The Peaceful Retiree is a Digital Retirement Collective, or an online community, or a blog devoted to the life and times of retirees, baby boomers, and seniors looking for insights, tips, and guidance from experts who understand the lives of retirees and the need for peace in their lives. The Peaceful Retiree

Featured Post

The "Infamous" Bucket List—Welcomed or Dreaded?

Just curious -- how many of you actually have a bucket list? A written-down list of bucket items that you check-off, delete, add to, or toss in the circular file cabinet. Well, our Contributing Editor, Alan Bergstrom, has a list and he's shuffling with it all the time. Read his thoughts on whether it's welcomed or dreaded.

Opinion

Do ‘Morning People’ Have An Edge?

Our Contributing Editor, Bob DeBroux, takes us through a wonderfully written, and well-researched account of the benefits of burning-the-midnight-oil or awakening at the crack-of-dawn. Whatever your preference, it seems we're looking at a coin-flip in what might be most productive for some people. In either case, thanks to Bob, we now have a new word we can add to our vocabulary, “chronotypes”; so it's best to read this article to find out what chrono is your type.

As The Story Goes, Orville Redenbacher Was A Nincompoop

Our founder and Editor-in-Chief, Tom Marks, writes about his father's relationship with Orville Redenbacher. It's a story chock-filled with humor, sadness, and lessons galore that every person can learn from.

Everyone.

Spoiler Alert: It's a long story but well-worth your time to read it. In fact, if it was a short story in book form, you'd be turning the pages faster than you can say, "More popcorn, please". Read it, share it, learn from it.

Oh No, Not the "R" Word!

Transitioning into retirement, as we know from many of our authors, isn't always smooth sailing. In this article, our Contributing Editor, Alan Bergstrom, has many words of wisdom that he shares with us regarding his own struggles with transitioning into retirement, and some characteristics that are important for us to consider. This is worth the read!

My Phases of Retirement

Our Guest Contributor, Tom Pattison, writes to us, and for us, about his phases of retirement. It's an interesting perspective as Tom walks us through (hmm, maybe crawls us through) the phases that he remembers and the phases he's looking forward to. Thank you Tom.

Happiness Should Come From Helping Others

Our Contributing Editor, Paul Rudersdorf, who we favor as "Peaceful Paul", has a framed writing of the Dali Lama resting on his end table, which isn't actually Paul's end table, if you know Paul. Unlike The Rolling Stones, who couldn't get no satisfaction, Paul's the opposite. He's got satisfaction and he's on a roll. We're thankful Paul is never more than a stone's throw from some truly wonderful insights.

Are You Kidding Me; Planning For Retirement?

Our Contributing Editor, Bill Marks, didn't plan for retirement. Even at nearly 72 years old, he has no plans to retire, un-retire, transition, work less, work harder, or coast on the west coast. Maybe his plan is a plan after all. It's just that the "after" might not be at "all."

We Are Prepared, Are Your Kids?

Our Contributing Editor, Mike LaBarbera, has a bit of advice for our children and even our children's children. Money doesn't grow on trees and that's a deeply-rooted fact. Teach them young just as our parents taught us. But hopefully, we won't grow older with a Great Depression hanging over our heads as it did our parents. That was a life-lesson for the ages.

Accepting Retirement?

Our Contributing Editor, and broadcast Hall-of-Famer, Jim Arnold, has retired three times. He doesn't regret a single retirement decision and has found "peace" in his choices. Why wouldn't he? After all, his legendary broadcasting career began with his radio on-air name, "Sunny Jim Arnold".

The Reformed Retiree

Ken Cook, our Contributing Editor introduces us to his wonderful and captivating story about life with his father. It's a poignant lesson for all of us, and a real life "heads-up" of what can happen without proper retirement planning.

Be Prepared: More Than Just a Boy Scout Slogan.

Our Contributing Editor, Alan Bergstrom, has some contributions about what you should do when the rug is pulled-out from under you. Particularly when you're inches away from retirement. It's not a position any of us ever want to be in, but Alan walks us through some Plan Bs that he's finding to be essential.

Slow Down

The Joy of Teaching Law Students and Young Lawyers

Our Contributing Editor, Marc Kadish, is at it again. He really has no desire to retire even though he's been practicing law for decades. Now, he's judging law school competitions as he continues to fight the good fight.

