40 minute read
Helpful Resources
If you’re a grandparent making the transition from The program is devoted to making sure grandparents part-time sugar supplier to full-time caregiver, know that have the help they need. “We contract with Jewish you’re not alone. “There’s a variety of different reasons Family and Career Services, and they provide a support where circumstances arise for kids to live with their group for grandparents,” says Julie Cassin, KIPDA’s grandparents,” says Lee Schardein, a licensed professional family caregiver coordinator. JFCS also offers individual clinical counselor with Bridge Counseling and Wellness counseling. in Louisville. Whatever the situation is, the main desire KIPDA also contracts with the Legal Aid Society, is to keep their toddler, tween, or teenager safe and which provides “free civil legal help on issues related to supported. income, family, housing, safety, and health.” In addition, version of Minecraft your grandkid is playing, they’ll also grandchildren.” any caregiver who meets the requirements and lives in Make a plan one of the seven counties of the KIPDA region may apply Grandparents should prepare themselves for their new role. “Make sure you have your own support, stay connected with your friends, or even seek your own for a financial voucher until the grandchild turns 19. You must reapply every year. “I have grandparents that have been in this program for many years,” Julie says. therapy. This can aid you through this transition,” Lee says. Making sure your emotional support system is in Don’t neglect yourself place can provide the backup and confidence you need If you are one of those grandparents raising this next when beginning this journey. generation, both Julie and Lee want you to remember to Be honest with your grandchild in your new role, Lee says, “Just You might notice an awkward (but expected) shift in your relationship with your grandchild as you shift into fulltime caregiver mode, Lee says. In order to make this shift a smooth one, have an age-appropriate dialogue with your grandkid. “I would encourage honesty and a conversation to happen,” Lee says. Address this transition in a loving way. You can say something like, “Roles are switching, and I may have to set more limits and show up a little bit differently in your life,” Lee says. “JUST REMEMBER THAT SAYING ‘I NEED A BREAK’ IS HELPFUL.” remembering that saying ‘I need a break’ is helpful.” In those parenting moments when a few minutes of alone time is a must, search out your best coping tools and use what works to keep your mental health in check. Depending on the age of your grandchild, you can take a short walk, phone a friend, or read a chapter in a book if you need a moment of clarity. If you need other suggestions for taking a break, Lee suggests tools such as “stepping into the other room and taking a few deep Get support breaths or making time to watch your favorite television show — whatever helps you release stress.”
If “it takes a village to raise a child,” your “village” Taking care of yourself can also mean staying may include helpful reinforcements like support groups, grounded in who you are. “A lot of grandparents have and Lee says, “family resource centers located at schools different things that they enjoy doing. Making sure that and a lot of churches” can provide more information for they can still get out there and do those things that they locating these groups. enjoy on occasion is important,” Lee says. In taking care
Not only will groups like these have practical of you, you’ll be better able to maintain your stamina and information on emotional wellbeing, schooling, and what get some much-needed rest. offer emotional support. “I think groups are especially Acknowledge the sadness helpful,” Lee says. “Having other people around you going through a similar situation can be comforting, and helpful tips can arise from that.” This transition can be unexpected and emotional. Julie says, “This is a situation that some grandparents did not expect to be in at this time in their lives.” Whether this KIPDA offers help life change grew out of tragedy, trauma, or some other unforeseen circumstance, it’s normal to experience some
The Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development feelings of sadness and/or grief. Lee says, “This transition Agency (KIPDA) offers a Grandparents Raising can involve grief, and acknowledging what’s really Grandchildren Program, whose mission is to “serve happening is extremely helpful.” This is when having grandparents of any age who are caring for their your emotional support systems in place can help. be gentle with yourself. Should you feel overwhelmed
Stepping Up for a Friend
By Tami Pyles
Many of us have taken to the streets during COVID-19, walking to stay fit and fight boredom. Patsy Harkess is no exception. But what is exceptional is that Patsy has walked 1,000 miles amid the pandemic to support ALS awareness and fundraising. Her story is one of determination, love for a friend, philanthropy, and a humble heart.
Last April Patsy was planning an 80th birthday trip to do the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage in Spain, but she had to cancel because of the pandemic.
Patsy was disappointed but knew it was the right decision. Life went on, including her daily three to four mile walk. However, the canceled pilgrimage was still on her mind. “It was the first day of May, a beautiful day,” Patsy says, and she had an idea that day. “‘I wonder if I could maybe do 12 to 14 miles? I will just try,’ and I did,” Patsy says.
