Month: November 2023

Where did October and November go? Disappeared while I was reading these 12 books, most of them worth considering for your book stack. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd (First Broadway Books, 1966)

In my recent reading, someone referred to this classic book of short stories and I thought, there’s another of the most heralded books that I’ve not read. Easy to remedy as there was no waiting list at the library.

There is nothing that Jean Shepherd could say in 10 words that he does not expand to 15, using the most wonderful, descriptive prose. You must fall into the rhythm of the writing reflecting life in Hammond, IN in the early 1950s. This book is the source of the movie The Christmas Story and the esteemed Red Ryder BB Gun.

I was captivated because Hohman, as the town of Hammond is fictionally referred to, is close to Chicago. It’s part of The Region, the section of Northwestern Indiana (Porter and Lake Counties) included in the Chicago Metro Area. My husband and his family were from The Region. Their economic improvement was marked by a move to Cedar Lake (not the lakefront, thank goodness). You’ll understand when you read about Cedar Lake in the book.

There are lots of smiles, a few guffaws, and many fond memories in Shepherd’s stories. Great light reading.

White Teeth by Zadie Smith (Vintage Books 2009)

Zadie Smith has a new book, so I thought I’d start by reading her first book. Unfortunate decision. White Teeth didn’t cut it for me. It’s long. 500+ pages tucked into 445 because of tiny type and uncomfortable crowding on the page. The characters, old or young, didn’t develop in interesting ways. I felt cheated, investing so much time.

Then, talking with a friend about Ms. Smith, I remembered I’d read her novel, On Beauty, and felt the same. Ms. Smith puts the words on the page nicely, but they didn’t rise to meet me.

Jerusalem: The Biography by Simon Sebag Montefiore (Knopf, 2011)

Sebag Montefiore is a well-known historian. I’ve read his two Stalin biographies: the early life and the later life. Sebag Montefiore’s books are not for the faint of heart. Jerusalem weighs in at 2 ¾ pounds, 543 pages, augmented by maps, dynastic records, picture sections, copious notes, bibliography, and index –650 pages in total. Not easy to read in bed.

I wish I could tell you it was worth the slog, but it wasn’t, unless you love reading big history or will be visiting Jerusalem. There is so much here, from the Bronze Age to 2010. Why Jerusalem? Because this non-descript town sits on a rise in a great plain, the Judaean hills, that is the main land path between what became known as Russia, Europe, and North Africa to the riches of the East – and there was good water fed by an underground spring.

Great civilizations met and clashed in the 150 x 100 square miles centered by Jerusalem. Jerusalem focuses on the triumphs and failures of the three People of the Book: Muslims, Jews, and Christians. The winner equals none.

I was smug in my knowledge on October 6 when war broke out again between Palestinians and Israelis along the Gaza Strip. Because I read Jerusalem, I knew where, when, why, etc. regarding this never-ending tragedy.

Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog by Lisa Scottoline (St. Martin’s Press, 2009)

This woman writes funny! This is a collection of her newspaper columns from the Philadelphia Inquirer and a reason why we subscribed to print newspapers. Each essay is about 600 words so you can easily budget your time. Highly recommended for a fun read.

Scottoline is a prolific writer of legal mysteries. I’ll be trying one shortly.

March by Geraldine Brooks (Penguin, 2006)

Brooks also has a new book, Horse, and as I often do, I went to her bibliography for one of her older books – this one the winner of the Pulitzer Prize. I didn’t do any research, so was surprised to learn this is fan fiction based on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. March is the story of the father who is an abolitionist Christian minister serving in the Civil War, and away from the home of the Little Women in Massachusetts.

This is a good book and tying it into Alcott’s parallel universe deepens its appeal. Brooks creates a fascinating, selfish, egotistical, loving, misogynistic father, husband, minister. Fortunately, he learns a bit from his mistakes. I appreciated the historical plot anchored to John Brown, the Concord pacificists, Lincoln and his proximity to the front lines, and the medical horror of the Civil War. I did find the interracial romance a bit contrived, but that’s fiction.

A Wrinkle in the Long Gray Line by Cary Donham (BookBaby, 2023)

This book interested me because Cary is the husband of a friend. It’s the story of a West Point cadet, who, after three years in the academy, finds himself in the moral dilemma of a conscious objector to war. The amazing part is that Donham persevered with his decision to leave West Point until he received an honorable discharge and did not have to serve in the regular army in non-combat to complete his service.

