standard gauge trains. And as Pierre 'Pete' Maurer once said, "I build trains to buy trains". That is certainly true. Also, it has been the means for continuous learning - from other builders, working with young CAD designers, picking up 3D printers (on my 4th now), designing sturdy mechanisms, working with machine shops and foundries and trying to master creation of casting patterns for metal parts. Just bought a 3D scanner, will see how that works, with the promise of scanning and printing in different scales.
So for about 3 days a week, I sit in front of a computer, the other 4 (and first thing in the morning), I will tinker on the train stuff or do a little building, play with the grandkids, etc.
My point here is that a lot of folks have said 'buy all you big stuff before you retire'. Continuing to work part time, and building trains, I'm able to afford to pick up some of the trains that I have become enamored with, being 'partly retired'. Also helps to finally have all 4 kids through college.
May not work for most, but I enjoy my part time professional job, and building trains. I must have 30 projects stuck under the layout, so I'll be busy for a long time. And starting that process at 56 (now turning 65), it gave me a bunch more years to enjoy the hobby having more spare time every week .
Jim
@Wood & @Jim Waterman & anyone else I accidently missed recently-Thank you for sharing your interesting and different stories!
Tom
@PRR8976 posted:@Wood & @Jim Waterman & anyone else I accidently missed recently-Thank you for sharing your interesting and different stories!
Tom
Indeed, Tom! While I never owned a business, or never wanted to, I know there are many others on this forum who have! I admire everyone who has owned a business.
@Wood posted:I own a small successful company. I sold the company to my sons. They have taken it over and are doing a great job.
. . .
It has been very interesting reading this thread. I would love to hear from small business owners. Let us know how you planned your escape.
Wood, I am a small business owner like you, and relate much to what you say with a twist that I will soon explain.
Before that, I would say the following things in general to our fellow Forumites who have reached normal retirement age, such as 65 to 70.
Has your life work become intolerable? If so, that is a very good reason to retire. If not, that may be a very good reason to keep working and earning money, and continue building your estate for yourself and your loved ones.
Can you afford to retire? That issue has already been covered very well in many of the above replies.
Is your life work dangerous, ie. police officer, fireman, etc. Such a first responder doing dangerous work is a hero IMO, and deserves to retire with a nice pension to meet his/her reasonable needs after many years of service. I, for one, wish such first responders a rewarding and financially secure retirement.
Now, I will address Wood's above request for input from the small business owners who do model railroading for a hobby, like me, and I will share my unusual story.
I'm 70 years old who will turn 71 this November. Since I was diagnosed with Intermittent Atrial Fibullation in 2007 and had a Stent in January 2008 because of a 90% blockage in a major artery leading to my heart that may have saved my life, my plans were, until recently, to greatly reduce my more stressful work as a divorce litigator and focus much more on divorce mediation and collaborative divorce. I have always been and continue to be, a solo practitioner with a small business.
Around 2010, my cardiologist got my meds just right, and I have been asymptomatic since. Still, I limited, but did not eliminate, my divorce litigation practice, and did my best to do as much mediation and collaborative work as I could get. I was quite content with such a practice, and, if you're interested, you can check out my videos on YouTube about my law and mediation practice by inserting my name in the YouTube search box. [I know very few, if any, of you would bother doing that unless you, or someone you know, needs a divorce lawyer or mediator in NY; that's how I would feel if I were you. LOL]
A few months ago, something amazing happened in my life that has made me more inspired than ever about my life work. I won't go into great detail about that here. However, I will say that much of my recent inspiration stems from a book written this year, which I recently read about an uncle of mine, Wolfe Cribari, who died in 1966 and was a great trial lawyer and a great man; the title of the book is: Wolfe with an E, an Episodic Journey of an Exceptional Life.
Like my Uncle Wolfe, I love giving legal advice, helping people out of a jam, and earning a good income. Unlike me, he helped people out of very big jams like murder cases and very serious personal injury cases, and he hated divorce. I may be living, not his dreams, but his worst nightmare, but he would embrace what I'm doing by getting reasonable divorce settlements for my clients and only going to trial when necessary.
As a result of this inspiration, I am now stepping on the gas with respect to my life work, and have no plans whatsoever to retire, or even semi-retire, any time soon.
Incidentally, I have always enjoyed model railroading the most when I have felt highly productive at my life work.
I wonder how I will feel if I'm lucky enough to reach the age of 80. One of my favorite movies, Harold and Maude, deals with that subject in a very humorous and moving way.
Model railroading, long athletic walks for an hour at a time, 3 times per week, and hiking in a hiking group from 4 to 6 miles most Saturday mornings, will continue to be invaluable therapy, which I regard as medicinal, for my physical, mental and emotional well-being.
I recognize that my experience is contrarian, some may say even weird. LOL, Arnold
@Arnold D. Cribari posted:Wood, I am a small business owner like you, and relate much to what you say with a twist that I will soon explain.
Before that, I would say the following things in general to our fellow Forumites who have reached normal retirement age, such as 65 to 70.
Has your life work become intolerable? If so, that is a very good reason to retire. If not, that may be a very good reason to keep working and earning money, and continue building your estate for yourself and your loved ones.
Can you afford to retire? That issue has already been covered very well in many of the above replies.
Is your life work dangerous, ie. police officer, fireman, etc. Such a first responder doing dangerous work is a hero IMO, and deserves to retire with a nice pension to meet his/her reasonable needs after many years of service. I, for one, wish such first responders a rewarding and financially secure retirement.
Now, I will address Wood's above request for input from the small business owners who do model railroading for a hobby, like me, and I will share my unusual story.
I'm 70 years old who will turn 71 this November. Since I was diagnosed with Intermittent Atrial Fibullation in 2007 and had a Stent in January 2008 because of a 90% blockage in a major artery leading to my heart that may have saved my life, my plans were, until recently, to greatly reduce my more stressful work as a divorce litigator and focus much more on divorce mediation and collaborative divorce. I have always been and continue to be, a solo practitioner with a small business.
Around 2010, my cardiologist got my meds just right, and I have been asymptomatic since. Still, I limited, but did not eliminate, my divorce litigation practice, and did my best to do as much mediation and collaborative work as I could get. I was quite content with such a practice, and, if you're interested, you can check out my videos on YouTube about my law and mediation practice by inserting my name in the YouTube search box. [I know very few, if any, of you would bother doing that unless you, or someone you know, needs a divorce lawyer or mediator in NY; that's how I would feel if I were you. LOL]
A few months ago, something amazing happened in my life that has made me more inspired than ever about my life work. I won't go into great detail about that here. However, I will say that much of my recent inspiration stems from a book written this year, which I recently read about an uncle of mine, Wolfe Cribari, who died in 1966 and was a great trial lawyer and a great man; the title of the book is: Wolfe with an E, an Episodic Journey of an Exceptional Life.
Like my Uncle Wolfe, I love giving legal advice, helping people out of a jam, and earning a good income. Unlike me, he helped people out of very big jams like murder cases and very serious personal injury cases, and he hated divorce. I may be living, not his dreams, but his worst nightmare, but he would embrace what I'm doing by getting reasonable divorce settlements for my clients and only going to trial when necessary.
As a result of this inspiration, I am now stepping on the gas with respect to my life work, and have no plans whatsoever to retire, or even semi-retire, any time soon.
Incidentally, I have always enjoyed model railroading the most when I have felt highly productive at my life work.
I wonder how I will feel if I'm lucky enough to reach the age of 80. One of my favorite movies, Harold and Maude, deals with that subject in a very humorous and moving way.
Model railroading, long athletic walks for an hour at a time, 3 times per week, and hiking in a hiking group from 4 to 6 miles most Saturday mornings, will continue to be invaluable therapy, which I regard as medicinal, for my physical, mental and emotional well-being.
I recognize that my experience is contrarian, some may say even weird. LOL, Arnold
Arnold, as you noted, your experience is contrarian, and of course it's not for everyone. However, your approach reflects a thought process that should be useful for all of us. You have thoughtfully considered how all of your activities (work, hobbies, exercise, etc.) fit together into the whole. You're not letting your life just happen - you're consciously directing it. That's the difference between a successful retirement and a failed / boring one - you have a purpose and have decided where everything fits. Thanks for sharing.
Well said @Arnold D. Cribari..
The inspiration point about your work is clearly moving you forward. I think that's true of a lot of small business owners. You dreamed it. "Built it and they will come."
I have spent my life building this small company and it has become an instition in our community. However, it's time to hand it over and for me to build new dreams.
My sons have proven their ability to keep it going. In a few more months I'm sure I'll spend my time working in my woodshop and finishing furniture for my GrandKids, touring with my train friends at York, Springfield and our local Hobby Shops.
For me "building" something is what I love to do.
