Poetry Jam at The Estates?

I enjoy writing (but not publishing) poetry. There are at least 5 of us here at The Estates who have expressed an interest in having poetry events or Jams occasionally. We did have a gathering in April (poetry month) with readings in a variety of styles. I think 11 attended. Today I came across the story of Anne Channing Porter who published her first book of poetry at 83. Might become an inspiration or our guardian angel. If I were to average our age it's about 92.

Anne Porter's poetry highlights faith, suffering and the wisdom of age | National Catholic Reporter

Anne Porter | The Poetry Foundation

A Short Testament by Anne Porter - Poems | Academy of American Poets

July 3 at the Estates

 

 

We had a wonderful buffet lunch and a great movie in the evening, Solo Mio with Kevin James.

Usually at The Estates we have old movies, but Friday the 3rd we had a 2026, "Solo Mio."

 Kevin James plays Matt, a groom left devastated when his fiancée, Heather, abandons him at the altar in Italy, leaving only a note explaining she is not ready for marriage. Determined to continue his planned group tour alone, Matt meets Gia, a charming local café owner, and forms a connection with her while navigating heartbreak and self-discovery. The story explores themes of love, resilience, and second chances, culminating in Matt returning to Gia after selling his engagement ring to buy a motorcycle (Wikipedia). What doesn't appear in the reviews are two performers Andrea Bocelli and Jonathan Roumie best known for portraying Jesus in the hit series The Chosen

1776 the musical (film) was our entertainment last night

At the Estates last night, a large group enjoyed the movie, "1776 The Musical" (1972), adapted from an earlier stage play, which was adapted from the history of the drafting and writing/approval of the Declaration of Independence. I hadn't seen it during the bicentennial, and really enjoyed it. I found it about as accurate as a film could be for something adapted from a book/play adapted from actual history. After all, one could fill a library with important books on this event and biographies of all the people of the Continental Congress. Some critics of the time complained the timeline was wrong--too condensed.

So, I checked this "wrong timeline" idea with the Library of Congress which noted there were numerous drafts then 5 men who worked on it, and then about a week when the whole group met. Considering what we get today as "news," I'd call this accurate.

"Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia behind a veil of Congressionally imposed secrecy in June 1776 for a country wracked by military and political uncertainties. In anticipation of a vote for independence, the Continental Congress on June 11 appointed Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as a committee to draft a declaration of independence. The committee then delegated Thomas Jefferson to undertake the task. Jefferson worked diligently in private for days to compose a document. Proof of the arduous nature of the work can be seen in the fragment of the first known composition draft of the declaration, which is on public display here for the first time.

Jefferson then made a clean or "fair" copy of the composition declaration, which became the foundation of the document, labeled by Jefferson as the "original Rough draught." Revised first by Adams, then by Franklin, and then by the full committee, a total of forty-seven alterations including the insertion of three complete paragraphs was made on the text before it was presented to Congress on June 28. After voting for independence on July 2, the Congress then continued to refine the document, making thirty-nine additional revisions to the committee draft before its final adoption on the morning of July 4 . . ." https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/declara/declara3.html

We've been having a film series for the 250th anniversary celebration.

Blog on old films with links

 Melanie Novak blog on old films.  We've seen some of these at The Estates. I've starred them.

