 Memorial Day is a patriotic holiday and a federal holiday observed every year on the last Monday in May. It honors those who died serving the United States military. In 1971, Memorial Day became a national holiday by an act of congress.
This holiday honors fallen American veterans, is celebrated at family barbecues and marks the unofficial start of summer. All non-essential government offices are closed including schools, people usually have the day off work, and some local businesses may not be open as well. Memorial Day Quotes: In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King, Jr. ************ My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy ************ I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Nathan Hale ************ Memorial Day isn’t just about honoring veterans, it’s honoring those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. For us, that’s a reminder of when we come home we still have a responsibility to serve. It’s a continuation of service that honors our country and those who fell defending it.” Pete Hegseth ************ “On what rests the hope of the republic? One country, one language, one flag!” Alexander Henry ************* "Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility." Eleanor Roosevelt ************** Memorial Day 2022 Poem: © Victor C. Kleinschmit Someone’s child, left long ago, A strange land, Someone’s foe. An unmarked grave, fields of green, Resting quiet, Just eighteen. Winds of freedom, wash us now, Remember him, This I vow. Source...
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 Pikes Peak Area RVing – If You Are Interested… It’s Close!
Garden of the Gods Park One of the most photographed views in all of Colorado. These red rock formations rise up from seemingly out of nowhere. The view is dramatic especially views against the background our majestic Pikes Peak. The park features easy to hard walking trails and family and wheelchair friendly. If you want a different adventure, you can sign up for a Jeep or Segway tour or if you really take the risk for adventure you can arrange for some rock climbing. Royal Gorge Bridge and Park It’s just a short ride but you can take a short RV road trip to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. It was known, at past times, as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas. The gorge is approximately ten miles long, granite walls that tower over 1,000 feet high. You can take a gondola across the gorge, or if you can handle the height walk across on the bridge. There is a experience of taking the highest zip line in North America… if you dare. There are historic displays about the park’s history. You will see the story of the 2013 fire that destroyed parts of the bridge. To settle in for a quiet day you can sit and just enjoy the spectacular views of the rock formations and river below the venue. Pikes Peak Another Colorado 14er at 14,115 feet — is one of the most famous summits in the United States. Visitors can hike the mountain, drive it (passing three fishing lakes and numerous hiking trails on the way), or ride up on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway. However you get to the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, and more. For more RV Trips in Colorado, click here... https://rvshare.com/blog/rv-trips/colorado/ Broadmoor Seven Falls Another great place for us seniors to visit in the Pikes Peak Region is the Broadmoor Seven Falls. A shuttle conveniently takes you up to the series of waterfalls. From there, you can travel along the trails, and you can experience the magnificent views. Don’t want to miss the Eagles Nest across from the falls. Take the elevator up to see the spectacular views there.  Advice from a very successful Reverse Mortgage Specialist:
A friend recommended I read the book Younger Next Year by Crowley and Lodge. The book is about navigating the last 1/3 of your life in health, strength, and purpose. One of the lines in the book asks if you are preparing to live or preparing to die in your retirement years. "Are you preparing to live or preparing to die?" Having worked with senior homeowners for the last several years, I have met both. Those with vision and purpose for the last 1/3 of their lives, find ways to fund their goals and dreams. Those who aren’t willing to live a reduced or diminished life in retirement, live longer and happier lives. While others who accept that they can’t go here, or can’t do this or that live a life that seems to get smaller. They don’t go out, they do not have friends, and more importantly, they have no vision for the rest of their lives. In reality, they are existing and not living. They seem to be waiting for the end to come, and the sooner the better. Honestly, the first group is much more enjoyable to work with. They are proactive when it comes to their finances, and most other things in life. They are willing to learn about