..ok he still thinks he's 'retired'. Well, he is from the company that he nearly gave his blood for 30 years.

My partner took an early retirement at 58. Immediately after he retired, he gave himself a retirement gift...by cycling solo and camping for 6 months in New Zealand. Then I joined him for 3 weeks in Hawaii. ..

Anyway..he was happily volunteering for various cycling organizations, cycling daily and taking a few long bike trips across North America.

So he retired to work at part-time (so he claims. Yea, sure honey) at 65.

And now, he's back working...running his own little business on planning cycling facilities, etc. With 2 other younger guys. And perhaps for various projects he slaps on a few more other business team players for their specialized expertise.

For certain, I am witnessing how much time and effort it takes to launch one's own business, networking, etc. But you know..he's cycling less, gaining weight ..and now, I get an email one of his biz team players might be staying over night here tomorrow..in case he misses the ferry to go back home...

Groan.

But I know he's happy since this biz is his true calling. Totally different from working for...an oil company, his former employer. But same biz skills are now highly useful for him.

He returned to work at 65 this year on part-time basis, so he claims the latter.

Yea, sure honey. Whatever. I look at the mess of our computers and papers piling on our home desks. His stuff spilling in my area and vice versa also.

Orchid, it sounds like he's so engrossed in this latest passion, he doesn't think of it as work. As far as running an independent business -- especially one that's just starting -- it's MORE than full-time. Trust me on this!

The larger the company, the more individuals are likely to be specialized. In a small business, one wears all hats, and it's time-consuming. I'm not just a jeweler -- I'm also the secretary, the accountant, and the equipment washer.

Your partner is like a kid in a toy shop. Right now, he's testing all the toys and seeing how much he can get various toys to do. Sometimes the novelty wears off and sometimes it doesn't.

If anything it will keep him young…just as young as his cycling tours, because he’s passionate about it. I think that is the key to youth; be passionate about something.

My first office was next to out phone in the hall, then I moved it to the bedroom, then the hobby room in the cellar, and then we built out our attic into three office rooms, and guest toilet. You never know where this may lead to.

I have to agree with Meredith, Orchid. I never worked harder for anyone like I work for myself since retiring, hah! But the difference is I do what I do for the love of doing it. I so enjoy editing another writers manuscript. I love ghostewriting for someone who otherwise woudn't be able to get his/her words out there. I may never actually retire, retire!

Edelweiss from the little that I have seen in photos, your home looks lovely.

Kudos to you ladies who are self-employed! Hope your passion doesn't abate.

I have to giggle ..in an ironic way meredith, that perhaps right now it's like workshop of toys for my partner and his biz with others. I mean jeez, his group had a business meeting/dinner..at a winery restaurant this week. They have a project contract in the wine-growing region of B.C. (but nothing to do with wine...except for future cycling routes closer to the vineyards. :D)

I agree, Edelweiss ..any "retired" person who is happy..that I've personally known, are pursuing 1-2 passions regularily. It generates all sorts of new friends and sense of community amongst who share that passion also.