@Arnold D. Cribari --Arnold, Thanks for sharing your thoughts.Seems like you have adjusted your work life to the appropriate level where you are happy. Glad that your health seems good!
On a somewhat related note, I heard a day or two ago from one of the organizers of the White Plains Toy & Train Show. He did not seem very hopeful that the shows will continue.
Tom
Aussteve, your comment “My dad and my brother had some depression/lack of direction issues after retirement but I didn't.” reminded me of my Dad. He had a number of very interesting hobbies and other pursuits outside of work but when he first retired at the age of 63 his lack of direction was apparent to one and all.
My Mom ran the household and our home was her domain. About two weeks into his retirement Dad started hanging around the kitchen and began second guessing Mom with respect to her cooking. One afternoon, shortly after the end of the second week of his retirement, Mom was making gravy and Dad started to offer some advice. She turned around, gently rested the tip of the large gravy spoon on the tip of Dad’s nose, told him the kitchen had been her domain for the past 41 years, said it was still her domain, and recommended Dad get back to his hobbies and other interests….which he did. He made it to 86 and Mom made it to 101. They both had a good run.
As for me and my wife, we’re more or less retired. Both of the places where we worked were interested in having us work part time from home so we picked two days for work and put in a maximum of 16 hours/week.
Unlike Dad I didn’t have any problem with the change. One area I’ve been able to focus on is train diorama photography (sorry about that) which every now and then results in a picture on the cover of The Train Collectors Quarterly.
Attachments
@Mark Boyce posted:Indeed, Tom! While I never owned a business, or never wanted to, I know there are many others on this forum who have! I admire everyone who has owned a business.
Mark, my father strongly encouraged me soon after I was admitted to the NY State Bar back in 1977 to start my own practice, which I did.
I guess his dear brother's smashing success as a superstar trial lawyer in his own practice may have had something to do with my father's recommendation.
And, he helped me immensely get business by referring many clients to me. He used to tell people to have me handle their matter because I would do all the work, which I did. whereas another law firm would delegate it to their flunky associate. I got many clients as a result. LOL, Arnold
@Jim Waterman posted:A very long string here (since 2015!). My experience: with the help of an early out, I was able to retire from Boeing at age 56. Four months later, got bored and a part time job came up on LinkedIn, 20 hours per week working with the Army on advanced manufacturing. Mostly working from home.
About 2 years later, I was able to purchase the remains of Lee Lines and started on a venture to build standard gauge trains. And as Pierre 'Pete' Maurer once said, "I build trains to buy trains". That is certainly true. Also, it has been the means for continuous learning - from other builders, working with young CAD designers, picking up 3D printers (on my 4th now), designing sturdy mechanisms, working with machine shops and foundries and trying to master creation of casting patterns for metal parts. Just bought a 3D scanner, will see how that works, with the promise of scanning and printing in different scales.
So for about 3 days a week, I sit in front of a computer, the other 4 (and first thing in the morning), I will tinker on the train stuff or do a little building, play with the grandkids, etc.
My point here is that a lot of folks have said 'buy all you big stuff before you retire'. Continuing to work part time, and building trains, I'm able to afford to pick up some of the trains that I have become enamored with, being 'partly retired'. Also helps to finally have all 4 kids through college.
May not work for most, but I enjoy my part time professional job, and building trains. I must have 30 projects stuck under the layout, so I'll be busy for a long time. And starting that process at 56 (now turning 65), it gave me a bunch more years to enjoy the hobby having more spare time every week .
Jim
Building trains? Jim, you must be a very talented model railroader to be able to do that.
I greatly admire you and other hobbyists who can make money by turning their past time into a money making venture, something I am utterly unable to do. Arnold
@Arnold D. Cribari posted:Mark, my father strongly encouraged me soon after I was admitted to the NY State Bar back in 1977 to start my own practice, which I did.
I guess his dear brother's smashing success as a superstar trial lawyer in his own practice may have had something to do with my father's recommendation.
And, he helped me immensely get business by referring many clients to me. He used to tell people to have me handle their matter because I would do all the work, which I did. whereas another law firm would delegate it to their flunky associate. I got many clients as a result. LOL, Arnold
Arnold, neither Dad or I wanted to worry about the money, scheduling work, etc. Grandpa had his own plumbing business, but he died of a bleeding ulcer at age 56. Dad has had anxiety and depression issues. He will be 92 in 2 weeks, retired for 30 years enjoying his hobbies, fly fishing and fly tying in the winter, besides he enjoyed maintaining the old family homestead. Only God knows if he would have fared as well if he had taken grandpa’s business. I am of a similar temperament.
