Sometimes it is the only thing you can do. The newly acquired ORBIS DC 10 widebody aircraft debuted in 1994. This refurbished plane […]
Category: Weekly
Every day, something new will happen to each of us. Or we may remember something from our past that is of interest to seniors. Not everything will be earth-shaking, but all should be interesting and thought-provoking! In this section we will offer something worth sharing from the senior perspective.
A Father-Daughter Trip to the Rose Bowl
A tale of lousy time management. In the fall of 1989, I promised my younger daughter, Lisa, a trip to the Rose Bowl […]
Storytelling
Telling a story is fun and a great way to connect with people. I enjoy telling stories—and have for a long time. Several […]
The Trophy That Wasn’t
What is your handicap? Home from church, I immediately changed into work clothes and headed to the yard. It would take a full afternoon […]
It Seemed like a Good Plan
It didn’t succeed. There are breakthroughs in medical care and there are promising programs that do not work as hoped. I will share a […]
Home Cooking?
This is mostly for gents who have a stove and wonder why. Chances are you live in a community where meals are served. There […]
The Typewriter
There have been profound changes in how people work in an office. My introduction to “office work” was in tenth grade typing class, behind […]
Confidence and Faith
We have faith we will remain confident and are confident we will retain faith.* In the fall of 1962, I was driving from […]
Color Blindness
You get it from your mother, and it is not that bad! Which is better, one or two? Anyone who has had their […]
When Do You Stop Being a Teacher?
You may be teaching more than you realize! A teacher is defined as a person who instructs others, especially in a school setting. […]
8 x 11
Sometimes it is in the fine print. In May of 1962, I was twenty-seven years old and starting my first real job. As […]
In This Together
COVID-19 a threat to all. At home we all know the drill for dealing with COVID. We should wear a mask in public, […]
Being a Grandfather
There are no rules for being a grandfather. What is a grandfather? Searching for an answer, begs the question “What is a father?” […]
Avoid Falling
Something all seniors should have on their minds. As part of a routine visit with my doctor, I completed and turned in a […]
Quarantine
Definition: isolation imposed to prevent spread of disease. It remains a large part of our COVID – 19 defense. Quarantine has been a […]
Senior Pickleball
“The group is so tolerant of people just learning the game.” Most of us like to play games. A popular way is to […]
What Goes Around…
A tale of grandparents and family dogs It was summer and we were at the family’s lake cottage when our younger daughter developed a […]
Halo Towels
Sometimes the effort is more important than the result. Have you ever undertaken a task and thought, Wow, I can figure out a better […]
Small Town, Big Dog
Two faces of a small town. The pandemic has changed our lives. Along the way, this may have led us to new discoveries, or […]
Homeschooling During COVID
Homeschooling has traditionally been pursued by highly motivated parents. COVID-19 has required this to be done by unprepared parents who would rather have their children […]
Lessons of the Wind
Things nature teaches. For the last seven months, I have been looking at the wind and waters of Lake Michigan. This is because my […]
How “Old” Are You?
Special moments across time. There are some things about growing older that take getting used to. One of them is the relative nature of […]
Unfinished Business
This is one person’s story, but you could have something like this on your wish list. Maybe you should go for it! A bucket […]
The World We Share
Creatures surround us Most of us enjoy creature comforts whether we live in urban, suburban, or even in rural settings. We have ring doorbells […]
The Great Lakes
A treasure in our own backyard. I have had a lifelong love affair with the Great Lakes while growing up on Detroit’s east side. […]
What Goes Around Comes Around
You could become your grandparent. Growing up I spent lots of time in a multi-generational household. Both of my grandmothers were widowed, one in […]
Is a Storage Unit Something for You?
One family’s story of life with a storage unit. I rented a storage unit three days ago. No, I rented two! The first […]
On Poetry
Awaken your muse? COVID-19 has provided more than ample time for reflection and writing; especially for seniors who live in residential communities and may […]
Old Dogs, New Tricks
Covid-19 and virtual meetings. This is about how modern technology kept a long-standing group together. But how did we get here? In 1970, a […]
Not a Talent Scout
Dad got this one wrong. In November of 1976 I was invited to a professional meeting in New York. I would be working during the […]
Anything Worth Watching?
Recommending entertainment options for others can be a dicey proposition. Most wisely skirt this issue. Excuse me for the audacity of taking it head-on. […]
The Ninth Grade, ugh!!
