How Reading Adds Structure to Retirement, What Really Happens to Memory as We Age, and 10 Tax-Efficient Retirement Withdrawal Strategies

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Fiction: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – During World War II, a blind French girl and a young German soldier follow separate paths that eventually converge in occupied France in this moving story of courage and survival.

History (Non-Fiction): The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf – This fascinating history recounts the Crusades from the perspectives of Arab chroniclers, revealing how medieval Muslim societies experienced and responded to the European invasions.

Memoir: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl – This profound account reflects on surviving Nazi concentration camps and explores how finding purpose and meaning can help people endure even the most devastating circumstances.

Self-Help: The Confidence Game by Maria Konnikova – This fascinating exploration of deception examines the psychology of con artists, why intelligent people fall for scams, and how emotional vulnerabilities can cloud judgment.

Romance: The Love Con by Seressia Glass – A talented cosplayer enters a reality competition and convinces her longtime best friend to pose as her boyfriend, only to discover their fake romance is becoming unexpectedly real.

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One of the biggest adjustments in retirement can be having fewer built-in markers in the day.

For years, mornings meant getting ready for work, lunch happened at a predictable time, and evenings began when the workday ended. The freedom gained when those boundaries disappear can be wonderful—but days can also begin to blend together.

Reading is one simple way to create a little structure without having to set aside large swaths of time.

A reading routine doesn't need to mean sitting down at precisely 10:00 every morning.

Instead, attach reading to something you already enjoy: Finish a chapter with your morning coffee. Spend half an hour with a book after lunch. Keep a novel beside your favorite chair for late afternoon. Or make reading part of winding down in the evening.

Over time, that small ritual can become one of the pleasant landmarks of the day, a time around which your internal clock revolves.

As most experienced readers come to realize, you don't have to read one book from beginning to end before touching another. Indeed, you can further delineate your days through reading certain kinds of books at certain times.

For instance, if you like nonfiction, you might read a dense tome on the French Revolution in the afternoon and a lighter memoir before bed. If you prefer fiction, you might opt for a mystery for mornings on the porch and a classic for post-dinner downtime. No matter your preference, you can also always have an essay collection, short story anthology, book of poems, or a popular magazine nearby for when you only have a few minutes. And, of course, you can do any combination of the above.

Having several choices means reading can fit your mood and availability rather than becoming another item on a to-do list.

Reading can create structure beyond the time spent with the book itself.

A monthly book club gives you a date to anticipate and motivation to read at a certain pace. An author talk at the library gets you out for an evening. A novel set somewhere interesting might inspire a museum visit, a movie viewing, or even a future day trip.

One book can quickly lead to several enjoyable plans well beyond the confines of the pages themselves.

Perhaps the most important rule is that you only have to read what you enjoy. That applies both to what you pick up and what you put down.

Whether you prefer science fiction, biographies, romance, true crime, or anything and everything in between, you should never feel guilty for reading what you enjoy—even if everyone else you know is reading something else. And if you're 80 pages into a book and still don't care what happens on page 81, choose something else.

Reading for pleasure doesn't require perseverance simply for the sake of finishing. The goal is to create a routine you look forward to, not an obligation you feel compelled to complete.

Retirement doesn't necessarily need a packed schedule to feel satisfying. Sometimes a few dependable rhythms are enough to give the day shape while leaving plenty of room for spontaneity. A favorite chair, a good book, and an hour you look forward to can become one of those rhythms.

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.

Think of a decision you made years ago that turned out better than expected. You might appreciate your past self a little more today.

The discount: Royal Caribbean

What it gives you: Travelers age 55+ can qualify for special senior rates on select cruises and sailings

How to claim it: Select the Senior Citizens option when searching for an eligible cruise and provide your age when booking

Find more information here

“My First Flight”
From the life overview of Ruth E., 79, Des Moines, Iowa. Shared with permission.

I flew on an airplane for the first time in 1970. My employer sent me to a bookkeeping conference in Chicago, and before then, I had never traveled farther than Kansas City on my own. I was twenty-three when I took that trip. My father thought flying was dangerous, and my mother thought it was extravagant. I thought it seemed exciting until I arrived at the airport.

The plane was smaller than I expected. I had a window seat, and the man beside me had already buried his face in a newspaper before we had taken off. I gripped the armrests during the ascent, fearing that the slightest bump would mean something had gone wrong.

The flight attendant came by offering drinks, and I requested ginger ale. When she handed me the little can, I thanked her so earnestly that she smiled and asked, “First time?”

I realized then that I must have looked terrified.

