If I’m to be ahead of the game in terms of preparations for December holidays, the time to get focused is now! At my granddaughter’s urging, I began thinking about Christmas preparations a week ago. She urged me to believe in the Christmas Elf and to start getting ready for the holidays with some decorating […]
Enjoying Retirement
December Holiday Anticipation
Yesterday when I picked up our granddaughter for our weekly ‘date’ after school, she was full of anticipation for Christmas. ‘It’s too early’ I said. She disagreed and then told me that one of Santa’s elves had visited their house the night before and wrapped the living room pictures in Christmas paper with big red […]
Sleep Struggles as we grow older
Do you remember when you ‘slept like a baby’? For me, this meant sleeping for seven or eight hours without waking — without tossing and turning — and, without crazy or frightening dreams. As we grow older, many of us struggle to get a night of restful sleep. Every year, I cheer the end of […]
Nurturing Curiosity in Retirement
Last week, when my six-year-old granddaughter was visiting for her weekly ‘date’ with me, she posed questions about why leaves on trees change colour in autumn, fall off, and re-generate in spring. She asked, “Wouldn’t it be easier for the tree to keep its leaves all the time”? We were admiring the yellow, red and […]
Biological Health Brings Retirement Wealth
A few days ago I attended another seminar about finances in retirement. The presenter challenged everyone to bulletproof their finances with the usual tools including up-to-date wills, estate plans, powers of attorney, and tax strategies. The presenter caught my attention with a discussion of health as a key aspect of wealth in retirement. The presenter […]
Do you squander precious retirement time?
For many people, retirement means freedom. Freedom from work and freedom from schedules. Freedom to live on one’s own terms and freedom to do as you please. It’s time to sleep when you want, eat when you want, and do what you want. That we can do as we wish every day is certainly true. […]
Why September is My Favourite Month of the Year
September is my favourite month of the year. An eon ago, when I went to school, September meant new shoes, new clothes and new school supplies. At university, September meant a return to studying as well as meeting new people and enjoying new experiences. In my career, September always brought a surge of energy — […]
Managing Personal Energy for Happiness
As I grow older, I realize that my daily energy stores are in decline. I’m more aware of the need to manage personal energy levels to improve happiness. This usually means planning only one or two things for the day besides the usual time for exercise, writing, cooking, and a few basic housekeeping tasks. Just […]
Guilty Pleasures of Summer
Ontario’s civic holiday weekend at the beginning of August is history. Half of the summer is over which leaves only 4 to 6 weeks to enjoy summer treats. Days are shorter. This is a good time to consider the pleasures of summer — yes, some of these pleasures feel guilty — others, bring no guilt! […]
Farewell to Small Town Bakeries
Today I say farewell to another small town bakery that’s closing. When we recently arrived in Grand Bend for a summer of cottage life, Uncle Jimmy’s Scottish Bakery was boarded up with a For Sale sign in the front parking lot. No more will fresh sausage rolls, oat cakes, whole wheat loaves, fresh buns, pies, […]
