West Valley - May 2023

Happy Mother’s Day!

Just looking at my calendar for this month makes me dizzy. I’m confident your mailbox (or email box) has more than a few invitations to graduation celebrations, and weddings before summer officially begins.

May provides us with many opportunities to celebrate the achievements of our extended family, celebrate our mothers, and thank those patriots who have served our country honorably.

As I was writing this month’s content, I was reminded how sometimes life’s transitions make some people feel stuck. If you know that feeling, or are looking for something new to make your transition to a new season of life a little easier, I hope this month’s magazine will provide you with some motivation.

Thank you for your support of The Grand Season and our local advertisers! I hope your May is filled with many memories as you celebrate the ones you love.

Now go out and celebrate!

Melissa Whitton Associate Publisher / Editor

Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.

Lou Holtz

People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing - that’s why we recommend it daily.

Zig Ziglar

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

Jim Ryun

Once something is a passion, the motivation is there.

Michael Schumacher

Motivation will almost always beat mere talent.

Norman Ralph Augustine

Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.

Roy T. Bennett

In my experience, there is only one motivation, and that is desire. No reasons or principle contain it or stand against it.

Jane Smiley

In life, an abundance of confidence gives us higher motivation, persistence, and optimism and can allow us to accomplish things we otherwise might not have undertaken.

Whitney Tilson

I’ll always use the negativity as more motivation to work even harder and become even stronger.

Tim Tebow

EMBRACE YOUR STRESS

After retirement, the commute, the deadlines, the demanding boss, and the nine-to-five monotony may be over, but that doesn’t mean your life will automatically be stress- and anxiety-free. You may worry about managing financially on a fixed income, coping with declining health, or adapting to a different relationship with your spouse now that you’re at home all day. The loss of identity, routine, and goals can impact your sense of self-worth, leave you feeling rudderless, or even lead to depression.

Whatever challenges you’re facing, there are healthy ways to ease stress and anxiety, better cope with change, and improve your mood, outlook, and overall well-being.

Adopt a relaxation practice.

Regularly practicing a relaxation technique such as meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, yoga, or tai chi can help ease anxiety and stress, lower your blood pressure, and improve your overall sense of well-being.

Get active. Physical exercise is a very effective way to boost your mood, relieve tension and stress, and help you feel more relaxed and positive as you get older. No matter your age or limitations in mobility, there are still ways for you to reap the benefits of regular exercise.

Practice gratitude. It can sound simplistic when you’re in the midst of a major life change, but noting the things you’re grateful for is a quick and easy way to improve your mood and outlook.

Spend time in nature. Spending time in green spaces can relieve stress, put a smile on your face, and deepen your sense of well-being. Try hiking, fishing, camping, or walking in a park, along a beach, or through the woods.

Having stress and challenges isn’t all bad for you. At manageable levels, stress can help you build resilience, solve problems, and stay focused, energetic, and engaged. Taking it too easy—spending your days napping, sitting on the couch, dozing in the sun, or watching TV, for example— won’t help keep your brain active and alert.

In fact, a total lack of challenges may even harm your health and lead to cognitive decline and memory problems. The key is to keep challenging your brain without letting stress build up to where it becomes overwhelming and you constantly feel frazzled or anxious.

1. Is the book of Simon (KJV) in the Old or New Testament? Or neither?

2. In a fit of anger, what did King Saul throw trying to kill David? Was it a spear, vase, shield or ax?

3. From Exodus 1, what were the people of Israel forced to make? Was it blankets, boats, baskets or bricks?

4. Who was the deceptive future father-in-law of Jacob? Was it Masa, Laban, Jehoram or Rehu?

5. What did Shamgar use to kill 600 Philistines? Was it a sword, stones, mina or ox goad?

6. How many deacons were chosen to help the apostles? Was it 4, 7, 11 or 15?

Looking

Jesse Olmedo, MD

James Barlow, MD Drew Reese, DO Hava Dodd, PA-C

Fine

FLASHBACK

Answers on pg. 29

1. Which artist netted a Grammy for his “I’d Do Anything for Love”?

2. Name the first group to release “Teach Your Children.”

3. Name the duo that released “Teardrops.”

4. Which artist released “Maybe I Know”?

5. Name the late 1980s song that contains these lyrics: “When no one else can understand me, When everything I do is wrong, You give me hope and consolation, You give me strength to carry on.”

