West Valley - August 2024 by The Grand Season

SUMMER FOOTWEAR SALE!*

Beat the Heat

It’s hard to believe it’s actually August! I don’t know about you, but watching the Olympics the last couple of weeks has been a great distraction from the incredible heat we’ve been experiencing. Go Team USA!!

The last couple of months have been tough for The Grand Season family. We’ve experienced the loss of two of our former colleagues, Bill Armstrong and Wayne Leuck. Both of these men made incredible contributions to The Grand Season.

Bill and his wife, LaDonna, started the magazine over 20 years ago, and he has been a staple in our community ever since. Please keep both Bill and Wayne’s families in your thoughts as they learn to move forward without their loved ones.

If you’re going through a difficult season, hopefully this month’s The Grand Season will help you shake some of your blues away.

Also, if your home is in need of repair, I hope you’ll reach out to one of our amazing advertising partners to help give your home a little TLC—you’ll not only receive incredible craftmanship, you’ll support the local economy.

As always, thanks for your support of The Grand Season and our advertisers.

Melissa Whitton Associate Publisher/Editor

INSPIRE TRUST YOURSELF

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with.

Wayne Dyer

You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.

Eleanor Roosevelt

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.

Golda Meir

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.

Brené Brown

Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.

E.E. Cummings

If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.

Thomas Alva Edison

It is confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures.

Oprah Winfrey

YOU BE SOCIAL

Staying close to family and friends is often vital to aging well and living a long, meaningful life. Sadly, loneliness can be a catch-22: As people age, they are more likely to encounter physical or mental challenges that may make socializing more difficult. Yet, making connections may reduce the likelihood of experiencing such problems.

At the same time, as people get older, some of the friends and loved ones who used to navigate life with them may no longer be around. In no particular order, here are some low-cost ways you can meet new people or connect with friends you’ve lost touch with.

1. Organize a reunion. Reach out on social media or through alumni groups to former school, workplace or summer camp chums who are presumably just as eager to rekindle relationships.

2. Take a trip. Where have you always wanted to go? Now may be the time to take that trip, budget and health permitting.

3. Walk your dog. If you are able, caring for a pet will not only provide loving companionship at home but will afford you the chance to meet other people who adore their own furry family members.

4. Reach out to strangers. Never mind that you were long ago taught not to talk to strangers. Tiny Habits author, BJ Fogg, suggests visiting a park at the same time each day. Note the other people you see around. If you feel comfortable, strike up a conversation with people who appear approachable.

5. Follow your purpose. Think of three things you enjoy doing the most—cooking, gardening, reading stories, sports, whatever. Or make a list of the things you have wanted to learn more about. Then poke around to find a free class online or at a local community college or university.

Duct tape remedy for warts: Cover wart completely with duct tape. Leave it on for six days. On day seven, remove the tape, soak the wart and use a pumice stone or emery board to rub the dead skin off. Repeat until it’s gone. No chemicals, and it takes about the same amount of time to work as expensive medicines you buy at the drugstore.

DINING GUIDE

Jim’s Burgers & Eggs With this coupon. Not valid with other offers. Expires 9/15/24.

Strawberry Lemonade Cream Cheese Poke Cake

FOOD INGREDIENTS

For the Strawberry Cake Mix

1 box Lemon cake mix

1 3 oz box strawberry flavored Jello

¾ cup vegetable oil

1 cup warm water

3 eggs

For the Lemonade Cream Cheese Filling

2 8 oz pkgs cream cheese

¾ cup frozen lemonade concentrate

5 oz can evaporated milk

1 3.4 oz box lemon instant pudding and pie filling

1 8 oz container cool whip

Optional: sliced strawberries and lemon slices

DIRECTIONS

For the Strawberry Cake

Preheat oven to 350° and spray a 9 x 13 glass baking dish with a nonstick spray. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix, Jello, eggs, oil and water until well incorporated. Pour into prepared baking dish and bake for 39-42 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. While cake is still hot, poke holes with the end of a wooden spoon all over the top of the cake. Let cool completely.

