Food Memories Flourish with Seniors

Sometimes it is hard for young people to start a conversation with seniors. Try talking about food. I did an experiment last week and asked Seniors a simple question: What do you like to put on your toast? Your most favourite! I have posted the results on my mini blog. Here is the answer from Pat (85) What do you like on your toast, Pat?
Read the entertaining comments following the blog. You are welcome to add your comments too. I asked 2 more seniors the same question - both are in their 80s and passionate about their toast.
Passionate Seniors blog
It is a fun conversation starter for all ages - Give it a try!
Have some homemade jam handy as your guests will want some toast to go with their tea.

Carol's Rose Petal Jam Recipe Postcard by gramabarb
Browse more Roses Postcards

A Senior is Hunting for Socks - New or Used

The Sock Granny wants your old or new socks for charity.

Read about the Sock Granny in action
http://www.bubblews.com/news/1676068-sock-granny-in-action-be-kind-12
The Sock Granny continues her quest
http://www.bubblews.com/news/1691000-the-sock-granny-strikes-again-be-kind-14
You can collect socks for the homeless in your neighbourhood.
http://www.bubblews.com/news/1608262-how-to-start-a-sock-drive-for-the-homeless-be-kind-4
http://www.bubblews.com/news/1632771-kindness-abounds-be-kind-7
As of Dec.6, 2013 The Sock Granny has donated 264 pairs of Socks to the MPA Society for the mentally ill and homeless.
Many more are needed during the cold winter months.
Update: For the 2013/14 winter 400 pairs of socks were donated. This year, 2014/15 winter, we have been able to increase our activity thanks to volunteers who want to collect socks with The Sock Granny. The will be known as Sock Friend-Amanda; Sock Friend-Camilla; Sock Friend-Rei.
We have set a new goal to be reached by the end of January 2015 of:

1000 pairs of socks

Seniors Embrace Aging

Grama Barb is winner of The Resident of the Year LEAP Award for 2013. LEAP is "Let's Embrace Aging Passionately".
Sponsored by BC Seniors Living Association
Watch the 3 Barbara Vance videos of this event
1. The Introduction Speech by MLA Linda Larson who explains how Barbara Vance qualified for this Award
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=306eZYvJOjc
2. Barbara Vance's Acceptance Speech on Sept. 30,2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl8Q2zHk_ZA
Barbara Vance Acceptance Speech, Winning BC Senior of the year, at the Fairmont Whistler Hotel. Sept 30th 2013
3. Barbara Vance recieving a Bouquet of Flowers at Terraces on 7th for the Seniors L.E.A.P. Award
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWi6RvXaZXs

Barbarb Vance and Dr. Jamal 2013

Guest Pianist - Lester Soo

September 13,2013 we were honoured to have Lester Soo play piano for us.

Lester played some of Mozart's work from his final years in Vienna, where he composed many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas, and portions of the Requiem, which was largely unfinished at the time of his death. Mozart died in his home on 5 December 1791 (aged 35).
Lester continued to entertain us with pieces like Harbour Lights and many more.
You can listen to the old favourite on this video of Harbour Lights - a Piano solo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvH1wl7FAgo

Thank you for visiting us, Lester Soo!

Our Art Walk starts with Emily Carr

We have a very nice collection of prints from famous artists in our building. The art came to us - how cool is that?!

“Trees love to toss and sway; they make such happy noises.” ~~Emily Carr~~
Emily Carr is one of the most well known Canadian artists and one of my favourite. She has not always been my favourite as I just did not understand her painting and what she was trying to say through her art. Then one day while browsing in a second hand book store I came upon her books and I bought one. I soon came to love Emily Carr, the writer, for her honest expressions and heartfelt feelings. I went back to the book store and bought the rest of her books. Soon after I made another trip to the Vancouver Art Gallery to visit her paintings again and this time I began to understood the heart and love for trees that she was conveying.
Getting to know Emily Carr:
The Complete Writings of Emily Carr

The Emily Carr print we are going to visit is called:
Totem Walk at Sitka - 1917

Emily painted this in Sitka, Alaska - 1917
Emily Carr was influenced by the landscape and First Nations cultures of British Columbia, and Alaska.
Soon she returned to Vancouver and Victoria due to financial considerations. Her art remained unknown and unappreciated for another 10 years when she eventually gave up on having an artistic career.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhF_TcREdkU

Movie at Seniors Cinema

Tonight is movie night at our private Cinema
The show starts at 7:30pm sharp
Admission Free
Bring your own popcorn/snacks

The movie playing tonight is called "Songcatcher" with Aidan Quinn
Hauntingly beautiful folk music and stunning Appalachian scenery take center stage in this film.

Songcatcher

One reviewer wrote: This is a beautiful and unusual film, made even more so by its joyous celebration of folk music.


Read over 200 reviews on Amazon.

Elvis came to our Building

When "Elvis" came to our building this past week and I watched the expressions on everyones face as he sang the old songs from the fifties I knew they were thinking of their mates who have passed away and they were enjoying the moment of reliving those precious times. I felt proud to be part of this group of people who have traveled a long way and the road was not always paved. Most of them seldom complain and they are active in our senior community still enjoying the journey of life in the slow lane.

"Elvis" may have been an impersonator but the feelings of the seniors were very real including mine when he sang Blue Hawaii. My husband and I loved going on vacation to Hawaii.

Listen to Blue Hawaii now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyIJ2vMIuDg



Elvis left the building!
Thank you for visiting.