new opportunities and have decided to live their life to the fullest. Often times they fund their lifestyle in retirement with a reverse mortgage. So, which one are you? Are you preparing to live or to die in your retirement years? The choice is yours. Source: The Retirement Years Credit: Kevin A. Guttman, Reverse Mortgage Specialist Coffee Drinkers…this is for you! Go ahead. Pour yourself another cup of joe. “Studies have shown that coffee may have health benefits, including protecting against Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and liver disease, including liver cancer. Coffee also appears to improve cognitive function and decrease the risk of depression.” There is a word of caution in the research. There could be some risks. If you drink too much unfiltered coffee (boiled or espresso), you may have mild elevations in cholesterol levels. There is also a caution for an increase in the risk of heart disease in people with a fairly common, specific genetic mutation that slows the breakdown of caffeine in the body. How fast you metabolize coffee may affect your health risk. There’s always something to put a damper on things!! Just a reminder…adding cream and sugar to your coffee adds fat and calories. And, sometimes it’s hundreds of calories! This video from the Mayo Clinic tells you why! There is also important information concerning peanut allergies.  Have you ever wondered what Cheyenne Mountain is all about? Where did it get its name? What’s its history? What do you know about Cheyenne Mountain? What are those towers on top? Is NORAD still in Cheyenne Mountain? Just some of the answers to the questions above: Where did Cheyenne Mountain get its name? Named for the Cheyenne people. Native Americans found that Cheyenne Mtn was a good wood source for teepee poles. It was also visited by the Arapaho people. They sought spiritual inspiration from the mountain’s waterfalls. The Mountain was also used by the Ute Tribe to safely cross from the plains and benefit from its steep slopes and hidden valleys. Its history – what do you know about Cheyenne Mountain? Cheyenne Mountain is a triple-peaked mountain. The mountain serves as host for military, communications, recreational, and residential purposes. It was designed to withstand bombing and the fallout from a nuclear attack. The underground operations center for North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was built in the 1960s during the Cold War to monitor the potential intrusion to North American airspace Soviet missile launches and military aircraft. Homesteading activity began in 1867. The mountain was the site of resorts and retreats beginning in the 1880s. Spencer Penrose, who built and widely promoted The Broadmoor in 1918, bought several properties on the mountain. Penrose built the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Highway, Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, a lodge on one of the mountain peaks, and a retreat at Emerald Valley. The site of the lodge recently became the wilderness Cloud Camp. Emerald Valley is now the site of The Broadmoor’s Ranch at Emerald Valley. Land on The Mountain once owned by The Broadmoor is now the site of numerous luxury homes. The two parks on and at the base of Cheyenne Mountain are Cheyenne Mountain State Park and North Cheyenne Cañon Park. What are those towers on top? You cannot miss the noticeable tower feature on the top of one of Cheyenne Mountain’s peaks. Those features are an antenna farm with transmitters for cellular phones, radio, television, and law enforcement transmitters. They are not related to the military installation in the mountain. They are obviously hidden from public view. During the 1950s, an antenna farm was built on the middle peak of the mountain when Bert Swisher deeded ten acres to Bud Edmonds and several backers and Swisher signed a non-compete agreement. Edmonds, John Browne, and Buck Ingersoll agreed to replace the trails to the area with a real road, which was opened in 1960 by the Cheyenne Propagation Company. Currently there are 700 cell phone, television, radio, and law enforcement transmitters on the antenna farm. The Cheyenne Mountain radio repeater site, 145.160, covers south central and southeast Colorado along the Interstate 25 corridor from Monument to the New Mexico border. Since 2002, it has been operated by Cheyenne Propagation Company. Is NORAD still in the Cheyenne Mountain? NORAD used to offer public tours, but due to security concerns they were suspended after 9-11. Most of the center’s operations moved to Peterson Air Force Base in 2006,. Then in April 2015, the Pentagon reported that some operations would be moving back. For more info, click here... Find out more about Cheyenne Mountain: More information on Cheyenne Mtn (Parks) – Click Here! One of the biggest silver linings to come out of the CODIV-19 event is the acceleration of access to online learning.
