Terri White: Can you spell F-U-N?

May 11—After a year of retirement under my belt, I've given this season of my life much thought. For my first year, I resolved not to join any groups. I didn't want to jump into something and then end up running it. That's what usually happens. With so many community options, I want to choose carefully. Thus, involvement has been simmering on the back burner for a year.

Meanwhile, marketing my book, Back Porch Musings, has kept me plenty busy — the unpleasant part of publishing. Then, too, I continue to write new essays like this one, or write-ups for various organizations.

Although I prefer to stay busy, I still want a more relaxed schedule. After a lifetime of rising early for school, work, children, and volunteering, I've earned some guilt-free R & R. My porch is calling me. A good book is calling me. My flowers are calling me. Nature is calling me. A nap is calling me. And I'm pretty sure my husband is calling me!

Frankly, with writing, family, and friends, no grass is growing under my feet. But still, I expect that other ventures will turn up to sprinkle among my R & R time. Keeping my antennae up for possibilities, I just may reinvent myself. Wouldn't THAT be an adventure!

After skydiving in May 2023, I determined to try out ziplining. Whizzing through a forest amid nature's finest appeals to me. Stay tuned for that escapade.

Closer to home, though, I moved that simmering pot to the front burner and stuck my toe in the water by joining a painting class with my friend Jennifer. While I don't claim be an artist, I did take art classes in school and even in college. Over the years, I've dabbled in the occasional 'paint and sip'. But I'm no Rembrandt or Van Gogh.

Our first class tackled watercolor painting. Honestly, I wasn't enthusiastic. Watercolor seemed daunting, but I figured nothing ventured, nothing gained. So Jenn and I arrived tentatively. As the other ladies filtered in, we discovered that this group of women our age had been painting together for years. "We're like sisters," one announced. A friendly lot, they were delighted for new faces. Conversation flowed with some cheerful bantering.

Once everyone had arrived and settled in with their supplies, Ann began the lesson. We watched and learned. Then we rolled up our sleeves and dove in — trying to remember her instructions. Totally focused, Jenn and I chatted little, but the others yakked away. Eventually, we joined in some, but as newbies, we found it challenging to talk and paint at the same time. If we stick with it, I guess we'll talk, chew gum, and paint all at once!

At home later, I pondered my new experience and found that I enjoyed it. I liked the camaraderie. I liked the challenge of learning a new skill. I liked that I don't fret about imperfection. I just want to have fun.

There you have it. At this stage of life, I want to infuse more fun in my life. Like more dancing, more laughing, and more new experiences — all with abandon. Because sometimes, in the midst of our responsibilities, we forget to embrace life with gusto. And, by golly, I plan to do just that.

While the ladies mingled before our watercolor lesson, I gabbed with a few. When one found out I was a writer, she exclaimed, "You should start a writers' club here." Then I would have to be in charge. Joining a writers' club sounds fun, but I never plan to run anything for the rest of my life. Can you spell F-U-N?