1. In March 1973, what two New York Yankees pitchers announced they had swapped wives and families?

2. What basketball player from Poland, the WNBA’s all-time leader in shots blocked with 877, died from a cardiac arrest in 2011?

3. Longtime Sports Illustrated football writer Paul Zimmerman was better known to readers by what nickname?

4. Name the USA swimmer who won five gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics.

5. Who had more professional boxing career wins: Leon Spinks or his brother Michael?

1) Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson

2) Margo Dydek

3) Dr. Z.

4) Matt Biondi

5) Michael, with 31. Leon had 26.

BEST BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

DIrections

Preheat oven to 425°. Grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating to blend after each addition. Add sour cream, milk, and vanilla and beat until smooth. Fold in dry ingredients until only a few streaks of flour remain, then fold in 1 3/4 cups blueberries. Divide batter among prepared cups. Press remaining 1/2 cup blueberries into top of batter and sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon sparkling sugar.

HERE’S A TIP

To re-whiten socks or washcloths, try boiling a pot of water and adding a sliced, juiced lemon. Soak the items for at least an hour, and then pick out the lemon and add the pot—water and all —to a load of wash.

When washing out stockings, add a tablespoon of vinegar to the rinse water, and they will retain their elasticity better.

Dinner and a Movie!

Solve the crossword puzzle and mail it in for your chance to win a $50 Restaurant Gift Card and 4 Movie Tickets. Answers to the clues can be found in this month’s Grand Season Ads.

Sponsored by:

April Winners!

Grand Prize Winner

Barbara Holland Sun City West

Winners of Movie Tickets

1. Michelle Serrano, Avondale

2. Christine Kordash, Buckeye

3. Carolyn Mattern, Goodyear

4. Bernadette Fox, Litchfield Park

5. Lori Kellar, Sun City

6. Donald Found, Sun City

1.

7. Elaine Fletcher, Sun City West

8. Linda Satkowski, Surprise

If you have a question about the puzzle, please call 623-594-1630 ext 3070.

Answers to April Puzzle

Mail puzzle with answers to: Grand Season Puzzle, P.O. Box 5474, Sun City West, AZ 85376

Questions about the Grand Season Puzzle? Visit www.thegrandseason.com for updates or call 623-594-1630 ext 3070.

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES: Solve the crossword puzzle and mail it in to win. The answers to all crossword clues will contain all or part of a company name found in this month’s Grand Season ads. Must be 21 or older to enter the contest. Employees of the Grand Season or its advertisers are ineligible. When entering an advertisers’ name, there are no spaces, no LLC, or Corporations. Example: C & R Plus II would be entered into the spaces as: C&RPLUSII Entries must be postmarked no later than May 26th. A drawing will be held from all correct entries. One winner will receive a $50.00 Gift Card and 4 movie tickets, with a photo in our magazine. 8 winners will receive a consolation prize of a 2 movie tickets. Winners will be notified by phone, and prizes will be sent by mail. Winners will be announced in the June issue of the Grand Season.

CALL (623) 594-1630

HAPPINESS HABITS

A happy retirement means many things to many different people. There are several habits that can help to make your retirement years more gratifying. Here are some ideas to make life a little happier.

1. Have a bunch of interests.

The happiest retirees know very well how to travel, play and explore, and they wholeheartedly engage in three or more hobbies on a regular basis. Keep in mind, it doesn’t really matter what your interests are. It might be hiking or biking. It might be photography or volunteering. It might even be painting theatrical sets for the community playhouse.

