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Retirement: A Memoir and Guide
Retirement: A Memoir and Guide shows you how to secure the best time of your life in Retirement. The author describes how he did it, and how you can do it too. Read how to take life more slowly, notice and revel in the beauty of the world around you, most important, how to find and pursue your passion and live fully. Married or single, discover how to avoid the loneliness or episodic depression that many retirees suffer from. Too much leisure time is often an expressway to boredom, frustration and unhappiness. The author tells you how to avoid this unhappiness through a few steps that anyone can take. Follow him as he faces his own worries and challenges about retirement and overcomes them to live it fully and happily.
222 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2012
6 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Boyd Lemon
14 books67 followersQuote From Author Boyd Lemon:
I lived most of my life in Southern California. I am a retired lawyer who reinvented himself as an author. I moved to Boston in March 2007, where I stayed until spring of 2010. I loved it -- great city. From Boston, at the age of 69, I moved to Paris for a year. I now live in St. Marys, Georgia.
I have written five books: "Retirement: A Memoir and Guide; "Digging Deep: A Writer Uncovers His Marriages," a memoir about my journey to understand my role in the destruction of my three marriages; "Unexpected Love and Other Stories," a collection of short stories about life, love and human frailties and strengths; "Eat, Walk, Write: An American Senior's Year of Adventure in Paris and Tuscany;" and a law book. I have also written and published two short books, "Games," five of my short stories; and "Diverity: A Road Trip Across the U.S.A.".
I'm learning to draw. I love good food and wine, listening to good music and walking on the beach, in beautiful cities like Paris and Boston and on mountain trails.
I love that so many of my life dreams have come true: Lived in a home with a stunning 180 degree view of the California coast, Traveled to Africa, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, France, Ireland, Costa Rica....
I Am a working artist!
Here is what someone else wrote about me.
“Life Begins at 70……
After a stellar 40-year career as a top and nationally recognized attorney in his field (Time Magazine called him first after Martha Stewart's conviction of insider trading), Boyd Lemon followed a deep calling, and began the life of an artist as he neared retirement age. Following his heart led him to face a painful past, and re-invent himself as artist and writer. The journey as artist began in the idyllic coastal town of Ventura, California, then on to the venerable literary, music and art scenes of Boston, and finally to living the dream life of many an artist, a Bohemian year on the Left Bank in Paris, with a final few months in the hills of Tuscany before returning to California. Once Lemon started writing, his passion, combined with years of discipline as a professional, gained the notice of world-renowned writer and teacher, Natalie Goldberg, who invited Lemon to her prestigious year-long workshop for writers in Taos. His book, Digging Deep, is a memoir about Boyd Lemon's role in the destruction of his three marriages. This is a journey to understand one man's role in marriages that ended in divorce, confusion, bitterness and blame. The Pearl has been the journey of the writing, for the writer himself, and the peace that writing has brought him. Lemon lived on the cusp of the moralistic generation that grew up in the 1940s and 50s and the next generation that embraced sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, as well as equality and independence for women. The transition rocked all pretenses of his working class upbringing. The writer's hope is that revealing the path of his own struggle to clarity and peace leads others to their own awakening, as so many modern couples and individuals deal with understanding and defining the new order in relationships, as well as facing their own past.
I lived most of my life in Southern California. I am a retired lawyer who reinvented himself as an author. I moved to Boston in March 2007, where I stayed until spring of 2010. I loved it -- great city. From Boston, at the age of 69, I moved to Paris for a year. I now live in St. Marys, Georgia.
I have written five books: "Retirement: A Memoir and Guide; "Digging Deep: A Writer Uncovers His Marriages," a memoir about my journey to understand my role in the destruction of my three marriages; "Unexpected Love and Other Stories," a collection of short stories about life, love and human frailties and strengths; "Eat, Walk, Write: An American Senior's Year of Adventure in Paris and Tuscany;" and a law book. I have also written and published two short books, "Games," five of my short stories; and "Diverity: A Road Trip Across the U.S.A.".
