Mature Focus June 2024

JUNE 2024

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309-292-3681 2 June 2024 • Mature Focus

June • 2024

features 6 10 26 42 46

ChatGPT is fast, smart, and easy You have my attention The list, redux No telling what a lightsaber can do Gas station food

6

8

favorites 4 12 16 19 20 32 36

From The Desk Tinseltown Talks Humor Hotel The History of Ordinary Things Savvy Senior Midnight Gardener Talking Digital

health 18 34 40

Enhancing bipolar treatment Summertime eye injuries Mayo Clinic: Five stroke facts

finance 14 38

12

‘Luck be a lady’?

Estate plans equal...or fair?

18

recipes 8 44

Brunch favorites pack a punch Savor the Sloppy Jane

games 22 23 31

Mind Gym Super Crossword Trivia Test

16

extras 28 31 33 35 45

Moments in Time Now Here’s a Tip Strange But True All the News That’s Fit Mature Focus Volunteer Spotlight

Our Cover: “Taking a Picture of First Fish” by Lyle Tayson © Wind River Studios Holdings, LLC. By arrangement with Ansada Licensing Group, LLC.

40 32 Mature Focus • June 2024

3

From the Desk of the Publisher ByKevin Ferris

I am very picky.

But I’m not sure that’s the word I want to use. Let me explain.

On a recent trip to Springfield, Missouri to umpire baseball I needed to stop. Nothing urgent, I just wanted something to drink. A Mountain Dew would hit the spot. I was only halfway through my six and a half hour drive and a 20-ounce shot of caffeine was exactly what I needed.

Specifically, a Baja Laguna Lemonade, a Mountain Dew with a blast of natural and artificial (I’m sure that’s what makes it taste so great) mango lemonade flavor.

You would assume this would be fairly easy. Not for me. It required three separate stops - all for one bottle of Mountain Dew. I take my soda purchases very seriously. Some people say I’m thrifty, others may call me cheap, but I prefer to think of myself as a savvy soda connoisseur. When I walk into a store, I know the battle for the perfect price is about to begin.

I meticulously scan each label, comparing prices and sizes, determined to find the best deal. I’ve become a master at spotting sneaky sales tactics and inflated prices, refusing to fall for the allure of flashy marketing ploys. My friends may roll

CELEBRATING

33 YEARS

June 2024 • Vol. 33 • Issue Number 2

P.O. Box 1031 Moline, IL 61266-1031 (309) 277-2000 email: kevin@maturefocus92.com Facebook.com/MatureFocusQC

4 June 2024 • Mature Focus

their eyes as I spend what feels like hours analyzing the cost per ounce of each soda option, but I know that every cent saved is a victory in my quest for the ultimate soda bargain.

Stop number one. A convenience store somewhere on the outskirts of Hannibal, Missouri. They wanted $2.89 for one 20-ounce bottle, which I immediately rejected. No way am I paying $2.89, no matter how thirsty I

am. That didn’t take long. No need to compare prices and sizes here.

On to stop number two. A small liquor store/bait shop/sporting goods business that also sells chili dogs with cheese and a plethora of beef jerky.

After bypassing several different brands of whiskey, I spotted my Baja Dew. At this point, I was willing to stomach $2.59, because at least I was saving thirty cents from my previous stop.

There was only one problem. This particular establishment had instituted a minimum debit card charge of $5.

Publisher Kevin Ferris

Associate Publisher Schary SantAmour

This would mean I would have to buy two Dew’s to reach the $5 threshold. Either that or buy a couple of lottery tickets, which I’m sure will be losers. And avoiding the chili dog had nothing to do with being frugal. I decided against trying to win $50,000 and moved on to stop number three.

This time it was a grocery store. I felt I had a better chance of scoring a deal here, maybe a two for the price of one or maybe even a special instore sale on a six-pack.

The store was called Larry’s or Barry’s or maybe Dave’s. Something with an apostrophe S. Whatever it was, the third time was indeed the charm. I settled on two 20-ounce Baja Lemonade’s for only $3.50, or $1.75 each. What a deal! And it only took me three stops and about 30 minutes.

But for me it was worth it. I consider it a matter of principle. I will not overpay, even for something as minor as a bottle of Mountain Dew. I proudly walked out of the store with my perfectly priced bottles of Dew in hand. I couldn’t help but smile knowing that my dedication to frugality has once again paid off.

Who knew that something as simple as a bottle of Baja Laguna Lemonade could bring so much joy and satisfaction?

It turns out the word I was looking for was not picky after all.

I’m parsimonious.

You can look it up.

Layout Design Tonya Ranum

Mature Focus, Inc. is a monthly newspaper, distributed to the greater Quad-City area, Geneseo, Muscatine, Aledo, DeWitt, Iowa City, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Solon, and Tipton. It is designed to inform, serve, and entertain mature readers.

Publication of columnists’ views, as well as advertising herein, does not constitute endorsement. Mature Focus reserves the right to reject or edit any advertising.

Letters to the editor must be signed and include the writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters must be received no later than the 15th of the month preceding publication.

Annual subscription - $25. See page 27 for more information.

Image credits: Macrovector, pikisuperstar, on Freepik.com.

© 2024 Mature Focus, Inc.

Mature Focus • June 2024

5

Tuesdays With Mitch: ChatGPT is smart, fast and easy all the reasons you should be wary

By Mitch Albom This is how ChatGPT works. You go to your device, you sign up, it prompts you to ask any question in the world, and you do so.

Then you shiver.

Because what spits back, instantly, is the answer to almost anything, in clear, basic language that sounds like someone is talking to you. Which is kind of the idea.

ChatGPT is the latest darling from the world of AI, which, depending on your level of fear, stands for artificial intelligence, allegedly innocent, or alien invasion.

ChatGPT has already caused great alarm for teachers and professors, who have discovered students turning in papers that were written by the program and yet — and here is the saddest part — were better than many done by actual humans.

ChatGPT was even put through

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exams for medical and law schools, and passed both. You can just hear a proud grandparent cooing, “My computer, the doctor!”

There’s even talk that ChatGPT could soon be used to write articles, books, even novels.

So, as a writer of all three, I decided to test ChatGPT with a few questions on subjects I ought to know something about.

I began by asking about myself.

Tell me about...me?

“Describe the columns by Mitch Albom,” I wrote.

“His columns often focus on personal reflections, human-interest stories, and social commentary,” it answered. “He writes with a unique blend of wit, wisdom, and emotion, and his columns are known for their ability to resonate with readers on a deep and personal level.”

Hmm. I was tempted to conclude this was a brilliant machine and leave it there. But flattery is an old With AI, humans miss out on the spark, trick. Kind of like those horoscopes satisfaction, and magic of the creative that tell you how amazing your writing process. future is. So I kept going.

“Write a message to young people tions with the world. It is a craft that in the voice of Mitch Albom,” I takes practice and dedication to perasked. fect, but the rewards are well worth “Dear young people: As you embark on your journey through life, the effort.

“As you begin your journey as a always remember that your future is writer, remember to always write in your hands. You have the power to shape it, to mold it, to make it into from the heart. Write about what something beautiful and meaningful. you know and what you care about, and don't be afraid to be vulnerable.

Believe in yourself and your abil“Remember that writing is a jourities, and never give up on your ney, not a destination. It is somedreams.”

Eh. Less impressive. It’s nice stuff, thing that you will continue to grow and improve at throughout your life. but I could have said it. Barack Obama could have said it. Kid Rock Don't be discouraged by rejection or setbacks, they are a part of the procould have said it. cess. Keep writing and keep learnI got more specific. ing, and you will find your voice.”

“Send a message from Mitch Not bad, I thought.

Albom to young people about the But not complete. importance of writing,” I asked.

“Dear young writers, Some things are irreplaceable “Writing is a powerful tool, it So I asked it why a student should allows you to express yourself and share your thoughts, ideas, and emo- NOT use ChatGPT to write papers.

It answered with four major points.

One, “plagiarism is a serious academic offense.” Two, writing your own paper allows you to develop “critical thinking and writing skills.”

And three, writing your own paper demonstrates your “understanding of the material.”

What it left out was this. Joy. There is a joy in taking the language you have learned and reassembling it to create your thoughts. Spark.

There’s a spark of imagination that comes when you string ideas together. Satisfaction. There is satisfaction when you read over something you have created from scratch, something that only exists because you made it exist, something that took the impulse in your brain’s gray matter and sent it through your fingers and onto the page, where your eyes can read it and your heart can appreciate it.

And magic. The magic of creativity.

Those are your real reasons, young folks, for exiting this program and doing your own work.

I ended my session with ChatGPT with this question: “What would the writer Mitch Albom think about a computer-generated story?’

It answered, in part, “as a professional author and storyteller, he may feel that the use of computer-generated stories undermines the value of human creativity, imagination and the emotional connection that a human author can create with the readers. Additionally, he may also feel that the computer-generated stories lack the unique voice, perspective and the emotional depth that a human author can bring to a story.”

Bingo. As Marvin and Tammi once sang, “Ain't nothing like the real thing.”

By the way, when I asked ChatGPT “Who were Marvin and Tammi?” it blinked its cursor for ten seconds, then said: “I’m sorry, I don’t have enough context to understand.”

Exactly.

Email Mitch Albom at malbom@ freepress.com.

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7

French Toast Casserole 1 loaf French bread (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into 1-inch cubes 5 large eggs 1 1/2 cups unsweetened milk 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon sea salt maple syrup, for serving Topping: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 cup frozen strawberries 1 cup frozen blueberries confectioners' sugar, for dusting Grease 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

Place bread cubes in baking dish. In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Pour mixture evenly over bread cubes.

If making casserole ahead, cover baking dish and refrigerate overnight.

If baking immediately, let stand 30 minutes at room temperature to allow

bread to soak up egg mixture.

Preheat oven to 350 F. To make topping: Drizzle casserole with melted butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans. Top with strawberries and blueberries.

Cover and bake 35 minutes then uncover and bake 10-20 minutes, or until topping is browned and egg mixture has mostly set.

Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil and let stand 10 minutes.

Dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve with maple syrup.

Double Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins Muffin Batter: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 package (10 ounces) mini semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 large eggs 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup granulated sugar

3/4 1/2 1/2 1/2

cup sour cream cup vegetable oil cup whole milk teaspoon instant espresso (optional) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons flaked sea salt (optional) Preheat oven to 350 F. Line mini muffin pan with mini cupcake liners.

In large mixing bowl, use whisk to combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Add chocolate chips and stir to ensure chocolate chips are coated in flour mixture.

In separate large mixing bowl, use wire whisk to whisk eggs and sugars until ingredients are combined and sugars are dissolved. Add sour cream, oil and milk. Whisk again to combine.

If using espresso powder, add to vanilla then add to wet ingredients.

Whisk vanilla espresso mixture into other liquid ingredients.

Pour liquid ingredients on top of dry ingredients. Using rubber spatula, mix until just combined, being careful to not overmix. Batter should be thick

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and shiny.

Using tablespoon or two spoons, spoon muffin batter into liners. Batter should be filled almost to top of each liner. Top each muffin with flaked sea salt before baking, if desired.

Bake muffins on center rack 6 minutes. Rotate pan and bake 6 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean. Once muffins finish baking, place muffin pan on cooling rack to cool completely.

Breakfast Burritos Servings: 4 2 teaspoons canola oil 1 small red onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes salt, to taste pepper, to taste 4 eggs 4 egg whites 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese nonstick cooking spray 4 flour tortillas 1/4 cup sour cream 1/4 cup salsa 1 large tomato, seeded and diced 1 avocado, sliced hot sauce (optional) In large skillet, heat canola oil over medium heat. Add red onion and red bell pepper; cook 8 minutes. Add black beans and red pepper flakes; cook 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to dish.

In medium bowl, whisk eggs and egg whites. Stir in cheese until combined. Heat large skillet over low heat, add egg mixture and scramble 3 minutes, or until cooked through.

Spread sour cream over tortilla.

Spread salsa over sour cream. Spoon 1/4 bean mixture over salsa. Spoon 1/4 scrambled eggs over bean mixture.

