Inspirational Sunday

Bill Witcher, co-founder of Computer School for Seniors will be sharing words of encouragement, inspiration and hope with you each Sunday.

The Choice is Ours

Today's post will finish up the quote we started last Sunday from Max Lucado's book, When God Whispers Your Name.

The point Max Lucado makes in this chapter of the book is that the choice is ours. We choose how we want to live our life. We choose what kind of a day we will have. Here's what Max has to say on the subject...

"It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

I choose goodness...

I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness...

Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness...

Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control...

I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Saturday Star Review

The year 2009 brought many mixed blessings along with it. For our blog, that year featured exceptional images and stories. Since we have more and more new people befriending our blog, on Saturdays we have decided to do a review of some of the Stars from our first year.

"Magical Sayulita"

This charming collage was created in Photoshop Elements by one of my talented students, Jack Murphy. He visits Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico often and takes lots of pictures--what a great combination!

He grew up in the 50's in Southern California during a time when Californians were lucky…they had the weather, the immense growth, and a melting pot of people that made everything interesting.

Jack met Jeanette, his wife, at Macy's department store in the 60's and they were fortunate to be able to travel all over the United States and Europe due to his job and just curiosity.

Back in 1999 they found Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico and because of its beauty, weather, natural art and simpatico people they decided to purchase something they never planned on, a second home.

Jack says, “All of our family and friends who have visited Sayulita love it. Sayulita is truly magical!”

Thanks to Jack for sharing this lovely spot with us in such a unique way!

Internet Magic Fridays

Jane Booras is the Editor of numerous newsletters including our Campus Times. She will be sharing how you can find whatever you need - photos, clipart, information, maps, phone numbers - on the Internet.




So one evening you’re watching the classic movie channel and enjoying one of your favorite old black and white movies. “Who is that actor?” you say to your wife (or husband). “Oh, I know who that is, but I can't think of his/her name!” Sound familiar? So we play a guessing game. We rack our brains and throw out a few names. My husband is apt to say, “Oh, yeah! That’s ‘what’s his name’.”

So you wait for the credits to roll. Then one of two things happens. One, since there were no commercials, you have to head for the restroom as soon as you see “The End” come up on the screen. (Ever notice that the new movies don’t say “The End” anymore?) Or, two, the credits run alright, but they are so teeny tiny that you can’t read them – even if you get up and put your nose right up to the screen. Well, darn. How will you ever know who that actor was?

GOOGLE! Just go to your computer and Google the name of the movie. Say, “State Fair” made in 1945. Try it and identify the picture below.

Or, “Slattery’s Hurricane” made in 1949. Same thing. Google it.

Last week, my sister and I flew to Cancun, Mexico for a 5-day vacation on the Yucatan Peninsula. It was wonderful. One day on the way to a snorkeling adventure, the van driver stopped suddenly on a back road. There along the road in the underbrush were several raccoons, along with another animal that looked like a raccoon, but had a long tail like a monkey. The van driver told us what it was, but with his accent, we couldn’t quite get the name. Then my sister remembered that she often googles answers to crossword puzzles when she gets “stuck.”

When we got back to our hotel, we went to the business center where free Internet service is offered and googled “Mexican raccoon-like animal.” Google took us to this web site: http://www.brandywinezoo.org/coati.html. Click on the link and see the results for yourself.

Now mind you, my sister only googles answers after she has exhausted all other options – her brain and her precious crossword dictionary. But when things “niggle” at you for just so long, you have to know! That’s when you Google.

I wonder what ever happened to Encyclopedias. I suppose they are on the Internet now. Let’s google it and see what happens!

Lifelong Learning Thursday

Nancy Merz Nordstrom, author of Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret of Making the Most of Your After 50 Years will share the benefits of Lifelong Learning on Thursdays.

LEARNING LATER, LIVING GREATER:

The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years.

Lifelong Learning in Your Later Years…

A Health Club for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit!

Continuing from last week…

The next morning our program began in earnest after breakfast. While in Innsbruck our breakfasts would all be taken in the student cafeteria in our building. Most of our lunches would be in the downtown student cafeteria called a “Mensa,” (Latin for table). The food was hearty and quite good.

Once breakfast was over, we found our classroom at the University for our first lecture on the history of Austria. The professor spoke perfect, but accented English, and gave a thoroughly enjoyable talk that really helped set the program in perspective.

There was quite a bit of give and take between him and other participants, especially those who were old enough to have lived through World War II. No one hesitated to speak their mind about the thorny issues of that war, but he retained his good humor through it all.

