Magazine

The weekend before Labor Day, we were in one of those warehouse clubs and they were putting out Christmas trees and decorations. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen it, but it’s still rushing the season.  The holiday season used to start on Thanksgiving. Kids would see a new episode of Mr. Jingeling every day on WEWS in a thinly veiled commercial based on some new toy. ...

You know how the feeling when you stop at a different grocery store and you can’t find what you need? Your usual hunt-and-gather mission becomes more like a freewheeling scavenger hunt. That’s a good thing because your brain shifts off automatic pilot and gets a good workout. ...

As much as many of us enjoy field-fresh fruits and veggies from summer farmers markets, there’s something to be said for the heartiness of winter market offerings. ...

Connect with other family and friends with a Zoom meeting before, during or after your meal. If some relatives are unable to join in, be sure to find a way to reach out to those who are close to you and the grandkids. ...

“The idea for the display began organically,” Bill says. “I have fond memories of the decorations my grandfather built for the holiday season — which included a lighted windmill and an animated eagle. So every year, I put something new in the yard to honor him. In 2010, one of the decorations I added was a sidewalk garland. I began thinking, how great it would look if our neighbors put them up, too.” ...

When parents give to charity, their children are more likely to give to charity, too. The earlier they become engaged, the more likely they will continue their generosity into adulthood. ...

The transition to parenting our parents usually begins slowly. There are four important items to consider as this shift begins. ...

Regularity rather than intensity of these exercises is integral to preserving mobility and function. Exercise built into daily routines is a time-tested principle of “Blue Zone” cultures (areas of the world with the most successfully aging populations). The Sardinians, for example, live on rocky terrain and for centuries they’ve visited neighbors and friends by walking or cycling over. Similarly, Tai Chi balance exercises are a mobility-promoting gift from ancient civilizations. ...