Armchair Travel Through Books, Film, and Music, How Protein Needs Change With Age, and How Banks Can Better Serve Seniors

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History (Non-Fiction): This sweeping history chronicles the Paris Peace Conference and the decisions that reshaped the world after World War I.

Memoir: Helen Russell chronicles her move to Denmark while exploring the culture, traditions, and everyday habits behind the country's famous happiness.

Self-Help: Cal Newport explains how cultivating intense focus can boost productivity and create a meaningful competitive advantage.

Romance: A successful woman hires an escort to help her navigate relationships, only to discover that love can't be planned.

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Travel doesn’t always require packing a suitcase or boarding a plane. Some of the most vivid experiences of other places come through books, films, documentaries, radio programs, and music. A novel set in coastal Ireland, a jazz station from New Orleans, or a documentary about train travel through Europe can create a surprising sense of movement and atmosphere from home.

Some writers describe locations so vividly that readers remember them almost like places they’ve visited personally. Small details, when accumulated, can paint a vivid picture. Descriptions of narrow streets, the smell of a bazaar, regional expressions, a cool breeze off the sea, and cultural routines can transform the unfamiliar into the recognizable. 

These details, absorbed through stories, are frequently what first  interest someone in a country or city, not advertisements for tourists.

Music has a unique ability to transport people. A certain style of folk music, jazz, classical guitar, or regional radio station can immediately evoke a feeling connected to a place and time.

Even without understanding every lyric or historical detail, people often sense the atmosphere music communicates:

Even when never exposed to a type of music before, people can still feel the influence of its origins.

Many travel documentaries and international films become memorable not for depicting spectacles but for showing ordinary daily life.

Watching people shop at neighborhood markets, ride trains, prepare meals, or gather in public spaces forms a more human connection to a place than documenting extraordinary events ever could. Indeed, once any initial awe wears away, everyday routines frequently feel more interesting than tourist attractions.

One reason armchair travel feels satisfying is that imagination remains active. Reading about a remote village or listening to music from another country leaves room for curiosity and interpretation—the mind participates in building the atmosphere.

In some ways, imagined travel can feel more emotionally immersive than tourism, especially when the latter is rushed.

Books, films, and music also create shared reference points between people. Someone mentions a documentary they watched about Scotland, a mystery novel set in Japan, or an old Italian film they recently discovered, and suddenly an ordinary conversation expands outward into somewhere else entirely.

Just as the original medium helped you travel elsewhere, so do the discussions it prompts. 

Over time, people sometimes develop deep affection for places they’ve never physically visited. Repeated exposure through reading, listening, and watching gradually builds familiarity. Certain countries, cities, or cultures begin feeling strangely recognizable through accumulated atmosphere and storytelling.

In this way you can feel as if you’ve been somewhere, as if you’re part of it, without ever actually traveling there.

Armchair travel reminds people that curiosity and exploration do not disappear simply because travel is infrequent or impractical. While you may physically be at home, books, films, and music nonetheless open windows into different places, perspectives, and rhythms of life.

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We're looking for seniors who are embracing life with enthusiasm, purpose, and adventure. Whether you're traveling the world, starting a business, volunteering, pursuing a passion, learning new skills, or simply making the most of every day, we'd love to hear your story.

Think that might be you?

Email [email protected] with a photo and a short bio. We may feature you in an upcoming edition of Seniors Magazine.

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Straightening the Pictures Without Thinking
From the life overview of Alice W., 85, Cincinnati, Ohio. Shared with permission.

I can't seem to walk past a crooked picture without straightening it.

I don't make a production of it. My hand reaches out almost before I've consciously noticed that anything is wrong. A slight adjustment to the frame, a quick glance to see whether it looks level, and then I'm on my way.

The curious thing is that I don't consider myself especially particular.

Books are not arranged by height. Kitchen drawers contain their share of mystery. The garage has resisted every organizational system I've ever attempted. Yet a picture hanging just a little askew catches my attention every time.

My husband used to tease me about this.

Whenever he saw me stop in the hallway, he'd look toward the wall before looking at me. "Another one?" he'd ask.

Usually, yes.

After he died, I found myself continuing the habit, though now it sometimes makes me smile. I can almost hear his voice before I touch the frame.

I've wondered why crooked pictures matter to me more than so many larger imperfections.

Perhaps because they offer such a simple kindness. In a world where most things require compromise, discussion, or patience, a tilted frame can actually be made right with only two fingers and five seconds.

You don't solve anything important.

You simply leave one small corner of the world a little straighter than you found it.

Then you keep walking, until the next picture quietly asks for the same favor.

***

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Chess has been enjoyed for centuries, and one of the best things about it is that you're never too old to start. Whether you've never played before or are dusting off skills you learned years ago, chess offers an enjoyable blend of strategy, problem-solving, and friendly competition. Every game is different, which means there's always something new to discover.

If you're new to chess, begin by learning how each piece moves and the objective of the game. The interactive lessons at Chess.com guide beginners through the fundamentals one step at a time. The beginner tutorials from Lichess are another excellent free resource that lets you practice as you learn.

One of the advantages of online chess is that you can choose games with no time pressure. You can play against the computer while you're learning or challenge players from around the world whenever it's convenient.

Both Chess.com and Lichess offer free accounts where you can play games, solve puzzles, and track your progress over time.

Watching experienced players explain their moves can make the game much easier to understand. The Saint Louis Chess Club YouTube channel features hundreds of free lessons covering everything from beginner basics to advanced strategy. The Chess.com YouTube channel also offers instructional videos, tournament coverage, and game analysis.

If you'd rather play in person, check with your local library, senior center, community center, or chess club. Many communities host casual weekly chess meetups that welcome beginners. You can also search for nearby clubs through the US Chess Club Directory.

Chess is a hobby that rewards curiosity and patience rather than speed. Whether you play one game a week or several each day, every match teaches you something new. It's a pastime that can provide years of enjoyment, friendly competition, and the satisfaction of seeing your skills continue to grow.

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