Top with diced tomatoes and avocado.

Drizzle with hot sauce, if desired.

Roll-up burrito. Repeat three times with remaining ingredients and serve.

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9

You have my attention

By Taprina Milburn My attention span lately has…

Hang on, let me check the text that just came in. Give me a second, maybe three seconds, to reply.

Okay, like I was saying, concentrating has…Wait…Amazon dropped off a package I ordered this morning; I just love how quickly that was delivered. Let me grab that off my porch.

Now, what was I trying to say? Oh yes, my ability to sit still and digest a novel…Did you see the TikTok video of the mom and son wedding dance? Anyway…that has nothing to do with what I’m trying to write about today, but really, weren’t those dance moves unbelievable?

What I’m trying to say is that my attention span has changed… changed to resemble a squirrel on meth.

I was once someone who could lose hours and days in books and loved sitting down to watch movies or write my column without toggling back and forth to check emails and

look at social media. It was a slow build, but these distractions have become a staple of living over the years. I have noticeably developed an

appetite only for short reads, short videos, and a 20-minute sitcom.

Like you, I joined all the platforms to “stay in touch” with friends near and far. If you aren’t on social media, do you know what’s going on in the world, and are you relevant in today’s world?

Good question.

Something started to feel off for me a few months back, though, when I would have blocks of time to read a novel and instead would look at the time and see that I’d been staring and scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok feeds, and checking emails for more than an hour (and sometimes longer if I want to be honest). Do you know how many pages of a book I could have read (not to mention how many words of a column I could have written)? What began as a method to stay on top of work and connect with friends became diluted with stupid pet videos, make-up tutorials, and people trying recipes that I would never cook. Once distracted from a work project by digital interruptions, emails included, it would take so much time and energy to wrangle my brain back to concentrate on the task that needed to be completed.

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Instead of serving up a well-balanced, delicious meal for my brain, my aimless scrolling on social media killed precious time and brain cells, I’m sure, until my brain began to prefer the drive-through fast food dopamine hits that a distracted digital life offered me.

I have three grandkids and their parents and I pay attention to the warnings that abound about young children’s brains and how a steady diet of screens can harm them. Their parents set limits with them, and I do, too. Researchers warn that the best thing parents can do for a child’s developing brain is to keep them away from screens at an early age and on things that help them develop concentration (reading, playing outdoors, games and activities that help build focus) which, quite frankly, is a good menu for all of us no matter what age.

Dr. Gloria Mark, Ph.D., in the American Psychological Association’s program “Why Our Attention Spans Are Shrinking” (I debated whether I wanted to listen to this because it was 37 minutes long) says that a 20-year study found that the average attention span of an individual while working on an onscreen project (Word document) was two and a half minutes in 2004.

Today, it is about 40 seconds before the user switches attention to something else (email, text, social media, etc).

Forty seconds. We’re all becoming squirrels on meth.

How do we turn this around and sharpen our focus? Mark says in the podcast that we should have a “full tank of mental resources,” which includes good sleep. Without that basic building block, she says, we are more susceptible to “squirrel brain” (my words, not hers).

Over the last six weeks, determined to tame my inner squirrel, I started an experiment on myself by doing just one thing: backing off social media.

It was hard at first. It felt as if I was missing out, but what was I missing out on? Pictures of people’s lunch.

After week two, I realized my desire to focus on reading a book had

returned. In fact, in the last few weeks I’ve finished five books - I haven’t been able to concentrate enough to do that in a very long time.

I’ve also wanted to spend more time outside walking or working in the yard. I started solving a daily word puzzle, and I was terrible at first, but as the weeks passed, I improved. I also felt motivated to start volunteering in my community. And, when I want to connect with someone, rather than look at what they are doing on social media, I reach out directly to say hello - to hear their actual voice.

Is this all happening because I’ve decreased my time online?

I really don’t know, but you have my attention.

essayist who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her golden retriever, Scout. Contact her at writeyourstoriesworkshop@ gmail.com.

Taprina Milburn is an

Mature Focus • June 2024

11

Paula Poundstone loves to work an audience As Paula Poundstone continues her 2024 U.S. tour, audiences can be assured of an evening of hilarity as the comedian launches into a string of humorous stories typical of most observational stand-up comics. But at some point into her routine, the sharpwitted Poundstone will seamlessly morph into her trademark banter with audience members – a part of the show fans have come to expect and adore. It’s a style that evolved out of necessity.

“I’ve been doing stand-up for over 40 years, but have a terrible memory,” said Poundstone by phone from Florida recently, while preparing for an evening event. “I started out doing the five-minute open mic thing and spent years trying to memorize an act.

Then I just began talking with the audience. My first thought was that it

12 June 2024 • Mature Focus

might be a liability, but one night I realized it was kind of the heart and soul of the whole show. Now it’s my favorite part of the evening.”

How she selects audience members to engage varies from venue to venue

as the blinding house lights will often obscure distant individual faces.

Sometimes she’ll spot a guest arriving late, or perhaps someone getting up to leave temporarily, while others grab her attention by yelling out answers to

her rhetorical questions – and Poundstone pounces.

“I’ll often start with the time-honored question of asking what they do for a living,” she explained. “In this way, little biographies of audience members come up and I use that to set my sails! Their profession might remind me of a piece of material I have stored away in my mind and I’ll run with it.”

A memorable interaction occurred in 2006 during a show recorded for the Bravo cable network. About a half-hour into her performance, Poundstone began questioning an engaged couple who revealed the woman worked for an insurance company and the man was in banking. A seemingly innocuous inquiry about who proposed to whom brought a response from the gentleman, “What kind of a question is that?” prompting immediate gasps from the audience – an opening for the comedian to fire off her frequently heard laugh-inducing response to the crowd’s reaction: “I’ll handle it!”

And she did, brilliantly, with

lightning-fast improvisational skills during a sidesplitting six-minute interaction with the pair.

“People still come up to me and ask about that one and to this day I wonder whatever happened to the couple and if they did get married,” said Poundstone. “And every now and then, someone will ask me if it’s all planned – that the people somehow know they will be picked. That always makes me laugh and my response is how would that even be possible? It would require a lot of effort and I wouldn’t even know how to begin.

This is why my shows are never

exactly the same wherever I go.”

Like many entertainers with a busy tour schedule, Poundstone has little time for sightseeing (see paulapoundstone.com for cities and tour dates).

“I don’t get a chance to look around much since the touring only allows me to fly in for a show and then I’m off again,” she says. “But I still think it’s the best job in the world.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, in Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. See getnickt.org.

Mature Focus • June 2024

13

Elder Law

By Ben Bekel, Quad City Life Planning Earlier this year, I was working with a client on a fairly straightforward life and estate plan. We discussed adding powers of attorney to the plan (documents that regular readers of this column will know are essential), and the client initially agreed. But a few days later, the client called back and told us he’d rather not do the powers of attorney.

We discussed the advantages and disadvantages, but the client had made up his mind – “I just don’t think I’ll end up needing them.”

It’s entirely possible that the client is absolutely correct here. After all, he was in good health, had no family history of significant illness, and had set up his only child as a contact through his healthcare provider and his bank. Chances are he will never have to worry about needing a power of attorney – his plan will probably work out and that’s fine.

But, like I tell all my clients, lawyers are paranoid. What will happen if the client’s child predeceases him?

What if he does end up with some level of illness that takes away his ability to manage his affairs? Sure, the chances are that he won’t – but the chances that he will are not zero.

Luck might be with him ultimately,

‘Luck be a lady’? The role of luck in life and estate planning but as Frank Sinatra once sang, luck has “a very un-lady-like way of running out.”

Of course, if this client’s luck does run out, he’s going to incur some significant issues. Without the proper documentation, his loved ones may need to resort to going to court for a guardianship in order to get him the help he needs, which is only going to increase the time it takes to get that help. Worse still, the costs of going to court are going to be far higher than if he’d chosen not to hope.

The simple solution to these issues, of course, is to reduce the amount of luck needed for your life and estate plan to work the way you want it to. Treat it the way an engineer would treat a construction project. Build in redundancies wherever possible, such as powers of attorney with multiple backup agents. Make sure your agents have whatever powers they need to help you should the worst happen.

None of this is to say that luck

doesn’t have a role in life and estate planning. Oftentimes, for a plan to work out exactly the way we want it to when we set it up there is an element of luck to it. And we often have to rely on luck in long-term care planning to ensure assets are fully protected from spenddown. But these are reasons to review plans periodically and to plan in advance, not just simply rely on the grace of lady luck to get us by.

If there is a single overarching goal in life and estate planning, you might consider it to be ensuring control over the plan – in other words, you want to be sure your life and estate plan is drafted and ultimately administered in accordance with your wishes. You might “get lucky” and have things work out in the end – but Sinatra knew how luck treated “other guys she’s been with.” Don’t rely on luck being a lady to you – talk to your life and estate planning professional and minimize the roll of the dice.

Ben Bekel is the attorney at Quad City Life Planning in Moline, Illinois.

He handles elder law and life planning including probate/trust administration, guardianships and disability/ Medicaid planning. Learn more at quadcitylifeplanning.com.

they said it I’m the only man in the world with a marriage license made out to whom it may concern.

- Mickey Rooney

14 June 2024 • Mature Focus

ˇ˔˜˟ˢ˥˘˗ ʶ˔˥˘˚˜˩˘˥ ʴ˦˦˘˦˦ˠ˘ˡ˧ ˔ˡ˗ ˅˘˙˘˥˥˔˟ ʴ˥˘ ˬˢ˨ ˛˘˟ˣ˜ˡ˚ ˦ˢˠ˘ˢˡ˘ ˪˜˧˛ ˕˔˧˛˜ˡ˚ʟ ˗˥˘˦˦˜ˡ˚ʟ ˘˥˥˔ˡ˗˦ʟ ˠ˘˗˜˖˔˧˜ˢˡʟ ˚ˢ˜ˡ˚ ˧ˢ ˔ˣˣˢ˜ˡ˧ˠ˘ˡ˧˦ʟ ˢ˥ ˔ˡˬ ˞˜ˡ˗ ˢ˙ ˛˘˟ˣ ˔˧ ˔˟˟ʲ

ˌˢ˨ ʴ˅ʸ ˔ ˖˔˥˘˚˜˩˘˥ʡ ˌˢ˨ ˔˥˘ ˡˢ˧ ˔˟ˢˡ˘ʔ ʵ˘˜ˡ˚ ˔ ˙˔ˠ˜˟ˬ ˖˔˥˘˚˜˩˘˥ ˖˔ˡ ˕˘ ˦˧˥˘˦˦˙˨˟ʡ ˊ˘ ˔˥˘ ˛˘˥˘ ˧ˢ ˛˘˟ˣʡ ˇʶʴ˅ʸ ˜˦ ˔ˡ ˔˦˦˘˦˦ˠ˘ˡ˧ ˧ˢˢ˟ ˧˛˔˧ ˙ˢ˖˨˦˘˦ ˢˡ ˬˢ˨˥ ˡ˘˘˗˦ʡ ˇ˛˥ˢ˨˚˛ ˔ ˦˘˥˜˘˦ ˢ˙ ˤ˨˘˦˧˜ˢˡ˦ʟ ˔ˡ ˜ˡ˗˜˩˜˗˨˔˟˜˭˘˗ ˖˔˥˘ ˣ˟˔ˡ ˪˜˟˟ ˕˘ ˖˥˘˔˧˘˗ ˧ˢ ˛˘˟ˣ ˬˢ˨ ˠ˔ˡ˔˚˘ ˬˢ˨˥ ˥ˢ˟˘ ˔ˡ˗ ˖ˢˡˡ˘˖˧ ˬˢ˨ ˧ˢ ˦˘˥˩˜˖˘˦ ˢ˙ ˦˨ˣˣˢ˥˧ʟ ˘˗˨˖˔˧˜ˢˡʟ ˔ˡ˗ ˔˦˦˜˦˧˔ˡ˖˘ʡ

ʶˢˡ˧˔˖˧ ˧˛˘ ˅ˢ˖˞ ʼ˦˟˔ˡ˗ ʶˢ˨ˡ˧ˬ ˆ˘ˡ˜ˢ˥ ʶ˘ˡ˧˘˥ ˧ˢ ˚˘˧ ˖ˢˡˡ˘˖˧˘˗ ˪˜˧˛ ˔ ˖˔˥˘˚˜˩˘˥ ˦ˣ˘˖˜˔˟˜˦˧ʭ

ʦʣʬʠʪʫʫʠʩʦʦʨ Mature Focus • June 2024

15

You’re never too young to listen to ‘The Oldies’

By Greg Schwem Janine, the spin class instructor, breezed into the room, mounted her bike and greeted the already sweating class with her normal Saturday morning salutation.