She started walking every day through her Anchorage neighborhood, with the goal of completing 500 miles. She wanted to finish in roughly the same time as the pilgrimage, which meant walking 12 to 15 miles per day for 40 days.
As she walked, she spent a lot of time thinking about her long-time friend Mary Jane, who was facing a recent diagnosis of ALS, a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. “ALS is the worst of the worst, it is always fatal, and there are only four drugs to treat symptoms,” says “THERE Helen Overfield, executive director of the ALS Association WASN’T Kentucky Chapter. Patsy says, “After having A DAY done a few long walks, I wondered if I could do this for ALS.” She talked to Mary THAT I Jane, who supported the idea, so Patsy reached out to the MISSED.” ALS Association Kentucky Chapter. She also worked with her daughter to navigate social media to share her mission to raise funds and awareness for ALS.
“It was a cold call so-to-speak, to see what she could do,” says Helen, about the day that Patsy reached out. The chapter, which holds its own walk event each year in Louisville, and three other cities statewide, had canceled in-person walks, but virtual walk events were still happening. They linked Patsy to the ALS walk website where she announced her goal to walk and raise $5,000. Patsy completed 500 miles on June 9, 2020. Her friend Mary Jane, and several others, were there to see her finish. “There wasn’t a day that I missed. Some days, I wasn’t sure I would make all the miles, but I did it,” Patsy says. She
Patsy Harkess has walked 1,000 miles during the pandemic in support of ALS and her friend Mary Jane.
had also far surpassed her fundraising goal. “She did a fantastic job of raising funds,” Helen says.
But Patsy wasn’t done yet. She was thrilled to reach so many people through her 500 miles, so she set out to do it again! Late summer 2020 she finished 1,000 miles, with her last walk taking place at Mary Jane’s farm in New Hampshire, a place where the friends have spent a lot of time together over the years. Patsy’s fundraising efforts yielded over $25,000 for ALS.
Patsy is modest about her accomplishment, but Helen Overfield sees it differently. How can you not be inspired by someone who has done what she has done?” she asks. A majority of the funds raised will stay local to support The ALS Association Kentucky Chapter, including services for patients and families, equipment provided free of charge, and mini-grants to offset ALS-related expenses. Additionally, a portion of the funds will go toward research. “I hope that researchers can find a cure,” Patsy says.
Pam Greenwell
Pam Greenwell is passionate about our community and our libraries. She has served as president of the Friends of the Library and continues to serve on its board. She has also served on The Library Foundation Board. She established the Lighthouse Tutoring Program in the Newburg area, organizing and recruiting volunteers for the weekly program. Pam was a 2017 recipient of The Center for Women & Families’ Women of Distinction and a 2019 recipient of the Bell Award for her volunteer contributions to the community. She is a former partner with Seiller Waterman LLC law firm and now is Of Counsel to the firm.
What were your plans for yourself?
I knew I wanted to go to law school. This was a time when girls didn’t do that. There were eight women in my law class at the University of Louisville.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
As an undergraduate, my uncle, who was an attorney, advised me to take an accounting class. Understanding accounting basics helped me in my law career (real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate).
What skill should every woman have?
How to put together a good team.
What have you learned about yourself during COVID-19?
I knew, but have appreciated, the extent to which I am an extrovert.
What books are on your bedside table?
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl and A Beginner’s Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death by BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger.
What is your productivity mantra?
Make a list and get it done.
What motivates you now?
I am good at asking people to donate items and making the delivery. I am happy to do that. I love knowing that I have facilitated something bigger than me.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
I’m pretty willing to sample almost anything.
What’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought for yourself?
I have been spending a lot of time in the kitchen lately, and because my 50-yearold mixer broke, I bought a chrome KitchenAid mixer.
How do you keep your spirits up?
By not watching the news, making a list and crossing off items, creating a team to gather stuff, and distributing it.
How do you relax?
About 20 years ago I was introduced to Transcendental Meditation, and it stuck. I tried many other forms of meditation, but this is the one that I have been able to keep up with. I also walk five to six miles a day.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Calm down. There is way too much stress, worry, and angst when you’re young.
Pam Greenwell
Any collections?
I have a lot of wonderful art. It’s not necessarily expensive, and many I gathered on our travels. Each piece has a story. I like walking around my house and remembering where or who I was with when I bought certain pieces.
What would you change about Louisville?
I would like to see each of us care as much about everyone else’s neighborhood as much as we care about our own.
What Her Day Looks Like
Jo Ann Orr stays busy after her retirement from the U.S. Army 20 years ago, volunteering with Dare to Care, the Sickle Cell Association of Kentuckiana, and more. She is always on the go.
