Saturday, November 30, 2024

Free books online

On Facebook, I saw a list of where you can download free ebooks. I use the library to get my books and I read about 10 to 14 books every two weeks. I know when one is retired one has time to spare. I know that many seniors love to read, but there were no links to the sites listed on FaceBook, so I added the links and ten more sites. So, here's a list of 30 websites where you can download free ebooks across genres. This includes classics, academic texts, technical guides, and a variety of public-domain resources:

  1. Planet eBook - www.planetebook.com
  2. Free-eBooks.net - www.free-ebooks.net
  3. ManyBooks - www.manybooks.net
  4. LibriVox (audiobooks) - www.librivox.org
  5. Internet Archive - www.archive.org
  6. BookBub (free and discounted deals) - www.bookbub.com
  7. Open Library - www.openlibrary.org
  8. Bookboon (free textbooks) - www.bookboon.com
  9. Feedbooks - www.feedbooks.com
  10. Smashwords - www.smashwords.com
  11. Project Gutenberg - www.gutenberg.org
  12. Google Books - books.google.com
  13. PDFBooksWorld - www.pdfbooksworld.com
  14. FreeTechBooks - www.freetechbooks.com
  15. Bookyards - www.bookyards.com
  16. GetFreeBooks - www.getfreeebooks.com
  17. eBookLobby - www.ebooklobby.com
  18. FreeComputerBooks - www.freecomputerbooks.com
  19. Loyal Books (public domain audiobooks and ebooks) - www.loyalbooks.com
  20. BookRix - www.bookrix.com
  21. FreeBookCenter (technical and academic books) - www.freebookcentre.net
  22. GoodReads (free books via their free ebooks section) - www.goodreads.com
  23. Kobo Books - www.kobo.com
  24. DigiLibraries - www.digilibraries.com
  25. Renascence Editions (classic literature) - www.luminarium.org
  26. PDF Drive - www.pdfdrive.com
  27. CCEL (Christian Classics Ethereal Library) - www.ccel.org
  28. BuddhaNet (Buddhist texts) - www.buddhanet.net
  29. Open Culture (ebooks, audiobooks, and more) - www.openculture.com
  30. Library of Congress (historic and public-domain books) - www.loc.gov

These sites offer a vast selection of free books, including classic literature, academic materials, technical books, and more contemporary works, making it easy to find free ebooks on almost any topic.'Enjoy.

Friday, November 29, 2024

Things your mother should have told you

I saw this on FaceBook it was posted by Kristie Sutton and I thought it was interesting.

1. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

2. Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mould!

3. Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

4. Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

5. To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

6. For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in a double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

7. Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

8. Leftover Snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!

9. Reheat Pizza

Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

10. Easy Deviled Eggs

Put cooked egg yolks in a zip-lock bag. Seal, and mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, and squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw the bag away when done with easy cleanup.

11. Expanding Frosting

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

12. Reheating refrigerated bread

To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

13. Newspaper weeds away

Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go. Cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

14. Broken Glass

Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

15. No More Mosquitoes

Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

16. Squirrel Away!

To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

17. Flexible vacuum

To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

18. Reducing Static Cling

Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. The same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing pantyhose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... guess what! ... static is gone.

19. Measuring Cups

Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry the cup. Next, add your ingredients, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out. (Or spray the measuring cup or spoon with Pam before using)

20. Foggy Windshield?

Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

21. Re-opening envelopes

If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

22. Conditioner

Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

23. Goodbye Fruit Flies

To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

24. Get Rid of Ants

Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' and can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

25. Dryer Filter

Even if you are very diligent about cleaning the lint filter in your dryer it still may be causing you a problem. If you use dryer sheets a waxy build-up could be accumulating on the filter causing your dryer to over heat. The solution to this is to clean your filter with a toothbrush and hot soapy water every 6 months.

☆ Thank you all for passing my things around and sharing 

Thursday, November 28, 2024

This ones for my son

My son told me this story and I am passing it on.

As a guitarist, my son gets all kinds of gigs, but recently he was dying for a unique one. A funeral director asked him to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. This gentleman had no family or friends, so they planned a simple service at a pauper’s cemetery in the boondocks. My son wasn’t exactly familiar with the backwoods, and as fate would have it, he got lost.

After a lot of wrong turns and dead ends, he finally arrived an hour late, only to find the funeral director had evidently given up the ghost and left, along with the hearse. The only folks left were the diggers and crew, who were gathered around the gravesite having lunch.

Feeling terrible, he apologized for his grave mistake. He walked up to the side of the grave and noticed the vault lid was already in place. Not knowing what else to do, he pulled out his guitar and started to play.

