Issue 49: The Retirement Buzz

RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

Q: What kind of flower blooms between your nose and your chin?

(Answer at the bottom)

🧠 HEALTH: Heart Check: February is American Heart Month for a Reason

February isn’t just about Valentine’s—it’s also American Heart Month, a national campaign reminding us to take cardiovascular health seriously. For retirees, the stakes are high: heart disease remains the #1 cause of death for adults over 65, according to the CDC.

🩺 What to Do This Week:

• Get a blood pressure check—either at a pharmacy kiosk or during a quick visit to your doctor.

• Review your medications and cholesterol levels.

• Consider adding omega-3-rich foods (like salmon or walnuts) and walking 30 minutes a day to your routine.

• Limit daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg or less, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension.

💬 James C., 73, from Tulsa, OK, started walking every morning after a minor heart scare: “Just a mile a day made a difference. I feel stronger—and I sleep better, too.”

🔗 Sources:

• CDC: Heart Disease Facts

• American Heart Association: Life’s Essential 8

💰 WEALTH: The Price of Love: Budgeting for Celebrations Without Regret

Valentine’s Day is a time for giving—but many retirees accidentally overspend when emotions lead the charge. Whether it’s flowers, chocolates, or shipping care packages to grandkids, small expenses can snowball if not tracked.

💡 Simple Strategy: The 3-Envelope System

• Spend: Set a cap for gifts, meals, or cards.

• Save: Tuck away a little extra for future birthdays or holidays.

• Share: Allocate a portion for charitable giving or spontaneous generosity.

💌 Bonus Tip: Handwritten letters or homemade crafts often have more emotional value than store-bought gifts—and cost far less.

💬 Carol A., 68, from Sarasota, FL, budgets $50 each Valentine’s Day using envelopes labeled for each grandchild. “They don’t care about the money. They remember the personal touch.”

🔗 Sources:

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Holiday Budgeting

• AARP Money Tips: Managing Emotional Spending

😂 JOKE OF THE WEEK

Why did the skeleton send a Valentine?

Because he had a lot of heart... just not much flesh! 💌🦴

❤️ RELATIONSHIPS: Valentine’s Isn’t Just for Couples—Reconnect With Anyone You Love

This week is a celebration of all forms of love, not just romance. According to a study in the Journal of Positive Psychology, people who write letters of appreciation experience a measurable increase in emotional resilience and happiness.

📬 Try This:

• Write a 1-page letter to someone you admire, miss, or want to reconnect with.

• Include a memory, a compliment, or a simple "thank you for being part of my life."

• Mail it or read it aloud on a call.

💬 Evelyn T., 76, from Denver, CO, sent her high school best friend a handwritten letter after 20 years. “She called me in tears. We talk every month now.”

🔗 Sources:

• Journal of Positive Psychology: Gratitude and Letters

• Greater Good Science Center: Writing for Connection

🎨 HOBBIES: Handmade, Heartfelt: Try a Simple Valentine Craft

Crafting offers more than creativity—it also supports mental health and memory retention. 

According to the National Institute on Aging, engaging in tactile hobbies can reduce anxiety and promote brain flexibility.

🧶 Craft Ideas to Try:

• Valentine Bookmarks using scrapbook paper, ribbon, and printed love quotes

• Watercolor note cards with hand-painted hearts or florals

• Baked goods wrapped in personalized paper sleeves

• Memory jars with slips of “reasons I love you” for family members

💬 Bernie & Lila S., 71 and 73, host a grandkid craft day each February: “They decorate cookies, we make valentines, and they hear old stories. It’s chaotic—but beautiful.”

🔗 Sources:

• National Institute on Aging: Benefits of Hobbies

• Etsy Trends 2026: Handmade Valentine Crafts

🧘 SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Legacy as Love: Reflections from Lincoln’s Life

Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb 12) reminds us of service, humility, and values that outlive us. As we age, reflecting on legacy isn’t about ego—it’s about impact.

🕯️ Reflection Prompt:

What part of your life will still speak when you’re no longer here? You don’t have to be president to make a difference. A kind tradition, a handwritten recipe, or a story told again and again—all can echo beyond you.

💬 Walter B., 79, from Chicago, recorded short audio stories about his childhood to gift to his grandchildren: “Someday, they’ll hear my voice and remember they come from strong roots.”

🔗 Sources:

• Lincoln Presidential Foundation

• StoryCorps Legacy Project

🍲 SEASONAL RECIPE: Dark Chocolate Cherry Oat Bars

A heart-healthy, fiber-rich treat that satisfies sweet cravings without the sugar crash.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups rolled oats

• 1/2 cup almond flour

• 1/3 cup maple syrup

• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1/2 cup dried cherries

• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

• Optional: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed for omega-3s

Instructions:

1. Mix oats, flour, and flaxseed.

2. Stir in syrup, oil, and vanilla.

3. Fold in cherries and chocolate chips.

4. Press into a greased 8x8 pan.

5. Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes. Cool and slice.

💡 Freezer-friendly: Store extras in parchment for up to 3 weeks.

🇺🇸 HOLIDAY RECOGNITION

Lincoln’s Birthday – Thursday, February 12, 2026

While not a federal holiday, many states still observe Abraham Lincoln’s birthday to honor his leadership and unwavering moral compass. His legacy reminds retirees of the power of quiet integrity and service to others.

🖋️ Quote to Reflect On: “In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”

Valentine’s Day – Saturday, February 14, 2026

More than candy hearts and flowers, Valentine’s Day is now celebrated as a universal day of love—for friends, family, caregivers, and yourself.

💘 Try This: Create a “Gratitude Valentine”—write five things you appreciate about someone, and mail or read it to them. No chocolates needed.

🔗 Sources:

• Smithsonian Magazine: History of Valentine’s Day

🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER

🔍 Answer: Your lips!

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