This book covers a lot of ground for a number of reasons. Initially it's about men surviving on a low pension. It is a known fact that men on low pensions do not survive much more than five years beyond their retirement age. They simply cannot cope in permanent idleness... or can they? Clearly his brain is geared to the work ethic, when work ceases any job will do as long as he can go to work. This is the thinking of millions of men. Can we change that thinking? I think I can. So many men are unable to cope in retirement; many simply idle their precious time away in their favourite chair waiting to die. All these men need is education. To emphasise I understand, I tell my own story of depression and how through my anger I almost lost my marriage. Using art and poetry I was not only able to survive the trauma of retirement, I am now enjoying my Third age to the full. It is important for the reader to highlight my background and where I come from; as so many people think the arts belong to another world. This is where the WW2 romance comes into my story. It is the story of my parents whirl wind romance and marriage culminating in the tragic death of my father aboard the SS Scillin when 800 British and Allied POW's where killed by a British Submarine Commander. In this book I teach how to paint with oils and to write poetry. I explain how writing and fine art changed my life. How these two disciplines plucked me from the doors of a nervous breakdown and got me back my wife.

While other professionals were recording cognitive losses, I was discovering a gold mine of spirituality still intact in persons with Alzheimer's disease. I began to speak in public arenas about my experiences as a chaplain on the Special Care Alzheimer's unit where I found myself singing a theme song to match what I was witnessing every day. It went like this: "Though cognition is lost, spirituality remains. Whatever lives in your heart of hearts, your soul of souls, never goes away. Alzheimer's may steal your brain cells but it can't steal your soul. Who you are and what you beleive never leaves." I had finally found the wisdom I had been seeking to match my charismatic voice.

Five years ago I arrived at The Special Care Alzheimer's Unit with my prejudices and my ignorance about the aging population. In the Hebrew Bible the word "ruah" means spirit, wind, and breath. It was the "ruah" of the Special Care Alzheimer's Unit that tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to dance with the residents that lived and died there. This is the record of my sacred time in and with the spirit, wind, and breath of an Alzheimer's unit in Atlanta from August 1997 to August 1999.

• Twenty unique and fun ways to celebrate and honor the crone
  
• A template for an invitation letter you can send to your cronies to kick off your croning ceremony
  
• A simple croning ceremony to follow, along with beautiful blessings

Midlife Musings: Creative Croning Ceremonies is for the woman who wants to learn more about the heritage of the crone, or wisewoman. You'll realize why the ancient croning ceremony that celebrated an older woman is being revived by a worldwide movement of women; and after reading this inspiring book, you'll want to celebrate your life and hold a croning ceremony too! For those unfamiliar with the crone or croning ceremonies, Midlife Musings describes the honorable attributes of the crone, you'll get a short history lesson on the ancient crone, and there's a provocative call to action to the up and coming crone.

Midlife Musings: Creative Croning Ceremonies offers a simple croning ceremony, a ceremony invitation, and beautiful crone ceremony blessings to use. You'll be inspired by Ms. Hill's many unique and creative ideas to kick off your midlife renaissance by personalizing your own ceremony. Ms. Hill encourages the aspiring crone to embrace the notion of holding a croning ceremony; where honoring her life's journey, sharing her life's wisdom and experience, and giving clear intention for an extraordinary future is a rite of passage worth celebrating! You won't help but feel intrigued, inspired, and delighted by this book! To crones and wisewomen around the world, celebrate!

Where do you live? ...What did you do today... What do you need?

Daunting questions? Unfortunately for some, answers to such basic inquiries as these can sometimes lie just beyond easy reach. Welcome to My Silver Diary, a refreshingly simple and easy to use daily activity journal and personal contact manager developed especially for residents of nursing homes, personal care homes, and assisted living centers.

More than a daily diary and address book, My Silver Diary consists of simple page layouts designed to serve as memory aids by storing the kind of information considered so essential to the comfort, safety, and peace of mind of care facility residents and their families. It organizes vital data regarding family members, friends, and professional contacts; diet, allergies and medication; and personal preferences and interests all in a single bound volume.

My Silver Diary includes guides for chronicling daily experiences and prompts the writer to record brief notes about the weather, events in the news, and activities and thoughts for each day. These categories have been strategically selected to help bring special interest, meaning, and continuity to the passage of time and to highlight such important aspects of functioning as orientation, memory and communication.

Although My Silver Diary was originally designed for use in residential care facilities, its application need not be limited exclusively to these settings. Its large print and simple format may appeal to anyone wanting quick and easy access to their most important contacts and daily ponderings without having to turn on a computer.

My Silver Diary accommodates one full year of daily journal entries. It is spiral bound so it lays flat on your lap or table, and you can view a single week at a time. Notice that actual dates have not been printed so you can begin using your diary the day you receive it and make your entries as often as you like. It could be the perfect gift for yourself or for your friend or loved one living in a residential care setting. It will be used and treasured in many ways every single day of the year and beyond.

A Most Reluctant Caregiver relates the personal story of a baby boomer daughter who finds herself caring for her difficult, ailing mother. Having survived a turbulent, roller-coaster relationship with her mother for over 50 years, the author entered her early retirement years consumed with caregiving issues of which she knew little or nothing about. While struggling to provide her mother with the love, care and attention that she needed, the author wrestled constantly with her mother’s extreme mood swings and undiagnosed depression. The author’s experiences provided her with a first-hand glimpse into the world of elderly care, including a look at unwelcome family stressors, advanced directives, medical care, assisted living facilities, physical rehabilitation, and funeral planning. The sale of her parents’ home was particularly painful, as it represented the last vestige of her mother’s independence. In the almost three years in which the author cared for her mother, valuable lessons were learned along the way, and they are included as practical, everyday tips for those who face similar challenges.

The loss of loved ones and the toll of aging is a natural part of the ‘golden years.’ This beautifully told and memorable story shows us how to face loss with courage and how to face change with grace and intelligence. Acting with foresight and good judgment, the sunset of our lives can be a stage of continued growth and development with delightful surprises along the way.

Rob and Stella meet at “Harbor’s Edge,” a life care retirement community, where they find good friends, new love and security from the worries of aging. The book could easily be a primer for how to live well into your 70s, 80s and beyond.

“Full Circle” is a ‘must read’ for Baby Boomers who are ‘coming of age,’ and for all who rejoice in the indomitable human spirit. Rob and Stella’s story inspires and charms all who read it.

The loss of loved ones and the toll of aging is a natural part of the ‘golden years.’ This beautifully told and memorable story shows us how to face loss with courage and how to face change with grace and intelligence. Acting with foresight and good judgment, the sunset of our lives can be a stage of continued growth and development with delightful surprises along the way.

Rob and Stella meet at “Harbor’s Edge,” a life care retirement community, where they find good friends, new love and security from the worries of aging. The book could easily be a primer for how to live well into your 70s, 80s and beyond.

“Full Circle” is a ‘must read’ for Baby Boomers who are ‘coming of age,’ and for all who rejoice in the indomitable human spirit. Rob and Stella’s story inspires and charms all who read it.