The Affairs of Susan (1945)
After the Thin Man (1936)
The African Queen (1951) *
All About Eve (1950)
Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Anna Christie (1930)
The Awful Truth (1937)
Baby Face (1933)
Ball of Fire (1941)
The Big Sleep (1946)
Blowing Wild (1953)
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017)
Born to Be Bad (1950)
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
The Bride Wore Red (1937)
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
The Caine Mutiny (1954)
Camille (1936)
Captain Blood (1935)
Casablanca (1942) *
Christmas In Connecticut (1945)
Christopher Strong (1933)
Cimarron (1931)
Come and Get It (1936)
The Constant Nymph (1943)
Craig’s Wife (1936)
Daisy Kenyon (1947)
A Damsel in Distress (1937)
Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)
Dark Victory (1939)
Designing Woman (1957)
Dial M For Murder (1954) *
Dinner at Eight (1933)
Dangerous (1935)
Dark Passage (1947)
A Day in the Country (1946)
Destry Rides Again (1939)
The Divorcée (1930)
Double Indemnity (1944) *
Dracula (1931)
East Side, West Side (1949)
Ex-Lady (1933)
Father of the Bride (1950) *
Father of the Bride (1991)  *
First Comes Courage (1943)
Frankenstein (1931)
A Free Soul (1931)
From Here to Eternity (1953)
From This Day Forward (1946)
Gaslight (1944)
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
Giant (1956)
Gilda (1946)
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Grand Hotel (1932)
The Great Lie (1941)
Gun Crazy (1950)
Hands Across the Table (1935)
Harriet Craig (1950)
Harvey (1950)
The Heiress (1949)
Hell’s Angels (1930)
High Society (1956) *
Hold Back the Dawn (1941)
Holiday Inn (1942)
Honor Among Lovers (1931)
House of Wax (1953)
How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)
I Married a Witch (1942)
In a Lonely Place (1950)
Indiscreet (1958)
In Name Only (1939)
In This Our Life (1942).
It Happened One Night (1934)
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Jane Eyre (1944)  *
Jezebel (1938)  *
Key Largo (1948)*
King Kong (1933)
The Lady Eve (1941)
Laura (1944)
Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
Letter From An Unknown Woman (1948)
Little Caesar (1930)
Lonelyhearts (1958)
A Lost Lady (1934)
Made For Each Other (1939)
The Male Animal (1942)
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Mata Hari (1931)
Meet John Doe (1941)
Merrily We Go to Hell (1932)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935)
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Mogambo (1953) *
Mutiny On The Bounty (1935)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941)
Mrs. Miniver (1942)
Mr. Skeffington (1944)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
My Cousin Rachel (1952)
My Favorite Wife (1940)
My Man Godfrey (1936)
Next Time We Love (1936)
No Man of Her Own (1932)
Notorious (1946)
Of Human Bondage (1935)
Old Acquaintance (1943)
The Old Maid (1939)
The Other Love (1947)
The Petrified Forest (1936)
The Philadelphia Story (1940)  *
A Place in the Sun (1951)
Possessed (1931)
The Princess Comes Across (1936)
Princess O’Rourke (1943)
The Public Enemy (1931)
Queen Christina (1933) *
The Razor’s Edge (1946)
Rear Window (1954)
Rebecca (1940)
Red Dust (1932)
Red-Headed Woman (1932)
The Red Shoes (1948)
Sabrina (1954)
Sabrina (1995)
Saratoga Trunk (1945)
Scarface (1932)
September Affair (1950)
She Done Him Wrong (1993)
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
The Shopworn Angel (1938)
Show Boat (1936)
The Snake Pit (1948)
So Big (1932)
Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)
Stagecoach (1939)
Stage Door (1937)
Stella Dallas (1937)
The Stratton Story (1949)
The Strawberry Blonde (1941)
Sunrise (1927)
Suspicion (1941).
Swing High, Swing Low (1937)
Swing Time (1936)
Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
Tarzan Escapes (1936)
Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939)
Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
Tarzan’s New York Adventure (1942)
Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941)
The Thin Man (1934)
This Above All (1942)
The Thorn Birds (1983)
To Catch A Thief (1955)
To Each His Own (1946)
To Have and Have Not (1944)
Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
True Confession (1937)
Twentieth Century (1934)
The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947)
Vertigo (1958)
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Waterloo Bridge (1931)
Waterloo Bridge (1940)
White Christmas (1954)
Wife Vs. Secretary (1936)
Winchester ’73 (1950)
The Wizard of Oz (1939) *
The Women (1939)
You Can’t Take It With You (1938)
Young Man with a Horn (1950)
You’ve Got Mail (1998) *

