July brought the long-awaited return of in-person visits with friends and family members, in the form of pre-scheduled, outdoor meetings.
Of course, thanks to Zoom and Ava, virtual visits are still very popular, especially among family members residing far away. For instance, two of Al’s children live in California, yet each enjoys a weekly visit with their father from 3000 miles away.
Our watercolor class, Painting with Lourana, has revealed hidden artistic talent among our residents. Dorothy’s patriotically inspired fish rendering was truly unique. And one of the most striking paintings, of a majestic-looking blue bird, was created by Jeanne, who suffers serious vision impairment.
Socially-distance card games – particularly gin rummy – have an enthusiastic fan base, and a typical day might see five games underway simultaneously.
Our simple Beanbag Toss has morphed into a spirited team competition, with weekly matches decided by which side is first to score 15 points. The game has nurtured a camaraderie among teammates, marked by some cheerful banter and good-natured teasing.
Activities involving wordplay – for example, Bananagrams, Words-in-a-Word or Wordsearch – have continued to grow in popularity, especially among our most avid readers. Jigsaw puzzles are a favorite of Eleanor, who seems to have a knack for finding the elusive home for even the tiniest piece.
We are all looking forward to Ruth’s solo piano recital, which will focus on the music of Cole Porter.