Once we were above the clouds, I began to relax. The fields below resembled a patchwork quilt, and the rivers looked like thin silver lines. I remember thinking that the world was much bigger than it appeared from the highway.

The conference itself was fairly dull. I sat through two days of presentations about accounting procedures, consumed a mediocre chicken dinner, and returned to Iowa with a folder full of papers I never used.

But on the flight home, things felt different than they did the first time. I asked for a window seat again, and this time I watched the clouds without holding onto anything.

After that, I took a plane whenever my work required me to travel. Eventually, I would fly for vacations, too. I even flew to London in 1986, which would have astonished the young woman who was once afraid to let go of her armrests.

I still prefer a window seat. I like to see where I’m going, even when I have no idea what I’m looking at.

***

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Which Face Is Real?
Can you tell the difference between a photograph of a real person and a face created entirely by a computer? This interactive challenge presents two portraits and asks you to identify the genuine one. Developed by researchers at the University of Washington, it's an entertaining test of observation that also reveals how convincing artificial images can be.

Origami.me – Learn the Art of Paper Folding
All you need is a sheet of paper to turn a few spare minutes into something creative. This free collection of illustrated instructions and video tutorials shows you how to fold everything from delicate flowers and birds to decorative boxes and ornaments. Choose a simple project to begin, then work your way toward more intricate designs as your confidence grows.

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There's something satisfying about turning vegetable scraps, fallen leaves, and coffee grounds into rich, earthy compost. What might otherwise end up in the trash becomes a useful addition to your garden, flower beds, or potted plants.

Composting is also an interesting hobby because you get to observe a natural process at work. With a few simple habits, you can turn everyday organic waste into a valuable gardening resource.

You don't need a large backyard to get started. A basic compost pile works well if you have outdoor space, while an enclosed bin provides a tidier option.

A rotating compost tumbler makes it easier to mix materials without using a garden fork. For smaller spaces, worm composting, also called vermicomposting, uses composting worms to break down food scraps.

The EPA's home composting guide explains different composting methods and how to set up a system.

Successful composting depends on balancing two types of materials.

Greens supply nitrogen and include vegetable scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, and fresh grass clippings.

Browns supply carbon and include dry leaves, shredded cardboard, paper, and small twigs.

A useful starting point is approximately two to three parts browns to one part greens by volume.

Avoid adding meat, dairy products, grease, and pet waste to a typical backyard compost pile. These can attract pests or introduce unwanted pathogens.

For more detailed guidance, consult the University of Minnesota Extension's composting instructions.

A compost pile needs moisture and oxygen to support decomposition.

Aim for the dampness of a wrung-out sponge. If the pile becomes dry, add a little water. If it smells unpleasant or becomes soggy, mix in more dry leaves or shredded cardboard.

Turn the materials occasionally to introduce air and help decomposition proceed evenly.

Finished compost should look dark and crumbly, smell earthy, and contain few recognizable scraps.

Spread finished compost over garden beds, mix modest amounts into planting soil, or use it as a topdressing around established plants.

For additional gardening advice, explore the Royal Horticultural Society's composting guide.

You might even keep a simple compost journal, recording what you add, how quickly materials break down, and how your garden responds.

It's a hobby that rewards patience, reduces household waste, and produces something genuinely useful from materials you already have.

If your home Wi-Fi stops working or you're traveling without internet access, your smartphone may be able to connect your laptop or tablet to the internet. This feature is called a mobile hotspot, and it uses your phone's cellular data connection.

On an iPhone, open Settings > Personal Hotspot and turn on Allow Others to Join. You'll see a Wi-Fi password that other devices can use to connect.

On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering > Wi-Fi Hotspot. On Samsung phones, look under Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.

Turn on the hotspot and note its network name and password.

On your laptop or tablet, open the Wi-Fi settings, select your phone's hotspot network, and enter the password.

Devices connected to your hotspot use your phone's cellular data allowance. Streaming videos, downloading large files, and installing updates can consume data quickly.

Some mobile plans limit hotspot usage or charge extra, so check your plan before relying on this feature.

Hotspots can also drain your phone's battery faster than usual. Keep your phone plugged in during extended use, and turn off the hotspot when you're finished.

Today: Dordogne, France

The Dordogne region is filled with medieval villages, castles, rivers, markets, and beautiful countryside. It’s a wonderful alternative for travelers who have already seen Paris and want to experience a quieter side of France.

Ingrid’s Tip: Stay in one village or countryside hotel for several nights and explore from there. Market days are especially fun, so check the local schedule before deciding which towns to visit. Always make time for at least one delicous local meal.

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: Two hard plastic balls on strings that made a loud clicking sound.

ECKSLCRA

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