Sight Loss Monthly Newsletter February 2024

oralhull
Apr 8
6 min read

Our Mission Statement:

The mission of the Hull Foundation and Learning Center is to provide programs, facilities and services including social, educational, and recreational activities for people with blindness and sight loss.

Failure is the Learning Curve of Life, How to Get Back on Track- Part one

By Teresa Christian, Sight Loss Instructor

Failure is the Learning Curve of Life. It is only failure when you allow it to stop you dead in your tracks.

Instead of thinking of failure as the end of the road, explore the idea that it is only a speed bump. Your attitude and/or your thinking about it can make a night and day difference to the outcome.

First, honestly ask yourself the question, is this something I do or do not have control over? If the thing that is happening is truly something you have no control over, then the part that you do have control over is how you are thinking about it.

Second, if it is something that you do, in fact, have control over, then ask yourself these questions:

• What could I have done differently that would have altered the outcome?

• What can I do in the future to minimize problems and mistakes?

• What did I learn from this experience that I can put to good use next time?

Failing at something only means you need to reevaluate the situation. It is an opportunity to regroup and have another go at it. Sometimes you need to have another ten or fifteen or twenty go at it.

Sometimes sheer persistence will convince the Universe that you are serious and will not stop until you have what you want and/or need. It may mean you need to develop additional skills or improve the skill you already have. It might mean you need to come at the challenge from another angle and/or maybe get fresh eyes on it to help you figure out another angle.

Reading in the Dark Book Club

By Marja Byers, SLI

Our January books were “The Good House” by Ann Leary, DB76232, and “Flight of Dreams” by Ariel Lawhon, DB84050. They are very different books which are made for interesting discussions during both meetings.

Our books for February are:

2/11 “Picnic at Hanging Rock” by Joan Lindsay and Lady Weigall DB92564, 7:37. In observance of Valentines Day.

“1900. The girls of Appleyard College for Young Ladies – except for Sarah, who is in trouble – head to Hanging Rock for a St. Valentine’s Day picnic. Four girls, including Sarah ‘s best friend, explore the rocky outcropping and three never return. The school soon dissolves into turmoil as the investigation continues. “

2/25 “The Secret Life of Sunflowers” by Marta Molnar DB113204, 10:37, the book is based on a true story.

“When Hollywood auctioneer Emsley Wilson finds her famous grandmother ‘s diary while cleaning out her New York brownstone, the pages are full of surprises. The first surprise is the diary isn’t her grandmother’s. It belongs to Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh ‘s sister-in-law. Johanna inherited Vincent van Gogh’s paintings. They were all she had, and they weren’t worth anything. She was a 28-year-old widow with a baby in the 1800s, without any means of supporting herself, living in Paris, where she barely spoke the language. Yet she managed to introduce Vincent ‘s legacy to the world. The inspiration couldn’t come at a better time for Emsley with her business failing, an unexpected love turning up in her life, and family secrets, unraveling, can she find answers in the past?”

Our book club meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 1:00-2:30 pm PT. We love to have new people join us; it’s open to everyone, with or without sight and regardless of whether you’ve read the book. Call the office to get the Zoom link to join us, 503-668-6195.

We hope you can join us as we “read in the dark”!

Tips from the Independence desk

By Todd Fahlstrom, Sight Loss Instructor

Things to think about when shopping:

· Call the store ahead to find out the best time to come in to get a shopping helper instead of showing up and demanding help

· Be respectful and courteous, present with clean clothes and good hygiene.

· Approach your shopping helper with a smile and ask your shopping helper’s name.

· Let your shopping helper know your expectations (i.e., how much time you must shop, whether to give items to you to confirm the size or shape of package before putting items in the cart, read item labels and price of item, etc.)

· Ask the shopping helper to inform you before s/he walks away from you.

· Encourage your shopping helper to give specific directions (i.e., using the face of a clock as in “the item is at 9 o’clock” or “we are turning left” or “the item is at about hip level”, etc.)

· Know the layout of the store or ask for this to be explained to you upon arrival (i.e., location of bathrooms, benches, checkout lanes, organization of aisles, etc.)

· Have an organized shopping list to present to your shopping helper.

· Be conscious about personal boundaries (i.e., how much personal information you or the shopping helper share, how close you stand to the shopping helper, if the shopping helper is all right with personal touch like allowing you to hold their elbow, etc.)

· Be prepared to tip your shopping assistant and ask if it is allowed.

· Thank the shopping helper for their assistance.

French Onion Stroganoff Soup

By Tina Christian – Sight loss Instructor

3 pounds of stew, meat or chuck roast cut up into chunks like stew meat.

¾ c. Flour

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp onion powder

a pinch of salt

1 tsp pepper

Put all these ingredients into a Ziploc and shake until the meat is coated.

1 cube of butter divided.

4 onions sliced.

¼-½ c white wine

4 c. Low sodium beef bone broth

1 packet of French onion soup mix

3 bay leaves

1 tsp dried rosemary

Melt half of a stick of butter and sear beef on each side for about 2 mins. Layer on the bottom of your slow cooker.

Melt half a stick of butter in the same pan you seared the meat in. When the foam of the melted butter starts to subside add sliced onion. Sauté for about 5 mins. Add wine and scrape the bottom of the pan. Cook off for 3 mins. Add to slow cooker: broth, French onion packet, bay leaves, and rosemary. Stir and cook on low for 8 hours.

1 bag of egg noodles

cook the noodles al dente.

8oz of cream cheese cut into cubes

8oz sour cream

Stir in cream cheese and sour cream when the beef is done. Add noodles. Turn the slow cooker dial to warm.

1 loaf of French bread

2 cups grated Gruyère cheese.

softened butter

Line a baking sheet with foil. Slice French bread and butter each piece. Broil 6 inches from the top element for 2 minutes. Top each slice with a good amount of Gruyère cheese. Melt under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes.

Serve in a bowl and top with bread or use it to dip.

Poem

By Tina Christian, Sight loss Instructor

Chocolate Kisses

Roses are red

Lavender is smelly

I love chocolate kisses

Get in my belly

Board Member News

Board of Directors 2025

Executive

President - Kerith Vance

Vice President – Chris Botcheos

Treasurer – Don Jageman

Secretary – Lisa Snider

Immediate past President – Tony Lewis

Board members

Jeanne Marie Moore-American Council for the Blind

Representative Board Members

Muriel Pagel – Clackamas District Garden Club

Welcome New Board Members!

Darlene Wiersig

Rebecca Piros

Vita Zavoli

Hull Foundation Upcoming Events and Seminars:

February 1 – March 31 Membership Drive Fundraiser
February 18 – One Day Fun Day- Langer’s Tualatin
February 24- 28 – Winter Social Retreat
March 18 – 21 – Intro to Sight Loss Seminar
April 13 – 17 – Spring Fling Retreat
May 6 – 9 Arts & Hobbies Seminar
May 31 Annual Tea
June 1 – August 31st Summer Raffle Fundraiser
June 2 – 7th Friends and Alumni Retreat
June 28 Membership Pool Party & BBQ

If you are interested in any of our social getaways, one day fun days, seminars, and

recreational retreats, please contact our office and sign up! Spots fill up very quickly, so jump in with both feet, save your spot and come out to Hull Park! If you would like to volunteer as staff or sponsor an event, please contact the office at 503.668.6195.