lifestyle in the villages: Three Things 2026 Dick Would Tell 2011 Dick
- 08/17/26 05:43 PM
I shared a client asked me how long I lived in The Villages, my answer 15 years. They asked a question that has been on my mind the past three days, what would 2026 Dick tell 2011 Dick about living in The Villages, Florida. I finally decided on three points I would tell 2011 Dick.
Friendships, it is so easy to make friends, neighbors, golfers or just going to the squares or clubs. Nobody is from here so most people will make friends quickly and if you are like me you keep those friends for a long time.
Health, take care of yourself … (1 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Florida Bugs: What New Residents Should Know
- 08/14/26 12:36 PM
One of my buyers from Nashville called me today worried about something that probably crosses the mind of a lot of people moving to Florida. Bugs! And specifically, termites.
Yes, we have bugs. We also have sunshine, palm trees and golf carts, so apparently there had to be a tradeoff somewhere. Termites are something to take seriously in Florida, but that doesn’t mean every house is being eaten from the inside out. A good home inspection can look for signs of termite activity or damage, and many homeowners have regular pest and termite protection. It’s something to check, not something to lose … (3 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Who Else Is Visiting Your Bird Feeder?
- 08/14/26 04:15 AM
I was out showing property in The Villages when something in the backyard caught my attention. There was a bird feeder, but the birds waiting for lunch weren't exactly what you might expect. It was a family of sandhill cranes. Mom, Dad and their youngster, called a colt.
That sent me down another rabbit hole. Sandhill cranes form long-term pair bonds, often mating for life, and their young can stay with their parents for around 9 to 10 months. That probably explains why we so often see them walking around The Villages in groups of three.
But I also learned something about the … (6 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Why the Beach Helps Us Relax and Recharge
- 08/13/26 02:04 PM
Yesterday Dr. J.T. Anderson talked about grounding and some of the simple ways people practice it, including walking barefoot in the sand and spending time in salt water. The timing couldn't have been better because Michelle is heading to the beach tomorrow with her sister, niece, cousin and a six-month-old, so we decided to continue the conversation.
Michelle loves the beach, and for her it goes beyond putting her feet in the sand or walking into the ocean. She talked about the sounds of the waves, slowing down and how the beach can be a great place to relax and recharge.
Sometimes healthy … (3 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: The People Who Matter Most
- 08/13/26 05:22 AM
One of the things I like about our Blue Zone-inspired series is that not everything about healthy aging involves what we eat or how much we exercise. Sometimes it comes down to the people sitting across the table from us.
Loved Ones First is one of the nine principles, and JT talks about how his wife Bethany and his family have remained more important than any professional accomplishment. I think there is a lesson there for all of us.
Life gets busy. Careers, appointments, activities and even retirement can fill a calendar pretty quickly. But years from now, chances are we won't remember … (5 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Would You Live Near a Street With Stripes?
- 08/12/26 07:01 AM
I can't take credit for the expression "streets with stripes." One of my clients, who originally found me through Facebook and still follows me today, introduced me to the term. It has since become one of the questions I ask buyers when we're figuring out where they might want to live in The Villages.
A street with stripes generally means more traffic than you'll find on the quiet residential streets running through our neighborhoods. That doesn't make it bad, and plenty of people don't care. But here's the part buyers sometimes miss. You need to look at both the front AND the … (2 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Grounding: Can Connecting With the Earth Help?
- 08/12/26 06:49 AM
Grounding, sometimes called earthing, is the practice of reconnecting your body with the Earth’s natural electrical environment. This can happen by walking barefoot outside or by using grounding products such as mats, sheets, and pillowcases designed to create that connection indoors.
Many people use grounding as part of a broader recovery and wellness routine, particularly to promote relaxation, better sleep, and a calmer nervous system. While research is still developing, the concept fits well with something our bodies desperately need: opportunities to slow down, recover, and reduce the constant stimulation of everyday life.
Think of grounding as another tool in your wellness toolbox. … (5 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: You Can Go Sailing in The Villages?
- 08/11/26 05:50 AM
With thousands of resident-led clubs in The Villages, every once in a while I come across one that surprises even me. The Villages Sailing Club is one of those. And no, we're not talking about model sailboats, these folks sail full-size boats on lakes around Central Florida.
You don't have to own a sailboat or even know how to sail to get involved. Members organize sailing trips, charter excursions and social activities, and they even have opportunities for beginners to learn the basics. The club meets at Lake Miona Recreation Center at 10:00 AM on the second Thursday of the month from … (2 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Why Community Matters More Than Ever
- 08/10/26 10:22 AM
One of the things I noticed after moving to The Villages is how easy it is to find people who share something important to you. It might be golf, pickleball, cards, volunteering, a neighborhood group or your faith.
That connection may be more important to healthy aging than we realize.
The seventh principle in our Blue Zone-inspired series is “Belong.” For JT, that means his Christian faith and being part of a faith community. He believes taking care of ourselves isn't just about the body. The mind and spirit matter too.
I think The Villages gives us plenty of opportunities to belong. Michelle and … (3 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Michelle Shares Her Health Journey
- 08/10/26 04:25 AM
Michelle has been sharing her wellness journey with me for a while now, and Tuesday she talks about some of the changes she has noticed along the way. This isn't about telling anyone else what they should do. It's simply Michelle sharing what she has been doing and what she has experienced.
One thing I like about these conversations is that we don't always agree, and I usually have questions. I think a lot of people our age are the same way. We hear about something new and wonder if it really works, if it's right for us, or if it's just … (2 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Weeds Never Take a Day Off in Florida
- 08/08/26 01:49 PM
Many of us in The Villages have mulch or stone landscaping around our homes, and there is one thing you can count on growing whether you want it to or not... weeds! Hand pulling them works, but I would have to make weed pulling a new hobby to keep up with them. Add St. Augustine grass that seems determined to spread from the lawn into the flower beds, and it can become a never-ending job.