In the afternoon we traveled to Schlos Ambros, a magnificent castle just outside Innsbruck, home to one of the largest European ruling families, the Hapsburgs. What an incredible place–beautiful grounds, great collections and medieval armor everywhere. Again, the sheer age of the castle, in comparison to buildings in the U.S., took my breath away.

That evening we walked over to a local Beer Garden for dinner where we were wined and dined in typical Austrian style. Free time after dinner gave us the opportunity to walk back to the Old City, find an outdoor café and settle in for a musical evening of Tirolean entertainment, complete with costumed singers and dancers.

Our days settled into a familiar routine. Lectures on Austrian music, history, art, culture, industry, and politics, with field trips to reinforce what we learned. Our evenings were spent at wonderful restaurants and cafes soaking up the local scene, talking to the people, most of whom spoke excellent English, and music, always lots of music.

Next Week…Real-life learning

THURSDAY’S THOUGHT…
Marcel Proust said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Our lectures prior to our field trips helped give us the new eyes to see the new landscapes in a way that ordinary tourists do not. For more information on Learning Later, Living Greater visit http://www.learninglater.com/ You can purchase Learning Later, Living Greater at http://www.amazon.com/

Till Next Time…

Nancy Merz Nordstrom is Director of the Lifelong Learning Department at Computer School for Seniors (http://www.cs4seniors.com/)

Wednesday Aging in Place

On Wednesdays, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker and elder care advocate will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Why Baby Boomers Should Rethink Retirement

By Deborah Kotz

US News & World Report
Posted: January 25, 2010

Robert Butler regularly works 12-hour days, and he recently hopscotched, in the span of six weeks, from the Netherlands to Dubai to Davos, Switzerland, to drum up support at various conferences for research on preparing for the coming age boom.

At 82, the scientist, expert on successful aging, grandfather, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author—who coined the term "ageism" four decades ago to describe discrimination against the elderly—is living proof that humans, like fine wine, can deepen in complexity with time. As 2009 drew to a close, he was "preparing to visit my daughter in Palm Springs be­fore heading to Canyon Ranch for a week of exercise."

The head of the International Longevity Center, a research and policy organization he founded two decades ago to "maxi­mize the benefits" of aging, is committed to identifying and spreading the word about ways to get older people out of their armchairs, eating more healthful foods, and engaged in work and learning along with their golf and bridge.

Nonsense! he says in response to doomsday predictions of what's bound to happen as nearly 80 million baby boomers enter their twilight years—among them, that the skyrocketing costs will bankrupt the nation.

Yes, action is called for, but catastrophe is hardly inevitable, Butler argues, and in fact, there's reason to look forward to a golden age of aging. Seniors today are living more independently; fewer of them are dying of lengthy and debilitating bouts of cancer thanks to improved screening, better treatments, and a drop in smoking; and they're happier than they were in the past, according to a 2008 University of Chicago study. "We need to alter our thinking about old age," Butler says, and realize that it "can be positive and con­structive."

Photo Tips Tuesday

"Sometimes I get to places just when God's ready to have someone click the shutter."

This is one of my favorite Photography quotes of all time.

My photo tip for today is to always carry a CAMERA with you.

You never know when a Kodak moment will jump in front of the lens of your camera...I always carry my small Leica D-lux-3 with me everywhere I go. When it's not in my pocket it's always sitting on the seat of my car. Some of the best pictures I've taken have been in the morning on the way to work. Here are a sample of a couple of pictures of what I'm talking about....

Thanks for dropping by....Wish I could meet you in person offer you a cappuccino and talk awhile...

Meanwhile go out and......

Have Fun With Your Camera!!!!!

Monday's Munchies

Many of us are wonderful cooks and generous about sharing our recipes. Mondays are for "make it happen" people. What could be a better way to encourage each other and create than to share what is going on in our kitchens.



Rib Stickin' Good

Here is another gem from the kitchen of Patti Berry. This one is good for a cold winter morning!

1 pound ground pork sausage, with sage flavoring (Jimmy Dean makes one)

10 slices bacon

6 slices white bread, toasted and cut into cubes

1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

1 tsp mustard powder

1/2 tsp salt

6 eggs, beaten

2 cups milk

Crumble sausage in medium skillet. Cook over medium heat until evenly brown, drain. Cook bacon until very crispy, drain and cut or break into 1/2 inch pieces.

In medium bowl, mix together the cooked sausage, bacon, toasted white bread, cheeses, mustard powder, salt, eggs and milk. Pour into a greased preferably slightly smaller than 9x13 baking dish. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 350.

Cover and bake 45-60 minutes. Uncover and reduce oven temperature to 325. Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until set. Cut into pieces to serve.

A special thanks to Patti Berry for this great recipe!

