AARP Rewards Community Learning & Earning Contest August 2022

Crossword puzzles have interested me since I learned to read. I have decided to learn to work the puzzles with the calm patience I used with my students for 38 years. Starting slow and celebrating every correct word makes crossword puzzling fun for me!

When I, dramatically, failed a sleep study test in 2018 I gave no argument to going on a CPAP machine.  It was simple logic.  When you are waking up, even when you don't realize it, every few minutes your brain is not getting the rest or the proper amount of oxygen it needs during your sleep cycle to keep it healthy.  I've also put away the calculator and do all the math for my checkbook and other purposes manually, in the manner I was taught way back in grade school.  I have a clear path from the front of my house to the back so even when the weather is bad I can walk laps for 20 or 30 minutes without stopping everyday.  I've also learned that in your sixties fleeting thoughts, are exactly that.  If you decide to do something really focus on it for a few moments, so when you get to the room you're going to do it in, you're not asking yourself "What did I come in here for?"  

I read books ,and I go for long walks, I do some form of exercise every day .I also make sure I get enough sleep, drink water and eat well.

I sign up for free online classes from universities across the country. Sometimes I find a class that I may have never been interested in back in the day to be very interesting and informative!

I sign up for free art classes on Facebook Live-(buy supplies at the dollar store)-I'm not very good, but I have fun!

I have become a very active library user and besides finding new books to read, I will check out the cookbook sections and learn a new cuisine. Right now I'm working through Indian cooking. Delish!

I always sign up for Community Ed exercise classes, especially for those over 50. I'm doing yoga at the library and this fall I'll be learning to belly dance! To heck with those inhibitions!

Keeping engaged with other people is more challenging when you work from home. I volunteer for a food pantry weekly. Also I opened up my backyard as a Mini Dog Park to neighbors with small yards and under socialized dogs.My dog Turner has a new girlfriend now.

I watch documentaries on TV whether I do it on sat TV or streaming. I have purchased several GREAT COURSES programs. I research subjects online such as genealogy and follow the trail to places my ancestors have lived. And since I discovered the GAME SECTION on AARP I try to do several of these a day. I enjoy them and they challenge me sometimes and give me a "warm up" on my mousing and typing. There is never a boring day!

I have always loved all kinds of puzzles but logic problems, word games, and math puzzles help to keep my brain active. 

I like to do different types of puzzles to keep my mind active - spot the difference, Sudoku, crossword puzzles.  I also exercise every day which keeps my body active which helps keep my mind active.

Sudoku and Wordle online, jigsaw puzzles, zoom presentations on gardening and cooking and reading books and the newspaper.

Besides going to the YMCA 6 days a week, I eat plenty of fresh fruit including blackberries, bananas, blueberries, apples, oranges, grapes and raspberries. I include a salad with every dinner meal with lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, mini peppers and sliced mango.  When the weather is good I work in the yard digging up weed and cutting back the berry bushes.