One of the things about retirement that I don't like is that it takes away a major excuse for not doing something - like cleaning house.

I use to be able to say, "I don't have time."

Not any more.

My daughter-in-law Tammy's mother and I talked about that on Father's Day.

Kay and her husband Don are also retired, so she knew exactly what I was talking about.

Or so she said.

But turns out we weren't talking about the same kind of "cleaning."

"I've been going to clean my cupboards for weeks now," Kay said.

I gulped. "You clean cupboards even when you haven't spilled something, even when you're not getting ready to move?"

Kay - raised in Climax, MN where there isn't much to do during the very, very, very long winter but clean house - gave me a puzzled look.

"Sure," said the woman who occasionally does laundry for her three adult daughters and their families because she likes to do laundry and iron.

"I was thinking of something more basic than cleaning cupboards" I said.

"Like vacuuming."

Kay giggled.

"No, Kay. I'm serious," I said.

She laughed.

When I went home, I was a little ashamed. I thought about vacuuming. The rug was crunchy where the dog chews his treats; the kitchen floor was a bit grimy. The porch outdoor carpet was white with Lilly hair.

No question I needed to vacuum.

I almost dragged the vacuum out. But it was 2 p.m. Nap time.

Ah. I'll vacuum tomorrow. After all, I'm retired. I have plenty of time.

When one door closes another opens.