Boomers often ask what it’s like to be retired. I tell them I haven’t a clue. I do know their starry-eyed version of retirement is but the sly and smirking propaganda of bank retirement funds and private money managers. Learn the secret of a graceful retirement. READ FULL STORY HERE

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God bless you Frank for those few words, for they brought tears to my sad old eyes, it was as if you set next to me in school or you lived in the same block, the whole article was good but that paragraph summed it up most, running behind the iceman hoping that a piece of ice would fall of the wagon, nothing tasted so good.

There's no doubt in my mind you could go on with another 10 or 12 more paragraphs of things that we miss, I know I could. Bob Fansler Sr—Pleasant Hill MO

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Oh, Frank, what great advise. Love it all...take care. God bless, Betty Culp

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Good ending, Frank. You had me a bit worried along the way. USA Today is running a series this week on Boomers entering retirement. Might give you some insight into which these folks are. Many have a bunch of money, e.g., an average of $500K with home equity included per one report. Keep up the good work. California George Fullmore

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YOU REALLY NAILED IT ON THIS ONE!! Delores Jones

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Absolutely loved it!! SO true. Nanc Sevic

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I'm still in the incomplete project stage at 66, but I totally agree. Douglas Keever

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Just great, so great—and commendable by all of us am sure! Best to you! Augusta

EXCELLENT retirement article, Frank. My thoughts exactly!!! Now, I have it in print instead of "splaining" it to others all the time. loll thx now...it's off to find something to do!!! Barbara Jean Wovas

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That is exactly how we feel....thanks for putting it into words...and to make us realize that we weren't the only ones thinking that "the Golden Age" is gold only for the doctors....You made me feel good. Helen I read all of your articles weekly, but today's (1/18/08) was your most truthful. As I wrote before, I'm 65, almost 66, and I don't see "retirement" in my near future. Yes, I'm tired of the daily grind, but my upbringing and my ill-kept finances dictate that I'm not yet ready. As you stated, I simply could not give up the joy of getting up every day and going to work. I'm probably going to work part-time when, and if I do "retire."

Once again, Frank, you've brought wisdom and pleasure to my everyday life. I'm sure your readers, like me, also feel the same satisfaction. Keep up the great work! Bill Benway

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One of your best. We may disagree a lot but when you are good, you are good!!! Andy H Olson

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I was born in the middle of WWII but I still grew up with the work ethic and the concept of retirement. The difference is that I never planned to retire because I saw that those that retired either died fairly fast after retirement or were bored out of their skulls with the lack of structured activity i.e. work. So, I'm planning to more from one job to another as the spirit moves me whether it be paying or volunteering. I'll be moving along until I die. Carol Machulski

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Will Rogers said: "Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable." I am enjoying my leisure retirement playing golf and writing; but I must admit that I am active. Cam Harlan

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How right you are! And the longer you don't do anything, the harder it is when you are given something to do! Well, what the hell, frank, I'm pushing 78 (July) and each day I never know which part of my body is going to fail me next....but I still keep on truckin' ; I just don't seem to care anymore...... Offered to work on the newsletter here at this complex, but it won't add up to beans.... They did something stupid a long time ago, so if we can get a calendar out, it will be enough. Don't even feel like painting anymore. Can't find a class to attend that's local, during the morning or afternoon. Price of everything goes up and up and up or else they don't carry what I want. And then since "hurricane Wilma" blew us out, our maintenance fees went up though in 2030, the SBA loans (2) will be paid for.... and I'll be long gone. My appetite shrunk, but I didn't. The less I eat, the more I gain. Geezerville is for the birds. Hope carolyn is still managing her cancer problem and she is not miserable. Be well. Joan

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I just read a letter from someone I forgot who had fond memories of being around Aunts, Uncles and etc, they were poor but had plenty of food. I also have some wonderful memories of having both sets of Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins at my parents house for Sunday dinner. WE just grabbed a plate and went to find any spot we could to sit and eat. Everyone would bring a dish so we had a fest every time and it was at least once a month. I have a picture of one of my cousins we grew up together same age, our Mothers were sisters, he was laying under a tree reading a comic book with his shoes off. My Mom arranged these get-togethers and sad to say when she died at an early age of 53 of brain tumor the gatherings stopped. By then the grandparents were gone also and I was in LA.

Those are some of the best times I have ever had just good food and loads of family around we got to know our relatives. My Mom would not allow any booze you drank ice tea or water, and everyone had a good time. A big yard to sit outside under a nice shade tree, trees for the kids to climb. My Dad had a big, big garden we owned one half of a city block in Nevada, Mo, chickens for the fresh eggs everyday. People that have never had that experience are really missing out on some of life‘s most important times with extended family. My kids don't know the pleasure of that as the family left is so scattered. My son has been to a couple of family reunions and think they are boring and won't come to any more. I can't get cousins in Springfield, Mo to come they say it is boring even thou they have never been to one.

I enjoy looking at my old pictures of all the family and telling my precious Holly that is some of her great, great grandparents. Jessie Barnes

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BUT FRANK...retirement IS exactly what I think and what I've always thought. I do what ever, when ever, where ever and how ever I desire. I am no longer beholden to any ONE for any reason other than what I choose to be. This was not my working life! Lowell Byrd

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I passed my 90th last Aug. and have found this. I have seen more Doctors, ate more pills in the last year than the first 89. Went skiing for the first time this winter and nothing seems to work like the earlier daze of 89. Old age is a pain in the ass. Locals amazed to find such an old goat on the ski,hill but were kind kind not to say, can I help you up. A warm beach is beginning to sound great. How's Carolyn doing? John Nelson

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I spent more time each year putting the hammock together and taking it down, than the time I spent relaxing in it. I think I'll just sell it on eBay. I was instilled with the work ethic. We didn't eat if we didn't grow the veggies in the garden. Guess who was in charge of the weeding! T. Braun

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And adding to that, volunteering with civic, cultural, educational, ethnic & veterans organizations has helped fill in what might otherwise have been idle hours. And, yet, there has still been time for the personal enjoyment of recreational sports, games, reading and socializing. But, is that actually lollygagging, after all? Hal Holter

No, Hal, it's not lollygagging. We don't lollygag, remember?

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I have been receiving your weekly newsletter for a couple of years now, and it remains one of the best parts of my week. Several months ago, I wrote you an e-mail, explaining what it feels like to be the mother of a soldier who had received orders to deploy to Iraq. Well, he's still there, but we're counting down in weeks, now, until he comes home. To keep my sanity while he was out of country, I have begun working at our local YMCA, as the Coordinator of Group Exercise and Activities for Active Older Adults. One of my responsibilities is to maintain a bulletin board, to post events and things going on in our community. For the couple of years that I have been involved at this Y, this bulletin board has been as dry and uninteresting as anything could possibly be. I would like to know what your policy is on the use of your articles. I would love to be able to post some of your material (or parts of...) to add a little interest and humor to our bulletin board. Of course, I would always give credit to the source, just as I do, if I post an article from AARP or any other source. As we are a very conservative town in the midst of the Bible Belt of NC, I might have to "..." some of the content of something, occasionally, but I certainly can post your website, which might bring some new readers on board. Keep up this wonderful work that you do—you just keep getting better and better! Christine Spittal AOA Coordinator, Lake Norman YMCA Cornelius, NC

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Taking It All Off for GeezerCam <http://www.suddenlysenior.com/seniorcam.html> "But as yet there are no SeniorCams. "

Oh Boy, Frank are you badly informed on this one. In point of fact, there are not only Senior-Cams, but Senior Porn sites as well, and they are growing a large and I suspect, ultimately, unhealthy audience of sexually oriented voyeurs.

Upstairs from my office on Elm Street in Manchester New Hampshire, is the office of a Real Estate agent who seems to spend a great deal of downtime watching such videos: he's 38, but is really turned on by such senior sexual fare. In fact, he was the one who made me aware of this aged-sexual pornography - and I have to admit it is a bit fascinating to watch all these flabby belies and wrinkles going at it.

However, if you check it out, I suggest as with all porn sites be careful of possible virus attacks. Make certain that you have a good virus protection system (may I suggest AVG0 and also Windows Defender. Allen J. Duffis Editor The Conservative Independent

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I just read your column and really enjoyed it. I am a woman and have been notoriously lying about my age for years. When I was younger teen I said I was older. Now that I am older, I say I am younger. The older I get the bigger the lie. I really do look younger but I'm not sure how much younger. I'm very healthy. Since my mid 20s I've taken vitamins and natural supplements instead of medicines. I also take gingko biloba for memory. It's great! I still have a great figure and skin, so why not lie? I was beginning to feel guilty about lying until I read your story about J.C. and his application for a job, saying he was 39 years old. That was great! I just turned 61 on January 14. My job thinks I am 51 on paper, but my coworkers think I am mid 40s. I started to question my lie when I went on a singles site and said I was 39. I was feeling kinda bad because I was thinking like I did in my earlier years..... I really can't lie to a prospective husband or what if he wants kids, etc. Then I remembered.... I've lied to all my prospective husbands! It didn't matter. They were younger and acted like old fogies. When they found out my real age, they didn't care. Plus, I doubt I'll get married again, it doesn't suit me. I'm too impatient. Men require a lot of patience;)

My daughter, who is about my same age, 42 and her daughter, 23, told me I should act and dress more my age...less red lipstick, less hair, and more conservative clothing. I said "Why?" One of my ex's, an outspoken, sometimes brash, Italian, was there said, "Leave your mother alone. She looks great. You guys are just jealous." We all smiled and they stopped talking about it. Thank God, 'cuz I love my big hair and it ain't changing anytime soon. I'm glad they live in another area, 40 miles away. Kids!

I feel better now than I did in my 20s and 30s! Thanks for the story about J.C. Tami

Tami, even your name is young. So just stay that way. And forget about marriage. Jeez, that's the downfall of so many good, sexy relationships. You'd think we'd learn. But no, against all better sense, some of us still listen to our daughters.

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Oh frank what great advise..love it all...take care..god bless, Betty Culp