Audrey looks back, and ahead (Cont’d)

How are you enjoying retirement? It was a strange summer. I looked at it as a period of transition. I think I was uncoiling. I could take a lot of time over breakfast and not have to rush for the bus. I spent time in my garden. I could sit down and read a book for a couple of hours. I hadn’t had much time for leisure reading so that was a luxury.

What have you read recently? A lot of Canadian literature, including Life of Pi (Yann Martel), Our Lady of the Lost and Found (Diane Schoemperlen), The Last Crossing (Guy Vanderhaeghe), and some others. I’m just amazed at the fertility of Canadian literature now and the number of good people and the variety of work. There’s such choice.

What are your plans now? I’d like to do more travel. I want to spend time with my four year old granddaughter before she starts school next year. I like music and I used to dabble in paints, maybe these things will emerge again. My husband has encouraged me to take a boating course. I quite like the water, but I’m not sure where that’s going to lead. I can’t really see myself leaping in and out of boats!

Do you have plans to continue working in the field? Part of the transition is trying to adjust to this new situation and I haven’t really had time to plan anything. If something really interesting came up that fit my schedule and inclination, I’d probably take it on. It’s open.

References:

1 Thomas, Audrey (1976). Adult Basic Education and Literacy Activities in Canada, 1975-76. Toronto: World Literacy of Canada; Thomas, Audrey (1983). Adult Illiteracy in Canada: A Challenge. Occasional paper No. 42. Ottawa: Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

2 Thomas, Audrey (1990). The Reluctant Learner: A research report on the reasons for nonparticipation and dropout in literacy programs in British Columbia. Victoria: Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology, and the National Literacy Secretariat.

3 Thomas, Audrey (1992). Cities of British Columbia. Victoria: Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology, and the National Literacy Secretariat.