What to do when you’re stuck at home

Winter started early this year, with snow and slush already in mid-November. Looks like it’s going to be a long haul. For those of us seniors with a fear of falling, this means a long season of staying put. What can we do with those dreary days at home? Here are a few ideas to keep from landing in that blue funk:

• Get an e-reader so that you can download books from the Toronto Public Library. Then you don’t have to worry about getting to the physical library if the weather’s bad. Make sure you pick an e-reader that allows you to download library books. See TPL’s instructions.
• Pick some kind of music you want to learn more about. Find an internet radio station that plays that music. Start listening.
• Learn to cook something new. Maybe learn how to bake bread, or cook some vegan dishes.
• Learn to play euchre or cribbage. There are lots of websites that explain how to play and let you practise online. Then, if you move into a retirement home later on, you can join right in.
• Find some exercise videos you can work out to. There are plenty of free workouts for all levels of fitness. Here’s a good starting point.
• Stock up on puzzle magazines. Try different kinds: crosswords, Sudoku, cryptograms, logic. Use a mechanical pencil so the point stays sharp.
• Start a blog. It’s easy to do with free software you can find online. We seniors need to make ourselves heard.
• Get a Lego set or some jumbo jigsaw puzzles. Set them up someplace where you can leave them out, and just keep returning to them when you feel like it.
• Teach yourself to play the ukulele. Buy a cheap one and maybe an instruction book, or try some online tutorials. Once you know three or four chords you can play hundreds of songs. Sing and play your heart out.
• Volunteer from home. Go to Charity Village and check the box that reads Only show home-office based volunteer positions.