Inspirational Sunday

Bill Witcher, co-founder of Computer School for Seniors will be sharing words of encouragement, inspiration and hope with you each Sunday.

The Choice is Ours

Max Lucado is one of my favorite Christian authors. He is a minister, author and the daily speaker of the radio program Upwords. He has written many books including The Applause of Heaven, In the Eye of the Storm, He Still Moves Stones and the one I will quote from today, When God Whispers Your Name.

He is a communicator. His writing style is down-to-earth, meaningful and filled with his unique sense of humor. He reaches me. He touches my head and my heart. As I read one of his books, I usually find myself nodding my head, smiling from ear to ear or wiping away a tear.

For today and next Sunday, I would like to share a chapter from his book When God Whispers Your Name about the choices we make. Every day we make numerous choices. Some good...some bad. The point Max Lucado makes is that the choice is ours. We choose how we want to live our life. We choose what kind of a day we will have. Here's what Max has to say on the subject...

"It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose love...

No occasion justifies hatred, no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy...

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace...

I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience...

I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness...

I will be kind to the poor, for they are along. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me."

Next Sunday, I'll continue to share what Max Lucado has to say about the choices we make.

Saturday Star Review

The year 2009 brought many mixed blessings along with it. For our blog, that year featured exceptional images and stories. Since we have more and more new people befriending our blog, we have decided to do a review of our first year.

Today, we are proud to review a post from last Febuary from Norma Howard Lane, one of our computer savvy students who is also an avid traveler and photographer.

Norma Lane is approaching her 80th birthday and would be the first to tell you, “I've been into computers and photography longer than the Internet itself.”

Norma emailed Dave Berry, our faculty adviser for the Photography Studio at Computer School for Seniors, and told him, “By all means feel free to share the photos from my website on your Blog. I am proud of the photos I’ve been able to take over the years. I started hiking in the Canadian Rockies after undergoing knee and hip replacement surgery and as a result have become a much happier and healthier person.”

Norma highly recommends the Canadian Rockies as a vacation destination “especially if you are a photographer.”

Norma has taken beautiful photos at Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park and Glacier National Park to name just a few. Dave said, “Norma is an excellent photographer. Her landscape photos are fabulous. She sure caught my attention. I now have the Canadian Rockies on my vacation wish list.”

If you can’t wait to see the Rockies in person, visit her website at http://www.normahlane.com/ and look at her breathtaking photos. Thank you Norma for sharing and God bless.

Friday Star Spotlight

On Fridays we will feature special projects, photography and ideas contributed by talented seniors along with information about the Internet.



Delicious Collaging

Really, my very favorite class to teach is Photoshop Elements Collage. The reason for that is it is a place where my student's creativity springs out onto the computer monitor. And I an privileged to see it when it appears!

Frank Fandrick is a friend of our blog, and does wonderful work. Here are two of my favorites. And we have a bit of a travel commentary to go with the lovely images:

"This collage is 3 separate pictures taken late in the afternoon last fall.

The swans are on Kittattinny Lake in northwestern New Jersey. They stay all year and 5 cygnets are usually born each spring, with 2 being lucky to survive. There were 7 in this herd (strange name for what a group of swan is called, but that is the group name). The lake is manmade, only one mile wide and the western ridge is the Appalachian Trail. It is not far from the highest point in New Jersey.

The picture was taken (3 pictures actually) in the Rose Garden of Bern, Switzerland in 2005. From 1765 - 1877 the Rose Garden served as a cemetery for the lower town. Since 1913 the Rose Garden has been a public park resplendent with the rich beauty of flowers and featuring a pond. It contains over 200 species of roses. The view from the garden down to the lower town is spectacular. It is only a couple of hundred meters from the bear pits (for which Bern is named)."

What a wonderful way to record the moment from a trip. We all travel a lot, and sending a collage to family or friends with several images in it is something really special.

A special thank you from the blog to Frank Fandrick for sharing his fine work with us!

Lifelong Learning Thursday

Nancy Merz Nordstrom, author of Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret of Making the Most of Your After 50 Years will share the benefits of Lifelong Learning on Thursdays.

LEARNING LATER, LIVING GREATER:

The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years.

Lifelong Learning in Your Later Years…

A Health Club for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit!

To continue my story from last Thursday…

My fellow travelers all seemed friendly as we introduced ourselves- a nice mix of couples and single women, with a few single men. There were several “50-somethings” in the group, the rest in their 60s and 70s. I was promptly christened “the baby” since I was only 51.

In my research on travel for older adults I had recently learned about Elderhostel, an even larger educational travel provider. Their minimum age at the time, however, was 55, and I did not want to wait four more years for this first travel experience.