Movies shown at Estates not in the blog

On Moonlight Bay with Doris Day, Sept 4, 2025

You Gotta Believe, sports drama, Sept. 7, 2025

The Way We Were, Sept. 24, 2025

Tea for Two, Doris Day, Sept. 28, 2025

Overboard, Goldie Hawn, Oct. 2, 2025, our copy

Abby's List, ours, Mark Sutherland of our Campfire group, Oct. 8, 2025

Whales of August, Lilian Gish, Bette Davis, Oct. 16, 2015

Fried Green Tomatoes, Kathyy Bates, Oct. 26, 2015

Devil wears Prada

Mr. Blanding builds his dream home

Big fat Greek Wedding

Miracle worker

Elizabethtown

Where the crawdads sing

Auntie Mame

Home Sweet Alabama

Mrs Harris goes to Paris

Mystic pizza

First cow

Now, Voyager  Collecting My Thoughts: Now, Voyager (1942) with Bette Davis

To catch a thief

High noon

Notorius (1946)

Brigadoon  Collecting My Thoughts: Enjoying a night at the movies at The Estates

Carousel

Apollo 13

The Swan

Double Indemnity

Sound of Music

Second hand lions

Country girl

On the waterfront

Hello Dolly

Bicycle thieves

Oklahoma

October Sky

The King and I

Funny Girl

Little Foxes

Million Dollar Mermaid

The Letter

Seven brides for seven brothers

Lincoln

City Slickers

Stand by me

National Treasure

Ferris Bueller's Day Off   Collecting My Thoughts: Three out of four (movies) isn't too bad

Best Years of our Lives

Funny Face

April in Paris

Horse Whisperer

Bridge over the River Kwai

Phantom of the Opera

Milo and Otis

Six Triple eight

Tuskegee Airmen

A Man called Otto

Yentle

The Flags of our Fathers

The Good Liar with Helen Mirren (2019) The Good Liar review – Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen are irresistible | Thrillers | The Guardian

1776 The Musical (1972) Watch 1776 (1972) - Free Movies | Tubi

 

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Enjoying the tree tops at Blacklick Woods

 Last week's trip by Estates residents to Columbus metro park Blacklick Woods was cancelled due to bad storms, but our hardy group had a gorgeous day of 80 degrees and beautiful sunshine June 3 to see the Canopy Walk through the tall trees rising 40 feet. It had an elevator and was ADA accessible. Don't miss this spectacular sight/site in Reynoldsburg, OH.

  

Three out of four (movies) isn't too bad

Here at the Estates this week-end (if Thursday counts) we had four movies; National Treasure with Nicholas Cage, Ferris Bueler's Day off with Matthew Broderick, Best years of our Lives with Myrna Loy, and Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn. I liked all but Funny Face.

National Treasure (2004) follows historian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicholas Cage) "as he uncovers clues tied to the legendary Knights Templar treasure, setting him in a high-stakes race against a ruthless rival to protect the Declaration of Independence. This globe-hopping, clue-solving adventure blends American history with fast-paced action, offering plenty of thrills and family-friendly fun. While its plot is improbable, reviewers praise its entertainment value, likening it to a modern-day Indiana Jones." 21 Years Later, Nic Cage's $347 Million Adventure Movie Is a Sleeper Streaming Hit

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) stars Matthew Broderick as "a charming high school senior who fakes illness to spend an unforgettable day exploring Chicago with his best friend and girlfriend, while evading his principal and suspicious sister. . . sharp humor, memorable characters, and moments of heart, making this a light, witty, and culturally iconic coming-of-age comedy that remains a must-watch for its rebellious spirit and timeless charm." Ferris Bueller couldn’t take his day off in 2026 - The Observer

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) follows three WWII veterans from different walks of life as they return to their hometown and face the challenges of reintegrating into civilian society. With themes of post-war trauma, disability, love, and shifting social roles, William Wyler’s moving drama blends realism with heartfelt storytelling. Acclaimed for its performances, human depth, and sensitive direction, it remains a timeless classic and one of cinema’s greatest portrayals of veterans’ experiences.

Best years of our Lives I'd seen before but even with its age it points to problems of veterans we've come to expect--alcoholism, disabilities, PTSD, and family break-ups. The home front is also not without its casualties movie review

Funny Face (1957) "follows a shy Greenwich Village book clerk whose unexpected discovery by a fashion photographer whisks her into the world of haute couture and Parisian romance. With dazzling musical numbers by George and Ira Gershwin, chic Givenchy costumes, and the charm of Audrey Hepburn alongside Fred Astaire, it’s a stylish, lighthearted satire of fashion and beatnik culture. Critics praise its elegance, wit, and visual flair, making it a timeless classic worth watching."

