In fact, far from having their head in clouds, folks spent a good deal of time with their feet firmly planted on ground. For example, home gardens were practical if not pretty places designed to provide nourishment for families while medicine chests were filled with home-remedies although perhaps a tad bare by today’s standards.

And if “humors” got you down, there were always a few tried-and-true remedies you could count on to get you back on your feet (besides bleeding or purging).

-- Cayenne pepper sprinkled on one’s socks could cure “cold feet”.

-- Thorough-wort, red raspberries and sage were said to do wonders to relieve symptoms of flu or a cold.

-- Caraway and fennel seeds in food were used to cure a bilious body of “windy colic”.

-- Pillows stuffed with hop seeds provided an alternative to counting sheep and, more often than not, afforded owners gift of pleasant dreams.

-- Catnip apparently kept wee ones calm and quiet if not cats as well; (and in my day, kids and cats were to be seen and definitely not heard).

Instead of looking to “Father Knows Best”, “Wizard of Oz” or “Superman” to save day, those who came before us lived simpler lives and no doubt understood notion that perhaps “nature knows best”.

So, when your world starts to look like a hodgepodge, and you can’t find silver lining behind your cloud…why not take a break from 500-channel universe and chatterbox of life. Count to ten, take a deep breath...and enjoy a walk in nature – it’s one thing in life that isn’t created by spin doctors, has no brand-name, and doesn’t go blah, blah blah!

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For more information about musings on life, Universe and everything in between...drop by and take a wee peek at "The Quipping Queen" -- www.quippingqueen.blogspot.com.

At work we socialize with our co-workers and clients. We form and develop relationships that give us a sense of connection and belonging. We spend our time interacting and communicating with others to get work done. We have a sense of camaraderie.

Many of us receive benefit of status from our work. Our sense of personal worth and identity are derived from work. We experience a clear picture of who we are and what we do. We get recognition for what we do.

Work provides us with a sense of purpose. That purpose gives meaning to our lives because we are helping others in some way. We receive some qualitative measure of satisfaction in our life. How will functions of work be replaced when you retire? How will you get fulfilled? Those above mentioned benefits of work are just one aspect of what life planning is all about. There are fourteen other factors to consider when preparing for retirement. For example, how will you define who you are when you aren’t working? How adaptable are you to making changes in your life? How well do you rely your own internal sense for guidance and direction? These are important questions to consider when thinking about what retirement means to you.

Retirement is a complicated process that requires planning and introspection. It’s not just about money. There are important social, mental and physical implications as well.

Many of you won’t follow traditional model of retirement. Some will continue working full time at something you truly enjoy while others will work part time because you need money. Perhaps you will start your own business or volunteer your time to worthy causes. As a Blooming Baby Boomer you probably won’t spend next thirty years sitting and watching life pass you by. This is age of a new retirement.

Is it time for you to give some attention to your future retirement? Vacationing year round may not be solution that puts genuine meaning in next phase your life. Don’t short change next thirty years of your life. You’ll want to continue blooming!

Carol Gegner ©2004