The story is interesting. Donham is a small-town midwestern boy who emerged a man of principle after struggles within the military and after leaving. Like many self-published books, it could be more engaging and concise, but this is an unusual story deserving attention.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan (Knoph 2013)

Ouch, this is a tough book! Along the lines of WWII in the Pacific books such as A Town Like Alice, Unbroken, and A Bridge on the River Kwai, this is about Australian soldiers who are Japanese POWs. The story jumps around from the protagonist’s pre-war history to the war, to post-war, to his death.

Excellent writing – I swam right through it. Winner of the Mann-Booker Prize 2014. Highly recommended if you can deal with the horror of war.

How Not to Be a Politician by Rory Stewart, (Penguin, 2023)

I love Rory Stewart. I first came upon him while reading travel books involving lengthy walks. Rory walked the breadth of Afghanistan and later Iraq as a traveler and as a UK government minister. He was appointed Governor of a British-occupied province in Iraq. He was and is a precocious middle-of-the-road Conservative politico.

All of this is recorded in his first two books, The Places in Between and The Prince of Marshes. Rory always takes his jobs seriously, those who work with him less so, whether they be British subjects or locals. His books speak truth to power, but no one who matters listens.

And so it is with How Not to Be a Politician. Rory returns to the UK, resettling in his native Scotland. His goal is to battle global warming and preserve the native beauty of Great Britain. He is unable to do anything through “proper channels.” So, he finds a possible district for election on the border between England and Scotland, Penrith and The Border, the largest district geographically in the House of Commons.

The book details his campaigns, elections, and ultimate defeat when he stands against Boris Johnson for Head of the Party/Prime Minister. By this time, lots of people like Rory, but he’s still a squirrely Member from the boonies, and Boris Johnson is, well …

I found it a great read. For us US citizens, Rory includes a glossary of Brit speak and the political structure of the UK. Enjoy! You can find Rory today on his weekly podcast, From Politician to Podcast.

Horse by Geraldine Brooks (Viking, 2022)

As a child, I read every horse book in the Kirkwood Public Library. My fav was King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry, and it still is. Horse is not unlike King of the Wind. An exceptional stallion, caught in unfortunate circumstances, attended by an enslaved child – and all’s well that ends well. There is a great story in between. I highly recommend that you read both books if you enjoy horse stories enshrined in historical novels.

The Tempest Tales by Walter Mosley (Black Classic Press, 2008)

I’ve always wanted to try a Mosley book and when I discovered his short Tempest series, I tried the first book. It does start with a murder of one Tempest Landry, who appears before St. Peter and refuses to accept Peter’s verdict that Landry is a sinner.

According to the rules of the hereafter, sinners and saints must personally accept their judgement. And thus begins an almost metaphysical tale of Mosley, an angel, and the devil.

Landry’s claim is that Black people sin because they must shortcut the system that is stacked against them. I appreciated the wry approach to morals, but I probably won’t continue with the series because it’s sure to have more of this battle that really didn’t hold my interest.

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2023)

642 pages, but don’t be alarmed. After the first 100, you won’t want to put it down. It’s a dysfunctional family yarn that left me gasping as it jumped from generation to generation and story to story.

Each family member is a narrator, with exciting outside characters. Murray’s prose will captivate you. The sitting in recessionary Ireland is the perfect milieu for financial family stress. The ending will… well, then there is that ending. Highly recommended novel.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Tor, 2017)

No idea how I selected this book. Likely a reviewer mentioned its superior qualities in passing. It reads like a YA sci-fi novel. But I enjoyed the fast-paced story, the “character” development of the SecUnit (robot), originally programmed to be a MurderBot, but self-reprogrammed to enjoy a limited freedom of choice. It’s short and fun. If I had 8-12-year-old children at home, I’d be reading this aloud with them. I’ve already ordered the next book in the series.

For more book reviews, check out our BOOKS SECTION.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How many books have you read this fall? Which of them was your favorite? What was it about? If it’s part of a series, would you be reading the sequel? Do you prefer to purchase your books or borrow them from a library?

“Your eyes are the window to your soul” is a famous saying that has been attributed to Shakespeare, Leonardo DaVinci and the philosopher Cicero. Whatever the origins of this well-known quote, throughout history we have been aware that our eyes are incredibly precious parts of our body and we need to take good care of them.

