Dear Sidney,

I’m new to retirement. It’s a daily burden. I feel like I should be doing something worthwhile at all times. The first month or two I cleaned out, closed out and donated from two storage units. I felt worthy doing that. Then I had my car detailed, the vinyl siding on my little cabin power-washed, and the insulation in the buildup repaired and wired up tight.

I went on to foolishly spend a lot of cash having overgrown trees carved into gigantic brooding bears. I spent $5,000 to install a retractable awning over the front of the house facing the harsh afternoon sun. Currently, I’ve contracted with a company to replace my dangerous claw-foot tub with a $20,000 walk-in shower.

When I worked away from home 60 hours a week, I didn’t have the time to even think of all these home improvements, let alone pay for them. I’m not able to simply be and enjoy my earned time of peace and prosperity. What’s wrong with me?

Fidgety in Crestline

Dear Fidgety,

I envy your financial freedom. Because of the weight of the snow, this March the top of a huge old tree crashed onto our redwood fence. I can’t afford to repair it until my tax return arrives next April. Fingers crossed.

There are many volunteer opportunities up here on the mountain that may be deserving of your time. Let’s start with the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club, which sits right on the lake at the San Moritz fishing cove. They’ve got a rose garden that always needs tending. They also run the Ye Old Thrift Shoppe in Top Town. Take time to visit and offer up your worthiness.

The Rim of the World Historical Society, which presides over the Mountain History Museum at 27176 Peninsula Drive in Lake Arrowhead, always needs someone cheery to wear the Smokey Bear costume and dish up ice cream sundaes on the weekends. Get on over there, learn all about our mountain and join the society.

Really want to get your hands dirty? Find out how to become a uniformed Citizen on Patrol by calling the Twin Peaks sheriff’s station at (909) 336-0600. Be prepared to tuck your regulation shirt into your regulation pants, something you will never catch me doing ever again.

I hope these few offerings help to fill your retirement days.

Sidney

Send your questions for Sidney to [email protected] or by snail mail to Dear Sidney, The Alpine Mountaineer, P.O. Box 4572, Crestline, CA 92325.

This advice is intended for entertainment purposes only. No animals were harmed in the writing of this column.