Brain Games: New Words from Old

Brain Games: New Words from Old

Brain Games

By Kathryn Kilpatrick

Takeaway: Make a Word in a Word
Here’s a fun exercise: Remove one letter from each word to form a new word. Seems easy, right? Maybe, maybe not. 

Example: Window = Widow

Through

Country

Sweater

Dessert

Short

Forge

Ground

Mourning

Three

Smile

Pleasant

Quartz

Restrain

Smoother

Complaint

Estate

Splice

Crouch

Flight

Answers:

Through = Though

Country = County

Sweater= Sweaty

Dessert = Desert

Short = Sort

Forge = Fore

Ground = Round

Mourning = Morning

Three = Tree

Smile = Mile

Pleasant = Peasant

Quartz = Quart

Restrain = Retrain

Smoother = Soother

Complaint = Complain

Estate = State

Splice = Slice 

Crouch = Couch

Flight = Light

 

Bye, Bye Busyness

“Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly.”
– Confucius

Just because computers multitask 24 hours a day doesn’t mean it’s a healthy habit for us. One of the problems with multitasking is, while other thoughts are swirling through your mind, it can be hard to switch gears and concentrate on what you need to do. 

Try to make an effort to do one thing at a time, even just for one day. Be totally present in the moment. When eating, just eat; when reading, just read. Don’t allow background distractions to intrude. Appreciate the experience. 

Are you able to stay on a task until it’s done, or are you easily sidetracked? Two things to try: Reduce distractions and break the task into smaller time frames that are compatible with your attention span. 

About the author

The career of Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A., Geriatric Life Enhancement Consultant, Memory Fitness Specialist and Speech-Language Pathologist (1969-2019) began as a speech-language pathologist, primarily in Ohio at hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and for 35 years in home health care. A national motivational speaker and author of more than 35 products, she is currently focusing on her geriatric life enhancement consulting practice and educational programs to enhance the quality of life of older adults, including memory fitness and brain health. You can contact her at [email protected].

2 Comments

  1. WILLIE L WHITE

    I so much enjoy reading BOOMER. Prefer a hard copy vs a digital copy. That way I can go back and read an article without having to turn on my computer.

    The Brain Games is a favorite of mine. However in this issue, there is an error in the TAKE AWAY game.
    So I understand the assignment, however there is an error in this edition of the game.

    Take Away 1 letter, right?
    SWEATER = SWEATY
    2 Letters were taken away and 1 letter was added.

    BIG error here

  2. Estelle R. Brown

    You are so right! Our apologies for the error. At least this proves you’re on your game!

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