Not everyone is qualified to be called The Snake Teacher. After the tiny black snake Speedy joined the Crone household in…
Becoming the Snake Lady Like most young mothers, Jane didn’t like snakes. As a child, she was terrified of them….
Time to Get Moving! Even though we know the benefits of a regular exercise routine, sometimes it’s challenging to stick to…
Time to Get Moving If you’re sitting in a comfortable La-Z-Boy recliner with your feet propped up and thinking about…
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When I was a little girl, one of my favorite activities was going to Schlegel’s Grocery & Hardware Store. In…
In case you’re having a hard time finding a way to giggle, I give you sayings from Yogi Berra, Baseball…
I have a sweet collection of memories of my mom, Nancy Varner. I didn’t always remember that I had one…
When I was young, I avoided taking medicines, including vitamins and supplements. But with each birthday, I notice things don’t…
Looking For Stories As a newly retired person, I quickly fell into activities I rarely had time for in my…
My good friend, guest blogger Sandy Sieber, wrote about the small rewards of caregiving ten years ago when her mother-in-law…
Why Did I Say That? Recently, I emailed someone cheerfully saying, “I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.” She…
Sometimes, I read a story that touches me deeply and want to share it with my readers. I loved this…
The last two hundred years were filled with fantastic inventions. Looking back and looking ahead, I marvel at how technology…
Sometimes, taking small steps can make a huge difference. Have you heard these excuses? I’ve never been good at math….
People frequently say, “What can I do for you?” or “How can I help you?” People rarely know how to…
There are numerous challenges associated with caring for aging parents in your own home. When my friend and her husband…
Good-Bye Little Friend… Earlier this year, I lost my little friend. Blame it on retirement. I hated driving…
Keep reading. This article comes with a gift. Thirty-two years ago, I set aside many hobbies to attend college and…
The Struggle Is Real: Movies About Older People For Older People I love watching movies about older people who face…
Strange Dreams Sometimes, my dreams turn into story ideas I hope to write later. Other dreams reveal insights about people…
Do you sometimes get lost in today’s vocabulary? I remember when the word net meant something made of loosely connected…
A Special Gift Idea Have you ever given a journey of memories? It may be only August, but I’m already…
I’m not good at finding the courage to face my fears. I’m a coward. If there’s an activity that could…
When I was a little girl, electronic devices were nowhere to be found. My family didn’t get a television set…
Anyone who has seen the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease will be motivated to keep an eye on risk factors. Having…
Are you tech-savvy or technologically challenged? Many digital tools for older people can make our lives easier. Most of these…
A New Challenge As I spend time reflecting on retirement, I realized I’m my education is not yet complete….
They say the struggle to lose weight becomes more challenging as you get older. I wouldn’t know. For me, older…
Do you ever feel homesick for days gone by? I do. Not only do I miss the people who are…
I must be a slow learner. Despite getting decent grades in public school and earning some Latin-sounding award on my…
The Number of Things Last week was Pi Day – 3.14. So I thought it wise to consider the number…
Have you noticed how difficult it can be to see a doctor these days? If you get past the automated…
I’m never sure what to call an older person. Language can be complicated. Words that seemed appropriate when I was…
Time for a pop quiz on oldies music. I can’t help it. I’m a teacher. Everything comes in the form…
House on the Highway was published in the 2017 summer issue of Common Ground Magazine. When I was…
Is it time to set a new goal? C. S. Lewis said, “You are never too old to set another…
As our parents grow older, they may need help with daily living tasks like making meals, running errands and shopping,…
I’m making a joyful noise – Why is no one glad? Christmas may be over at your house, but it’s…
2024 Christmas Tree Poem Time moves on, Like the rushing traffic Flying by at breakneck speeds, Needing to be somewhere…
“Despite all that has been lost to the savageness of time, there are plenty of reasons to be grateful for…
Watching TV Shows – not in my house Thanks to modern technology, I can now watch all the old TV…
In the fall of 1969, eight-year-old Dawn Howard stared at the display of dolls in a Montoursville department store. She…
Facing the Challenges of crossing the stream was a grim reminder that my physical abilities were fading. Outtakes: Sometimes, when…
The story of an antique, vintage, and nearly classic 1928 Model A Ford I’m glad I’m not a car. If I…
Age and Beauty from “The Wandering Place” While I continue to learn the art of storytelling and revise…
As a teacher for 26 years, I’ve seen a lot of changes in public education. Every day, the students…
The characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease and early symptoms can appear similar to the typical growing older behaviors faced by many…
Not much of a schoolboy July 11 – Since today is my dad’s 83rd birthday, and he’s on…
In recent years, research has demonstrated a connection between insulin resistance and the deterioration of neuronal function in the brain….
What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s Disease is a brain disorder that wreaks havoc with stored memories, hinders new learning, and…
by Deb Richmond As an aspiring writer—or rather, a writer who still needs a non-writing source of income—I feel a…
Is it time for another birthday already? Despite having seen so many, I still look forward…
Christmas Past Christmas past holds so many glorious memories. Yet Christmas will never be the same without her. The Toll…
by Deb Richmond, Author/Wanna-be poet Some people send thank-you notes. Others give hugs. I tell stories or sometimes write poems,…
by Deb Richmond Marie may have loved raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, and bright copper kettles, but I have…
This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of my son’s death. It doesn’t seem like a year ago. I remember that…
It was an ordinary, nothing special dish with waves of rolling milk glass edges and glossy whatnot sitting on an…
Empty Porches When I turned teenager, my family moved from a house surrounded by farmland to a small community in…