AARP Rewards Community Learning & Earning Contest August 2022

I do the quizzes, as well as watch the videos in the health section on AARP, also joined a workout group that includes yoga, meditation as well as work outs. I have adopted new food groups, such as nuts and other vegetables to add to the natural vitamins and nutrients that will help me physically and mentally. I am a member of AARP. 

This is what I do:  I drink, I garden, and I know things!

(can't claim this as original, as it came from a sign hanging by the back door . . . )

Seriously, though:  gardening, reading, word games and puzzles, writing, jewelry-making, house renovations.  And daily exercise!

I start my day by reading the news online from several sources. Then, I play Wordl, Spelling Bee, NYT Mini crossword and Phoodl. I take quizzes and read every night before bed. My husband and I discuss current events on our daily walks. And we watch Jeopardy every night and play along.

How I keep my brain active 1. I watch the local & national news every morning 2. I talk to family & friends every day 3. I read and 4. I honor the Sabath Day.

I recently retired, but all my life I have enjoyed doing crosswords and playing scrabble. Ever since I joined AARP, I have learned a lot about keeping my brain sharp. It seems like I was doing the right things all along. I have always been a nature lover. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania in the sixties, my family only had one car which dad took to work. My mom would take us kids on walks daily. All of these things are things I continue do to keep mentally sound. When I’m sad I take a walk. Good advice from mom.

I enjoy sewing, especially when I am modifying a pattern or even just trying to figure out how to make something I saw online! Instructions are sometimes lacking. Last Christmas, I made some gifts for my newborn granddaughter, including a cloth cube ornament on which I embroidered her name and birth date, as well as "First Christmas." It took a lot of experimenting since I had to look around at many places and pull together resources to figure out letter shapes and sizes for my needs.

I believe the best way to keep my brain active is thru variety, not only in subjects but in physical activity. I take online quizzes covering multiple subjects, read a variety of articles, try to learn new skills, take walks, play softball and disc golf, tutor my grandkids, and try new things as often as I can. So a variety of experiences in learning, teaching and doing keeps my mind active.

I play games on the computer such as mahjong, free cell, solitaire and pyramid, some of which are timed.  I also do puzzles on the computer and word games. I also enjoy reading.

After retiring a few months ago, I started painting rocks and leaving them around the neighborhood for others to find and enjoy. I haven't painted since my last art class 52 years ago, but I'm loving it and so are my neighbors when they eventually figure out who left them.

I like to keep making quilts.  It is like putting a puzzle together in many cases.  It keeps my brain active and also my creativity is stimulated.  

An AARP friend