Is 2026 the Year We Start Our “Golden Years”?
Updated
01/12/2026:
Happy New Year & Happy UN-Birthday January 39ers! ♪ And many more… ♪
Do you step gingerly or fearlessly into the New Year? Though I’ve enjoyed more than a few birthdays of 39 and Holding, I grew up not fearing each birthday, but embracing them, even as I long ago passed the magic number of “39.”
As a youngster, my elders talked about their “Golden Years.” Well, we now know IF there ever was such a literal era, it disappeared long ago, with hula hoops and beehive hairdos. Or did it? As with life in general, perhaps it just perpetually morphs with whatever fits the definition at the moment. “My financial plan for retirement? Win the lottery. Still waiting.” (Anonymous)
So metaphorically speaking, if we age with perpetual joy in life, every New Year is another Golden Year. Cheers to your Golden New Year 2026!
We always begin with a mini-horoscope for us all. No matter our age, a little perceived help never hurts. We follow it up with a few words of encouragement as we UNwrap the month’s UN-Birthday Zodiac signs celebrating another 39 and Holding year … Capricorn and Aquarius. Here we go …
For all of us: How’s your New Year going so far, 39ers? The early full moon (3rd) highlighted our private vs. public roles going into the month. Open yourself to others’ opinions, beliefs and hopes as you move forward toward your own goals. By mid-month we’ll walk confidently with collective energy and individual progress to set the tone for 2026.
Our Aquarius (01/20 – 02/18) 39ers, however, are in for a magical first half of January, as your charisma and vitality direct the month’s primary projects and set you up for the year. Around the New Moon (18th) you may need to remind yourself that a few minutes set aside for daily quiet time or even meditation, would be beneficial. That will aid your public persona to attract those you need who are finally seeing you as an asset and will help you to accomplish your upcoming goals.
What can your friends do to help you celebrate your UN-birthday, January 39ers? Anything with a beautiful, glowing garnet will do! Since ancient times the garnet has adorned us as a symbolic display of affection, and it promotes protection and healing! Says the Almanac: According to biblical legend, Noah is said to have used a garnet gem on the Ark as a source of light. Cool.
♪ January Vintage Song of
Note
♪
When perusing songs for this article every month, I’ve come to learn more about the top tunes of my era than I never knew when dancing or warbling their enigmatic lyrics at the top of my lungs in a crowded bar. Now, I actually listen to them, and wonder what the songwriters were thinking when writing them. Often, I exclaim, oh, that’s what they meant!
I’ve also learned how much the song title can influence our perception of the song, and how often the title means one thing to the general public, but goes down a different rabbit hole for the songwriter, or whoever chose the final title.
For our 40++ readers, Golden Years can mean those ethereal retired years of living in virtual paradise. However, Bowie’s “love song” is lamenting his “lost soul” baby.
I confess, the lyrics confuse me—he’s obviously in love and I’m guessing his girl is an entertainer, but beyond that, I’m lost, too—to me, the lyrics are a jumble of disconnected thoughts. If you choose to review them, let me know what ya think!
♪ … Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere, angel | (Come get up, my baby) | Run for the shadows, run for the shadows | Run for the shadows in these golden years … ♪ But it has a great ‘70s funk sound ... more tuneful vintage trivia to manifest your memories and keep the Rock Rockin’ from 50 Years Ago this Month!
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More JANUARY
Fun for Everyone
Are you staying warm this month? It’s
mid-winter and we seek ways to warm our innards, as well as our hands. Spend a
cozy day in the kitchen and wrap your hands around a hot cuppa homemade soup!
Scrumptious soup recipes abound in
National
Soup Month. Without a sponsor, I filled in the gap with a soups-and-stews
list of recipes (above). If they don’t suit your appetite, try 32 more, here;
or 22
melt-away-your winter blues soups; or 18 soup recipes with eclectic
worldwide broths, soups and chowders. Enjoy! And while it’s cooling on your
spoon …
January 3rd: Aooooow! It’s January’s Full Wolf Moon magic! Why Wolf Moon? The Almanac explains, “Howling and other wolf vocalizations are heard in the wintertime to locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, define territory, and coordinate hunting.” Sounds like some people I know! In earlier times, it was believed that the wolves howled from hunger … but who has energy to howl when you’re hungry?! It’s a Supermoon … meditate throughout the month and plan your year with its energy.
