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Many people who love to entertain have a passion for the rituals to do so. We think there’s no single or perfect way. More important, It’s about being around people at a time when socializing is important for good mental and, yes, physical health as we age. How you choose to entertain is highly personal.  Some enjoy bringing forth the good crystal and china and hosting a sit-down dinner around a well-set table where the guests are served different courses. The conversation tends to flow non-stop when guests stay put. Maybe classical music or jazz plays softly in the background....

Our fathers were the elusive parent. In and out like a light. When we were growing up in the late 40s, 50s, and so forth, dads were the breadwinners, at work more than at home, while most mothers stayed home to clean, cook and raise the children. However, when dad did have time off and spent it with us, that time was precious as were the words of wisdom they imparted. Did we always take their advice? No way. But what they said did resonate and years later, those words of wisdom seem seared in our brains. As one person we...

    We admit we’re old but proud we’ve made it this far. We’ve mastered a lot of life’s lessons through the ups and downs of life’s journey through seven decades and counting, remembered lessons our parents taught which never go out of style (be kind, be inclusive, don’t criticize in public) and are eager to be viewed as hip by our kids, even when we’re not, by trying to stay abreast of their likes and dislikes in music, clothing, furniture, food, politics and what’s proper to say and not. However, we find ourselves behind the curve and often must look...

Almost all of us talk to ourselves; they’re the little voices in our heads, where many of our ideas reside, rent free. Sometimes when engaged in these dialogues with ourselves, which is akin to mental journaling, we’re trying to solve a problem, address how we might talk to someone about a sensitive issue, tick off our schedule for the day or a grocery list, make a decision where to meet someone for lunch, practice a speech we’re supposed to give, debate whether to have the family over for dinner and what to serve or how to smooth over an argument with...

In other words, when do we stop torturing ourselves and say, “Give it up?” and be done? We think now, in our mid-and-later 70s is a great time to stop. The clock is winding down. We have fewer years to enjoy that new upholstered chair with expensive fabric and down cushions. It’s a good time to tamp down our expectations for all our purchases, whether in clothing, home design, appliances, work, exercise, food, college choices, friendships, weight, recipes, restaurants, hairdos, and everything else that we do.  Buying a bigger house in “the best” neighborhood, getting a promotion at work, owning...