RIDDLE OF THE WEEK
Q: I’m tall when I’m young, and short when I’m old. What am I?
(Answer at the bottom!)
🧠 HEALTH: Presidential Habits: What History Teaches Us About Longevity
Many U.S. presidents modeled (and publicly discussed) health habits that still matter in retirement: consistent movement, time outdoors, and routine.
For retirees, the lesson isn’t politics—it’s physiology: regular walking supports circulation, mobility, mood, and heart health.
🧭 This Week’s Tip: The “Presidential Walk”
Try 15 minutes outdoors without headphones—just a steady pace and quiet reflection.
Walk during daylight for warmth and visibility
Dress in layers; protect hands and ears
Keep it simple: consistency beats intensity
💬 Dennis M., 71, from Richmond, VA, started a no-headphones walk after lunch: “I thought I needed motivation. Turns out I needed quiet. The walking helps my joints. The silence helps my mind.”
🔗 Sources:
CDC – Physical Activity Basics for Older Adults
National Institute on Aging – Exercise and Physical Activity
American Heart Association – Benefits of Walking
💰 WEALTH: What Presidents’ Day Teaches Us About Legacy and Long-Term Value
Presidents are remembered for what they built and stood for—not what they bought. That’s a strong retirement reminder: long-term value isn’t only investments; it’s clarity, preparation, and what you pass forward.
📜 Action Step: Write a “Values Addendum” to Your Will
This is not a legal document—just a personal letter you store with your estate plan to explain:
What you want your money to do (education, stability, generosity, faith, opportunity)
What you learned about work, responsibility, or resilience
What you hope your family remembers beyond finances
💬 Elaine R., 75, from Mesa, AZ, wrote a one-page letter to keep with her will: “My kids know what they’re receiving. I wanted them to know what mattered to me while I was earning it.”
🔗 Sources:
IRS – Estate and Gift Tax Basics
AARP – Estate Planning and End-of-Life Planning Resources
U.S. Courts / general guidance on organizing estate documents (estate planning overview resources)
😂 JOKE OF THE WEEK
Why did the history book look so relaxed?
Because it already knew how everything turned out. 📚😄
❤️ RELATIONSHIPS: Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday: The Courage to Speak Up
Feb 15 marks the birthday of Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906), a leading figure in the women’s suffrage movement. Her legacy is a reminder that voices shape families and futures—not just laws.
📬 Prompt: Reach out to someone younger and tell them: “I believe in your voice.”
Then ask one empowering question:
“What do you wish adults understood about your generation?”
“What are you afraid to say out loud?”
“What do you want to stand for?”
💬 Darlene W., 78, from Rochester, NY, texted her niece: “I believe in your voice.” She said: “She replied instantly. That one line opened a conversation we should’ve had years ago.”
🔗 Sources:
National Women’s History Museum – Susan B. Anthony Biography
National Archives – 19th Amendment (historical context for suffrage)
🎨 HOBBIES: Presidents in Portrait: A Creative History Challenge
This week’s creativity challenge blends art and memory. Pick a president you find fascinating and create something simple: a sketch, a mini-painting, a collage, or even a haiku.
Creative hobbies can support mood and cognitive engagement in older adulthood.
📸 Optional Sharing Idea: Share your creation with:
A retirement group bulletin board
A grandchild doing history in school
Your library’s community table
💬 Tom K., 69, from St. Louis, MO, wrote a 3-line poem about Lincoln: “I’m not ‘artistic.’ But it got me reading history again. I forgot how much I enjoy learning.”
🔗 Sources:
National Endowment for the Arts – Arts Participation and Older Adults (general resources)
Library of Congress – Presidential history resources
🧘 SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Serve Quietly. Lead Boldly.
The strongest leadership often looks like quiet service. This week, do one small act that benefits someone else without needing credit.
✅ Pick One:
Shovel a neighbor’s walkway
Call someone who’s alone
Pick up litter during your walk
Write a thank-you note to a worker who rarely hears it
💬 Frank B., 77, from Cleveland, OH, keeps a spare snow shovel in his trunk: “If I see an older neighbor struggling, I help and keep moving. It’s not a performance. It’s practice.”
🔗 Sources:
Greater Good Science Center – Prosocial Behavior and Wellbeing (research summaries)
Harvard Health – Social connection and wellbeing (topic resources)
🍲 SEASONAL RECIPE: Presidential Cornbread Casserole
Cornmeal dishes were a common, practical staple in 19th-century America.
This version adds fiber and protein for a hearty winter meal.
Ingredients:
1 box cornbread mix (or homemade cornbread batter)
1 can black beans (rinsed/drained)
1 bell pepper, diced
1 cup sharp cheddar
Optional: corn kernels, diced onion, pinch of cayenne
Instructions: Mix add-ins into batter, pour into baking dish, bake per cornbread directions. Serve warm.
🇺🇸 HOLIDAY RECOGNITION
Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 16, 2026
This is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the third Monday in February. It is officially Washington’s Birthday and is commonly used to honor U.S. presidents and reflect on leadership.
🎩 Journal Prompt: What kind of leader have I been in my family or community—and what would I change?
Susan B. Anthony Day – Sunday, February 15
Susan B. Anthony’s birthday is recognized in various ways across the U.S., including formal observances in some states and widespread recognition through historical and educational programs.
💬 Quote to Reflect On: “Failure is impossible.”
🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER
🔍 Answer: A candle.
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