I bet I am not the only one who had a terrible year at school. Here is one I remember. I spent eight […]
Working at Home
It is happening now. What are the affects and how long will it last? Seated in my room with the door ajar I hear […]
The Roadtrip
Going there can be better than getting there. In these long days of COVID-19, there are times when a person needs a break from the […]
Charlie and Warren
Sometimes a picture tells it all. About fifteen years ago I got a call from my friend Al Ueltschi, the founder of Flight Safety […]
The “Mighty Mac” Replaces the Ferry
Recollections of the past and a look at today. The Straits of Mackinac bridge, also called “The Mighty Mac” is a magnificent structure connecting […]
A Gift Too Good to Use
Sometimes the thought is bigger than the gift. Sometimes a gift is so precious it is too good to be used. Maybe this makes […]
Follow the Rules
Bureaucracy (bu-reauc-ra-cy): A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials. I believe in following the rules […]
Traditional Country Music
For those of you who want to enjoy some entertainment as a break from “all day news”, try some classic country music. Traditional country […]
Remembering the Birthday Party that Wasn’t
It is easy to take an event for granted until… For the past 35 years I have spent summers in northern Michigan. Since I […]
The Altered World We Live In
We face a unique health risk and how it affects us can depend on us. Yesterday I observed a festive occasion on an […]
Do You Have a Real ID?
Real ID is not a national identification card. It does not create a federal database of driver’s license information…the purpose of Real ID is to […]
Professor Arthur Louis Dunham
We never know when a seemingly small event can have a life changing effect. In October 1952 I was a 17-year-old freshman at the […]
Aunt Peg
In your memories some things stick out and you wonder why. Here is one of mine. Did you have an Aunt Peg ? […]
Arrested at Marshall Field’s
The start of a lively family discussion. In mid-November, while attending a convention in Chicago, Barbara and I decided to do some Christmas […]
Tennis with Renee
Some things that happen on the spur of the moment become lifetime memories The place was Puerto Rico. It was 1984. The event was […]
A New Way to Visit Your Doctor
This new way to see your doctor could be just the thing for you. After more than 30 years working with Telemedicine, including supervising […]
One Hundred Years Old and Still Going Strong!
Not everything loses viability after a century. The past 50 years have witnessed unprecedented change; especially in communication, transportation, and technology. Computers and […]
Is it OK to Share Your Email Address?
Are there risks when you give someone your email address? Email is a wonderful way to connect with friends and family. The immediacy […]
Is Community College for You?
An alternative to the traditional four-year college experience is available. These days, much is said about higher education, with a lot of emphasis […]
Time of Birth and Luck
In his acclaimed book, The Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell illustrated how time of birth can predict a life of good luck and success. This is an […]
Revealing Our Inner Self
Stress can summon feelings that find refuge in words. COVID-19 came a-calling COVID-19 came a-callingDr. Fauci called the score’U S Mailman wouldn’t enterTwo staff members […]
You Have a Camera in Your Hand
Ever wish you could snap a picture of that memorable sight? If you have a smart phone you can. You may have noticed that Your […]
National Coronavirus Response
The only action we can take now to lessen the effect of the COVID–19 pandemic is to practice social distancing and personal hygiene. […]
Fighting an Unseen Enemy
We are dealing with a disease new to all of us and it is affecting not just us but the world’s population. The following is […]
What Can We Do?
When things get tough, we can all pitch in. This is one of those times. I was dressed at seven. It was time […]
An Unprecedented Time
Our world, yes, our world! Is experiencing an unprecedented crisis – a pandemic. It is caused by COVID-19 a new virus more virulent than […]
Journaling with Haiku
Your Good Life has a Poets’ Corner and Recollections for memoirs and journaling. This week’s blog combines these two so we are putting it […]
What Are We Called?
Our age can be described with a label. What should ours be? The required age for entering a retirement community, especially one that […]
Cabin Fever Anyone?
We haven’t seen the sun in days so…? It’s winter. It’s depressing. A lot of gray skies and very little sunshine. We stay indoors […]
Telling It Like It Is
We love to hear from readers and here is a great example. Last December 20th, Your Good Life began sending email notifications to 150 […]
The Silent Generation
There are six generations in our society represented by those from 95 to 6 years old: Greatest, Silent, Boomers, X, Millennials, and Z […]
Going in Circles?
Some new things are good, but only if you learn how to use them. A modern roundabout in the U.S. is a circular intersection […]
Come Fly with Me
Recently we attempted to put a spin on prevailing negative attitudes about a hospital experience. It was possible to counter with a list of […]
The Interview
An interview can be a terrifying experience. A poor performance can overshadow a stellar academic record, lay waste significant accomplishments, and derail a promising career. […]
The 21st Century
The new electronic wonders we encounter today are like the gift that keeps on giving. There seems to be no end. The drive […]
Raising Humidity Without Getting Soaked?