Jo Ann Orr officially retired 20 years ago, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at her schedule. After a 25-year career in the U.S. Army, she continues to serve others by volunteering in her community.
Jo Ann’s main priority is supporting The Sickle Cell Association of Kentuckiana, where she serves as the organization’s marketing and fundraising director. Having lost her son to sickle cell disease, she is keenly aware of the challenges faced by individuals and families of those living with the condition. Whether someone is experiencing a medical emergency or just needs to see a friendly face, she is always ready to help. “That’s seven days a week,” she says of her commitment.
Another area of Jo Ann’s community involvement is helping to alleviate food insecurity. She volunteers at Dare to Care Food Bank distribution centers and delivers meals to seniors through the Meals On Wheels program. “I have to take care of my seniors,” she says. “I’m a senior myself, but I’m still able to move, so for as long as I can, I will.”
Jo Ann is also active in several veteran organizations focused on raising awareness and providing support and resources for veterans, especially women. She speaks at schools, organizes blanket drives and collects donations, and tries to participate in as many veteran events as she can. “While I still can, I feel I should be there for all of those who can’t,” she says.
Jo Ann volunteers with Dare to Care at least two days a week.
Jo Ann prepares to drop off meals for the Meals on Wheels program.
Jo Ann says potting her plants is calming for her.
Day1In My Life Jo Ann Orr
A Running Start
I like to sleep so I get up as late as I can, depending on the day. Usually I’m out and on the road by 9:30 in the morning. I do Meals on Wheels once a week now, but it was twice a week before COVID-19. On two other days I have Dare to Care, and some weeks I pick up an extra day if there’s a driver shortage. But I never know how long my day is going to be when I get out of bed. I’m also out at events and health fairs and other places to spread the word about The Sickle Cell Association and let people know we’re here, and at any moment I might get a call that someone is sick or needs me at the hospital.
Eating on the Go
My idea of breakfast is a cup of coffee and what I call a roll up. I put a few slices of whatever meat I have left over into a tortilla, throw a little cheese on it, roll it up, and hit the door. If I have more time, I get it in the microwave first to give the cheese a chance to melt. Lunch is non-existent, but I try to grab a nutrition bar or something to keep me going. I do try to sit down and eat dinner, though, usually something light like a salad with some sliced up meat on top. I try not to eat after 6 o’clock and keep to just a little lemon water. It’s supposed to cut down on cravings and keep me off the chocolate, which is my favorite thing. I would say that the world would come to an end without coffee and chocolate.
R&R Time
I grow tomatoes and other things in my backyard, and I have a house full of plants. Right now I’m bringing plants indoors for the winter and doing lots of repotting, which is a calming thing for me. About five years ago I had a hot tub put in, and at the end of the week I like to do a 100-degree soak to let my joints know that I appreciate them. It seats 6 and there’s plenty of room, so I invite some girlfriends over, and they’ll bring a bottle of wine and we’ll hit the hot tub. It’s a nice break.
The Magic of Smør Nordic Bakeri
When it comes to baking, nothing beats the magic of butter. With this in mind, the owners of Grind Burger Kitchen and Oskar’s Slider Bar have opened a brick and mortar bakery called Smør, where Executive Pastry Chef Liz Nagel whips up delicious and wholesome creations from Nordic countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway. Smør, which is the Norwegian word for butter, is the only Scandinavian bakery in Kentucky. Inspired by their Nordic heritage, the owners have crafted menus that highlight foreign flavors but use local ingredients whenever possible. Featured items include cinnamon knots, Lefse, Kringla, Pepparkakor ginger snap cookies, and Prinsesstarta, a traditional Swedish cake seen on the Great British Baking Show. Their website, which includes full menus, mentions weekend Brunch Boxes, lists freshly baked bread, and has a selection of 10 tempting cakes that can be special ordered, including Black Forest, Brown Sugar Spice Cake with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting, and Fika Fika, which is a honey and black tea cake with notes of vanilla and cardamom that’s layered with tart lemon curd and cardamom meringue. Drool. Keep an eye on Instagram for their weekly featured items, including specialty cakes by the slice. Options are available for local pickup and delivery. Orders must be placed by 1pm the day before you’d like your items to be ready, and you will need to call or email Smør to set up a time for pickup or delivery. Shipping is also available. The philosophy of Smør is “lagom,” which means not too little, not too much. You’re sure to find your fill of delights here, but you’ll definitely be back for more.
