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The Time of Our Lives
I hate it when I can’t figure out how to operate the iPad and my tech support guy is asleep. He’s 5, and it’s past his bedtime.
Today’s 3-year-olds can switch on laptops and open their favorite apps. When I was 3, I ate mud.
Tip for a successful marriage: Don’t ask your wife when dinner will be ready while she’s mowing the lawn.
So, you drive across town to a gym to walk on a treadmill?
Old age is coming at a really bad time.
If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would've put them on my knees.
Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven’t met yet.
Why do I have to press one for English when you're just going to transfer me to someone I can’t understand anyway?
To Be Continued . . .
Contributed by both Donald Butt and Bob Abramovitz
I Never Knew That
What’s With the Winkles (Not All of Them)?
Humans may have evolved fingers and toes that wrinkle in water to help them grip wet objects.
Spend some time in a pool, lake, or other watery location, and it won’t take long to see deep ridges of wrinkles spreading across the pads of your fingers and toes. Despite often earning the unflattering adjective “pruney,” these wrinkles disappear in about 20 minutes once back on land. At first glance, these H2O-induced crevices seem like a simple case of osmosis, in which water floods membranes (in this case our skin) to equalize on both sides. But then why doesn’t the rest of the human body wrinkle when submerged in water.
Today, we know this wrinkling is caused by constriction of the blood vessels (which is also why fingers and toes turn pale at the same time). The leading theory as to why this happens is that our hands evolved to wrinkle in wet environments to improve grip, whether we’re running in a rainstorm or grasping a potential meal in a freshwater stream. Several studies, including one published by Manchester Metropolitan University in 2021, found that grip improved dramatically when hands were especially wrinkly after water submersion. Humans also aren’t the only ones with this skin-morphing ability. The Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) is known to take long baths in hot springs, and it has wrinkled hands to prove it. Scientists are still debating the true nature of this involuntary skin response, but at least now you can look upon your deeply creased digits with a new respect — even if they are “pruney.”
Interesting Facts.com
Contributed by Jane Hart
For Your Funny Bone . . .
Contributed by Barbara Bruno
Contributed by Liz Waite
Contributed by Barbara Bruno
Poetry and Art, by Sheila Benedis
Two Worlds
Inner world
Inspired by democracy
compassion for oppressed
lightness of peace and hope
life fragile and precious
outer world
devastated by autocracy
darkness of war
precarious safety and health
innocent people in fear
Inner world
calm peaceful
place to create art
outer world
chaos and terror
Inner world
texture and movement of natural organic shapes
bright cheerful colors
soothing sound of grateful clouds
fragrant flowers
taste of honey
outer world
jagged geometric shapes
harsh colors
shrill sound of loud thunder
smell of rotten eggs
taste of bitterness
entrance to my apartment
welcoming oasis of joy and excitement
other apartments
more neutral
may I feel my inner beauty
may my creativity uplift the outer world
Diversity Artist Book
Art by Hart
Working at the Bear Wash gave Riley lots of time to think
Cupid and the other reindeer started snacking non-stop on Dec. 26
The ferry was more punctual, but there were still problems
Maybelle was the secret love child of the Red Queen and Humpty Dumpty
Gillian had never gone out with a virus before, let alone a superbug
Art and photos by Jane Hart
In and Around Kendal
The Art of Learning
Paul Jeffries, a familiar teacher, demonstrates technique in his new art class
The Hudson: Our Neighbor and Favorite View
Before the Mist Lifts, by Carolyn Reiss
The Hudson’s Great Bend at Twilight, by Edward Kasinec
Sunset, by Harry Bloomfeld
Just a Walk in the Park
Dappled Morning Light on the Path, by Carolyn Reiss
Coming Up This Week
Winter Dreams: The Prequel--and More
Before and After
Photo by Art Brady
But What Happened In Between?
Now, the true pictorial story of how it all came together . . .
Yikes! The Trove . . .
The Curatorial Team: Walls and Such
The Curatorial Team Specialists: The Vitrine
The Team’s Outlook and Motto
Prep Work
The Master at Work
And Up It Goes!
Artists and Their Works
Photos by Carolyn Reiss
Your Audience Awaits . . .
The Entertainment Committee invites YOU to
SKIT NIGHT
Tuesday, March 19, 7:30
PREPARE NOW!
1) Choose your acting partner and develop a short script (fewer than 10 minutes)
No Script? No Worries. Click here for script ideas for Seniors on Amazon
REMEMBER: FUNNY IS ALWAYS GOOD!
2) Send your name to Entertainment Committee at mdunn77@aol.com
Teams will be chosen in order of submission.
Not included in this first night? No worries. There will be more Skit Nights
AUDIENCE: PREPARE NOW, TOO
1) Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 19, 7:30 pm
2) Come, enjoy and cheer the Thespians on!
The Time of Our Lives
The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.
Be decisive. Right or wrong, make a decision. The road is paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t make a decision.
When I get a headache, I take two aspirin and keep away from children just like the bottle says.
Just once, I want the prompt for username and password to say, “Close enough.”
Becoming an adult is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.
If you see me talking to myself, just move along. I’m self-employed. We’re having a meeting.
“Your call is very important to us. Please enjoy this 40-minute flute solo.”
Does anyone else have a plastic bag full of plastic bags, or is it just me?
To Be Continued . . .
Contributed by both Donald Butt and Mimi Abramovitz
For Your Funny Bone . . .
