Lenny

Exploring Bordeaux Through the Eyes of Senior Travelers

August 29, 2025

Bordeaux is a city that invites you to move at your own pace. Its broad river, calm squares, and café chatter feel tailor-made for unhurried days and early nights. If you’re planning a first-time visit, or returning to savor it again, think of this as a gentle guide.

Whether you live independently or in a senior living community, Bordeaux meets you where you are, with easy transit, flat streets, and plenty of benches for breaks between sips and sights.

Morning Strolls Along the Garonne

Start with the river. The Garonne’s walkway is wide and forgiving, perfect for steady steps or a relaxed push of a lightweight travel chair. Watch rowers glide past, couples share croissants, and street musicians warm up.

The mirrored water at Miroir d’Eau flashes and fades like a friendly wink, and nearby cafés serve simple breakfasts without fuss. Take the time you need—then a little more. The morning sun is kind here, and there’s always a shady bench if you want one.

Easy Days in the Historic Heart

The old center is compact, charming, and mostly level, so you can wander without rushing. Golden stone buildings glow even on cloudy afternoons, and small shops open their doors with a smile. Pop into Saint-André Cathedral for a quiet minute, then find a bistro with a short menu and kind service.

Ask for the daily special; it’s often the best choice. If steps are tricky, many spots have ramps or nearby seating. Pause often. People-watching is a valid plan.

Lunch, Light or Lavish

Bordeaux knows how to feed you well. If you like a light lunch, order a salad with walnuts and goat cheese, plus a crisp glass of local white. Feeling bold? Try duck with potatoes that crackle at the edges. Servers are used to guests who prefer slower meals; nobody will hurry you.

Midday is also ideal for a tiny canelé—caramel outside, custard inside. Share one if sweets aren’t your thing, or pocket it for a later treat on a quiet bench.

Gentle Wine Country Outings

You don’t have to tour every vineyard to feel the region’s spirit. Choose one chateau with good reviews for friendly staff and easy access. Many offer short tastings and shaded terraces with views that do half the talking.

Guides are happy to answer simple questions and keep the pace comfortable. If stairs appear, look for a side path; there often is one. End the day back in town with herbal tea or a small pour of red and an early, satisfied bedtime.

Conclusion

Bordeaux rewards unhurried senior travelers with soft light, patient meals, and spaces that welcome a pause. Plan small, enjoy big: one stroll, one museum, one vineyard view. Leave room for naps and unexpected smiles. Most of all, trust your pace; the city will match it. When it’s time to go home, you’ll carry the taste of sunshine, warm hellos, and easy, contented steps with you.

3 Signs Assisted Living Is Right For Your Older Parent

April 30, 2025

Making the choice to move your elderly parent into an assisted living facility isn’t easy for most people. It’s stepping into uncharted territory, full of uncertainty and, sometimes, even guilt. However, even though you may feel guilty, please know that you’re doing the right thing when your aging parent starts to struggle with everyday activities.

Assisted living isn’t about giving up independence — it’s about supporting it. It’s about creating an environment that offers help when needed, rather than leaving your loved one to struggle alone. Think of it more as a handrail than a crutch. If you’re on the fence about what’s best for your older parent, here are three signs that assisted living may be the right choice.

Daily Tasks Are a Struggle

If you start to notice the most basic of daily tasks becoming a struggle for your loved one, then this is probably a sign they need extra help. Things like showering, cooking, or even getting down the stairs can become downright dangerous for people with mobility issues.

If you start to notice that your senior parent is slacking on their daily responsibilities, then this is a red flag. From spoiled food in the refrigerator to unopened bills piling up — these are all signs of a growing inability to live safely and comfortably on their own. Assisted living offers around-the-clock care that can help your loved one get everything done that they need.

You’re Worried

If you’re starting to feel uneasy about their well-being, then this is a sign that you could definitely benefit from professional help. After all, it’s not uncommon for seniors to fall or leave the stove on — which could lead to unsafe circumstances. Having the peace of mind of knowing they’re living in a safe environment can make a world of difference.

Assisted living facilities are built with safety in mind — from handrails to emergency call systems, to staff available 24/7 for whatever residents need. This doesn’t just mean your loved one is safe, but it also means you can stop worrying throughout the day, knowing they’re okay.