Although it had good reviews, by the end of the movie all of us had left Funny Face before it was over. But the clothes were gorgeous. I don't think it worked as a musical and the 30 year age difference between the stars were really off putting. 

I'm not sure the small reviews are AI generated or Wikipedia, but I didn't write them.

80 for Brady, watching football can be fun

Inspired by a true story, this film shown at The Estates (a rom com?) tonight tells of four lifelong friends in their 80s (played by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field) who travel to Houston to watch Tom Brady and his New England Patriots play in Super Bowl LI in 2017. Seventeen years before the 4 had gathered to help Lily get through her cancer treatment and had a tradition of watching him together. They win tickets (they think) and have hilarious adventures on the trip and at the game. 

Spring art show at The Estates

Here at the Estates on Friday evening Bob had a small (and brief--3 hours) one artist show. Most paintings were from our apartment, but three came from the storage shelves at our daughter's home. Two were new this year. Champagne and hors d'oeuvres were served. What you see on the walls hangs in the lobby, not the show. It was very popular with our neighbors and people are still talking about it and which was their favorite. Lots of variety. Pheasants in the snow. Santa Marie Fishing boat. Aarni washing potatoes in the lake. Bicycles in Lakeside. Phil Bruce. Young Haitian woman. Abby reading. Andy docked on Lake Erie. Verde River, Arizona. Indian woman with veil. Jack sailing Webb 3. Southern Ohio barn. Ireland Plateau. Pavilion in Snow at Lakeside. Stockbridge, Scotland, Leith River.

  

  

He Found It

When I got to the dining room at The Estates for breakfast today, the early risers were all a flutter. Chairs pulled out, people searching. One man had lost a hearing aid. Someone turned on her phone flashlight, others were patting his clothing, another was looking through the sugar packets. He had to leave to catch the taxi (he still works), so after he was gone, I suggested we pray about it. I asked Ginny to lead us in prayer--she's the daughter of a missionary, a Baptist and goes to Bible study here. So, she started. And she barely got "Dear Lord" out, when someone stuck her head in the door and said He Found It. It was inside his belt buckle.

Enjoying a night at the movies at The Estates

Tonight's movie at the Estates is Brigadoon, and according to Rotten Tomatoes: "Tommy Albright (Gene Kelly) and Jeff Douglas (Van Johnson), two American pals on a Scottish hunting trip, get lost in the woods and come upon the magical village of Brigadoon. Rising out of the Scottish mist only once every 100 years, and only for one day, Brigadoon is an enchanted place where life is simpler and easier, untouched by the worries of the modern world. When Tommy falls for beautiful villager Fiona Campbell (Cyd Charisse), he must decide whether to stay or to return to his life."

 
Watching these old movies is refreshing just for the fashions of the fifties and forties. Of course, it's fantasy, but so is the news. Last night was To catch a Thief with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly; Friday was The Country Girl with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly; April 4 (Saturday) was A Tree grows in Brooklyn; March 27 was Double Indemnity with Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck; March 29 was a real sleeper I'd never heard of and not very old, Secondhand Lions with Michael Caine and Robert Duvall--great old cars. Sunday March 15 we watched the movie The Swan with Grace Kelly. Sort of like a Hallmark movie where royals get married.  Friday March 13 was Big with Tom Hanks.

Chatting with Copilot about its dependence on Wikipedia

There's a huge pull-down world map in our multi-purpose room. While waiting for a class one day I asked (no one in particular) I wonder how many languages are spoken in Indonesia. One woman, born in India, guessed 4 or 5. I said, maybe a thousand or more. Here's the answer from Translatorswithoutborders  https://translatorswithoutborders.org/language-data-for-indonesia?   