“Is everybody ready to WORK?” Mumbles and groans abounded. A few raised thumbs signaled that at least some participants eagerly awaited 45 minutes of torture.

“I made an oldies playlist for today’s class,” she said, her legs spinning faster. “Hope you all like it.”

With that, an unrecognizable, to me anyway, song blared from the

16 June 2024 • Mature Focus

speakers. Over the THUMP THUMP THUMP of an electronic bass line, I heard Janine say, “What was everybody doing back in 2012?”

“Celebrating my 49th birthday,” I yelled back. “I thought you said we were going to hear some ‘oldies.’”

“I was a high school sophomore when I first heard this one,” came a voice from the row of bikes behind me.

“This was our prom theme,” said another.

I hesitated to ask the song’s title and artist; by now, I had firmly established myself as the class’s doddering curmudgeon. How much worse could I feel?

“Who is this?” I asked, while heeding Janine’s instructions to, “GIVE ME A FEW MORE GEARS!” “Calvin Harris,” somebody yelled.

“Calvin Harris,” I repeated. “Didn’t he date Taylor Swift for a while?”

I have no idea how that piece of information escaped the recesses of my brain, but the class was impressed.”

“Very good,” one cyclist yelled, as

Greg Schwem has learned one generation's definition of “oldies” music is vastly different from his own.

if he were a doctor diagnosing a potential Alzheimer’s patient.

“Come on, everyone,” Janine interrupted. “We’re here to WORK!” The class settled into the task at hand, pedaling, grunting, perspiring and, in my case, contemplating the definition of “oldie” as it relates to music. I associate the word with 1970s artists like ABBA, Three Dog Night and David Bowie. I’d add The Rolling Stones, The Eagles and Bruce Springsteen, yet all continue defying age while selling out stadiums and arenas. Last summer I saw Springsteen hold 40,000 Wrigley Field patrons in his hand.

That man is not old, although I can’t say the same for his fan base.

So, how would Sir Mick Jagger, 80 years young, define an “oldies” playlist? Chocked full of tunes from Bill Haley, Pat Boone and the McGuire Sisters? If so, he should share that playlist on Spotify. My 88-year-old mother would love it, assuming she knows how to access Spotify, download a Spotify playlist and can pair Spotify with a bluetooth speaker so those sweet oldies sounds resonate through her entire unit in the independent living community.

As class ended, I realized that, no matter one’s age, there will always

Call us with any questions regarding notices received from Medicare in regards to LIS (Extra Help) assistance on drug coverage.

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be an “oldies” or “classic” list of tunes to satisfy a craving for nostalgia. Even tattooed-covered rappers who, in their 20s made millions rhyming about gangstas and cribs, will eventually find their music being played in the background of a party that begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 8:30.

Yeah, I’m talking to you, Gen Zers.

Right now you enjoy beginning your evenings at 10 p.m. and stumbling home with the sunrise, but that’s going to change. You, too, will arrive at that party, discuss your aches and pains, complain about your kids’ soccer schedules and compliment a fellow Gen Z partygoer on her gluten-free spinach dip. Then, as you hear Drake over the din of kitchen conversation, you’ll think, “OMG, I made out to this song in high school!”

Of course, I’m assuming this age group will actually ATTEND parties.

The way the world is moving, those parties may be created by artificial

intelligence. And what does one bring to an AI-generated gettogether?

Music has the power to make one feel old or young. I choose the latter.

A little Foreigner or Styx on my Airpods makes my knees hurt a bit less as I walk to my local grocery store. Those of you in your 20s, try it some time.

It will help prepare you for 30 years from now, when you’re in exercise class and the instructor yells, “So, what was everybody doing back in 2037?”

Greg Schwem is a corporate standup comedian and author of two books: “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com.

Visit Greg at gregschwem.com.

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309.277.2000 Mature Focus • June 2024

17

Enhancing bipolar disorder treatment with vitamin D3 and zinc

By Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.

order.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by dramatic mood swings, ranging from manic highs to depressive lows.

During manic episodes, individuals may experience excessive happiness, irritability, rapid speech, and a flood

Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2.5 percent of the U.S. adult population and often necessitates a complex treatment approach.

Traditional medications such as lithium and olanzapine are commonly used. However, recent research published in Nutritional Neuroscience in April 2024 suggests that integrating vitamin D3 and zinc could enhance treatment efficacy and reduce side effects.

Prescription-strength lithium has several potent side effects, including tremors, increased urination and thirst, impaired concentration, and stomachaches. It also has the potential to induce hypothyroidism.

Olanzapine, on the other hand, can cause drowsiness, weight gain, and, in some cases, tardive dyskinesia.

This integration of vitamin D3 and zinc with traditional medications could offer millions of people a more holistic approach to managing the complex condition of bipolar dis-

of ideas. This can escalate to risky behaviors and, in severe cases, psychosis. Traditional treatment often involves medications that, while effective, can lead to significant side effects.

Vitamin D3 is crucial for brain health, particularly in mood regulation. People with bipolar disorder are almost always deficient in it. It can help stabilize mood swings that are characteristic of bipolar disorder by controlling pro-inflammatory cytokines and reducing inflammation in the brain.

18 June 2024 • Mature Focus

Similarly, zinc plays a vital role in neurotransmitter function, helping to modulate brain activity and calm manic symptoms. It does this by reducing glutamate while enhancing GABA activity. This dual-pronged effect soothes the brain during manic episodes. It soothes all of us for that matter!

The use of vitamin D3 and zinc supplements along with lithium and olanzapine could potentially allow for lower medication doses, thereby reducing the risk of side effects. This aligns with the growing recognition of the importance of comprehensive treatment strategies that not only reduce symptoms, but also enhance a person’s quality of life.

You should not self-treat. Here’s why. The use of vitamin D3 and zinc should be approached with caution because if you take too much D3, you could give yourself hypercalcemia. As for zinc, taking excessive amounts, or inferior types of zinc will upset your stomach, disrupt immunity, and tilt other minerals out of whack.

One must balance minerals and neurotransmitters in the body very carefully, we shouldn’t take stuff and hope for the best, especially when treating bipolar disorder.

It’s important for anyone considering these supplements to consult with a healthcare practitioner. If he/she approves, then go for it, starting with low doses, and only one nutrient at a time.

In closing, this brand-new study highlights the potential for nutraceuticals to complement and enhance traditional drug therapy for bipolar disorder. If you’d like to read more on mental health issues, or another health concern, I invite you to use my search box at suzycohen.com. Also, you’ll find a longer version of this article on bipolar disorder.

For more information, visit SuzyCohen.com.

A swimsuit story

By Doris Montag

Photo: Wilhelm Dreesen.

From human beginnings, swimming and bathing were done naked.

During the 1500-1700s, swimming was considered immoral and had to be justified on health grounds.

Modesty in the 1800s Victorian era was an issue at home as well as at the

A woman in a bathing suit exits her bathing machine, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, 1893.

beach. Often bathing was done in a shared room in a large wash tub.

Coverage was essential. The bathing outfit, known as a “shift,” was a loose, high-neck, knee-length, fullsleeve chemise-type gown made of wool or flannel.

When worn to the beach, women wore bloomer-like trousers under the shift. Small lead weights were sewn into the hem to prevent the dress from floating up in the water. This bathing suit was cumbersome, and even dangerous, in the water. In the late 1800s, little houses on wheels called bathing machines, were pulled in and out of the water by horses to allow women to change in privacy before and after swimming. ln the early 1900s, a bathing or swimming outfit consisted of a bathing dress, drawers and stockings, often made of wool or cotton. The outfit was so heavy when wet that a woman could not frolic at the beach.

Women first competed in Olympic swimming in 1912. Annette Kellerman, “The Australian Millionaire Mermaid,” was known for swimming the English Channel and famed for her performances in Hollywood movies. In 1905, she was invited to perform in front of the British Royal Family, but her usual swimsuit was banned. It was considered too tight and revealed the lower half of her legs! Kellerman refused to wear the ill-fitting garment that met the Royal modesty standards. Instead, she sewed black stockings onto her swimsuit to perform. Ultimately, she created her own line of full body swimsuits that covered all but the feet, hands and head.

The wool knitted swimsuits at the turn of the twentieth century tended to become misshapen when wet. The suit would sag, threatening one's modesty. In 1931, Lastex yarn in women's swimwear was introduced.

This elastic yarn made of a rubber core wrapped in thread resulted in a suit that held its shape.

In 1932, a backless swimsuit with a built-in brassiere was patented by Elsa Schiaparelli, specifically for sunbathing. The bikini debuted in 1946 consisting of only four triangles of fabric held together with string. The designer, Louis Reard, hired a stripper to model the bikini as professional models refused. The Vatican

Annette Kellerman, early 1900s.

called it sinful. The bikini was banned in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Australia and Belgium.

In America, exposing the belly button in a bikini was strictly taboo. In 1963, Disney Mouseketeer Annette Funicello wore a pink bikini with no navel exposure in “Beach Party.”

Funicello made the bikini popular with American women.

Initially bikinis were banned from beauty pageants worldwide. The Miss America pageant did not permit twopiece swimsuits until 1977.

Nylon fabric in swimwear debuted in 1956. Spandex was introduced in the 1970s. The new fabrics reduced water drag and improved the durability of swimsuits. We've come a long way from a gown made of flannel.

Follow Doris Montag on Facebook at HistoryofOrdinaryThings.

Mature Focus • June 2024

19

SAV VY SENIOR

How to find a good doctor

You ask the SENIOR question - We find the SAVVY answer

By Jim Miller Q: Can you recommend some good resources to help me locate some quality doctors in my area?

I’m looking for an orthopedic doctor for my 77-year-old mother and a new internist for me, since my doctor retired last year.

A: Finding and researching doctors is a lot easier than it used to be.

Today, there are a variety of

websites you can turn to that provide databases of U.S. doctors, their professional medical histories, and ratings and reviews from past patients on a number of criteria. Here are some good sites to help you get started, along with a few additional tips that can help you find the right doctors.

Searching Tips To help you locate some good

doctors in your area, a good first step is to obtain referrals from trusted friends, along with any doctors, nurses or other healthcare professionals you know.

You also need to check your insurance provider. Call your insurer for a list of approved doctors or ask whether the doctor you’re considering is in-network.

If your mother is enrolled in original Medicare, you can use the care compare tool at Medicare.gov/carecompare – click on “Doctors & Clinicians.” This will let you find doctors by name, medical specialty or by geographic location that accept original Medicare. If she’s enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, call or visit the plan website to get a list of approved candidates.

Once you find a few doctors, you need to call their office to verify that they still accept your insurance, and if they are accepting new patients.

You should also consider hospital affiliation. Your choice of doctor can determine which hospital you go to, if needed, so find out where the doctor has admitting privileges. Then use some hospital ratings services like Medicare.gov/care-compare (click on “Hospitals”) to see how it compares with other hospitals in the area.

Researching Doctors After you find a few doctors you’re interested in, there are various websites you can consult, to help you evaluate them. For example, the Federation of State Medical Boards offers a tool at DocInfo.org that will let you find out doctor’s board certifications, education, states with active licenses, and whether or not a physician has been disciplined by a state medical board.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS Data) is also a good source for researching doctors. For example, it will help you find out how many times a doctor did a particular procedure and

20 June 2024 • Mature Focus

what they charge for it – go to Data.CMS.gov/tools and click on “Medicare Physician & Other Practitioner Look-up Tool.” And to learn about the financial relationship that doctors have with drug and medical device companies, visit OpenPaymentsData.CMS.gov.

