Musings from Mary Ellen

Welcome to late summer and early fall!  I hope that you have enjoyed some type of “retreat” this summer, so that you feel refreshed.  I find that traveling to a vacation spot or reading an interesting book rejuvenates me, as well as relaxes me. Below is the first stanza of one of my favorite poems about an Irish island where the poet, William Butler Yeats, found solace:

The Lake Isle of Innisfree
William Butler Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

Copyright Credit: W.B. Yeats, “The Lake Isle of Innisfree" from The Wanderings of Oisin and Other Poems. (London: Kagan Paul, Trench and Co., 1889.) Public domain.

In the fall, we don’t have to begin the routine of getting up early and driving to schools; instead, as retired teachers, we have choices to fill up our days: volunteer in our community, visit friends and family, work part-time, …the list goes on and on.  What is important is to keep moving and keep socializing.  GBRTA officers and board members have planned the four luncheons for the coming year, the first one taking place on Thursday, September 18th.  All the dates and details are in this newsletter.  Mark your calendars now.  Make the effort to connect with other retired teachers. 

 Dues for this coming year have a deadline as well.  Please check the information on dues so that you can help the association financially in their efforts to provide relevant information, stimulating speakers at the luncheons, and other activities to keep you active and your days filled. 

Enjoy the rest of the summer, and I hope to see you at the fall luncheon on the 18th,

Mary Ellen