Morning Brain Games, Understanding Your Risk of Shingles, and Spotting Medicare Scams

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A quiet morning and a warm cup of coffee are even better when paired with something that gently wakes up your mind. Puzzles, riddles, and simple brain games offer an enjoyable way to stay mentally engaged without pressure or screens demanding constant attention. They don’t need to be complicated to be effective — consistency and enjoyment matter far more than difficulty.

Doing a short puzzle in the morning helps shift your brain from rest to alertness. Word games, number puzzles, and logic challenges encourage focus, memory recall, and problem-solving — all skills we use every day. Even five or ten minutes can help you feel more mentally “switched on” as you start your daily routine.

Importantly, these activities should feel pleasant, not stressful. Struggling through something frustrating isn’t the goal. The best brain games leave you feeling curious and satisfied, not rushed.

You don’t need special equipment or advanced math skills. Many seniors enjoy:

Printed puzzle books, newspaper inserts, and large-print options make these activities accessible and comfortable. If you enjoy digital tools, simple apps with adjustable settings can work just as well, especially when used sparingly.

The key is routine. Keep a puzzle book near your breakfast table or beside your coffee mug so it becomes part of your morning rhythm. Some people enjoy working on the same type of puzzle daily; others prefer variety. Either approach is fine… the goal is regular engagement, not competition.

Sharing a riddle with a spouse or friend can also turn a quiet activity into a pleasant point of connection.

“The Ticket Stub in the Glove Compartment”
From the life overview of Eleanor J., 87, Asbury Park, NJ. Shared with permission.

In the early 1960s, before children and mortgages rearranged my sense of time, my husband and I used to drive down to the shore on Sunday afternoons, no particular plan in mind. We’d park wherever we found space, walk until sand filled our shoes, and end up at whatever movie theater was still showing matinees. The theaters were never fancy—they boasted sticky floors and velvet seats worn thin—but they were cool and dark, and that felt like luxury enough.

One afternoon, we ducked into a small place just off the boardwalk to escape a sudden rainstorm. We bought two tickets to a movie neither of us had heard of and sat in the back row, sharing a paper bag of popcorn that went stale halfway through. I don’t remember the plot, only the sound of rain drumming on the roof and the way my husband whispered jokes at exactly the wrong moments, making me stifle my laughter into my sleeve.

When the movie ended, the storm had passed. We walked back to the car under a sky scrubbed clean, the air smelling sharp and new. Later, while tidying the glove compartment, I found the ticket stub and, without knowing why, tucked it back inside instead of throwing it away.

Years later, that stub turned up again, edges soft and ink nearly faded. It wasn’t proof of anything important, just a small reminder that an ordinary afternoon, spent doing almost nothing, could still feel complete.

***

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Medieval Music Database (DIAMM)
A scholarly but readable archive of early music manuscripts from across Europe, presented clearly and without interpretation layered on top. You can browse at your own pace, whether you’re interested in notation, marginal notes, or simply seeing how music was preserved before printing.

The End of Term Web Archive
A collaborative project that preserves government websites exactly as they existed at the end of presidential administrations. It’s a practical way to see how public information was presented at specific moments in time, without commentary or revision.

The Wellcome Collection – Reading Room
A digital library focused on health, medicine, and the human experience, drawing from centuries of books, manuscripts, and illustrations. The material is presented plainly and thoughtfully, rewarding slow reading and curiosity rather than expertise.

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.

Digital photo albums are a simple way to gather memories from birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, reunions, and holidays—and make them easy to enjoy and share. You don’t need to be especially tech‑savvy to create something meaningful. Start simple, then add extras if you’d like.

Begin by gathering your photos in one place. If your pictures are on a phone, tablet, or computer, choose one service and stick with it.

Name the album clearly, such as “Mary & John’s 50th Anniversary” or “Thanksgiving 2025.” Add photos in chronological order so the story makes sense.

Once the album is created, share it with family by email or text using the built‑in share option. This lets loved ones view the album without needing special skills.

If you’re comfortable exploring a bit more, you can turn a basic album into something truly special.

For events that span many years—such as milestone birthdays or memorials—consider making multiple albums labeled by year or theme.

Back up your albums so they’re never lost. Google Photos and iCloud both store copies safely online, even if a device is damaged or replaced.

A digital photo album doesn’t need special features to be meaningful. What matters most is choosing photos thoughtfully, keeping them organized, and sharing them in a way that’s easy for others to enjoy.

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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: 1990s sitcom famously “about nothing.”

FNELDIES

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