Retirement Roast

Today I begin with a commercial announcement. My latest column "Retirement Roast" appears at my website: www.mariannelove.com under "Love Notes."

This column focuses on eight of my longtime friends and teaching colleagues who are retiring from Sandpoint High School this spring. This morning, I received a brief note from Ann Gehring. We share a lot of similarities---mainly age and Catholicism. She also has a husband named Rick who passed on to the "R" life the same year I did. We've each become seasoned retirees and willing experts for the new kids on our liberated teachers' block.

"Only 11 days left," Ann's note read this morning. She also has a note from me tacked to her refrigerator encouraging her to bite the bullet and join our ranks. That was written a couple of months ago. It's been read for reassurance several times, and she still seems glad that she took my advice. I'm glad too.

It will be fun to once again share good times with my friends after three years of basically leaving them alone to do their important work. Teachers don't have much time for visiting, relaxing or joining coffee klatches so I knew not to bother them. Now, come June 14, however, they can let down their hair (the ones who have it, that is) and look forward to the rest of their lives.

In the meantime, they've got 11 more days to finish out their distinguished careers, and you readers have a reading assignment. Flip over to "Retirement Roast" and learn the facts about these eight colleagues.

Multiple choice test to follow. TGIF, and a good Friday to you!