They’re Lonely

Social isolation is a growing problem among seniors, especially since the onset of COVID. Loneliness can be just as damaging as physical illness — even if you may not detect it in a physical examination. Social isolation can lead to cognitive decline and faster deterioration in health overall. However, in an assisted living facility, community is the goal. Residents eat in groups, they have classes, and even game nights, making it a great place to stay engaged and connected at an older age.

E-commerce Store Budget: 3 Tips for Beginners

April 1, 2025

Starting an e-commerce store is exciting, but really—budgeting can make or break your success. You don’t want to overspend on things that don’t matter or go too cheap and struggle later. The good news?

Here are 3 budget-friendly tips to get you started.

Start Small and Scale Up

It’s tempting to go big right away—fancy website, bulk inventory, paid ads everywhere. But hold on! The smarter approach is to start small and scale up once you see what’s working. Instead of buying a ton of products upfront, test the waters with a few items. If you’re using dropshipping, even better—no upfront inventory costs.

For your website, keep it simple. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or even Etsy (if you’re selling handmade or unique items) let you build a professional store without spending a fortune. Use free or affordable themes instead of investing in custom web design right away. A clean, user-friendly site with great product images and clear descriptions will do the trick in the beginning.

Also, don’t overspend on branding. While a logo and brand identity matter, you don’t need to drop hundreds of dollars at the start. Free design tools like Canva can help you create a decent logo and social media graphics without hiring a designer.

Spend Wisely on Marketing

Marketing is essential, but you don’t need a huge budget to get results. Instead of dumping cash into random ads, focus on organic and low-cost marketing strategies first. Social media, SEO, and email marketing can drive sales without draining your wallet.

If you do go for paid ads, start small with targeted campaigns. Facebook and Instagram let you test ads with just a few dollars a day. Monitor what works and tweak as you go. For example, AI-powered product recommendation tools can also help you figure out what products are trending, so you’re not wasting money promoting items no one wants.

Influencer marketing is another budget-friendly option. You don’t need to partner with celebrities—micro-influencers with engaged audiences can bring in quality traffic at a fraction of the cost.

Track Every Dollar

Budgeting isn’t just about planning—it’s about tracking where your money actually goes. Use tools like Google Sheets, QuickBooks, or budget apps to keep tabs on expenses. This helps you see what’s worth the spend and what you can cut.

Also, keep an eye on hidden costs. Things like payment processing fees, shipping, and returns can sneak up on you. By regularly reviewing your budget, you can adjust and make sure you’re getting the most out of every dollar.

Really, starting an e-commerce store on a budget is totally doable. By starting small, being smart about marketing, and tracking your expenses, you can set yourself up for long-term success. Keep things lean, test what works, and grow from there!

3 Tips For Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Children

January 9, 2025

When you were a parent to young children, you were able to set the rules that your children were to follow. And when things didn’t go according to plan, you were then able to give them certain consequences to help them learn and grow. But now that you’re older and living in your senior living community and your children are adults in their own right, your parenting looks very different.

While you can’t parent your children like you did when you were younger, you can and should still set boundaries for them, especially if you feel like they’re taking advantage of your relationship with them. To help you in doing this, here are three tips for setting boundaries with your adult children.

Know What Your Limits Are

Before you can effectively set boundaries, you first have to know what your limits are and what would be crossing a line for you.

While it can be hard to know what your limits are and or enforce those limits with your children, try to think about times when your child has done something that rubbed you the wrong way or made you feel like you were being taken advantage of. Then, you can try to pinpoint what that exact action was and which part of that interaction you wouldn’t want to take part in in the future. This can help you realize what your limits are.

Set Boundaries As A Way To Foster Autonomy

As a parent, you want to be able to help your children in any way that you can. But at a certain point, if you want your adult children to be able to be self-sufficient, you have to set boundaries that will help to foster autonomy for them.

Depending on what it is that you feel your adult child is struggling with, you may want to set boundaries around what type of help you’re willing to give and what you think they need to be able to handle on their own. Sometimes, the more you help, the more your adult child will become dependent on you, which is the opposite of what you’re wanting.