Sober Monitor

Our Contributing Editor, Tom Kermgard, has said "good riddance" to a Dry July or a Sober September, and even an Ocsober. He's taking the entire year off. And every year for that matter. But for the craft beer and bourbon aficionado, Tom's taste buds are budding. And so is the market for NA beer and spirits. Read through Tom's story; it's from the heart, literally.

The Cowboy Way

Giddy-up cowboys and cowgirls. Our Contributing Editor, Dr. Scott Mickelsen, writes to us about "The Cowboy Way" and for that we're thankful. Our contributors come from all walks of life, and for that we're thankful, too. But learning about "The Cowboy Way" is especially gratifying for us "City Folk" who can learn a thing or two from the Good Doctor.

Life And How To Live It: Towards An Early Semi-Retirement.

Our Contributing Editor, Kurt Huber, is an R.E.M. fan. He's also a fan of Doc Martens, in spite of their status as totally uncomfortable, Mustangs, other convertibles, and Frank Lloyd Wright. With his Masters in Art History and his previous gig as an Adjunct Professor of Art History, before he worked with Tom and Kathy Marks as a Senior Art Director at TMA+Peritus, Kurt is "The Man" when it comes to "Early Retirement".

Invisible People

Our Contributing Editor, Paul Rudersdorf, is asking us to slow-down for just a few minutes and ask ourselves some difficult questions about the homeless population (now referred to by many as the unhoused population). It's a nationwide problem that deserves more than recognition, it deserves volunteerism, compassion, and a deeper understanding of what we assume to be isn't always what is meant to me. Not surprisingly, "Peaceful Paul" is doing his part.

Don’t Judge Me By My Book’s Cover

Our burn-the-midnight-oil, nose-to-the grindstone, Contributing Editor, Tom Kermgard, reads books like Joey Chestnut eats hotdogs. In volumes. But like others, he's always wrestled, at least since 2007, with the allure of holding a physical book and the magic of holding a Kindle. He has an answer for us. Read on my friends, read on!

Letters

Our Contributing Editor, Paul Rudersdorf, who we affectionately refer to as "Peaceful Paul", has written a letter to all of us about the importance of writing letters. Reader Beware: This article is a tearjerker, but a necessary read for all of us as we begin to live our final act.

Does The Great American Songbook Include Retirement Reinvention?

Our intrepid Contributing Editor, Dave Slavin, is wondering if reinvention in retirement is applicable to all of us just as the famed musician, and former Beach Boy, Brian Wilson, reinvented himself after the age of 55. Dave went through the reinvention process and highly recommends it. He also highly recommends the music of Brian Wilson!

Redefining Retirement: More Than Just an End

Our resident Management Consultant and Contributing Editor, Phyllis Johnson Smith, has been reflecting lately. And when Phyllis reflects you can bet we're in for a few lessons learned, and a heap of knowledge we can carry with us for our lifetime. Her transition into retirement, not that it's actually happened yet, has had some twists and turns, but it's a path worth reading about.

Don't Surround Yourself With Yourself!

Our Contributing Editor, Dave Slavin, says yes to YES, one of his favorite bands of all time. But bandmate, Jon Anderson, has been on his own for two decades and according to Dave, his music has never been better. In fact, there's one song that reminds Dave of his wife, Montie Slavin, and that makes Dave happy all the time.

Speed Up

The "Rocket" Rocked It!

RJ "Coach" Ley has had the rare opportunity to meet quite a few famous people in his career. Fortunately for us, over the next year, the "Coach" is going to share some of those "Brushes With Greatness" with us which, of course, is great for us. Let's start with Roger "The Rocket" Clemens.

Losing Muscle As We Age? Not This Kind!

Our Contributing Editor, Alan Bergstrom, has muscle-mass on his mind. Vroom, Vroom is the sound of his gymnasium where he's working-out and working-on his cruising life on the streets in Arizona. His wife Rebecca is riding shotgun, but is she? It seems to us that it's more her car than Alan's. But that's a story for another day.

The Soul of Certain Possessions

MJ Simpson, our Contributing Editor and resident whitewater paddler has a story about possessions. Not accumulating them, hardly. But passing them down from one person to the next, and to the next. It's what we should do with our possessions, it's what the paddling community teaches us to do.

