Isn't Retirement Grand

I think retirement is a bit of a misnomer, at least for me anyway.  This will be the first Autumn in 35 years that I will not have spent the majority of my time in a high school classroom.  This feels like life phase 2.0.  Instead of an ending of a career this freedom from "job" has completely shifted my priorities.  I am now focusing my energies on personal creativity.  I admit one disadvantage of being an artist who teaches full time, is the drain on one's own creativity.  Days in the classroom studio can suck away expressiveness leaving a temporary vacuum.  Now any lack of productivity is my undeniable responsibility.