Here are a few of our favorite learning sites for older adults: Senior Planet There are thousands of classes to broaden your horizons on Senior Planet. They have designed courses specifically in mind for those over the age of 60, focused on five impact areas: social engagement, financial security, health and wellness, civic engagement and advocacy, and creativity. The best part? Live classes are free for anyone to enroll! GetSetUp This online community connects users with others to learn new skills and unlock new life experiences. Their content is focused on adults over the age of 55, now reaching four million learners in over 160 countries. Classes range from fitness to healthcare, drawing, foreign language, cooking, music, business and more. They offer a free plan with limited access, or for $19.99 per month you can have access to their entire library and over 500 live interactive classes every week! Full Sail University Are you a tech-savvy person, interested in the world of entertainment, videography, media, gaming, visual arts and communications? Check out Full Sail University. It’s easy to fit in your course schedule with your existing life, because they offer 24/7 flexibility with your e-learning plan. One Day University Founded on the belief that “every day you learn something new is a good day,” One Day University has established a unique angle in the online learning space. You can listen to live-streamed talks, access hundreds of the “best-selected lectures” and participate in small group discussions with peers. There is a free limited-trial, but you will eventually have to pay $8.99 per month for access. Academic Earth Whether you are looking for a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or even a doctorate, Academic Earth has the lessons to get you on your path to more knowledge. Explore more than 60 complete courses in art, business, engineering, humanities, medicine, science, math and more! If you are just looking to dip your toe in the water with e-learning, YouTube is a great resource. You can also explore thousands of the free apps available for download to your phone, like Duolingo, PictureThis and Brainly. Source... Mothers Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed throughout the world. The American origin of Mothers Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day most commonly falls on the second Sunday in May. It traditionally involves presenting mothers with flowers, cards and other gifts.  Anna Jarvis also began the custom of wearing a carnation on Mother’s Day. A colored carnation if your mother is living and white if she’s not. It was intended to be a simple, inexpensive symbol of love and respect for the person who loved you before you even knew how to spell the word. Unfortunately, the story of Anna Jarvis has a bittersweet ending. At first, people observed Mother’s Day by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and spending time together. As the years passed though, more people began buying cards, presents, and flowers. Anna felt that Mother’s Day became much too commercialized. She was outraged when the price of carnations rose significantly and attacked florists as “profiteers.” Jarvis filed a lawsuit to stop a 1923 Mother’s Day festival. She was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a war mothers’ convention where women were selling carnations to raise money. Said Anna: “This is not what I intended. I wanted a day of sentiment, not profit.” Thank You, Mother
Once upon a memory Someone wiped away a tear Held me close and loved me, Thank you, Mother dear. ~ Anon Happy Mothers Day from Colorado Springs Over 50! Petunias are a great Colorado summer flower. They are tolerant of heat so they require less water. However, we check ours every day to see if they need a drink. Wave petunias are especially nice because they create gorgeous cascades of color in hanging baskets and decorative pots. However, it’s important that these vigorous flowers get their space. Don’t over pack them…just a few plants go a long way in a container. You want to encourage them to trail over the sides which they will do if they aren’t “fighting” for root space and nutrition.  Planting Petunias
Care of Petunias
Container Plants When planting petunias in containers, be sure not to crowd your plants. Limit yourself to three per 12-inch pot. If they start to flag or grow leggy, cut them back and fertilize them. They should branch out with vigor. Cut flowers for bouquets frequently to encourage new growth and remove dead flower heads as soon as they appear.Every few days, give them a long, slow drink. Wetting the flowers and foliage can promote disease, so water either from below or close to the surface of the soil. In order to not waterlog the roots, make sure your container has very good drainage. Petunias are heavy feeders. Apply a slow release fertilizer at the time of planting. Follow up with a liquid fertilizer every week or two throughout the season. Source… Related Post Summer Activities: Summer Camping One of the biggest silver linings to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic is the acceleration of access to online learning. With the entire world forced indoors, universities, community colleges and internet-startups alike all had to adapt and construct new methods of e-learning.