For the Lemonade Cream Cheese Filling

In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese for 3 minutes on medium speed until creamy. Pour lemonade concentrate into cream cheese and beat until well blended. In a small mixing bowl, beat evaporated milk and pudding mix for approximately 45 seconds. Add pudding mix to cream cheese mixture and beat until well incorporated. Spoon some of the lemonade filling mixture into a sandwich baggie and cut a small opening in the corner of the baggie. Squeeze filling into each hole and then spread the remaining filling mixture over the top of the cake. Cover with plastic wrap, chill for 4 hours and then top with cool whip and sliced strawberries and lemon wedges before serving.

DOWN, BUT NOT OUT

We’ve all had moments in our lives when we feel sad or down in the dumps. But if weeks go by and those feelings linger, it may be depression. More than mere sadness, depression can suck the joy out of life and leave you feeling overwhelmed—in some cases, unable to function.

The good news: Depression is very treatable. Before taking action, here are some things to know about this common condition.

Depression can hurt.

Sadness is a symptom we’re all familiar with, but depression symptoms aren’t limited to the mind. “In older people, depression tends to manifest itself more often with physical symptoms than in younger people. Common symptoms: headaches, joint pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite and gastrointestinal issues.

Women are particularly prone to depression.

Women are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed than men. Some suspect this is due to hormonal

fluctuations, particularly during menopause. Others believe that women may be more prone to chronic stress.

Symptoms of depression can look different when we’re older.

Some of us are genetically predisposed to developing depression. Unfortunately, the disorder often goes untreated in older adults, in part because their depression can be challenging to diagnose. Rather than the “classic” symptoms of sadness, fearfulness or hopelessness, older adults tend to display symptoms such as irritability, a lack of motivation or energy, or a disruption in sleep patterns or appetite.

Exercise can boost your mood.

Experts agree, managing depression is about more than just ‘Take this pill,” It’s also engaging in healthy behaviors that can help to move the depression along. Experts agree the simplest, most effective treatment for depression is exercise.

What will Kevin Costner do? He poured his heart and $38 million of his own money into “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1,” the epic western of his dreams. It cost between $50-$100 million to produce and opened to a dismal $12.4 million. “Chapter 2,” which was due on Aug. 16 but has since been indefinitely delayed, has to gross big time in order for him to complete “Chapter 3.” Can he raise the money to finish “Chapter 3” and start “Chapter 4”? If “Chapter 2” flops, he may have to rethink “Chapter 3” and “Chapter 4.”

Director Wes Anderson’s first film, “Bottle Rocket” (1996), cost $5 million and only grossed $560,069. Two years later, his second film, “Rushmore,” starred Bill Murray, cost $9 million, and grossed $19 million. In 2001, he gave us “The Royal Tenenbaums,” with Murray once again; it was abetted by Danny Glover, Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, and Luke and Owen Wilson. The all-star cast catapulted the box-office earnings to $71.4 million from a $21-million cost.

Install

Dinner and a Movie!

Puzzle

CRYING IS GOOD FOR YOU

Go ahead, have a good cry. Far from a sign of weakness or source of shame, psychologists say giving in to your tears is an important coping mechanism and a form of mental hygiene.

“Crying can be an important way to communicate and connect with others,” says Daniel Coletti, a clinical psychologist.

Here, a few more specific reasons to let tears flow.

1. You’ll actually feel better afterward.

Shannon O’Neill, a psychologist, says crying is a sign that you need to pay attention to something your body is reacting to. Doing that, she says, allows you to acknowledge emotions you may or may not have fully recognized. Leo Newhouse, a social worker, similarly says that once you allow yourself to read the body’s signal that something is significantly bothering you, you’re better able to accept what you’re feeling and work toward a sense of calm.

Crying can also make you feel better in the short term, thanks to how it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, a kind of internal regulator of how our body spends energy. The PNS is often referred to as the “rest and digest” state. “Once crying activates the PNS, you’ll begin to feel calm,” O’Neill says.