So, five hours after leaving Boston we landed in Zurich. We regrouped, found our Munich-bound plane, and one-hour later were on the ground in Germany. We were then joined by an Austrian guide who spoke flawless English, and stayed with us throughout the entire program.

The two-hour private bus ride to Innsbruck, down the Autobahn through the wide-open farmlands of Southern Germany, was quite comfortable. Most of us were operating on very little sleep so some took the opportunity to nap. Never having been in this part of the world, however, I didn’t want to miss a thing. The red-orange tiled roofs of all the farm houses along the way were quite eye-catching, although the scent wafting through the air was less than wonderful. “Freshlander Air” was what the Germans called the after-effects of fertilizing the fields with processed sewage.

Check-in at the Studentenhaus (University of Innsbruck dorms) was quick and easy– pick up the key and go. No time-consuming forms to fill out. We each had our own room– spartan but utilitarian and very clean. The view from my window showcased the River Inn and old-world buildings on the opposite bank. I was awe-struck.

After a short settling in and orientation, we boarded the bus again for a trip to the nearby mountain village of Lanz, where our introductory dinner in an inn built in 1313, awaited us. 1313, imagine! It made me realize just how young the United States really is. I found myself paying more attention to the inn than to the dinner, although the food was excellent.

Leaving the inn after dinner, we were greeted by “Oom Pah Pah” music from across the street– a very nice surprise that set the tone for our entire program. We were driven back to Innsbruck through picture-perfect mountain villages that looked like they belonged on postcards. What a wonderful beginning, I hoped, to a great adventure.

Next Week…The program really begins

THURSDAY’S THOUGHT…

Moslih Eddin Saadi, the Persian Poet said, “A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” Throughout my trip, I tried to drink in every new thing I saw, to observe as much as possible and permanently implant it into my brain. It was an exciting way to learn.

For more information on Learning Later, Living Greater visit http://www.learninglater.com/ You can purchase Learning Later, Living Greater at http://www.amazon.com/

Till Next Time…

Nancy Merz Nordstrom is Director of the Lifelong Learning Department at Computer School for Seniors (http://www.cs4seniors.com/)

Wednesday Aging in Place

On Wednesdays, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker and elder care advocate will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.


What Does Avatar Have To Do With Aging in Place

Submitted by Liz Boehm on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 22:21

Ok, I'll admit it. I went and saw Avatar last weekend and I loved it. Yes, the tree-hugger message was a little overplayed. And the 3D left me a little nauseated more than once. But there was also a lot there and I think I'll be unpacking this one for a while. What do big blue aliens have to do with aging in place? Beyond the respect for elders and communal living environment, there was one other concept that the aging-in-place market can latch onto: "I see you." For the uninitiated, this is not a simple statement meaning "you are in my line of sight" or even "hi." It means, "I see and acknowledge who you are."

I'm hoping that this concept catches on. Because it will make the connectivity and contribution aspects of aging in place so much easier to explain. On the connectivity side, "I see you" is about video-conferencing that's so simple you can look your aging loved ones in the eyes and really paying attention to how they are doing. I recently skyped with my parents for the first time -- it makes a difference. Or, on a different scale, I recently took a briefing from Wellcore, a company that created a PERS 2.0 system that includes a capability for a caregiver to not just monitor their loved one, but also to send messages on a built-in communication platform.

On the contribution side, "I see you" is about platforms that let seniors tell their stories. Right now, solutions focus mostly on the verbal, eliciting the words that describe a senior's history and experience. But with media-digitizing solutions from companies like ScanCafe, DigMyPics, and FotoBridge, these stories will soon be multi-media, allowing seniors to tell their stories in multiple dimensions.

One last thought on Avatar. The mind-meld between humans and a genetically modified avatar body may seem far-fetched, but it's compelling. Anyone who has created their Mii and then watched it cavort across the screen playing tennis or bowling or boxing knows that.

For more information, visit Laurie at http://www.ageinplacetech.com/ Place Technology Department at http://www.cs4seniors.com/

Tuesday's Travels

Many of us have fascinating stories to tell about places we have visited around the world. These stories are often accompanied by captivating images we can all enjoy on the blog. The theme of this day is verbalized by Mark Twain who said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."



The Highlands of New Guinea

The images in this post turned up in a collage class of mine last fall. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to Agnes explain them in the classroom and she has kindly agreed to share them with us on the blog.

Here is part of her explanation:

"In the Highlands of New Guinea live the birds of paradise. The male's plumage is extravagant, colorful and is in sharp contrast to the drab females. The males display, dance and fight for the females who alone take care of the young.

