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The Weekly Readlines December 1
The Weekly Readlines (rhymes with headlines!) is a feature at LGBTSr offering news you can use every week.
BIG CUP: THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES
Santa comes through early: Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler, husband of Bridget Ziegler, notorious co-founder of Moms for Liberty, has been accused of sexual assault … by the woman they’ve enjoyed a three-way with for years! Apparently no children were indoctrinated in the process.
Tiring of his own act, Tommy Tuberville has signaled he’ll lift his block on military promotions, with the exception of “woke” higher-ups, assuming someone can define a word no self-respecting woke person uses.
In her new book, Liz Cheney says Kevin McCarthy told her Trump knew he’d lost, and that his trip to Mar-a-logo shortly after the failed coup was an effort to get poor depressed Donald eating again.
The Koch network endorsed Nikki Haley, while the Mercers prepare to back Trump, guaranteeing Republican voters a choice between heinous and horrible.
Garden gnome-slash-Speaker of the House Mike Johnson declared Trump’s two impeachments “meritless,” and Hunter Biden agreed to testify before Congress providing it’s a public hearing. Fearing they’ll melt like vampires in the sun, Comer and his clown committee are not having it.
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Savvy Senior: Smart Home Devices to Help Seniors Age in Place
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
I’ve been talking to my mobility challenged mother, who lives alone, about automating her house with some smart home products to make it more convenient. She’s very interested but we’d like to get your opinion as to which types of smart devices are most helpful for seniors aging in place.
Searching Daughter
Dear Searching,
If your mother is game, smart home products – such as smart lights, video doorbells and voice-activated speakers – can be very useful for aging in place. These devices can add safety and convenience to a home by providing voice and app-controlled operation, which is extremely helpful for seniors who have mobility issues or reduced vision.
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Video Trailer for ‘A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due’
I have so much fun making these! A House in the Woods 2: The Devil’s Due, is now available widely. You can get it on Amazon HERE.
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Where Do Gays Retire Podcast, with Host Mark Goldstein: Uvita, Costa Rica with Joe Studer and Keith Foley
I’m pleased to bring you episodes of Mark Goldstein’s ‘Where Do Gays Retire?’ Podcast. We’ll start with the most recent, and you can expect new episodes to be shared here at LGBTSr.com. You can find all of his podcasts at his site HERE.
CLICK TO LISTEN IN A NEW WINDOW!
Uvita, Costa Rica with Joe Studer and Keith Foley
Keith and Joe moved to Costa Rica after many years of living in Arizona. They have been together for 16 years. They both had a dream of living in Costa Rica and running a small hotel. 3 years ago, they finally made it come true, finding the perfect hotel in Uvita Costa Rica. They sold their home in Arizona and bought Nature’s Edge Hotel in March 2020. The US borders shut the exact week that they planned to move due to Covid, so they had to manage a major hotel renovation project remotely from the states. The borders finally opened in September 2020, allowing them to finally arrive in Costa Rica. Their first hotel guests arrived in December 2020.
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Savvy Senior: How a Health Savings Account Can Boost Your Retirement Savings
Narration provided by Wondervox.
Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
I’m interested in contributing to a health savings account to help boost my retirement savings but would like to better understand how they work. What can you tell me?
Almost 60
Dear Almost,
A health savings account, or HSA, is a fantastic financial tool that can help you build up a tax-free stash of money for medical expenses now and after you retire. But to qualify, you must be enrolled in a high-deductible health insurance plan. Here’s an overview of how they work and how you can open one.
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Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: The Best Vacations for Seniors with Limited Mobility
Narration provided by Wondervox.
Reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources
By
There is often a misconception that your life becomes dull and monotonous as you age. On the contrary, the itch to be a globe trekker only gets stronger with age, as you become eager to cross off items off your bucket list.
You may be discouraged because of mobility issues or, as a caregiver, may feel that the idea of traveling with a loved one with a disability may be more stressful than relaxing. The good news is you shouldn’t refrain from enjoying the beautiful years post-retirement or miss the opportunity to explore new cultures.
While it may require some planning, there is no shortage of vacations for seniors with limited mobility and their caregivers. In this article, we share some of the best vacation spots, along with ideas about how to get the most out of your travels.
Vacation Spots and Ideas to Consider
Philadelphia
A beautiful city with plenty of accessible museums, restaurants, historic sites, hotels, and restaurants, Philadelphia has plenty going for it. When you’re getting around in the city, you can choose to reach your destination via the transportation authority offering wheelchair-accessible buses with lifts and ramps.
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EVENTS: Author Lucas Hildebrand Discusses His New Book, The Bars Are Ours: Histories and Cultures of Gay Bars in America, 1960 and After (December 5)
When: December 5
Where: Zoom and Facebook
Time: 6:30 p.m. EST
Virtual via Zoom and FaceBook Live
Registration required:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kcI9GBaiR0CF4nZ4e8Tz1A#/registrationConversation Series Hosted by Stonewall National Museum, Archives and Library
Author Lucas Hilderbrand’s new book The Bars Are Ours: Histories and Cultures of Gay Bars in America, 1960, will be released on November 21 and at 6:30pm EST on December 5, 2023, Hilderbrand will be live on Zoom and Facebook to discuss and answer questions.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kcI9GBaiR0CF4nZ4e8Tz1A#/registration
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LGBTSr Merch Mug: Now You Can Help Support LGBTSr and Enjoy Your Coffee, Too!
