Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
The often-asked questions of a rock collector are: Why are you collecting rocks? What's the point of collecting rocks? Where do you find cool rocks? What do you do with all of the rocks you collect?
There are many other questions, but for me they are all superfluous as my rock collecting has nothing to do with why or what. For me it is all about the simple elimination of all the other useless things a person could do while enjoying their second life. Now you might ask, “What is a second life?” It is simply that time in your life when your career (such as it was) is finished. Your children have become productive adults (or at least left home) and you are wondering, “What now?”
I am sure that many of you have thought from time to time about starting over and beginning a second life. Certainly these past few months of being cooped up with lots of time to think, you have had the leisure to reflect on the question: What do I want to do in my second life?
I have been pondering that question for quite some time and considered many different options. When I retired and moved to Alaska, I thought I was ready to start my second life. Being a nerd, I looked up second life on my computer to see what other people were doing in their second life. Imagine my surprise when I discovered there was a website with over a million users called "Second Life".
Thinking I would check it out, I clicked on and found that Second Life is a free 3D virtual world where users can create, connect and chat with others from around the world using voice and text. I saw that they accepted users over 16 years of age, that was a hint to me that it might not be the best place for an old retired lady. Also, I thought about the pitiful 16 year old who already thought he or she or whatever needed a second life. That made me reflect on that person under 30 who was ready for a second life and decided that person was probably not someone I wanted to meet even digitally.
I decided to wait on the digital second life for a few more years. It could be a hoot at 90 to become immersed in a virtual world and interact digitally with 16year olds, but I will put that on hold for now.
So back to real life. What are my options? I passed up many opportunities in my life and now have fewer choices. I love to garden, but that only occupies at best, four months. Last year, I took up making glass flowers in the winter and now have a whole garden full of old dishes that I turned into flowers. Began writing my memoirs and realized I had lived a pretty boring life. Starting checking out hobbies.
Archery: I can remember shooting as a young person and it takes more arm strength than I have left now. I have allowed my body to get somewhat soft over the years.
Astronomy: Standing outside in the cold at night, I am afraid that could be hazardous to my health and I have alway been more of a cuddle by the fireplace person.
Bowling: I used to be a pretty good bowler, but there are not any bowling alleys near our house and I hate to drive very far after dark with my poor eyesight.
Dancing: Probably a little to late in life to get into any serious dancing and besides I have always had two left feet.
Fishing: Not enough patience and we can only eat so much fish. Some people do catch and release, but I have always thought of that as needless torture of innocent fish.
Paint Balling: I put this down as an interesting possibility, although I have been told that it can be a bruising sport and as you may have noted above I am a rather couch potato.
Pottery: This is a distinct possibility, however since I am not interested in selling pots I could end up with way too many excess items and my garden is already full of dishes.
Time to look at rock collecting again. It would give me an excuse to travel to exotic locations. I could collect rocks to enhance my gardens in the summer. I could alway paint colorful pictures on the rocks in the winter. I could join a rock collectors club to socialize with other "Rock Hounds", which is a cool name for rock collectors. Checked out the Rock and Mineral Club in my area and find that they are way beyond my level of expertise, but who knows I may learn something new in my second life.
“Rock Hound” sounds more serious than Rock Collector - Think I'll go with it...
