Greetings, friends and readers. I write you today from the remodeling hell that is Retirement Acres East. It's a long story. We'll talk all about it someday. In the meantime, I'm organizing a coup against the HOA. In last month's newsletter (which they don't mail), Neighbor Inez wrote in her front-page column that she was … Continue reading Getting “Reno”-vated →

Glad tidings and season's greetings, dear readers. Today's story is a stroll far down memory lane. Brace yourselves. More years ago than I will ever truthfully acknowledge, I was a student at Retirement Acres preschool. My teacher was Ms. Frances. I'm still not certain whether this was her first or last name, and my parents … Continue reading Christmas 2018 →

But to tell that story, first I have to tell this story. Late one night, by their standards, Mom and Dad went for a walk with the dogs. The dogs, being dogs, didn’t really care about the time. The lab would have just as soon stayed on the couch watching her favorite shows; the German … Continue reading Her Name was Lola… →

Have I told y’all about the neighborhood my parents live in? Well, strap in because I’m about to. For reasons that are reasons, after completing my Cap shield last week, we’re making a second one. Which we were working on Friday when the lawn/odd jobs man (he built a deck and a bathroom for the … Continue reading Friday in Retirement Acres →

Miss Connie and her husband are on vacation, so their daughter is house- and pet-sitting.  Today, she came over and knocked on my parents door. She’s in her mid-20s chronologically, but her disgust level rivaled that of any fifty-five year old office worker. “Do you need any meat?” She asked dispiritedly. “I’m sorry?” My mother … Continue reading Wherein we meet a cat →

Scandal rocked Retirement Acres this week as not one but TWO petitions were circulated through the neighborhood. We shall examine them in no particular order. First we encounter Mrs V as she presents a petition ultimately destined for the city council to the evening gathering of neighborhood gentlemen. Having solved the world’s problems, they turn … Continue reading Retirement Acres vs The City →

Previously on Tales From Retirement Acres: “Mom,” our hapless protagonist protested, “I’m on call and your house is in a technological black hole. And you don’t have WiFi.” “I know all that, but your grandmother thinks this is one of the last six times you’ll see her on this mortal plane, so—“ “Fine. Fine. I’ll … Continue reading A Call to the IT Department  →