Here are a few of our favorite online learning sites for older adults: Senior Planet There are thousands of classes to broaden your horizons on Senior Planet. They have designed courses specifically in mind for those over the age of 60, focused on five impact areas: social engagement, financial security, health and wellness, civic engagement and advocacy, and creativity. The best part? Live classes are free for anyone to enroll! GetSetUp This online community connects users with others to learn new skills and unlock new life experiences. Their content is focused on adults over the age of 55, now reaching four million learners in over 160 countries. Classes range from fitness to healthcare, drawing, foreign language, cooking, music, business and more. They offer a free plan with limited access, or for $19.99 per month you can have access to their entire library and over 500 live interactive classes every week! Full Sail University Are you a tech-savvy person, interested in the world of entertainment, videography, media, gaming, visual arts and communications? Check out Full Sail University. Full Sail focuses on creating real-world industry experience and creative problem solving with online degree programs. It’s easy to fit in your course schedule because they offer 24/7 flexibility with your e-learning plan. One Day University Founded on the belief that “every day you learn something new is a good day,” One Day University has established a unique angle in the online learning space. They have gathered a group of the most thoughtful and entertaining professors from the country’s most prestigious universities and asked them to provide their single most fascinating lecture. You can listen to live-streamed talks with these professors, access hundreds of these “best-selected lectures” and participate in small group discussions with peers. There is a free limited-trial, but you will eventually have to pay $8.99 per month for access. Academic Earth Whether you are looking for a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or even a doctorate, Academic Earth has the lessons to get you on your path to more knowledge. They’ve been around since 2009, offering free online college courses from the world’s top universities. Explore more than 60 complete courses in art, business, engineering, humanities, medicine, science, math and more! If you are just looking to dip your toe in the water with e-learning, YouTube is a good choice. You can also explore thousands of the free apps available for download to your phone, like Duolingo, PictureThis and Brainly. Source...  Your house, and what it contains, is a minefield in the eyes of your grown children. They can see from your example that collections of stuff are a curse; such objects are superfluous to a life well lived. They want a clean, clear field in which to live their lives. Your grown children will not agree to be the recipients of your downsizing if it means their up sizing. The following list of the "Top Ten Objects Your Kids Do Not Want" (by author, Elizabeth Stewart) was inspired by conversations with family as well as by similar conversations with hundreds of boomer clients and their millennial heirs. There is a remedy for dealing with each: No. 10: Books Unless your grown kids are professors, they don't want your books. There are a couple common mistakes my clients make in valuing books: The 17th-century books are likely to be theological or grammar-based, and are not rare. The 19th-century books are probably not in good condition, and since most came in a series or set, it's unlikely you'll have a full (valuable) set. Remedy: If you think the book is relatively common plug the title, author, year of publication, and publisher into a resource, such as Biblio.com. Once you have background information, call a book antiquarian. No. 9: Paper Ephemera Things like family snapshots, old greeting cards and postcards are called paper ephemera. Old photos are not worth anything unless the sitter is a celebrity or linked with an important historical event or the subject is extremely macabre, like a death memorial image. Old greeting cards are not valuable unless handmade by a famous artist or sent by Jackie O. Postcards are valued mainly for the stamps. Remedy: Take all your family snapshots and have them made into digital files. The other option is to sell those old snapshots to greeting card publishers who use them on funny cards or give family photos to image archive businesses like Getty. If the archive is a not-for-profit, take the donation write-off. No. 8: Steamer Trunks, Sewing Machines and Film Projectors Trust me, every family has at least three steamer trunks from the 19th century. They are so abundant that they are not valuable, unless the maker is Louis Vuitton, Asprey, Goyard or some other famous luggage house. Likewise, every family has an old sewing machine. They are rarely valuable. And every family has a projector for home