Meet Spunky Senior Author, Skydiver and Urban Chicken Rancher, Michael Murphy

Four days after my 60^th birthday, my employer of 17 years, laid me off. Unfortunately, my experience is hardly unique. Still, I struggled to make sense of it and like others in my situation, I went through a grieving process, shock, denial, anger, depression. A friend told me losing one’s employment unexpectedly is the second most stressful event a person can experience, next to losing a spouse.

Goodbye Emily by Michael Murphy

Eventually I used this experience in my writing. I wrote Goodbye Emily about a baby boomer college professor whose career ends unexpectedly, after he’s lost the love of his life, Emily.

In fiction, baby boomers are often portrayed in a less than flattering manner, caricatures of the “get off my lawn” grumpy old man. I was determined to portray boomers the way I see us, funny, sexually active and optimistic about the future.  The story deals with serious issues, but does so with humor and a glimpse of the fun side of life.

Writing is an important part of my life. I’ve been thrilled with the response to my boomer novel. Author Alisha Paige calls the book, “…a road trip full of adventure, love, laughter, fun, superstar appearances and heart-felt healing. Goodbye Emily will leave you cheering, laughing and crying until the very end.”

Find Michael Murphy's Book on 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Emily-Michael-Murphy/dp/1938467213/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360102801&sr=1-1&keywords=Goodbye+Emily

Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Emily-ebook/dp/B00A8IYL2C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1360102840&sr=1-1&keywords=Goodbye+Emily

Nook:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/goodbye-emily-michael-murphy/1111959889?ean=9781938467332

 

Grandson, Brian, with Grandpa, Michael Murphy

However, like most boomers I know, there are so many other interests that keep me busy starting with my nine grandchildren. When I run out of things to do, there’s always the love of my life, my wife of 40 years, my “Emily.”

I credit her for so much in my life, talking me into joining her for skydiving, and getting me involved with urban chicken ranching in our backyard.

Michael Murphy with his Lap Chicken

 I’ve lived most of my life in Arizona. I love to write and encourage others to do so. I host novel writing workshops at libraries and bookstores throughout the state. But enough about me.

If you’re a boomer, you may not be a writer, but there are plenty of fulfilling activities that await the next portion of your life. Enjoy.

www.mjmurphy.com

www.goodbyeemily.com

blog: http://blog.mjmurphy.com

Please leave a comment to welcome Michael Murphy to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents.

The Thrill of Free Fall at 70 by Pat Bean

Here she goes!

 Skydiving was one of those things on my To-Do List for an long as I can remember, but it took me a long time to finally get around to it. George Bush doing it, and Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman's roles in "The Bucket List" were the final straws that made me realize how long I had let this goal escape me.

So, shortly after my 69th birthday,  on which I climbed to Angel's Landing for about the 30th time -- and this one being the toughest struggle to get to the top yet -- I decided to do something different for my 70th birthday, something that didn't include climbing. Skydiving immediately came to mind.

I made the Jump in Ogden with a half dozen friends, and would do it again in a heartbeat -- well if it didn't cost about $200 per jump. I smiled all the way down, feeling perfectly safe, lashed tightly as I was to my young, good-looking, expert jumpmaster.

I had thought the most difficult part was going to be stepping out of the airplane. My jumpmaster was way ahead of me, however. He said we would jump on the count of three, but by the count of two we had already left the plane. It was exhilarating.

We jumped from 13,000 feet, above the clouds hanging around Mount Ben Lomond and Mount Ogden. We had a full minute of free fall, with cold air blasting us as we dropped at the rate of 120 miles per hour, before the jumpmaster pulled the chute.

While I have to admit that age has slowed me down in some ways, it's opened up new worlds for me as well. When I do make that climb to the top of the mountain, or simply go for a mellow walk with my dog, Maggie, I see more wonders of nature than I ever did when in the bloom of youth.

While this country is addicted to youth, there are plenty of us glad-to-be-old-broads out there who have come to appreciate our years and our winkles.

Pat Bean
http://patbean.wordpress.com