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Book of the Day
Pachinko
Min Jin Lee
A sweeping multigenerational saga, Pachinko follows a Korean immigrant family navigating displacement, love, and sacrifice across twentieth-century Japan. As fortune and identity shift over decades, each generation grapples with loyalty, dignity, and the ever-present question of belonging.
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Easy Stretches to Do Every Morning
Starting the day with gentle stretching can improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and boost circulation. For older adults, morning stretches are a safe way to warm up the body and prepare for daily activities. Here are simple stretches you can do right after getting out of bed—or even while sitting in a chair.
Neck Stretch – Sit or stand tall. Slowly tilt your head to the right, hold for 10 seconds, then switch sides. This helps ease morning tension in the neck and shoulders.
Shoulder Rolls – Lift your shoulders toward your ears, roll them back, then down. Repeat 5–10 times. This relieves stiffness and improves posture.
Overhead Reach – While seated or standing, interlace your fingers and gently reach both arms overhead. Hold for 10–15 seconds. Great for opening up the chest and upper back.
Seated Torso Twist – Sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor. Place your right hand on the outside of your left thigh and gently twist to the left. Hold, then switch sides. This keeps the spine mobile.
Ankle Circles – While seated, lift one foot off the ground and rotate the ankle clockwise and counterclockwise. Repeat with the other foot. Helps with circulation and balance.
Hamstring Stretch – Sit on the edge of a chair, extend one leg straight with the heel on the floor, and lean forward slightly until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of your leg. Switch sides.
Calf Stretch – Stand facing a wall, place your hands on it, step one foot back, and press the heel into the floor. Hold 10–15 seconds and repeat on the other side.
Tips for Success
Move gently: Stretches should never be painful—stop if you feel discomfort.
Breathe deeply: Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly to relax into each stretch.
Make it routine: Even 5 minutes each morning can improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and set a positive tone for the day.
These stretches are simple, safe, and effective ways to wake up your body. A few minutes each morning can support better mobility, balance, and energy throughout the day.
On Finances
Useful financial product: Senior Life Settlements
Quick Poll (vote to see the anonymized current results)
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Grandkids Corner
Outdoor Playsets: Keeping Grandkids Active and Happy
Having a fantastic outdoor playset is one of the best ways to keep your grandchildren engaged, active, and creating lasting memories right in your own backyard. Choosing the right one can seem daunting, but focusing on safety, maintenance, and fun features makes the process easy.
Basic: Focus on Safety and Low Maintenance
For a hassle-free experience, look for sets built with safety and minimal upkeep in mind.
Materials Matter: Consider metal or vinyl-clad wood playsets. Traditional wooden sets (like cedar or pine) are beautiful but require regular staining or sealing every year or two, which can be a chore. Metal or vinyl options, like those from Star Quality Swingsets or certain models from Lifetime, are generally lower-maintenance—often only requiring a wash-down now and then. This frees up your time for playing, not painting!
Simple Fun: For younger grandkids (toddlers to about age 6), look for simple sets featuring a single slide, a bucket swing (for toddlers), and a traditional belt swing. Brands like Step2 offer durable, easy-to-assemble plastic options, which are great for smaller spaces and younger children.
Safety Surface: This is critical. Grass or dirt isn't soft enough. You must have a proper fall surface extending at least 6 feet around the perimeter of the set. The lowest-maintenance options are rubber mulch (which doesn't decompose or attract bugs) or engineered wood fiber. You can find these options from retailers like Home Depot or Lowe's.
Advanced: Maximizing Fun for Mixed Ages (Bonus Tip!)
If you have a mix of ages coming over or want something they'll grow into, maximizing versatility is key.
Flexible Swings: Choose a set that allows you to easily swap out swing seats. A standard belt swing can be replaced with a toddler bucket swing (for the little ones) or a larger, more adventurous saucer swing (which multiple older kids love). Sets like the Trekassy Two-Seat Swing Set are simple, sturdy, and allow for easy customization.
Mixed Activities: Look for features that appeal to different play styles. A clubhouse or fort area encourages imaginative play, a rock wall promotes physical challenge, and a picnic table offers a spot for quiet activities or a snack break. Brands like Gorilla Playsets or Backyard Discovery offer large, feature-rich wooden sets that cover all these bases.
Installation Service: Many major retailers and playset brands offer professional installation for an extra fee. If bending, lifting, and dealing with hundreds of small parts sounds like too much, paying for expert assembly is an investment in your peace of mind and your family's safety. When shopping for larger sets, specifically check for installation options through the seller (like Costco or the manufacturer's site).
On Tech for Seniors
The Best E-Readers for Seniors Who Love Books
E-readers are a fantastic way for seniors to enjoy books without carrying heavy volumes. They make text adjustable, reduce glare, and can store hundreds of titles, all in one lightweight device.
Basic (for those less comfortable with technology):
PocketBook InkPad Lite – Features a large 9.7-inch E-Ink screen, ideal for those who prefer larger text. Its glare-free display and adjustable lighting make reading comfortable.
Kobo Clara BW – A budget-friendly option with a 6-inch screen, adjustable fonts, and a front light for reading in various lighting conditions.
NOOK GlowLight 4 – Offers a 6-inch display with adjustable brightness and a comfortable design, suitable for extended reading sessions. Learn more
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite – Waterproof, with a bright, glare-free screen and simple navigation.
Advanced (for more tech-savvy folks):
Custom fonts: Many e-readers support visually optimized fonts like “Atkinson Hyperlegible,” designed for readers with low vision.
Multiple libraries: Use your e-reader to borrow from local library apps such as Libby or manage multiple accounts for different book collections.
Large PDF or comic reading: Seniors who enjoy magazines, technical books, or graphic novels may consider larger models or tablets that support PDF zooming.
With the right e-reader, seniors can access their favorite novels, manage reading preferences, and enjoy books comfortably, anywhere — whether on the porch, in bed, or while traveling.
On Health
Healthy recipe: Vegetarian Meatballs
Helpful heath gadget: Wireless Caregiver Pager SOS Call Button
Fashion Over Fifty
Talbots – Women's Plus-Size Exclusive A-Line Dress – Gingham (approx. $119.99)
Ann Taylor – Relaxed Linen Perfect Shirt (approx. $62.65)
Everlane – The '90s Rib Dress (approx. $118)
Boden – Natalia Jersey Tea Dress (approx. $149)
Marks & Spencer – Cotton Rich Open Stitch Knitted Polo Top (approx. $66.99)
Unscramble
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: ’70s TV icon with a famous feathered hairstyle.
ARHAF TCFETWA
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