The workers put down their sandwiches and drifted closer. He played his heart out, strumming up all the love he could for this man who had no one. As he poured his soul into ‘Amazing Grace,’ the workers began to weep. One by one, they laid their sandwiches aside, and soon, everyone was caught up in the moment. The tears were flowing like the graveyard shift without overtime pay.

When he finally finished, he nodded respectfully, packed up his guitar, and started for his car. Although he felt buried in guilt, his heart was full. But just as he opened his car door, he overheard one of the workers say, “I’ve never seen anything like that before, and I’ve been installing septic tanks for twenty years.”

Apparently, he’s still digging his way out of this one!

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Finding Meaning in the Face of Adversity

Difficulty is a natural part of life, and for many seniors, it can come in various forms—whether through health challenges, loss of loved ones, financial struggles, or a shift in identity after retirement. However, instead of succumbing to despair, finding meaning in the face of adversity can foster resilience, purpose, and personal growth. This mindset can transform difficulties into opportunities for deeper reflection and connection.

The Importance of Finding Meaning in Adversity

Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, wrote extensively about the importance of finding meaning in suffering. According to Frankl, when we can see a purpose in our pain, we can overcome even the most difficult situations. For seniors, finding meaning during adversity is linked to better mental and physical health, increased resilience, and a greater sense of fulfillment.

Meaning can be found in various ways—through relationships, creative expression, volunteerism, spiritual or religious practices, and continuing personal growth. By shifting focus from the challenges themselves to what can be learned or how one can contribute, adversity becomes a catalyst for transformation.

Embrace Life Review and Storytelling.  Reflecting on one's life and sharing personal stories can bring clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. Storytelling helps seniors realize the impact they've made on the world and the lives of others, even when facing challenges. Try writing a memoir or creating a family history. Programs like StoryCorps offer resources to help individuals record their life stories: StoryCorps

Engage in Volunteer Work. Helping others, even in small ways, can bring a sense of meaning and purpose, especially during tough times. Many organizations offer volunteer opportunities that are designed to fit within the capabilities and schedules of seniors. For more information in Canada: Volunteer Canada connects seniors with meaningful volunteer opportunities. In the U.S. The Senior Corps, part of AmeriCorps, helps seniors find volunteer work: Senior Corps

Join Support Groups. Support groups provide not only emotional support but also a sense of shared experience and meaning. Being part of a community with similar struggles can reduce isolation and offer a greater perspective on adversity. For more information in Canada, the Canadian Mental Health Association provides access to support groups, including those tailored to seniors facing health or emotional challenges. In the U.S. AgingCare offers a list of support groups for seniors, including caregiving, grief, and health challenges.

Explore Spirituality or Religious Practices. For many, spirituality and faith are powerful sources of meaning. Engaging in prayer, meditation, or religious community activities can provide comfort and perspective during difficult times. For more information in Canada try local faith-based organizations or national groups like Spirituality and Aging (UWaterloo Program). In the U.S. you could explore spiritual care resources like Chaplaincy Innovation Lab: Chaplaincy Innovation Lab

Focus on Creative Expression. Creativity can help process emotions and find meaning in experiences. Whether through writing, painting, music, or crafting, creative activities provide an outlet for self-expression and reflection. For more information in Canada look for local art therapy or community art programs for seniors, such as those provided by Creative Aging Calgary or you could check https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/british-columbia?category=art-therapy  and do a search for your community. In the U.S. ElderGivers offers opportunities for creative expression for seniors facing adversity.

Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness. Mindfulness and gratitude practices shift focus from challenges to positive aspects of life. By appreciating small joys and being present, seniors can find peace and meaning even during tough times. For more information in Canada: The Mindfulness Institute offers courses and resources for mindfulness. In the U.S. Mindful provides articles, guides, and meditation resources: Mindful

Set New Goals. Having something to look forward to—whether it’s learning a new skill, starting a small project, or helping a friend—can instill a sense of purpose. Goal setting, even in later life, fosters hope and resilience. For more information in Canada, The Life Reimagined program offers guidance for seniors in setting life goals. In the U.S.: The AARP Life Reimagined initiative helps seniors define new personal goals and find purpose: AARP Life Reimagined

Online Resources and Programs for Seniors

Canadian Programs Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP): Offers resources on aging, health, and volunteerism.. Seniors and Retirees | Canada.ca: Provides government services, benefits, and programs for Canadian seniors.

American Programs. Eldercare Locator: A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging to help seniors and their families connect to services. National Council on Aging (NCOA): Offers a wealth of resources on aging, health, and well-being.

Adversity is part of life, but it doesn’t have to be a source of despair. By focusing on finding meaning—through storytelling, volunteering, spirituality, creativity, and mindfulness—seniors can turn challenges into opportunities for growth, hope, and fulfillment. By engaging in these practices and utilizing the programs available, seniors can maintain a sense of purpose and well-being even in the face of hardship.