I'm learning to draw. I love good food and wine, listening to good music and walking on the beach, in beautiful cities like Paris and Boston and on mountain trails.
I love that so many of my life dreams have come true: Lived in a home with a stunning 180 degree view of the California coast, Traveled to Africa, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, France, Ireland, Costa Rica....
I Am a working artist!
Here is what someone else wrote about me.
“Life Begins at 70……
After a stellar 40-year career as a top and nationally recognized attorney in his field (Time Magazine called him first after Martha Stewart's conviction of insider trading), Boyd Lemon followed a deep calling, and began the life of an artist as he neared retirement age. Following his heart led him to face a painful past, and re-invent himself as artist and writer. The journey as artist began in the idyllic coastal town of Ventura, California, then on to the venerable literary, music and art scenes of Boston, and finally to living the dream life of many an artist, a Bohemian year on the Left Bank in Paris, with a final few months in the hills of Tuscany before returning to California. Once Lemon started writing, his passion, combined with years of discipline as a professional, gained the notice of world-renowned writer and teacher, Natalie Goldberg, who invited Lemon to her prestigious year-long workshop for writers in Taos. His book, Digging Deep, is a memoir about Boyd Lemon's role in the destruction of his three marriages. This is a journey to understand one man's role in marriages that ended in divorce, confusion, bitterness and blame. The Pearl has been the journey of the writing, for the writer himself, and the peace that writing has brought him. Lemon lived on the cusp of the moralistic generation that grew up in the 1940s and 50s and the next generation that embraced sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, as well as equality and independence for women. The transition rocked all pretenses of his working class upbringing. The writer's hope is that revealing the path of his own struggle to clarity and peace leads others to their own awakening, as so many modern couples and individuals deal with understanding and defining the new order in relationships, as well as facing their own past.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 10, 2013
In Retirement, by Boyd Lemon, encourages his reader, as Socrates, to “know thyself.” Lemon says the way you get to know yourself is through exploring the mind and the spirit. This book is a combination memoir and guide. The tone is advisory even when he shares many anecdotes about his life. Lemon touches on every aspect of life, beginning with passion. The author was a lawyer, whom produced a financially comfortable life, but it was a life he didn’t enjoy. He didn’t want to make the same mistake with retirement, so he took a different approach. When planning for retirement, he sought passion.
This book speaks to prospective retirees in the same way colleges speak to students. Lemon encourages readers to plan for retirement as we would plan our careers, searching and questioning to discover your passion and planning your future accordingly. He says the way you should plan is with the lifestyle you want to lead in mind. As well as knowing thyself, Lemon tells his readers to live in the present. Live in the present moment at all times, smell those roses at all times. The author encourages readers to engage in nourishing their mind and spirit for peace, strength and harmony.
I believe this book is targeted to audiences preparing to enter retirement, prospective retirees. Lemon tells his audience to prepare a financial plan ahead so that they don’t have to be dependent on the government, your kids or stocks and bonds. He suggests annuities, social security and long term health insurance.
Lemon gives very practical advice to his readers on many subjects. He also gives advice from his own experiences and glimpses of wisdom in different areas of life. He talks about relationships with children. He encourages parents to leave them alone if you want them to talk to you, no unsolicited advice. He believes older people need to stop being so mean and impatient and they need to stop complaining.
With a conviction, the writer tells us to do what we want in retirement, not what is expected or what someone might tell us to do. Yet, in the first few pages he is telling you to travel because of the many benefits. Travel is important to the retirement plan. The travel section is filled with so much information; it is a guide within his guide into retirement. This section is a guide of how to prepare for retirement and how to go about preparing to travel the pitfalls and the advantages, as well as, the best countries and cities to visit.