Accept Their Feelings About Your Boundaries

When you choose to set boundaries with anyone, especially boundaries that will stop behavior that someone might be used to, it’s natural to have some pushback from them. But while you can’t control their behavior and reaction to your boundaries, you do have control over how you hold your boundaries and how you accept their feelings about your boundaries. So while it can be difficult, it’s wise to expect some strong feelings about new boundaries with your adult children.

Strong, healthy boundaries are the bedrock of strong, healthy parent and adult-child relationships. So to help you get this, consider implementing some of the tips mentioned above about setting boundaries.

4 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Buying Property

December 18, 2024

One of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make in your life is making the choice to buy property. Whether you’re buying a home for yourself or it’s an investment property, it’s important to know that the stakes are extremely high.

Unfortunately for many buyers, particularly those who are first timers in the process, things go wrong due to common mistakes. Avoiding these mistakes can save you money and stress and ultimately buyers regret. If you are in the midst of buying property and you want it to be a positive experience, then here are some mistakes that you should avoid at all costs.

Not Assessing Additional Costs

All too often buyers focus on the purchase price of a property, yet fail to keep in mind the costs associated with doing a renovation or making repairs. Don’t forget that in addition to costs like these, you may also have closing costs, taxes, and homeowners insurance to pay.

Many of these expenses are ongoing, and can add up quickly over time. Failing to look at these costs can significantly stretch your budget over time, and lead to financial strain. Research and account for all of the costs that are associated with your new property, which normally your real estate agent can help you with.

Not Getting Pre-Approved For a Mortgage

Don’t even think about house hunting without getting pre approved for a mortgage. This is a significant oversight and it can lead to big heartbreak. Why would you go out and fall in love with a property that you can’t even afford? Don’t waste your time or other people’s time shopping for homes with a budget that you’re not pre approved for.

Not Researching

Remember, investing in property is a long term investment. That’s why it’s so important that you do your research ahead of time and know the location of where you’re buying inside and out.

Some buyers make the mistake of rushing into a purchase without thoroughly researching the neighborhood and whether it has any hope for growth.

Look at the local amenities and any future development plans. Failing to do so could lead to a decrease in property value rather than increase which is the exact opposite of the purpose of investing in real estate.

Leading With Emotions

Emotions are great for many things in life. You should always ultimately trust your gut over your head. However, buying a home should always be led with your head.

It’s an incredibly emotional experience, and it’s also a huge financial risk. You can’t let emotions take over when it comes to big financial decisions like home buying.

Falling in love with a property can lead you to over-commit yourself with something you can’t actually afford. So, remember, this is not the love of your life, or an emotional attachment, it’s an investment, so see it as such.

3 Tips For Designing A Beautiful Custom Kitchen

October 4, 2024

If you’re ready to turn the kitchen of your home into the custom kitchen of your dreams, there are a few things that you’re going to want to consider before you just start making design decisions. And while you might have a good idea of what you want after having been using this kitchen for a while, there are still design principles that you’ll want to know about and consider when creating a custom kitchen that will work for you for years to come.

To help you know how to achieve this, here are three tips for designing a beautiful custom kitchen.

Use Corners Carefully

The corners of a kitchen can get pretty tricky from a design standpoint. There are many parts of a kitchen that, when put into a corner, may not actually work well. So before you design the kitchen, make sure you’re being careful with what you put in the corners.

For example, you’ll need to be very careful about the dimensions for things like your cabinets and appliances that you think you want to have come into a corner of the kitchen. Oftentimes, doors in corners may not open as far or as well as you’d think. And for cabinets or cupboards with knobs, the knobs could smash into the wall if you’re not careful. Sometimes, custom cabinetry may be the best bet for making the best use of the corners of your kitchen. So before you get your design set in stone, make sure you’ve thought about what you’ll be placing in the corners.

Lean Toward The Classics

When it comes to the overall design of the basics of your custom kitchen, you may still want to lean toward the classics even while putting your own personal stamp on the space.

While you might like the idea of designing your kitchen in a funky and eclectic way, if you think there’s a chance that you’ll ever move from this home, you may still want to incorporate classic styles into the structure of your custom kitchen. This will help to make it more appealing for future buyers.

Prioritize Convenience

As you think about the layout of your kitchen and what custom items you want to include in your design, make sure you’re prioritizing convenience, both with moving around your kitchen and actually using it to cook.

