Those that say the art of letter writing has vanished clearly haven’t seen some of the novel-length texts we send to each other these days. But we’re not talking about texts. We’re talking about letter-writing the old-fashioned way. It still exists, and it can be surprisingly fun.

Writing by hand is different than email or text. It’s slower, allowing you to consider more carefully what you are writing. The result is a more thoughtful, deeper communication and frequently leads to a more lasting bond. If you look at some modern-day pen-pals, their relationship may stretch over decades.

It’s also therapeutic. By actually writing, instead of firing off a series of emails and texts to sixteen different people at the same time, you give your full attention to the person you’re writing to. While thinking of them, you’ll naturally want to emphasize the good things that have happened to you rather than the bad things, which can lead to a more positive and happier world view. There’s a reason many therapists emphasize writing as a way to heal mentally.

If you’re the type who looks for practical as well as personal applications, letter writing has plenty to offer. Writing a letter forces you to slow down and think logically and then transcribe those thoughts in a clear, coherent order. It’s exactly the type of skill that will serve you well in the working world. 

Letter writing may be the perfect bridge between the old and the new. Take up your pen and paper and see where your handwriting can take you. You might be surprised. 

Cooking is fun… up to a point. When you’re young, it can be a creative outlet for your culinary passion. When you’re older, just getting into the kitchen can be a struggle. For seniors, the best of all possible worlds is delicious, nutritious, and most importantly… easy!

It’s also important to understand that our nutritional needs change as we age. A heaping plate of steak and potatoes may be just the thing when we’re younger, but it doesn’t work as well for seniors. One big difference is a decrease in appetite. The medications many seniors take may result in a dry mouth, or cause a change in their sense of taste. Decreased appetite doesn’t mean a change in the body’s nutritional needs; it just means seniors need to get more nutritional value from the food they do eat— more bang for the buck as it were. Here’s a link from MedicinePlus that gives you a good idea of how it works.

With that said, on to some recipes, courtesy of A Place for Mom, a website devoted to senior living. The recipes include some great choices such as rich and flaky salmon, a great low calorie source of protein that’s loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and energy-boosting B vitamins. It also includes plenty of veggie recipes as well as a great quiche, a seemingly luxurious breakfast that’s surprisingly cheap and easy to make. 

Give these ideas and recipes a try. After all, there’s no reason great nutrition and great taste can’t go hand in hand. 

Spring is here, the flowers are blooming and that means Mother’s Day is once again upon us. This is probably not your first experience with Mother’s Day. No, you’re an old pro at making sure Mom feels appreciated, which begs the question of whether you want to get her yet another card, potted plant, or pedicure. Maybe it’s time for something different.

What you choose will depend a lot on Mom, but you can’t go wrong with a cleaning party. No one, Mom included, likes housework. A clean house is enough to make anybody smile, especially if Mom doesn’t have to lift a finger.

Why not help Mom learn a new skill? All of us have something we’ve always wanted to try, and our mothers are no exception. Perhaps she always wanted to learn how to waltz or discover the finer points of cabinet making. Maybe she’s the wild, adventurous type that wants to try her hand at sky diving or parasailing. Whatever her secret passion, indulge her on Mother’s Day. 

If none of these ideas quite sound right, check out these articles from The Spruce and Parents Together for some other great ideas. 

Whatever else you do, be sure to reach out to Mom and let her know she’s appreciated. Better yet, don’t wait for Mother’s Day. Let Mom know how much she means to you the other 364 days of the year, too.

Happy Mother’s Day to Moms everywhere!

As much as we might complain about other people, the fact remains that humans are social creatures. We need other people, even if we are sometimes unwilling to admit it. Children are no exception. In fact, early socialization is even more important for their development than it is for adults.

This pandemic, with its shuttered schools and remote learning, hasn’t done kids’ social skills any favors. The risks can sometimes go beyond just being awkward at their next in-person gathering. Studies have found that prolonged social isolation can stunt brain development. It doesn’t end there either. When we’re stressed, we naturally turn to other people for help. Those interactions can be a great relief. Even in children, ongoing stress can increase depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. It can eventually lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms.

To some extent these problems can be relieved through technology. With children being more socially isolated, many of them have reached out virtually, and formed larger social networks than they might have otherwise. 

Ultimately, each child is different. The best thing you can do as a parent is to monitor your child to see how he or she is doing. Whenever possible, look to increase their interactions, either virtually or in-person. 

With the pandemic, we may not get completely back to what we used to consider normal. What we can do is strive to create a positive and supportive new normal. 

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

      ~ Old Proverb

Sometimes there is just no substitute for buckling down, putting our noses to the grindstone and completing the job. It’s a lesson that children need to learn, but that doesn’t mean life is all about work. In many ways, play time is just as important. And as with many things in life, there should be a balance.

If you’re the parent of a child who is learning remotely, that balance can be tough to find. Your child is at home, without the normal structure that being in school provides. Your first thought may be to impose that structure. You may even think of it as a benefit, since without the distraction of coming and going to school or dealing with classmates, your child should be able to get more learning done. 

While structure is good, resist the urge to push too hard. Allow some play time in there too. Play time isn’t even necessarily wasted time. Play frees the mind to think creatively and to apply new approaches to problem solving. Even if you’re playing a game, you still have to use your head. You have to learn and interpret the rules, use strategy and think on your feet. The skills we develop from play are often just as important to our eventual success as the ones we get from a book.

Strive to find that perfect balance between work and play for your child. You may have to work at it, and even adjust it, but if you’re successful, your Jack (or Jill) will be anything but dull.

The first and most obvious thing about filing your taxes this year is that you do have to file. There’s really no getting out of it. Despite what you may hear on the news or from your fellow taxpayers, it doesn’t have to be a painful experience. 

Similar to last year, when the IRS and many state agencies extended the filing deadline due to the Covid crises, the date for filing your taxes has been extended again. This year’s deadline is now May 17^th. You may still request an extension until October 15^th if you need more time.

Filing your taxes may not always go right the first time, meaning you may need to file an amended return. One change this year is that, for the first time, most amended returns can be electronically filed, meaning you won’t have to wait months for it to be processed.

However, don’t expect a quick response from the IRS this year. While hopefully the worst of the pandemic has passed, many IRS offices are still shuttered, and a great portion of IRS agents are working from their homes. The agency is relying on automated systems more than ever before. That may mean smooth sailing for your return. On the other hand, if your return requires a human touch, you may be in for a long wait. The IRS hasn’t fully processed last year’s returns let alone this year’s offerings.

We continue to hear on the news that we are living in unprecedented times. Well, tax season is no exception. Here’s hoping your tax filing is easy and painless this year.