Obtain referrals from trusted friends, along with any doctors, nurses or other healthcare professionals you know.

Some other good sites for finding and researching healthcare professionals include Healthgrades (healthgrades.com) and Vitals (vitals.com).

Both sites provide substantial doctor’s information on education and training, hospital affiliations, board certification, awards and recognitions, professional misconduct, disciplinary action, office locations and accepted insurance plans.

They also offer 5-star ratings scales from past patients on issues such as communication and listening skills, wait time, time spent with the patient, office friendliness and more.

But be aware that while physician rating websites can be helpful, they can also be misleading and unreliable.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is the author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

June ChucklE My dog accidentally swallowed a whole bag of scrabble tiles. We took him to the vet to get checked out.

Vaccines are your best shot at prevention Vaccines protect.

Vaccines protect not only yourself but also your friends, families and communities.

Vaccines are safe.

The United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply.

Vaccines are not just for kids.

Over time, protection from childhood vaccines can wear off leaving adults at risk for diseases.

Talk to your healthcare provider about vaccines today.

No word yet.

Mature Focus • June 2024

21

Answers on Page 47.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: 

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22 June 2024 • Mature Focus

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: 

Answers on page 47 ACROSS 1 Nineveh's empire 8 Its capital is Kampala 14 12-step affiliate group 20 New Guinea natives 21 Renovates 22 Ketchup ingredient 23 It's used for outlining designs in embroidery 25 Internet newsgroup troublemaker 26 Alloy that's mostly tin 27 1990s Toyota model 28 Grills in stoves 30 Take a stroll 32 Cheerful disposition 34 Carrying of a boat 38 View anew 39 Nonsense song syllable 40 American bird with all-white plumage 42 “So there!”

44 Feels unwell 48 Lawyers: Abbr.

49 Dental floss coating 50 Difficult matter to deal with 54 Saw or sickle 55 Implore 56 Olympic skater Midori 57 Enumerating 58 Oman locale 60 One trapping 62 Shrink back 63 They may have jingles 66 Passionate love affair 69 Hairstyling goop 70 “C'mon, help me out” 72 “Finally finished!”

73 St. Louis' -- Bridge 75 Artifacts of Angola, e.g.

77 Ares or Eros 78 Greyhound vehicle 79 Misfortunes 83 The U.S. State Department, informally 85 Sultry 86 Pilfer 87 Casual tops 88 Fancy playing marble 89 Even break 91 “... -- do say so myself” 93 “In all probability ...”

96 Warned 97 Bird that flies near the ocean's surface 102 Utter failure 103 Military base 104 “The best is -- come” 106 Ancient rival of Athens 111 Became inseparable 112 Apt question for this puzzle 115 Northern Spanish city 116 Actress de Ravin of “Roswell” and “Lost” 117 Pain greatly 118 Person ripping things 119 Key in anew 120 Dwellers around Peru's peaks

DOWN 1 Per unit 2 Rescue 3 Spurt out 4 Circular tent 5 Speeding cars' ovals 6 Boiling mad 7 Equine beast 8 Celestial bear 9 Gears u 10 Farewells 11 Zero 12 Yuletide mo.

13 “Harold and Maude” director Hal 14 When it's 1600 hours 15 “Blaze” actress Davidovich 16 “Scenes From --” (Bette Midler film) 17 “And Bingo was his --” 18 New Mexico county 19 From Oslo's country, to its natives 24 Toll rd.

29 “Number 10” painter Mark 31 Stockings, say 33 Classic soda 34 Jr.-year exam 35 Savvy about 36 -- -Rooter 37 Tharp of choreography 38 Dinosaur in “Toy Story”

41 43 44 45 46 47 50 51 52 53 55 56 59 60 61 63 64 65 67 68 71 74 76 78 80 81 82 84 85

Dusting cloth Capital of Ghana Fizzy wine, in brief Walt Whitman's “-- the Body Electric” Fencer's attack Jason of “Bad Teacher” Celebrity status Doughnut or bagel's shape New Mexican succulents Common way to mark losses Place to dissect a frog Blue shade Actor Keach of “Mike Hammer” Caesar of old comedy CPR pro Toward a ship's stern Crusoe creator Daniel Platoon VIP Rodeo lasso Idling position Oinkers Indian lute Gratuity-prohibiting policy Young guy, in hip-hop Pre-Easter time Shoe securer Yukon vehicle Tease in fun Head cover

86 Mark of TV's “Supernatural” 89 Certain penpoint feature 90 Seal, as a house-buying deal 91 Hinder 92 Novelist Dostoyevsky 94 Deadpan humor 95 “The Office” character Pam 97 Wood shoe 98 Treasure pile 99 “-- vincit amor” 100 Winona of “Black Swan” 101 Once-popular anesthetic 102 Rival 105 You, of yore 107 “Stop staring --!”

108 Ostrich kin 109 Ky. neighbor 110 Part of B.A. 113 Kipling's “Follow Me --” 114 Org. founded by Billie Jean King

Mature Focus • June 2024

23

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Mature Focus • June 2024

25

The list, redux

By Susan Goldfein Exactly seven years ago, following an incident involving my husband and the whereabouts of fresh garbage bags in our kitchen, it occurred to me that if I should elope with a handsome construction guy, or suddenly disappear for any reason, my sweetie might be illequipped to deal with the ordinary requirements of daily living.

So, I wrote an essay entitled “If I Should Die Before You...” The essay included a list of helpful tips regarding need-to know items that keep life moving like a well-oiled machine. Practical stuff like how to load the dishwasher, or, the location of the dog food lest the dog starve to death, or where to find a fresh

tube of toothpaste or a new bar of soap.

I’m happy to say we have made some progress. The other day I noticed a brand-new bar of soap in the shower that I did not place there!

At the time of writing the original essay, I explained that the list I had created was a work in progress and by no means exhaustive. It was intended to be added to as more gaps in practical knowledge became apparent. I believe that time has arrived. Here is the updated list.

If I should die before you, Let me show you...

How to change the ink cartridges in your printer.

How to operate the burners on the electric stove top.

How to recover “lost” items that have magically disappeared inside your car.

That the same light switch that turns on the light also turns it off.

That cabinet doors can be shut as

well as opened.

Where the garbage goes once the bag is full (assuming you remember where we keep the bags).

How to sort and toss the recyclables.

How to load the dishwasher.

How to turn on the dishwasher.

Where to place the detergent in the dishwasher.

That we, in fact, own a dishwasher.

To be perfectly honest, we haven’t yet conquered all the items on the original list. For example, we’re still working on how to sew a button onto a shirt, and how to order stuff on Amazon.

Some things have proved entirely too difficult, like replacing the drawstring in a pair of sweatpants after you pulled too hard and yanked it out. If this should happen after I’m gone, I’m afraid a new pair of sweats will be necessary.

I know this is not a happy topic, but there is a great deal of comfort

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in knowing that after I’m dead or starting a new life with my handsome construction guy, that my darling will be able to find and replace the toilet paper. And perhaps remember to feed the dog!

TUS TUSCA S ANY SCA

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Born and raised in New York City, Susan currently splits her time between Florida and Connecticut.

Visit Susan’s blog, susansunfilteredwit.com.

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Mature Focus • June 2024

27

❖ On June 10, 1692, Bridget Bishop became the first person executed for witchcraft during the notorious Salem witch trials, after a trial lasting eight days. ❖ On June 27, 1939, one of the most famous scenes in movie history is filmed - Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara parting in “Gone With the Wind.” The scene also was shot using an alternate line, “Frankly, my dear, I just don't care,” in case the film censors objected to the word “damn.”

The film was approved, but producer David O. Selznick was fined $5,000 for including the curse. ❖ On June 25, 1942, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower becomes commander of all U.S. troops in the European theater of World War II. He would be appointed Supreme Allied Commander of all forces in Europe in 1943.

“Ike” later would become America's 34th president.

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❖ On June 26, 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway is officially opened, creating a navigational channel from the Atlantic Ocean to all the Great Lakes. The seaway - made up of a system of canals, locks and dredged waterways - extends a distance of nearly 2,500 miles, from the Atlantic Ocean to Duluth, Minn. ❖ On June 24, 1966, the United States Senate passes what will become the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Among the first safety standards adopted were seat belts, impact-absorbing steering columns and standardized bumper heights. ❖ On June 29, 1970, U.S. ground troops end two months of combat operations in Cambodia and return to South Vietnam. News of the crossing into Cambodia set off a wave of antiwar demonstrations, including one at Kent State University in Ohio that

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28 June 2024 • Mature Focus

resulted in the killing of four students

by Army National Guard troops. ❖ On June 23, 1989, the film version of the DC Comics hero Batman is released in theaters. Warner Brothers hyped “Batman” as a major summer “event” long before its release. The results were stunning, as the film grossed some $100 million in its first ten days. ❖ On June 28, 1997, Mike Tyson bites a chunk out of Evander Holyfield's ear in the third round of their heavyweight rematch. After the fight resumed, Tyson bit Holyfield's other ear. With ten seconds left in the third round, Tyson was disqualified from the match and suspended from boxing. ❖ On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen forced his way into Pulse, one of Orlando's biggest nightclubs, and opened fire. Forty-nine people died and dozens more were injured.

Join us for summer day trips An active lifestyle for 55+

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June 20 - Taliesin Home & Gardens.

Join us on Thursday, June 20, for a chartered deluxe motorcoach day trip to Spring Green, Wisconsin to tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin home & gardens followed by a Prairie Style Buffet luncheon in a private room. In the afternoon, we will visit House on the Rock to explore the unique home, Asian garden, Streets of Yesterday, the amazing Music of Yesterday machines, Carousel Room, and Galleries with diverse collections.

Taliesin is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Our morning visit to the Taliesin estate is an intimate look at the 70-year career of one of America’s greatest architects, Frank Lloyd Wright.

Our afternoon visit to nearby House on the Rock provides time to see Alex Jordan’s dream house overlooking a scenic valley built atop a chimney of rock, which he opened to the public in 1960. Over the years, Alex expanded his vision beyond the House and collected and built two additional exhibition areas on the property.

Wear your comfortable walking shoes! Attendees will encounter stairs, paved surfaces, stone steps, crushed gravel paths, and grassy lawns on this day trip adventure departing from Davenport and Moline. When visiting each of the two venues, you will be standing and walking while exploring for up to two hours in the morning and also in the afternoon.

The June 20 day trip’s cost is $200/person, which includes all admissions, Prairie Style Buffet luncheon, and chartered deluxe motorcoach transportation. Call Club board member John at 309-738-6826 for more information or to book this trip by Saturday, June 8.

July 11 - Spirit of Navy Pier Eat, drink, dance and take in the incredible skyline of Chicago aboard the Spirit of Navy Pier two-hour signature luncheon cruise on Lake Michigan, Thursday, July 11. We’ll start the day with an early departure from Moline upon a chartered deluxe motorcoach that will drop us off at Chicago’s Navy Pier.

Admire sweeping views of Chicago’s beautiful lakefront and iconic landmarks, such as Adler Planetarium, distinctive skyscrapers, and Navy Pier.

While on the cruise, we will enjoy a chef-prepared buffet lunch at reserved tables on a climate-controlled deck with large windows.

In addition to the relaxed buffet lunch, the cruise features live DJ music entertainment, a fully stocked cash bar, dancing, and games on the open-air decks and indoor spaces. You’ll have time to view the scenic lakefront from open-air and enclosed deck areas of the ship.

When we return to shore, our motorcoach will transfer us a few blocks west for a guided tour of the Richard H. Driehaus Museum, which is housed within the historic Samuel M. Nickerson House, the 1883 residence of a wealthy Chicago banker located just steps away from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. The Museum showcases art, architecture, stained glass, and design from the late 19th and early 20th century in a meticulously restored Gilded Age home.