To make your kitchen as convenient for you as possible, consider how you want the layout of the stove, sink, and refrigerator. You’ll also want to make sure that you strategically place your outlets near areas where you’ll want to use them. Putting lighting in the right places will also help to ensure that it’s easy to be in your kitchen.

If you’re ready for a beautiful custom kitchen in your home, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you design the perfect space.

3 Ways To Know If You’re Working With A Reputable Company

September 10, 2024

When you have a project that you’re needing to hire some help with, it can be hard to know who to trust with the important work that you’re needing to get done. And because people are always looking for ways to get things completed as inexpensively as possible, there are always going to be people and businesses looking to take advantage of those who don’t want to spend a lot. Knowing this, you need to find a way to ensure that what you’re spending money on is actually going to be what you’re getting and won’t wind up just giving you a big headache.

To help you with this, here are three ways to know if you’re working with a reputable company.

Check For Any Lawsuits

When you’re doing your research about who you want to work with on any given project, be it for installing an outdoor kitchen or for repainting your home, there will likely be a few options that you consider. So as part of the research process, one thing that you should be on the lookout for is any lawsuits against the person or company you’re considering working with.

To find this information, search for the person or company name online and make sure that you add the words lawsuit or court documents along with the search. This should give you the information you’re searching for to help you determine if there are any legal documents stating that someone is suing the company for something that seems reasonable to you and would make you not want to work with this company in the future.

Get In Contact With Them

When you’re just researching a company doing your own online research, there are ways that people and companies can fake being reputable. However, when you actually start to interact with the company and the people who work for them, it gets a little harder to pretend.

With this in mind, you should attempt to contact any person or company that you’re considering hiring. Look up their address and phone number and attempt to contact them using this information. If you can’t speak to a real person or the location doesn’t make sense for the business they’re running, this could be a sign that they’re looking to trick people into just giving them their money.

Ask Around

Depending on the type of work that you’re wanting to hire someone to do, you might know someone in your personal or professional life that’s needed this same type of work done in the past. If this is the case, consider asking around for personal recommendations that people can give you for reputable companies they’ve worked with in the past to help you take some of the guesswork out of your own hiring decision.

If you need to know if a new company you’re considering working with really is reputable, use the tips mentioned above to help you make this determination.

3 Tips For Rearranging A Living Space For The Use A Walking Aid

September 10, 2024

If you or someone you know if using a walking aid for the first time, be it because they’re older now and living in an senior living community or because they’ve sustained an injury that has their body healing, there are a few things that you might want to help them do around the house to make moving around easier. Especially if their home isn’t really equipped for those who might have issues with accessibility, rearranging the living spaces can make life a whole lot easier.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for rearranging a living space during that time that you’ll be using a walking aid.

Remove Unnecessary Items

One of the first things that you should do when you’re trying to create a safe space for someone to move around in when using a walking aid is to get rid of anything that doesn’t need to be in the space. With clutter and other unnecessary items filling up a room, it can be hard for anyone to move around the space, let alone someone who’s now having to maneuver a walking aid, too.

If there are actual larger items that you can move out of the space so that there’s more room to get around, this can work out great. But in addition to this, if there are larger pieces of furniture in the room, you may want to downsize so that the items that are left in the room allow for more space to move around as well.

Create More Space Between Furniture

For the furniture that is left in the living space, something that can make moving around the room easier to manage is if there is more space in between pieces of furniture and other items.

Ideally, for the use of things like a wheelchair, you’ll want to try to keep five-feet between spaces so that the wheelchair can easily fit through without knocking into things or encroaching on the space of the person using the wheelchair. While using things like a walker can usually require less space than five feet, having more space than you might traditionally between furniture can still make for an easier time getting around at home.

Bring Things Within Arm’s Reach

When someone is having to use a walking aid around the house, they aren’t going to be able to get around as well as they could before. This means that not only will they be moving more slowly and needing more space to move in general, but they also won’t be able to reach things that are up high or down low like they may have been able to before.

With this in mind, it’s wise to rearrange things so that they don’t have to reach farther than 24 to 48 inches to get anything that they’ll need.

If you or someone you love is having to use a walking aid at home, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you rearrange the space effectively.

Does Shapewear Actually Change Your Shape?

