From Youth to You
When we were young, the sun revolved around us! Today, we seniors must accommodate the world from a far unfamiliar perspective. We’ve gone from the corner office to a tiny corner of the den. We have to accept a loss of influence and affluence and resist turning into curmudgeons complaining about anything and everything. The motto to follow is how old I am is not as important as how I am old.
How one looks at aging makes an enormous difference. Close the “What if…” file. Be content with the “This is it…” file. Be comfortable in your wrinkly skin and see your years as an elder as a time to present yourself to the world without artifice, faithful to your authentic identity.
Leave the past behind. Accept the impasses that can’t be bridged. Mourn your losses and move on. The flow of life is inexorable and watching the world go by as a spectator is missing the fun.
Maybe we should drive instead of fly! Deadly Turbulence On Singapore Airlines Flight (5/22)
The London-Singapore flight, which departed Monday evening, made an emergency landing in Bangkok after plummeting 6,000 feet in about three minutes, leaving a British man dead and dozens of other passengers injured. “The plane just felt like it dropped. It probably only lasted a few seconds, but I remember vividly seeing shoes and iPads and iPhones and cushions and blankets and cutlery and plates and cups flying through the air and crashing into the ceiling,” a passenger shared details of the harrowing experience.
Uncharted territory. What happens if Trump is found guilty? Would he still run for president? (5/22)
Trump could potentially face imprisonment if he’s convicted, though most first-time offenders in non-violent cases are sentenced to probation and fines instead. A felony conviction will not disqualify Trump from continuing his presidential campaign, even if he were jailed. If Trump is convicted, he will almost certainly appeal the verdict—a process that could take months or longer to play out. The lengthy appeals process would be unlikely to wrap up before Election Day. if Trump receives a probationary sentence and resides in the community, he would maintain his eligibility to vote. Likewise, if his appeal of a jail sentence were to extend beyond the election, he would be able to vote. [More]
Red Lobster was a favorite eatery for our generation. What happened?May 21, 2024
On May 20, after weeks of speculation and dozens of shuttered restaurants across the country, Red Lobster announced that it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an effort to save the flailing chain. As it closed locations, auctioned off its fryers and ovens, and faced an increasingly uncertain future, one popular theory quickly emerged: Red Lobster’s demise surely must be the result of all those endless shrimp promotions. Shrimp buffet bankrupting Red Lobster does seem like a plausible theory. Shrimp is expensive, and selling unlimited amounts of it for under $20 does seem like a decidedly untenable business model.The reality, though, is much more insidious. The chain’s current ownership cares only about money and stemming the losses caused by its own poor decision-making.
Can Americans Travel to Cuba? Not sure why you would want to go, but surprise, you can! (5/22)
Yes, travelers with US passports can travel to Cuba, typically leaving on flights from Miami. All you need to do is tick one motive from an online list that pops up when you purchase your air ticket, of which “support of the Cuban people” is the most appropriate catch-all. The other important US government condition is that US travelers must spend their dollars supporting private businesses in Cuba, not companies that are government-owned or operated. It’s a common misconception that US passport holders cannot travel to Cuba, which has held a mythic status since the early 20th century for its vibrant mix of Latin and Caribbean cultures, its hundreds of miles of pristine beaches, its African-influenced music, and its vintage charm. [More]
For most foods, there’s life after expiration dates!May 14, 2024
Believe it or not, except for infant formula, the government doesn’t require food dating. However, for meat, poultry, and egg products under the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), dates may be voluntarily provided, but they must be truthful and not misleading. These phrases serve various purposes: Best if Used By/Before: This date tells you when the product will taste its best. It’s not a “safe-for-eating” date. Sell-By: This date is for the store, letting them know how long to display the product. It is also not about safety. Use-By: This is the last date recommended for peak quality. Aside from infant formula, it is not about safety. Freeze-By: Indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain its best quality. It is not about safety either. Most foods are still safe and tasty after the date passes, as long as they are stored properly. Spoiled foods will develop funky odors, flavors, or textures due to spoilage bacteria. It’s important to note that a change in color, especially in meat or poultry, doesn’t always mean it’s gone bad. So, next time you see that date on your groceries, remember, it’s not a countdown to disaster — it’s just a suggestion for peak flavor.
Seniors are more anxious and stressed than ever before! And it’s affecting our mental health. (5/7)
In 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022. Adults are particularly anxious about current events (70%)—especially the economy (77%), the 2024 U.S. election (73%), and gun violence (69%). Despite the increasing anxiety, most adults have not sought professional mental health support. In 2024, just one in four (24%) adults say they talked with a mental health care professional in the past year. Notably, younger adults (18–34) are more than twice as likely as older adults (50+) to have done so. Also among adults who have used mental health care this year, more than half (59%) are worried about losing access to mental health care, and 39% of insured adults are worried about losing their health insurance, as a result of the election this year.
Hormel Foodshas recalled two Planters products – peanuts and mixed nuts – due to possible contamination with the bacteria that causes listeria. The two recalled products – 4-ounce packages of honey roasted peanuts and 8.75-ounce cans of deluxe lightly salted mixed nuts – were distributed to retailers in five Southern states. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can cause a serious infection. The peanuts have a “best if used by” date of April 11, 2025, and the mixed nuts have a “best if used by” date of April 5, 2026. Consumers who purchased these products are urged to throw them away or return them to the store where purchased for an exchange or full refund.
A newspaper by and for seniors, Senior News Weekly scours the internet each morning for news of interest to active men and women of retirement age. Coverage includes financial and health news, politics, retirement strategies and assisted living news.