This is my 1,000th column published in the Times News since Publisher Emeritus Fred Masenheimer invited me to share my thoughts and opinions with readers.

As I tiptoe through my golden years, I increasingly realize I am no longer on the fast track. Actually, like it or not, I am on the periphery of life’s action. With few exceptions, our youthful culture sees me as a fossil who has had my time in the sun and expects me to step back graciously into the shadows.

I had an incredibly successful and satisfying career as a journalist, rising to the top of my profession as a newspaper publisher, but I retired 24 years ago. Past glories are played out in my mind and through plaques on the Wall of Fame in my office. I am grateful to be able to continue writing columns, which keeps me connected and, I hope, relevant.

To be clear: I write opinion columns, not “editorials.” Editorials are the opinions of the newspaper’s management. If you will notice, after each of my columns the newspaper runs a disclaimer saying that what you have just read “does not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.” I am what is affectionately known in the newspaper business as a “stringer.” I am not an employee of the paper. As for titles, I call myself a “contributing columnist,” but when you boil it down, I am just like hundreds of thousands of other gig workers.

Family members and friends ask me how long I plan to continue writing. The answer is simple: “As long as I feel I am making contributions to Times News readers” or as long as Times News management will have me.

I find myself hopelessly trying to slow down the hands of time, because I know that one day my mind and body will whisper to me, “That’s all she wrote, my friend.”

It is amazing to still feel relevant so deep into retirement. I get emails, texts and phone calls commenting on columns I have written. Some agree with my point of view; some don’t, expressing their dissatisfaction with words that would have made my mother blush.

Making a difference is important. Realistically, however, I must prepare myself for life after column-writing, just as I had prepared myself for life after being a newspaper publisher.

So, what else is there?

I do enjoy my leisure time now, but only as a counterpoint to the writing. The leisure time serves as a reward of sorts for having done the research required for columns then writing them in a way that is of interest to Times News readers.

I can’t even imagine what a life of total leisure might be like, even if I am healthy enough to enjoy it. I have a strong work ethic. I have to laugh out loud at the concept of “quiet quitting,” which apparently is becoming fashionable in today’s workplace. It means doing just what is required and nothing more as a way to balance work and leisure.

By having kept busy with column-writing and the companionship of family and friends, I have fended off loneliness. I do enjoy solitude at times, which allows me the pleasures of reading, listening to music and contemplating content for my columns.

See, this is my point. My life still revolves around my work, just as it did when I was climbing the corporate ladder, first as a reporter, then various editor positions, general manager, and, finally, publisher.

Now, however, work is no longer mandatory for supporting my family or me, but I find that work is still mandatory in my life, for my mental health and well-being.

When the time comes to write that last column, will I stare into the abyss and wonder, “What now?” In the meantime, I am also grateful for the guidance and counsel of the editor and copy editors who have at times saved me from myself. I am most grateful to you, the readers, for taking the time to read and react to my columns.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.