Celebration Magazine Blog
#CelebratingLifeAfter60

by Lynn Pendergrass Why do we sometimes feel down and depressed after the holidays? Sometimes the blues stay around long past January and into the new year. Many of us can feel physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted after the holidays come to an end. Oftentimes, we spend so much time, energy, and excitement preparing for this joyous season, only then to feel sudden loneliness, grief, and disconnection. And, for some, increased caregiver fatigue. What are other sign

by Shanon Weaver On most mornings at Avenida of Carrollton, the bistro is where the day begins: coffee, mailboxes, familiar faces, and the same table welcoming whoever wanders in. That’s also where Darlene Timmons and Joe Dean began—quietly, comfortably, and without any intention of changing their lives. “We both started going down about 10:30 or 11 to get the mail and have a cup of coffee with the people who were there,” Joe says. “And we’re sitting at the same table, and th

by Alan Linq Most people don’t think about wheelchair ramps until they suddenly need one. Until a single step becomes a wall. Across Texas, that happens many times a month. In 2024 alone, the Texas Ramp Project averaged about 590 referrals per month—requests from social services and community partners trying to help people who are effectively trapped in their own homes. Since 1985, the nonprofit has built more than 31,000 wheelchair ramps across the state, adding up to nearl

by Dave Friant February. Viewed by some as the lousiest month of the year. Maneuvering icy sidewalks with short-step uncertainty to get to the mailbox. Oldsters shivering like chihuahuas during canine division competitions at the Polar Plunge. The second of the twelve calendar flips is additionally characterized by Cupid; the dressed in red chubby toddler doing his bit to initiate romantic match-ups. Thought I’d stick with his tools of the trade and interview a gentleman who

by Kim Marvel We’re not sure who took that original photograph back in 1976. It was probably my wife’s brother. We were in a beautiful setting: my parents’ mountain cabin in southern Colorado. In the midst of pine trees, next to the flowing river under a bright blue sky, our springtime outdoor wedding had gone off without a hitch. Greeting guests and gesturing as we chatted, we were unaware that the sleuth photographer was taking our picture and that the photo taken at that m

by Jill Rumbley-Beam It’s a new year and love is in the air! That means there’s a loving atmosphere all around. When you think of Valentine’s, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Chocolate? Bouquet of flowers? A nice dinner for two? Hallmark cards? Where did this so-called holiday begin? A legend tells that St. Valentine of Terni, had officiated weddings for Roman soldiers, in secret, going against Emperor Claudius II wishes, which means that St. Valentine w

by Shanon Weaver At a Powerful Journey conference, the room often grows quiet just before someone steps onto the stage. The woman standing there may have rehearsed her words, written and rewritten them, or carried them privately for years. Still, there is always a pause. A breath. Then the story begins. Some women speak about grief. Others talk about faith that was shaken and rebuilt, or about surviving something they never imagined they would have to face. Many are telling t

by Katie Butler Johnson I love this time of year. It’s perfect for spying on the critters that visit or actually live on my property. Once the oak tree out front drops the leaves blocking my view, I get to see Honeybees flying in and out of a rather large hole up high on its trunk, a hole like the one Pooh got stuck in searching for honey. Did you know Honeybees don’t go dormant in the winter like Bumble Bees? The Honeybees are the busy ones. And because I’m just a stone’s t

by Cynthia Houck Christmas during my early childhood was magical. Christmas Day started with Mass. After church, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Taylor’s to celebrate with them and Mom’s two sisters and their families. Breakfast was ham and eggs with two kinds of homemade bread, plain and raisin, as well as several kinds of pie and two cakes Grandma made from scratch every Christmas. My favorite was her “Bride’s Cake.” It was a pound cake made in a tube pan and covered with

by Mary Frances Hansen One of my very favorite quotes is by Mark Twain...“Age is mind over matter; if you don't mind it doesn't matter.” As we age, unfortunately, our parts start wearing out just like an old car! We can't do anything about the normal aging process that takes place in our bodies as we age, but we can do something about our attitudes to slow it down. Why not have a positive attitude about aging instead of a negative one? As we grow older, we can still rema

