Remembering Appointment Television, How Pets Benefit Health and Well-Being, and Protecting Yourself From Financial Exploitation

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Fiction: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride – When a skeleton is discovered in a small Pennsylvania town, the mystery reveals the intertwined lives, secrets, and unlikely friendships of its Jewish and Black communities.

History (Non-Fiction): The Colditz Story by P. R. Reid – This gripping firsthand account recounts the daring escape attempts, ingenious schemes, and extraordinary determination of Allied prisoners held in Germany's notorious Colditz Castle during World War II.

Memoir: Punch Me Up to the Gods by Brian Broome – This powerful memoir explores growing up Black and gay in Ohio, confronting family expectations, racism, and trauma while struggling toward self-acceptance.

Self-Help: The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris – This practical guide uses acceptance and commitment therapy techniques to help readers overcome self-doubt, face their fears, and take meaningful action even when confidence feels out of reach.

Romance: Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas – A beautiful but impoverished aristocrat sets out to marry a wealthy gentleman, only to find herself drawn to a self-made businessman who challenges her expectations of love and society.

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Before programs could be watched whenever you wanted, television operated on its own schedule—and viewers adjusted theirs accordingly.

If your favorite show aired Thursday at 8:00, you were in front of the television Thursday at 8:00. Miss it and you might not get another chance until a rerun months later.

That limitation created something we've largely lost: millions of people experiencing the same entertainment at the same time.

Certain programs practically became appointments.

I Love Lucy famously drew enormous audiences every Monday night, 9:00 p.m. Eastern, for its whole run in the 1950s. From the 1960s to 2010s, children rushed to the living room to watch Saturday morning cartoons.  M*A*S*H*’s 1983 finale garnered the eyes of 106 million viewers, an astonishing 60.2% of all US households and 77% of all TV viewers for that time slot—all watching the same story unfold on the same night.

The routine was part of the experience—families structured their days around these showings. Dinner, the dishes, and everyone’s homework had to be finished by 7:00. Prepping for bed came during the second commercial break of the 9:30 airing.

And any interruption posed a serious problem—there was no pause button waiting to replay what you missed when you came back.

Because viewers all watched the same episodes at the same time, television naturally became part of everyday conversation.

Coworkers could discuss last night's episode the following morning. Friends debated what a character would do next. A surprising finale could become a national talking point almost overnight.

The famous "Who shot J.R.?" mystery on Dallas is a perfect example. Viewers spent months speculating about the answer before the reveal finally aired.

Televisions weren’t an individual or even household experience. They were cultural phenomena, discussed with colleagues around the water cooler, friends at school, and strangers on the subway.

A week between episodes gave viewers time to wonder what would happen next. Seasonal specials were anticipated for weeks. Major finales felt like genuine events, because if you missed the original broadcast, you couldn't simply watch the episode a few days later at your convenience. And if you missed it, you’d be left out of the next day’s conversations.

Today's ability to watch almost anything whenever we want is enormously convenient. But convenience has changed the experience. What we’ve gained in accessibility we’ve lost in shared enjoyment.

Appointment television wasn't necessarily better entertainment. What made it distinctive was the shared ritual surrounding it—knowing countless other people were watching right along with you, feeling the same suspense, awaiting the same resolutions, and debating the same questions.

It turned an ordinary evening at home into a cultural event.

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.

Somewhere, someone is grateful that you showed up when they needed you.

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“The Motel in Amarillo”
From the life overview of Patricia W., 81, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Shared with permission.

In 1977, my husband and I took a trip to New Mexico with our two children. We were on a tight budget, so we just stayed at any motel that looked safe enough from the road.

One night in Amarillo, we stopped at a place with a flashing VACANCY sign.

The room was small. But the children saw the pool, which was shaped like a kidney, and immediately wanted to swim.

It was almost nine o’clock, so my husband said no.

I shrugged and said, “We’re already here.”

So the four of us went swimming in the dark.

The pool lights were greenish, and moths kept landing on the water. The children didn’t seem to mind. My husband sat at the edge of the pool with his trousers rolled up, pretending he wasn’t having fun.

Then the motel manager came outside. We all froze, assuming we were in trouble.