Usually, when we look in the mirror, we closely inspect our eye area. As we apply eye cosmetics, we notice that our eyes might, or might not sparkle. I know that when I see my eyes looking tired or dull, I want to remedy that as quickly as possible. Sometimes I need more sleep but if I’m on the go, sometimes I can simply wake up my eye area with some splashes of cold water and application of my organic eye serum.

Sparkling Eye Tips

Here are some tips to bring that special sparkle to your eyes:

• Follow a nightly routine of keeping your eye area free of any makeup by thorough and very gentle cleansing.
• Gently apply eye nourishment before going to sleep.
• First thing in the morning, splash your closed eyes 10 times with very cold water, and your open eyes three times.
• Submerge your whole face in a sink full of very cold water for as long as you can… brrrrr but it works!
• Apply your eye serum with only super gentle pats under the eye and under your eyebrows from the inner area out. Never rub or pull.
• Rub your hands together to create heat, then cup your eyes and take a few deep breaths to improve circulation to the eye area.
• Exercise your eyes: Imagine a large clock face in front of you and move your eyes as far as you can (without moving your head) to each number clockwise and reverse.
• Open and close your eyes tightly 10 times anytime during your day to tone the skin and smaller muscles around your eyes.
• Be aware of what is in your eye hydration; read all labels to avoid harsh chemicals.
• Avoid rubbing or scrubbing your eyes.
• Blink 25 times to keep your eyes moist. When you are looking at digital devices, you tend to blink less often and your eyes become dry and even red.

The Growing Young Gracefully Organic Eye Serum

As I have embraced my own aging, I have looked, tried, experimented and researched what would make my own eyes healthy and sparkling. So many products were irritating, or drying, or too thick. So, I created my own formula of GYG (Growing Young Gracefully) Organic Eye Serum with:

• Grapeseed Oil which is rich in beta-carotene, Vitamins D, C, & E and packed with fatty acids. It locks in moisture and restores collagens.
• Coconut Oil which moisturizes, is anti-biotic, anti-fungal, multivitamin, multi-nutrient, and anti-oxidant.
• Almond Oil reduces puffiness and under-eye circles, is anti-inflammatory, improves skin tone, has retinoids, improves cell turnover and helps reverse sun damage.
• Avocado Oil has beta carotene, protein, lecithin, fatty acids, and vitamins A, D, and E to moisturize and protect from damaging UV rays and increases collagen metabolism.
• Helichrysum Oil soothes and heals, reduces blemishes and irritation.
• Castor Oil’s active agents heal and protect the delicate skin and decrease the appearance of wrinkles and dark circles.

Let your eyes sparkle with these few new eye care routines!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you have an eye care routine? What does it include? How did you come by creating it? Do you feel a difference in your eye sparkle?

As noted in an earlier Sixty and Me blog on senior living, your health status may be the deciding factor in the location for your next move.

After getting input from trusted medical professionals and your family, think about what you’ll need in a living situation to provide the best support for your healthcare priorities.

Types of Senior Living

There is a range of alternatives:

• Independent Living
• Home Healthcare
• Adult Daycare
• Assisted Living
• Skilled Nursing Care
• Memory Care

Independent Living

Independent living usually means an arrangement for those with the least need for healthcare support. Typical examples are:

• Apartments or condos that may or may not offer healthcare services.
• Continuing Care Communities that have a range of options including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care.

People choose independent living as a senior housing option for several reasons:

Less Stress

These communities are designed for senior accessibility to promote greater convenience and safety. Also, chores such as home maintenance and yard work are handled by the facility. While units will typically have their own kitchens, some have communal dining options.

Active Lifestyle

Many communities feature a wide variety of social activities for residents both on the property and excursions in the local area.

Social Interaction

Connecting with others is important for all ages but especially for seniors. The opportunities to meet others of a similar age and circumstances becomes a highlight of a senior living community.

Healthcare Availability

Depending on the community, healthcare services may be available.

Home Healthcare

A 2021 AARP study noted that 77% of seniors want to “age in place” in their homes. Healthcare services delivered at home can facilitate this. Studies have found that home healthcare to be an effective and less expensive way to support senior health. It can take the form not only of medical services but also assistance with daily activities, housework or transportation.