In the same Highlands lives a tribe, the Huli Wigmen, who show an interesting parallel to the birds of paradise.

The Huli women dig the yams into the ground, tend the crops, harvest, raise the pigs, build huts, have the children, raise them without any help from the men.

The Huli men do not work. They spend most of their days washing, combing, oiling and wildly decorating their hair...

...and lounge around in the Wigmen's Clubs.

When things get boring the men attack the neighboring villages, destroy some huts, beat up the inhabitants and steal their pigs.

The elders of the tribe who were the victims will visit the Hulis a few days later, add up the damages and claim the pigs that the Huli women have been raising and have a large feast for both tribes.

Below are images of the local physician and his family.

In 1994 I had the good fortune to visit the Highlands of New Guinea with a group from The American Museum of Natural History. Some of the male members of our group were thrilled by this division of labor and claimed interest in staying and joining this club! I am glad to report that good sense or guilt prevailed and we all returned to this land of equality."

Fascinating pictures and an informative and wonderfully droll commentary. Just the way to start the week!

A special thank you to Agnes for this intriguing offering!

Lifelong Learning Thursday

Nancy Merz Nordstrom, author of Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret of Making the Most of Your After 50 Years will share the benefits of Lifelong Learning on Thursdays.

LEARNING LATER, LIVING GREATER:

The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years.

Lifelong Learning in Your Later Years…

A Health Club for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit!

Over the last few weeks we have discussed the concept, benefits and opportunities of educational travel. There’s nothing like a first-person story, however, to really make something come alive. So, with that in mind, sit back and relax while I tell you about my very first educational travel adventure. The story begins in August, 1996…

Sitting in Terminal E at Logan International Airport in Boston surrounded by strangers, I found myself wondering how, at age 51, I was about to travel to Europe, my very first passport clutched tightly in my hand.

Talk about stepping outside my comfort zone! Except for short trips to Canada and Bermuda with my family, all my travel had been within the U.S. Yet here I was, waiting to board a SwissAir flight to Zurich. To say conflicting thoughts were swirling about was putting it mildly.

After 29 years of marriage, four children, and work as a secretary, the unexpected death of my husband at age 48 had thrown my life into limbo. Even now, three years later, I was still floundering. Being a single woman was not a comfortable role for me in many different ways.

Travel was one of those ways. I kept noticing how our society seemed fixated on “Couple-hood,” especially when it came to vacations. I was interested in traveling, but I soon realized that traveling solo was going to be a real challenge – a challenge made even more difficult by that ubiquitous “single supplement,” a practice by hotels that penalizes single travelers.

So it was with great interest that I read an article earlier in the year about Interhostel,* an educational travel provider for adults over the age of 50, based at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

The article talked about how their programs were perfect for solo travelers. It went on to say that traveling with Interhostel groups was fun, educational and safe for singles, especially single women. An added bonus was that many of the programs did not have that infamous single supplement.

So here I was five months later, about to leave for Innsbruck, Austria and the Northern Tirolean section of Italy. As a child I loved the story of “Heidi,” so a trip to the Austrian and Italian Alps seemed like a good fit. An added plus was that program participants would be staying in single dorm rooms, with private baths, at the University of Innsbruck – all without that extra charge.

In the weeks prior to departure I received a wealth of information about our program. I read everything thoroughly, including books from the suggested reading list. We were told about our accommodations, what to pack, and our day-to-day itineraries were clearly spelled out. I felt well prepared for what I thought would be a one-time, fun vacation.

Little did I know that the next three weeks were about to change my life. How does that expression go? Life is what happens when you’re making other plans. Well, life had certainly done that to me three years previously, and it was about to do it again.

Next Week…An Austrian Arrival

* Interhostel, the educational travel organization that developed this program was disbanded by the University of New Hampshire in 2005.

THURSDAY’S THOUGHT…
D. H. Lawrence said, “When we get out of the glass bottle of our ego and when we escape like the squirrels in the cage of our personality and get into the forest again, we shall shiver with cold and fright. But things will happen to us so that we don’t know ourselves. Cool, unlying life will rush in.” Over the coming weeks you will see that is exactly what happened to me.
For more information on Learning Later, Living Greater visit http://www.learninglater.com/ You can purchase Learning Later, Living Greater at http://www.amazon.com/

Till Next Time…

Nancy Merz Nordstrom is Director of the Lifelong Learning Department at Computer School for Seniors (http://www.cs4seniors.com/)

Tuesday's Treasures

On Tuesdays we provide our Faculty an opportunity to feature the talented work of some of our students and friends. You may see a display of creative Photoshop work, their beautiful photographs or an interesting story about an individual’s meaningful contribution to his or her community, country or the world.If you have memories, old or new, you would like to share, send them to me at mxw8110@yahoo.com.