Two important things about a portable humidifier and you purchasing one are, do I need one and if so, what kind should I get? I […]
The Rise of Skywalker
Movies continue to play an important part in the lives of many and few films have had a bigger impact than Star Wars. I had […]
What Is This Game?
We are all familiar with comfort food. How about a comfort game? It takes a table about 42 inches square and 30 inches high. […]
Your Good Life
The Your Good Life team, after more than a year in preparation, held its final meeting Saturday before the official kickoff. On Monday morning approximately […]
Introducing Your Good Life
More than a year in preparation, the team responsible for Your Good life is proud to invite you to make this site a regular on […]
Black Friday
How often do we use a term or describe an act and wonder why? Black Friday is just four days away. This day officially […]
Overcoming Computer Fear
Have you purchased or ridden in a new car lately? If so, you may have heard about or experienced sticker shock. But that is not […]
So, You’re Going to the Hospital
People 65 years and older represent nearly 40 percent of hospitalized adults and are said to account for nearly half of all health care […]
The Online Book Club
After a little over a year, it is time to take stock of our online book club and invite readers to join us as an […]
Do You Like it There?
People have lots of questions about retirement communities and I get my share. Now past my 84th birthday, alone for the past year and a […]
The Good Hart Store
There are things in life that you derive pleasure from, or maybe better said, admire as an example of what things ought to be. Each […]
Becoming an Ice Boat Dealer
People can do strange things in their lives making them ask the question, “did I do that?” Around 1971, the Indianapolis Sailing Club hosted […]
The Lift Chair
Most of us spend time, or wish we could, in a comfortable chair to read, watch TV, or simply visit with another person. There are […]
Did I really do that?
Heads up fellas. This is mostly for you. If you ever think you did something stupid making you the biggest dumb head on the […]
Downsizing? Why not Resizing?
The word downsize is heard a lot in families when we approach the seventh decade or come close to it. Don’t be alarmed by […]
Do You Like It There?
People have lots of questions about retirement communities and I get my share. Now past my 84th birthday, alone for the past year and […]
A Readily Accessible Retentive Memory
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a thoroughly enjoyable event. It was scheduled by the talented and hardworking activities department at our retirement facility. […]
The Pants
Where there’s a will there’s a way. Jack had the will and found the way. I received an email with a picture from a friend […]
To be or not to be…Not necessarily
Most readers I have met have a strong opinion about which is best, an e-book or a traditional print book. This usually results in […]
Water
Some health tips are simple others are important. Here is one that is both. “Be sure you are drinking enough water.” Trekking across the hot […]
Being There
There are things we can’t explain. These can have so much meaning it is hard to believe they are only imagined and without a […]
She Died of Thirst
Katie Watson, from Duke University, provided a thoughtful analysis of how it is possible to communicate with gallows humor as it relates to medicine: […]
A Tribute to Betty Olsen on Her Centennial
In life there are noteworthy accomplishments we all recognize that only a special few achieve. How about pitching a no hitter, winning an academy award, […]
She Would Have Loved It
I didn’t wait long, but that’s what Barbara would have wanted. Barbara died May 29, two weeks short of our 59th wedding anniversary. On […]
“My Dog”
A 93 year-old woman in a moment of intense grieving reveals her choice between her dog and her husband. It was noon and the […]
Too Early or Too Late?
A question that lingers but is seldom confronted I have some advice for answering the question “when is the best time to move into a […]
My Favorite Exercise Machine
Choosing the right fitness equipment can be a challenge. In this case, one size fits all does not apply. I have tried every training […]
Who Does She Rescue?
My wife and I kept a boat at Harbor Springs for more than twenty years. We spent much of our time cruising, mostly in […]
Before You Start an Exercise Program
Exercise is one of the pillars supporting good health. What you can do and how you do it should be decided with the help […]
Chief Medical Examiner
People are wired differently. “The things that make us who we are should not be what we expect in others.” My job after being […]
Music Lessons
Practice doesn’t always make perfect when it comes to becoming the next Mozart, a new study suggests. Researchers compared pairs of identical twins and found […]
Should I use a walker?
There is no “one size fits all” answer to this question. When it arises all the pertinent factors should be considered, and a decision […]
Overcoming Computer Fear
Have you purchased or ridden in a new car lately? If so, you may have heard about or experienced sticker shock. But that is […]
Not the Enemy
There are 46 million seniors in the United States today, 15% of the population and the number is growing. According to the Pew Research […]