Superman Knew A Good Thing
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Category Archives: senior lifestyle
SPIN – A Spinning Flame In A Glass Tube
We have been living in our Miami condo for 17 years. It’s time for a refresh. While we are going to go slow on our upgrade journey, there are a few things I was thinking about to add that ever sensational “wow” factor.
One accessory is the Spin, a spinning flame in a glass tube. It’s a gadget that can add a very special mood factor indoors and out. Powered with bioethanol, SPIN creates a controlled (safe) tornado of dancing flames within its glass tube.
I first saw Spin on Kickstarter. The company says SPIN uses a thermal lift technology to accelerate air within its tube. “This chimney effect, created by SPIN’s unique shape, boosts flame flow and power up to 500% without any extra energy … it’s simply amazing to see!
SPIN is available in three different configurations and adds a perfect touch of ambiance indoors or outdoors.” Spin starts a $99 and works its way up to $1000 for more complicated designs.
I’ll let you know when the product goes on sale. Please watch the video to see what the Spin can do for you.
See the Kickstarter campaign at http://kck.st/2EiZB5V
A Surprise Podcast Find
The following was written by Jefferson Graham of USA Today. He is a media machine creating daily stories for USA Today, as well as podcasts, newsletters, and videos. When I read about Trader Joe’s podcast in Jefferson’s recent newsletter, I knew I wanted to share it with you. Here it is.
Did you know there was a Trader Joe’s podcast?
(Everyone’s getting in on the act!)
I didn’t know this until I pulled up Tuesday morning to pick lunch for Michelle and I, and there was that crazy sign in front of the Westchester TJ’s. Check it out.
Turns out TJ’s Inside Trader Joe’s pod is up to episode 12, with professionally produced tales of new flavor discoveries, recipes and a little TJ history. Fans of the store, and they are legion (who doesn’t like lower prices?) would no doubt find this pretty entertaining.
Especially since TJ’s rarely, if ever, speaks to the press. (Go ahead, do a search, and find me a Trader Joe’s article that isn’t about a store opening.) There’s way more info in these podcasts than you’d ever find in print.
Checking out the podcast made me wonder—are there other brands out there doing something similar?
I couldn’t find a Kroger, Safeway, Ralph’s, Von’s or Piggy Wiggly podcast, ditto for McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s, but I did discover a Walmart podcast, where two Walmarters interview associates from within the store. I also found a short General Mills podcast talking cereal and yogurt.
As many of you no doubt know, I’m 2,000 episodes plus in on my daily podcast, Talking Tech, which has been running for over four years. Welcome to the club TJ’s. See you at episode 1000!
My favorite podcast is Slow Burn, the episodic look back at Watergate and the Clinton scandals. In Inside Trader Joe’s, I admire the effort put in and the polished approach to what is basically an infomercial without sounding like one. It’s worth a listen.
What’s your favorite podcast? Hit reply and let me know your choices. My friend Alex is always looking for something new to listen to on his morning bike ride. Help me recommend him something he doesn’t know!
Thanks for the morning read everyone.
Jeff
The Houseboat Up Close And Personal
Several weeks ago I told you about the houseboat we spotted off the MacArthur Causeway on Star Island in Miami Beach. Today we actually got to see what was inside.
As luck would have it, we have a TV producer friend who was doing a story about the floating mansion. She needed some help with on camera reactions to the houseboat, so Eliot and I, and Ruth and Howard, were recruited. It was so much fun. We all took turns playing on-air personalities.
The inside of the 4,300 square foot structure is just spectacular. You feel like you are floating on the sea from every angle. You are completely free and relaxed. The water, which is just inches away, mesmerizes you with its constant movement,
The three bedroom houseboat, built by a company called Arkup, is selling for over $6 million. Arkup is a manufacturer of fully solar-electric, mobile and self-elevating livable yachts. They should be congratulated. This over-the-top houseboat is a total fantasy trip. Every modern convenience was included, so living on the water is a dream come true. It never tires.
