As my Mom gets older, I've been thinking about retirement homes and care for the aged. Chatting with my girlfriend, we came up with a terrific idea - a Dharma retirement community. In other words, a commune for retired hippies.

Isn't this a grand idea? I'm thinking we buy a condominium complex... maybe a dozen condos... so everyone has privacy, but balances that with social interaction. Find a location an hour away from the city, like for example, San Francisco. Perhaps in the wine country or northern Marin?

The group would share dinners and fitness activities. The group could split the cost of a nurse, specializing in wholistic healthcare and deep tissue massage, on call. The group could hire one or two maids or handymen who would assist in cleaning and repairs. The group would have a communal golf cart for getting around, and could make group outings for grocery shopping, trips to the museum, zazen, poetry readings.

Once a week, we could have a communal dinner, with all the grandkids you'd ever want, with grandparents not only babysitting, but teaching art, poetry, politics. The place would have a communal studio, with all the art, video production and musical supplies you'd ever want. Ideally, the complex would include swimming pools and tennis courts, making it a draw for older grandkids. Think Esalen, think hotsprings, think organic food.

Isn't this a great vision?