Affordable Retirement Communities

When we retire, we always have to consider our budget. My aunt, who lives on social security choose a wonderful retirement apartment in Ashland. It is for people who are retired on a small budget, and is subsidized by the government. It offers safety, social contact, and is kept up beautifully. When we are older and retired, we still deserve to live in a comfortable place. You could look at http://www.senioraffordablehousing.org/donald_lewis for a list of such places.

Karen

The Wild Birds of Southern Oregon

Yesterday I rowed on Immigrant Lake. It was one of those perfect times when the water was like glass, the sky was brilliant blue, the sun was warming us in the crisp, cool weather, and the four of us were the only ones on the lake. Except for the birds! I have often said that one of the best things about rowing is the constant treat of the wild fowl who make their homes near water. We see osprey, herons, bald eagles, a wide variety of ducks and many more whose names I am not familiar with. One of my favorite sights is a mother duck and her flotilla of babies paddling across the water. As many birds as I get to see in the Ashland area, one must really go to Klamath Falls, Oregon to get the big picture! In the Klamath Basin one will find a wildlife refuge like nothing else anywhere. I joined friends a few years ago with a wildlife biologist who took us on a tour and identified the various species and provided such interesting information about the many birds who make their home there. I know many retired people who love "birding", and I think it is because it takes patience and time to really experience them, and guess what? Retired people get to take time to enjoy their interests! My friend Jerry photographs them, while my pal Rosemary draws and paints their image. Just one more way to enjoy retirement! And by the way, there is lots of information on the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge on our website www.oregonretirement.info

Cheers, Karen

Retirement USA

Oh boy, it is Friday! Whenever I say that, my friends laugh at me and as though Friday has no significance to a retired person. And the truth is it still does. It was always a favorite feeling when I worked. I loved my job (I managed a social service program at Asante Health System) and enjoyed serving the patients and community that asked for our service. So really, at the end of Friday afternoon, I could celebrate the people I helped, ask for guidance for those whom I couldn't, and feel the joy of having time to myself. I try to maintain that "emotional schedule" in my life now, even though I am retired. For instance; Marty and I nearly always check our website www.oregonretirement.info each morning, to add more links or clear ones that may not be valid any longer. We blog, and then we email each other with an update on our website project. So, we have a "job"! Granted it is done in our jammies with a cup of coffee nearby, but it provides a certain discipline that we follow. Then comes Friday, and we have what we call "decktails". It all started when Mark and Marty built a house down the road from me. It has a large deck and we would gather there Friday after work along with other friends who may want to join us. We would potluck appetizers and wine and enjoy the beautiful hills of Ashland from the deck. By the way, those hills are amazing! It reminds me of Southern France (only it is Southern Oregon) and no matter what time of year it is, the hills will give us a light show that is breathtaking. We see fields of purple vetch in the spring, frosting of snow in the winter, and all the colors in between the seasons, plus an occasional rainbow. Yes, retirement is wonderful, but so are Friday nights in Ashland!

Cheers, Karen

Knitting in Ashland, Oregon

A hobby which can become a passion for those who have extra time in retirement, is knitting. In Ashland, we are so fortunate to have The Web-sters yarn shop. Drool over their wares as you visualize adding to your stash at http://www.yarnatwebsters.com/
In addition to being purveyors of the yummiest yarns around, they offer many classes in fascinating ways to use yarn that will challenge your skills and keep your mind active learning to create projects you never dreamed were possible. These classes come in all ability levels from basic kitting for those who have never picked up needles before, to exotic techniques involving mosaics, fair isle, European style knitting, and something my friend Candace is doing that involves wrapping the yarn around her back to help reduce the stress on her thumbs! I wish I had a camera the other night when I saw her with a cat on her lap, another on the back of the couch breathing down her neck, the yarn wrapped around behind her, and something she had strapped to her thigh to hold her pattern so she could follow it and keep her hands free for all of the above activities!
Tonight there is a free session at Web-sters where people (seems to be mostly women, so might be a great hobby for a single man to take up!) gather to work on their favorite projects and enjoy an evening of companionship. Karen and I are making afghans for Afghans. Check out this great site, and help out if you can. http://www.afghansforafghans.org/
Kay is making hats for the local shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. There are also several other groups that distribute warm hats, sweaters, scarves and mittens to local people in need, such as Uncle Food's Diner and the Northwest Seasonal Workers. You can check out other volunteer opportunities in Ashland on our web site http://www.oregonretirement.info/
But that sounds like another topic for a blog, so I'll close for now.
Hope this leaves you in stitches!
Marty

Learning in Retirement

One of the most fun things for retirees in Ashland to keep their minds active is to take classes at SOLIR - Southern Oregon Learning in Retirement. http://www.sou.edu/siskiyoucenter/solir/index.shtml
This program offers retirees a chance to teach a class in their favorite hobby, or literary or current events topic that they have researched and have some level of expertise in and enthusiasm for. Or for a paltry $100 per YEAR tuition, take all the classes you can fit into your busy retirement schedule! Popular courses are on anything Shakespearean, as Ashland is home to the world famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival http://www.osfashland.org/index.aspx It's always helpful to have studied the play before you see it live on stage at the Elizabethan theatre. Plus you get a chance to meet new friends that share your love of learning in a specific area, or just those who finally have time to enjoy exploring their world outside of career and family.
Ashland is also home to many other adult education programs which you can learn more about on our web site, http://www.oregonretirement.info
See you in class!
Marty