Lemon skillfully uses this book to market his other books: Eat, Walk, Write: An American Senior’s Year in Paris and Tuscany, Dig in Deep; A Writer Uncovers His Marriages and Unexpected Love and Other Stories. The book contains 34 chapters and 7 sections. With the way Lemon argues his points, you hear the clear style of a man who was once a lawyer. He summarizes each part like a closing argument of a court case.
I would recommend this book because it has the ability to educate the reader about retirement and travel. This is not only a guide to retirement and travel, but also a personal memoir about Lemon’s life and relationships. The combination of memoir and guide do not mix well. Additionally, the travel guide does not mix well with the retirement guide. The author needed to write three separate books, but instead tried to squeeze all the given content into one short book.
This book speaks to prospective retirees in the same way colleges speak to students. Lemon encourages readers to plan for retirement as we would plan our careers, searching and questioning to discover your passion and planning your future accordingly. He says the way you should plan is with the lifestyle you want to lead in mind. As well as knowing thyself, Lemon tells his readers to live in the present. Live in the present moment at all times, smell those roses at all times. The author encourages readers to engage in nourishing their mind and spirit for peace, strength and harmony.
I believe this book is targeted to audiences preparing to enter retirement, prospective retirees. Lemon tells his audience to prepare a financial plan ahead so that they don’t have to be dependent on the government, your kids or stocks and bonds. He suggests annuities, social security and long term health insurance.
Lemon gives very practical advice to his readers on many subjects. He also gives advice from his own experiences and glimpses of wisdom in different areas of life. He talks about relationships with children. He encourages parents to leave them alone if you want them to talk to you, no unsolicited advice. He believes older people need to stop being so mean and impatient and they need to stop complaining.
With a conviction, the writer tells us to do what we want in retirement, not what is expected or what someone might tell us to do. Yet, in the first few pages he is telling you to travel because of the many benefits. Travel is important to the retirement plan. The travel section is filled with so much information; it is a guide within his guide into retirement. This section is a guide of how to prepare for retirement and how to go about preparing to travel the pitfalls and the advantages, as well as, the best countries and cities to visit.
Lemon skillfully uses this book to market his other books: Eat, Walk, Write: An American Senior’s Year in Paris and Tuscany, Dig in Deep; A Writer Uncovers His Marriages and Unexpected Love and Other Stories. The book contains 34 chapters and 7 sections. With the way Lemon argues his points, you hear the clear style of a man who was once a lawyer. He summarizes each part like a closing argument of a court case.
I would recommend this book because it has the ability to educate the reader about retirement and travel. This is not only a guide to retirement and travel, but also a personal memoir about Lemon’s life and relationships. The combination of memoir and guide do not mix well. Additionally, the travel guide does not mix well with the retirement guide. The author needed to write three separate books, but instead tried to squeeze all the given content into one short book.
June 18, 2013
The main point of Boyd Lemon's Retirement: A Memoir and Guide is that retirement is not primarily an outer process but an inner one. To have a successful, fulfilling retirement, one must understand this basic truth.
Lemon's insights and personal experiences related in his book center around his inner growth. As a reader, I found it personally interesting that Lemon in his 60's and 70's discovered meditation and writing, where I began practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique and discovered my passion for writing as a young man prior to my 21st birthday. We reached the mountain top from two different sides of the mountain, one might say.
My life has included the pursuit of inner development, excellence in writing, and a career in teaching. Lemon's admission is that he followed a life engaged in outer activity, recognizing the need for knowledge of self and discovering his passion for writing in the last ten years.
One of the great strengths of his book is that the author has asked himself many questions in the last ten years--and he includes those questions and reflections in the book. Whether or not a reader has already addressed those issues, asking those questions again from the new perspective of retirement is significant. Some of the memoir portions of the book that address the significant questions I found over-long with too much detail, yet others I found spot-on in both perspective, tone, and length.
