There is a freedom that comes with the aches, pains and assorted frustrations of growing old.

[Atticus]

I am retired from a position that required that I avoid "making waves", at least in my home community. Some of our "vacations" were spent far from home: at anti-war marches or tea party counter protests in DC; protesting in support of labor in Madison or Indianapolis; marching across Edmund Pettus Bridge to honor John Lewis and the others who bled there; and driving thru an unbelievable storm spawned by the hurricane sent by God to punish the Republicans for having their 2012 convention in Florida. And, in all these ventures, we tried NOT to get into any video that might show up on the evening news and be seen "back home". But, those days are gone.

I now write "scandalous" and "unAmerican" LTE's. I drive a vehicle with bumper stickers and home-made window signs that make many in my community come down with the sputtering vapors. I wear tee shirts that get me cursed at and threatened at the mall. And, I love the fact that what most agitates the knuckle dragging apes who have screamed "Fuck you!" at me is ---winking and blowing them a kiss! In short, I no longer have to abide fools and I no longer have to be diplomatic or nuanced. "Kiss my ass" is about all the "nuance" some of these jerks deserve and I am now free to tell them that.

There have been a few tense moments but, all things considered, I'm having a great time!

[dhill926]

1. indeed...

I too am enjoying having no more fucks left to give...except for things that truly matter...

[guillaumeb]

2. Recommended.

I was Federal worker, and certain conduct was considered a violation of the Code of Ethical Conduct for Federal Employees.

But nearly 6 years after retiring, I can confront Nazis, and Trump voters, and assorted right wing types with no fear of job related sanctions.

Congratulations, and well done.

[2naSalit]

7. Same here...

Free of my uniform and badge, I have the freedom to state my opinions in public and I like that part.

[MustLoveBeagles]

3. Rock on Atticus

[Ferrets are Cool]

4. Fantastic post.

Love life. Even with the aches and pains that comes with it.

[WheelWalker]

5. Me, too.

Blessings upon your liberation.

[Different Drummer]

6. Sounds like you're living your best life.

:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Good for you, my dear Atticus!

Keep on keepin' on!

[hunter]

9. We've been squeezed in the place between paying the mortgage and paying for essential meds.

We almost lost our house, a few slim weeks to foreclosure.

We're in a better place now, but this stuff shouldn't depend on lucky breaks.

I'd like to live in a truly first world civilized nation where random medical problems, shit falling out of the sky, are not ruinous, where nobody avoids doctors because they fear financial ruin.

My wife ran a COBRA to the bitter end and was accepted to our state's high risk insurance pool days before any discontinuation of her chemo would have been unconscionable.

The U.S.A. is not a first world civilized nation.

It's a "developing" nation with many problems. We just happen to have nuclear weapons and too many asshole billionaires.

[NJCher]

14. at one time

People in the U.S. could see the value of a safety net.

For the life of me, I do not understand why we as a nation cannot come to terms with the realization that life is very tenuous but it can be mitigated somewhat if we have a "fund" (taxpayer dollars ) that make the rocky road a little smoother.

Is that not a much better use of our collective funds--rather than being out there sticking our nose into everyone's business, killing people in the Middle East and many other places, as well as having an astronomical Pentagon budget? Having this economic model that promotes the "someday you'll be rich" mentality and you don't want to have to pay all those taxes, do you? And don't even let me get started on the astronomical costs of imprisoning people with drug and psychological problems.

No, we are not a first world civilized nation. We're a dog-eat-dog predatory sick society, and day by day I hate it more.

I don't just complain about it. I'm an activist and spend a lot of my time fighting these societal ills. It's all I can think of to do, other than to extend kindness wherever and whenever I can.

[Atticus]

21. Please keep slugging. We are each "just one", but together we are an army of decent loving

people opposing ignorance and mean-spirited greed.

Pax vobiscum.

[saidsimplesimon]

32. High school latin, 2years

Et cum spiritu tuo

[lindysalsagal]

10. Not waiting until I retire: I'm already an "in-your-face" unrepentant opinionated woman.

There is no god.
Humans are selfish, short-sighted and lazy.
Most of what people believe is bullshit.
Our civilization is on the decline.
Go dancing. Eat more bacon. Enjoy the years you have. Be yourself. Don't wait for invitations, don't make excuses, don't apologize.

[BigmanPigman]

12. Me too.

I am who I am and will not hide it. I have been a loud, proud liberal my whole life. I smile and show the "peace sign" at the Proud Boys who try to start violence at anti-tRump rallies(it pisses them off). I have always had Dem bumper stickers on my car, have worn Dem buttons and earrings, have anti-GOP phone screening message on phone machine and worn Dem themed t-shirts at all my jobs and where ever I go. If anyone gets pissed off...tough shit! It is called freedom of speech. I may be a small woman but I am not going to be pushed around by any racist, misogynistic, hypocritical GOP bully.

[BunnyMcGee]

11. I want that

I can't wait for this same feeling! Thanks for something to look forward to.

