Choosing Activities to Look Forward To, How a Positive Attitude May Aid Recovery After a Fall, and Involving Family in Wealth Transfer Planning

You're receiving this because you signed up on our website. Want to unsubscribe? Just reply to this email with the words “no thanks.”

First-time reader? Join 23,910 other seniors for free.

History (Non-Fiction): Rogue Heroes by Ben Macintyre – This gripping history reveals how a band of unconventional British soldiers formed the legendary SAS and carried out daring sabotage missions behind enemy lines during World War II.

Memoir: Etched in Sand by Regina Calcaterra – This powerful memoir recounts how five siblings struggled to survive poverty, neglect, and an abusive mother while fighting to remain together and build better futures.

Self-Help: The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner – This insightful guide explores how women can understand their anger, break unhealthy relationship patterns, establish boundaries, and create meaningful personal change.

Romance: The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss – In the aftermath of the Norman conquest of England, a proud Saxon noblewoman clashes with a powerful Norman knight as hostility gradually gives way to forbidden passion.

No matter where you are in the process—an idea, an outline, a rough draft, or an almost-finished manuscript—we can help you get your book across the finish line.

ProofreadingServices.com and MemoirGhostwriting.com (both run by us) offer developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, proofreading, formatting, interior and cover design, ebook formatting, and publishing and marketing support.

Not sure what you need? Get a FREE publishing consultation here. We’ll hop on a call, look at where you are, and help you figure out the best path to a finished book.

Check a few boxes, and we’ll match you with trusted options and initial consultations—many completely free—across insurance, housing, travel, finances, and more. It takes about five minutes, and you’re not committing to anything—just seeing what can save you time and energy.

There's a particular pleasure in looking at the calendar and seeing something you're eagerly anticipating. Indeed, sometimes the lead-up to the event can prove more satisfying than the event itself—even when the event is a delight. 

It doesn't have to be a major occasion like a vacation, wedding, or holiday. Sometimes knowing that Thursday is your regular lunch with a friend or that you've booked tickets for a concert next month is enough to give the routine passage of time a defined meaning.

The key is choosing activities you actually look forward to—rather than simply filling the calendar.

Think about the plans that make you say, "I'm really looking forward to that."

This can be almost anything:

Your choices don't need to resemble anyone else's. If browsing a large bookstore for two hours excites you more than attending a crowded festival, that's useful information. What matters most is that you want to do it.

Having something recurring on the calendar creates a pleasant rhythm. Tuesday might be your walking group, the first Friday of each month might be when your book club meets, or Sunday afternoon might be reserved for a movie.

Then add occasional plans that feel different: visiting an art exhibition, taking a scenic drive, attending a community event, trying a new restaurant, or inviting friends over for games.

The combination gives you both familiarity and novelty. The former creates a pattern to life; the latter provides fresh excitement.

A calendar packed with activities can quickly turn enjoyable plans into obligations.

Leave room between commitments so you're not constantly worrying about or preparing for the next one. Having three things to anticipate may be far more enjoyable than having ten things to manage.

And if an activity repeatedly feels like something you should attend rather than something you want to attend, it may be worth reconsidering.

Just as you should focus on the type of activities that bring you joy, you must also focus on the amount of activities that leave you refreshed instead of exhausted.

Anticipation is part of the pleasure of an experience. A concert isn't enjoyable only while you're sitting in the audience—there's also choosing the seats, making plans, wondering what will be performed, and looking forward to the evening.

Giving yourself enjoyable things to anticipate can add little landmarks that can help push you through otherwise ordinary weeks.

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.

You have probably made someone's life easier without ever realizing it.

The discount: Half Price Books

What it gives you: Many stores offer 10% off on designated Senior Discount Days for customers age 60+

How to claim it: Ask your local store for its senior discount schedule and present ID

“The Last Bus Home”
From the life overview of Charles D., 81, Boston, Massachusetts. Shared with permission.

When I worked downtown in 1979, I took the same bus home every evening. One Friday in November, I lost track of time at work and missed my usual bus.

The next one was almost empty.

There was a woman sitting near the back with a grocery bag beside her, and an older man was asleep by the window. The driver was a fellow named Frank who knew me from the route.

We made it halfway to my home when the bus broke down.

Frank pulled over and opened the hood. Nobody complained.

We sat there for about twenty minutes while he tried to figure out what went wrong. The woman with the groceries eventually opened her bag and took out a loaf of bread.

She looked at me and asked, “You want a piece?”

I said, “No, thank you.”

She offered again a few minutes later.

This time, I said yes.

We enjoyed slices of bread while Frank worked on the engine. Eventually, he got the bus moving again.

When I reached my stop, the woman said goodnight. I never saw her again. I don’t even remember what she looked like.

But every once in a while, when I’m riding a bus and I see somebody eating beside me, I think about that night.

It was probably the least remarkable bus ride of my life. But for some reason, I never forgot it.