by J Rick Brown The other day I read that many older adults are getting tattoos. Some stated they got one because it was on their “bucket list” and others said their tattoos were to remember special people or expressed who they were. I mentioned the article to My Bride, and then asked, “What would you think about me getting a tattoo?” My Bride started laughing, and at first, I thought it was something she was watching on TV, then I realized the TV was not on. “Why would yo

by Judy Allen, Denton County Master Gardener Association Gardening can be a wonderful activity for people of all ages. In addition to enjoying the fruits of your labor, gardening offers many opportunities to exercise different muscle groups, get some daily vitamin D from the sunshine, pass on knowledge to children, and make new friends who share common interests. Quality tools and supplies are always a thoughtful gift. For beginning or experienced gardeners, a raised bed gard

by Pam Hakala This is the story of my great-grandfather, William Atkinson, a man whose life was marked by unanswered questions and a transatlantic journey that forever changed the course of our family. My dad researched our Atkinson family history, beginning with his grandfather, William. After my dad passed I took over where he left off. With so many unanswered questions, I reached out to the North East Lincolnshire Council Archives in Grimsby, England. I was transferred t

by Shanon Weaver Every December, as the first tinsel glints under fluorescent lights, those familiar notes crackle through the speakers: a guitar riff, a saxophone squawk, and Brenda Lee’s voice—warm and wild—promising we’re about to start rockin’ around the Christmas tree. It’s the moment the season finally loosens its tie. In the late ‘50s and early ’60s, Christmas music stopped behaving. Up to that point it was all choirs and crooners—Bing Crosby dreaming of a white Christ

by Dr. Brian Nwannunu, Orthopedic Surgeon As we welcome a new year, it’s the perfect time to take steps—literally—toward better health and mobility. Whether it’s keeping up with grandkids, traveling, or simply enjoying a walk around the neighborhood, strong bones and pain-free joints are key to maintaining an active, independent lifestyle. Keep Your Bones Strong Bone health begins with the basics: nutrition, movement, and awareness. Be sure you’re getting enough calcium and v

by Dan Price The holidays are in full bloom, with images of snowy winters and sleigh rides appearing on social media, reminding us Texans that shorts are not the norm for holiday weather wear. But I always get excited for the holidays and the upcoming new year. What new adventures will I have? What opportunities will come? And what stories will I have to tell from those moments in time? Case in point! Not a Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa or even New Year's Eve-related story, but

by Pat Rodgers Let’s take a look back at childhood memories of Christmas and the traditions that defined Christmas around the late 19th century. The Christmas we celebrate today seems like a timeless weaving of customs and familiar mix of carols, cards, presents, trees, and multiplicities of Santas. How did children celebrate Christmas in 19th century rural America. The year is 1891 and the small town of McKinney prepares for Christmas. Local newspaper, The Democrat, reports

by Wayne Jordan I had moose for lunch today. Not mousse, but moose. It did not taste like chicken. We were docked in Helsinki, Finland. I got off the ship because the sun was shining and the ground was firm. After a few days onboard, cabin fever sets in, even though the ship is the length of three football fields and ten stories high. When my feet hit the ground, I was confused. What day is it? What city is this? When working on a cruise ship, there are no days off to bookend

by Coy's Kitchen Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two - the ball drops and Dick Clark welcomes in the New Year wishing us a good night. Silly hats, champagne in hand, noise makers tooting and confetti floating in the air - Shouting HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we kiss our significant other, we begin to wrap our arms around each other and begin singing or humming a song no one really knows. “Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind….” Well, who knew this was

by Katie Butler Johnson We’re on the cusp of 2026! Now’s the time to make sure all your important appointments and activities are inked in on your 2026 calendar. And, while you’re at it, how about carving out “down” time scattered over the year just to allow for something that might spontaneously pop up? In the summer of 1990, Husband and I did just that. We set aside two weeks and let our whims direct where we went and dictate what we did. While our youngest was at summer c