"There are over 800 languages spoken in Indonesia according to the 2010 census. Other sources consider several of these to be dialects of the same language, and show the number of unique languages being closer to 700. By all estimates, Indonesia is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. Indonesian (locally referred to as Bahasa Indonesia) is the primary lingua franca. Indonesian is spoken by over 94% of the population, but it is the primary language of only 20% of the population. Javanese (Jawa) is the most common primary language, spoken by over 30% of the population. The maps, documents, and datasets below provide information about languages spoken throughout the country."

I'll accept that, but I had a long chat with Copilot and I told it I was flunking it. I switched to another platform (?) because it kept taking the Wikipedia short cut.

Six syllables three lines, a poem about the Estates

6 syllables 3 lines, my neighbors

Bunny, Bev, Bonnie, Bev,

Barbara, Barbara,

Barbara, Barbara.


Barbara and Betty,

Bob, Bill, Bob, Bill, Bob, Clare.

Cola, Carole, Carol.


Carolyn, Carolyn,

Carrie, Chris, Constantine,

Diana, Dave, Dennis.


David, Dottie, Dorothy.

Ernie, Eva, Eve, Frank,

Gilda, Howard, Harry.


Jean, Joe, Jack and Janet,

Jan, Jim, Joyce, Jeraline,

Jacqueline, Joann, Jack;


Judy, Jean, Joyce, Janet.

John, Kathy, Kay, Laura,

Linda, Lou, Mort, Mary,


Martine, Marcie, Milly,

Marilyn, Margaret,

Marie, Mary, Marie.


Norma and Noretta,

Norma, Patricia, Paul,

Patsy, Pat, Priscilla.


Richard, Roseanne, Ruth Ann,

Ray, Richard, Rosemary,

Rena, Shirley, Sandy,


Sharon, Sue and Sandra.

Thomas, Terry, Terrence,

Tom, Tex, Victor, Vonceil.

We're planning an April poetry event.  I used the resident list for February for this syllabic poem, and to some I've already said good-bye. As you can see, names go with generations. 

February 10, St. Scholastica

On February 10 Christians honor Saint Scholastica, sister of Saint Benedict. She was born in the 5th century and is known mostly for her famous twin brother and a miracle at the end of her life. If I were to write about her, I'd have to include the word "traditionally" in just about every sentence, because there just isn't a lot known about her. If you have a famous sibling, spouse, grandparent or cousin, you may know the feeling. Although being a Saint, she may have just prayed about it if she felt overlooked.

At The Estates where we live in an apartment, I've noticed a lot of widows and widowers, of course, but also sibling groups, twins, cousins, in-laws, and former neighbors. One woman told me that as children she and her cousins always played together in the neighborhood and then went on to establish careers and families, seeing each other only on special occasions because of distance or busy lives. Now they have breakfast together daily. Women who used to carpool their kids' swim team or soccer club together now 40 years later share stories of the old days at table. I would have expected that at Pinecrest in Mt. Morris, IL where my parents lived. Dad and his Uncle Orville were able to enjoy their final years together sharing stories because they were close in age and Dad had been his best man.

I actually do have a first cousin once removed on Dad's side, Joy, right here in Columbus. I saw her in 1993. We really should get together while there is time.

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/february-10-saint-scholastica-virgin/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scholastica

https://faith.nd.edu/saint/st-scholastica/

Now, Voyager (1942) with Bette Davis

Last night at The Estates we saw the movie "Now, Voyager" which stars Bette Davis and Paul Henreid (1942, B&W). She develops a sense of self confidence and independence after a nervous breakdown through the course of the story. (". . .the themes abound in this tale, including metamorphosis, mother guilt, emotional blackmail, pioneering concepts of psychotherapy and psychiatry, conditional love vs. unconditional love, and unconventional love.") It is based on a book (1941) of the same name by Olive Higgins Prouty who had two nervous breakdowns and draws on some on her own experience. I had never seen the movie, and I find the background of the author almost as interesting as the film. I discovered a podcast that compares books with the films on which they are based. So, if you've had an opportunity to curl up on cold nights with a good melodrama, and see this one, you might also enjoy two women talking about the book vs. film. https://youtu.be/A3ow2pF33Wc?si=qIO__ZmO3Ch5i5LB

All Of Bette Davis' Best Movies, Ranked By Fans

Speaking Russian

Today when I checked the mailbox downstairs, I saw that the bulletin board had been decorated for Valentine's Day, "I love you" written in many languages. That's Bob's favorite and only phrase in Russian, Я тебя люблю:  ya tee-BYAH lyoo-BLYOO.