My hat is off to you, your brother, and dad!!!
@Robert S. Butler posted:Mom was making gravy and Dad started to offer some advice. She turned around, gently rested the tip of the large gravy spoon on the tip of Dad’s nose, told him the kitchen had been her domain for the past 41 years, said it was still her domain, and recommended Dad get back to his hobbies and other interest
Robert, that made me laugh out loud. Too bad you don't have a video of that.
I didn't know that my dad and brother had issues after their retirement. About two weeks before my retirement, my brother casually cautioned me about it. He was surprised that I didn't know. But he lived half a mile from them for 40 yrs and I was 200 miles away.
I still think the worst day of retirement is better than the best day at work.
@Mark Boyce posted:Arnold, neither Dad or I wanted to worry about the money, scheduling work, etc. Grandpa had his own plumbing business, but he died of a bleeding ulcer at age 56. Dad has had anxiety and depression issues. He will be 92 in 2 weeks, retired for 30 years enjoying his hobbies, fly fishing and fly tying in the winter, besides he enjoyed maintaining the old family homestead. Only God knows if he would have fared as well if he had taken grandpa’s business. I am of a similar temperament.
My hat is off to you, your brother, and dad!!!
Mark. thank you for the above. I have no brother (wish I did); Wolfe was my father's brother and my uncle.
We are all different with different circumstances. The key is for each individual to go to a deep place and make the right decision for himself/herself regarding when to retire/semi-retire, if at all. Arnold
"Retire, re-tire: the act of pulling into the pits, removing the worn tires and pulling back onto the track with new tires."
So said my father-in-law who ran his publishing company until age 95.
If you love what you do or do what you love, you may never work a day in your life.
I left corporate America early on, gave up excellent benefits and a regular paycheck for a life I would not trade for anything else. A very rewarding path, not without pitfalls and disappointment, but exhilarating in satisfaction with the freedom of pushing the envelope of creativity.
The ability to take off almost anytime I wanted and participate in hobby activities involving travel and trade shows made for an interesting life. I rarely spent more than a week or so at the same project site.
In my world a regular "job" and a regular work station and a regular paycheck struck me as a restraint, perhaps even boring.
However, we are all wired differently which are the ingredients for a great community.
@Arnold D. Cribari posted:Building trains? Jim, you must be a very talented model railroader to be able to do that.
I greatly admire you and other hobbyists who can make money by turning their past time into a money making venture, something I am utterly unable to do. Arnold
Arnold, at the risk of leading you down a rabbit hole that might cause you to become so obsessed that you'll close your practice to chase it, may I suggest...
https://ogrforum.com/...no-baars-david-carse - it includes a chapter on Jim Waterman's work.
and one example of Jim Waterman's latest work: https://ogrforum.com/...3#163884069604334983
Another benefit of continuing life work into old age for those like me with a small practice or business is the ability to be selective about the projects one takes on.
I can now better afford to be selective than I was decades ago. This makes a huge difference for me. My criteria includes does the matter interest me, is the client a good person, and if he/she has committed a dastardly deed, is he/she repentant.
Arnold
@Arnold D. Cribari posted:Another benefit of continuing life work into old age for those like me with a small practice or business is the ability to be selective about the projects one takes on.
I can now better afford to be selective than I was decades ago. This makes a huge difference for me. My criteria includes does the matter interest me, is the client a good person, and if he/she has committed a dastardly deed, is he/she repentant.
Arnold
WOW !! A consigliere with a conscience ! Thank you Arnold !
@Robert S. Butler posted:My Mom ran the household and our home was her domain. About two weeks into his retirement Dad started hanging around the kitchen and began second guessing Mom with respect to her cooking. One afternoon, shortly after the end of the second week of his retirement, Mom was making gravy and Dad started to offer some advice. She turned around, gently rested the tip of the large gravy spoon on the tip of Dad’s nose, told him the kitchen had been her domain for the past 41 years, said it was still her domain, and recommended Dad get back to his hobbies and other interests….which he did. He made it to 86 and Mom made it to 101. They both had a good run.
@Robert S. Butler-- Robert, Thanks for reposting the story about your parents. While slightly different, it still very similar to what my wife says about our kitchen fairly regularly that, "This is not a railroad library!" However, in my defense, she has a very large stuffed animal (a five foot tall giraffe) in our kitchen, so people in glass houses...something like that! 
