Spruce Up Austin, Inc. directors held their annual fall picnic at Austin Community Bandshell Park near the Cedar River.

The weather was great, the food plentiful and the conversation uplifting.

We dedicated a new Spruce tree in the park to one of our favorite directors and friends: Howard Nepp.

The retired pharmacist was himself a victim of last June’s tornado, losing 193—he counted them—trees to Mother Nature’s fury. It’s a measure of the man’s resilience and faith that he doesn’t complain about his losses along Dobbin’s Creek. He just accepts them.

One can only wonder what Denny Maschka would be thinking today. I can’t help but think of the former Austin Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department director, who died in June, 2008, whenever I bike along East Side Lake or the Mill Pond Pathway in Horace Austin Park or visit any other public area, where his legacy was made permanent with the planting of trees.

I think he would be pleased to see how his successor, Kim Underwood, old reliable Tom Graff and other PRF employees are taking care of public areas.

I know, because he told me, the Bandshell Park and its Veterans Pavilion were among his favorite places.

Of course, no gathering of SUA, Inc. directors and friends would be complete without sparkling conversation.

On this occasion, Dick Knowlton’s book got rave reviews, just like the man has always received in life.

No mention was made of Sarah Palin’s book.

Of course, whenever guests allowed me to join their conversations—they’re still afraid their names will be mentioned in this column—the first subject was my retirement last May as a full-time reporter.

Whenever the subject of retirement comes up among retirees, nobody says they don’t enjoy their unemployment, and I am no exception.

“Retried” now defines my very existence.

Wherever I go, people ask me, “How do you like retirement?” I usually tell them, “It’s going good. I’m making it up as I go along, just like my wedding night.”

There are other “Life after the Herald” questions that follow me wherever I go:

Do you ever get depressed?

Answer: Only until the next Jehovah Witness comes knocking at my door and promises to save me.

What are you reading today?

Answer: I found the online comments about the announcement that Austin School District public employee, Chris Picha, was named Human Resource Director of the Year to be fascinating reading in the Herald.

What do you think of the new Mower County Jail & Justice Center going up in downtown Austin?

Answer: I think keeping Bonnie’s Hallmark store open in downtown Austin will have a greater economic impact.

However, the new jail and justice center should have plenty of jobs for unemployed hotel and motel management workers.

What happened to the Hy-Vee ads in the Herald?

Answer: I know everybody is asking that question, but my source at the Herald is “mum” on the subject.

Do you tweet?

Answer: Only that once in church after eating too many Swedish meatballs.

Why don’t Minnesota dairy farmers raise happy cows like they do in California?

Answer: I think it’s the grass they consume in California pastures.

Now that you’re retired, do you see more of your grandchildren?

Answer: Hell no! Not since they put papa Lee B. up for sale on Ebay.

Do you miss working for a living?

Answer: According to the County Commissioners’ job description, I’m working overtime.