A great deal of Lemon's insights remind me of American Transcendentalists Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The need to simplify one's life and the need to live life as an inward to outward process are significant to Lemon's guidance to experiencing a fulfilling retirement. I do not agree with all of Lemon's conclusions, but my disagreements do not lessen my appreciation that asking fundamental questions and recognizing that a restructuring of one's inner perspective are crucial to a satisfying retirement. Furthermore, the author says that each of us must consider our own situation as the primary basis of decision-making.
"Once we retire, there is nothing to achieve, except personal fulfillment." This does not mean doing nothing; rather, it means exactly what the word retire means--a new direction, an inner direction. In many cultures, one's last years are devoted to inner development and spirituality. Acknowledging this goal does not preclude travel, new passions, family, or an active life, as Lemon expressively demonstrates in the more autobiographical sections of his book.
The ultimate "retirement" is, of course, death, the ultimate simplification of one's life. It is the ultimate minimizing. Transcendence is a phase transition to one's inner potential and is also perhaps the most gracious transition to the ultimate "retirement."
Boyd Lemon in his book Retirement: A Memoir and Guide provides a powerful balance of what to watch out for and what to look forward to when retiring. Like Thoreau in Walden, Lemon has approached retirement as an "experiment in living," centered not in a place but in a time of life. The one splendid irony of life is that Lemon's wisdom in living the last years of our life may also contain wisdom of how to leave the last years of our living.
Lemon's insights and personal experiences related in his book center around his inner growth. As a reader, I found it personally interesting that Lemon in his 60's and 70's discovered meditation and writing, where I began practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique and discovered my passion for writing as a young man prior to my 21st birthday. We reached the mountain top from two different sides of the mountain, one might say.
My life has included the pursuit of inner development, excellence in writing, and a career in teaching. Lemon's admission is that he followed a life engaged in outer activity, recognizing the need for knowledge of self and discovering his passion for writing in the last ten years.
One of the great strengths of his book is that the author has asked himself many questions in the last ten years--and he includes those questions and reflections in the book. Whether or not a reader has already addressed those issues, asking those questions again from the new perspective of retirement is significant. Some of the memoir portions of the book that address the significant questions I found over-long with too much detail, yet others I found spot-on in both perspective, tone, and length.
A great deal of Lemon's insights remind me of American Transcendentalists Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The need to simplify one's life and the need to live life as an inward to outward process are significant to Lemon's guidance to experiencing a fulfilling retirement. I do not agree with all of Lemon's conclusions, but my disagreements do not lessen my appreciation that asking fundamental questions and recognizing that a restructuring of one's inner perspective are crucial to a satisfying retirement. Furthermore, the author says that each of us must consider our own situation as the primary basis of decision-making.
"Once we retire, there is nothing to achieve, except personal fulfillment." This does not mean doing nothing; rather, it means exactly what the word retire means--a new direction, an inner direction. In many cultures, one's last years are devoted to inner development and spirituality. Acknowledging this goal does not preclude travel, new passions, family, or an active life, as Lemon expressively demonstrates in the more autobiographical sections of his book.
The ultimate "retirement" is, of course, death, the ultimate simplification of one's life. It is the ultimate minimizing. Transcendence is a phase transition to one's inner potential and is also perhaps the most gracious transition to the ultimate "retirement."
Boyd Lemon in his book Retirement: A Memoir and Guide provides a powerful balance of what to watch out for and what to look forward to when retiring. Like Thoreau in Walden, Lemon has approached retirement as an "experiment in living," centered not in a place but in a time of life. The one splendid irony of life is that Lemon's wisdom in living the last years of our life may also contain wisdom of how to leave the last years of our living.
October 11, 2015
Excellent comprehensive information to consider for retirement
This delightful book by Boyd Lemon has been carefully and comprehensively written with a heart to inform those soon to retire about things needed to consider. This serves a dual purpose in sharing his journey but also written with a heart to help others untangle the issues and uncertainties they will face inevitably. The style in which this is written is conversational in that the feel is as if he is having coffee and a chat with you.