Pade Cels Revisited
Valerie Jagiello is an artist who takes classes from time to time at the community college where I teach. She is generous in sharing her work with us, as well as ideas and tips for using Photoshop Elements' many filters. The images in this post come from a process we discussed in November. To review, I'll let her explain:

"These images show examples of my PADE cells imprinted with altered images of a Madonna I created. The PADE cells are a clear plastic 0.10mm weight (similar to the type used in overhead projectors). The backgrounds are all different. Some sheets are scrapbooking papers, others are a paper collage, or a textured paper."

This haunting image has a different look depending on the background that is used:

First, Pastel Madonna...






then Wooden Madonna...





and Green Bronze Madonna...





and finally Rose Madonna...

A special thanks to Valerie Jagiello for sharing her lovely images with us this Tuesday!

Monday's Munchies

Many of us are wonderful cooks and generous about sharing our recipes. Mondays are for "make it happen" people. What could be a better way to encourage each other and create than to share what is going on in our kitchens.



Cold Weather Treat

Here is another gem from the kitchen of Patti Berry. A little something to bake that will stick to your ribs!

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE CAKE

This is a delicious cake that isn’t too sweet, but it is very pretty with the ribbons of raspberry jello and real raspberries throughout! YUM! You can make it in a sheet cake so it is easy to cut into 24 servings or make it in a bundt pan for a pretty presentation! If you are looking for a lighter cake, use the powdered sugar dusting…but I say GO FOR IT and enjoy the cream cheese frosting (good on almost everything in my opinion!!)

1 package yellow cake mix

4 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

1+1/2 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen

1 T bsp flour

1 pkg raspberry jello
Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, milk, oil, sugar and vanilla. Beat on low speed for one minute and then on medium for another minute. Add the cream cheese and beat on medium for two minutes. Put the raspberries in another bowl and toss with the flour until coated. Drop the raspberries and the jello mix onto the cake batter and gently fold them into the batter, do not mix completely, it should appear marbled in the bowl. Pour the batter into a greased and floured bundt pan or a 13x9 cake pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until it tests done. If using bundt pan, cool in pan 10 minutes and then turn out onto serving platter, dust with powdered sugar. If using 13x9 sheet pan, frost with cream cheese frosting or dust with powdered sugar for a lighter cake.

Frost with a cream cheese frosting, or you can simply dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

2 tsp vanilla3 3/4 - 4 cups powdered sugar

Mix together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the vanilla and then the powdered sugar, one cup at a time until it reaches the desired consistency…perhaps a little more or less than called for here.

Our special thanks to Patti Berry for this delicious munchie idea!

Inspirational Sunday

Bill Witcher, co-founder of Computer School for Seniors will be sharing words of encouragement, inspiration and hope with you each Sunday.

The Power of One Word

It's the second week of January, 2010, New Year's resolutions have been made and some have already been broken and forgotten.

It's natural for all of us to look at the start of a new year as an opportunity to start fresh and accomplish a new goal or improve upon some aspect of our life.

Did you make a New Year's resolution? A friend of mine, Mary Colovich, not only made one but she also had a uinque approach at how she arrived at her "resolution."

Here is her story of how she discovered "the power of one word."

"I tend to be an early riser and in keeping with this pattern, I awoke very early on the first day of this New Year. I quietly slipped into the family room as to not wake my sleeping husband and I decided to work on my 2010 phone calendar. As I sat in the early morning darkness of this new decade, I started in-putting birthdays and known commitments for the upcoming days. As I turned each page I noticed that each month presented a new grid of blank days, for a total of 365 to be exact! It seemed a bit daunting for me to look at all of these white squares knowing that they would pass with me or without me. And then it hit me…I got it!

I realized that really, that’s what life is all about. It’s about having a bunch of blank days to fill however I choose. I can choose to fill them with happiness or sadness…with productivity or laziness…how I live the upcoming year is my choice and my choice only. What a great blessing!

So naturally, I began to think of the myriad of well-intentioned resolutions flooding my refreshed and renewed mind, after all, it’s not only a new year, it’s a new DECADE! But quickly my excitement turned to frustration as I reflected on past resolutions that have gone unfinished or ignored and have eventually drifted into that all too common wasteland of forgotten good intentions.

As I thought about this sober reality, it became clear to me that the solution to my yearly dilemma was to be summed up by one word. I wasn’t sure what that one word was but I knew that if I could come up with it, it would encapsulate all of my goals and resolutions and I could pretty well count on success. I gave it a few days. I was thoughtful, soulful and prayerful. This was serious to me and I wanted mine to be perfect. After all, this has to last me the entire year and every thought, deed, decision, and goal has to be partnered with this one word as the main focus.