Instead, he stood there for a moment and said, “Water’s cold.”

My husband replied with a slight shiver, “We noticed.”

The manager chuckled and went back inside.

We spent another half hour in the pool.

I don’t remember much about the rest of that trip. We saw Carlsbad Caverns, drove through the desert, and took hundreds of photographs. But when I think about that vacation, the motel pool is what stands out the most.

Sometimes the part you remember isn’t always what you planned to see.

***

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DailyArt
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Connections Museum
If you enjoy spotting hidden relationships between words, this collection of user-created puzzles offers an almost endless supply of challenges. Each puzzle presents 16 words that must be sorted into four groups based on a shared connection, with some categories considerably trickier than they first appear. You can also create your own puzzle and challenge friends or family to solve it.

Police warn of sophisticated phone scams impersonating officers

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

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Every family seems to have a few recipes that everyone remembers. Maybe it's a grandmother's Sunday biscuits, an aunt's famous chocolate cake, or the casserole that always appears at holiday gatherings.

Gathering those recipes into one collection is a wonderful way to preserve family traditions while creating something genuinely useful for future generations.

Start with recipes you already have, including handwritten cards, old cookbooks, newspaper clippings, and notes tucked inside kitchen drawers.

Then invite relatives to contribute their favorites. Ask for recipes they make regularly, dishes associated with special occasions, and meals they remember from childhood.

Don't forget to ask about the little details that rarely appear in written recipes. Someone might insist that a particular cake needs an extra splash of vanilla or that a family soup tastes better the next day.

For inspiration, FamilySearch's guide to preserving family food stories explores how recipes can help document family traditions.

A three-ring binder with protective sleeves is an easy option because you can add recipes whenever you discover something new.

For a digital collection, Google Docs lets you type recipes, insert photographs, and share the finished document with relatives.

If you'd prefer a polished printed cookbook, Shutterfly's custom photo books can be used to combine recipes, family photographs, and personal stories into a keepsake.

Organize recipes by category, such as breakfasts, main dishes, desserts, and holiday favorites, or arrange them by the relatives who contributed them.

The stories behind recipes are often just as meaningful as the dishes themselves.

Include a photograph of the person associated with each recipe, a memory of when it was served, or a note explaining why it became a family favorite.

You can also scan handwritten recipe cards to preserve the original handwriting. Adobe Scan is a free mobile app that lets you turn paper recipes into digital files, making them easier to preserve, organize, and share with family members.

A family recipe book doesn't have to be finished all at once. Leave room for new additions, encourage relatives to contribute, and update the collection as new traditions develop.

Consider hosting a family recipe exchange where everyone brings a favorite dish and copies of the instructions.

Years from now, someone may open that collection looking for a familiar recipe and discover an entire family history waiting between the pages.

Fingerprint unlocking lets you open your phone with a quick touch instead of entering a PIN or password every time. It's convenient, and your fingerprint provides an additional way to protect access to your personal information.

On an Android phone, open Settings and look for Security & Privacy, Biometrics, or Fingerprint Unlock. The exact menu depends on your phone's manufacturer.

Follow the instructions to register your fingerprint. You'll typically place your finger on the sensor several times, slightly adjusting its position so the phone can recognize different parts of your fingertip.

On an iPhone with Touch ID, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Add a Fingerprint. Newer iPhones use Face ID instead of fingerprint recognition.

Register the finger you naturally use to unlock your phone. You can also add another finger as a backup.

If recognition is inconsistent, make sure your finger and the sensor are clean and dry. Very dry skin can sometimes interfere with scanning.

You'll still need a PIN or passcode for certain situations, such as restarting your phone. Keep that code memorable but difficult for others to guess.

Today: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenia’s capital is a small, attractive city centered around a riverfront lined with cafés and historic buildings. Its manageable size also makes it an excellent starting point for seeing Lake Bled and Slovenia’s countryside.

Ingrid’s Tip: Ljubljana doesn’t need to be rushed. Stay a few nights and use it as your base for day trips—you can see more of Slovenia without repeatedly changing hotels.

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: Folding table often placed in front of the television during dinner.

VT YTRA

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