Exploring the World as a Roving Retiree

I still can't quite believe it: that I'm old enough to retire, that after 27 years in the King County Library System I will basically have very little to do with the library system since I don't live near enough to be a patron. All the relationships that I have formed will be difficult to continue,  will probably end.  And the question is, who am I now besides a retired librarian.  The voice transcription said, "a very tired librarian" instead of a retired librarian,  and yes,  there's that, too.  Burnout in a busy public library is a very real thing but these days in KCLS, at least,  it's a problem for the library assistants trained to take over the Reference Desk, now called the Information Desk, called Public Service Assistants.

People ask if I have plans for after I retire. Although part of me is afraid I will sit on my couch and watch (more) streaming shows (five seasons of "Brothers & Sisters" and I'm only on season 2!), eating bonbons (in my case, spooning Nutella straight out of the jar), yes, damn straight I have plans! I hope there is some interest in following my adventures: henceforth, this blog. I haven't done a blog since I got diagnosed and treated for lymphoma over five years ago. This should be more fun! My first adventure is housesitting on Bainbridge Island which is within commuting distance of my home. At the same time I am readying my house to be an Airbnb while I am away discovering Ireland for the first time (what, people have already been there before me?).  The fact that I now have an Irish passport allows me (in my crazy mind) to call it "my country". That is partly because this dangerous clown of a U.S. President, #45 or Who Shall Not Be Named, ma...