But be careful to limit how much you talk, experts say — Soon after retiring, I discovered that talking about what ails you is a common conversation topic with fellow retirees. It’s natural to commiserate when you’re frustrated as your body starts to fail in ways big and small. …

At least I wasn’t named Norman — Did my parents want me to become a sociopathic killer with an abnormal relationship with my Mom? Not really, but the names they considered for me were Norman and Ronald, which a few writers thought sounded right for such criminals. I was born before the Alfred Hitchcock classic movie “Psycho”…

Saturdays were often working days, but sometimes special — Saturdays are no longer special when you’re retired. It’s pretty similar to any other day except you can avoid crowds and do all your shopping and errands on weekdays. Some of my favorite Saturday memories are from when I was first married and before we had kids. We lived in…

You won’t find bargains like these anywhere else. — Dollar stores are a godsend for lower-income retirees like me, especially with today’s high inflation. I save weekly on a range of household supplies: Toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissues, mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, all forms of food wrap, food storage bags, candles, garbage bags, etc. …

My athletic shoes confirm the obvious: I’m a true Dad. — I just replaced my athletic shoes with exactly the same kind of shoes I’ve worn walking almost daily for 18 months. They are “dad shoes” similar to the style I’ve bought for many years. What is a dad shoe? This article defines them: Fit — Comfort is king. We’re talking…

Her self-confidence showed the world it was OK to be different — I’m thankful Barbra Streisand was not a conventional beauty when she began her performing career in the late 1950s. If she had looked like Doris Day, she might not have brought me incredible joy as a singer for the past 52 years. Streisand wanted most of all to become an…

Retirement’s less stressful, but it’s hard to stop worrying. — Most of my retired friends agree: Retirement is less stressful because you no longer need to work, at least not full time. Most of us spend a solid third of our adult lives — until we retire — working in jobs that might be highly lucrative and deeply satisfying if…

The first Ikea store I visited was in Pittsburgh in the early 1990s. It was a novel experience. We left our toddler daughter in the childcare area while we roamed the cavernous store. Later, we had dinner together in the store’s cafeteria with its distinctive food reflecting the store’s Swedish…

A few scars aside, I’m no worse for the wear. — Each night after I shower, I rub my feet with cocoa butter lotion as I get into bed. I sit there in appreciation for how many miles they’ve carried me for 65 plus years. …