Moving Forward While Looking Back

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It has been a busy spring. I’ve been working on my poetry book and updating info for my ongoing classes including a new course I’ll be teaching in the fall on how to create a recipe book with or without a computer. In order to keep material and ideas fresh and interesting it is helpful to look back on what I have learned from my students. Each class experience provides valuable insights into the learning/teaching process, and I am grateful to all of my students for their feedback and participation.

I am very excited to be working closely with Upijata Arts (http://Upijataartscompany.org ) this year to assist them in reaching their goals of working with children on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Please see prior posts on this wonderful organization and consider a donation of any kind to help them nurture and encourage creativity in young children. I’ll be posting updates along the way.

Last, but not least, I appreciate everyone who supports and encourages my work both on and offline. Here’s to a safe and happy summer season for everyone!

Happy Spring!!

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I love Spring. I watch the buds blooming with color and listen to birds greeting each other like long-lost friends. I like to think of it as a season for renewal of myself. I find so much inspiration in the simple things of life and appreciate it all. This year I’m hoping to publish a small book of poetry and have begun research for a new novel. I continue to teach and update my classes with new information especially about scams and try to remain focused and positive every day. My wish for all of you reading this is to embrace your own renewal of spirit and share it with someone else. There’s more than one way to blossom.

A Note of Gratitude to My Students !

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As new year begins I have the privilege of meeting and working with a great group of students from several different local senior communities. Their contributions and willingness to learn allows me to enjoy the dual status of instructor and student of their diverse backgrounds and knowledge base. Whether learning the skills needed for Hands-Only CPR or be receptive to the concepts of lucid dreaming, I am very grateful to everyone who participates and joins in on the fun. Looking forward to more classes and opportunities to meet new people.

Busy Prepping For 2023! Happy Holidays and Thank you!

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A new year is fast approaching, and I’ve already booked several dates for classes and lectures throughout 2023. I will be teaching Hands-Only CPR, Lucid Dreaming:Another Altered State of Mind, An Attitude of Gratitude Journal Writing, an updated scam prevention lecture, and a how-to make your own recipe book class featuring delectable treats and meals. Stay tuned for dates and times once I receive confirmations. In the meantime, feel free to browse through prior posts.

In addition to teaching, I have several writing projects in the works that require a different mindset for each one. From poetry to a memoir to a potential mystery based on true facts, the words and ideas are swirling and making their way onto paper and into notebooks.

I would like to thank everyone who stays in touch and reads my posts here and on Facebook. I appreciate each and every one of you. Please enjoy the holidays and stay safe. Looking forward to updating you in 2023!

Grateful For Upijata Arts Company in Pine Ridge S.D.

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Nurturing creativity and imagination are the cornerstones of learning new skills and expanding the mindsets of both young and old people. Without the freedom of artistic expression everything would be the same, no new concepts would be born, and a stifling blanket of boredom would weigh down on the budding spirits of aspiring artists. I am a very proud and grateful sponsor of Upijata Arts Company, a 501 (3) (c) non-profit organization, located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

Led by a staff of insightful and talented instructors Upijata Arts focuses on the healing power of the arts ranging from dance, painting, and performing arts to sharing and preserving cultural customs and skills such as beading, drumming, and storytelling. Sadly, Native American history is full of historical trauma and ongoing issues such as teen suicides, racism, and lack of economic opportunities within the community. Upijata Arts is the shining light of hope for many young students and a place where the elders can pass down their wisdom and knowledge to a new generation eager to learn about their heritage.

For more information on how to donate and/or assist with their programs please visit

https://upijataartscompany.org

Thank you!


About Senior Learner Institute in Central FL

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Senior Learner Institute is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 2014 with a goal of offering college-level courses to older community members who still enjoy learning and sharing with others. A dedicated group of volunteers assist with everything from scheduling to answering phones to updating the catalog of eclectic class offerings and also assist with small social gatherings throughout the year. Experienced instructors offer many opportunities to learn about a variety of topics from Art and History to Languages and Science. Because of pandemic precautions many classes are offered via Zoom, and some are Hybrid with the instructor in the classroom ready to answer any questions and facilitate the discussions. Either way Senior Learners provides a wealth of information to anyone wishing to continue learning. Visit their website at http://www.seniorlearners.org

 

Class Registration Info For The Remainder of 2022.