The cost is $215/person, which includes all admissions, signature cruise buffet lunch, and chartered deluxe motorcoach transportation. Call Club board member John at 309-738-6826 for more information or to book this trip by Wednesday, June 26.

v The bits at the ends of shoelaces are called aglets. v Michelangelo and his team designed a scaffold that allowed him to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel while standing up.

The myth that he painted it while lying on his back is believed to have originated due to a mistranslation in a 1527 biography of Michelangelo written by Paolo Giovio, the bishop of Nocera. He used the word resupinus, meaning “bent backward,” though some interpreted it as “on his back.” v Mosquitoes are the world's deadliest animal, according to the CDC. v From the 1930s until the 1970s, there were no female FBI agents. But just months after J. Edgar Hoover's death, women started being sworn in. v According to one report, you're more likely to be killed at a dance party than you are while skydiving. v Dr. Thomas Jefferson Ritter's “Mother's Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada,” published in 1910, contains a rather aggressive treatment for hay fever that calls for spraying a “four per cent [solution] of cocaine” up one's nose. v There are approximately 2,000 thunderstorms happening around the world at any given moment, according to the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory.

Mature Focus • June 2024

29

Growing old gracefully? How should I know?

By Karen White-Walker Now the subtle signs are beginning. Nothing big, and should I even mention them? Darn right I should, because you see, I've never quite been on the cusp of “old age” before.

Cusp, heck, I'm in the throes of it!

Actually, you'd never ever know it if I whizzed by you in a speeding con-

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• 1 box (3.4 oz) cheesecake or white chocolate pudding mix • 12 oz whipped topping • 3 (6 oz) containers strawberry yogurt • 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced • 1/2 cup fresh blackberries • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries • 1/2 cup fresh raspberries • 3 bananas, sliced (add just before serving or they will brown) • 3 cups miniature marshmallows (optional) 1. Place the whipped topping, pudding mix, and yogurt into a large bowl and whisk together. Cover and refrigerate until just before serving (at least an hour).

2. When you are ready to serve, slice the strawberries and bananas.

3. Remove whipped cream/pudding mixture from refrigerator and gently fold in the sliced strawberries, berries, sliced bananas, and marshmallows. Stir gently to combine.

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vertible on the freeway. For all I husband two years ago, I said goodknow, men out there are honking and bye to my iron man and hello to a whistling at me as I fly by, but both weak-wristed widow. The other day I my hearing and eyesight aren't as I'm mourning the loss acute as they used to be, so I'll never know. of having pickles with Okay, I'll admit it. I might be playing this little mind game with myself, my chicken salad not so much pretending to not be my sandwiches. Just go age, but truly disbelieving that I can't possibly be this old, this quickly. buy them, you say.

Seems like yesterday I was drinking Sure, but who's going Ovaltine from a sippy cup and today it's a prune juice nightcap. to open the jar once “You're so active, with it, and I've got it home? alive!” insist my complimentary neighbors. Thank God they're Protestant and I'm Catholic, and they weren't with me on that fateful bought MiralAX, the heck with the Sunday morning. I humbly walked prunes. The instructions read: To into church and when I went to gen- open, press the two sides of the conuflect, I couldn't stand back up again. tainer. The lines indicating which Two elderly ushers came rushing two sides were the exact SAME over to pick me up, and as I tightly color as the cover - brilliant. As I ran clung to them to hoist myself up, my fingers across the cap, I felt they almost fell on top of me and I - White-Walker, turn to page 41 thought, dear God, who's going to pick THEM up?

“You falling in front of a packed parish could happen to anyone,” consoled my sister.

“Tell me the last time you went to Mass and April showers bring May flowers… And savings! Now you can refresh your saw somebody sprawled home without breaking the bank. Spring into style with beautiful new Anything Goes! carpet. out, spread eagle, in the Choose from beautiful patterns and colors and aisle?” know that your Anything Goes! Carpet will live up to its name, standing up to everyday wear “You've got me there, and tear while looking great. Plus, it’s backed by kid, she confessed. an industry-leading No Matt/No Crush warranty that guarantees your carpet will not change in A lesser well-adjusted appearance as a result of matting and crushing from foot traffic. PERIOD. woman would have begged, on her knees, for ALL the communion wine, but you should only deal with aging afflictions cold sober - says who?

Don't laugh, but at my age, I'm mourning the loss of having pickles with my chicken salad sandwiches. Just go buy them, you say. Sure, but 1305 Fifth Avenue who's going to open the Moline, IL jar once I've got it home?

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Trivia Test

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. Which European country has the largest population?

2. Which sitcom features a character named Ron Swanson?

3. What are the three layers of the Earth?

4. Which 2001 movie has a famous “bend and snap” scene?

5. What is a modern U.S. penny made of mostly?

6. What is a common name for an animal in the Leporidae family?

7. Which children's book contains the line, “Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast”?

8. Where is the pinna located in the human body?

9. Who was the fourth president of the United States?

10. What did Amazon sell exclusively when it launched in 1994?

here’s a tip

By JoAnn Derson ☞ Buff spots off of silver with toothpaste. Rub gently with a soft cloth, rinse and dry. ☞ Keep your dishcloths and sponges germ-free and smelling sweet. Once weekly soak them overnight in a few cups of water to which you've added a tablespoon or so of bleach. It will keep them from developing that mildew smell. ☞ “To keep mixes from bunching up on the beaters of my mixer, I spray them with a little canola oil right before mixing. It isn't enough to affect the recipe, but it helps them do a better job, I think. And I don't have to stop the mixer so often to scrape the dough from the beaters. ☞ To clean tea-stained cups, use a couple of drops of dishwasher detergent. Stir and let set, then scrub out. It should wipe right out. ☞ If there's a lot of burned-on food stuck to your pan, just add water immediately after cooking, then stick it in the oven (if ovensafe) at a low temperature for a little bit. It will soften the food, and you can clean it much easier. ☞ Save larger envelopes in which you receive mail. You can reuse them by gluing or taping a new label on the front. You can close them with packing tape.

Some of these envelopes are expensive. ☞ Add shredded veggies to tomato sauce to up the veggie quotient. Many vegetables can be added without adding many calories and will not change the taste that much. Try carrots, squash or sweet potatoes. You can even add a tablespoon or two of canned, pureed pumpkin. ☞ I like the smaller size of kids' meals at the drive-thru. I save the toys in a box, then I drop them off with a teacher friend to use as rewards in her classroom.

Mature Focus • June 2024

31

1. Russia; 2. “Parks and Recreation”; 3. Crust, mantle and core.; 4. “Legally Blonde”; 5. Zinc; 6. Rabbit or hare; 7. “Alice in Wonderland”; 8. Ear; 9. James Madison; 10. Books.

Herbs for scent

By Lori Rose Here’s a perfect garden plant that grows up to two feet tall and wide, with flower colors ranging from white to deep purple. Although the flowers are edible, this plant is used primarily for its magnificent scent. What is this hearty garden lovely? Lavender.

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, Zones 5-10) is a woody plant with gray-green leaves. It’s famous for the fragrance of its dried flowers, is deer resistant, and attracts butterflies and bees to the garden. Try it en

32 June 2024 • Mature Focus

there’s another way to grow your own lemon scent and flavor with lemonscented herbs. Use them fresh to give a lemony lift to chicken, fish, pasta, jellies, teas and desserts.

Photo: Allan Henderson

Midnight Gardener

masse, or as a short hedge or border planting. The silvery leaves compliment nearly every flower color.

Lavender plants are intriguing in containers and flower gardens as well as the herb garden.

Lavender thrives in dry, sunny locations and is drought tolerant. For best results, plant English lavender in a sheltered area out of the wind. Adding sand and/or lime to the soil, and planting it on a slope can help avoid winter kill. French lavender (Lavandula dentata) is also lovely. Use it as an annual, as it will rarely survive our winters.

The fragrance of lavender is beloved in many parts of the world. Its essence can be found in oils, perfumes, soaps, and room sprays. But there is nothing like the scent of lavender flowers grown in your very own garden.

The fresh scent and flavor of lemons pervades our lives, from our cleaning products to our desserts. We can grow lemon trees in a greenhouse, but

Lavender brings a pleasant aroma to any garden.

It would be easy to create a lemony herb garden, if these plants all required the same soil and light conditions, but they don’t. Still, it isn’t hard to find a spot for at least one lemony herb in your yard or on your patio. They all enjoy growing in containers, as either the container’s centerpiece or as an accent plant.

Not to give one preference over another, here they are in alphabetical order: Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Lemon Basil (Ocimum basilicum citriodorum), and Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla).

Lemon Balm gets two feet tall and wide when it has some shade and moist soil. It’s a nice addition to any flower or herb garden, and is perennial in Zones 5-9. It has pretty, serrated leaves in a clear green that sets off any color flower. Lemon Balm will produce hundreds of seedlings. If you prefer it didn't, cut off 1/3 of the plant when the flowers form in summer.

The flowers are small and whitish, and can be hard to see under the leaves.

Lemon Basil, like all basils, prefers light, well-drained soil, full sun, and the warmest part of the garden. Grow this annual from seeds or plants set in warm soil in late spring. Pinch it frequently to keep the plant about 18 inches tall. Also pinch off any flowers that form, as they make the leaves

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✐ Football player Ronaldinho Gaucho lost a $750,000 deal with Coca-Cola simply by taking a sip from a Pepsi. is working at peak efficiency ✐ Some farmers started feeding

their pigs waste products from the during the

hot summer. marijuana industry, such as plant Quad-Cities Oldest stems, leaves and roots, saying it

boosted the animals' appetites so they would bulk up to 30 pounds heavier

than normal, also that it had the effect LSale ennox hon i eff ienc eq uipm ent o gh high y efficiency n Sequipment! ale Now! of making the meat taste “more Dealer savory.” bitter. Lemon Basil will thrive when summer in your very own garden. ✐ The fastest any human has ever grown with tomatoes, since they both Lori Rose, the Midnight Gardener, is traveled was during the re-entry of the love heat and lots of sunshine. And a Temple University Certified Master Apollo 10 module, at a maximum like tomatoes, this tender annual will Home Gardener and member of the speed of 24,830 miles per hour, or 7 be killed by frost.

GWA: The Association for Garden miles per second.

Lemon Verbena will grow tall in Communicators. She has been writing ✐ If you can convince yourself that moist soil and a warm, sheltered loca- about gardening for over twenty years. you slept well last night, even though tion, like against the south side of the Email Lori at midnightgardener@ you didn't, your brain will be tricked house. This shrub is a native of Chile hotmail.com. into thinking you aren't tired. It's called and Argentina, and is grown “placebo sleep.” as an annual from Zone 8 and ✐ When an astronaut working on colder. Or, it can be wintered the International Space Station needed over in a container after the a tool he didn't have, NASA came to leaves fall off. The sensory the rescue by designing one with comexperience of the lemon scent puter software and emailing the file to is enhanced by masses of pur%MBRACEÒAÒMOREÒVIBRANTÒCOMMUNITYÒLIFEÒATÒ him. He then used a 3D printer to ple or white flowers in the create the first object ever designed on summer. Lemon Verbena has $PMPOB )PVTF ÒNOWÒUNDERÒNEWÒ MANAGEMENTÒWITHÒAÒ ÒMILLIONÒRENOVATION Ò Earth but made in space. the strongest flavor of the ✐ Studies show that the human *OINÒAÒCOMMUNITYÒTAILORÒMADEÒFORÒSENIORSÒ lemony herbs, so use it sparbrain remains half-awake when sleep ÒANDÒOLDER Ò ingly. It grows well from ing in a new environment for the first plants or cuttings set about )NCOME "ASEDÒ2ENT

time. four feet apart. &ITNESSÒ#ENTER Ƙƕƞ[[ d l Ƽ The leaves of the lemon✐ Just before WWII, the U.S. "EAUTYÒ3ALON Ɯƛ ·Ƭ ½ ƗƼƖƙ created the Logan Bar, a chocolate bar

scented herbs are an irresistƖ Ɯ #OMMUNITYÒ,OUNGE ƖƖ ƙ that deliberately tasted “a little better ible mixture of sweet and cit/N 3ITEÒ,AUNDRY than a boiled potato,” as an emergency rus that compliments the 3PACIOUSÒ!PARTMENTÒ(OMES ration to prevent soldiers from snacklighter foods, drinks and desserts of summer. Use only the ing on it outside of emergency situleaves when cooking or dryations. ing. Instead of discarding the ✐ A shopping mall in China offers leftover stems, run them “husband storage” pods, where wives through the garbage disposal W ZdD Ed^ Z &/>>/E' & ^dĭ and girlfriends can leave their partners with hot water and enjoy the while they shop. Each pod is equipped ,PPHGLDWH 0RYH ,QV :HOFRPH #ALLÒUSÒTODAYÒANDÒSECUREÒYOURÒNEW clean, refreshing scent. with a TV, a gaming console and a HOMEÒWHILEÒYOUÒCAN Gently rub lavender and leather massage chair. lemon-scented herb plants TU "WF ✐ Leeches have 32 brains. &BTU .PMJOF *- between your fingers to savor ✐ PayPal once accidentally credMANAGER COLONAHOUSE COM the lovely perfumes of ited a man with $92 quadrillion. %QUALÒ(OUSINGÒÒ/PPORTUNITY

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Mature Focus • June 2024

33

Summertime eye injuries

By John Frederick, M.D. During this fun-filled season, it’s easy to forget the possibility of injury. Eye injuries in particular are more common in the summertime.