A successful lawyer by profession, he would ease into retirement beginning with part-time work initially. Boyd Lemon's reflection on retirement "…having the time of my life on a relatively modest income" was not without challenges. This helpful resource will clarify many areas retirees will cross including:
– Renting or owning a home(pros and cons)
– Relocation facets to consider
– Help in finding one's passion
– Key financial aspects
– Friendships/family
– Challenges and joys of living abroad
Author lemon challenges the reader that in discovering your passion in retirement may require you to change direction, take risks, and go after new experiences. Financially, in addition to Social Security benefits, lemon will discuss annuities and long-term care insurance. Along the way he will share how meditation and changing his way of judging people invoked in him a calmer and happier demeanor. By also enjoying the present and lowering expectations of others made it easier for him to forgive.
As with all however, the crossroad of fear and uncertainties is inevitable and he very transparently allows the reader into areas that have perplexed and terrified him, along with the reason for human existence. "I cannot just accept what the Bible or Quran or a priest or rabbi tells me to believe. I think most people have to reach some conclusions about these issues to achieve some degree of peace in retirement when we have so much time to think and death is more imminent than it used to be ".
Two very informative pieces of advice is given:
1. Redirect goals from achievement to fulfillment
2. Devise a workable structure and modify if needed so you don't sit around doing nothing.
The reader will also gain valuable insight in helpful eating tips, pleasures and challenges of travel, and budgeting tips on world travel and packing. Gain a glimpse of the differences in culture and customs between the geographical areas and first-hand accounts from places he lived at.
This delightful book by Boyd Lemon has been carefully and comprehensively written with a heart to inform those soon to retire about things needed to consider. This serves a dual purpose in sharing his journey but also written with a heart to help others untangle the issues and uncertainties they will face inevitably. The style in which this is written is conversational in that the feel is as if he is having coffee and a chat with you.
A successful lawyer by profession, he would ease into retirement beginning with part-time work initially. Boyd Lemon's reflection on retirement "…having the time of my life on a relatively modest income" was not without challenges. This helpful resource will clarify many areas retirees will cross including:
– Renting or owning a home(pros and cons)
– Relocation facets to consider
– Help in finding one's passion
– Key financial aspects
– Friendships/family
– Challenges and joys of living abroad
Author lemon challenges the reader that in discovering your passion in retirement may require you to change direction, take risks, and go after new experiences. Financially, in addition to Social Security benefits, lemon will discuss annuities and long-term care insurance. Along the way he will share how meditation and changing his way of judging people invoked in him a calmer and happier demeanor. By also enjoying the present and lowering expectations of others made it easier for him to forgive.
As with all however, the crossroad of fear and uncertainties is inevitable and he very transparently allows the reader into areas that have perplexed and terrified him, along with the reason for human existence. "I cannot just accept what the Bible or Quran or a priest or rabbi tells me to believe. I think most people have to reach some conclusions about these issues to achieve some degree of peace in retirement when we have so much time to think and death is more imminent than it used to be ".
Two very informative pieces of advice is given:
1. Redirect goals from achievement to fulfillment
2. Devise a workable structure and modify if needed so you don't sit around doing nothing.
The reader will also gain valuable insight in helpful eating tips, pleasures and challenges of travel, and budgeting tips on world travel and packing. Gain a glimpse of the differences in culture and customs between the geographical areas and first-hand accounts from places he lived at.
