Social Media and Other Basics for the Not-So-Computer Savvy
Now, more than ever, you can be a part of your family and friends’ lives, even when you are apart. Social media and other platforms and apps make it easy to stay connected from your personal computer, laptop, phone or other devices. But because there...
That Guy (Baseball is Back)
A man named Bill Mazeroski died late last month. Some BOOMers will know the name. He was 89. Mazeroski was a Hall of Fame second baseman for Pittsburgh’s Pirates. He was a very good- not great- player, but is remembered for one game, one moment,...
5 Ways to Avoid Getting Scammed When Buying a Car
A couple I know bought a car without asking for help. That was a mistake. After decades of buying cars, they thought they knew how to avoid getting scammed. But now that they are in their 80s, their negotiating skills aren’t what they used to...
Go Live Life
Some nights, my mind drifts back over years of travel and features I’ve written for BOOM! I’m often astounded that so few people have heard of the places I’ve written about. But I shouldn’t be surprised. Before I ventured out and explored, I’d scarcely heard...
A Larger Life
March has a way of turning the lights on. The days stretch a little longer. The air softens. And suddenly we start noticing things we somehow ignored all winter — dust on the baseboards, clutter in the garage, and sometimes… clutter in our own head...
BOOM! COVER PROFILE: Jamie & Carol Loeb
Jamie and Carol Loeb’s story is one of deep roots, enduring partnership, and quiet resilience. Both raised in Montgomery, they chose to build their lives in the River Region, watching it evolve while remaining committed to the community that shaped them. Married for 31 years,...
The Pressure of Love (and Other Overrated Things)
Let’s talk about February. The month of hearts, roses, and relationship expectations so high even Romeo and Juliet would’ve needed couples counseling. Valentine’s Day shows up like that overachieving PTA mom with personalized goodie bags and a themed photo backdrop, while the rest of us...
That Girl
Her name was Anna Marie. Raven hair, ruby lips, she was my original “Witchy Woman”. From middle school through my sophomore year of high school, I was obsessed with her. I had no chance. I was an awkward nerd in my early teens (still am)....
A Bridge to Love
It’s a nature-made bridge to nowhere in the middle of nowhere. Nevertheless, it’s easy to find off Highway 278 in Northwest Alabama. Once important to ancient inhabitants, today it’s a significant Alabama tourist attraction. According to Peter J. Gossett, author of a paper titled Bald...
“The Many Faces of Love”
February has a way of making us think about love. Not the movie‑script kind. Not just roses and reservations and the perfectly timed card. But the kind of love that actually shows up — year after year, season after season — and quietly holds everything...
I Have An Email Address… Now What? How to Use Artificial Intelligence to Enrich Our Lives as We Age
Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is technology that enables computers/machines to perform tasks requiring “human-like” intelligence. AI has made a name for itself in the last few years. College students use it; professionals use it; even moms use it to make grocery lists and assist in organization....
Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits
There are big changes to Social Security in 2026. Congress passed a law called the Social Security Fairness Act which could increase Social Security benefits for many Americans, which President Biden signed into law. If some of your career was spent working in non-Social Security...
BOOM! COVER PROFILE: Katrina Shaw
At 63, Katrina Shaw is living proof that strength, joy, and growth don’t have an expiration date. A lifelong athlete, fitness innovator, and encouraging force of nature, Katrina has spent decades helping people of all ages move past fear, limitation, and the phrase “I’m too...
If Something Happens to You, Are Your Records Organized?
Are your records organized? If something were to happen to you, would it be easy for loved ones to take over your affairs or settle your estate? Would they know where to find all your necessary healthcare information, legal documents, passwords, and PINs? Would they...
“The Gift of Starting Again”
There’s something about January that makes you pause. Maybe it’s the quiet that finally arrives after the holidays — the last ornament boxed up, the family gatherings wrapped, the peppermint bark mysteriously disappearing from the pantry. Or maybe it’s the unmistakable energy that pulses through...