Kendal at Oberlin Blog

At a recent creative non-fiction conference I attended, the organizer asked the 300 writers what kind of book they were writing or interested in writing. When “memoir” was mentioned, almost everyone’s hand went up.

“Once upon a time, fiction ruled the market. Today, however, nonfiction is just as heavily competitive – and memoir is a key corner of that genre,” writes Jack Smith in The Writer.

My mother rarely turned down a dinner invitation or get-together with friends. In later years when she lamented that her “social calendar” was skimpy, she tried to find creative ways to fill it.

But like many older adults, my mother also cherished solitude, often with a good book, devotional or Lexi, her toy fox terrier, in her lap.

For many of us, the holidays bring out our best as we go the extra mile to make a special gift for a loved one, plan a dinner party for friends or donate money to our favorite charity.

But for con artists, holidays bring out the worst as they look for new and clever ways to prey on our generous spirits, especially those of older adults.

Like every chapter of their lives, Baby Boomers have redefined what it means to work and play, form relationships and find inner peace, and now grow old.

Even our language is undergoing a change as we talk about Boomers. For some Boomers, full retirement age is defined by Social Security as 65, for others 66 or 67. But many “retired” Boomers are or plan to continue working.

If you’re thinking about moving to a retirement community, condo or smaller home, you’ve probably read an article or two about downsizing and these 3 key points are not new:

1. Your children don’t want your stuff;
2. Your stuff isn’t worth what you think it is;
3. You have too much stuff.

I am a native Buckeye and have lived in Ohio almost my entire life. Yet, I still find new places to explore and old favorites worth a second or — in the case of Lake Erie — 100th visit.  

It was June 1970, New York City. I had just graduated from a Cincinnati high school and was riding in a taxicab with my friend Mary Gene, heading to Star Lake Camp for a summer job.

The radio was on:  

I like books and I like lists and I’m a baby boomer so I’ve got a bucket list, which is why this book got my attention: 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich.

We know the value of an annual physical. After reviewing blood and urine samples, taking our blood pressure, administering an EKG and other tests, our doctor can give us a good picture of our physical health.  

But what about our brain health?

There are currently estimated to be over 46 million people worldwide living with dementia, and by 2050 the number of people affected is set to rise to over 131 million.