In the last three years, I have been so fortunate to have developed a friendship with a neighbor who qualifies as a “super ager,” which is a specific category for the aging population. She is 99 1/2 years young and has the cognitive functioning of a person in their 50s. “Super agers” is a term…
Month: August 2025
Boost Your Motivation with Daily To-Do Lists
Some of us determine our daily priorities by listing what we are planning for the day. While flexibility is part of the implementation and adjusting how we spend our time, the list is the anchor for the day. Using a list to organize time is a simple process to create motivation. Many people hesitate to…
Retirement Bliss: Adapting to Life in the Desert
Living in the desert brings many challenges, some too stressful, while life is getting better (hahaha). The heat in the summer is 100-124 degrees. This summer, the average has been about 109, easier to manage. We do outside activities in the early AM and run errands. Midday is time for paperwork, reading, puzzles, writing, online…
Effective House Cleaning Tips for a Tidy Home
Regular house cleaning tasks involve a combination of daily, weekly, and monthly chores to maintain a tidy and healthy living space, no matter the type. Having access to housekeeping services is a gift, but many of us trudge through this process by ourselves. Many divide the cleaning process into daily, weekly, and monthly. I have…
The Evolution of Medicare: Changes Over the Years
As a senior how much do you know about Medicare? Medicare, a national health insurance program for the elderly and disabled, was signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of the Social Security Act. The history dates back further, with earlier proposals and discussions surrounding national health insurance going back to the…
How Musical Preferences Evolve Over Time
Musical preferences can be well defined and enduring. Early musical preferences are usually reflective of one’s peer group and reflect contemporary popular styles. Two exceptions of note include family exposure to a specific genre and individual musical talent. As we change through life experiences and maturity, our choices are influenced by peers and exposure. Our…
Phoebe the Dog: Observations in a Bird-filled World
She sits in my lap, looking so calm, snuggling into me so cuddly and warm. Our views are of mountains and the west-setting sun. Phoebe, her name is, but she doesn’t know she is a dog. As she sees the birds, she sits upright and starts to flap her paws. The ravens fly to their…
Which Generation Are You?
Managing Stress Before Outpatient Surgery and Need for Medical Pain Management
Preparing for surgery, even outpatient office procedures, can be stressful, to the point of not talking or sleeping, and moodiness. Today’s procedure was painful to watch, and the aftermath has been miserable for my spouse. Details aren’t really relevant but it was one of those “private” parts. The information sheet was vague but acknowledged “some…
Why Surgery for Pinched Nerves May Not Be the Best Option
Aging brings with it a series of physical and mental challenges. Yesterday, my very best friend went to the last of three doctors, up the medical chain, to obtain relief from a pinched nerve. She was shocked when he prescribed Tramadol and refused her surgery, without explanation. I asked AI why? “It points out that…
Life Gets Better 