Tom
@Arnold D. Cribari posted:Another benefit of continuing life work into old age for those like me with a small practice or business is the ability to be selective about the projects one takes on.
I can now better afford to be selective than I was decades ago. This makes a huge difference for me. My criteria includes does the matter interest me, is the client a good person, and if he/she has committed a dastardly deed, is he/she repentant.
Arnold
Like Tom, I am pleased with how you select clients. You have written enough on the Forum that I thought as much!
First is all I would like to express my sincere condolences to everyone who has recently lost a family member, relative or good friend.
I am planning to join the retirement club on Nov. 11th. My wife and I downsized the house 3 years ago and in the meantime I have been able to finish the basement. My tinplate layout is 90% complete with just some signals and accessories to wire. All the major tasks are complete so the remaining layout work will be a breeze once I have more time on my hands. Of course there is still organizing the rest of the basement to be done.
I can’t wait until the day I no longer have to get up at 6AM.
Ed
I recently updated my happiness with retirement, and along with my wife, we are having a super fun retirement, however, it’s so sad, when you planned on having more time with close friends that are not able to get out of their Recliners so to speak. Yes, sitting back, watching the TV, not staying in shape, and can’t see well enough to drive??? I do understand having eye sight issues, but when they can’t walk very far and Find the first Chair in the room, it’s simply not the way I wanted to share my retirement with. My best friend said he forgot how to get to my house, we haven’t visited since the beginning of the Pandemic, Wow, it’s just disappointing. So, Arnold, stay with your plan, work, walk, ride a bike, work on your railroad, great idea. Mark Boyce, stay busy, keep the plan in motion for your railroad, it keeps you young, and for those thinking about actually retiring, stay active, walk each day for a few minutes, work out in your yard, mow your own grass, do not hire folks to do your yard if your 1/2 way able, be self dependent. I’m not complaining, just mentioning the fact that exercise, family time, train friend time, being able to travel, drive, fly, ride a train, walk, talk and chew gum, is important to each retiree. I’m glad I have a wife that pushes me to stay active and encourages and pushes me to exercise, work in the yard, and enjoy my train friends.
The one thing I thought would happen this year was go to York, however, family comes first. My wife says possibly next year but we have family to visit, grandkids, etc. it’s ok. Now, please prepare for your retirement, mentally, physically and monetarily, it’s a lot more fun if you are in shape to really enjoy your Freedom, ,and thanks for reading. (Not all of my friends have issues, just the ones I counted on) Happy Railroading Everyone
Congratulations to all who have retired and still play with trains, as I do every day.
Even if I do nothing more than walk into the train room to look around for a few minutes it gives me great pleasure.
I'm 74 and still happily married. My wife goes to the gym with me 3 times a week as walking the miles and lifting weights does wonders for us oldsters.
When it gets cool in Texas in the winter I race my corvette at sanctioned events. This will probably be my last racing year.
We did not always have it so easy, but perseverance pays off in the end.
Ron H, since there are only 5 cold days per year in most of Texas. I'm wondering how you figure out when to race your vette? Or do you count anything under 68 as a winter day? I know I do.
@ed davis - I guess your retirement date will truly be a Remembrance Day! 😉
Enjoy your retirement - Nov. 11th will arrive before you know it. Just be patient because you're on the home stretch!
I love the smell of the train room in the morning.😄
I'm enjoying reading everyone's comments about retirement and trains. There are lessons in each one of them and I am taking them all in. I am in my early 70s and a have just retired from fulltime in one of my careers (still filling in as an Episcopal supply priest). I still own two small businesses that take about 50 hours a week to run, but I plan to slow down a bit over the next four or five years. I still ride bike and go for walks and am fortunate to have generally good health.
My train purchases have slowed down considerably, but I still see an occasional "must-have". I have a small 4x8 layout at home and I'm active in a very nice modular club where I can run longer trains. I have plans to build a 18x23 foot layout in one of my buildings in the coming year. I think it will be my last big project. I'm not too worried about my train collection as my grandson is in the hobby, however I do think that I will thin the herd a bit over the next few years.
Thanks for sharing, everyone.
Still having fun.
Earl
@aussteve posted:Ron H, since there are only 5 cold days per year in most of Texas. I'm wondering how you figure out when to race your vette? Or do you count anything under 68 as a winter day? I know I do.
Steve, I sure do. We used to race occasionally at the old Bergstrom airbase out side Austin. By the way, I graduated from J H Reagan HS in 1966 way before it went ghetto.
