These are my current “big” projects – Homebody quilt, Great Granny Squared QAL and Metamorphosis memory quilt. I also have a couple of smaller charity quilt projects in process that I pull out when I want something to sew that doesn’t require a lot of concentration. Add in technical editing, future class planning, private lessons, volunteering and travel – yes, I’ve been busy since I left the day job. This week has been one of forced hibernation thanks to an unexpected souvenir from last week’s quilt camp (COVID), but we’re hopefully through the worst of it now. I actually feel up to basting the Homebody quilt this afternoon in lieu of taking a nap! Be well and stay safe out there!

What gives with the dim lighting on entry level sewing machines these days? Just sayin’ – those suckers should be lit up like a runway at night so everyone can see what they’re doing!

This is the question I am often asked when I run into friends and acquaintances I haven’t seen in a while and they learn I retired from teaching early. This actually happened yesterday at a local quilt shop when I ran into two AMQG members I hadn’t seen in ages. They tried to guess the reason: the kids (no), the parents (partly), the school system (partly), the politicians (yep) and money (no). Personally, I grew weary of unrealistic expectations, school and district level dysfunction and teachers being blamed for all of society’s ills. I worked at one of the most challenging schools in my district for SEVEN years. By the end, I had nothing left to give. I simply couldn’t do it any more. One of the counselors even told me his hat was off to me as he didn’t think I’d last when I first arrived in 2015. The more I hear about all the mandates coming for the 2022-23 school year, I’m so thankful I was able leave my job at the end of May. More confirmation I made the right decision.

The next question I’m invariably asked is – will you ever go back to teaching? Psst: I never stopped teaching. I stopped working for the local school district. I still teach: (a) in my home sewing studio (b) at quilt camp (c) READing visits with Sadie and (d) as a guest in other educator’s classrooms. Every day I learn of more volunteer opportunities that will utilize my teaching skills – as a reader for Georgia Library Service for the Blind and as a part of Clark Howard’s Consumer Action Team. I even consider writing product reviews and tutorials for this blog as teaching activities. I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning and the (legal/ethical) sharing of information. Knowledge is power and levels the playing field. With so much stuff on the internet behind a paywall now, this is one reason I consistently advocate exploring the resources available at your local public library.

My time spent at quilt camp did make me realize two things: (a) there’s no way I want to return to a full-time job unless I absolutely have to and (b) how much I detest ATL traffic. Quilt camp weeks aside, I want meaningful volunteer activities that happen a couple of days a week with the rest of the week for family, friends, quilting and whatever else I want to do. This, along with a hefty side of travel thrown in, is my current version of the “ideal” retirement. What’s yours?