Scenario: You’re divorced, widowed, bachelored or bacheloretted and want to get back into the social scene. The idea of lonely seniors getting together these days may not be as popular in song, film and TV as it is for young couples.

However, as long-ago Frank Sinatra's lyrics to "The Second Time Around" declared:

It's that second time you hear
Your love song sung;
Makes you think perhaps that love,
Like youth, is wasted on the young.

Total alertness at the wheel can be literally a matter of life and death for senior roadies. However, in this day of smartphones, ipods, tweeters, twitters and other devices, staying alert now creates more distractions.

The reality of driving, whether to the local store or across the country, is that safety is a constant responsibility. This is especially critical for senior drivers who travel long distances and spend many hours behind the wheel. Some suggestions for safe driving include: 

1. Before hitting the road, be sure your car is in excellent condition, including engine, electrical system, brakes and tires. Ventilation must be functioning safely, especially heating and air conditioning. The interior should be clean and secure from obstructions that could distract the driver or be propelled around on sudden stops.

2. Be sure you’re in as good physical condition as your car. Get regular check-ups with your family doctor to be sure to be in tip-top physical shape. If on meds, ask your doctor how they affect driving skills and alertness. If suffering from a severe cold, flu or serious physical injury, consider postponing your trip.

Senior travelers can’t avoid them. They’re everywhere, and the extras will hike your costs every time you book. For example, you see an airline ad for a $99.99 flight, or Vegas luxury hotel for $29.99 a night or a five-day Caribbean cruise for $999.99.

First of all, why must they still use the old grocery store gotcha trick of quoting .99 to make it seem cheaper than a dollar? The scam should alert you that some creative add-ons are involved to make your actual total costs much higher than the bargain quotes.

There’s no easy way out of the sneaky and confusing extras, except maybe when you’re booking or paying a bill to a live person. Just voice the simple demand: OK, after all the taxes and other charges are added on, please tell me up front how much will the actual total take out of my pocket?

And also, after all the hoopla, don’t forget to ask politely: What’s the senior discount you’ll now deduct from the total bill?

Las Vegas and Reno attract retirees with glittering entertainment, posh hotels, overflowing buffets and flashing casinos. Of course, all of that isn’t to make seniors happy.

Strip it all away, and the purpose is to take your money. This isn’t a lecture about the evils of gambling, but just a simple warning to those of us who enjoy spending time in the Silver State.