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The Return of Variety Shows in the Digital Age
Trivia: The city of Cairo stands on which river?
RetireHub
November 12, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Wednesday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on The Return of Variety Shows in the Digital Age, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
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Top Deals From Around The Web
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What We’re Reading
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 | By: Rachael Bloome Sparks fly when two polar-opposites complete 25 days of festive challenges and discover the true magic of Christmas. |
Dear Joanne
Your questions, her wisdom — Joanne’s here with thoughtful advice, warm humor, and a listening ear for whatever’s on your mind.
I have the pleasure of writing this column today in Key West! If I have any readers who live in this area: (1) I am very jealous; and (2) do you have a guest house that I can rent out? What a wonderful, beautiful and friendly area.
But this time I noticed something about myself as it has been a few years since I visited. I realized I am not able to walk as far as I used to without getting tired. I don’t have the stamina I used to have when I was in my 50’s. Also, my last few trips encountered some type of ailment I had to deal with. I did not have anything tragic happen (thank goodness), but I did need to make a quick trip to Urgent Care for an antibiotic. Certainly something I never even had to think about until recent times.
I AM TOO YOUNG TO BE THIS OLD!
They say getting older is a privilege — and it is — but some days it feels more like a full- time job with no vacation days. Everything either creaks, pops, or aches. You wake up in the morning and play a quick game of “What hurts today?”
I was in an elevator with another couple around midnight this week, and we were all laughing because we were so tired. We reminisced about the days when we would go out all night, come home and shower, and head off to work without even blinking an eye. Now I can barely make it to the 11:00 o’clock news without falling asleep.
Aging is not for the faint of heart, which is totally against the lifestyle of “princess” that I have always attempted to live (just ask my husband). I find that as the years go by, my body has begun to speak to me in new and unfamiliar ways — Remember when we used to jump out of bed? Now we unfold. Slowly. In stages. With sound effects. Fatigue lingers longer than it used to and gives us the quiet awareness that time is changing. These aches, pains and inconvenient health dealings, though often unwelcome, are reminders of a life well lived — of miles walked, work done, and love shared.
Illness can become an uninvited companion in later years, challenging not only the body but the spirit. Yet, within those challenges lies an opportunity for patience, humility, and gratitude. The small victories — a good morning, a walk in the sun, a shared laugh — take on deeper meaning. Aging gracefully is less about avoiding pain and more about learning to live well with it, to find purpose and beauty even as the body slows.
Each day may bring its own minor discomforts, but it also brings another chance to appreciate the gift of being here — still learning, still loving, still enjoying my husband and my sons, still energetic.
I think about the inner struggle I had deciding when to retire. I am now under the impression (thanks to all of you) to retire while you can enjoy life, as long as that is an option.
I had so many emails from readers last week about your experiences in downsizing. If you remember, we looked at a house for the potential of downsizing, which I was struggling with. I just looked online and that house is still available. When we return home this week, we are going to give it a second walkthrough. Could be another chapter in my ever-evolving, crazy life! Stay tuned!
Don’t forget to Email me at [email protected] with your thoughts. I love hearing about your experiences. And, don’t forget, if you live in Key West, I would be your perfect tenant! Contact me!
Last but not lease, to all the veterans and military families out there, my thoughts were with you yesterday - Veterans Day (11/11/25)! We all know Freedom is not free – it is because of those that fight for our freedom that we get to say we live in the best Country in the world!
Have a great week everyone!
Ciao for now!
Joanne
Aging Gracefully: |
On this day in 1954, Ellis Island officially closed its doors as the United States' primary immigration station, marking the end of an era in American history. From 1892 to 1954, more than 12 million immigrants passed through its gates in search of a new life, many fleeing poverty, war, or persecution. Often called the "Gateway to America," Ellis Island symbolized both hope and hardship, as new arrivals underwent medical exams and legal processing before stepping into their future. Today, the island serves as a powerful museum and monument to the immigrant experience.
The Return of Variety Shows in the Digital Age
Remember when Saturday night TV meant musical guests, sketch comedy, a little tap dancing, and maybe a spinning plate or two? Well, good news: variety shows are making a comeback—and not just on cable. They’re popping up on streaming platforms, social media, and even YouTube, reimagined for a new generation (but still perfect for those of us who remember The Carol Burnett Show or Ed Sullivan in their heyday).
