My version of Charles Reid’s Palm Trees – 140# 1/2 sheet Arches Cold press
The Husband is almost retired from the NYPD. Although we are both too young to retire permanently, he can always retire and get another job. He says he wants to be a dog walker. That’s fine with me. He loves animals and they love him.
But it got me to thinking. What would we do if we were really retired and on a fixed income. I recently told a friend that I liked the words “Trust Fund”. Unfortunately I doubt the words “trust fund” and “Carol King” will ever be uttered in the same sentence. However, I have some sentence examples if anyone is interested in helping a girl out:
“Carol King, we like you so much we set up a zillion dollar trust fund for you.”
“Carol King, because you do some much for everyone else, I’d like you to take over my 20 million dollar trust fund and live in my townhouse on East 71st Street off 5th Ave which, by the way comes with a live-in house-keeper and chef.”
“Carol, you know I don’t like living in the City anymore, but why don’t you live in my 15 room apartment in the Dakota. I’ve set up a Trust Fund for your living expenses.”
Other phrases I like:
- Expense account
- All inclusive
- It’s on us
- Rebate
- Free
Another friend once told me that if she was at the point where she was eating cat food, she would make sure it was at least Fancy Feast. I do wonder what life would be like after retirement. Would I like it? Would I be bored? Would I do all the things I say I want to do and then never do. (paint, draw, learn Spanish, read all those books, exercise, learn yoga?) I know when I’m off I have a tendency to start watching daytime TV and next thing you know BAM it’s 5 pm and I’ve lost the whole day. Or I start to sleep later and later and then stay up all night.
The same friend who said she will eat fancy feast if it came down to her eating cat food also has a rule that she will not turn the TV on until 5 pm. I think that’s a good rule. I won’t follow it, but it’s a good rule.
Right now this is all just speculation. I’m not retiring anytime soon. So excuse me, I have to go back to work filling out forms and dealing with red tape.
Not having any inspiration to paint I pulled out a Charles Reid book and decided to paint from one of his paintings. Palm trees and a beautiful beach. Maybe that could be me and The Husband? Hmmm, retirement wouldn’t be so bad.
Carol King: drawing, painting, complaining 
27 comments
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August 17, 2014 at 5:51 pm
judylobo
Oh my – I am that friend who does not turn on the TV until 5PM. I am also retired but have a part time job that I LOVE! Retirement is waaaaaaaay over-rated. Carpe diem my old friend. I know you will make the BEST of your retirement or semi-retirement.
August 17, 2014 at 5:52 pm
judylobo
am I also the friend who speaks about Fancy Feast?
August 17, 2014 at 5:57 pm
lesliepaints
Very spontaneous Charles Reid-like painting! He was one of the first water colorists whose books I read. Love the splotches of juicy color.
You and the husband will do fine in retirement. I like your posts about it, though. I think retirement is like any other step we have had to make. It is a bit scary and, no matter what anyone else says, it is one of those things that is preceded by a well-planned plunge. 🙂
August 17, 2014 at 6:21 pm
kk2n777
I am with you on that trust fund thing…. I don’t even dare to fantasize about it because any injection of wealth would probably come from inheritance and I would much rather having my parents around…. I just bought Mega which is now up to $160M. A dollar and a dream. 😉
BTW, let’s do figure drawing again after US Open, OK?
August 17, 2014 at 6:33 pm
Sam
O how you do make me laugh, gurl!
Boulder P.D. friend just retired. Seems to be surviving okay.
On account of how much you like free stuff, here’s some advice…
Ask for enough. You’ll still be part of the 1%.
P.S. Okay, you owe me a slap (2000 miles make me brave).
August 17, 2014 at 7:30 pm
padmajamadhu.blogspot.com
The splashes of blue around makes the trees very attractive and whole painting is so serene! Love your sense of humor always 🙂 I am living with 4 retired parents and I think retirement is not that bad if you retain the zest for life! Otherwise, each day has to be pushed in.
August 18, 2014 at 2:48 am
designsweet
Surely retirement IS about doing the things you meant to do – paint, learn Spanish and yoga – but never had enough time for! And possibly replenishing the coffers by doing a part-time job that you couldn’t consider before…
August 18, 2014 at 4:35 am
Sys Trier-Morch
Believe me, Carol, only the word, “retirement” is bad. I call myself “rewired,” because it suites my mentality & attitude better!
You will only loaf & watch TV for so long. Then you will start using your time better. And the amazing thing is, that with so much on your new “to do” list, you will accomplish very few of the projects each day. The time will fly and you will wonder what you did all day. Not being stressed anymore, you won’t mind at all. There is always the next day.
Right now, I’m in Bali, touring until the two-week watercolor workshop starts on Wednesday.
Spent a wonderful week in Vietnam, where I was received like a queen by lots of my former students. They want me to come back again and teach, and I’m tempted!