If You Like To Read, This Is An Interesting Story With A Twist
The Chinese love to read. They must also love a good joke.
The relatively new five-story, 360,000-square-foot library in Tianjin, China, was designed by the Dutch architectural firm MVRDV to look like a giant eye. It contains 200,000 books.
One problem, you can’t can’t tell if the rows and rows of books in the library’s main hall are actually real, or decorated with printed images.
It turns out that the main hall is only for walking, sitting, reading, and discussions. It’s not meant for book storage. The real books are in rooms behind the atrium.
The new design is attracting people from all over the world. It seems people who love to read also appreciate leading edge architecture. Checkouts reportedly have quadrupled since the opening.
An average of 15,000 visitors flock to the library every weekend. We could use some of that enthusiasm for libraries in the United States.
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Senior Cohousing Is Now Trending
I came across this article and thought of you. I cut and pasted this post from a friend, Alisa Steed, on Facebook. I found it super interesting. I love the concept of Senior cohousing.
My building neighbors in Miami Beach have often suggested that we grow old together. The plan was that we would all keep our condos and share hired help, caretakers, cooks, cleaners, etc. We were joking at the time, but a writer Karen Salmansohn, who is 58 years young, is taking it very seriously.
Karen Salmansohn is the founder of NotSalmon and Masters In Life – as well as a best selling author and award winning designer – with over 1 million books sold – and over 1 million fans on Facebook. She is committed to inspiring people to live a life they love – no matter how much “you gotta be freaking kidding me!” life throws at you! Below is the story of Karen’s personal journey – a zig-zagger of a path- with many obstacles to swerve around and peaks and valleys to travel up and through – which brought her to why she loves writing and designing inspirational books and products.
Karen says…..
“Senior cohousing is now trending – and for good reason. Below I share 5 reasons you might prefer senior cohousing with friends to nursing homes and assisted living.
It is estimated that by 2050, the number of people over 60 years old will triple from what it is now.
I love the idea of living in cohousing surrounded by friends – where I only need to walk a few feet to meet up with a someone for coffee or enjoy a walk in a shared garden.
If you’re seeking a more fun and rewarding way to spend your senior years, here are…
Senior Cohousing is when you live in an intentional neighborhood – surrounded by your friends – and you share in things like the same dining area, library, fitness center, garden, TV room etc.
Longevity research states that staying social with friends and family helps to keep you living longer.
5 reasons you might prefer senior cohousing:
1. A True Community
You get to enjoy having your friends close by so you can share time and activities. In contrast, seniors who live alone often feel loneliness.
2. Lots Of Privacy
In assisted living seniors live in very close quarters with one another. But with senior cohousing you get your own private apartment or house!
3. Less Money
Living in a nursing home or assisted living usually costs a lot more. But with senior cohousing, you’re sharing resources with friends, so you save money.
4. Lots of Mental & Emotional Wellbeing Perks
Let’s be real. Living in a Nursing home or in Assisted Living can feel a lot more depressing than living in a shared senior cohousing community.
5. Safety
In a cohousing neighborhood, you have neighbors around who expect to see you daily. They will notice if you’re not around. Hence if you fall, then don’t show up for a meet up, your neighbors will check in on you.
Do YOU hope to sloooow down the aging process and protect yourself against age-related diseases and dementia? If so, check out my longevity book, ‘Life is Long: 50+ ways to live a little closer to forever‘ “
If you want to read this article in its entirety, click below.
https://www.notsalmon.com/2018/03/31/cohousing-with-friends/
Thank you Karen for spelling this out for all of us.
Thank you Alisa Steed for sharing.
View In My Room
I’m not sure how many of you know this, but Crate & Barrel has a new digital feature that allows you to see how furniture and rugs actually look like in your home.
Am I the only person who never knew that retailers were actually incorporating this major photography advancement on their sites?
I had so much fun picking out rugs and then letting the “View In My Room” feature show me how they actually look in my living room. “
I must have superimposed a dozen rugs to see what would look best. This was such a great way to shop. I’m sure other retailers offer similar online shopping techniques. If you know of any, let me know so I can share with others.