2. Establish satisfying daily routines. Figuring out the right routines that bring you pleasure can take time. Most retirees may have to experiment quite a bit and accept the fact that it can take a while to figure out which routines work and which don’t.

3. Keep close to your kids — but not too close. The happiness level of most retirees skyrockets when they live near at least one — and preferably two — adult children. But your kids should not be dependent on you. The adult children of the happiest retirees are out in the world living their own lives.

4. Connect with friends.

The importance of having friends in retirement cannot be overstated. People with good friends tend to not only be happier but live longer. It’s important that friendships branch out to your personal interests and that some of these friendships be with younger people, too. In the end, a happy retirement requires friends of different ages from different walks of life.

5. Take your health seriously.

Typically, the happiest retirees also are among the healthiest retirees. While you can’t do a lot about genetics, you can still take simple and regular actions to care for your body. It’s not about dieting but it is about paying attention to what you eat. It’s not about suddenly becoming a gym rat, but it is about finding the time for modest exercise such as walking, biking or swimming every day.

BEVERAGE CLUB

SHARKS TOOTH

Ingredients

2 1/2 parts Cruzan® Aged Light Rum

1/2 part fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 part fresh Lime Juice

1/2 part Soda Water

1/2 part Grenadine

Lime Wedges

Directions

Pour rum, lemon juice and lime juice in a tall glass and gently stir. Top with soda water, then gently pour in grenadine. Garnish with a lime wedge.

CURAZAN COLADA

Ingredients

1 part Cruzan® Aged Light Rum

1 part Pineapple Juice

1 part Cream Of Coconut

Pineapple Slice

Directions

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into an ice-filled tall drink glass. Garnish with pineapple!

POMEGRANATE MARTINI

Ingredients

1 1/2 parts DeKuyper® Pomegranate Schnapps Liqueur

1 part Pinnacle® Vanilla Vodka 1/2 part Lemonade

Directions

Add ingredients to an ice-filled shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist (optional).

THANK YOU!

Technically, summer doesn’t start until June 21. But many people consider Memorial Day to be the unofficial start of the season. This year, we celebrate the holiday on May 29. Many families will heat up the grill, head to the beach or take in a big blockbuster movie. But Memorial Day has the word “memorial” in it for a reason.

Known as Decoration Day, the holiday got started on May 30, 1868, when Union General John A. Logan declared the day an occasion to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers. Twenty years later, the name was changed to Memorial Day.

On May 11, 1950, Congress passed a resolution requesting that the President issue a proclamation calling on Americans to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. President Richard M. Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971. Memorial Day is now observed on the last Monday of May. It is an occasion to honor the men and women who died in all wars.

Remembering Those Who Served

It is customary to mark Memorial Day by visiting graveyards and war monuments. One of the biggest Memorial Day traditions is for the President or Vice President to give a speech and lay a wreath on soldiers’ graves in the largest national cemetery (Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia). Most communities host local Memorial Day celebrations.

Here are some ways you can honor the men and women who served our country:

• Put flags or flowers on the graves of men and women who served in wars.

• Fly the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon.

• Visit monuments dedicated to soldiers, sailors and marines.

REMEMBER WHEN

There are days you wake up and have no motivation to workout. But what happens when the lack of motivation creeps into marriage, and you begin struggling to want to work through marital challenges—it’s time to sound the alarm.

Is it unusual to get to a place in your marriage where you want to give up? Recently, I asked this question to a couple who had been married 40 years.

They looked at me and said “Are you kidding me? Yes!” Then, they shared some dark moments in their marriage. They admitted there were times when they just weren’t sure. But, they also said, “We’re glad we stuck in there because we wouldn’t trade these 40 years for anything.”

How did they stay motivated? The couple told me their secret: “You just have to remember.” Remember what exactly?

Remember your why.

