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I (Barbara Morris) was out to dinner with my daughter and son-in-law and during a lull in the conversation I whipped out my cell phone to scan messages.  My daughter called me out about it and she was right. Those little boxes have taken over our lives and changed us and our behavior more than we want to admit. So I was happy to see Barbara Pachter's [Read more...] about Put That Phone Away!

When my husband took early retirement  from his first career to move on to his next career  he was given a  rocking chair. That rocking chair, that he refused to sit in, perfectly symbolizes the mindset and lifestyle of the retirement culture that has evolved since passage of the Social Security Act in the 1930s. In effect, the SSA not only institutionalized age 65 as … [Read more...] about The “Rocking Chair” Dilemma

  There are two ways (or maybe “times” is a better word) a best solution might not be obvious: Before—when we need one and After—once one is in effect. Way 1—Before (This is taken from “The Prisoner in the Dark Cave.”) A man sentenced to death is placed in a dark cave. He’s told there is a way out and if he finds it, he’s free. The only light source is a … [Read more...] about Two Ways Solutions Are Not Always Obvious

I recently relocated to my daughter’s home in Bradenton, Florida, where I will live until I MUST go into Assisted Living. Her home is comfortable and I am enjoying the spare bedroom. What really catches my attention, though, is her screened back porch. This area, approximately 10’ X 45’, looks out on the back yard, which not only gives a ‘woods’ effect, but includes a gardenia … [Read more...] about Porch Therapy

I have just finished reading several articles in some psychiatric journals that were discussing the treatment of ADHD in children as well as adults.  Not surprisingly, they concluded that the only treatment consisted of the use of psychoactive drugs - stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderal, or antidepressants. When it came to a non-pharmacologic approach, their conclusion was … [Read more...] about Treating ADHD

I suspect that many readers of the Put Old on Hold Journal are seniors with adult (or semi-adult) grandchildren as I am. I find myself being continually amazed and frustrated over the way these young people think and act. I don't know whether I'm stuck in the past with obsolete ideas or whether these young people "just don't get it." Here's my story. I have a 25-year-old … [Read more...] about A Modern Educational Phenomenon

Passage of the Social Security Act in the 1930s did more  than institutionalize retirement. It also set into motion the gradual development of a leisure oriented retirement mindset and lifestyle that has become the norm and model for the retirement years. In my opinion, that model is the worst thing that has happened to healthy older people because a leisure oriented lifestyle … [Read more...] about What’s Going On In Your Head?

During the final moments of your life, you aren’t going to review what title you held or your bank balance. You’re going to review what you feel about how you experienced your life. This is your opportunity to answer the following questions with no limitations, no judgment or criticism of your answers. This is between you and you. Remind yourself that at the end of your … [Read more...] about What Do You Want and What Stops You from Having It?

It was September 1956. My wife and I had just decided to take a short trip to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving weekend. Back then, Vegas was a good place to go over Thanksgiving because it was a family holiday and most people stayed home with family. When I happened to mention it to my friend Dave, he immediately started reaching for his wallet. He fished out a $1.00 bill and he … [Read more...] about What Are the Odds?