July 12, 2024

When you have an imperfect figure with lots of flaws, shapewear helps you style yourself up for different occasions. The best tummy shapewear, for instance, can put the bulges in control, flatten your abdomen, and give your waist the curves that make you look attractive.

But, does shapewear actually change your silhouettes and give you a changed figure? Do you feel like and look like a person with a makeover when you wear body shapers from Shapellx?

Let’s see how these pieces can turn your world around!

1. Immediate Visual Effect

When you put on shapers, the visual effect is immediate! It right away smoothens your body and adds dream curves to the right places. So, you are definitely going to look different with a figure that’s more in shape. This is because you immediately turn into a flawless gal who is more attractive, slimmer, and curvier.

2. Quick Solution

When you want to have a shapely figure, you have to make a plan that involves hard work like going to the gym and going on a diet. But in this case, the results will take months to give you your dream figure. What about an important event is coming up in a few days or in a week and you want to look slimmer? This is when your Shapellx shapewear becomes a quick solution to make you look perfect.

3. Targeted Shaping

If there are areas in your body that are way out of shape, you can go for targeted compression to have the figure you want. This is more effective than wearing full bodysuits because you get to cover the most problem areas. It is specific shaping, like for your tummy and thighs with shaper shorts.

4. Smoothing Effect

Shapewear garments are a layer under your clothes, but most pieces are almost invisible. The layer is thin and can be seamless if you pick the right pieces. This is what we call a smoothing effect for your physical appearance. It gives your look a sleek makeover and you look just perfecto!

5. Beautiful Shapewear Dresses

Shapellx also offers the option of shapewear dress that are more gorgeous than shaping bodysuits. These are dresses that give you compression and make you look slimmer with curves. The best thing is that these dresses are only one layer and no more! So, it’s really convenient to slip into them and look different and amazing with no effort.

6. A Positive Feeling

Overall, pieces like shapewear or shaping jumpsuits give you a very positive feeling about how you look.so, when are confident, it shows on your face and the way you walk or carry yourself. This is definitely a changed appearance with the perfect curves, slimmer look, and an upright posture.

Final Thoughts

You can trust your shapewear pieces to change your shape because it is effect. There are different kinds of pieces and the variety can be used for different areas. So, enjoy the look and feel positive about yourself.

4 Tips For Staying Safe in Extremely Hot Climates

May 28, 2024

It’s that time of year again when we have to start preparing ourselves for the warmer weather. Unfortunately, for some people, the hot weather is more than just a discomfort, it can be a real danger. Particularly for people in their senior years, who may risk serious injury and even death due to a hot climate. In order to stay safe, it’s important that you practice the right safety measures to navigate the hot heat.

Drink Water

One of the most important things you can do when you’re extremely hot is to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will help your body stay cool, and replenish all of your hydration. When you sweat, you lose all the water inside of your body, so you have to refill your body by sipping water regularly.

In extremely hot conditions, you may even want to consider sipping electrolyte-infused drinks since this can restore minerals lost in your sweat. Above all, avoid drinking alcohol at all costs, as this can increase dehydration, and may also increase the effects of alcohol.

Stay in The Shade

Shade is essential when it comes to staying cool. If you stay in direct sunlight, then you aren’t just going to overheat, but you’re also going to get a sunburn. Ideally, you should limit your exposure to the sun during peak hours. Typically this is between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Stay inside, and after this time you can go outside as long as you have sunblock and other protective gear like sunglasses. If you don’t have any air conditioning, and your house is even hotter than it is outside, consider going somewhere like a public library or even a shopping mall where you have access to a cooler temperature.

Dress in Light Clothing

When dressing for the hot weather, you want to choose breathable light fabrics. This will allow your skin to breathe, and prevent overheating in restrictive clothes. Light clothing will reflect sunlight and help keep your body cool, so avoid wearing dark colors like black or navy. Above all, always wear a hat that can provide additional shade not only on your face but also on your shoulders and chest.

Don’t Exert Yourself

Engaging in extremely intense activities during a heat wave can be incredibly dangerous. You want to take it slow when it comes to physical exertion and take breaks whenever possible. If you start to feel yourself getting dizzy when running errands, or doing something like cleaning the house, make sure you sit down and listen to your body. Fainting could lead to hitting your head and seriously injuring yourself, so slow down when necessary, and you’ll avoid heat exhaustion.