This is what being free allies. Look forward to it!
See you after I return September 5th.
Love, Sys
>
August 18, 2014 at 6:28 am
w1kkp
“Carol King, we like your writing and art work so much we want you to write and illustrate your journey (you AND the husband) to (wink wink) retirement. We know you paint dogs, too, right? Think Maira Kalman, Carol King. You must be a relative, I swear.” Get back to us when “Days of Our Lives” is over. Love, The New Yorker. Here’s some inspiration to you from Maira.
http://www.patcoakley.com/2014/07/19/maria-kalman/
August 18, 2014 at 7:05 am
Suzanne
You’re a good writer, Carol! You could have a column!
SL
Sent from my iPod
August 18, 2014 at 7:31 am
Jay Bastian
This is quite good, Carol!
August 18, 2014 at 8:45 am
elenacaravela
I’m a fan of Charles Reid as well. And you do him justice in your beautiful painting. My husband and I are in about the same place you and yours are right now. Lots of giant question marks. It’s great to know that boredom would take a back seat to painting non-stop, on the beach or in a box;)
August 18, 2014 at 10:03 am
Mary
Love the atmosphere and feeling your painting gives me – happy retirement to your husband, one door closes and another opens to interesting possibilities.
August 18, 2014 at 4:26 pm
RHCarpenter
Beautiful job on the painting and you always make me laugh – I’ll never look at Fancy Feast the same way!! I hope whatever comes your way, you have enough money to enjoy your retirement and enough time to do those things you want to do – which means, stay healthy and happy and sane and go for it!
August 18, 2014 at 5:03 pm
sefeniak
Even it that was you and your husband for two weeks out of the year, retirement would be good! That is how I think. Keep buying Lotto tickets? Love the painting! 🙂
August 19, 2014 at 3:57 am
Alison Barr
Hi Carol! Is there really such a thing as being too young to retire??!! Not that I’m wishing my time away, but I am looking forward to the days when I can do what I want seven days a week!! x
August 19, 2014 at 7:01 am
walterbrownartist
I too seem to waste the day off, rather than clean out that closet or catch up on other projects.
August 19, 2014 at 8:36 am
Cathyann Burgess
Carol your painting is getting looser and it shows you love it. This post was a great read and ya know, Writing is in your future along with all those other things you want to do. I like the term ‘rewired’ better.
My hubby and I are NEVER bored.
Trust me, there can and should be a fine lifetime to be lived on the fruits of your labor. I hardly ever watch tv unless I want to see what I taped. I have become so much more interested in the living things within my own environment rather than the Jerry Springer infested world of TV. there IS life after employment. Look forward to it.
P.S. Come visit me and we will go painting together …we are headed to the mts of NC soon. Leaving city life behind.
My easel is calling, bye for now.
August 19, 2014 at 1:46 pm
Kathryn
So beautiful, makes me feel very serene 🙂 I don’t know Charles Reid,will have to look him up. I think we’re kindred spirits–I’m dog walking and doing animal portraits for $, and volunteering as a bird monitor. Woo hoo, I feel like I’m getting away with something. Does that make it retirement? I’m not comfortable with that word for me. Maybe in 30 years…? Thanks for sharing your art and ideas.
August 19, 2014 at 9:02 pm
cathy
Really a great painting!!! As for retirement;i have found the best part is that there are NO rules. Thank God!!!!
Fancy feast would be fine lol but somehow you make do and it all works out:)
August 20, 2014 at 5:39 pm
Joan T
Take that trust fund and relocate someplace tropical. We can all come visit. lol You can be like me…create art or spend time on the computer. Life is good…but no Fancy Feast!
August 23, 2014 at 3:45 pm
doronart
Carol I always say that you are not retire until you do… beside nothing wrong with extra 5 minutes in bed.. and should I or should not I.. do nothing you deserve it… Have a super weekend 🙂
August 26, 2014 at 9:39 am
Inese Poga Art Gallery
Beautiful and simple painting! Sometimes less is more for sure! Colors are very lively, like a breeze. great job!
I don’t even want to think about retirement, it’s coming close very rapidly, though. We have nothing to watch on TV, it’s only old movies, repeats, and repeats and some boring shows, no problem with not watching TV here, so I hardly ever do.
August 28, 2014 at 12:47 pm
ladyfi
Lovely watercolour! Retirement on a tropical isle sounds heavenly.
August 28, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Sadami
Hi, Carol, I love your lovely work and sense of humour that wraps up serious thoughts and harsh reality. Let us survive?!
August 28, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Sketchuniverse
Simple but perfect. That is difficult to achieve, and if the way is through the water of the paintbrush, the watercolour is almost divine in summer. You’ve depicted the sea as fluid as it is in reality. Congrats Carol, Sketchuniverse is proud to following you.!
September 1, 2014 at 12:20 pm
croquedessin
Lovely, very nice colours !