Social Security

Social Security is a light hearted look at the serious subject of negotiating life from youth to senior citizen, without most of that messy stuff in between. From his college years to his golden years, Ziggy describes his journey from life in the 60s to life in his 60s, with a little help from his friends.

Ziggy creates a journal that describes his college years in the '60s and his friends of that era. When he meets up with one of his best friends from those days in his latest residence on a Portland, Oregon houseboat, they decide to recreate their college years with a reunion of sorts. Their lives and their dependance grow as each of them recreates the bonds that becomes stronger than ever. Past memories crop up during their research and Ziggy flashes back to some of the darker days that were intermingled with some of their good times. As the get together reconnects some of the old college group in the same city, Ziggy narrates some of the ups and downs of senior life. This casual event produces results more profound than anyone ever predicted. Ziggy, and the others, learn that they can rely on each other as much, if not more, than they ever did in their youth. Through running narrative and flashbacks, we see Ziggy discover the real meaning of "social security" as well as learning more about himself than he ever dared before.

Author Arlene Smith has always embraced her lifestyle, friends and family, as well as all the challenges those relationships encompass. Her life has taken her from the top of the Space Needle in Seattle to the shores of Nantucket and now to the Puna rain forest on the Big Island of Hawai'i. After a full life of moving around the country and enjoying many different experiences, she is now retired and living in Pahoa, Hawaii, with her husband and best friend, Larry, and their ever-faithful dog, Kona. She's anticipating her next adventure.