2. You’ll lessen your stress.

Along with activating the parasympathetic nervous system, crying kicks off other physiological responses that can improve your well-being. When you’re under pressure, your body releases the hormone cortisol. When allowed to build up over time, cortisol can become physically harmful. But after you’ve had that cry, cortisol levels decrease and your body releases other hormones that can act as a sedative, creating a sense of calm.

Tears, says Colleti, also release oxytocin and endorphins, hormones that can help you feel a sense of inner calm and well-being. As a result, after a cry, you are likely to feel soothed, calmer and even physically relieved of some degree of pain.

3. You’ll create stronger social bonds

Crying not only elicits support from others, it can promote closeness and appears to strengthen social connections. When you’re emotionally moved, you tend to be more connected with humanity. Women tend to cry more than men, and psychologists believe this helps them form tighter bonds with others through, among other things, establishing “a feeling of safety” within a group, Coletti says.

RELATIONSHIP REFRESHER

Here’s relationship advice everyone needs to remember...

1. Tell your partner you love them every night before falling asleep. Someday you’ll find the other side of the bed empty and wish you could.

2. Never keep score in love. Scoreboards are for sports games, not marriages.

3. Laugh until you cry. Laughing together goes a long way to smooth the inevitable bumps in the road.

4. Never stop dating. Marriages don’t get boring, until you stop trying.

5. Do one act of service for your partner every day, but never tell them about it. Take out the trash, refill the soap dispenser, put away the shoes. Tiny acts of love and respect add up over time.

6. It can’t always be 50/50. Sometimes it will be 90/10, sometimes it will be 10/90. All that matters is it averages out.

7. Maintain interests and passions separate from your partner’s. Marriage should not be the end of individuality.

8. Every relationship is a work in progress. The mutual desire for improvement is what builds a lifelong bond.

9. You cannot take care of your partner if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Make a list of your daily needs to feel good. Make sure you and your partner are able to accomplish that list.

10. Always be quick to say, “I’m sorry.” If you are struggling to apologize, go for a short walk, breathe, and try again. It’s always worth it.

11. Don’t sweat small stuff. If there’s something bothering you, ask whether it will matter in one month. If not, let it go right now.

12. Start every day with a hug or a kiss. It’s a simple reminder of your love that goes a long way.

13. Keep doing the little things. A note under the pillow, a surprise bouquet, a peck on the cheek. Romance never goes out of style.

14. It doesn’t have to be perfect for it to be wonderful. There has never been a perfect relationship, but there have been many wonderful ones.

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If you are concerned how far your dollar will go, or if you worry about the effect inflation will have on your retirement, CALL / TEXT 623-850-4522 to schedule a FREE personalized in-home consultation. www.pugsleyandsons.com

AAA SENIOR PLACEMENT AZ

A Message from Sue Royer

“I was born and raised in inner city Chicago, the sixth of eighteen children with fifteen brothers. Being the oldest daughter, I was always a caregiver which I believe influenced me to pursue work in the healthcare industry. Today, I have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Years ago, I volunteered for hospice and knew immediately that helping seniors was my calling. I was soon employed by hospice but I felt something was missing. I realized it was the limited time I was able to spend with my clients. Having my own business allows me to provide the intimate hands on service needed in our community. I am committed to our seniors throughout their lives and I thank the community for the opportunity to serve.”

Sue RoyerDirector

About Us

Since 2002, AAA Senior Placement AZ has been offering FREE services helping seniors find safe, affordable and loving assisted living.

When it becomes too difficult for you or your loved ones to safely manage daily living and/or manage medical needs, call Sue Royer for help navigating the many options available.

We are specialists in all levels of assisted living care resources with referrals to Arizona’s best:

• Group Homes

• Assisted Living Communities

• In-Home Primary Care Physicians

• Home Health Care Therapy

• Transportation

• Private Duty In-Home Care

• Respite Care

• Alzheimer’s Care

• Memory Care

• Hospice

• Support Groups