Nearly five years ago, I wrote, “Will I cry when I retire?” On November 14, 2025, I was part of yet another “Reduction in Force” (RIF) by UKG, which kicked off the decision process. For the record, I did not cry on that day. I felt a tremendous sorrow, but it was for those who remained, and I fear it’s not going to improve, but that’s for another day. In the aftermath of the layoff, I was unsure whether I would simply retire or carry on in some capacity. I was uncertain about living without a steady paycheck, and concerned about how the loss of identity would impact my psyche and fragile male ego. For the balance of the year, I researched and made decisions on things like Social Security, healthcare, 401K’s, IRA’s, HSA’s, and other EIEIO’s. That effort was completed with facts, figures, and lots of forms. All good there. Well, I did discover that one cannot pay a “Medigap” premium with HSA funds. Oiy. I did pay for a consultant to help me with all of the financial stuff, and actually found “they” could help me with Estate Planning, migrating this blog from one hosting provider to a much cheaper one, moving from Microsoft Office to Google Workspace, stock analysis, recipes, a book outline, TV show binge recommendations, and even a “Brutal Self-Analysis & Healing Roadmap.” Yeah, Gemini Pro (AI) is worth the twenty bucks a month. 

With all of that “work” behind me, and doubt whether I’m capable of writing a book, I’m in a “now what?” period. I won’t be riding my bicycle anytime soon due to the frozen tundra, but I’m working out regularly indoors, and my daughter has me doing yoga on a weekly+ cadence, and I’ve been doing the “manny” thing a bit for my 15-month-old granddaughter. Groceries are still a big weekly highlight, plus extra time affords me space to experiment more with recipes. Last night was a new one, Pasta alla Zozzona, the “Cousin of Carbonara who Likes Red Sauce.” It was delicious, even without the guanciale. I think a pound of sausage in a recipe that called for half that was quite porky enough. Speaking of dining, my wife, son, and I have cut back (see budget, above) on restaurants to about once a week. It’s introduced a bit of novelty back into going out to eat, and we’re enjoying it. I’ve yet to receive a Social Security check, so I’m closely monitoring our budget for a few months. 

So, back to the “Will I cry when I retire” thing. No, I will not. I have decided I have no need, either financially or egotistically, to continue working for the man in any capacity. I’m done with that. Retired. There, I said it, and I’m not crying, though, as an aside, the recent passing of Catherine O’Hara has this whole household verklempt. We love our “Moira.” Actually, now I need to work out, then make dinner, then go to my daughter’s yoga class. I am going to get back here on the “Brutal Self-Analysis & Healing Roadmap.” That was enlightening.