Orson Welles

Orson Welles

If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.

Se você quer um final feliz, isso depende, é claro, de onde você termina sua história.

Lose Weight for a Better Memory

Wondering how to prevent dementia? 

A new study reveals that obesity can put people older than 60 at greater risk for dementia. The good news is we have some tips that can spare your aging brain from weight-gain brain-drain:

* Take a walk for at least 45 minutes a day, six days a week. Also do strength-building exercises two to three days a week. It's especially good for you if you're advanced in your years and out of shape. Yes, AARP member, you can do it!

* Add friends, family, and lovers to your social mix - face to face, not using FaceTime on your cell phone. Loneliness is associated with everything from higher blood pressure and less happiness to weight gain.

* Substitute heart-stopping saturated fats (think burgers) with healthy fats, such as salmon or monounsaturated olive oil. Losing weight is about healthy eating, not starving.

*Combine these steps with Dr. Mike's secret for weight control: walnuts and almonds. Starting a meal with six walnut halves or 12 almonds can help you shrink belly fat by 50%. The walnuts are good for your brain and heart, too, so go nuts (and have a fun-filled - and longer - life)!

(adapted from Real Age)

Richness through Knowledge

Richness made of skills begins with books 

"Sure, it’s great to have oil, gas and diamonds; they can buy jobs. But they’ll weaken your society in the long run unless they’re used to build schools and a culture of lifelong learning." 

(Pass the Books. Hold the Oil, by Thomas L. Friedman)

"When you don’t have resources, you become resourceful" 

(K. R. Sridhar, the founder of the Silicon Valley fuel-cell company Bloom Energy)

Sea Fever

photo polka on the island

by John Masefield (1878-1967)

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

(All Poetry)

John Masefield

Signs of Times