It’s Been Two Weeks On Keto Diet
Eliot and I went on the Keto diet two weeks ago today. It’s been pretty easy till I saw this ice cream machine. My will power went out the window.
Thank goodness it won’t be introduced for a while. We both lost five/six pounds each. Eliot doesn’t have too much to lose. I will be on this program for many months to come. When I get to my goal, I better stay away from ice cream, my most favorite dessert. Ice cream is the cure all, as far as I am concerned. With that in mind, I want you all to know about the LG Electronics ice cream machine. Yummy.
LG Electronics, the giant consumer electronics company, really surprised show goers at SXSW, the annual conglomerate of film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences that takes place in mid-March in Austin, Texas. LG showed up with a gadget that is going to make ice cream lovers very happy.
The company displayed a “concept machine” that will allow you to make ice cream at home. Called SnowWhite, the machine operates like a Keurig. It features a pod-based system that allows you to choose the base and flavor for a variety of frozen desserts.
I’m not sure when LG plans to bring the ice cream machine to market. I certainly know a lot of people who would love a unit like this because they would always have something to serve company. The good news is that SnowWhite can also make gelato, granita, sorbet, and yogurt.
I can’t wait to make ice cream.
Recent Events
We finally hit the Wall of Fame at the Perez Art Museum Miami. Eliot and I are thrilled even though the opposite wall has a list of the big donors.
Touring the museum with friends Doug and Meg
The gal in the gift shop
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Disrupting The Traditional Law Firm
The AXS offices
The abstract look of Wynwood
I met Ben Wolkov on a recent trip to Mexico City. He is on the board of Fountainhead Residency, the art group Eliot and I belong to. Ben told me on the trip that his boutique law firm, AXS Law, was very progressive and cutting edge. For one thing, his offices are located in Wynwood, a warehouse district that is now filled with street art, art galleries, restaurants and small shops.
Secondly, while most of the attorneys at AXS Law came from big firms, they now love being a part of a modern business. No more formal, big wooden desks and piles and piles of paper files. The AXS firm is taking advantage of the digital age. Their offices are completely contemporary, glass walls, smaller desks, very little paper, community lounge areas, and rotating art work from Miami galleries.
Eliot and our friends, Gail and Dawn, and I went to an art reception at the AXS law offices last week. I snapped photos so you can see what law firms will look like in the future. Say goodbye to the stodgy, formal look that you are used to, and say hello to the world of minimalism and casual environments.
Don’t make any assumptions about the quality of the work. AXS believes their high energy decor and relaxed atmosphere, helps them win most of their cases.
Ben with Lois and Eliot
ABOUT AXS ART
The partners of AXS Law believe in the importance of supporting and protecting the local Miami artistic community, its programs and events.
The firm is committed to ensuring that local artists receive access to dedicated legal advice and representation. In addition, through AXS Art, we partner with local artist and organize events to showcase the artists’ works.
Entrance
The party
Gail and Dawn
Become A Video Maker
This is absolutely incredible. I am so excited. A few weeks ago BFF/techie Steve Greenberg presented Eliot and I with a video he created of our trip to Egypt.
We couldn’t believe our eyes. Steve is so busy traveling because of business, when did he have time to produce this amazing keepsake?
I asked him. “It’s my dirty little secret,” Steve answered. Then he confessed, “Producing the Egypt video took me 15 minutes. All I had to do was download the app Yours.co and then follow three steps of instructions.”
He picked out about 50 photos from his camera roll and then uploaded them into the app. He paid $9.95. A few days later, he received a DVD featuring the video of the photos. It was set to music. The editors at Your.com were able to put all the photos in a meaningful order because everything is time- stamped on your iPhone.
It was a fabulous keepsake. I videotaped the DVD presentation on my iPhone, and then uploaded it to YouTube so I can show others. You are among the first.
Please watch the above video. You will get hooked on the concept immediately.
DigiDame 