Issue 39: The Retirement Buzz

Gratitude in Motion: Gathering, Giving, Grounding

Author

Retirement Dreammaker
November 30, 2025

RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

Q: What kind of music do pilgrims like?

(Answer at the bottom)

Heartburn on the Menu? Holiday Foods to Watch

Thanksgiving favorites can turn uncomfortable fast for those prone to acid reflux, GERD, or gallbladder sensitivity.

Trigger foods include:

  • Creamy casseroles

  • Chocolate desserts

  • Spiced gravies

  • Citrus-based marinades

  • Alcohol and carbonated drinks

Pro Tips:

  • Eat smaller portions

  • Avoid lying down for 2–3 hours after eating

  • Sip ginger tea to naturally reduce bloating and acid

💬 “I keep ginger chews in my pocket,” says Don R., 72, who manages GERD. “They help more than most meds after a big meal.”

🔍 Backed by:

  • Cleveland Clinic – Holiday Heartburn Prevention

  • Mayo Clinic – GERD Triggers & Management

Cyber Monday Tips for Retirees: Shop Smart, Stay Safe

With Cyber Monday on Dec 2, scammers are gearing up as much as retailers.

Key Safety Tips:

  • Shop only on secure (https) websites

  • Use credit cards with fraud protection

  • Avoid pop-up ads and email deals from unknown senders

  • Don’t store payment info on retail sites

💡 Bonus: Price tracking tools like Honey or CamelCamelCamel help you spot fake “deals.”

💬 “I set a Cyber Monday budget just like groceries,” says Lorraine W., 76. “It helps me shop with joy, not regret.”

🔍 Backed by:

  • FTC – Holiday Online Shopping Scams

  • AARP Fraud Watch Network – Safe Digital Shopping for Seniors

😂 JOKE OF THE WEEK

What sound does a turkey’s phone make?

Wing, wing! 📞🦃

Who’s Missing from the Table?

The holidays often highlight absence—of loved ones passed, friends lost, or family far away.

Ways to honor those missing:

  • Set an empty chair or light a candle

  • Share a favorite memory during the meal

  • Cook “their” recipe and say their name aloud

💬 “My husband always carved the turkey,” says Betty J., 81. “Now my grandson does. We all say, ‘Grandpa taught you well.’”

🔍 Inspired by:

  • Harvard Health – Grieving During the Holidays

  • Modern Loss – Coping with Holiday Absence

Retirees Are Leading the Holiday Decor Revival

This year’s trend isn’t about glitz—it’s about heart. Retirees are reviving handmade, nostalgic decorations with stories behind them.

Popular Projects:

  • Handmade felt garlands

  • Sewn ornaments from leftover fabric

  • Painted gratitude signs

  • Photo memory trees with grandkids’ faces

📌 Tip: Many libraries and senior centers offer free ornament swaps or community craft days.

💬 “We do a ‘craft & cocoa’ day with the great-grandkids,” says June A., 79. “We make memories while we make decorations.”

🔍 Supported by:

  • Etsy 2025 Holiday Trends

  • Good Housekeeping – DIY Holiday Décor for All Ages

Saying Thanks—Not Just for the Big Stuff

Gratitude doesn’t have to come from major blessings. Often, it grows from the micro-moments we pause to notice.

Try This: Each morning this week, name:

  • One comfort

  • One kindness

  • One moment of joy

💬 “This week, I’m grateful for my cane, my neighbor, and my cat,” says Oscar M., 84. “That’s enough for me.”

🔍 Verified by:

  • Greater Good Science Center – The Neuroscience of Gratitude

  • Harvard Health – The Science of Daily Thankfulness

🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER

🎵 Answer: Music.

🎖️ MILITARY & HOLIDAY RECOGNITIONS

🇺🇸 November 27 – Thanksgiving Day (U.S. Federal Holiday)

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. 

It originated as a harvest festival in the early 1600s and became a federal holiday in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared it a day of “thanksgiving and praise.”

The holiday honors gratitude, community, and resilience. It is traditionally marked by a shared meal and is recognized for its cultural and historical significance in American life.

📻 CIVIC RECOGNITION: 📅 Nov 29 – National Day of Listening

Created by StoryCorps in 2008, this day encourages Americans to record interviews with family and friends—preserving personal history for future generations.

🔍 StoryCorps DIY Interview Guide

Prompts to Ask:

  • What were your grandparents like?

  • What’s a life lesson you’ve learned the hard way?

  • What do you hope people remember about you?

📌 Tip: Use your phone’s voice recorder or the free StoryCorps app to save and share interviews easily.

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