Ninety percent of serious eye injuries are preventable through the use of appropriate protective eyewear.

Here’s a few of the potential problems to be aware of.

A common injury in the summertime is a scratch on the surface of the eye (or corneal abrasion) from a foreign body, such as a tiny stone, grain of sand or other object. Small foreign bodies can be deflected into the eye at high velocity from the blades of lawn mowers or the lines of lawn trimmers. People in general, but especially children, should not be allowed nearby while a lawn mower or lawn trimmer is being operated.

Wearing safety glasses can prevent a large majority of these injuries.

Ideally, safety goggles with polycarbonate (a type of plastic that is

extremely strong, lightweight, and shatterproof) lenses and side shields should be worn whenever there is a risk of particles flying or for appropriate sports. Always wear safety glasses/goggles yourself, while using

power tools, lawn trimmers or hammering metal. If you do get a foreign body in your eye, often they will not cause immediate pain, but start to ache later that night or the next day.

Material embedded in the eye is usually too small to see by the naked eye. If the symptoms do not resolve after irrigating the eye thoroughly with water (or saline) see your physician right away.

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34 June 2024 • Mature Focus

Fireworks are another potential cause of severe eye injury. They cause damage by both direct injury from the force of the explosion and from exposure to a foreign body - the gunpowder, paper, plastic and wood materials used in their manufacture.

Even sparklers can be dangerous, as they burn at more than 2,000 degrees Farenheit. It’s best to leave fireworks to the professionals.

Eye injuries from animal bites or scratches are also more common this time of year. Watch the kids and grandkids, as they are at higher risk due to their stature. Kids will also approach new animals without the caution that adults have learned.

These types of injuries can be complicated by infection. Close observation of young children and a proper degree of caution around animals can prevent many of these encounters.

While not an injury, we also need to recall potential damage to the eyes from the sun. We are well versed in the use of sunscreens, but don’t always remember to wear (and to have kids wear) UV blocking sunglasses. This simple precaution may decrease the risk of cancers in and around the eye, cataracts and macular degeneration down the road.

Eye protection, education and early treatment are the keys to prevention and minimizing the damage of eye injuries. The start of summer is a good time to revisit these issues, so everyone can enjoy the season a little safer!

Dr. Frederick, with Eye Surgeons Associates, is board-certified with a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology. He practices in Bettendorf, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. For more information, visit: esaeyecare.com.

The material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.

All the news that’s fit

Germs can also come via dirty plates and utensils, or foods not kept sufficiently chilled.

By Scott LaFee During the COVID-19 pandemic, when translucent shields popped up Observation everywhere and made the world a “Start every day off with a smile giant salad bar, efficacy studies and get it over with.” - Comedian found the guards more often proand noted curmudgeon W.C. Fields duced a sense of false security.

(1880-1946; attributed) Blame it on the microbial nature of the virus. The guards did not stop the Body of Knowledge flow of tiny aerosol particles but The total daily consumption of rather impeded normal air flow and your brain is 400-500 calories, or ventilation and, worse, sometimes 20% of your total daily energy redirected airborne germs to adjacent requirement. But while thinking long people. and hard may feel exhausting, studies suggest it doesn't actually boost Stories for the Waiting Room energy expenditure or calorie consumption. So much for thinking hard Remember the Presidential Fitness about dieting.

Test? For generations of school kids, it was the bane of their young bodies.

Tonsils were once called The test was the brainchild of Jack earkeckers.

Kelly Sr., a former Olympic rower (and father of actress Grace Kelly) Snot's Landing who persuaded politicians that The idea of erecting a pane of clear American youth were physically illglass or plastic between open trays of prepared to confront the Soviet menfood and self-serving diners, aka “a ace. sneeze guard,” dates to at least the In 1956, President Dwight early 1950s, albeit to mixed reacEisenhower created the President's tions. The first patented sneeze guard Council on Youth Fitness, and his debuted in 1959, and in the '60s, the successor, John F. Kennedy, put Food and Drug Administration began some muscle into the effort. mandating their use around the Generations of schoolchildren would launch of the self-serve salad bar. suffer consequential trauma but Do the guards work? Well, sort of, maybe learn how to do a good set of which is why they remain mandatory pushups or run a mile. for buffets and salad bars. For expecThe original public program ran torating adults looking down, a guard from 1956 to 2013. It has since been may block big droplets but work less replaced with the Presidential Youth well for shorter people and children.

Looking to sell your memorabilia?

We buy collectibles ☞Sports Cards ☞Comic Books ☞Video Games

Fitness Program, which dumped the generic physical education approach for more individualized instruction and programs like those sponsored by the NFL and Michelle Obama.

Sum Body Five facts about the flu.

1. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine. (The contained virus that triggers the immune response is dead.)

2. You can treat the flu (up to 48 hours after onset of symptoms) using antiviral medications. They don't eradicate the virus, but they do lessen symptoms.

3. The flu still kills approximately 36,000 Americans each year, usually the elderly, the very young or those with underlying medical conditions.

4. Unless your “stomach flu” comes with additional aches and fever, it's probably a gastrointestinal virus, not the seasonal flu variety.

5. You don't need to “starve a fever.” There's no need to eat less, and steady nibbling on healthy foods could actually help the body recover.

You will likely need to increase your fluid intake.

Last Words “Why should I talk to you? I've just been talking to your boss.”

- American playwright and raconteur Wilson Mizner (1876-1933), speaking to a priest on his deathbed.

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Mature Focus • June 2024

35

Talking Digital: Level up your life Top apps and smart devices that make habits stick

approach, making the gaming aspect secondary to the app or device’s primary purpose.

By Adam Cochran

APPS Here is a list of popular apps that use gamification to make selfimprovement, completing a task or forming a habit more enjoyable and emotionally rewarding.

Duolingo trains users to learn new languages. The app can be addicting as it rewards the user with badges, progress and fun animations as they

In this month’s column, we explore a topic suggested by Michael, who has discovered a way to use technology to keep his mind active.

“As many do, I play games on my phone, particularly a golf game called Golf Rival. Lately, I’ve noticed an increasing number of inapp ads targeting seniors. I’ve come across articles highlighting how engaging in certain activities, like playing games, can promote mental health and keep the mind active as we age. It might be worthwhile to research and write an updated article on this, highlighting the health benefits and recommending popular games that fit the bill.”

Thanks for the idea, Michael, and the challenge to write about an important use for technology that should be revisited often.

TURN PLAY INTO PROGRESS For some, technology is a tool. For others, it’s a toy.

In the tech industry, “gamification” refers to the innovative ways used by hardware and software developers to create tools that make productivity and improvement fun by adding game-like features.

The most common gamification features include unlocking “badges” for consistent use of the app, earning credits for progressing through the app, unlocking new features or allowing users to compete with one another by sharing their progress.

Hardware manufacturers also use gamification to encourage selfimprovement, project progress or add a level of enjoyment to an otherwise dull or grueling activity.

All games can help improve dexterity, increase familiarization with technology and challenge memory and cognitive skills. However, many apps and devices take the opposite

36 June 2024 • Mature Focus

progress through their language learning.

Forest encourages users to spend time away from their phones by rewarding them with virtual trees.

The longer you spend away from your phone, the bigger your forest gets. You can connect with other users to add a competitive element to the app.

Khan Academy is a website and phone app that offers lessons on a wide range of subjects, from algebra to art history. Khan Academy

Classic Travels June 18, Wonders of Alaska at 3:00 pm at the Holiday Inn, 2nd Floor located at 4215 Elmore Ave. in Davenport for the trip February 27-March 6, 2025. We start in Anchorage with the Rendezvous Festival, the Iditarod start, visit with mushers and pet the dogs. Next, we visit the Ulu Factory, and Talkeetna used as a model for the TV show Northern Exposure, as we watch for the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). We will take a flight up to Fairbanks, before our second opportunity to view the Aurora. After on a sled powered by a team of dogs, we check into the Chena Hot Springs Resort for our third night of Aurora hunting. We will also visit the TransAlaska Pipeline and the Anchorage Museum. Call for a brochure or reservations for the preview. Pricing is $4,999 dbl. and $5,599 sgl. Final payment due Friday, November 8, 2024.

August 8, “Matilda, The Musical” at The Fireside Dinner Theatre in Ft. Atkinson, WI this Tony Award-winning musical is packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs. Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary girl who armed with a sharp mind. a vivid imagination. and psychokinetic powers dares to take a stand to change her story. Unloved by her cruel parents and evil headmistress, she impresses her teacher with courage and cleverness, one girl’s triumph over what's “not right!” The entree is roast pork tenderloin. and for dessert a Pecan Turtle Ball Sundae. Leave at 7:00 a.m. and return at 8:00 p.m. Price is $154. Payment due Monday, July 1, 2024.

August 20-23, Shipshewana, Northern Indiana. Either spend time at the flea market or the popcorn shop, Front Porch, and Yoder's Department Store. There's time at the Davis Mercantile, Katie's Noodles, the famous Haystack dinner in an Amish Home, E & S Foods, Eash Sales Variety Store, Yoder's Meat and Cheese, and lunch at the Elegant Tea House. You will be given a $20 gift card to spend at Essenhaus Inn any way you want, food or merchandise. We'll visit Teaberry's Wood Products, Rise N' Roll Bakery, and Ben's Pretzels where you can make your own pretzel. Call for a brochure. Leave at 6:00 a.m., return at around 8:00 p.m. Price is $739 dbl., $999 sgl. A $25. down payment is due upon receipt. Final payment due Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Check out our website or call (563) 332-0014 Jill Kirkpatrick • 3371 Eastridge Drive • Bettendorf, IA 52722 email: jill@classictravelsllc.com • www.classictravelsllc.com

gamifies learning by adapting to the user’s level and providing rewards for mastering new concepts.

Habitica is an app that converts your to-do list into a game, offering rewards as you make progress each day.

Brain training apps like Luminosity, Elevate and Impulse are designed to improve your memory, cognitive skills, dexterity and reflexes.

Mint is a financial management app that motivates users to stick to a budget through badges, progress tracking and encouragement. It just moved, however, to Intuit Credit Karma.

Fantasy Fitness gamifies fitness progress in areas such as nutrition, exercise and health care.

SMART DEVICES There are also some great hardware options that turn everyday activities into dopamine and adrenaline-inducing experiences.

Meta Quest is a VR headset with two controllers that reverses the gamification concept by transform-

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ing games into a physically exhausting and fitness-building experience.

Instead of eating chips and soda on the couch in front of the TV, players wear a visor and use controllers to navigate and interact in the game world, using their entire body to battle either computer or human opponents.

Fitbit or Apple Watch devices are much more than timekeepers and step counters. They monitor stress, heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep and distance traveled, providing users with data that motivates them to improve their habits and daily routines.

