Why Curiosity Doesn't Retire, an AI-Assisted Medication Device for Memory Loss, and the Importance of a Trusted Financial Contact

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Fiction: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese – Spanning three generations in southern India, this sweeping family saga follows a community shaped by love, medicine, faith, and a mysterious family curse involving water.

History (Non-Fiction): The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough – This dramatic history reconstructs the catastrophic 1889 Pennsylvania flood that killed more than 2,000 people, examining the failed dam, devastating destruction, and human stories behind the disaster.

Memoir: Beyond the Edge: A Survivor's Tale by Chelsey Klein – This harrowing memoir recounts a life-threatening hike on California's Mount Shasta in 2020 and the difficult journey of recovery, self-discovery, and finding purpose after surviving a devastating ordeal.

Self-Help: Rewire Your Anxious Brain by Catherine M. Pittman and Elizabeth M. Karle – This accessible guide explains how different parts of the brain contribute to anxiety and offers neuroscience-based strategies for reducing fear, managing anxious thoughts, and changing automatic responses.

Romance: The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary – Two fiercely competitive surgeons who cannot stand each other are forced into workplace counseling, where their explosive arguments begin turning into an equally intense attraction.

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One of the pleasures of curiosity is that it doesn't require a practical purpose.

You can wonder why some birds migrate and others don't simply because you noticed a V of geese in the sky. You can become fascinated by the history of a local park after noticing a plaque you’ve passed a hundred times. You can suddenly decide you'd like to understand jazz, identify constellations, learn how stained glass is made, or discover what actually happened to each passenger on the Mayflower.

You don't need a test at the end. You don't need a certificate. You don't even need a particularly good reason.

Sometimes, all you need is a vague sense of wonder.

Curiosity often begins with something small.

You notice an unusual architectural detail on a downtown building and wonder when it was built. One question leads to another: Who designed it? What was there before? What did this street look like a century ago?

Before long, you've spent an enjoyable afternoon at the library, visited a local historical society, or found yourself walking downtown specifically to look with new eyes at buildings you've passed for years.

Instead of deciding what you should learn, pay attention to what naturally makes you want to know more—this approach will almost certainly lead to a more interesting, and more persistent, pursuit of knowledge.

Trying something unfamiliar can feel awkward at first—but there's also freedom in not expecting yourself to be an expert right away.

Take a pottery class. Learn a few phrases in another language before a trip. Ask someone to teach you chess. Attend a lecture on a subject you know almost nothing about.

Being a beginner means you're allowed to ask basic questions, make mistakes, and be pleasantly surprised by progress.

These abilities might even make you question things you thought you knew.

Curiosity rarely travels in a straight line.

A historical novel might lead you to research the period in which it's set. That could introduce you to an artist from the era, whose paintings inspire you to visit a gallery. A conversation with a curator might then lead you to watch a documentary. And that documentary might lead you to a trip to a museum in a nearby city, a road trip to a neighboring state, or a flight across the country.

You don't have to turn every interest into a serious hobby. Whenever your interest wanes, simply abandon the trail and pick up a new one. Without a clear destination in sight, it’s the journey that matters anyway.

Learning doesn't always have to prepare us for something. It can simply make the world more interesting.

There will always be another question to ask, place to explore, skill to try, or subject to learn. Curiosity makes sure there's always something new waiting around the corner—even if that corner is in your own neighborhood.

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.

The next time someone tells you a story you’ve heard before, remember that they enjoy telling it for a reason.

The discount: Amtrak

What it gives you: Travelers age 60+ receive 10% off eligible Amtrak/VIA Rail Canada cross-border fares

How to claim it: Select Senior when booking and carry proof of age

“The Summer I Worked at the National Park”
From the life overview of Barbara H., 78, Boise, Idaho. Shared with permission.

In the summer of 1968, I took a job at a small lodge near Yellowstone National Park. I was twenty years old and had just finished my second year of college, but I needed to earn some money to cover the rest of my tuition and didn’t feel like asking my parents for help. A girl from my dormitory had worked there the previous summer and told me how beautiful it was. Unfortunately, she never mentioned how cold the mornings were.

I shared a cabin with two other young women. We all worked long shifts serving breakfast, changing beds, and answering questions from visitors. They always assumed we knew everything about the park. On my third day at the job, a man asked me where he could see a moose. I wasn’t sure what to say, so I just pointed at the woods. He thanked me and disappeared for the rest of the day.

