Why not phased-in retirement?

I struggle to articulate the reasons that this is a good idea, because a part of my brain keeps telling me that just the statement, "Why not phased-in retirement?" should be all I need to say for the light to go on in the brains of others!

After all, in the tribal past of all humans, isn't this what was done? What does the term tribal elder really imply? Surely, our ancestors didn't send their older members out to hunt and to war rather than their younger and stronger fellows. But they made full use of their experience by listening to their ideas.

When I was in my mid-twenties, full of energy and ideas, I remember filling out endless job applications and mailing in tons of resumes, trying to get a decent job. The employers all wanted more experience (often with software that was already out-of-date or soon would be).

Now, in my fifties and wanting to slow down, I have seemingly unlimited opportunities to put in more hours, and earn more money, by taking on additional tasks at my current job, or doing some consulting on the side.

An acquaintance - with a career worth of valuable experience - has health issues that prevent her from working fulltime, but would very much like to work a reduced schedule - maybe 40-60 percent of fulltime. Nobody offers part-time jobs these days, unless (1) the hours are those nobody else will work, or (2) the pay is less than what you would get at a fast food joint, or (3) the job description is a mile long and the "flexibility" is all on the employer's side (to make you work as many hours as they wish without guaranteeing you any minimum).

Currently the economic recovery is being hindered by a combination of baby boomers, who can't afford to retire, hanging onto their jobs, and folks in their mid-twenties who can't find that career-starting job.

Imagine sixty-something-year-old workers mentoring twenty-something-year-olds; passing on that (much talked about) organizational knowledge, which managers mostly remember after it has walked out the door.

Imagine allowing older workers with health issues to work abbreviated schedules, thus letting businesses
continue taking advantage of their hard-earned expertise after their bodies can no longer endure forty-plus hours per week in the cubicle jungle.

So, why not phased-in retirement?

Remembering Ken Coffeen

I guess I've never felt quite worthy to be your friend - I still don't. But I will miss having you in this world profoundly. You have been a good and gentle soul I could look to for guidance and attempt to model my life after. I have aspired to approach life in a positive yet philosophical way - the way you did. I will continue to do so.

Ken Coffeen was truly a wise elder of the human tribe - Madison, Wisconsin branch. He touched many lives and will be missed. Lo vamos a hechar de menos - that's the simple truth.

Ken worked as a civil engineer for most of his life, including a couple years in Ecuador, designing and leading the construction of a sanitary sewer system for a then small town. Ken was one of the first group of young Americans to answer President Kennedy's call to join the Peace Corps. 30+ years later he returned to Ecuador and received rare treatment as a valued elder who had helped lay the foundation for a now much larger and thriving town.

Here in Wisconsin, Ken was one of those who stood on the docks in quiet support of native Americans as they asserted their treaty right to spear fish. This he and many other brave and gentle folks did at a time when those native Americans were being subjected to vicious racist verbal attacks which threatened to become physical attacks.

This is just one of many stories about Ken's social activism which you would only hear if you were willing to take the time to listen as he spoke quietly. He was never a person to self-aggrandize or impose his stories upon others. But he told good stories!

Here in Madison, Ken volunteered often as part of the local returned Peace Corps volunteers group. He was the sort of person who is so reliable that others take them for granted. "Ken will be there." or "Ken is taking care of it." Ken has other business to attend to now, and we will miss him.

Since the death of my father, I have not felt the loss of anyone this strongly. As with Dad, there are things left unspoken that I wish I had said to Ken. I guess a big part of all grief is really self-pity. I already miss you a lot, Ken, and would like to be able to tell you so.

Ken spoke out against those things which need to be spoken against, such as war, and he spoke out in favor of those things we all ought to, such as social justice and peace. His quietly passionate voice will be missed.

Deer Caught in the Act!

It had to happen eventually. Here is visual proof that our local suburban deer does in fact eat from the bird feeder. She brought along a couple of trainees today!

This is the same mature doe that has been eating from our backyard feeder for a few years now. She is obviously trying to teach her two fawns from last spring how to live well in the suburbs by taking advantage of existing food sources.

After this photo was taken one of the little ones came right up to our deck and looked in the window. Possibly hoping for an invitation to dinner?