Your new car most likely uses gamification to encourage more ecofriendly driving habits.

Displays that show average gas mileage and other eco-friendly driving metrics encourage drivers to adjust their driving habits to improve their “score” and reduce their environmental impact.

Fitness equipment such as Peloton’s stationary bikes take gamification to the extreme by tracking progress and, in a sense, taunting users for skipping workouts. “Saturday Night Live” recently did a parody commercial for “Pelotaunt,” a satirical depiction of the guilt Peloton users feel when they fall behind or lose progress.

Smart home thermostats track your home’s heating and cooling usage. They send alerts and kudos that can motivate homeowners to adjust their habits for more efficient energy consumption. Other smart home devices can gamify water usage, electrical consumption and screen time,

encouraging more mindful usage of resources.

If you are someone who has difficulty forming habits, focusing on tasks, remembering to take your medicine or improving other aspects of your life, researching apps and hardware that gamify progress may be the key to achieving desired changes.

Send your technology questions to Adam in care of Mature Focus, or email him at AdamC@Talking Digital.org.

Mature Focus • June 2024

37

FINANCIAL FOCUS ®

By Edward Jones When you’re creating your estate plan, your biggest priority may be taking care of your family - your spouse, grown children, grandchildren, and other loved ones. And as you think of where you want your assets to go, you also may be thinking about how to be fair - but is that the same as treating everyone equally?

In estate planning, “equal” doesn’t always mean “fair.” Let’s consider some factors that can help explain the difference: • Need. It’s highly unlikely that the individuals you want to include in your estate plan - especially your adult children - have the same family and financial situations. For example, you could have one child who is extremely successful and has no children of their own, while another child earns much less income and supports three children. Clearly, your two adult children have vastly different financial needs - so, you need to consider whether you want to treat

Should estate plans be equal...or fair? them equally or fairly. If you decide you want to treat them fairly, you may want to divide your assets in a way that provides more help to the child who needs it most.

• Abilities. You may well have some assets that you believe are more suitable for one child over another. This can be especially true if you are planning on passing on a family business. If you know that one child is the most capable of running the business or has been primarily involved in the business, then you may want to give that child control as a next-generation owner. Yet, this may not seem fair to another child, who might also express interest in the business, so you may want to look for ways to provide this child with enough assets to help make the overall inheritance more equal.

• Practicality. In some instances, you might think you can meet both the “fair” and “equal” criteria.

Suppose, for instance, that you have a cabin or other vacation home that you think two of your children could share. In theory, this joint ownership might sound good, but in practical terms, it could cause problems. Are both children equally willing and capable of paying taxes and upkeep on the cabin or vacation home?

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What if one child wants to sell their share? And then, there’s the question of who gets to use the property at various times of the year. All these issues should be resolvable, but they can also cause great stress within the family.

There’s no simple formula for solving the fair-versus-equal dilemma. But keep this in mind: Communicating your wishes to your loved ones while you are drawing up your estate plan can help reduce

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confusion - and hopefully lead to fewer hard feelings - when you are no longer around. By their nature, fairness and equality issues related to estate plans can trigger a range of emotions, and addressing these feelings beforehand can help provide a great service for your loved ones.

You might also find that some objectivity can be valuable. That’s why, when creating your estate plan, you may benefit by working with a team of professionals, including your legal, financial and tax advisors.

When developing your estate plan, you might well strive for equality

and fairness but above all, you want to get things right. And careful planning, open communication and appropriate guidance can help go a long way toward this goal.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

Separation anxiety in dogs

By Sam Mazotta

Q: My neighbor across the hall confronted me yesterday, accusing me of mistreating my dog.

She said that “Cookie” whines and barks for hours whenever I am gone, and that I need to take him with me rather than leave him alone in the apartment. I work full-time at an office that doesn't allow dogs. When I travel, I take Cookie to a sitter. But is 8 to 10 hours away too long for a dog?

A: Dogs aren't always happy about their owners going away for 8 hours a day. They can develop separation anxiety. This can manifest as nonstop barking, whining or even acting out (like destroying your slippers, pooping in the living room or worse).

Try counterconditioning, a training method recommended by the ASPCA in its article “Separation Anxiety.” Each time you leave home, give your dog a treat or a puzzle toy with treats inside (which will keep him occupied for several minutes). When you get home, put the toy out of sight. The idea is that Cookie will associate your leaving with an enjoyable treat.

You can also desensitize him to your leaving by getting Cookie used to your “departure cues.” For example, if you always put on a coat and pick up your keys when you leave, have a training session where you do the same thing, but then sit down and watch TV instead of leaving. You'll need to do this (and probably other moves) for several weeks, but it could help.

These are very basic training exercises, and you may need to incorporate additional training.

Check out the article on aspca.org, talk to Cookie's vet and consider working with a professional trainer to help curb his anxiety.

Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.

Mature Focus • June 2024

39

Mayo Clinic Q & A: Five facts about stroke

By Prashant Natteru, M.B.B.S., M.D., Neurology, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin Q: A friend recently had a stroke.

I learned that women have a higher risk of strokes. What are the risk factors, and are there signs to watch for that indicate someone is having a stroke?

A: A stroke can happen at any time and to anyone. You might be talking to your loved one and notice they’re suddenly slurring their words. Or, while grocery shopping, you realize you can’t move your hand to pick up a jar from the shelf. You can go from feeling as usual to feeling sick within a matter of seconds to minutes. Here are five key facts to know about stroke.

1. Strokes affect the oxygen and nutrients supplied to your brain.

Strokes occur when nutrients and oxygen are not delivered to the brain through blood vessels, leading to the death of brain cells. This lack of delivery can be caused by a clot in a blood vessel obstructing the blood flow to the brain, known as an ischemic stroke, or when a blood vessel ruptures and prevents blood flow to the brain, known as a hemorrhagic stroke.

Sometimes, the obstruction to the blood flow and the resulting symptoms are caused by a temporary clot and are transient, resulting in a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, often called a ministroke.

2. Strokes can happen to anyone.

Strokes can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender or race. Certain risk factors can put you at a higher risk of stroke.

Risk factors are divided into two categories: Controllable and uncontrollable.

Common controllable risk factors: Atrial fibrillation, which increases stroke risk by five times; diabetes; excessive alcohol intake - an average of more than one drink per day for women or more than two drinks a day for men; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; obesity; obstructive sleep apnea; physical inactivity; smoking or

40 June 2024 • Mature Focus

The acronym ‘FAST’ is used as mnemonic to help a person having a stroke.

vaping.

Uncontrollable risk factors: Gender; heredity; increasing age; race.

3. Be prepared to spot the signs of a stroke. Learn to recognize the signs of stroke quickly. The American Stroke Association lists these symptoms to help you know when to seek medical care: F = Face drooping: Ask the person to smile and see if the smile is uneven.

A = Arm weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms and see if one arm drifts down.

S = Speech difficulty: Ask the person to speak and see if the speech is slurred.

T = Time to call 911: Stroke is an emergency. Call 911 at once. Note the time when any of the symptoms first appear.

Other stroke symptoms to watch for include: Numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech.

Sudden-onset, severe headache with no known cause. Sudden vision issues, such as trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Trouble walking, loss of balance, dizziness or coordination.

If you or someone you are with have any stroke-like symptoms, seek immediate medical care.

4. A stroke is a medical emergency.

Every second counts when someone is experiencing a stroke.

Once a stroke starts, the brain loses around 1.9 million neurons each minute. For every hour without treatment, the brain loses as many neurons

as it typically does in nearly 3.6 years of regular aging.

While waiting for paramedics, do these things if possible: If the person is conscious, lay them down on their side with their head slightly raised and supported to prevent falls. Loosen any restrictive clothing that could cause breathing difficulties. If weakness is obvious in any limb, support it and avoid pulling on it when moving the person. If the person is unconscious, check their breathing and pulse, and put them on their side.

If they do not have a pulse or are not breathing, start CPR right away.

5. Women have an increased risk of stroke. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the third most common cause of death in women. Over 90,000 women die from a stroke in the U.S. each year. Every 1 in 5 women will have a stroke, and about 55,000 more women than men have a stroke each year, with Black women having the highest prevalence of stroke.

The risk of stroke increases in women who smoke, have atrial fibrillation or migraines with aura, take birth control pills, use hormonal replacement therapy, are pregnant, or have preeclampsia.

Talk to your healthcare team about your stroke risk and ways to lower your risk by addressing controllable factors.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care.

E-mail a question to MayoClinic Q&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayo clinic.org.

Your next home should be Ridgecrest Village.

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White-Walker - From Page 30 it might behoove me to learn a little Braille for this little stunt. My new prescription bottle wasn't any better.

It read: To open press down hard with the palm of your hand. Trust me, I didn't bear down that forcefully while I was giving birth, but at least the end result was a bundle of bliss. All I had this time for all my huffing and puffing was an imprint of the bottle cap embedded into my palm. Huffing and puffing, I can equate that now with happier times.

You know how an expert giving advice needs credentials? Well, come to think of it, what are my credentials for complaining? Right now, this very minute, I'm going to celebrate all that I CAN do, like going grocery shopping WITHOUT a list. It's a great brain exercise trying to remember it all when you're at the store and then coming home to discover that you've only forgotten eight out of 32 items. That's a higher average than my math grade in school. I can get a lot of mileage out of that, just like I intend living happily in my waning years.

Old age? You can't live this long

without being tough - inwardly, but as for outwardly? Ask those gracious senior citizens who have never

made fools of themselves. My advice? Try non-Catholics that don't ever have to genuflect.

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This tour is one that will have h you in the holiday spirit in no time! From the fun and whimsy of Hershey’s Chocolate World W to the formal, elegant décor of the DuP Pont family’s Nemours Mansion and everything you can imagine in between, there is some ething for absolutely everyone to come home talking about. Shop at the Christmas Village in n Philadelphia, set up much like a German Chrristkindlmarkt packed full off great gifftts to bring back home, plus a stop in Lancaster including g a show at the Sight & Sound Millennium Theatre e. By the time you get back home, you’ll have Ch hristmas locked down and ready to go.

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Mature Focus • June 2024

41

No telling what a lightsaber can do

By Lynn Walker Gendusa Weston is our four-year-old grandson who puts Curious George to shame. I am officially changing his name to “Why Weston.” We can tell him the sun is shining, and he will ask, “Why?” Or we can say, “Son, it's time for dinner.” His response is, “Why?” When we ask him a yes or no question, his immediate reaction is “No.” He says it before he thinks and then follows it with, “No, why?”

His imagination is off the rails. He will defend anything with his mighty red plastic sword, and those monsters, bad guys, or snakes don’t stand a chance.

Recently, while keeping him overnight, my husband told him to turn out the light when he left the restroom. “Why?” he immediately questioned as his eyes grew wide.

You should have heard us trying to explain electricity to this little guy.

After briefly describing Benjamin Franklin, the kite, Thomas Edison, and the lightbulb, he responds with a

fierce growl, “Well, I can make light metics and combed hair to look less with my lightsaber, and I'll make than beyond ancient! Darn, those lightning too!” truthful kids! They can humble you in At that point, I gave up and agreed a nanosecond and topple your imagiwith him. I forgot how four-year-olds nation with their truth. with vivid imaginations constantly chatter and say “no” before thinking.

I vaguely recall the little girl who often heard her mother say, “I give up!” My husband still swears I respond immediately, “No!” before I say, “Wait, what?” My imagination is still childlike, and I continue searching for answers to many of life's “why's.”

Weston woke us early the following day. I rose with my hair a jumbled mess, no make-up, mismatched pajamas, and furry house slippers adorning my feet. Weston began his morning rambling before I could understand a word. Then he quieted and slowly spoke as he wrinkled his nose in disgust and exclaimed, “Grandma, Four-year-old Weston, Lynn’s grandson. why do you look so old?”

I was looking for the lightsaber to Four-year-olds should run for shock Mr. Why Weston, but then President. They're truthful, energetic realized I needed the benefit of cosand can solve all the world's problems

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42 June 2024 • Mature Focus

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with their ninja swords, fire trucks, and Spiderman cape. No problem.

