Before I retired, I was assaulted by know-it-alls who pronounced my impending fate as being one of loneliness and boredom. At the time, boredom sounded pretty good to me, since I was busier than a one-armed paperhanger, too busy to be bored.

However, I could not even imagine being lonely, since I like my solitude, on the other hand I make friends easily and am always being sought out for lunches, coffee, conversation. It didn't sound like an accurate forecast to me.

Now, nearly a year down the road, I can say with certainty that my life is neither lonely nor boring. There's so much going on, that on occasion I've wished for just a little boredom, time to be quiet and meditate.

It's all good. I make friends easily, I love being with people--and I also enjoy my solitude when there's time to be alone.

Perhaps this is a benefit of being in reasonably good health and able to get about easily. It may change as I get older and more housebound. We shall see.

I don't intend ever to become one of those lonely, bitter, alienated old farts if I can help it. There is always something to enjoy and be grateful for.

Like friends. Coffee. Cats. Books. Gardening. Just for starters.