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I am very pleased to announce the dates and times of my upcoming classes for the rest of 2022. I have some new proposals for additional classes in 2023 and will post here once plans are finalized. Links are available on the sidebars and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Per agreement with host facilities some classes are hybrid and instructions are sent once you have enrolled. Thank you for your support!

LUCID DREAMING: ANOTHER ALTERED STATE OF MIND

Master The Possibilities: September 16 and December 2, 2022, 9:00-10:30 AM

In-Person http://www.masterthepossibilities.org

Senior Learners Institute: November 15, 2022, 1:30 PM – 3 PM

HYBRID Class http://www.seniorlearners.org

HANDS-ONLY CPR

Master The Possibilities: October 7, 2022, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

In-Person http://www.masterthepossibilties.org

DON’T MISS MY ANNUAL ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE JOURNAL WRITING CLASS!

Master The Possibilities: November 18, 2022, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

In-Person .www.masterthepossibilities.org

 

 

When Towing Becomes A Real Drag

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Vehicle breakdowns are stressful no matter the cause. A friend of mine recently had a spate of bad luck with her vehicle and was grateful to have road service membership with the XYZ company, a nationally recognized firm with millions of members. Unfortunately for her she had to be towed twice in one week to the same mechanic. Much to her surprise three tow truck drivers tried to overcharge her for the trips (one was cancelled immediately) and rudely informed her that they were following directions from the dispatcher as far as how much to charge and claimed their GPS system showed them the mileage. The garage was a straight and simple route.

Armed with her own GPS calculations and a receipt from the prior tow to the same place she quickly resolved the issue and informed the XYZ company of what had happened. Per customer service the dispatchers do NOT tell tow truck drivers what to charge. This leaves vulnerable folks subject to false charges if they are not familiar with the rules and guidelines of their road service providers. The lesson here is to never be afraid to question a charge and voice your concerns to the proper people. Use whatever means that are available to you, in this case GPS, and don’t be intimidated by rude people when you’re in a stressful situation. Safe travels all!

Bee Careful With Your Honey!

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Yep! That’s me beneath some beekeeper gear. A few years ago, I took a “Beekeeping 101” course and learned some fascinating facts about honeybees. For example, the bees keep their hive at a steady temperature of about 95 degrees year-round in order to keep the Queen and workers safe and productive. A Queen bee lives between 1 – 2 years while workers live about a month. They fly up to 6 miles a day at a speed of around 15 mph and their wings beat approximately 11,400 per minute – buzz buzz!

What about honey? Did you know that fake honey has flooded the marketplace for years? Commercially produced honey is often diluted with additives such as corn and rice syrup and ultra-filtered, a process that removes valuable nutrients and enzymes. The end product is then labeled “pure”, a deceptive practice that misleads consumers and violates many safety standards set forth in the United States. Here’s some simple tips to avoid the fakes and enjoy the tastes of nature’s sweet treat.

Beekeepers and informed consumers say the same thing – BUY LOCAL!

Natural, unadulterated honey should contain pollen from local sources. It’s worth the trip to a farmer’s market or neighborhood beekeeper for a quality product.

Read the label. Any mention of high fructose means something has been added to change the purity.

Real honey is not runny when touched. Dip your finger in a sample and check the consistency. It shouldn’t change from thick to thin.

Talk to sellers and ask questions. A little knowledge can go a long way.


Valuable Scam Prevention Tools For Writers- WRITER BEWARE!

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Many readers are mesmerized by the words of others. Writing is a solitary and often times frustrating endeavor. In today’s techno world not only do writers have to be concerned with plagiarism and copyright infringement issues, but they also are being targeted by scammers and hackers looking to capitalize on the sheer joy of an author finishing their first novel or a seasoned writer hoping to celebrate the sale of a beloved manuscript they’ve worked on for years. Fake contracts, empty promises, and illegal transactions are now unsolved mysteries waiting to be unraveled while the careers, hopes, and dreams of many aspiring scribes are being jeopardized by unscrupulous cons.

Fortunately, there is a dedicated group of people who are helping to spread awareness of scams geared towards writers of all mediums – blogs, articles, short stories etc. As someone who has experienced potential issues of copyright infringement, I am very grateful for people like Victoria Strauss and her staff whose efforts provide writers like myself a place to learn and grow and safeguard our valuable written works. Please visit the very informative Writer Beware website and blogs to stay informed and thanks to everyone for all you do to keep writers safe and aware!

https://www.writerbeware.com

https://www.writerbeware.blog