I taught him to say it years ago, but we don't remember when. When we were in Russia about 20 years ago no one seemed impressed. 

Ohio is buried in 11" of snow and other problems

 Our car is immobilized for a while. Churches and schools were closed by the latest storm that has swept across the nation, and particularly those areas south of us. Even if we could get to the car, sweeping off the snow would cover us up, and I suspect the wipers and doors are frozen shut.

"COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Good Sunday evening! [Jan. 25] Most snowfall totals across Central Ohio have been around 10–11 inches as of 5 PM. We did have a few 13-inch reports from New Albany, Zanesville, and Coshocton County. Southern and eastern Ohio had some sleet and freezing rain mixing in during the day, with reported snowfall totals around 6–8 inches, but we are not done with the snow just yet."

These are AI generated reports I found on internet:

"Schools and colleges across central Ohio, including Ohio State University, Columbus State Community College, and Columbus City Schools, canceled classes for January 26 and 27 due to snow and extreme cold.

Businesses and government offices closed, including the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Franklin County courts, and Columbus VA clinics.

The City of Columbus declared a Level 3 snow emergency on January 25, which was downgraded to Level 2 by January 26 as snow removal crews worked to clear roads.

Mayor Andrew Ginther confirmed that over 16 inches of snow fell in some southern and eastern parts of the metro area, and crews were actively working to improve road conditions.

Wind chills dropped to -15°F to -25°F through the week, with a Cold Weather Advisory and Extreme Cold Warning in effect, posing risks of frostbite and hypothermia.

No new snow is expected through January 27, but blowing snow and icy conditions remain hazardous, and temperatures are forecast to stay below zero for several days."

 Then to complicate things Bob was in the hospital January 21-24, getting out in time to grab a few new prescriptions.  There wasn't time to stock up on food--and we live in retirement independent living where meals are provided,   If the employees can get to work! A few did make it in, but it's more like picnics and the new menu for Bob includes less salt. Some of the staff spent the night.

Benefits of local honey

Never a dull moment at The Estates. 

I couldn't get the jar of our homegrown (Upper Arlington, Ohio) honey open this morning to make my delicious chocolate-honey de-caf. Even when I was a strong 65, I couldn't get these open (home processed). So, I tucked it inside my waxed amaryllis box and went down to the night watchman (it was about 6:30 a.m.) and asked for help. I even took with me two plastic jar opening strips. Big guy, he  huffed and puffed but he couldn't do it either. So, I told him we needed hot water to loosen the ring seal, so he took it to the back room and did that. After much effort, he was successful. Then there was the sealed lid, so he found a pair of scissors, and finally, success!

"Benefits of Local Honey

Local honey offers various health benefits that can enhance daily wellness. This natural sweetener not only tastes good but also provides important nutrients that support a healthier lifestyle.

Nutritional Advantages

Local honey contains essential vitamins and minerals. It includes vitamin C, calcium, and iron, which contribute to overall health. This sweetener also provides carbohydrates, giving a quick source of energy. Unlike processed sugars, local honey has fewer additives and preservatives, making it a cleaner choice for sweetening foods. The presence of local pollen in honey can boost immune responses. This helps the body build tolerance to local allergens, which can be especially important during allergy season. Choosing local honey means enjoying a product rich in nutrients while also supporting local beekeepers.

Antioxidant Properties

Local honey is rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals can lead to chronic diseases and aging. Antioxidants found in local honey primarily come from plant compounds, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Consuming local honey can aid in reducing inflammation and supporting heart health. Studies show that honey's antioxidant content can be more effective than those in many processed sweeteners. Regular use may help improve overall health by boosting the body's defenses and promoting better well-being. Local honey stands out as a natural choice for enhancing health and combating oxidative stress." . . . 

Why Is Local Honey Better for You? Key Health Benefits — Blythewood Bee Company

What's for Christmas Eve dinner tonight?

