How often have we heard or repeated that, “Music hath charms that soothe the savage beast?” The original statement by English playwright William Congreve in “The Mourning Bride” (1697), however, was, “Music has charms that soothe the savage breast.”

I was walking down the long hall at my mother’s nursing home when I heard a bright cheery “Hi!” behind me. I turned and saw a woman in her 90s rolling toward me in her wheelchair with a big smile on her face.

Question: What do college students and companion animals have in common? Answer: Among other contributions to retired folks, both challenge us with new ideas and skills to keep us on our toes as we age.

Which came first? Does feeling good cause your smile or does smiling make you feel good? Sometimes, when walking in the park, I’ll feel so good to be out there with the cows and birds on foggy spring mornings that I’ll break out in a smile, which I did six times a few days ago. The next day I didn’t smile at ...

Today’s media are filled with articles extolling the positive effects of pets on our well-being, especially those of us who are retired. Dogs, for example, provide companionship, encourage physical activity and even introduce us to new friends and social groups.