Madeleine Dee (AKA The Seasoned Cynic) is a chef, writer, world traveler, and filmmaker who lives in Louisville. Watch her cooking show, Easy Elegance, on YouTube. Instagram: @TheSeasonedCynic. Website: TheSeasonedCynic.com Smør Nordic Bakeri is located at 3797 Poplar Level Road near The Louisville Zoo. A small Scandinavian-inspired gift shop is also inside. Contact: SmorNordicBakeri.com, 502.208.9517, Smor@UffdaHospitality.com, IG: @SmorBakeri. Pictured goodies are: (above) a decorated cookie, and (below, left to right) cinnamon knots, Prinsesstårta, and brioche buns.
Staying Safe, Happy, and Connected
By Carrie Vittitoe Photo by Melissa Donald
The year 2020 has been all about making plans and can’t be physically close. For example, an elder was able to then having to deal with whatever life throws your virtually attend her granddaughter’s baby shower in Chicago, way. Staff at personal care, assisted living, and mem- Illinois. Elders, their care team, and families are using Zoom ory care communities continue to work to keep residents regularly to have planning meetings and check-ins. socially active, emotionally healthy, and physically safe from Rendever virtual reality lenses on loan from the Thrive COVID-19 even though that frequently means having to be Center have allowed Nazareth Home elders to immerse prepared to change everything at the last minute. themselves in nature, travel the world, or see entertainment. “There’s been a lot of research Socializing Safely on virtual reality lenses, speSince COVID-19 began, there have been many considerations and regulations passed down from the Inspector General of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Kelly Miller, community cifically in pain and anxiety management and prevention of depression. Only one to two encounters of a virtual reality experience weekly will reduce anxiety and improve mood and well-being,” Mary says. relations director at Morning Pointe of Louisville, says residents are able to be outside of Think Smaller and Outside the Box their apartments in common In this current health cliareas but must wear masks and mate, even the simplest ideas are reminded to stay six feet regarding socialization and from others. Staff and caregiv- group activities require more ers remain vigilant in prompt- thought and planning. When ing residents to be aware of it comes to preparing for holitheir masks or distance as days or special events, everyneeded. thing is uncertain. “All we can
There are individuals, how- really do is plan for what we ever, who still don’t feel com- have guidelines for now,” Kelly fortable going outside their says. “Guidelines can change apartments and being around on a dime. If we get new larger groups of people. Their guidelines, we have to change socialization comes in smaller that up.” One thing is certain, doses through check-ins from though: the singing and dance staff several times a day. troupes that used to visit variFamily Separation Earlier in the pandemic, Shirley and her grandson Wesley visit Shirley’s 96-year-old father-in-law Chester at Symphony at Valous senior living communities throughout the holiday season and Technology ley Farms. Wesley made a storybook for his great-grandfather, are not going to be able to do Mary Haynes, president of Nazareth Homes, says the community is always focused on vibrant living and engagement for its elders, whether there is COVID-19 or not. What COVID-19 has meant is that everything social has been ramped up. Staff tries to ensure each resident has a meaningful day, which involves conversation, innovation, food, rest, and exercise. “What the challenge really is is not socialization. The big issue for us is family separation,” she says. Nazareth Homes has been using technology, specifically It’s Never 2 Late (IN2L), to help foster connections when families it now. Those things are pretty much off the table. Socialization during COVID-19 demands that staff think completely outside the box. For example, while residents’ grandchildren and great grandchildren would trick-or-treat inside the building in years past, this year many communities changed it up by allowing children to instead visit stations outside windows to pick up goodies from small treat boxes and show off their costumes to their loved ones. Everyone is having to think smaller when it comes to socialization. and here they show it to him through the window.
Let Tech Transform Your Home This Winter
The holidays are right around the corner, and even in this weird, socially-distanced world, that likely means that family may be visiting. This year, though, cleaning gadgets are better than ever. So let these cool tools clean your home while you sit back and enjoy an egg nog or three.
Fluidmaster Flush ‘n Sparkle
($15.90, fluidmaster.com) k There are few household chores worse than scrubbing toilet bowls. But with this handy gadget, you can avoid that job altogether. The Flush n’ Sparkle Toilet Bowl Cleaning System cleans your toilet with every flush, eliminating the hard work of hands-on scrubbing, without the use of harsh chemicals that can damage the moving parts of toilets. There is really no easier way to keep your bathroom clean and smelling fresh this holiday season.