I finally came up with the perfect one for my needs and goals. My word is SIGNIFICANT. I thought of literally hundreds of other great words that would be totally suitable, but once I made my decision, I knew that it was the one for me. Now it is clear. Before I do anything, I ask myself, “Will this be significant?”

So I have printed it, framed it and placed it in our home where I can see it every day. I know that every relationship or interaction I have must be significant and that all of my goals, ambitions and decisions have significance. It’s simple. I know that my year will be more productive and less overwhelming. The power of that one simple adjective has the ability to change my perspective and the direction of my life.

May you all have a very happy, prosperous and “significant” year!

Lifelong Learning Thursday

Nancy Merz Nordstrom, author of Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret of Making the Most of Your After 50 Years will share the benefits of Lifelong Learning on Thursdays.

LEARNING LATER, LIVING GREATER:

The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years.

Lifelong Learning in Your Later Years…

A Health Club for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit!

Now that we know about the background of Elderhostel/
Exploritas, let’s take a look at some examples of their outstanding programming.

At the Art Institute: Focus on Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Be introduced to the museum's 19th-Century Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection through gallery walks, slide lectures and discussions led by staff members from the Department of Museum Education. Courses examine ideas, techniques and achievements in the work of artists such as Monet, Renior, Cassatt, van Gogh, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec and many others. In addition to outstanding art courses, be instructed in the art of Tai Chi, an ancient exercise that teaches self discipline and body/mind coordination. Gain awareness of physical and mental expression using sustained motions. Tai Chi classes at the club from 8:30-9:30 a.m., no special clothing needed.

Stay at a downtown club with pool and athletic facilities, a 5-minute walk to the museum. Breakfast and dinner at the club, cafeteria lunch at the School of the Art Institute.

Pathways Through Culture – Spain. Your journey through Spain follows the cultural pathways that led this nation from cave to palace, and into the new millennium. Madrid's monuments and museums show you how the Spanish define themselves. Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, shines with the grandeur of the Muslim civilization that once ruled here. Long after the end of the Muslim Empire, traces of that culture remain today. In Seville, layers of civilization are unearthed, from the biblical Tarshish to the Castilian Golden Age and beyond. Accommodations are in comfortable hotels; double occupancy bedrooms with private bathrooms.

Adventures Afloat Study Cruise – Essential Greece: Athens and the Cyclades. Azure waters, crisp white hilltop buildings, and remnants of an ancient civilization are the exquisite backdrop for your exploration of the Greek Aegean Sea. Examine ancient history and contemporary culture--the early glories of Athens, the mysteries of Delphi and its famed Oracle--and local heritage and culture on this cruise of the Cycladic Islands. Delve into the rhythms of modern life in enchanting Santorini, historic Delos, and cosmopolitan Mykonos while studying traditions, food, and music in a region that has inspired and challenged humankind for millennia.

On board, immerse yourself in the most historically and culturally important Greek islands. Lectures examine ancient civilizations, gods and goddesses, art and culture, and modern Greek life. Field trips and excursions explore Kea; Santorini, believed by some to be ancient Atlantis; Naoussa, with its traditional chapels and whitewashed houses; enchanting and vibrant Mykonos, and the ruins on Delos, an archaeological site on what was the most important religious center in the region.

Your cruise ship is an intimate, four-deck Greek yacht built in 1995. At 153' long by 30' wide and cruising at 12-14 knots she can carry 32 passengers, all of whom may be Elderhostelers. Public areas, linked by stairs include a restaurant with lounge, and sundeck. Outside double-occupancy cabins have lower beds and air conditioning, private bathroom with shower. Limited singles available.

Reprinted with permission, ã 2004 Elderhostel Inc.
THURSDAY’S THOUGHT…Robert Louis Stevenson , the famous writer said, There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only, who is foreign. What a great philosophy for learning while traveling the world. For more information on Learning Later, Living Greater visit http://www.learninglater.com/ You can purchase Learning Later, Living Greater at http://www.amazon.com/

Till Next Time…

Nancy Merz Nordstrom is Director of the Lifelong Learning Department at Computer School for Seniors (http://www.cs4seniors.com/)

Tuesday's Treasures

On Tuesdays we provide our Faculty an opportunity to feature the talented work of some of our students and friends. You may see a display of creative Photoshop work, their beautiful photographs or an interesting story about an individual’s meaningful contribution to his or her community, country or the world.If you have memories, old or new, you would like to share, send them to me at mxw8110@yahoo.com.



