Maintaining connections with other people is a major factor in optimal aging.  In this section, a number of contributors share their ideas and research on maintaining healthy relationships and establishing new ones. 


20 MOST RECENT ARTICLES

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 131 articles found

Cultivating Civility by Rusty Writing and Mark I. Pinsky (December 1, 2023)

Can philosophical opposites get along?…


Being Alone on Thanksgiving by Katja Vujic / The Cut (November 22, 2023)

It doesn't have to be miserable…


Old Friends by Leona Bergstrom (October 7, 2023)

A 1968 song stirs memories and thoughts for today…


Children Who Marry Their Parents by James N. Watkins (August 11, 2023)

The psychology of courtship…


Truly Offensive Four-Letter Words by James N. Watkins (August 4, 2023)

The classic movie 'A Christmas Story,' reminds us that there are even dirtier words…


Race Relations by the Numbers by James N. Watkins (June 23, 2023)

Childhood memories from a trip to Florida and what public opinion polling suggests about the state of race relations in America today…


Happy Father's Day 2023! by James N. Watkins (June 17, 2023)

Jim updates his annual list of posts for fathers and parents in general…


25 Words That Don't Mean What They Used To by Paul Anthony Jones / Miental FLoss (June 17, 2023)

It's inevitable that words will change over time. In some instances, words gain new meanings entirely different from their original definition…


The Four Most Important Words to Say in a Dysfuctional Organization by Richard Bergstrom (June 3, 2023)

Everything about the organization was crazy-making…


A Plate of Rigatoni with Friends by Garrison Keillor (March 30, 2023)

True friendship means not feeling obliged to impress each other and so we don't. . . .we see that we're all in the same boat, the equality of old age prevails. Health is what matters, not money, not prestige…


You Will Get it Wrong . . . But You Won't Make it Worse by Cariad Lloyd / The Guardian (January 27, 2023)

16 ways to talk to people who are grieving…


I Am Giving Up Anger, So Should You by Garrison Keillor (January 26, 2023)

I am trying to give up anger. It’s poisonous and it has no effect other than to make the angerer feel bad and perhaps do something truly stupid…


Father Time Advises a Brown-Eyed Girl by Garrison Keillor (January 19, 2023)

Emily, God bless your idealism and the hard work required, but there has to be joy too. Nothing good can be accomplished without joy. I think Emerson said that. If not, he should’ve…


A Pleasant Night with Nice People in LA by Garrison Keillor (January 13, 2023)

People could go hear a lecture on the coming water shortage in the Southwest or come hear me tell you that life is pretty good and could be worse but even if bad things happen there is a great deal of kindness in the world…


A Rainy December Day, Long Thoughts Therein by Garrison Keillor (December 15, 2022)

I saw the phrase 'friendship recession' in a headline last week, which has a musical swing to it but refers to growing social isolation…


She and I and You and Us, All Watching TV by Garrison Keillor (July 15, 2022)

Personal identity is a complex matter and if a pronoun is all you need to validate you, fine. It’d help if you pasted your pronoun on your forehead, but if you feel that would marginalize you or stereotype you, I understand…


Happy Father's Day 2022 by James N. Watkins (June 10, 2022)

To the father of my grandchildren…


LGBTQ(IA+) and B-I-B-L-E by James N. Watkins (June 3, 2022)

At the beginning of Pride Month, Jim revisits the issue of gender identity and what the Bible (not religious groups) says about it…


If You Want a Story, Sit Down and I'll FInd One for You by Garrison Keillor (May 20, 2022)

Storytelling is an art of necessity, which all of us engage in,, but not all do well…


Happy Mother's Day 2022 by James N. Watkins (May 7, 2022)

Jim's annual update of columns and cartoons for Moms and parents in general…