December 29, 2012
This memoir offers thought-provoking tips as one moves into that final or near-final chapter of life. Probably my favorite is "being present," as Lemon calls it. Too often in life when we are intent on career and moving up the corporate ladder, we rarely "stop to smell the roses." This book makes a strong case that not only is it healthy to relax, slow down and enjoy the moment - but that in doing so we find the tranquility that comes with focusing not just on ourselves and our experiences, but what others are saying and feeling. For truly this book is filled with "joie de vivre," and the author's determination to make up for lost time by living life to the fullest before it is too late . . . and that means taking risks. . . even taking up Pilates and meditation. Lemon segueways off to his year in Paris, one of the many adventures he shares after he retired from a big law firm on the West Coast and becomes a single man after three failed marriages. His emphasis on finding meaning by connecting with one's passion - in the author's case, writing - serves as a template for those who ponder what to do in their "golden years." His answer is simple; don't give up, don't sit in a rocking chair, keep active and alert to new opportunities. The strongest parts of this book are when the author moves away from descriptions of how to prepare financially for retirement, or packing light and using subways in foreign cities as a way to save money,(this could be gotten from Frommer's Travel Guides)and concentrates on his real message . . . you're never too old to start living and truly revel in the beauty of a solitary walk on a snowy morning.
June 20, 2016
I read Boyd Lemon's book to see what I missed in my plan for retirement 15+ years ago. I enjoyed his insight and straight forward style throughout the book, and found that I indeed had left out several key things from my original plan. Fortunately I added some of them after the fact but it would have been so much better with fewer mistakes if I had read his book first. In the first three parts of his book you will find some key points that you really need to make special notes of, and I'll mention a few without giving away the whole story: Prepare Emotionally, Prepare Financially, Being Present, Learning & Growing, Knowing Who You Are & the Path To Find Your Passion. Read these points carefully as from my own experience I know they will be a big help toward your planning stages of retirement. The next two parts of his book covers "Relationships" and "Challenges" - which are things you should understand could be in the mix. A part of his book that covers "Appreciating the Beauty in the World: Art and Travel" is very important as he explains the need to take time to enjoy what is out there, (as someone said earlier - stop and smell the roses). This last section gives you some very important tips about "The Joys and Challenges of Retirement Travel" - tips I could have used when I visited Germany, Italy, and a special trip to Ireland on our 50th Wedding Anniversary. All in all, Mr. Lemon is giving you a great reference book not only as "A Memoir" but importantly as "A Guide." Read and enjoy!!!
May 20, 2015
Enjoyable book to read! I really liked Retirement: A Memoir and Guide. There is so much helpful information on having a fulfilling life after finishing work. It's amazing the insights in the book on learning to know yourself and finding a passion that will fill your days. It's a fascinating account of the author's own journey in preparing for retirement and taking the steps toward a happy time of life. The stories of traveling, and art, and relationships were great. Even though I'm not quite at retirement age myself (15 or so years to go), I found a lot of value in the clear guidance within this book for learning to enjoy life. I'm a stay at home mom, and I definitely can apply most of what he speaks about in the book, dealing with relationships and pursuing enjoyable activities, and learning more about myself, so I can focus my days where they need to be. The author really has a unique way of narrowing down an area of life and showing how to improve in that area. I especially liked how he talks about being conscious of enjoying every moment and appreciating the beauty around us. I highly recommend this book. It has everything you need to get ready for retirement and great advice for adjusting to life once you've retired. Thanks to the author, Boyd Lemon, and goodreads for providing a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2013
I found Boyd's book both thought provoking and freeing. It caused me to think about aspects of my looming retirement that I had either not considered, or that I had considerations about in manner that was very pleasant. I found it freeing because some of the things I had considerations about just blew away while reading the book. It was an interesting personal process to read the book and I will definitely keep it on hand to refer to again in the years to come. I highly recommend it to anyone who is just beginning to think about retirement to those who are already in retirement.
January 2, 2013
Received as a GoodReads giveaway. The author provides lot of food for thought on a wide range of aspects of retirement. It is very much a memoir, though, and I found myself skimming through anecdotes and sections that don't apply much to me and my situation. But definitely thought provoking overall.
December 13, 2012
Whether retirement lies years ahead or you've already taken the plunge, Boyd Lemon's provocative tips, based on an insightful combination of life experience and acquired wisdom, highlight ways to make your post-employment years even more enjoyable and rewarding.
August 3, 2014
Liked the author's description of living in Paris...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews