Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

Gracie,
Thanx for your attempted defense of me. I certainly didn't take mcelheny's comment as any kind of attack. As I admitted elsewhere, I was afraid I might have gone a bit too far in my reaction to the blogger's review of the book. Evidently, however, many agreed with me. I took mcelheny's comment as nothing more than a jesting gibe.

Now the other one is a different matter. Needless to say, I was shocked, shocked I say, that she might think I'd gone over the line. And to think that she, and "an number of us" whoever "us" might be, had just had it with me is absolutely devastating. I'm crestfallen, and you know how much that can hurt. For the last hour, I've been going over in my mind what I possibly could have done or said that could have been so devastating to such a logical, intelligent, and well balanced individual, not to mention, "the number of us." Could I have poisoned their children, burned down their homes, or killed their dogs? No, don't remember doing anything like that. Then it dawned on me. I remember what I'd done. Yes, yes, I admit it. I had committed the ultimate sin. I had gone well beyond my station. I had done the unforgivable. I'd disagreed with her.

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

"...While I respect the right of those who have worked hard all their lives to retire in comfort, I simply do not understand why people believe that, after a certain age, they no longer need to participate in society. The same society that educated them, employed them, and allowed them to retire at a relatively young age needs them to stay involved so that future generations may follow in their footsteps.."

gfmucci, you read the book. Did the author talk about his OWN involvement in City Council, the Parks Department, or any other civic institution in his quaint little town? Or did he expect the retired folks to take care of that for him, since THEY DON'T WORK?

I worked for the first 15 years of marriage, but after our daughter was born I stopped working "for pay." As a stay-at-home mom, and now retired, I grew mighty tired over the years of hearing that I should serve on committees, volunteer my time, or make all the phonecalls because I didn't/don't work. Keep in mind that I did more than my share of volunteering, but it seemed to me that "you don't work" was often an excuse to pass off the jobs that nobody else wanted to do. I also found that I was often working harder "not working" than I ever worked "working." ;)

It will be interesting to hear if the author wrote anything about his OWN civic involvement. Or maybe he felt justified in not participating in society because he was too busy "working"? :dontknow:

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

Muncle, Muncle, Muncle.* Tsk tsk tsk. We shall crawl into our man-caves and never utter another sound.

Oh, by the way, when I say "now tell me how you really feel" after someone gives me an impassioned opinion, it's my light-hearted way of saying "I agree with you.* Speak it, brother."

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

I don't recall the author mentioning anything about his own involvement in his community. But I will check the last chapter or two where he reflects on "community" and let you know if he says much about his own altruism. :o

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

Now Muncle, you know there is more to it than that. Have you forgotten comparing me with the 3 stooges? Or how about your comment: "There are a few posters from whom I've come to expect such tripe. She happens to be one of them. "

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

I have a wonderful idea. You pretend I don't exist. I'll pretend you don't exist. That way, you and I can both be happy and we'll spare the rest of the people on the forum all the hassle. It's just not worth it.

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

Oy ::) Admin...helpppp!!!! We need a separate location for complaining about one another. Some forums call it "Take it outside" and allows the haranguing to continue without screwing up the continuity of worthwhile threads. That feature alone might increase our clicks by 50% - like watching the Friday night fights. ;D

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

Oh sure, GF, make fun of me while I'm down. :yikes: Need me to clear out a spot so you kick me, too. :duck: 040

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

Muncle, I knew you'd appreciate my comment. ;D
You should see the Politics forum under "CNN Debunks Obama Lies" :duck: :chillout: :duck: :barf: 024

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

Muncle, so, now are you gonna tell us how you REALLY feel? ;D

Shame Mr. Blechman didn't take as much time talking to the average TVer as he did to the "male whore" and his ilk. I always love when someone tells me what I have to do yet doesn't seem to follow the same advice. Those of us who can should stay in our communities whether we've found something more to our liking or not. Let's see, Mr. Blechman moved to his little town because he didn't like his previous community but his elders should stay put. Talk about hypocrisy!

Whatever, I'll happily live in my self-imposed ghetto of age for as long as I can. I've earned the right to choose and if I choose to accept that children cannot live here on a permanent basis, well, so be it. If I choose to move away from urban blight and suburban sprawl (okay, maybe I haven't really moved away from that), it's my choice.

If Mr. Blechman and his generation in general don't like it, tough. They can become the new pioneers in building a community that will teach morals, ethics to their young as they see fit without the interference of town elders saying that isn't right.

(And now you know how I feel!)

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

:agree: :agree: :agree:

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopi
 

I have read all of the posts in this tread and could not agree more with the statements about the people in the New England area. After living here for over 40 years the people here is the second biggest reason we are moving to The Villages. The first is the weather. As the years get short and the light dims why does one want to waist the precious time shoveling snow and hoping that bones will heal after falling on ice. The other thing I have noticed as I age, when living in a mixed generation neighborhood is how busy the younger people are trying to survive their lives. I can remember the day when old people were looked up to and asked for their advice. I am finding that today the younger people feel that all I am is in the way and my ideas as well as thoughts do not pertain to today's world. So why should we be so concerned about not interacting with younger people when they could not be bothered with us. I realize that not all young people are that way and one can not make blanket statements about everyone. I guess I just have run into all the bad ones here in the Boston area. :dontknow:

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopias'
 

I bought the book today. Borders emailed me a 40% off coupon. So away I went to the bookstore, clutching my 60%. If I don't stop opening my email from Borders, I am going to be broke.

In the last week I have bought the Hiaasen book that I went on and on about in a thread, and Amy Sedaris' I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence, and now, Leisureville.

Well, I am going to see just what this little whippersnapper has to say.

And my guess is that I will see his Leisureville and raise him a Boomer-in-Residence.

Boomer :read:

Re: Wall Street Journal: 'Leisureville: Adventures in America's Retirement Utopi
 

Check out this blog following a magazine article by Blechman.

http://www.forward.com/articles/13374/ :clap2: