A New Office © 2021 Claudia Ward
I never really thought about retirement. I've worked at least part of the year, every year since I was 13, which was just a few decades ago! Well twelve years ago, the bank I worked for "downsized" and I was part of that downsizing, and thus began my early "retirement". Initially, I tried to be re-employed but that came to naught, so Peter and I started doing those things we'd dreamt of doing but hadn't had the time to do like traveling, seriously taking up photography, and in my case, cooking.
As many of you know, I began this blog, at Peter's urging, in January 2010, and if you've followed Open Window for any length of time you have read and seen our endeavors in all of these efforts. Paris, Venice, Positano and Nags Head are some of our favorite travel destinations. Jellied Consommé, Duck Confit, Zucchini & Goat Cheese Tart, Hasselback Potatoes, and Duck Fat Cookies are just a few of the challenges I set out to conquer and did. And, of course, we photographed it all honing our skills as we went. It was a lovely and memorable retirement, and we're glad we did it all when we did because physically we couldn't do a lot of it now.
So what now? I'm back at work. I've been the Office Manager for the Sag Harbor Historical Society for almost five years, 
an Office Administrator for Christ Episcopal Church in Sag Harbor for a year and a half, 
and starting this summer, I began to maintain the website of Babinski's Farm Stand in Water Mill. I love each job, especially the people, but my favorite this summer has been the Farm Stand. 
Why? Because I get paid in asparagus, strawberries, field-fresh green leaf lettuce, and heirloom tomatoes! I'm in heaven, early in the morning tromping around the fields, seeing what is just coming in. I'm learning a lot which is challenging but rewarding and I can honestly say, I am far from bored. It's also rewarding to know that my various professional experiences are helping these three small businesses. So now you can understand why I haven't been posting to Open Window very often. I miss writing here but I am writing the newsletter for the Society and the blog for the Farm Stand so I still get that satisfaction.
So my recommendation to one and all? Retire early, enjoy it to the max, and then go back to work using everything you've ever learned.