Weston's mother informed me of a statistic declaring that an average four-year-old asks up to 300 daily questions. My question is, “Who answers them?” Perhaps a better response is, “How do we answer their why's and what's?” Do we encourage their creativity and curiosity?

We decided as a treat to take Weston to Walmart, where he could select a small toy. His excitement only increased his motormouth's speed as we entered through the doors and passed the greeters. He walked down several aisles, diligently searching for some mysterious toy.

Finally, I stopped him, “Ok, son, what exactly are you looking for, and I will help you.”

“It's this watch that you wear that shoots out the tape.” Gullible me attempts to find it on my phone so I will know what to search for. I must have traveled down those wellstocked rows several times before asking him, “Where did you see this watch?”

“I didn’t see it, but my other Grandpap told me about it!”

Yep, and right then, I knew another adult four-year-old with a vivid imagination led us all on a wild goose chase down the aisles at Walmart searching for a fantasy.

I heard that curious, imaginative children are intelligent, but when I recall how I flunked Algebra II, I question that. Honestly, as much as I loved my parents, they did not understand or encourage my colorful imagination. It was easy for me to design those watches that shot tape and, later, rooms that transformed houses into homes as a designer. Sometimes our life purpose differs from others, but we should always be motivated and supported by our peers and families.

When I write, I imagine you are sitting beside me, conversing about the why's in life and pondering the answers. I may look ancient, but I envision myself younger and avoid the mirror as much as possible.

I understand Weston's creativity and picture him one day writing a spy

novel about a detective wearing a where.” - Albert Einstein watch that shoots out answers and Lynn Walker Gendusa is a newssolves all the world's riddles. Isn't it paper columnist in Georgia and a often that idealists, questioners, and contributor to the USA Today honest ones will inspire us all to find Network. She is the author of “It’s all solutions?

WRITE with Me: Essay’s from My Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison Heart” and her newest, “Southern were once four-year old's who contin- Comfort.” She can be reached at ually asked, “Why?” They were the lynngendusa.com. dreamers and inventors who changed the world. Could Why Weston change the world? Why not? Who knows • Mausoleum Crypts • Single & Double Lots what a lightsaber • Lawn Crypt Section • Cremation Niches and a cape can do?

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Coffee is on us! RSVP Mary: 309-292-7900 Mature Focus • June 2024

43

Have you met my friend, Sloppy Jane? You probably already know her cousin, Sloppy Joe. They may be similar, but here's how you can tell them apart. This Sloppy Jane recipe not only offers a healthier alternative to its cousin, the Sloppy Joe, but it also keeps your wallet happy by being cost-conscious while creating mouthwatering sandwiches that won't weigh you down.

What sets Sloppy Janes apart from their traditional counterpart is the focus on lean meats and fresh, wholesome ingredients - all without breaking the bank. Unlike the canned sauce varieties loaded with additives and preservatives, our Sloppy Janes sauce prioritizes nutrition and affordability without compromising taste.

These Sloppy Janes are a breeze to whip up, making them perfect for busy weeknights. And the best part?

They reheat like a dream, so leftovers are just as delightful the next day! I always make a double batch.

This recipe was crafted with ground turkey for a lighter profile without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.

However, feel free to get creative with your protein choice. This recipe works well whether you use beef, pork or whatever ground meat is least expensive this week!

SLOPPY JANES Yield: 4 servings Total Time: 20 minutes 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 (12 or 16 ounce) bag frozen 3 pepper and onion blend, defrosted (or fresh equivalent) 1 pound 90% lean ground turkey 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 teaspoons granulated garlic 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 1 tablespoon yellow mustard 1 tablespoon brown sugar

44 June 2024 • Mature Focus

Photo: JasonCoblentz.com

Savor the Sloppy Jane: A healthier twist on a classic comfort Add some French fries or onion rings to really make the kiddies (and kids at heart) happy.

And for those who prefer a set-it-and-forget-it approach, this slow cooker method ensures tender, flavorful Sloppy Janes with minimal effort. Just brown the turkey, toss all the ingredients in your slow cooker, cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low Get ready to dive into this Sloppy Jane - a guiltfor 6 hours and let the slow free treat for your taste buds and your wallet! cooker work its magic.

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar If you'd like to stretch this recipe to 1 teaspoon chili powder add extra servings, there are several Optional: 1/8 teaspoon cayenne affordable options. First, you can pepper, or more to taste double the veggies. Or you can just For serving: add more chopped onion. A nice, big, 4 hamburger buns chopped sweet onion would be deli1/2 cup shredded cheese cious. A can or two of beans would Optional: bread and butter pickles be a good addition, especially pork and/or pickled jalapeno slices and beans or baked beans. Also, Add the olive oil to a skillet over check your crisper drawer and add medium-high heat. Add the onion any peppers, tomatoes, celery or and pepper blend. Cook for 5-7 shredded carrot. minutes until they release most of These sandwiches are sure to their moisture and are cooked become a household favorite. So tuck through. Push the peppers to the side in your napkin, because these are and add the turkey. Cook for 5-7 delightfully sloppy! minutes until browned and no longer pink. Add the salt, pepper and garlic, Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is and stir it all together. Cook for 1 the penny-pinching, party-planning, minute until fragrant. recipe developer and content creator Meanwhile, in a small bowl stir of the website Divas On A Dime together the tomato sauce, mustard, Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit brown sugar, vinegar, chili powder Patti at divasonadime.com and join and cayenne, if using. the conversation on Facebook at Add the sauce to the turkey mixture DivasOnADimeDotCom. and simmer for 5 minutes or until Sloppy Joes are thickened to your liking, making sure to stir frequently. Adjust seasoning, if needed.

Serve hot on toasted buns. Top with shredded cheese and pickles.

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Mature Focus Volunteer Spotlight

By Ken Ferris Batman and Robin of comic and TV fame were known as the “Dynamic Duo.” Another Dynamic Duo resides in the Quad Cities.

They are Michelle Beckwith and her therapy dog, Reno. Both qualify as special volunteers.

Michelle is 62 and Reno 10.

Their home is Eldridge. Michelle works full time as a case manager at Beckwith Chiropractic Neurology in Bettendorf. Reno is a certified therapy dog and a graduate of K9 University. Michelle said her father was a loving, caring person who enjoyed visiting the sick in the hospital. His first name was Reno and Reno’s name was chosen as a tribute to her father.

The connection began when she and her husband, Dr. Chris Beckwith, were visiting Teskes looking to replace their deceased German Shepherd when Dr. Beckwith picked up a little three pound Mini Poodle. There was an immediate connection. Twenty-four hours later, Reno had a new home.

“One day while visiting Unity Point Hospital I saw a notice they were looking for pet therapy in the hospital,” Michelle said. “I was confident Reno was perfect for this role.”

After contacting the hospital, Michelle and Reno were routed to

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Alliance of Therapy Dogs for certification. According to Michelle, “Reno passed all six tests including an interview.”

Reno was “hired,” but he was nine

“We are honored to have Michelle and Reno among our dedicated team of Caring Canine volunteers at Unity Point Health. The bond they share is powerful and it shows when they walk the halls of our hospitals to meet with patients and team members. Michelle and Reno are an amazing duo that help bring comfort and joy to those in need.”

– Tulisa Bollinger, Manager of Retail Volunteers and Friends of Trinity months old and had to wait until he was one year old. As a result, Reno started working in the Beckwith clinic alerting staff to someone having high blood pressure issues and if a patient was about to have a seizure. Michelle said this ability was not part of his training, but just happened.

“Comforting people is what Reno enjoys most. He has a God-given desire and talent to work. I have learned to listen to him as he signals me even when not officially working,” Michelle stated. “He has a sense for working with the very ill and people who are grieving.

He currently works 40 hours a week at our clinic. He volunteers at least two times a month at Unity Point, volunteers at schools and other hospitals,” Michelle said. Reno

Michelle Beckwith and Reno.

tends to attract most of the attention, but Michelle is the orchestrator arranging his work schedule, appearances and events so others can feel better and benefit from Reno’s talents.

The main differences between a service dog and a therapy dog: • Service dogs are trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability while therapy dogs are trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospice, and disaster areas.

• Service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) giving them public access rights while therapy dogs are not afforded the same privileges.

Do you know a volunteer who deserves to be recognized? In the coming months, Mature Focus will be highlighting Quad City volunteers who go above and beyond for their community, making a positive difference in the lives of others. Email your volunteer nominees to Kevin Ferris at kevin@maturefocus92.com and tell us why your nominee deserves special recognition for his or her exceptional service.

Ken Ferris is the founder and former publisher of Mature Focus.

Mature Focus • June 2024

45

Gas station food has become mainstream, and I approve Road trips are excellent excuses for a lot of things you would normally not do or buy. In one convenient stop,

By Ana Veciana-Suarez I’m not known for healthy eating habits, a trait I’m not particularly proud of but can’t seem to shake. My culinary choices defy threats from The Hubby and cajoling by many friends who have become connoisseurs of the finer things in life. To the utter dismay of my grown children, I love McDonald’s for breakfast — Oh, an egg McMuffin! A hash brown! — and consider a meal at Cracker Barrel the pinnacle of road trip food.

To whitewash my propensity for such fare, I often enlist my grandchildren on forays to the low-brow. The last time we were at a diner, I embarrassed family members of a certain age by ordering from the kids’ menu.

Those offerings intrigued my palate more than the adult specials. Sorrynot-sorry.

Some might turn up their noses at this, but I think they’re merely pretending refinement in front of others.

Given half a chance, they’ll cross the line every time. For instance, just last week, one of my sons called from the family SUV to tell me they had stopped at the gigantic Buc-ee’s in Georgia for breakfast and road snacks. They were headed south for spring break and, of course, the experience of the gigantic truck stop was not one they ever skipped.

Carajo evolved into a restaurant/bakery/wine shop known as much for its tapas as its paella. Locals loved it, but it didn’t take long before it also became a must-see tourist stop. The restaurant/ gas station even made it into People magazine in 2022, when musician Joe Jonas celebrated his 33rd birthday there with wife Sophie Turner.

That marriage is kaput now, but El Carajo lives on.

A young woman enjoys a hot dog and a coffee outside a What’s more, gas gas station. station food has become mainstream, you can fill up the tank and order a conventional, a meal no longer gigantic hot dog with all the trimreserved for the road. I know this mings. Or buy a bag of barbecue because, if social media images chips with a side of beef jerky after using the bathroom facilities. The deals are amazing. On a recent jaunt across the state, for example, our breakfast was a greasy cheese pizza bought at a north Naples gas station.

The shop was selling the eight-slice version for $3.14 to mark March 14, or PI Day. It doesn’t get more Americana than this.

A few decades back, not far from where I grew up, a Spanish immigrant and his sons opened a gas station with a run-ofthe-mill convenience store. Over the years El

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46 June 2024 • Mature Focus

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reflect trends, then dinner at a gas station has reached bona fide coolness.

This didn’t happen all at once, of course, but I first noticed it when one of my teenage granddaughters insisted on lunch at the Wawa gas station near her house.

“But I want real food!” I protested.

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“It is real food. And you’re gonna love it. We go there all the time.”

Expecting the usual selection of prepackaged sandwiches, salads and wraps, I was surprised by the varied menu selection. My quesadilla was tasty and her go-to chicken strips hit the mark. She also smacked her lips on some kind of frozen cappuccino, a treat she’s normally not allowed to have. As we ate on metal picnic tables outside, serenaded by car engines and exhaust fumes, she enumerated all the Wawa dishes she’s tried. Apparently the paninis and bowls are family faves.

Did I mention the place, across from a large mall in a Miami suburb, was packed on a Saturday afternoon?

That the checkout line was 11 people deep? That everyone but me looked like a repeat customer? It just goes to show you don’t need the excuse of a pit stop to indulge in comfort food.

Ana Veciana-Suarez writes about family and social issues. Email her at avecianasuarez@gmail.com or visit anavecianasuarez.com.

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