Why’d you get married in the first place? People marry for several different reasons: love, kids, a passion for another or to have companionship. Your why doesn’t

have to match anyone else’s why. The never-ending nature of your why can help you outlast the temporary challenges you face in marriage.

Remember your story.

Pictures. Videos. Experiences. Memories mean little without the story attached to them. You look at them to remember the story. It connects you with the positive energy captured during the moment that’s worth remembering. Let that energy motivate you to keep going. Your story can help you remember what you’ve built together.

Remember to never stop connecting. Keep searching for better ways to communicate, be playful, and spend quality time with one another. Regardless of how challenging marriage gets, to stop communicating is never the answer. Connecting in hard conversations, through disappointments, and in the midst of hurt is better than not communicating at all.

Remember you’re not alone.

Many couples, if not most couples, have gone through difficult moments where they felt like giving up was really the best option on the table. So, when you find yourself hurting and questioning if it’s worth it to hang on, reach out to other couples who have walked the road before you and made it to the other side in one piece.

When you remember these things, you’ll realize no matter how big the problems may seem, your commitment to each other is bigger.

FLASHBACK ANSWERS

From pg. 14

1. Meat Loaf, aka Michael Lee Aday. Before he died in 2022, Aday appeared in over 50 films, including the 1975 “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

2. Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1969. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released a different version the following year. Band member Graham Nash had written the song in 1968.

3. Womack & Womack, in 1988. Elton John and k.d. lang covered the song in 1993, followed by several other duos over the years, including Cliff Richard and Candi Staton.

4. Lesley Gore, in 1964.

5. ”The Wonder of You,” by Elvis Presley in 1970. The song has been used in England and Scotland by football clubs as their anthem, although with different lyrics.

FACTS

STRANGE BUT TRUE

Seventy-five percent of all sesame seeds grown in Mexico end up on McDonald’s hamburger buns. Pixar required its entire staff to take a graduate-level ichthyology (the branch of zoology that studies fish) class to help improve the authenticity of “Finding Nemo.”

Earthworms in the northern part of North America are a non-native, invasive species and a major factor in forest deterioration.

A city in Sweden uses light therapy in bus stops to combat depression during the winter when 19 hours of the day are darkness.

A lobster’s brain is located in its throat, its nervous system in its abdomen, its teeth in its stomach, and its kidneys in its head! It also hears using its legs, tastes with its feet, and tends to favor one front limb, meaning it can be right-clawed or leftclawed.

Brazil has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan.

Queen is the only band in which each member individually wrote more than one No. 1 hit.

No one actually “won” the war of 1812.

CELEBRATE

It may be possible to gild pure gold, but who can make his mother more beautiful?

—Mahatma Gandhi

The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.

—James

E. Faust

There is no role in life that is more essential than that of motherhood.

—Elder M. Russell Ballard

Motherhood is the exquisite inconvenience of being another person’s everything.

—Unknown

A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.

—Unknown

Mother is the heartbeat in the home; and without her, there seems to be no heartthrob.

—Leroy Brownlow

Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; A mother’s secret hope outlives them all.

—Oliver

Wendell Holmes

Motherhood is the biggest gamble in the world. It is the glorious life force. It’s huge and scary – it’s an act of infinite optimism.

—Gilda Radner

Mothers are like glue. Even when you can’t see them, they’re still holding the family together.

—Susan Gale

Fine Fittings Fine Fittings

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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

Assisted living resources accepting:

• Private pay

• Arizona Long Term Care-ALTCS

• Medicaid

• VA Benefits

6 Reasons You Should Call AAA Senior Placement AZ

• We are well known and respected in the medical community.

• All clients are given a thorough assessment to determine proper placement needs.

• There is never a fee charged to the senior or their family for our service.

• We are NOT contractually bound to any outside business. This allows us to serve our clients with only their interests in mind.

• Years of knowledge and experience in the field of senior care.