 What's for dinner tonight? "Holiday foods are especially powerful because they’re tightly bound to episodic memory – the brain’s record of personal experiences. “When we taste those foods again, the hippocampus and amygdala bring those emotional memories back to life,” said Traster. Experiences encoded in childhood are particularly durable, especially when they’re paired with strong emotion and repetition. Christmas foods often meet both criteria, becoming deeply embedded early in life."

Maybe, but we're having Italian restaurant take-out for Christmas Eve dinner from DaVinci's in Upper Arlington, not traditional (in our family). We're living in a retirement facility called The Estates (formerly The Forum) so hosting is a bit difficult for us. But we do have our 1963 dining room table that has a leaf on which we can eat our non-traditional dinner. On Christmas Day we'll all be eating in the dining room for a traditional buffet with Italian left-overs for the evening.

Why Christmas Food Tastes Better – The Brain Science | Technology Networks

https://youtu.be/y1xFD89xio0?si=Tzchxn8caMBsORra  Holiday dinners in 1961 -- remember Jim DeMott's oyster dressing and deviled eggs?

Sharing Legacy Recipes: A Holiday Potluck in Memory – Oaktree Memorials

"Elvis" sang for us at the Estates

Elvis [Lonnie Jay Freeman] came to The Estates to entertain us yesterday afternoon. I won a scarf for knowing the name of his first movie. . . Love me Tender.

Ginny (97) and I both got scarves. She was an M.K. born in India and went to a British run boarding school, went to college in Wheaton, IL and settled in the Cleveland area to raise her family. She still drives--never misses church or our local Bible class. We are 3rd floor neighbors.

I really didn't care much for Elvis when I was in High School but over the years and I've seen so many shows by reenactors he's grown on me. There are quite a few Christmas and holiday songs.

  

10 Best Elvis Christmas Songs of All Time, Ranked

And it's not even the first day of winter yet

Our Christmas programs at the Estates are coming fast. We had two! today. I think I know all the words now for Frosty and White Christmas. Earlier today it was a couple—baby boomers, I think—spreading holiday cheer, except it was billed as Hanukkah, which was sort of ironic considering the tragedy yesterday in Australia. This evening we enjoyed a 13 piece band in the lobby which has soaring ceilings. Bob took out his hearing aids because it’s dangerous to have them in when it’s so loud. The singer was really talented and cute as a button. She was a great MC and knew all the history and back ground of the songs. It really brings back memories of caroling in the snow and junior choir and singing at “the old folks home” in Mt. Morris. And who could forget those 4 cute Corbetts singing for the women's club in Forreston. 

Yesterday we had “Mrs. Oppenheimer’s Piano class” Christmas recital—each child had 2 songs plus a duet with the teacher, and then we all sang Christmas carols accompanied by the teacher. Last week we had a kindergarten class from a Christian school and also a men’s quartet, except the trumpet player may be permanently out of a career—I didn’t know that a trumpet can cause a retina problem from the pressure, and he was at the doctor as the rest played and sang.

Saturday there was a party for children—breakfast with Santa. Pancakes and presents. I’m not sure where the children came from—maybe from the staff? I did skip that one, but Bob went and had several photos taken with Santa, one on (her) lap. And of course, there have been some fund raisers, like bake sales and the money raised is used to buy presents for kids, and a present drive where someone takes new things to an organization.

Our snow over the week-end has kept us inside (5” of snow on top of the car) but by Wednesday it should be about 50 degrees and we’re just going to let it melt off. We’ve been seeing a lot of Christmas movies too. Yesterday it was "The Christmas Story," and although I’ve seen it many times, it’s the only time I saw it all the way through in one sitting because I was always leaving the room for something. We saw two really forgettable Dolly Parton Christmas special movies. We also saw Bing Crosby (and Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Allen) in "White Christmas" (1945).

Getting my fall letter out early with address changes was a good idea because all the cards are coming to the right address, along with some long emails from those who probably wouldn’t have written before. Our apartment was on a “home tour” last week so people could see the decorations. Ours were somewhat limited since the space is small, but it looked cute and we have an unusual number of paintings—maybe 65.