Alexis Hartz, Author

  Hi there! Here we are in the Golden Years diving into dating with the zest of a teenager (sometimes with the same awkwardness ). Whether you're freshly single or have been wading in the dating pool for a while, navigating the waters after 50 can be intimidating. Fear not, though! These questions from my most recent YouTube video will help you keep the conversation going so you can move on to a second date and beyond!  When dating a woman aged 60 and above, it's important to ask thoughtful and respectful questions that show genuine interest in her experiences and values. Here are some questions a man might consider: Personal Interests and Hobbies 1. What are some of your favorite hobbies or activities? 2. Have you picked up any new interests or skills recently? 3. Do you enjoy traveling? If so, what's the best place you've visited? Life Experiences 4. Can you tell me about a memorable experience from your past? 5. What is one thing you’re most proud of i

What was I thinking? Today is the day. It’s a gorgeous fall day in Arizona. It’s 6am on a Friday morning and the highway traffic noise is already humming up through the neighborhood like a faulty air conditioning system. Sitting on the patio with coffee in hand, legs propped up on one of the southwestern carved chests Hank rescued from his last hotel’s renovation I consider again my plans for the day. Soon I’ll join the frenzied highway traffic heading south on the loop around the city, past the Buckeye exit and around the Estrella mountain range where the landscape and traffic clear. It’s a straight shot to Tucson from there, passing exits connected to pain points in my past. Still beautiful, but prickly like the cactus. Wild Horse Pass, Eloy, Picacho Peak National Park, Pinal Air Park, Tucson Outlet Stores, Saguaro National Park, and the Tucson exits to historic El Charro Café and the La Paloma Resort are all bookmarks to chapters of my Arizona life. Passing Tucson, I venture

I’ve tried various brands and types of travel pillows ---from the inflatable kind that you have to inflate prior to every flight to the squishy bulky kind that is less than inconvenient to keep clean and available during your travel day. But, the first time I tried the Trtl travel pillow I knew my search was over. Think about it. How much does your head weigh? Most estimates say about 10 pounds. That explains why my neck is so sore after I sleep on an airplane. Ten minutes into my nap my neck muscles relax and forget their job of keeping that 10-pound noggin of mine in place. That’s when the painful snap of total relaxation sends a shooting pain down the base of my neck and instantly wakes me from my resting experience.s What is the best way to sleep on the plane? In first class of course. But even if you do splurge and buy a first class seat, you’ll still need to figure out how to keep your head and neck aligned for rest and comfort. You’ll need a pillow of some sort.

Don't want to deal with the crowds and traffic of these final days of Christmas shopping? Check out these last minute gift ideas for everyone on your list. (Not the usual) Gift Cards Options: I love giving gift cards that people can do instead of buy. Here are some of my go-to’s. Fitness Center Bowling Alley Skating Rink Amusement Park Museum Zoo Laser Tag Miniature Golf Skydiving Ziplining River Rafting Local Tourist Activities Check out these websites for more great ideas: http://www.cloud9living.com/ http://www.giftcards.com/gcgf/best-experiential-giftcards Rentals Did you know you can rent wives? I’m not saying that they are an appropriate holiday gift, just letting you know that you can rent just about everything -- camping gear, textbooks, even garden space. Rent a Kayak or canoe Rent a Bike Rent Snow Skis Rent Jet Skis In addition to what’s listed here, check out these options: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/money/advice/g2210/rentin

I'm a Gingerbread Master and it's gingerbread house season so I'm  perusing the internet for ideas and came across these real-life gingerbread houses in Martha's Vineyard. Click here to learn more about this unique neighborhood!