Over the Hill and Gaining Speed: Reflections in Retirement

Rock, a columnist for the Bucks County Herald in Lahaska, Pa., speculates and reflects on the wonders of aging, the splendor of maturity, and the richness of retirement in this delightful collection of columns and original essays. The pieces are infused with a breezy nonchalance, wit, and insightful observations, as when she tours the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, which she observes was “a visceral and evocative process and it reminded me that even in the heart of autumn or winter, we can still experience spring.” Exploring topics such as how familial relationships deepen as one nears death, the American national character, and how people learn about themselves through celebrations, holidays, and other remembrances, the collection packs a cumulative punch of good cheer. Rock also offers a few tips on how to soak up life’s goodness by prodding readers to “ask yourself questions, listen to your words, listen to your body, read, network, and hibernate” in order to find happiness and success. Though aging can bring its demands, the author shows how the journey can be exciting and invigorating in this wide-ranging collection of winsome short-takes. [em](BookLife) [/em]