[DirtEdonE]

13. We're really only free before age 6

And after retirement.

I'm enjoying mine. Glad to hear you're enjoying yours too!

[wryter2000]

28. Bingo

First grade was the beginning of people telling me what I had to do and where I had to be and when and for how long. I discovered at about age 50 that my only real goal in life was not to have to go to school or work.

Some of my university education was fabulous, and I'd love to take some classes again. But only because I want to, not because I have to.

[Fed-Up Fed]

34. I hear that!

[orleans]

15. luck--key

you really are.

[Wawannabe]

16. Right on!

My “truck fump” hoodie brings on the freaks. They glare at me or say something derogatory. hehe!

I also get all kinds of high fives and such.

[anarch]

17. heh...that's true; the more trips around the sun I make it through, the less I seem to care

about things like "but oh my, what would the neighbors think??!!?" Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.

[UniteFightBack]

18. You sound like a fun person !! Keep it up!!! nt

[Vinca]

19. It's probably the best perk of old age.

Pity the people who piss me off. LOL.

[Magoo48]

20. Exfuckingzactly!

[greymattermom]

23. I was a state employee in a red state,

and they have a strict social media policy. Now, the county I lived in has a Democratic representative.

[littlemissmartypants]

24. Rock on, Atticus!

[BobTheSubgenius]

25. My ex had one aspiration that stood apart from the rest.

She wanted to one day be old enough that she could say anything to anyone.

Do any of you remember a spinoff of the old Mary Tyler Moore show called "Phyllis?" Mother Dexter was her role model.

There's a reason my wife and I get together pretty often with her and her current husband.

[maddiemom]

35. Was it Mother Dexter who was a huge Charles Bronson fan?

I was remembering the character the other day, but couldn't remember the show or name of the character.

[ploppy]

26. Go Atticus!

Who knew we'd spend our "golden years" kicking ass and taking names! My weekend goal is to go find a Proud Boys rally - we have lots of them here, walk by and give em a smile and a peace sign. (not just half a peace sign as I have done in the past.) Maybe I will wear my Tuck Frump tee shirt.

[wryter2000]

27. So completely true

Thank you!

And let me add that as a 70-year-old woman I no longer have to worry about men coming onto me or whistling or yelling cat calls as I walk down the street. Some women might find being invisible in that way insulting. I find it incredibly liberating.

[True Blue American]

40. Now, they open doors for you!

And if they are rude you can let them know.

If someone starts feeding you a Republican talking point simply smile at them and say you are a DEMOCRAT!

[malaise]

29. I love this OP

[Polly Hennessey]

30. Yes.

For most of my life, I had to do what others thought I should do at home and work, I had to be at certain places at certain times because someone said I had to, I had to maintain and follow someone else’s rules and regulations (I worked for the Federal government with a high security clearance), I had to suffer fools, and so much more. Now, I am free. My time is my own and if I choose to do nothing that is what I do. I read my books, I love, love my cats and dogs, I watch my British mysteries, I sit and just simply enjoy my surroundings. The only person who can give me instructions is my veterinarian. Happiness your name is Polly. 🤗

[alfredo]

31. You can now be the "crazy uncle." You are invible to cops.

You can proudly wear mismatched clothes, and say inappropriate things. You can fart without having to fess up.

Two words- senior discounts

[Fed-Up Fed]

33. Same Here, as retired Fed

I no longer have to worry about what I say on social media. Love that!

[Mr.Bill]

36. I am also enjoying aging. I'm 65 and fortunately in relative good health.

My favorite thing is when teenage thus who are the type wo would have been a threat to me in my younger years now step aside and say "excuse me, sir".

[Paka]

37. In the '60's when I picketed for Civil Rights...

I was working my first job at the phone company, and I risked getting fired if found out. Luckily pre-internet the risk was not as great as it is now. After I finished school, as a microbiologist, I worked in private labs and there was no risk as long as I functioned at work. But I can relate.

[rwsanders]

38. I'm with you. I just retired after 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard (7 active duty)...

And now I can openly send money to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and proudly wear their gear to the suburban evangelical church we attend. AND just to make sure that no one misses me, I decided to top it off with a navy-blue Balmoral bonnet with a red torrie, and the a USCG badge where others who can claim a clan wear the clan badge.

Many in the USCG hate SSCS, and they send out quarterly messages tracking their activity and other "activist" organizations. For the semi-literate members this becomes "terrorist" organizations. The USCG wouldn't have to track them if the SSCS wasn't doing their job for them. (OK this part is extra, but had to say this somewhere, its been bugging me)

Now I have to get to the point where I'm at protests.

[True Blue American]

41. Do you still drive?

Yes, I just renewed my License for 4 years!

[Greybnk48]

39. You and my husband Bill, lol!

He no longer gives a fiddler's you know what. His parents are both gone now as well, so that amped up his freedom to troll and agitate even more.

We're both having fun politically and our kids love it too!