Suncatcher Sanitizing Wand
microfiber cleaning pads to get
($39.99, suncatcherlight.com) k
This year, it’s more important than ever to keep surfaces clean and sanitized, but no one wants the smell of disinfectant chemicals filling their home. This handy gadget uses UV light to disinfect surfaces without harsh chemicals, keeping your home safe and clean for your family. It is perfect for bathroom surfaces, cell phones, door handles, and anywhere else germs might lurk.
iRobot Roomba 960 ($499, irobot.com) k
Robotic vacuum cleaners have come a long way since they were first invented. The latest model of Roomba is not only selfwi-fi and Alexa enabled, which helps it to learn your voice and your cleaning habits. Since Roomba works great on both hard floors and carpeting, it will be sure to get your home in tip-top shape for the holidays.
Gladwell Gecko Robot Window Cleaner
($199.95, gladwellclean.com) k
There are probably plenty of places you’d rather be this holiday season than up on a ladder cleaning windows. That’s why this robotic window cleaner is a total game-changer. It uses suction to attach to your windows and charging, but is also
them sparkling clean without damage. Since this gadget is app-controlled, you can literally clean your windows without leaving your couch.
Tool Daily Gutter Cleaner Attachment
($27.99, Amazon) k
If cleaning your gutters is the chore that gives you nightmares, then this handy gadget is sure to help you rest easy. It attaches to your pressure washer to reach into gutters and blast away any leaves, dirt, or debris that has built up there, making gutter cleaning significantly easier. The attachment is extremely easy to install, and the dualnozzle design forces water in two directions to make quick work of even the dirtiest, toughest gutters.
Kathleen Loomis
Kathleen Loomis became a full-time artist once she retired in 2000 from a career in writing and communication. At first, she worked exclusively in fiber and quilting but has since branched out to hand-stitching, mixed media, collage, sketching, and most recently calligraphy. She is a member of PYRO Gallery and is the author of Pattern-Free Quilts: Riffs on the Rail Fence Block.
How did you know you were an artist?
In the early ’90s I was making functional quilts, baby quilts, and had graduated to quilts for the walls. I thought to myself, ‘You know, this could be art. I could be an artist. I am an artist.’ Start telling yourself and others you’re an artist and pretty soon you are an artist. And, of course, you have to make a lot of art. I used to make huge quilts, which was very taxing physically to do on a home sewing machine. I got to the point where it was too much for me so I transitioned to other forms of fiber arts that are handheld and smaller in scale.
Where do you create?
My studio is a big room in the basement Kathleen’s Memorial Day quilt honors
that used to be a rec room with a pool table. When my sons left home, I dethe number of U.S. military dead in Iraq
cided I needed a better work table so I covered the pool table with two pieces of plywood and now have a work surface that measures 4 by 8 feet. There’s a sewing machine and a design wall so I can hang things and stand back and look at them from a proper distance.
What about your daily practice?
year on January 1, I write new rules for what that daily art will be. For 2020, it was calligraphy, and I practice in a sketchbook every day. Other projects have included daily photographs, sketching, postcards, collage, and quilt blocks. (kathysdailyart.com).
How has this helped you?
I use my daily art as a way to force myself to work on things that I want to learn. I want to commit to a year of daily work and use a specific technique. It’s a commitment to doing something regularly. Repetition is the key. Something happens that wouldn’t happen if you hadn’t done it the second time. So it doesn’t matter if you do something once a week or once a month, it’s the repetition. My daily practice is not my studio art. I try to be in the studio every day. The hardest part of maintaining an artist routine is to figure out what you’re going to work on next. If I have a project already to work on I will pick this up and keep doing it.
A real life situation that inspired you?
When the war in Iraq started I was upset and disturbed. Military bodies in flag-covered coffins arrived back in the U.S., but no press could take photos of the coffins. I’ve always been an American flag junkie, and I started obsessing about flag-covered coffins. From that came the Kentucky
U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq War.
Graveyard (Iraq) quilt. It was inspired by the Kentucky Graveyard Quilt (1843) and represented the soldiers from Kentucky who had died — there were 43 as of September 11, 2006, when I finished the quilt. Another one, Memorial Day, is made up of 4,083, 1½-by-1½-inch flags and honors For 20 years I’ve been doing daily art. Every
as of Memorial Day 2008. That is an award-winning piece, and I donated it to the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Your dream project?
Over the years I have collected euphemisms people have used in obituaries to say that the person has died. I’ve got hundreds of them. At an antique store a couple of years ago I purchased a crudely made nightgown and thought it would be perfect for the project. My plan was to embroider different euphemisms onto the nightgown. I even bought the embroidery floss in colors of mourning — mauve, gray, and black. I’ve misplaced the nightgown, though, and as soon as I find it, that project is getting underway.
