What Travel Writers Say

Great film quotes are like a box of chocolates (14, 01, 12)
Previously, we examined the best opening lines in literature to help retirees come to grips with the New Year, a handy reference to great writers to help inspire us with renewed vigour and positive attitude in order to face and endure the sure-to-come myriad, depressing events such as complete world financial collapse and equally dreadful, the US election, more

Literature's great opening lines resonate as we age (07, 01, 12)
I am constantly on the lookout for inspirational words to help in form the complex process of retirement. Today I share some of the "25 Best Opening Lines in Western Literature" serendipitously discovered while... more

A sense of purpose makes us happier (31, 12, 11)
Last week, we explored the wisdom of Mayo, the clinic, not the foodstuff (much to my surprise) as they suggested simple techniques for us to employ to make us feel happy. more

Don't worry, you can be happy (24, 12, 11)
The article was entitled "Are you tired of waiting around for happiness to find you? Stop waiting and start getting happy with these tips," written by the Mayo Clinic staff. more

Black holes, socks, marriages, politics and banks (17, 12, 11)
I read that astronomers found a "super-massive black hole that is recoiling out of a distant galaxy" at high speed. I was startled that the black hole was... more

These athletes played their games at the highest levels (10, 12, 11)
Another childhood hero has just passed on, namely "Prince Hal" Patterson, the ultimate CFL pass receiver, gifted with golden hands who, along with quarterback, Sam "The Rifle" Etcheverry, struck terror into the hearts of football opponents who encountered them on the gridiron. more

Seniors and the 99% (03, 12, 11)
I have long been amazed at the unparallel success of the "divide and conquer" technique so ably utilized by the so-called 1% who control our world. more

Compared to these people, I'm feeling kind of young (26, 11, 11)
Do you sometimes think you are getting old? Well, I have just read about the "top ten oldest people ever"..... more

Try a high five, and hope you're not left hanging (19, 11, 11)
Last week, we explored ways seniors might greet one another, modeled after athletes with their unique modes of celebration. Nancy Falstaff from St. Catharines writes to complain: "What's wrong with waving?"
Well, there's nothing wrong with waving, but... more

Flamboyant greetings could spice things up (12, 11, 11)
Have you noticed how athletes celebrate one another after they have scored, whether it is a touchdown or a goal or some other achievement such as a walk-off homerun? more

Grandparents in action (26, 10, 11)
I've observed the male grandparent in action lately in my neighborhood. I have classified them as one of two categories: safe and unsafe. The safe variety is typified by the gentleman that I watched who transported his grandson in a wagon, sticking to the sidewalk and ambling along at a reasonable pace. more

You don't have to be an Einstein to know it's all relative (22, 10, 11)
Most seniors I talk to have a high regard for Albert Einstein even though, long ago, he jettisoned socks because a toe once wiggled free after it poked through and he figured, "What's the use?" Now that's precisely the sort of guy that we readily identify with, a rugged individualist, unafraid of breaking social norms. more

Bills' record has sun shining brightly on Buffalo (08, 10, 11)
Miriam and I approach the US Customs booth on the Peace Bridge, and as we creep closer to inspection, I notice a bizarre gathering. Just to the side of our booth, manned by a lady, five male customs officials stand in a circle, engaged in animated conversation. There is not the slightest... more

Progress = rewards for hanging in (24, 09, 11)
Answer me honestly. As a senior, sometimes do you ever wonder - just a tad - how you ever made it to this advanced age? Really. Was it pure luck? Good genes? What? Today, children have myriad regulators, and there are countless bureaucrats ensconced in well-paying positions to oversee every aspect of their day.
Kids in the 40's, 50's and early 60's shouldn't have survived... more

Men's Book Club goes electronic (17, 09, 11)
The retired life is so incredibly busy that I completely forgot to send you off last summer with a list of must-reads to better idle away your time, entranced by fiction. Oh well, retirees can read any time of the year, so I will now report to you on last season's Men's Book Club. more

Let skill rule, ban fighting from hockey (10, 09, 11)
I will never forget my first hockey game as a spectator, sitting at the rails in the Gardens. You just don't appreciate the speed of the skaters and the sound of the impact, even the sharp slap of a stick unless you are close to the ice. I was incredibly enthralled. And then something weird happened. In the middle of an exciting shift, all of the fans jumped to their feet and started screaming. more

Doh! Homer Simpson is the king of interjections (03, 09, 11)
Dear Mr. Retired Person,
My husband, Fred, has been communicating less and less with me over the years; in fact, now that we are seniors, he seems able to communicate on most occasions with one word. I can't remember... more

Gravity made its presence known when the ladder broke (27, 08, 11)
When the space age arrived, I was amazed to watch astronauts float around like babies in the womb, simulating weightlessness, but I soon learned that despite the apparent glee, there was a price to pay for this ... more

A brother-in-law's paraprosdokians shared (13, 08, 11)
I have learned not to bother to argue about my brother-in-law's emails and sloppy grammar. I simply accept the fact that he has taken a vow to spend the rest of his life in vigorous attempts to amuse and inform me through a constant barrage of email. Today's was atypical. more

Travel tips that have stood the test of time (06, 08, 11)
Miriam and I recently made a great economic breakthrough, and at first glance, it appears that it will make a tremendous positive financial impact on our lives, so I thought that I would graciously pass on this information to fellow seniors. There is no need to write long letters... more

Things to do in a vineyard (30, 07, 11)
In Niagara with lots of space and not many people (less than a half million) with the upsurge of new wineries growing faster than mushrooms appearing in my lawn, we may have the largest number per capita of any region, but I will defer to politicians to investigate that statistic. With these myriad wineries, we do have interesting choices for recreational activities beyond... more

Some suggestions to save future summit bucks (23, 07, 11)
Security for the G8 and G20 events in late June 2010 involved over 20,000 personnel from across the country and a budget of $930 million - the biggest domestic security operation in Canadian history. more

Kate and William missed out not coming to Niagara (09, 07, 11)
In Fort Erie, a day at the races would kindle interest because royalty seems fascinated with horses. I have often wondered what the attraction is of a simple horse and carriage versus an air-conditioned Prius. And the odour is much more pleasant, don't you think? more