January 18th: And, joining the above is
the beloved Winnie the Pooh—just in time for Winnie the
Pooh Day!
Sadly, he, too, no longer has a sponsoring link, but let me help with that—the
Winnie link proves at least ONE site still celebrates Pooh-bear, especially
since this is his 100th birthday! Says the National World War I
Museum and Memorial, “Winnie-the-Pooh turns 100! Celebrate and learn more about
the real-life WWI bear who inspired the ‘tubby little cubby all stuffed with
fluff’ with an educational extravaganza for all ages.”
The date honors the birthday of
author and Pooh creator, A.A. Milne. Inspired
by a stuffed toy he bought for his son, Christopher
Robin
(yes, he was real!), and a bear named Winnipeg at their local London Zoo, the
first of adventures of Winnie the
Pooh
published in 1926.
January 18th: Did you feel the pull of the year’s first full supermoon (3rd)? Now magnify that again, with the power of the first 2026 New Moon. Always an opportunity for new beginnings, the January New Moon is especially good to set your personal and professional goals for the year. Take ten minutes and do it now.
January 20th: Turn your Radio UP—it’s National Disc Jockey Day! Yet another richly deserving special day no longer has a sponsor, but our Big Bro site, BlastFromYourPast.net would not exist without the likes of Rock Radio DJ, Alan Freed, who pioneered the term, Rock ‘n’ Roll. Today, marks the anniversary of his death in 1965, and a tribute to all Radio DJs then, and now. (Above links are informative articles about the day—enjoy!) And of course, visit BFYP for an expanded version of National Disc Jockey Day!
֎ Aging Tip of
the Month:
Are
you “of a certain age”? Whatever that means. At some point—after 40+—we find
ourselves forgetting where we put our keys, or why we trekked into the other
room. Is it just normal? Sometimes forgetfulness can point to more than simple
aging. If you’re questioning yourself or a loved one, take a few minutes to
review what’s normal and what isn’t and what you can do about Alzheimer’s/Dementia,
if you suspect it. All is not lost and The Alzheimer's
Association has your back.
Are you hungering for your Golden Years? Your Golden Years are now, whatever your age. ~ L. Rochelle
Happy
UN-Birthday 39ers ~ January 2026 ~ Never Stop Learning!
This one’s for you, kids – Reneé, Erin,
Chris and Joe!
Flaunt your 39er ATT-i-tude 39 & Holding Gifts!
Chat on X/Twitter: @39HoldingClub
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NUTS & BOLTS: And dear readers, I just want you to know that I try my best to create an informative, aesthetically creative article for you each month. However, Blogger is not a professional hosting site—but they’re free through Google. So we’re stuck with their crummy platform that doesn’t work well to manipulate images with writing, especially if you aren’t a techie who knows HTML. Trust me, I’ve tried for years to write articles without gaps between paragraphs and even between sentences. Sigh. Maybe I’ll win the lottery and be able to afford a professional hosting site someday.
LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series, available on Amazon: Book 1 (currently eBook only, until updated) – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 (eBook, print & color!) – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon (eventually) … The Psychedelic Seventies!
*Important Message: Any data, links, or opinions on
this site are for your information only and does not constitute legal or
medical expertise of any kind. My proficiency is writing and sensible
reporting. Period. All links have been vetted, but as always, please use information,
links, or my skewed opinions at your own risk.
RE: AI – The Blast from Your Past site has
never and will never (knowingly) be written or assisted, by Artificial
Intelligence. It’s just stupid ol’ “I” and I enjoy writing
these articles. They soothe my soul. So why would I hand that indulgence over
to an artificial, soulless entity that can’t feel pleasure?!
Are you a 39er this month? Welcome to the 39 and Holding Club! Feel free to share your UN-birthday comments below (click on Comments or if it says No Comments, click that to be the first) and tell us how you really feel about your age and aging. Keep the stories coming!
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