Retirement is not boring!
I think I got the wrong owners manual at my retirement! Since retiring from the fire service in 2005 I’ve gone back to college, gotten a degree in Human Services, a part time job as a chemical dependency counselor and most recently I’ve been accepted as a photographer into one of the local art galleries where I live. I applied to Ebb Tide Gallery in Gig Harbor, Washington in April and on the second week of the month was informed that my art work had been accepted. I was overjoyed at this bit of news until the realization that now I had to get a business license, tax ID and enough images matted, framed, priced and hung for the open house that was to be held on May 3rd.
Well I managed to get 10 images from 24”x36” to 8”x10” matted framed and hung along with another 25 images of various sizes without mats or frames and some post cards ready for the open house along with a business license and tax ID. The open house went well, even thought the weather wasn’t all that great the gallery stayed full of customers for the whole event. I even sold enough prints to pay rent for the month!
Like I said I think I got the wrong retirement owners manual—whoever got the one that tells you how to sit down and watch the grass grow…CAN I BORROW IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. I have to go now—I’ve got to replace the prints I sold, photograph some new images and be at work by 12:30pm. Life is definitely not boring.
If you’re ever in Gig Harbor stop by the gallery and say Hi.
Kofoed
Wow, congratulations Bryan.
I almost lost my breath reading this. What a joy and excitement to have images at an art gallery.
Your ritirement is surely not boring, and who cares about growing grass when there’s so many other exciting things to do. You make me look forward to retirement.
The best of luck further on, Bryan. And take care.
Kofoed
Bryan Peterson replied
It’s been a fun ride Kofoed, I was lucky, I started planning my retirement early in my career and now I’m able to do things that interest me without the underling concerns of bringing in money. Many paths have been opened for me and they’ve all been a joy to follow. I’ve even started taking up paragliding—what a rush!
johno4280
Wow Buzz is the word!!!! Congrat’s on your Gallery and retirement success.
Just remember to eat somewhere in there.
Maybe you should write the retirement manual?
Huge congratulations again.
John
Bryan Peterson replied
Thanks John, the gallery has been a lot of fun and working with a bunch of artists in a business venture is….lets say interesting.
SharonD
Keep on going Bryan.
Bryan Peterson replied
Thanks Sharon, I plan to.
Loreto Bautist...
Congrat’s!!!
Bryan Peterson replied
Thanks Loreto.
Marjorie Wallace
Congratulations, Bryan. I remember my Dad saying how much he enjoyed retirement. He took an early retirement at the age of 59 and became a full-time musician. He gave up his muscians union card at the age of 91. He had 32 years of living his dream. Now that I am retired, I am remembering this one lesson that my day taught me. That is to live your dream if it is at all possible. You will get out of bed every day exited about the prospects of what the day holds. What greater gift in life can you give yourself? Thank you so much for sharing your story. It makes my day.
Bryan Peterson replied
Your Dad is a wise man Marjorie and it is true that when doing what you love to to, every day is an adventure to look forward to. I have been very lucky to have been able to work as a firefighter for 31 years and now I’m able to persue the joy I experience with my photography. The only problem is; I continue to wonder what happened to the day when the sun goes down they go by so fast!
Marjorie Wallace
Ha! That should have been Dad, not day… another senior moment.