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Retirement Talk

In this episode, Patrick & Huck: Retirement Talk . . . 

We all get caught daydreaming sometimes, don’t we? Just like Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn might’ve done, lazyin’ by the river with a fishing pole in hand and the BIG wide world spinn’ in their heads.

This morning, with coffee steaming and plans bubbling, I found myself driftin’ into a chat with none other than my imaginary friend–Huck Finn himself.

Patrick: “Mornin’, Huck. Say, I’m mighty curious what you’d make of this retirement business.”

Huck: “Well now, sit tight, ‘cause I’ve been thinkin’ on that too. Only thirty-one days 'til you're sixty-nine — whew! You're talkin’ ‘bout quittin’, hangin’ up your spurs, Givin’ the workin’ life its final good slurs.

Ain’t got no debts, no mortgage, no fuss, Just clean livin’ and freedom waitin’ on the bus. Most folks’d throw hats in the air, cheerin’ loud and proud, But you? You’re starin’ out yonder, lost in some cloud.

You're dreamin’ of cyclin' and books and guitars,
Of bloggin’ and podcasts and countin’ the stars.
Schoolin’ your mind and helpin’ old friends,
Creatin’ like crazy until time itself bends.”

Patrick (grinnin’): “I ain't one to sit still, that ain't in my bones,
Not while there’s stories to write and talks to hone.
Been strummin’ my six-string and tappin’ out posts,
Helpin’ a 92-year-old with tech like a ghost!

Got a book nearly cooked, just waitin’ to glow,
And a voice in my head sayin’, ‘C’mon, let’s go!’”

Huck: “Well shoot, you ain't slowin’, you’re revvin’ up fast,
Got AI machines doin' chores that won’t last.
Readin’ an hour a day, feedin’ that brain,
While folks your age holler ‘my back’s full of pain!’

So it ain’t ‘bout fillin’ time — nah, that ain’t the tune,
It’s what you'll fill it with, ‘neath the sun and the moon.
Will you dive deeper into tales yet untold?
Will you ride that wild river, all daring and bold?

Can AI help ya? Sure as a catfish’ll bite,
But you’re the one drivin’, with all that bright light.
You’ve got freedom ahead, no boss-man, no clock,
Just you and the world, and a whole lotta talk.”

Patrick (laughing): “Well, Huck, you make it sound finer than fine,
like retirement’s just the start of a climb.”

Huck (with a wink): “It is, friend. It is. And the road’s all yours to roam.
Ain’t no maps for what’s next — just the wide skies of home.
So keep dreamin’ and doin’, don’t let nothin’ clog ya,
Retirement, for you, is just switchin’ the saga.

You're a river that’s rushin’, not dryin’ or slow,
Now paddle, old friend — let that new current flow.”

. . . So, what about you? Have you ever had a chat with your imaginary friend? Or maybe you've drifted into a new season of life, wondering what the next current you'll follow might be. It's a journey we all experience, and it's perfectly okay to explore and ponder where life is taking you.

Sit a spell. The river’s mighty fine.

I'm Patrick Ball. Stay curious, ask questions, see you next time.

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Comments

Don Hanley said…
A fine tale, Patrick, my friend - I'm 23 Years older than you and sort of retired at 84 and then wrote 3 1/2 books - so,,,,keep pondering.
July 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Patrick B. Ball said…
Ahoy there, matey! The talk ain't over yet! Heave to and click the link below to join the old sea-dog himself for more yarn-spinning on the digital waves! https://g.co/gemini/share/9de979f1978b
July 30, 2025 at 5:39 PM
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