How did I ever find time to go to work?

That's what I've been asking myself lately.  Yesterday was the 9th month anniversary of my retirement.  That's long enough to carry and give birth to a child.  And what have I done with these months? (Was I actually worried about being bored?)  I made a commitment to myself NOT to make (new) commitments for 6-12 months after retiring.  And I've pretty much kept to that.  

A couple of months ago I went through the 4 session training program to become a volunteer with the Restorative Justice Program here, and since then I agreed to mentor a young person referred to RJP by the courts.  That is one new commitment.  

And I made a short-term commitment to become a delegate for Bernie Sanders at the Maine State Democratic Convention - which takes place May 6-7.  It has required me to attend a couple of meetings, but will be over after the convention (and I plan to de-register from the Democratic Party and become an unaffiliated independent again.  A pox on both parties!)

Other than those new commitments, I've been continuing with life - doing a lot of reading, completed an 8-week ukulele class, completed a 6-week Tai Chi class, David and I have been meditating daily (that's been interesting--who knew how hard it could be to, as Sylvia Boorstein says, "don't just do something, sit there"), painting rocks, meeting synagogue Board and treasurer obligations, working on some poems, and most recently, beginning to work outside (turned the soil in the raised bed this week, bought pansies, only to see them covered in snow!). 

So here's some photos of life going on:

Cello's Class - can you pick him out?

Old tree we pass on morning walks - with lichen

Snow on my pansies - this was when snow first fell; we got 1+ inch; melted away quickly

Morning after the snow, these were weird ice crystals on the wooden planks of the pier we walk to each day

Sprit-rigged sail boat

Whale and sailing ship

Dog