Hi, Lost-soul,
I am much like you, though I am still working. I find that I prefer to stay in my home alone when not attending to the demands of my teaching job.
I have a few real-life friends, one very good one, but the others are just coworkers. The coworkers, females, invite me all the time to join them in dinners, movie outings, but I decline. They're nice women, but I find when I DO join them, I'm antsy to get home alone!
I like Skymonk's suggestion about investigating Meetup.com. I would enjoy a book discussion group, as well as other subject-oriented groups who meet to discuss things like history, film, the Arts, etc. I think I'll investigate this Meetup thing myself.
I must admit, I do look forward each evening to coming home and relating to my friends here on PC. This is a unique place, where many wonderful people visit.
Update: I did go to Meetup.com, and the only groups within 100 miles of me were two: a mom's daycare gathering group, and a pagan group. Neither sound like my cup of tea.
Patty