I turned 60 in August and find lately that all I think about is retirement. I’m still a few years out, but, gosh, I know exactly what I’m going to do when I get to that glorious period of my life. In addition to the basics – more sleep, gardening, reading, maybe some volunteering, more time with my grandkids, catching up on about 136 movies/shows, and longer daily walks – I am planning to rarely-if-ever cook in retirement. (This is likely news to my husband.)

Here’s how I plan to feed us: If a politician hosts an open house or the library has an information session? I’ll stop by for the free cookies and coffee while I listen and learn. There’s a Trunk-or-Treat in the area? I can carry a candy bag around and collect candy as easily as a kid can. Santa is visiting town? I bet I could get a candy cane and cup of hot chocolate there.

Opening receptions for art shows? Yes. A blood drive that provides a snack for donors? Great! Community meals? Happy to be there and enjoy lunch with others. Restaurant grand openings? I’d love to try your food!

Now, I’m not just looking for hand-outs. I’ll quite willingly donate/pay/volunteer. And if he wants to come, I can drag my husband along (or bring him takeout) and pay for two meals. (He’ll come. He’s a talker and can fit in anywhere.)

We’ll go to as many community organization-based breakfasts/lunches/dinners as possible. The fire department has a breakfast? We’ll be there. The senior citizens are having a potluck lunch, count us in (I’ll just buy something to bring). A civic organization is organizing a fundraising dinner? Sign us up. On weekends, I’ll head to a festival, fair, parade, or any type of community event where there are food trucks. Gotta love food truck food.

Bake sales? Sweet! Girl Scout cookies? Yes! Boy Scout popcorn? Love it. 5Ks that feature fun foods like cupcakes afterwards? I’ll start training now. Concession stands at sporting events? Sounds delicious!

I figure if I stop buying groceries, I’m going to have money burning a hole in my pocket for all of these events.

Food provided by others aside, I also plan to continue to grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce and all the other salad things – that way if there isn’t any event on a given day or weekend, we can just eat a salad. And, if I do that I can continue to give my excess to friends and neighbors, because that always comes back in a delightful way; a neighbor just brought us homemade pickles yesterday from her own garden.

I guess we’ll be using more money in gas to drive to all the places offering us all this food, but that’s okay too – again, I won’t be spending as much on groceries.

Every single week, I proofread all five newspapers in our publishing group, and I see the many events going on in our towns and greater Orange County. There are so many! Trust me when I say they taunt me and make me sad that I’m not to the point where I can get to them all yet. Soon …. soon!