The in-person First Saturday of January brunch at the Woodside Deli was cancelled due to the Omicron COVID surge, but in February we will try a Zoom brunch again. On February 5, get your coffee and cinnamon bun and join the conversation. The Zoom link will be sent out to all members prior to the date. On the third Saturday of February, we are tentatively planning to have an in-person Brunch at the Village Green. Stay tuned for details. All attendees must be fully vaccinated.

Kate and Dan had a tranquil snowy-day view out their living room window in Leisure World. Their Christmas tree added the perfect contrast to the blanket of white. Just outside the window is a bush, caged to prevent the deer from dining on it.  All of us yard owners knowingly can sympathize.

We’ve all had interesting neighbors. Some are noisy or nosey; some are friendly or frightful; some are messy or mysterious. Jim and Barb have neighbors with a significant local history. Adjacent to their backyard is the newly-opened Josiah Henson Museum and Park on Old Georgetown Road. According to the park's website, it is the former plantation property of Isaac Riley, where the Reverend Josiah Henson was enslaved. The park contains the former Riley/Bolten House and an attached log kitchen (1850-51). Henson's autobiography is said to have inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe to write Uncle Tom's Cabin.  Barb said: "During our recent snow, Jim ventured out and captured a photo of the site which abuts our property."

Oshie, named after T.J. Oshie of the Washington Capitals, enjoyed the recent cold weather by staying indoors and polishing up his typing skills. Robin, his coach and an avid hockey fan, encouraged him from the sidelines.

Lisa spotted a crow on her balcony one snowy morning. “I could see its breath in the cold air. The crow left its footprints on my railing.” In addition to watching the sunrise, Lisa has been busy with other projects. “My mom asked me to make her a doll. I took a cloth doll I’d made as a teen and I created clothing – both sewing and knitting. In the photo the re-created doll is sitting on a small, hand-sewn quilt I’m working on finishing.”

Continuing with the crafting talent of the RKIDs, Marie G.  recently made 12 Lazy Susans for her lucky friends. She explained the process, “They are made of wood that I got at Lowe’s. I bought the spinning hardware on Amazon. I stained them with a product called Unicorn Spit. It is a very forgiving medium, is non-toxic, and smells like jasmine. It comes in very vibrant colors. Each Lazy Susan is very different. I found that as I worked on each one, the process took on a character of its own, depending on whom I had in mind as the receiver. It was a very satisfying experience. I also painted a quote or a prayer on the underside of each, again all different, that will be spun into the universe as the Lazy Susan is set to spinning. The process brought me a lot of joy and a certain respite from my grief.” (It was just about a year ago that Marie’s husband died.) 

Marie’s creativity did not end there. She attends several drumming circles and hand painted her frame drum for use at the Women’s Vision Drum Circle. She went on to say, “My drum is a plain frame drum, played with the hands. These are the types of drums played in ancient times in ritual, usually played by women. I also have a darbuka which is a Mediterranean drum and a djembe, which is African. I attend three drum circles each month. At a workshop I learned how to paint the synthetic head of the frame drum. The drum circles bring me much joy, a sense of community, and a release of sorts.”

She is happy to share information about any of these projects!

Donned in Maryland flags, MD athletic gear, plastic see-through bags, masks, vaccination cards, IDs, and tickets, an enthusiastic group of RKIDs recently attended a University of Maryland Women's Basketball game at the Xfinity Center on the College Park campus. They cheered; they clapped; they roared. An extra-large burst was heard when Obie's name appeared on the overhead screen announcing his 77^th birthday. All the support helped because our home team walloped Northwestern 87-59. Michelle, Marie V., Colleen, Jack, Mary B, Obie, Marilyn O, Jim Ca, and Barb (the photographer) claimed the victory along with Testudo, the Terrapin's mascot. Not shown is  Christine,  who arrived after the photos were taken.

 Travel

 

While most of us were shivering through the latest cold snap, Gina was in warm, sunny Southern California visiting her son, Kevin. Mostly they packed up Kevin’s possessions in preparation for an upcoming move, but they took a little time to see some sights, like the Griffith Observatory with its scenic views and beautiful sundial and Hollywood landmarks like the Capitol Records Tower, reported to be the world’s first circular office building. 

Emma’s homeland was calling once again. On January 11^th, she and Jerry arrived safely in Tepoztlan, Mexico, south of Mexico City.  They visited her brother and toured the beautiful countryside.

 Celebrations

 

Kevin and Liz know how to have a good time and, even with COVID, they partied during the holiday season in fine style with family. Plus Kevin’s birthday is just days before Christmas so they had much to celebrate. Their granddaughter, Fiona, helped Kevin with his 85^th birthday cake. Other grandchildren added to the hoopla by making adorable gingerbread houses.

 Media

 

For the most part, Gerry has been laying low as she makes her way through the pandemic, but she and her husband Bill broke loose just before Christmas and went to see the newest version of West Side Story. She had nothing but praise for the production and said, “It is really very good. The singing and choreography were as good as, if not better than, the original. The actor who plays Riff [Mike Faist] is really VERY good. It is worth seeing on the big screen. Rita Moreno [as Valentina] played a great part in it as well.”  A few other RKIDs have experienced this remake of the Broadway smash hit: Christine, Kathryn, Mary Ann, Marilyn O., and Obie. Anyone else?

Continuing with the lively dancing theme, former members Jim and Maureen Ke. received a fun video of the Irish Gardiner brothers doing just that, and we are passing it on for your viewing pleasure: