Nuke Ken

Comments:

• Jonathan, I always enjoy it when you discuss this topic which we are both passionate about. Looking through your list, I did a little self-assessment: 1)   For the most part, I feel I’d done enough in my 38-year primary career to achieve closure. Still, my industry is in the midst of unprecedented change and opportunity. Within my industry, my particular niche happens to be in very high demand. I would have FOMO (fear of missing out) if I sat on the sidelines, even though I could. 2)   I’m living the phased retirement life. Professionally, I’ve been able to work on projects quite different from those I tackled in my primary career. And big changes are about to happen for me. 3)   Working less than half-time, I’ve had a very satisfying first year of retirement. Intellectually, socially and financially, the encore job has made a significant contribution to my general sense of well-being since pulling the plug on my primary career. 4)   Last winter, work was slow, giving me just a taste of the shock phase. I’m building an alternate portfolio of activities, including volunteer work aligned with my life’s purpose, to minimize shock and ease into redefinition.   5)   I’ve no idea how long my retirement will last, but I plan to continue to be intentional regarding how I use the time allotted to me during this final chapter.

  Post: Before You Quit

  Link to comment from October 26, 2024

• Andrea, thank you for the very helpful additional information. Much appreciated.

  Post: Retirement Pets by Ken Cutler

  Link to comment from October 24, 2024

• Andrea, many thanks for the suggestion and link. Doesn't look like they currently have any dogs available, but I'll keep an eye on it. Not sure they would accept me as they state homeowners are required to have a backyard fence. We don't...never took our dogs outside unless they had a leash on. I did send them an inquiry.

  Post: Retirement Pets by Ken Cutler

  Link to comment from October 23, 2024

• Hmmm, 200 pounds might be a bit above Lisa’s size criterion for any new dog. I’m a bit envious of you…romping with Big Boy must have been so much fun!

  Post: Retirement Pets by Ken Cutler

  Link to comment from October 23, 2024

• Great story, Steve. Thanks for sharing. Several years ago, I was able to visit my childhood home in Moorestown, NJ. My sister was up for a visit and she had contacted the current owners ahead of time. We were given the grand tour. The kitchen was unrecognizable to me. The pine wood paneled basement where so many of my best childhood times had occurred was mostly intact, including the red flooring that almost certainly contains asbestos. On the second floor, I was delighted to see the brightly tiled 1950 bathroom was almost completely unchanged. It was a fun visit and trip down memory lane, but for the most part I did not experience epiphanies as you did.

  Post: Coming Home by Steve Abramowitz

  Link to comment from October 23, 2024

• Thanks Andrew. The responses to this piece have me thinking more seriously about looking into getting an adult dog from a shelter when the time comes. An adult Sheltie might be ideal, but they usually aren't available.

  Post: Retirement Pets by Ken Cutler

  Link to comment from October 23, 2024

• Marilyn, thanks for sharing your success story with Andy. May you have many happy years enjoying him.

  Post: Retirement Pets by Ken Cutler

  Link to comment from October 21, 2024

• These are definitely good things to consider, thanks.

  Post: Retirement Pets by Ken Cutler

  Link to comment from October 21, 2024

• Thanks for your kind words, Rick—especially about my family. You have a great setup with Tank so close by. My son would like me to get a dog and I would like him to get one. But we live 30 minutes away from each other, so access won’t be as convenient as it is for you.

  Post: Retirement Pets by Ken Cutler

  Link to comment from October 21, 2024

• Thanks Gene. Your cat sitting arrangement sounds ideal for you and your wife at this stage of life. Seems like Phoebe has bonded well with her designated sitters.

  Post: Retirement Pets by Ken Cutler

  Link to comment from October 21, 2024