Driving In Style, Beyond The Conventional Wisdom Of The SUV

Our Contributing Editor, Designer-in-Chief, and Chief-Car Enthusiast (not SUV enthusiast) has some opinions about SUVs, cars, cars with convertible tops, and fast cars in the Wisconsin snow. The only thing we're not certain of is if Kurt's been driving since the age of 6. Sort of seems like he has.

If Chronic Illness Doesn’t Kill You, Your Medications Might

Our Contributing Editor, Pharmacist-in-Residence, and Entrepreneur-in-Chief, Kevin Boeson, has some guiding words about diet and exercise, and, of yes, about the number of medications we're consuming, and how they might all interact with each other; which is pretty much an unknown. Editors Note: Kevin has now opened his second Body Fit Training gym, and you can learn more about it here.

My Name Is Bob

Our Contributing Editor, Bob DeBroux, has been doing a lot of thinking lately. Actually, since he was born. Or quite possibly, even before he was born as in the Zen koan sort of story, dialog, question, statement type of thing: "Show me your original face before you were born." In any event, and Bob's had a lot of events in his 70+ years of life, he's on a path to finding things out about finding things out. We love it, and you will, too!

My Semi-Retirement Life

Our Contributing Editor, Jim Carlson, has been planning his retirement since he was 37 (maybe even before that age). He has it figured-out, which allows him to travel the globe, work wherever he finds himself, and still play and record the music he cares about as a professional singer-songwriter. From our standpoint, he's fine-tuned everything about semi-retirement including the tunes he writes.

"Building Relationships of Trust"

Dr. Scott Mickelesen writes to us about trust. More specifically about the importance of trust in relationships. And it's not just workplace relationships in order to maximize engagement and productivity. Scott's advice transcends any specific segment in our lives and applies everywhere, and anywhere. It's solid advice from the most solid of all humans.

The CDC reports that 90% of disease is caused by stress!

Perhaps our lives will never be stress-free. But why not try to make it as stress-free as possible? Our skilled, highly trained, and master yoga instructor, and Contributing Editor, Stephanie Barksdale has some lessons for us. It begins with not missing out on LIFE!

High in Retirement

From carefree, to careful, to not a care-in-the-world. Mike LaBarbera walks us through; um excuse us, runs us through his active lifestyle like a kid in a candy store.

Be Included

Starting A Business In Retirement

Our Contributing Editor, Paul Rudersdorf, who was a bank CEO, a CPA, and a business advisor to hundreds has some tips about starting a business in retirement. According to Paul, it's a green light sort of thing for some people. Check this article to learn some pro tips from the pro himself.

The Power Of Tradition

Our Contributing Editor, Alan Bergstrom, is contributing his thoughts on traditions. They don't just apply to the holidays, but we do hope they travel from one generation to the next. Passing it on is the key, and Alan and his family are doing their very best!

The Jolly Boys - Winners or Losers?

Our valiant Contributing Editor, Jim Arnold, is taking ROMEOs to an entirely new level (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and introducing us to his Friday morning coffee group. And introducing us to the difference between winners and losers, which, apparently, is only a coin-flip away.

Giving Back Is My Personal High!

Mike LaBarbera is a "giver." He has been for decades and he will be for as long as he's fit-as-a-fiddle, which is part of his routine so he can stay healthy to keep on giving. To his community, to youth, his family, to Veterans, and probably to anyone or any cause that makes sense. It's one of the most excellent approaches to life, in retirement or otherwise. Thank you Mike for taking the time to give, when you have the time and when you didn't.

Beat the “Fall Back Blahs” of Daylight Savings

Andrea Marquardt Finck, our resident home organizer guru and certified Feng Shui expert, has some terrific tips on how to navigate daylight savings time so your mental health remains mentally healthy. Spoiler Alert: It's okay to get out and socialize!

My First Love

Kathy Marks belongs outside. Paddling whitewater in Patagonia, rock climbing in Arizona, hiking in Colorado, kayaking the Fjords, and volunteering at Tohono Chul in Tucson. She writes about her life coming full-circle from her first love, the outdoors, to finding her first love again, the outdoors, as she approaches retirement.