Creature Comforts
Born in Hays, Kansas, in 1945, Christine Little and her family moved to Louisville in 1953 when her father was transferred by General Electric. She graduated from Assumption High School and the University of Louisville with a degree in English and minor in biology. Little worked for South Oldham Veterinary Clinic for several years before having children and dedicating her time to being a stay-at-home mom. A life-long love of animals is what drew Little to her volunteer position as a docent at The Louisville Zoo in 1992.
Why did you choose to become a docent?
I was part of the walking club at the zoo and would often see one of the educators at the Meta Zoo. She kept telling me I should take the docent training program, but I knew lots of them were retired teachers and just didn’t think I could do it. One day the educator had some baby opossums with her, and she let me touch them. Well, that was it. That day I enrolled in the docent program.
What do docents do?
We’re volunteer teachers for zoo camps, classes, education programs, and community outreach. I’ve taught classes at the Meta Zoo for school children and preschoolers, but outreach is what I like to do most. We take biofacts (animal pelts, bones) and animals to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and libraries around the area. I like being able to take the zoo to people not able to come on their own. We provide a hands-on experience, which is so rewarding.
What else do you do at the zoo?
I’m chairperson of the library committee responsible for maintaining the collection of biofacts. We make sure they’re kept clean and organized. We have an impressive collection of animal pelts and skulls that we use in our educational programs, and we have to keep them organized and in good shape.
What has volunteering done for you?
It broadened my horizons and made me realize I’m capable, I can still do things. I can speak before an audience now and am able to educate other people. That’s something I never thought I could do. I’ve also learned so much about animals, their habitats, and the environment. I learn something new every day working with the animals. And I get to work with so many dedicated and passionate people.
What would you say to seniors thinking about volunteering?
Go for it! There are so many wonderful places and organizations that need volunteers. Look for something you’re interested in and feel passionate about. You get exposed to other people — people you would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Just pick something and get started. Volunteering is never boring.
Book Club
By Vanessa Hutchison
Featuring: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and White Teeth by Zadie Smith
The new year is a great time to start a new habit like reading a book each month, and joining a local book club is a great way to keep you on track to meet your goal. Carmichael’s Community Book Club meets once a month to discuss the great books that the group is reading together. Check out some of their recent picks for inspiration. In September, the group discussed Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, and the book for October was White Teeth by Zadie Smith.
Louisville Book Babes Book Club
WHEN:
Meets monthly
WHERE:
Meeting virtually on Zoom
If you would like to join one of these book clubs, send an email to BookClub@TodaysMediaNow.com for details! of the Miracle
What do these books have in common?
At their core, Homegoing and White Teeth are both about colonized people and the harmful effects of it. They are also about the deep roots of family, and how family is a driving force in all of our lives. White Teeth was published in 2000, while Homegoing came out in 2017, but they feel very relevant both to each other as well as to the time we are living in now, when we are having this significant cultural moment focused on human rights and the intrinsic value of human life.
Is that why you chose these books?
The group tends to choose relatable books, often about family, and some of the themes in these books are more relatable now than ever, with everything that is going on in our city and our world. It’s important to the group to choose a wide variety of books with diverse characters.
If you could hang out with one character, who would it be?
This is hard. Each of these characters is so strong and Effia and Esi in Homegoing almost feel like two halves of the same person. No one would want to go through the things that any of these characters have gone through, and bringing them into our modern world would be an almost impossible thought.
What other titles would you recommend to people looking for books to read?
Homegoing is very influenced by Toni Morisson. You can feel it as you’re reading it. So, if someone has managed to make it this far without reading Beloved or The Bluest Eye, they should definitely pick those up. As far as books that people likely haven’t read, Rachel’s Blue by Zakes Mda, Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie, and Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
What else should potential new members to the book club know?
The group is now meeting on Zoom until further notice. The Zoom link is on Carmichael’s website, along with the dates of the next couple of meetings. We love new members, and Carmichael’s offers a 20% off deal on whatever book
Catching Up: Here’s what other area clubs are reading next.
Long Before the End Book Club The Unwinding the club is reading in a given month.
by Julie Yip Williams Louisville Book Babes When Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson- Brown
Modern Mrs. Darcy The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Live A Dream Coordinator Serena Haming
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE:
THE LIVE A DREAM [VIRTUAL] CHOIR
The challenges of the COVID-19 crisis have been especially acute for senior residents of health care facilities like those of Trilogy Health Services. Through its Live a Dream program, which helps seniors fulfill bucket list wishes, the company’s nonprofit Trilogy Foundation wanted to get residents safely engaging socially. Thus the Live a Dream Virtual Choir was born. Live a Dream Coordinator Serena Haming shares more:
How did the Live a Dream Virtual Choir come about?
