Keeping Cooking Fun, Catching UTI Symptoms Early, and Staying Safe From Hospice Scams

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Cooking can easily start to feel like a chore when you’re making the same meals again and again. The key to enjoying it again is not to cook more—it’s to add variety, convenience, and small pleasures that make the kitchen feel interesting instead of routine.

Cooking doesn’t have to be elaborate to feel enjoyable — small changes in flavor, company, or routine can bring the joy back to mealtime.

💌 If you found these ideas helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend. Cooking side-by-side or swapping simple recipes can make everyday meals feel special again.

“The Smell of Toast at 6 A.M.”
From the life overview of Margaret H., 82, Portland, Oregon. Shared with permission.

I still wake up early, even though I haven’t had anywhere to be at 6 a.m. in years. The house is quiet, except for the old refrigerator’s hum and the occasional creak of the floorboards shifting with the chill. I sit at the kitchen table, the same spot I sat in for forty years, and drop two slices of wheat bread into the toaster. That smell—slightly burnt, warm, familiar—always brings me back to when the kids were little.

Back then, mornings were a blur of mismatched socks, spilled milk, and someone always yelling about a missing permission slip. I used to think I’d give anything for five minutes of silence. Now, I’d trade a week of peaceful mornings for one more day of chaos. Funny how the noise you once dreaded becomes the music you miss most.

I spread butter and a dab of orange marmalade on the toast, just like I used to make for Tom before work. I can still picture him standing by the door, tie slightly crooked, holding that same chipped mug he refused to replace.

These days, breakfast is quieter—but it’s still good. There’s a kind of peace in remembering, even if it stings a little. The toast pops up, and the morning begins again.

***

Everyone has a story worth capturing. If you’d like to capture yours for your grandchildren and beyond, visit MemoirGhostwriting.com to request a free Vision Meeting.

1. The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
A carefully curated online guide that pairs scholarly essays with high-resolution images from the Metropolitan Museum’s collection to trace artistic movements, themes and biographies across centuries. It’s an accessible way to slow down with a painting, object or era and gain context that deepens appreciation without museum crowds.

2. Project Gutenberg – Free EBook Library
A volunteer-driven archive offering tens of thousands of free books in the public domain, readable online or downloadable in multiple formats. For thoughtful readers, it offers classic literature, historical texts, and works of enduring value without cost or commercial entanglements.

3. In Our Time (BBC Radio 4) – Deep Conversations
This long-running programme invites distinguished scholars to discuss history, science, philosophy, and culture in calm, intelligent dialogue. Each episode is self-contained, making it possible to tune in when convenient and reflect on ideas without commercial interruption.

Call or text 1-740-4-SENIOR (1-740-473-6467) anytime—weekdays, weekends, day or night. A real person will answer or return your voicemail/text.

Tip: Save this number in your phone now.

We’ll connect you (free) with trusted experts who help seniors solve everyday challenges, including:

Call or text 1-740-4-SENIOR (1-740-473-6467) anytime and tell us what you need. If we miss your call, leave a message—we’ll get back to you. Our help is always free; you only pay if you choose to work with a service provider.

This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for loved ones and/or the public. We can meet any budget. (Does your story deserve to be told?)

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.

Capturing your story forever begins with a free Vision Meeting. In under an hour, we’ll reflect on your life’s work and define goals, themes, and style. Then our expert interviewers, writers, editors, and designers will craft your book—with your ongoing input—to preserve your story, wisdom, and legacy exactly as you intend.

Call 1-888-MEMGHOST or email [email protected] to begin a process clients describe as “meaningful,” “easy,” and even “a lot of fun.”

Keeping track of phone numbers gets harder when they’re scattered between old address books, slips of paper, and different phones. A little bit of organizing now will save a lot of frustration later — especially when you need to reach someone quickly.

Start by gathering everything in one place.
Find your old paper lists, small notebooks, church directories, and loose sticky notes. Put them all on the table at once so you can combine them.

Use one “home base.” Pick one place where all final contact information will live:

Helpful habits

If you already store contacts on your phone, you can make them easier to find and harder to lose.

Back them up (so you never lose them even if you change phones).

Add helpful labels inside each contact card:

Use groups or “favorite” lists
You can star or favorite important contacts (family, doctor, pharmacy, neighbors) so they show up at the very top.

Print a hard-copy backup
Google Contacts lets you print a paper list for your purse or emergency folder.

Once a month, take 5 minutes to:

Even a small monthly tidy-up prevents phone number clutter from building again.

With just one “home base” (on paper or on your phone) — and a quick backup — you’ll never lose a number again, no matter what device you switch to.

Need (1) tech troubleshooting help or (2) ongoing tech lessons via FaceTime or Zoom? Just reply to this message and we’ll connect you with someone who can assist you.

Cruise deal of the day: 4 Nights Mexico Cruise - departing November 17, from $189

Unmissable American gem: Amelia Island, Florida, is a tranquil seaside escape known for its gentle beaches, historic charm, mild climate, and easy, laid-back activities that make it especially appealing to senior travelers seeking relaxation without crowds.

Need help planning a senior-friendly trip or cruise? Reply to this email and we’ll connect you with a travel agent who specializes in senior travel.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Stationery staple born from glue that barely stuck.

YTSICK TNOES

We’re thinking of launching Seniors Magazine LIVE, a twice-monthly online event where experts and inspiring guests share advice, stories, and tips—from travel and wellness to purpose and creativity.

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

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