Tag Archives: smiles

“Over the sea to Skye ?”

Posted on March 27, 2016 by john graham

A small piece of research done at the University of Edinburgh found that people who can speak more than one language get dementia up to five years later than those who don’t.   It is thought that this is because … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH, SMILES | Tagged , | 5 Comments

“My Country Garden”

Posted on June 22, 2011 by john graham

Everyone needs a garden in their life.  Not necessarily a literal garden, just somewhere where things can grow.  Everything from plants to ideas to children to peace of mind. Right now at six o’clock in the morning, I am sitting … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged | 3 Comments

Dream Chocolates

Posted on May 29, 2011 by john graham

It has to be too good to be true – anti-wrinkle chocolates. Just 3 a day smoothes wrinkles away!  Not only that, research on this new product also suggests it may lower blood pressure and improve memory. This could be … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Always look on the Bright Side of Life

Posted on January 1, 2011 by john graham

Positive mental attitude is a quality in people, employers always look for when recruiting new staff.  They frequently quote the phrase “attitude is one thing, it’s difficult to train for”. Judging by some research recently carried out in America – … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged | 5 Comments

Magic of New York’s Central Park

Posted on July 5, 2010 by john graham

On the 19 May I was writing about Westminster City Council’s attempt at trying to enhance Hyde Park in London for older people with exercise equipment.  Perhaps they could take some pensioners to New York and do some park benchmarking, there … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Cleanliness is next to Godliness – Follow up to “No Gumption”

Posted on July 2, 2010 by john graham

6.45 am – looking out of my sixth floor window of the Carlyle Hotel on Madison Avenue in New York – still not yet adjusted to American time.  The city is just waking up.  A few taxis racing by but … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged | Leave a comment

Walking the Dog

Posted on July 1, 2010 by john graham

At 7am in New York, the street walkers come out – not the late night variety. First are the power walkers – trainers, shorts and one, two or three unwashed, unpressed, faded, baggy tee-shirts.  Bottle of water in hand, rushing to … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged | 1 Comment

Cast Adrift

Posted on June 29, 2010 by john graham

On board with 2000 others in the luxury of Queen Mary 2.  Endless free, excellent food served by the politest of waiters.  Indeed the service for everything is first class. The average age of the passengers must be at least 70, probably … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged , | 2 Comments

No Gumption

Posted on June 11, 2010 by john graham

Westminster City Council, presumably in a quiet moment when there was nothing more important to do, worked out that it costs £100,000 to remove chewing gum from their streets each year; 10p a time apparently.  A deep clean would cost … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged | 3 Comments

76th Birthday? Move to the Country

Posted on May 28, 2010 by john graham

As I write this blog sitting in my quiet country cottage garden, I may be about to be joined by thousands of older people.  An official report by the Government Office of National Statistics confirms that you are likely to … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged , , | 1 Comment