We're Waiting to Hear From You

OK everyone. We're waiting to hear from you. Send us your articles and we'll do our best to include you in The Peaceful Retiree. That's because we're the first Digital Retirement Collective™, which means we count on our readers to join the efforts of our 26 Contributing Editors to make our Collective the best in the world. Seems pretty easy to us.

This Old Veteran

He became the ultimate volunteer at age 19. He’s still volunteering today. And it's our guess, Contributing Editor, Mike LaBarbera, will still be volunteering tomorrow, and next year, and the year after.

Bob Weirauch’s Reflections

Reflections On St. Patrick's Day

Our Contributing Editor and sometimes Poet-in-Residence, Bob Weirauch, is celebrating St. Patrick's Day as he has for many years. He's reflecting on the events that happen once a year, but he's also reflecting on the Irish history that was always so very important to him and his family. Erin go bragh!

Reflections: On Birthdays

Our Contributing Editor, Bob Weirauch, is celebrating his birthday. He's curious, obviously, about the meaning of the number (Spoiler Alert: 77) that his birthday represents. Upon some digging, Bob was digging the meaning. You will too when you read more!

Good Grief: Reflections On Grieving Loss

It's been a rough few weeks for our Contributing Editor, Bob Weirauch and his partner Teri. It happens when we get older; we lose our family, our friends, our pets, and even some of our material belongings. Bob has been in deep thought about this, here's his "take".

Reflections On Nature: The Supermoon

The Supermoon is in the sky and our Contributing Editor is spry.

That's Bob Weirauch, our Poet-in-Chief, who has found relief,

In the natural world where his feet are curled,

In front of a fire where the sky is his choir.

Reflections: About A Bar In West Allis Named Luddy's

Bob Weirauch remembers a bar, long gone, in Wisconsin that his father frequented. It sure seems that Bob hasn't forgotten that old place, and how could he? Luddy's Bar seems like one weird place, or perhaps that's just the way Bob remembers it.

Reflections On Friends: “Auld Lang Syne” or Those Times Gone By

Bob Weirauch reflects on the song "Auld Lang Syne" including its meaning, it's real meaning, and how it should guide us in our pursuit of friendships and perhaps even how we resolve our New Year's Resolutions.

Reflections: What Happens in Vegas

The road trip is a right of passage. But a road trip that's been occurring for more than 40 years, and dozens of times over, isn't a right of passage any longer. It's a given-right shared between two friends with an understanding that they'll be more. Or will there be?

Time can do that to road trips. It can bring a sense of ending, a discontinuance of the eternal, but it can't do that to friendships, those can never end; regardless of what happens in Vegas!

Reflections: On Old, Abandoned Houses

Gone but not forgotten, at least in the eyes (and mind) of Bob Weirauch. If you ever come across an old, abandoned house, give it some thought. There might not be anyone living there, but it's probably alive with stories, some good, perhaps some not so good. Let your imagination run because that's something that should never be abandoned.

Reflections: A Conversation With Hannah

And what an interesting conversation it must have been. If we could have just been an antique lamp shade near the wall, we'd know a lot more about the ins and outs of that conversation. But hey, that's not our place in a convo between father and daughter. Or is it? Read on.

Reflections: The Run (For Dani)

Poet-in-Residence, Bob Weirauch, wrote about his daughter's running efforts. Those efforts might have been a long time ago, but obviously he never forgot Dani's commitment and dedication to the path she ran on and the path she followed throughout her life.

The Monthly Peaceful Interview

The Peaceful Retiree Monthly Interview: Nelson Tsosie

Pictured below (unless you're on mobile, then it's above) is Nelson Tsosie, his wife Valerie, and Tom Marks, our Editor-in-Chief wrapping-up the Monthly Peaceful Retiree interview.

Nelson Tsosie is one of the most famous, world renowned, and talented Navajo Artists in the US. His works are displayed in many of the finest galleries, museums, and properties in North America. Tsosie has won numerous first-place awards at the top Indian Artisan Shows and is the “go-to artist” among many of the nation’s most prominent collectors. Born in 1961, he has no intention of backing-off his full-time schedule of creating masterpieces in the art of sculptures, carvings, paintings, and who knows, maybe rug-weaving just like his mother.

The Peaceful Retiree Monthly Interview: Marvin Smith

His origin story is unlike any other. Growing-up in the 1940s, a man of color, presented challenges that most would find insurmountable. Marvin Smith refuses to see it that way.