Good Bones and Quiet Joy

TCDRS retiree Linda Hale Haggard served her community for 29 years at Denton County Public Health. Now, she’s spending her retirement restoring her 1930s home in Cisco, Texas, smelling the roses and doting on her beloved dog, Rosie.

Story and photos by Laura Mellett

 

For 29 years, Linda Hale Haggard was the steady hand behind the scenes at Denton County Public Health, ensuring grants, payroll and other projects all ran seamlessly. “I loved it when everything was cohesive. I always tried to do the best job I could,” she says. Linda started working for Denton County in 1983 and made the decision to retire in 2012.

Her dedication through the years earned her a retirement proclamation from the county, honoring her as an “outstanding role model of diligence and excellence, coupled with faithfulness, honesty, and compassion.”

“He was a little shocked when I told him I was going to retire, but he was okay with it,” the 2002 Denton County Employee of the Year said of her boss’ reaction.

In the 12 years since Linda and her husband Mason left Denton for the slower pace of Cisco, Texas, she has poured that same devotion into new passions — including restoring their 1930s home and doting on Rosie, their Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

When asked in a recent Texas County and District Retirement System Facebook post to describe her ideal retirement, Linda put it simply: “Enjoying every day and doing just what I want to do. And maybe throw in a trip or two.” She also praised her TCDRS benefits, noting, “It gives me security to know I have a lifetime benefit. I feel lucky that TCDRS manages my money so well.”

Good Bones

Left: Linda and her dog, Rosie, in their living room. Right: Linda restored and decorated her 1930s home.

When Linda first retired, she and Mason went to breakfast and made a plan to explore the area around Cisco and find a new restaurant each week.

They haven’t exactly stuck to that plan, but they’re still having adventures. The couple has taken a few bigger trips, including one to Arizona and the Grand Canyon, and another to South Dakota and Mt. Rushmore. Things also got busy closer to home on the H&H family farm, a 160-acre parcel just outside Cisco where Mason grows hay and raises goats.

Meanwhile, Linda channeled her energy into renovating and restoring the 1937 house they’d bought in town, just a few blocks off Cisco’s main street. Inspired by the television show Fixer Upper, Linda reimagined each room with design and decor touches from some of her favorite episodes.

In the living room, she initially aimed for light blue walls but was surprised when the paint dried a little greener than expected. “I thought, this isn’t the color, but I love it,” she says.

Since then, Linda has transformed the house from floor to ceiling — remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms, adding crown molding and installing new light fixtures throughout. Her son, who also lives in Cisco, pitched in with electrical and plumbing work, and Linda recently hired contractors to replace the siding and make repairs to the home’s iconic wraparound porch.

She envisions painting the lattices and front exterior of the house in contrasting cream and navy shades, with possibly a bright red door as a final bold flourish. “The house, it just had good bones,” she says. “I love changing things up with each season.”

Smelling the Roses

Linda and Mason own the 160-acre H&H Ranch, located just outside Cisco.

As the years have passed, Linda and Mason have faced a few health setbacks. Mason has had to slow down his farm work due to heart issues, and Linda now contends with some mobility challenges.

Still, the couple finds joy in the small moments. They enjoy staying up late watching shows together on their recliners and taking short getaways to Fredericksburg with Rosie, who is now 11. “We have fun together,” she says of her time spent alongside her spouse of 56 years. “We actually like each other, and liking is akin to loving. I enjoy being with Mason. If I am going to go someplace, it’s with him.”

They also like to spend time with their two children and five grandchildren, and just bask in the freedom that retirement brings. Linda enjoys knowing that if she wants to spend the day taking a road trip to see her daughter and grandkids in Denton, playing Words with Friends with an old colleague, or just sleeping late and piddling around the house, she can.

There’s no rush, just the pleasure of a life she and Mason have built. “Mason and I are enjoying taking time and smelling the roses,” she said. “Life is abundant and I’m so happy.”

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