• AAA Senior Placement AZ is family owned, allowing us to give you quality, personalized service.

BLUE ZONES

By Matilda Charles

In several parts of the world there are large populations that regularly live into their 90s and even pass 100 years.

They’re called Blue Zones, those parts of the world where seniors live longer, healthier lives. It started as a National Geographic project to look for the secrets to longevity. They

were able to identify five locations: Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; and Okinawa, Japan.

Fascinated scientists began to study these over-100 people and concluded that they had many commonalities. They are:

• The Blue Zoners move and exercise naturally, working in gardens and

going about their lives with frequent walks, not engaging in heavy-lifting gym visits.

• They have a purpose to each day.

• They do what they must to avoid stress. Some pray, some have happy hour, some take naps, but they intentionally do something.

• They follow Confucius’ rule to stop eating when they’re 80% full, and don’t eat late at night.

• Their diets are semivegetarian and they stick mostly with beans and lentils, fruits and vegetables, olive oil and

whole grains.

• They drink modest amounts of wine, perhaps 1 to 2 cups per day, if at all.

• They belong to a faithbased community of some kind.

• They put loved ones first and often live with or near family members. To read the study about the Blue Zones, go online to www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, select PubMed from the dropdown menu and put “Blue Zones” in the search box. Look for the authors Buettner D, Skemp S. The heading includes “Lessons from the World’s Longest Lived.”

PURSUE PURPOSE

After years of planning and saving, you’ve finally achieved your dream of retirement. Then, one day you wake up and realize you have no focus or motivation. Essentially, you have lost your purpose.

But realizing you’ve lost your purpose is just the first step to finding a new one. Some retirees are fully prepared to launch into extensive volunteer work. Others travel and spend time with families. Others lunch with the ladies and play bridge. Still others begin painting or journey into photography. Overall, whatever the new goal is, they have one. But you may not. There are countless books out there about finding your calling. Unfortunately, most of those books are about finding a career you can be passionate about.

So, if you haven’t yet decided what your new purpose will be, perhaps the first question is whether or not you need one. For many retirees, living with freedom, trying new things, and enjoying life’s endless possibilities is enough – they are content without any “higher” or overarching purpose.

But for many of us, finding a new purpose is necessary and can be a major undertaking. Afterall, retirement is all about pursuing the things you couldn’t while you were younger.

Here are a few questions to help open your mind to new possibilities and help you regain your focus and motivation:

• What social or ethical issues are most important to me?

• What made me happy in my childhood that I’d like to try again?

• When do I feel the most creative?

• How have I made the world a better place?

• How can I make the world a better place going forward?

• What special talents do I have that I haven’t been able to explore?

• What have I thought about trying someday?

• What or who touches my heart?

• What characteristics do I have that have intrinsic value?

• What skills can I use to benefit other people?

• Am I more motivated by issues, family, or something else?

• Am I where I want to be spiritually and what can I do if I’m not?

• What would I regret not doing when I die?

Work on these questions over a period of time. Spend some time each day writing on whichever ones strike you at that moment. As you journal your thoughts and determine what you value, you can begin to shape what your new purpose will be.

VETERANS POST

The Department of Veterans Affairs is moving forward toward its goal of ensuring that Native American veterans receive the benefits they should be getting. Last month, it was reduced mortgage interest rates for Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives and Pacific Islanders. Now, per the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, it’s a waiver on having to pay a copay for VA health care services and urgent medical care.

Besides taking affect now, it’s retroactive: Starting last year, on Jan. 5, 2022, any eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veteran who’s received care and paid a copay can go back and be reimbursed. If you’re not yet signed up for VA health care, this might be the time to do it and have that, plus the question of your copays, out of the way. In a medical emergency, you don’t want to have to think about what you’re going to do or where you’re going to go.

Confused yet? There’s help at 800-698-2411, the MyVA number that’s answered 24/7 with assistance on a dozen different topics.