***

Want to preserve for future generations the stories, experiences, and wisdom that have shaped your life?
Have Your Life Overview Written

Jigidi
Choose from thousands of online jigsaw puzzles featuring landscapes, artwork, animals, architecture, and nostalgic scenes from around the world. You can select puzzles with just a handful of pieces or challenge yourself with something considerably more complicated. There's also the option to turn your own photographs into puzzles and share them with friends or family.

Sporcle – Trivia Quizzes
Put your knowledge to the test with thousands of interactive quizzes covering history, geography, literature, music, movies, and more. You might find yourself naming famous landmarks, identifying classic television shows, or trying to remember all 50 state capitals before the clock runs out. With so many subjects and difficulty levels, there's always another challenge waiting.

$11 million inheritance scam found in mail

This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for loved ones and/or the public.

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones. Some people begin by writing on their own—or even using AI tools—but many eventually decide they’d rather simply talk and have their story shaped into something lasting. That’s where we come in.

Do you want to ensure your story, values, and family history aren't lost?

A little sunlight can turn an ordinary craft into something beautiful. Suncatchers use transparent or reflective materials to catch the light, casting colorful patterns across windows, walls, and nearby surfaces.

They're also wonderfully versatile. You can make them with glass beads, tissue paper, pressed flowers, or recycled materials, and many designs require only a handful of supplies.

One of the easiest ways to make a suncatcher is with clear contact paper and colorful tissue paper. Cut a frame from cardstock, attach a piece of contact paper, and arrange small pieces of tissue paper on the sticky surface. Seal it with a second sheet and trim the edges.

For a different approach, try a pressed-flower suncatcher, which uses dried flowers between transparent sheets to create a delicate window decoration.

If you enjoy working with jewelry-making supplies, try creating a hanging suncatcher with translucent beads, wire, and a faceted crystal prism.

Thread beads onto sturdy jewelry wire, attach a prism at the bottom, and suspend the finished piece near a sunny window. When direct sunlight passes through the prism, it can create tiny rainbows around the room.

You can browse crystal prisms and suncatcher supplies for different shapes and sizes.

Pressed flowers create a beautiful, delicate effect when suspended in a window. Arrange dried flowers and leaves between two clear self-laminating sheets, press them together, and trim into a circle, oval, or heart.

This step-by-step pressed-flower suncatcher tutorial includes photographs, instructions, and ideas for different shapes.

Choose a window that receives direct sunlight during part of the day, particularly if you're using crystal prisms. Experiment with different hanging heights to see where the light looks most attractive.

For seasonal decorating, try these fall suncatcher patterns, which include printable templates for apples, pumpkins, and acorns.

Suncatchers also make lovely handmade gifts. Create one in someone's favorite colors, incorporate flowers from a special occasion, or design a collection that changes with the seasons.

Unlike many decorations, a suncatcher never looks quite the same throughout the day. As the sunlight moves, the colors and reflections change with it.

Your smartphone can turn spoken words into text on the screen, making it easier to follow conversations in noisy environments or when someone speaks softly. The feature is particularly useful during appointments, meetings, and everyday discussions.

On Android, download or open Google's free Live Transcribe app. Tap the microphone permission when prompted, then place your phone near the person speaking. Their words will appear on the screen as they talk.

On an iPhone 11 or later, go to Settings > Accessibility > Live Captions and turn the feature on. Tap the Live Captions window, select Microphone, and position your phone near the conversation. Availability varies by language and region.

Place your phone on a stable surface near the speaker, preferably away from televisions or other background noise. Ask people to speak one at a time when possible.

Captions may contain mistakes, particularly with names, unfamiliar terminology, or overlapping voices. For important medical or financial information, confirm anything that appears unclear.

These tools work best as conversation aids rather than perfect transcripts, and it's courteous to let others know when you're using them.

Today: Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara combines a Mediterranean feel with beaches, gardens, Spanish-style architecture, and nearby wine country. Its mild climate and relaxed atmosphere make it easy to enjoy without a complicated itinerary.

Ingrid’s Tip: Stay somewhere central enough that you can walk to dinner or the waterfront. And don't forget to stroll along 1870's built Stearns Wharf. Reducing the amount of driving makes a short stay feel much more like a getaway.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object. Think you know it? Reply with your answer and show off your brainpower.

Today’s clue: Tube you looked through to see colorful changing patterns.

KAEILDOSCOPE

Help a life story get told, earn thousands: Refer someone to MemoirGhostwriting.com and earn 12% of what they spend, or a 16% donation to your favorite nonprofit. Find out more here.

Explore flexible sales opportunities: CommissionOnly.com gives you access to flexible part-time, work-from-home commission-only roles you can apply to. Find out more here.

Disclaimer: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Seniors Magazine may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The content of the newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or health advice. We may also share polling responses with advertisers to help keep this newsletter free.