The blog
“Even though I was at the end of two careers spanning 30 years, I saw retirement as more of a transition into something new, not stopping and sitting around. I wanted to get into something creative.” And what Rich Bullock got into was writing novels. “First rate thrillers,” according to one critic. “Edge-of-your-seat suspense,” wrote…
At 76, my friend John Hudspeth took a job as a dishwasher. Sounds like a retirement horror story, huh? Not really. John says the job has extended his life. I’ll let him explain in his own words, but, first, you should know that he didn’t need the work to pay bills. After 42 years working…
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First, I want to thank you for taking a chance on my book. I know there are hundreds of options, and you chose this one. I am humbled and grateful. And excited. Because making new friends is one of the perks of writing a book like this. I wish we could hang out together—maybe on…
So evidently my book is a gift. At least that’s what Amazon is telling me. Customers who buy 1001 Fun Things To Do in Retirement are not looking for a retirement book. They’re looking for a retirement gift. And not just any gift will do. They want something fun. As did I. Ironic, huh?…
So innocent civilians are losing their lives in Ukraine, the world seems on the brink of war and I’ve written a book called 1001 Fun Things To Do in Retirement. Bad timing, huh? Maybe. Or maybe not. Less than a week ago, with Russian forces advancing on the capital from several directions, the Kyiv Classic…
The new book is called 1001 Fun Things To Do in Retirement. So why write a book like this? Don’t we just intuitively know the fun things to do in life? My answer is that most of us once did. Dr. Stuart Brown in his 2010 book on play said this: “As children, we don’t…
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I want toys for Christmas. Can’t remember saying that since, hmm, maybe 1959. Growing up in the Bellah family, we kids had two categories of gifts: Toys Everything else “Everything else” included books, stocking stuffer and school stuff, but mostly it meant clothes—the multicolored socks from Aunt Fern, the sweaters knitted by our Granna. “Everything…
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Our 53rd wedding anniversary is coming up, and I’m remembering the 50th. We spent a lot of time talking (OK, arguing) about that one. We disagreed about how to celebrate it. My shy, humble wife wanted something small—maybe go out with two couples, maybe one, maybe just us. Her more flamboyant husband wanted a party—a…
Prepared a special feast in my fire pit yesterday. Cooked the same as when I was in Boy Scouts. Used mesquite—not too green (coals won’t last), nor too thick (won’t go to coals soon enough). —One half-pound hamburger patty, surrounded with veggies (mostly shredded potatoes) —Wrapped in heavy duty tin foil, carefully folded at the…
Thank God for Louis Armstrong. He saved my Monday. I had woken to the usual weekend news updates—more political unrest, more bad pandemic numbers. And, then, “What a Wonderful World” popped up on my Pandora. Suddenly, I’m seeing “trees so green,” “red roses too,” “skies so blue,” and “friends shaking hands.” What timing! Evidently, I…
His mother called him Shug (as in “sugar”). So we all did. And we still do—although his size and somewhat rugged appearance don’t fit the name. Picture the Marlboro man with a few more years and a few more pounds. Shug is one of my oldest, best friends. So when he moved back to his…
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“But I don’t plan to retire.” My friends words were typical of what I hear when others learn of my book. I think my response surprised him. Him: “But I don’t plan to retire.” Me: “Neither do I.” Him: “But you did!” Me: “Not really.” Him: “Yeah” (said with heavy sarcasm), “so that’s why you…