We get lots of music-related requests from residents, and after thinking through the logistics, we decided that a virtual choir would help them connect with peers while doing something they love. There have been some challenges to getting everyone online, but it has all been worth it to see our residents happy and singing.
Who is in the choir, and who conducts it?
There are currently 19 choir members across Trilogy Health locations in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Many of the seniors have music experience, and some just wanted to sing with others. Rachel May from Mom’s Music conducts practice virtually via Zoom every Wednesday at 2 pm. All practices are recorded and posted to YouTube, and Rachel also uploads videos to help choir members practice on their own.
What music is the choir working on?
Right now, the focus is on Christmas music — We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Joy to the World, and more. Sheet music is provided, and Rachel accompanies on the keyboard.
Is a performance planned?
Yes! Choir members are learning how to record their individual parts, which will be combined for a virtual performance December 16 on YouTube. We expect all Trilogy campuses to make time to view it together, and it will also be shared via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@LiveADreamUSA).
How do residents feel about being in the choir?
I think they’ve all felt the warmth of being able to come together. This opportunity has allowed us to get back to embracing the things that we love while still being mindful of each other’s health and safety.
The Live a Dream program demonstrates Trilogy Health’s continued commitment to exceed the expectations of our seniors and their families in everything we do. Live A Dream offers opportunities for seniors to enjoy activities that they used to do more often, but have since been unable to do. Live A Dream grants priceless experiences that encourage us all to keep our dreams alive.
Rachel May from Mom’s Music leads practice for members of the virtual Live a Dream Choir, who meet together on Zoom every Wednesday and will present a performance on YouTube December 16. The choir is comprised of senior residents of Trilogy campuses.
303 N Hurstbourne Pkwy Ste 200 | Louisville, KY 40222 | 502.907.1180 | trilogyhs.com
Virtual Meditation For Trying Times
Right now as COVID-19 still looms overhead causing a lot of us to feel more scattered and confused than ever, it’s hard to think of specific ideas that might bring relief for our tired hearts and minds. Whether you’re working from home where your days seem to be mired in routine, or you’re separated from family members and your days feel lonely, it’s a welcome thought to know that it’s possible to find relief without ever leaving home.
I recently completed a three-session series of classes entitled, “Heart Medicine-Meditation for Challenging Times” from The Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion. Through the instruction of Jenny Keller Bell, I learned it’s entirely possible to find freedom (and comfort) right inside my own heart and mind.
I admit that I was somewhat reluctant to begin this class. For me, the thought of meditation conjures a vision of someone sitting in the lotus position (which I cannot do) chanting “Om” (which I don’t want to do). The thought of joining a virtual class on meditation via Zoom where I would interact with strangers felt intimidating, but I am glad I gave it a try. Each of the three classes lasted a little over an hour, had five students, and wasn’t the least bit scary for a beginner.
I wasn’t expecting Jenny to teach us about the history and different types of meditation; nor was I expecting to hear great examples of how to use it and why it works, but this is the way each of the three sessions began. She would start out with a lesson about the practice and later would lead us in a guided meditation. Afterwards, class members would share
Try a meditation right on your own bed.
questions, thoughts and/or feelings if inclined. The entire experience felt relaxed and was very informative.
The first meditation immediately put my “lotus position” fears to rest as she instructed us to make ourselves comfortable “any way” we wished. (I happened to be on the floor of my office because that’s where I had to be.) She told us she purposely refrains from telling her students what positions to use because relaxation is different for all of us. (Yes!) I especially enjoyed her method of guiding the meditation, which encourages being present in each moment, (something easily lost by those struggling with full schedules and by those who feel stuck in a routine.) Her soothing voice coupled with her descriptive yet relaxing narratives made it simple to follow along. Having a skilled leader in guided meditation is important because someone who is too rigid about breathing a certain way or too relaxed about descriptions can frustrate a beginner like me. A frustrated beginner doesn’t want to move forward with learning.
For me, the biggest take-away from all three classes is that meditation and mindfulness are very easy to practice but not always the first things we remember to do. Making a regular habit of training the mind to focus and redirect feelings and thoughts helps increase concentration and reduce stress. (It’s helpful to take classes like this to learn how.) Being present in the moments of our lives, even the mundane ones, keeps the mind from wandering off into thoughts that aren’t beneficial and fears that most often aren’t rational or real. Also, if I’d listened to my inner “you won’t like this,” I’d have missed out on a wonderful experience and a lot of learning.
