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  Journey of a Summer transformation of a wild garden to an older person’s garden. A few weeks ago in our first gardening blog we talked about weeding as not being a chore, just a part of the process, and never to look more than the few feet in front of you lest the total amount needing to be done have you back in the house reading a book. I put that to the test this Summer with a stretch of dirt 22' long x 4' to 10' wide and then back to 4' that makes up what we call the Side Garden . My goal this year was too “older” the Side Garden. “ Older your garden ” came up blank in a Webster's search, and AI did no better. Webster came up with “holding my horses”, “girding my loins”, “bending my ear” and “holding your peace”. None made sense but at least holding your peace resonated in a calming sort of way. AI called it “aging”, and “the feeling of experiencing age-related physical and emotional sensations”, which has some significance to oldering, but only in a periph...
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  Relaxing and Reading a Book: Giving Yourself Permission to Slow Down ⁓ So, I was feeling guilty. Here I was with nothing to do—just sitting. I had already had a good day: got my walking in, tended to the garden, checked off some work tasks. All in all, productive. And yet, when I finally had a moment to myself, I thought, now what? A friend of mine gave me some advice I didn’t expect. He said, “Did you ever hear of just relaxing? Sitting and enjoying a book, resting your brain?” Honestly, that had never been my strong suit. I’m the kind of person who feels guilty if I’m not “doing” something. Giving myself permission to simply sit felt indulgent, almost wrong. But I decided to try it—on my own terms. If I was going to “just relax,” I needed to set the stage. Somehow, it felt less like wasted time if I prepared for it. First, I found the right spot. It had to be cozy and quiet, with no distractions. I carved out a space near the window where light filtered in, peaceful and invitin...
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Welcome to the New Amtify™ 〰  Thirteen years ago, Amtify™ began with a simple goal: to offer quality products that you need in life. We've served over 150,000 customers and followers who value not just what’s in the box, but what it brings to their lives. Now, we’re evolving. Our focus is shifting from selling products directly to curating experiences and recommendations. From this point on, your purchases through our site will happen via “ Affiliate Relationships .” That means if you click a product link in our blogs and make a purchase, you’ll buy directly from that store — and we’ll receive a commission, at no cost to you, we're just part of their marketing budget. We’ve also redefined what Amtify™ stands for. This change isn’t just cosmetic — it’s foundational. We're committed to supporting a lifestyle centered around mindfulness , peace, and doing things that bring purpose. What That Means for You  We’re building our new identity around three central themes: Peace of M...
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  You Know What Makes You Feel Good? Building Something. Whether you need it or not, few things feel better than making something with your own hands. A wobbly table, a crooked shelf, a patched-up chair—it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours. And with winter coming an indoor hobby is important. I’m an amateur woodworker. Very amateur. But that’s the point. You don’t need a fancy workshop or a wall of tools. You need curiosity, a little space, and a willingness to try. The Joy of Making Maybe you built something in shop class years ago. Maybe you’ve fixed something in a way that felt borderline genius. I once repaired a tray table using a bent metal hanger. It worked. It felt good. Here's my camp tray, circa 1956... Still Functional! That’s the feeling: you see the problem, think it through, and solve it. You step back, smile, and think, “I did that.” (Click on the photos for relaxing suggestions). You don’t need to know everything. YouTube helps. So do books, fo...
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   Gardening for Fun, Not for Profit Gardening isn’t about perfection—it’s about joy. I don’t consider myself a “Gardener” with a capital G. I just garden. That distinction matters. This isn’t about plant contests or botanical precision. It’s about getting your hands dirty, enjoying the sun, and smiling when your first tomato or flower appears. The key is to keep it fun, not stressful. You’re not doing this for profit or perfection. You’re doing it to relax, connect, and care for something that gives back in its own time. Sure, some veggies or blooms may get eaten by deer or rabbits. That’s nature. Don’t let it ruin the experience. Try “resistant” plants, use sprays, or plant things animals don’t like. Fencing can work too, but unless your garden is compact, it can become more hassle than it’s worth. I also spray my hat with insect repellant and  use this neck fan to not only keep me cool, but to keep the mosquitoes at bay. And no, I’m not a gardening expert. I’m not givi...
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  Walking the Loop: A Daily Ritual I walk every day. Almost. Sometimes I don’t feel like it—but my dog always does. We’ve got a deal: one walk a day, at least 60 minutes. Two routes keep things fresh. One winds through deep, rugged woods. The other is paved—woods, but with asphalt. Yes, it sounds wrong. Paved woods? Not quite natural, but practical. My dog still gets to chase squirrels, and I get steady footing. No mud, no twisted ankles. We both win. Why Walk? Why Every Day? It’s on my daily list. That list keeps me focused—and gives me the joy of crossing things off. Walking is a promise I keep to myself, and to my dog. We’re both committed. I hold the leash, she holds me accountable. The Woods Are the Reward The backtrails are a different world. They demand attention—navigating roots, hopping rocks, ducking fallen trees. They quiet the mind. The silence is broken only by rustling leaves, distant birdsong, or the sudden bolt of my dog chasing wildlife. There’s stillness if you wa...
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