I finally settled on a system that works pretty well for me. I use a weed and grass killer in a small battery-powered sprayer and walk the … (4 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: What Kind of Tree is That?
- 08/08/26 12:25 PM
I was sitting at a home inspection this week for a buyer who had just gone under contract after a couple of late nights of negotiating. We were walking around the backyard when she looked up at a beautiful tree and asked, "What kind of tree is that?" I laughed and said, "Let's find out." I pulled out my phone, opened Google Lens, took a picture, and within seconds we had the answer. I've been using Google Lens for quite a while now, and many past clients know I'll use it to identify trees, shrubs, flowers, or just about anything else … (4 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Rainy Season in The Villages
- 08/06/26 09:40 AM
A few days ago, I was out showing homes in The Villages when one of our typical summer afternoon thunderstorms rolled through.
My umbrella, of course, was safely tucked away... in my car.
There wasn't time to wait for the rain to pass. My buyer was heading back to Nashville the next morning, so I made a dash through the rain, grabbed the umbrella, and got her back to the car without getting soaked.
That's just part of life in Central Florida.
If you're thinking about moving to The Villages, you'll quickly learn that summer afternoon showers are part of the season. They often arrive … (3 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: The Best Part of Happy Hour Isn't the Drink
- 08/06/26 07:32 AM
One of the things that makes The Villages so special is how easy it is to connect with people.
Every afternoon across the community, neighbors gather on lanais, meet friends at a restaurant, or enjoy live music at one of the town squares. Some raise a glass of wine. Others enjoy iced tea, sparkling water, or a cold beer. The beverage isn't really the point.
As Dr. J.T. Anderson shared with us, the real value is slowing down long enough to enjoy conversation, laughter, and friendship.
After more than 31 years of caring for patients and professional athletes, JT understands that good health is … (8 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Sleep: The Foundation of Recovery and Longevity
- 08/06/26 04:31 AM
In an active community like The Villages, our days may be filled with pickleball, golf, exercise, and social activities. However, true health and longevity also depend on quality sleep and recovery.
During sleep, the body repairs muscles, reduces inflammation, restores energy, and supports a healthy immune system. The brain also uses this time to organize memories, improve concentration, and remove waste products that can affect cognitive health.
Poor sleep may contribute to fatigue, slower healing, decreased balance, and a greater risk of falls or injuries. It can also increase inflammation and make it more difficult to remain active.
Blue Zone living is not only … (4 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: SEO Isn't Dead, It's Evolving
- 08/06/26 04:00 AM
For the past 25 years we've all learned about SEO, Search Engine Optimization. We worked to improve rankings, choose the right keywords, earn backlinks, and help consumers find us on Google.
Those fundamentals still matter.
However, something new is happening.
You may have started hearing terms like Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Instead of simply asking how to rank higher in search results, many of us are beginning to ask a different question.
"Will AI recognize my content as trustworthy enough to use when answering someone's question?"
That is a very different way of thinking.
Google has made it clear that we don't … (5 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Healthy Living Starts One Meal at a Time
- 08/05/26 04:54 AM
One of the things I enjoy most about living in The Villages is having so many choices. Whether you're shopping at a local farmers market, picking up fresh produce at the grocery store, or enjoying a meal with friends, healthy choices are never far away.
As we've been discussing in our healthy living series, you don't have to change everything overnight. Small, consistent improvements often produce the biggest long-term results.
Dr. J.T. Anderson often reminds us that we can choose foods that heal or foods that steal. That simple thought has stayed with me because it isn't about following the latest diet. It's … (4 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Michelle Shares About Her Pranamat Mat
- 08/04/26 05:23 PM
Michelle wanted to share her Pranamat Mat story, it took her along time to decide to buy one and now she loves using it! I went to the manufacture’s website to learn more about the mat: When you first have a massage with Pranamat® the feeling is truly unforgettable – the acupressure-based sensation you get is intense! But after a few moments a pleasant warmth spreads through your whole body, tension and discomfort disappear and you can enjoy all the pleasure that massage brings.
Next: HOW QUICKLY WILL I NOTICE THE FIRST RESULTS?
The first session might feel a bit prickly (it’s an … (5 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: You Might Have Noticed a Slight Pivot
- 08/04/26 10:29 AM
You might have noticed a slight pivot in my articles and videos lately.
The truth is, you're right.
After writing nearly 2,000 articles and videos over the past four years, I find myself doing something I've done several times throughout my career...
I'm adapting again.
When I bought my first computer back in the 1980s, people thought it was unnecessary. Then came Palm Pilots, email, smartphones, texting, Facebook, YouTube, and countless other changes. Every time I heard someone say, "I'll never use one of those."
Eventually, most of us did.
Today, I believe we're standing at another one of those moments.
For years we've relied on Google to … (8 comments)
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lifestyle in the villages: Moving to The Villages Alone Doesn't Mean Living Alone
- 08/04/26 05:12 AM
Over the years, I have helped many single men and women buy homes in The Villages. One of the first things I often hear is, "I'm moving there alone."
I understand that fear. Many are leaving lifelong friends and family behind, sometimes moving a thousand miles away. They may not know a single person in The Villages, and the only familiar face is mine from following me on Facebook.
That's when we start talking about lifestyle.
We discuss singles clubs, which are social groups rather than matchmaking organizations. We talk about clubs built around shared interests, neighborhood activities, bocce, golf leagues, volunteer opportunities, churches, … (4 comments)
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