One thing I loved about the job, aside from the gorgeous view, was the walk back to the cabin at the end of our shift each evening. The air smelled of pine, and if we were lucky, we could see the mountains turning pink in the fading light. Sometimes we would sit outside with cups of instant cocoa, chatting about the visitors we had met.

One night, a bear found its way into the garbage behind the kitchen. The manager ran out with a flashlight, yelling for us to stay inside. We watched from the windows as the bear knocked over a metal bin and helped itself to the contents.

I went back to college in September with enough money for tuition and a suitcase that reeked of wood smoke. For years afterward, whenever someone asked me about my summer at the lodge, I would tell them about the bear. Somehow, that memory stands out more than the job itself.

***

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Cryptogram – Wordgames
Put your detective skills to work with a puzzle in which every letter of a quotation has been replaced by another. Use repeated letters, short words, and familiar patterns to gradually crack the code and reveal the hidden saying. It's a satisfying challenge that combines language, logic, and the pleasure of uncovering a meaningful quotation.

Exploratorium – Science Explorer
Turn a few ordinary household items into an afternoon of surprising discoveries. This collection of hands-on experiments shows you how to create tiny sparks, build unusual structures, explore optical illusions, and investigate everyday scientific mysteries. Each activity includes instructions and explanations, making it an enjoyable way to satisfy your curiosity away from the screen.

Beware of continued crypto scams amid new awareness campaign

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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Few subjects are as rewarding to photograph as a beautiful sunrise or sunset. The changing colors, dramatic clouds, and shifting light can transform an ordinary landscape into something extraordinary.

And you don't need a professional camera to capture the moment. A smartphone and a little knowledge of light and composition can produce beautiful results.

The most interesting colors often appear just before sunrise or after sunset, so arrive early or stay a little longer than you might expect.

Photographers call the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset the golden hour, when sunlight is warmer and softer. The blue hour, around twilight, can produce cooler tones and atmospheric images.

Use timeanddate.com's sun calculator to find sunrise and sunset times for your location.

For more detailed planning, PhotoPills helps photographers predict the Sun's position and plan compositions around specific landscapes or landmarks.

Modern smartphones can capture impressive sunrise and sunset photographs, especially when you adjust the exposure.

Tap the brightest part of the sky on your screen, then lower the exposure slightly if necessary to preserve the colors and prevent washed-out highlights.

Avoid excessive digital zoom, which can reduce image quality.

For additional guidance, Adobe's sunset photography tips explain exposure, composition, and camera settings.

A colorful sky is beautiful, but including something in the foreground can make the photograph more memorable.

Try silhouetting a tree, fence, pier, or building against the light. Reflections in lakes, rivers, or puddles can also add depth and symmetry.

Experiment with placing the horizon above or below the center of the frame rather than dividing the image evenly.

Try photographing the same location at different times of year. You'll notice how the Sun's position, weather, and seasonal changes create entirely different scenes.

For inspiration, explore National Geographic's photography resources.

Keep a collection of your favorite images, create a seasonal photo album, or share them with friends and family.

The pleasure of sunrise and sunset photography isn't only in the finished photograph. It's also in taking a few minutes to notice how extraordinary an ordinary day can look.

Finding your car in a large parking lot or unfamiliar neighborhood can be frustrating. Fortunately, Apple Maps and Google Maps can help you save your parking location so you can navigate back to it later.

On an iPhone using Apple Maps, go to Settings > Apps > Maps and enable Show Parked Location. When your iPhone disconnects from your car's Bluetooth or CarPlay system, Apple Maps can automatically mark where you parked. Location Services and Significant Locations must also be enabled.

In Google Maps, tap the blue dot showing your current location after parking. Select Save parking on Android or Set as parking location on iPhone.

You can also add notes, such as a parking garage level or nearby landmark.

In Apple Maps, search for Parked Car or locate the parked-car marker on the map. Tap it to get directions.

In Google Maps, tap your saved parking marker or search for Parking location, then select Directions.

These features work best when your phone has a reliable location signal. In underground garages, consider taking a photo of your parking space number or nearby signs as an additional reference.

Today: The Berkshires, Massachusetts

The Berkshires offer rolling countryside, charming New England towns, museums, gardens, and a wonderful performing arts scene. It’s especially appealing for travelers who enjoy culture and scenery without the pace of a big city.

Ingrid’s Tip: Pick one centrally located inn or hotel and unpack for several nights. The drives between towns are beautiful, and having one home base makes the whole trip feel more relaxing.

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: Colorful candy worn on a finger like jewelry.

GNIR POP

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