Adult Daycare

Some choose to live with family rather than going it alone or moving to a senior community. However, as we age, our needs increase and our family caregivers get overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Adult daycare provides older adults with higher level needs to spend time in a safe, supportive atmosphere with other seniors. Adult daycare services may offer a variety of services including stimulating activities, social interaction, medical support and even dementia care.

Assisted Living

Assisted living provides housing, social interaction, help with daily activities and medical support. Also, most include meals and housekeeping/laundry. Housing options are private apartments, private rooms or shared quarters. The best examples of assisted living providers promote resident independence in a home-like atmosphere. Some facilities offer “enhanced” assisted living which includes higher levels of medical support.

Skilled Nursing Care

A higher level of medical support is provided by skilled nursing care (SNC) facilities. SNC services can be short- or long-term. Patients recovering and rehabilitating after a hospital stay often will be short-term. Those with chronic conditions requiring around-the-clock medical attention fall into the long-term category.

Memory Care

Dedicated memory care facilities are designed to support dementia sufferers who can no longer live safely in the community. Amenities can include meals, medical services, assistance with daily activities, location alert systems, housekeeping/laundry, and social/recreational activities. In some cases, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities offer memory care in specially designed areas of their buildings.

How to Evaluate a Senior Living Arrangement

Once you’ve decided on a type of senior living, what’s the next step? Below are some general guidelines for making a list of possible facilities and how to evaluate the options.

Research

An internet search is the easiest way to find possible options about a senior living type. Also, ask friends and trusted professionals like doctors or attorneys for their recommendations.

After making a list of 3 to 5 top options, call the person in charge of admissions at each for more information.

Take a Tour

Next, arrange facility tours. In the case of home healthcare, this entails a home visit by the home healthcare agency. In all instances, the prospective resident/client should be an active participant to make sure the future transition to senior care goes smoothly.

Location

How close is the facility to the homes of loved ones? Is the neighborhood safe with stores and services nearby? Is it in a quiet area or a noisy, bustling location?

The Building

Is there enough parking for visitors? Is the building well-maintained. Are there comfortable and safe spaces outside the building for sitting or walking?

What about the interior spaces? Does the lobby feel cheerful? Do the common areas look clean and well lit? Are there safety measures like handrails in the hallways, grab bars in bathrooms and non-slip floors? Are there any unpleasant smells?

Living Quarters

Do the living quarters look clean and well-maintained? Do they feel roomy? Are there amenities such as kitchenettes, closets and bathrooms.

Residents

When touring, look to see if the residents appear clean, well-groomed, happy and comfortable? Are they socializing?

Staff

Does the staff look professional, friendly and knowledgeable? Be sure to ask about staffing levels and the plan for the staff to communicate with the resident’s/client’s family.

Policies

All senior facilities and home healthcare agencies have policies that are crucial to understand so make sure to get a complete list of policies as soon as possible.

Care Plans

Care plans define the details about care to be delivered to each resident/client. Get a sample care plan so you know what it includes.

Contracts

Contracts need to be signed before services begin. Carefully review all documents so you know the financial and policy implications of service delivery.

Financial

Services will be paid for by insurance, out-of-pocket or a combination of the two. Some people run out of money and are compelled to switch to Medicaid insurance. Make sure you understand the details of how that coverage transfer works.

Healthcare

The resident’s/client’s health is a major objective of any senior living arrangement so knowing how health services will be delivered is important.

Food

What are the dining alternatives at the facility? For home healthcare and adult daycare, there may be a meal option, also. Ask for meal samples to judge food quality.

Activities

Any senior living experience should include stimulating activities. Ask for samples of activity schedules.

Transportation

What are the transportation options at the facility? For home healthcare, is transportation to the store or doctor appointments available? If so, is transportation an extra cost, and are drivers fully trained and insured?

It’s crucial to evaluate all facets of a senior living arrangement. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and collect as much information as you can. Ultimately, the final choice needs to feel comfortable for the resident/client and family.

To learn more about finding your new home later in life, check out my eBook at Living50+.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you considered moving to a new home? What type of home are you looking for? Would certain facilities/amenities/services be crucial to your choice?

Gloves Seen on Lisa Hochstein

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Originally posted at: Angie Katsanevas’ Gloved Cheetah Confessional Look