Interesting Stuff is a weekly listing of short takes and links to web items that have caught my attention; some related to aging and some not, some useful and others just for fun.

You are all encouraged to submit items for inclusion. Just click “Contact” in the upper left corner of any Time Goes By page to send them. I'm sorry that I probably won't have time to acknowledge receipt and there is no guarantee of publication. But when I do include them, you will be credited and I will link to your blog if you have one.

A GOOD GOODBYE
Gail Rubin keeps a blog, The Family Plot (you can guess from the title what it's about), and she has also written an excellent book with everything you could possibly want to know about burying loved ones.

A Good Goodbye is filled the practical and ephemeral from the dealing with funeral homes to obituaries, customs of various religions, green funerals, pet funerals, odd funerals, eulogies, webcasts of funerals, a large section on preparations for memorial receptions, TSA rules for taking cremated remains on an airplane, clear through to continuing remembrances long after burial.

There are even instructions for a true Irish wake and you'll be surprised how elaborate it is. A Good Goodbye is well-researched and, as the cover might indicate to you, not at all the grim read you might think it would be. It's the sort of thing to have around just in case – sooner or later we'll all need to know these things.

You can find out more here and the book is available at all the usual online and offline booksellers. Ebook versions coming soon.

MEMORIES FROM “CATS” - ELDER STYLE
Pam Peterson sings Memories with a whole new batch of lyrics just for us. It's very funny. (Hat tip to Nikki of From Where I Sit.)

OUR OWN PETER TIBBLES
You all know Peter Tibbles who writes the terrific Elder Music column here on Sundays. Now he's been interviewed at the Boomer Turn-Ons blog specifically about his weekly musical ruminations. You can read it here.

JAIL FOR BARKING DOG OWNERS
Having been plagued with barking dogs where I lived in New York and in Maine – I mean three, four, five hours of dogs barking without letup - I can get behind this story from Italy.

The top appeals court sentenced four people in Sicily to two months in jail because they refused to keep their 10 dogs quiet at night despite complaints from neighbors who had repeatedly picked a bone with the owners over lost sleep.

The four were also ordered to pay court charges and a fine of 500 euros ($684) each.

SLO-MO CAT
Lia of Yum Yum Cafe sent this video of cat's play slowed way down so you can see every leap, jump and twist in detail. It is also unexpectedly calming.

THE MAN WHO SAVED SOCIAL SECURITY
Social Security expert Nancy Altman gives us a story about a man most of us have never heard of, Robert M. Ball, who died three years ago at age 93.

“Mr. Ball was a giant,” writes Ms. Altman. “The longest-serving commissioner in the history of the program, he was instrumental in Congress' enactment of the Disability Insurance program, Medicare, and the automatic inflation protection that beneficiaries enjoy, among many other achievements. Moreover, historians credit him with helping to save Social Security at least four times.”

Along with geriatrician Robert N. Butler and journalist Saul Friedman, both of whom died last year, all elders owe Robert M. Ball our undying gratitude. Read more here.

HIGH PRINTER INK PRICES
Having improved my electronic organizational skills, I don't print nearly as many web pages as I once did. Still, I seem to need to replace printer cartridges way too often at exorbitant prices. This short video explains how you might be able to extend the life of printer ink. (I haven't had reason to try it yet.)

ELDERWOMAN NEWSLETTER
Marian Van Eyk McCain keeps the excellent ElderWomanBlog, and she also produces a monthly Elderwoman Newsletter filled with stories on health, spirituality, some poetry, beautiful images and more.

You can read the February issue here.

NAKED GUYS' BALLOON DANCE
I really hesitated to post this – it is so silly, stupid even. But I watched it several times and with each viewing I giggled more. See what you think.