Touring 50 States from Maine
Story by Paul Johnson (BBO: machiasme) First of all, in my previous note to dire...
Story by Peter Noronha (BBO: pnoronha)
I retired from my job in academia in 2012, my 65th year, surprising most of my friends and family. They wondered what I would do with my "free time." I had determined that there would be little of that free time, because I had a plan. Part of it was that I would continue to teach, but most of it was because I would pursue all the other activities I had in mind. I have never looked back nor regretted my decision.
But the story is how I "rewired" or "refired." Looking back ten years later, I know that I did the right thing, even if not exactly for all the right reasons. Retirement has truly been a joyful time for me. The plan has worked very well, and a bonus was the birth of five grandchildren, all in a period of four years.
One of the best things I planned on my new retirement agenda was playing Bridge. I got together with four of my best buddies (all on that same timeline of "refirement") and we started playing Bridge about every other week. Two of them had played before and possessed some skill and smarts in the game. Three of us beginners took lessons together.
Oh, how we have enjoyed this time together—playing, learning conventions, having senior moments, getting confused, but eventually getting better. We played for about three hours, one afternoon a week, breaking it up with a chatty coffee break. Thanks to some of the wives, this break soon turned into mini banquets. Our wives get a lot of credit for pampering us, while letting us indulge in what has become quite a passion. Bridge with calories. In ensuing years, others joined the group, including two of the wives. I taught two of the new entrants one-on-one. The location? McDonald's.
When the Covid age began, we discovered Bridge Base Online (BBO). To complement our learning, I started a weekly session on Zoom to discuss boards, reiterating basic tenets and adding new conventions. BBO Bridge has now become a regular, almost daily routine. Because we meet once a month for an in-person session, the social events continue. For two years, I was the self-appointed "teacher," spending several hours preparing materials for the session and then sending post-Zoom "takeaways." Enough material there to write my own book on Bridge. The problem is that I am a better writer than a player.
My attitude, though, is to keep learning and also enjoy the sessions. As a group, we may not be Gorens or Sharifs, and probably would not even make a neighborhood competition, but in our homes, around our tables, or at our laptops, we are the very best.
You can see all the previous stories here.
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Dear Peter,
I enjoyed reading how you have spent your first 10 years of retirement. There was one part that I found amusing and that was how when the respective wives joined you and your bridge friends, what started with coffee has now become a mine banquet!! You have done more than play bridge. Taking pictures at the ICAA celebrations, collages for those celebrating birthdays and especially the pictures you took of different birds. Rose and I wish continued enjoyment in your retirement years especially with your grand children. Warm regards, Gerard.
Thank you for sharing. Retirement should be fun and you are doing a great job.
Great Bridge story make me want to be part of a bridge team, very inspiring, Thanks Pet.
Well written Peter. So glad to be one of your students and now part of the great group.
Thank you for the thoughtful and gracious message
Thank you for the thoughtful and gracious message
Peter, Nicely described and well written the bridge to your retirement. Enjoy and cheers 🍻
Thank you for the thoughtful and gracious message
Oui, "devant notre ordinateur, nous sommes les meilleurs", voilà qui traduit bien notre sentiment.
Heureux sont ceux qui pratiquent le jeu de bridge !
Merci
Peter, it's a great story. Do you live in India. I also started learning bridge at the age of 72 and have been learning and playing for the last 16 months. My id bshankar52. Wishing you and your team all the best. Bridge is a great game and I am addicted to it.
Thank you for the thoughtful and gracious message
Hahaha love the "bridge with calories"😂
Thank you for the feedback. Hope you enjoy Bridge with calories too
Is the zoom session still on i would love to join. Played for several years but in need of improvement
Thank you for the thoughtful and gracious message.
Our zoom is centered around boards we have played. I would be happy to invite you for one of our longer sessions
Is the zoom session still on i would love to join. Played for several years but in need of improvement
Thank yu peter.i enjoyed reading your story.i have also relocated to states from nairobi kenya ,whete I would play bridge at least twice a week if not more...both competitive bridge and social bridge ...making so many friends etc...my husband passed away and so I have moved to warrenton Virginia to stay with my daughter and son in law...I would like to do wat you did...start a bridge circle and could do with all the help I can get.
Thank you for your thoughtful and gracious message. Thank you for sharing your story. Let me know if I can help you with your plans
Great story about bridge in the life of a retirees. I hope it encourages others to get working on your adult children to take up the game, in preparation for the day when they too will have free time. It is so beneficial, both socially but also mentally…a great way to keep your brain active.
Thank you for your thoughtful and gracious message. Absolutely agree that we need to keep our brains active by learning
Love your story. You may be interested in my new book, Reinvention: Meaningful Ventures in Later Life.
Thank you for the gracious message. Is your book available on Amazon ?