Image Up Advertising & Design

14 OUR YUCAIPA | SEPTEMBER 2014 The Middle of the Road: By Randy Peters, a middle-aged, middle-income, middle-school teacher I've noticed lately that a lot of people like risk-taking. They don't necessarily like taking risks for themselves, but they like to know that others are taking risks. My wife and I have been watching some of the American Ninja Warriors on television during the last couple of weeks. I am so impressed with the physical ability and gravitas that these contestants show as they lift, climb, and balance themselves through obstacles to get to the next level of competition. Usually they do this over water and quite a distance from the safety of earth. I tell my wife about how brave and strong these contestants must be. We marvel at the conditioning and work ethic to get in that kind of physical shape to accomplish these tasks. The other night my wife kindly looked at me and said, "Do you think you would ever try something like that?" It was so cute. She tried to keep a straight face but finally we broke into hysterical laughter only to result in both of us holding our sides and me rushing to the bathroom before it was too late. Being an American Ninja Warrior is a great challenge and risk… for someone else! It made me wonder about what risks I'm willing to take in my life. Many people think that locking myself in a classroom of 36 teenagers for 56 minutes at a time trying to get them to learn about American history is scary. I find it rewarding and enjoyable. Some have told me that performing on stage would send them into anxiety attacks. I like the challenge of performing live and the potential power that the performance might have on an audience. It's a risk I'm usually willing to take. There are new chapters in our lives that we have to face that can be risky. Marriages, new homes, new relationships, a drastic haircut can be considered a risky adventure for many. It can also be very rewarding (and, hopefully, the hair will grow back quickly). I'm facing a risky decision at work. But I think others seem to be pushing me to take the risk sooner than I am willing. The risk in question is my retirement. As I go back to the classroom for my 32nd year, the question I hear most often is, "How much time you got left?" It sounds like I'm about to get out of the slammer or maybe even up for parole when people ask me like that. I don't wear orange to work, even if it is the 'new black.' Do people want to see if I survive before they consider retiring? Are they hoping I do well so they might do well also? Maybe they want my job. Because I'm not much of a risk taker, my wife and I are now talking about retirement. We are making plans. We've met a few times with Jeff Dewan at the Yucaipa Edward Jones. We have told our two children when the Bank of Mom and Dad will officially shut its doors. We would like our retirement to be risk- free. That means we have some more time before taking the leap. On paper, I qualify to retire any time. Because I robbed the cradle, my wife has a few more years. However, because we enjoy things like our lovely home in Yucaipa, cars, clothing, food, and health insurance, we aren't going to jump through this obstacle like an American Ninja Warrior with the possibility of falling into the watery traps. We want to get our feet wet first. I've taken a couple of smaller risks to see how it might work out in retirement. You are reading one of those risks. I always wanted to write and am building up my confidence with these columns to start the Great American Novel one day soon. I've been painting for several years now. My wife and I have been wondering if my hobby can be paired with her ability to refinish furniture. We've decided to start a website called MorganWesleyGallery.com to see if people might be interested in our work. Making this public is a risk. But if we don't do it, we'll never know – and our house will be overstocked with paintings and our garage stacked with unique pieces of furniture that only an American Ninja Warrior could get through. Keep your eyes on the road. Mr. & Mrs. Ninja Contemplate Retirement

• Cover