Creative Photography
& Photoshop

Thats a combination you can't beat! Natalie Harris has a real spark as a photographer. She has taken the time to hone her great eye by taking classes from the best Photography teacher we have at our community college in Dallas.

Combined with newly acquired Photoshop skills, she is creating some wonderful images for herself and her family.

This picture is of a structure at the Dallas Arboretum that in enhanced by a special effect in Photoshop:

Again an interesting image from the Arboretum with a picture of two charming young men inserted in the window so that it looks a bit like a television or computer moniter--you guessed it, they are grandsons.

And last but not least, Natalie took an image of this sculpture at the Nasher Sculpture garden and put her granddaughter's image inside it (she was actually at a baseball game).

Great work, and a special thank you to Natalie Harris for sharing it with us on the blog.

Monday's Munchies

Many of us are wonderful cooks and generous about sharing our recipes. Mondays are for "make it happen" people. What could be a better way to encourage each other and create than to share what is going on in our kitchens.

For all you dog lovers out there...

Here is something you don't see every day. A recipe for your dog. Seems only fair that there should be at least one since there are so many for people!

This is from Patti Berry's kitchen, and she says "..here are pictures of my two granddogs...Rocky and Roxy.



Some day I am sure we will get some two legged grandchildren, but for now, we have fun with these two. Here is a recipe to make some great homemade dog treats. I assure you, Roxy and Rocky both love them and I enjoy baking for them too!

GARLIC-CHEESE DOG BISCUITS

1+1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup stick margarine, softened
1+1/2 cups whole wheat flour1
Tbsp minced or crushed garlicdash salt6-8
Tbsp milk

In a mixing bowl, beat the cheese and margarine. Add the flour, garlic and salt, mix well. Add enough milk to form a stiff dough. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with bone shaped (or any that you like) cookie cutter. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Let cool. Biscuits will harden as they cool."

Even if you don't have a dog, your neighbor might, and how many recipes are out there for your pooch?

I miss my little dog, Shiner. We had her for 17 years. I thought of her when I found this quote about dogs...

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." -Unknown

Saturday's with Dr. Roffman

Each Saturday, Dr. Joel Roffman, a prominent Dallas cardiologist and author will share meaningful experiences he has had with patients who are dealing with a variety of physical and emotional issues. You will find the manner in which they deal with life’s problems to be practical, inspirational and uplifting.

Lech l’cha (Go from this Place)

I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions, but some people can’t resist. Around this time of year, patients often tell me that in the coming year, they are resolved to . . .(pick one) . . . get thinner, stop smoking, spend more time with their loved ones, be a better friend. . etc.

The Hebrew words of the title to this posting were the words God spoke to Abraham. Abraham rejected idolatry – the first monotheist in the Bible. In the early chapters of Genesis, God challenged him to leave his family, his birthplace and his culture, “ . . . To a place that I will show you.”
So of course, if

you smoke, try your best to stop. And if ou are overweight, try your best to lose the extra. But let’s use the New Year to make a spiritual resolution as well. Let’s resolve to “Go from this place.”

Resolve to do something really meaningful in your life. Learn. Read a new book on a subject you’ve been meaning to learn more about. Volunteer to help those in need. Become more active physically and spiritually. Take a course in the Computer School for Seniors. Bring meals (and bring yourselves) to a shelter to serve the poor. Call a relative or friend with whom you don’t speak often and have a lively and cheerful conversation. Take a leisurely walk and listen to nature. Learn about digital photography (it’s very easy!). Tell someone you love them. Tell them again.

Lech L’cha.

If you have a comment or question about this blog entry, email Dr. Roffman at drroffman@cs4seniors.com.

Dr. Joel Roffman has spoken to many church, synagogue and support groups. His book, Coping with Adversity: Judaism’s response to illness and other life struggles is enjoyable, uplifting and informative. It is meant for people of all faiths and can be viewed at www.copingwithadversity.com. It is available at Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Amazon.com.

Friday Star Spotlight

On Fridays we will feature special projects, photography and ideas contributed by talented seniors along with information about the Internet.




Happy New Year Everyone!



Happy New Year Wish

My Happy New Year wish for you
Is for your best year yet,
A year where life is peaceful,
And what you want, you get.

A year in which you cherish
The past year’s memories,
And live your life each new day,
Full of bright expectancies.

I wish for you a holiday
With happiness galore;
And when it’s done,
I wish you Happy New Year,
and many more.

By Joanna Fuchs

And from two of our blogs most loyal friends...the illustrious pair Harry Gareth Edward Spalding and mum Valerie Jagiello:

"Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here's to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold."-- Anonymous