movies. Thrift stores are full of these items, so, unless your family member was a professional and the item is top-notch, yours can go there as well. Remedy: Donate this category and don't look back. No. 7: Porcelain Figurine Collections and Bradford Exchange “Cabinet” Plates These collections of frogs, chickens, bells, shoes, flowers, bees, trolls, ladies in big gowns, pirates, monks, figures on steins, dogs, horses, pigs, cars, babies, Hummel's, and Precious Moments are not desired by your grown children, grandchildren or any other relation. Even though they are filled with memories of those who gave them to your mom, they have no market value. And they do not fit into the Zen-like tranquil aesthetic of a 20- or 30-something's home. Remedy: Find a retirement home that does a gift exchange at Christmas and donate the figurines. If you want to hold on to a memory of your mom's collection, have a professional photographer set them up, light them well and make a framed photo for your wall. Collector's plates will not sell anywhere to anyone. Donate these to a retirement village as well or to anyone who will take them. No. 6: Silver-Plated Objects Your grown children will not polish silver-plate, this I can guarantee. If you give them covered casserole dishes, meat platters, candy dishes, serving bowls, tea services, gravy boats, butter dishes and candelabra, you will be persona-non-grata. They might polish sterling silver flatware and objects, but they won't polish the silver-plated items your mom entertained with. The exception may be silver-plated items from Cristofle, Tiffany, Cartier, Asprey, and other manufacturers of note. Remedy: None. Give it away to any place or person who will take it. No. 5: Heavy, Dark, Antique Furniture There is still a market for this sort of furniture, and that market, in the fashionable areas of the U.S., is most often the secondhand shop. You'll receive less than a quarter of purchase price if you sell on consignment in one. Unless your furniture is mid-century modern, there's a good chance you will have to pay someone to take it off your hands. Remedy: Donate it and take a non-cash charitable contribution using fair market valuation. Use reporting services such as P4A.com to find where this class of furniture sells. No. 4: Persian Rugs The modern tranquility aimed for in the décor of the 20- to 30-somethings does not lend itself to a collection of multicolored (and sometimes threadbare) Persian rugs. Remedy: The high-end market is still collecting in certain parts of the U.S. (think Martha's Vineyard), but unless the rug is rare, it is one of the hardest things to sell these days. If you think the value of the rug is below $2,000, it will be a hard sell. Like antique furniture, it may be best to donate. No. 3: Linens Go ahead, offer to send your daughter five boxes of hand-embroidered pillowcases, guest towels, napkins, and table linens. She might not even own an iron or ironing board, and she definitely doesn't set that kind of table. Remedy: Source those needlewomen who make handmade Christening clothes, wedding dresses, and quinceañera gowns. Also, often you can donate linens to costume shops of theaters and deduct the donation. A site like P4a.com has auction results to establish the fair market value of such objects. No. 2: Sterling Silver Flatware and Crystal Wine Services Unless the scrap value for silver is high enough for a meltdown, matching sets of sterling flatware are hard to sell because they rarely go for "antique" value. Formal entertaining is not a priority these days. And of course, sterling must be hand-washed and dried. Can you see your kids choosing to use the silver? Same goes for crystal. Remedy: Sites like Replacements.com offer matching services for folks who DO enjoy silver flatware and have recognized patterns. Because they sell per piece, and therefore buy per piece, sellers get a rather good price. Sell your whole silver service; it will be "pieced out." Unless your crystal is Lalique, Moser, Steuben, Baccarat or another great name, you will not be able to sell your "nice set." Give "unknown maker" sets away, fast. No. 1: Fine Porcelain Dinnerware Your grown children may not want to store four sets of fancy porcelain dinnerware, and frankly don't see the glory in unpacking it once a year for a holiday or event. Just remember: your grown kids and grown grand kids DO NOT want and will NEVER want five or more fine china services. They don't even want one. They do not see the logic. Remedy: Like silverware, china is something to consider for sale to a replacement matching service like Replacements.com. Know your pattern to get a quote from one. Because such replacement companies buy per piece, the aggregate of the selling price is always more than a bulk sale at a consignment store, which might be your only other option. For more info on the topic of Downsizing, Click Here. |
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