Art by Hart
Tessie and Leon had sadly grown estranged
The Bronsons lived in harmony and grace inside a single drop of CVS mouthwash
Mrs. Tatiana Grush needed an hour for little Madison's manicure
Friends wondered if it was a real relationship or if Warren was just taking Loretta for a ride
Art and photos by Jane Hart
Art and Poetry, by Sheila Benedis
Diversity Collage
Two Worlds
Inner world
Inspired by democracy
compassion for oppressed
lightness of peace and hope
life fragile and precious
outer world
devastated by autocracy
darkness of war
precarious safety and health
innocent people in fear
Inner world
calm peaceful
place to create art
outer world
chaos and terror
Inner world
texture and movement of natural organic shapes
bright cheerful colors
soothing sound of grateful clouds
fragrant flowers
taste of honey
outer world
jagged geometric shapes
harsh colors
shrill sound of loud thunder
smell of rotten eggs
taste of bitterness
entrance to my apartment
welcoming oasis of joy and excitement
other apartments
more neutral
may I feel my inner beauty
may my creativity uplift the outer world
In and Around Kendal
A Great Reason to Celebrate
Great to have friends around to celebrate a birthday. Happy Birthday, Barbara!
It’s a Puzzlement
All 4 houses have puzzle tables. On January 29—which just happened to be National Puzzle Day—Ellen Ottstadt presented each house—and the Lounge—with a special Kendal puzzle.
Robert Fulton puzzlers were the first to finish, followed closely by Clermont and folks in the Lounge. Any news from Alida and/or Mary Powell?
And speaking of Robert Fulton puzzlers, January marked the finish of a 2,000-piece behemoth!
Photo by Joe Bruno
Sunset on the Hudson
Photo by Cynthia Ferguson
Winter in Rockwood
Winter Under the Bridge
Evening Repast
Photos by Edward Kasinec
Out and About
This picture may not look like something very exciting, but it represents something quite meaningful for Kendalites. These 14 bags are filled with softly used clothing donated by residents and picked up by GreenDrop, which currently works — in our area — with the Military Order of the Purple Heart Foundation to benefit families of military service members.
Photo by Joe Bruno
This is a Kendal tradition that is sadly fading. Before the Covid pandemic, several major seasonal drives yielded some 50 bags and boxes each. A pool of residents worked together to sort, box-up, and transport them to local churches and charities that gave clothing directly to indigent residents.
Sadly, the amazing resident who led the whole thing can no longer do so.
This is the perfect opportunity for someone with good organizational skills — or so-so organizational skills but knows someone to partner with — to say, “This is important. We can reorganize and set this up again!” Think about it . . . It’s the Kendal Way.
The New Winter Art Show
The new art show on Rue des Artistes,Winter Dreams, features 80 pieces of art, including oil, water color, collage, pen and ink, photography, sculpture, jewelry, clay, felt, and construction. Wander at will — don’t miss the vitrine in the area right before the bridge to Clermont — and enjoy! Art Brady, as you can see, was busy at the opening reception with pictures of artists and their work.
Photos by Art Brady
Coming Up This Week
Monday, February 5: Memorial Service Postponed
The Loss Committee is sad to announce the Memorial Service scheduled for Monday, February 5, is postponed due to extenuating circumstances. A new date will be scheduled in March with the date announced in Spotlight and on Bulletin Boards.
Wednesday, February 7: Low Vision Help Committee
Music to Their Ears?
Actual Quotes from Grade School Essays on Classical Music
A Virtuoso is a musician with real high morals
Agnus Dei was a woman composer famous for her church music.
Refrain means don't do it. A refrain in music is the part you better not try to sing.
J.S. Bach died from 1750 to the present.
Handel was half German, half Italian, and half English. He was rather large.
Beethoven wrote music even though he was deaf. He was so deaf he wrote loud music. He took long walks in the forest even when everyone was calling him. I guess he could not hear so good. Beethoven expired in 1827 and later died from this.
Henry Purcell is a well-known composer few people have ever heard of.
Aaron Copland is one of our most famous contemporary composers. It is unusal to be contemporary. Most composers do not live until they are dead.
An opera is a song of bigly size.
In the last scene of Pagliacci, Canio stabs Nedda who is the one he really loves. Pretty soon Silvio gets stabbed also and they all live happily ever after.
Music sung by two people at the same time is called a duel.
I know what a sextet is, but I'd rather not say.
Caruso was at first an Italian. Then someone heard his voice and said he would go a long way. And so he came to America.
Most authorities agree that music of antiquity was written long ago.
Probably the most marvelous fugue was the one between the Hatfields and the McCoys.
My favorite composer is Opus.
A harp is a nude piano.
My very best liked piece is the Bronze Lullaby.
Contributed by Cathie Campbell
Life Imitates Art . . .
Years ago, Barbara Bettigole’s grandson Alex started a graphic novel about a Wild Boy who had adventures in the wilderness. His son Sam decided to reproduce one of the panels.
All in the Family
Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT’s) mascot is Bengal Tiger named RITchie. He’s also Cynthia Ferguson’s grandson Aidan Ferguson, now in his first year at RIT. Aidan hails from of Mt. Kisco and went to Fox Lane, where his coach just happened to be one Andrew Giuliano. If that name sounds familiar, that’s because he just happens to be our own Briana’s husband. Circles within circles . . .
The orange one’s Aidan . . .
Texting for Seniors (continued)
MGAD: My Grandson’s A Doctor
MILF: Meal I'd Like To Forget
OMSG: Oh My! Sorry, Gas.
ROFL CGU: Rolling On the Floor Laughing, and Can’t Get Up
SUS: Speak Up, Sonny
TOT: Texting on Toilet
TTYL: Talk To You Louder
WAITT: Who Am I Talking To?
WIWYA: When I Was Your Age
WTP: Where’s The Prunes?
WWNO: Walker Wheels Need Oil
Contributed by Bob Abramovitz