What’s different now? For starters, you don’t have to tune in at a specific time. Shows like That’s My Jam (hosted by Jimmy Fallon) and The Kelly Clarkson Show bring that old-school variety vibe with musical games, surprise performances, and plenty of laughs—available to stream whenever you want. And for those who enjoy a little global flair, YouTube is bursting with variety-style content from around the world: cooking competitions, dance-offs, even live puppet shows with commentary!
The secret sauce? These shows mix nostalgia with new energy. One minute you're hearing a classic Motown hit, and the next, you're watching celebrities play musical charades or compete in goofy trivia rounds. They’re light, joyful, and often just the right amount of silly.
And perhaps best of all? You don’t need to sit through two hours to enjoy the good stuff. Many variety shows break their episodes into short, standalone segments—perfect for a quick pick-me-up with your morning coffee or evening wind-down.
Whether you loved Sonny & Cher or still quote lines from Laugh-In, today’s reimagined variety shows might just hit the sweet spot: a little music, a little comedy, and a lot of charm.
Which type of variety show would you most enjoy watching? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: What GPS feature do you use most often?
It’s no surprise—turn-by-turn directions take the crown! A whopping 76% of respondents said it’s the GPS feature they rely on most. Meanwhile, a smaller group appreciates GPS for finding nearby amenities (9%) or getting real-time traffic updates (6%). Just a handful use it for walking/public transit directions (2%) or offline maps (4%). One thing’s clear: when it comes to getting from A to B, most of us like our route spoken to us step by step!
TOP COMMENTS
“Mostly directions. I look on a map and write down directions; my wife likes the turn-by-turn directions. I get annoyed with them at times. How do I know how far 800 feet are? And the telling me to turn when I'm not at the turn yet, irritating.”
“My favorite app is Waze. Waze leverages real-time user input to provide accurate and up-to-date navigation information. By relying on contributions from its community of drivers, known as “Wazers,” the app continuously updates users about factors that may affect travel, such as construction, police activity, accidents, and minor hazards like potholes or disabled vehicles on the shoulder.”
“Living in an area that is 47 miles away from a big city, which I don't understand the city's layout I use the step-by-step driving instructions. Quite regularly to find my way around.”
“Even on known routes I turn Waze on to provide me the best route based on the existing traffic conditions. Atlanta traffic is always messed up irrespective of the time of the day, and Waze constantly checks whether an alternate route is faster.”
“I usually use Google Maps when driving but on my most recent vacation used it for walking directions and it was great. Knew exactly how far the destination was and projected arrival time. Being directionally challenged, this was a great tool and eliminated any stress about getting lost in an unfamiliar city.”
“Finding stores nearby”
“The directions are so helpful. But I also love that my GPS gives me alternate routes when it knows there will be a jam on my normal route.”
“Until my son showed me how to use the GPS map on my cellphone I was always getting lost. This 74-year-old "dog" can learn new tricks!”
Embracing the Shadows: Finding Peace in the Quiet Season
As daylight grows shorter and evenings longer, it’s tempting to view the approaching darkness as a sign of decline—but this article invites a fresh perspective. It suggests that the darker months aren’t just about endings, they’re also about rest, introspection, and preparation for the next phase of life. Recognizing that every season has its natural rhythm—light and dark, busy and still—helps us accept change with calm rather than fear, and opens the door to inner renewal.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Toastworthy
Meaning: Describes something so special, heartwarming, or exciting that it deserves to be celebrated with a toast—like good news, a personal milestone, or a small victory.
In a sentence: "Edna’s homemade peach cobbler was so delicious it was downright toastworthy—everyone at the potluck raised their iced teas in her honor!"
Good News of the Day
Ancient Wonders, Modern Marvel: Egypt’s Grand Museum Opens Near the Pyramids
After more than two decades of planning and construction, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) officially opened to the public in early November 2025, just steps away from the iconic pyramids of Giza. The sprawling, $1 billion complex is being hailed as the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization, and it brings together over 50,000 ancient artifacts—including the complete treasures of Tutankhamun—all in one grand setting. With immersive displays, high‑tech galleries, and panoramic views of the pyramid plateau, the museum not only celebrates Egypt’s enduring heritage but also aims to boost tourism and national pride.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which U.S. state is nicknamed “The Last Frontier”? |
Which European capital is nicknamed “City of a Hundred Spires”? |
The city of Cairo stands on which river? |
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