OTHER VIRTUAL MEDITATION OFFERINGS
DREPUNGGOMANGUSA.ORG
The Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion (502) 614-5616
EARTHANDSPIRITCENTER.ORG/ PROGRAMS/MEDITATION-COURSES
Passionists Earth & Spirit Center (502) 452-2749
LOUISVILLEZEN.ORG/ INTRODUCTION-TO-ZEN.HTML
Louisville Zen Center (502) 276-5738
Caregiver Circle Practical solutions for making caregiving easier.
By Lindsay McDonald
Be Prepared For Doctor Visits Taking the elderly to a physician’s appointment allows them to get out of the house and be engaged in their own health issues by confiding in their physician and receiving a reassuring response. Developing a good plan for regular medical follow up is important to: • Allow for plenty of time so they do not feel rushed. • Have all the essentials on hand: a snack, change of undergarments if needed, additional medication doses in case the visit is prolonged, applicable paperwork and X-rays from other physicians, and of course now, a mask. • Schedule the appointment at an optimal time for your elderly family member or friend so they will be at their best. —Kayla Cook, RN and Owner of Caring Excellence Personalized Home Care Services
CREATE A SAFE HOME
Fall prevention is top on the list for safe care for older adults. We encourage families to have well-lit hallways for loved ones with visual impairment. I recently attended a workshop on dementia care that made us put on special glasses, which decreased the lighting by 30% to emulate what it is like to have dementia. It was so difficult to see that none of us thought to open the blinds or turn on a light. Also, make sure you don’t have any throw rugs that could lead to a fall. — Angela Leinenbach, University of Louisville Associate Professor/Nurse Practitioner
ENTERTAIN AND ENGAGE
• Drop off pre-packaged craft supplies. Make sure the packages are easy to open and directions are written large. • Help them do some face-to-face online communication or join their church’s live stream worship services. • Set up a call schedule for friends and family. • Check out what happened on a certain date in history. • Have flowers delivered. Bring them a meal. Set them up with audio books. Be creative and consistent.
Have Grab-and-Go Foods On Hand If you are living with an adult with dementia who will not sit down for a meal, have finger foods such as sandwiches on hand to grab-andgo so they don’t miss out on important nutrition. Also, encourage fluids and make it easy to grab a drink to stay hydrated. — Angela Leinenbach, University of Louisville Associate Professor/Nurse Practitioner
“I love my...father’s letters.” — Gwen Mayes
“Gwen Mayes describes herself as a sentimentalist who is passionate about writing. She’s written professionally as a result of her career in health policy and even served as a columnist for
Today’s Woman magazine in the early 2000s. More important to Gwen, however, is her love for personal, handwritten letters. When asked what item she loves the most, her answer was easy — her greatest treasure is a bound copy of Letters to My Mother: 1944-1946, written by her father, James Henry Mayes, as he was serving in the army during World War II.
Gwen’s father grew up in a poor family and was drafted like many other young men at the time. He was 19 years old and served for about three years, primarily in Germany. James had four sisters, the oldest of whom was the matriarch of the family and a surrogate mother to him. This loving sister, Lila McCoin, was still at home while he served overseas, and the letters he penned during the war were written to her. Returning from the war, James Mayes had a successful career in the Kentucky State Police, raised a loving family, and passed away in 1991 due to complications associated with adult diabetes.
In 2010, when her father had been gone nearly two decades, Gwen attended a family reunion where she saw her Aunt Lila’s son, O.B. “Butch” McCoin. Cousin Butch had recently been going through his mother’s possessions and found some letters that his mother Lila had stashed away. Butch had them bound into a book for Gwen. There are more than 50 letters in total, each in remarkably good condition.
James wrote about V-J Day and about joining General Patton’s 3rd Army. He treated Czechoslovakian children to candy treats at Christmas. He told about finding 19 German soldiers in a barn one day toward the end of the war. Those soldiers surrendered as prisoners because they were afraid of being killed by Russians. A common thread Gwen found in all the letters was her father’s positivity. “He always had an incredible vision of coming home even when he was sitting in a foxhole,” Gwen says.
As Gwen reads portions of the letters, we learn in one letter that Lila was able to send fudge to her brother in Germany. Gwen smiles as she reads the postscript in her father’s next letter: “P.S. Send more fudge.” No doubt that special treat meant a lot to James and his fellow soldiers.
These letters are a treasure for Gwen. In them, she has learned even more about the father she adored.