What better way to start your day than with a cup or mug of your favorite beverage! Now you can enjoy your morning routine and help support LGBTSr at the same time.
These mugs are available at my Shopify store, MadeMarkShop.com. Make your mark with MadeMark. Choices include fancy mug with blue interior, basic mug, and a jumbo mug for the serious coffee drinkers like me.
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Brad Shreve Brings the Good News with Queer We Are Weekly Newsletter: Keeping it Positive
Exhausted by the constant barrage of a bad-news-driven media? Weary of being told to fret, fear and freakout? Then this newsletter is for you – and me!
We have so many things to celebrate, honor and be … well, happy about. With the Queer We Are Good News newsletter, you can get that bad news vax and keep the sadz away. You can always head back to the Washington Post, New York Times, or any 24/7 cable news channel for a heaping helping of toxic talk. This newsletter will be your armor. As someone once said, time is a non-renewable resource. Don’t spend it all on end-of-the-world clickbait. Sign up now and start your week right!
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Ann Cleeves Hits Another Homerun in the Matthew Venn Series
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Mark McNease
I’ll be talking some more about Ann Cleeves’ Matthew Venn series on the upcoming Mark McNease Mysteries Podcast.
What stands out in this series is the exploration of identity, relationships, and the shades of gray in between. It’s an effective combination of a gripping mystery and a deep, personal journey.
I’m a relatively recent fan of established mystery master Ann Cleeves. With her intricate plots and deep, complex characters, it’s no surprise that this British author is one of the leading figures in contemporary mystery fiction. She creates atmospheric settings that make you feel like you’re right there on scene, whether it’s the wild and windy Shetland Islands or the quaint, secluded villages of Northumberland.
She’s invented some of the most iconic detective characters in contemporary fiction: Jimmy Perez from the ‘Shetland’ series, and Vera Stanhope from the ‘Vera Stanhope’ series. Both protagonists exhibit layers of complexity that make them as unpredictable as the mysteries they’re trying to solve. They become like old friends who you’ve known forever, with all their quirks and idiosyncrasies.
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Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: 9 Tips for Helping a Senior Citizen to Develop Digital Literacy
Narration provided by Wondervox.
The following was re-printed with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources
By Jaslene Cabello
When discussing the benefits and drawbacks of digital technology, there’s one demographic that’s often left out and taken for granted: that of our distinguished senior citizens. Elderly parents and grandparents are oftentimes stereotyped in humorous memes featuring their cluelessness about technology and how it works.
But the COVID-19 pandemic has shown everyone just how transformative technology is for all ages. When grandparents were forbidden to leave their homes, many were forced to learn technologies like video conferencing, online banking, and how to use delivery apps to meet their needs.
That said, the elderly population remains one of the most vulnerable targets for cybercriminals and scammers. In Singapore alone, the number of senior citizens falling prey to phishing scams tripled from 2020 to 2021. Many seniors also lack the digital literacy skills to spot fake news or fabricated photo or video evidence, which can cause panic and fearmongering within their families and social circles.
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Guest Article: Crafting a Secure Retirement and Healthcare Safety Net Beyond Social Security and Medicare
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Michael Longsdon
Elderfreedom.netPlanning for retirement and ensuring adequate healthcare coverage are paramount in securing your financial future. While Social Security and Medicare are essential components, they may not be sufficient on their own. In this guide, we’ll explore key strategies to create a robust safety net that isn’t reliant solely on these government programs.
Investing in Insurance to Protect Your Finances
One critical step toward ensuring your financial stability during retirement is purchasing disability and long-term care insurance. These specialized insurance policies act as a financial cushion, poised to provide necessary support in the face of unanticipated health crises or physical impairments. By doing so, they play a vital role in safeguarding your hard-earned savings, allowing you to navigate healthcare challenges without jeopardizing your financial future.
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Health Beat: What is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Mark McNease
After experiencing increasing and chronic pain in my thighs, I finally went to see my primary care doctor. His diagnosis? Most likely restless leg syndrome (RLS). I’ll admit to being surprised, because I’d always imagined that as causing a visible shaking or twitching in the legs. What I didn’t know is that it can be low-grade, and it can happen while you sleep! As he explained it, my legs could be twitching almost imperceptibly while I slept, keeping them from resting and rejuvenating. The result is a pain and tiredness that was becoming slightly debilitating.
Restless leg syndrome didn’t seem to be in the public consciousness until fairly recently, and I was one of those who questioned how prevalent it was. When I first saw drug commercials for it, I thought it might be another of the discoveries being made weekly that require another medication, helpfully manufactured and marketed by the pharmaceutical companies. And then it happened to me. I know what it’s like to have an ailment that almost seems as if it’s in my imagination. If you’re experiencing this, rest assured it’s real.
For me, the doctor prescribed Ropinirole. It’s commonly used for Parkinson’s (don’t let that alarm you) and for restless leg syndrome. The results were immediate. The pain is mostly gone, and began subsiding within a couple days. And a side effect is that I sleep soundly, something that has been an issue for me for years.