New Archives | Retiredom

Why Successful, Lonely Boomers Are in “Sugar Relationships”

August 4, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

For many, it’s less about status and more about a solution to silence.

The image of the older, wealthy man with a younger woman on his arm is a tale as old as time, often dismissed as a simple cliché. In 2025, however, the dynamic is being reframed through the lens of “sugar relationships,” and the motivations for successful Baby Boomers entering these arrangements are far more complex than a mid-life crisis. It’s a pragmatic and increasingly open response to the unique challenges of aging.

For many, it’s a straightforward solution to loneliness and a desire for connection, structured in a way that bypasses the entanglements of traditional romance.

Should Your Local Police Start Wearing Masks Like ICE Agents?

August 1, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

The debate pits officer safety against the need for public trust.

In recent years, the sight of federal law enforcement agents, such as those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the Department of Homeland Security, wearing face masks or balaclavas during operations has become common. This has sparked a contentious debate about whether this practice should be adopted by local, civilian police departments. The issue is incredibly complex, touching on core principles of officer safety, public transparency, and community trust.

There are compelling arguments on both sides, and understanding them is key to navigating this difficult question about the future of policing in America.

12 Ways Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead Left a Big Mark on Boomers

August 1, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

It was never just about the music, it was about the whole experience.

Few bands in history have inspired the kind of devotion that The Grateful Dead commanded, creating a cultural phenomenon that extended far beyond the songs they played. For a generation of Baby Boomers coming of age in an era of profound social change, the band, led by its reluctant guru Jerry Garcia, offered more than just music; it offered a philosophy, a community, and a different way to live.

The “long, strange trip” wasn’t just a lyric; it was a roadmap that left an indelible mark on their worldview, shaping their values and their approach to life for decades to come.

Country Music Stars You Thought Were American But Are Not

July 30, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

That down-home accent might be from way down under.

Country music is a quintessentially American art form, born in the heartland and telling stories of small-town life, dirt roads, and pickup trucks. The genre’s biggest stars, with their signature twang and cowboy boots, seem like they are all from places like Nashville, Texas, or Kentucky. The reality is that the genre’s appeal is now global, and some of its most successful artists are not American at all.

Many of the stars you hear on country radio today actually hail from Canada or Australia, a surprising fact that proves the universal appeal of a great country song.