Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

So, as we’re all aware, all good things must come to an end eventually. After 13 years, it’s come to that time for me- I am retiring effective Tuesday, December 31st. I have to admit I have very mixed feelings about this, so for your amusement here’s a “Kay’s retirement FAQ” summarizing many of the conversations I’ve had over the last month.

You’re retiring? Where are you going?

The short, humorous answer, is “Home, to bed.” The long answer is that my health has just gotten to the point where I need to take time off and sit on my couch and rest.

Oh, you’re sick? Have you tried…?

While I appreciate it, I think I can speak for everyone with ongoing illnesses to say, “Thank you, but please stop.” We have tried just about everything (yes, even the gross things no one else will contemplate) and if it worked, we wouldn’t be ill. Sorry.

Imagine this, but 11 feet wide by 8 feet high. That’s my sewing room. (Image by engin akyurt from Pixabay)

Ok, then, what are you going to do with your time?

Heather, who works at UDPL Wednesday nights, came over to my house recently and saw my fabric room. She walked in, looked at my wall-to-wall fabric shelves and said, “You know, I knew you collected earrings, but you have a problem.” I just started laughing, cause she’s right! I also have an entire room full of books I haven’t read, 350 books “to read” on Goodreads, about 400 beading patterns to make, about 20 cases  of beads to create with and, did I mention that I wanted to get back into drawing after about a 20 year hiatus? Also, Alexandria, our Pomeranian, has taken to howling loudly when she wants a walk (and she always wants a walk). I think I’ll have stuff to do.

What are you going to do on your first day off?

The sad truth is that my answer has always been sleep. And since it’s New Year’s Day, I figure I will, yet again, miss the Mummers Fancy Brigades parade by on tv! I always get up too late for the Fancies and am stuck with the Comedy Brigades. As someone who did not grow up in this area, the comedy brigades are….um…strange. (That said, if anyone wants to explain to me what I should be watching for in the comedy brigades, other than “people staggering around,” I would be very grateful.)

Image by Oberholster Venita from Pixabay

In conclusion

I just want to say thank you to the Upper Dublin community for such a wonderful 13 years. It’s been a true pleasure working with you and I’ll always cherish the memories. Like all of you, I look forward to the next chapter of the library but this time I’ll be experiencing it with you as a patron. It’s not goodbye…it’s I’ll see you around!