Springtime Salutations!
April 2, 2020
What “springs” to mind when we think of April (besides, of course, that it’s National Adopt-a-Ferret Month?! Instead, let’s go with “April showers” – sprinkling tidbits of all-things April, ushering in the month by highlighting special days, sharing a few wonderful quotes, and suggesting fun events to enjoy. A lovely April to all!
April 1: April Fool’s Day and National Walking Day.
Don’t be a fool! Put on your walking shoes and take a stroll through nature today. And if today doesn’t work for you, you can always join the Sterling Walkers on Fridays at 11am to enjoy some fresh air!
April 2: International Children’s Book Day and National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day.
Cat in the Hat? Where the Wild Things Are? The Little Prince? Gather a few friends and reminisce about your most beloved books as a kid – or that you read to your kids and grandkids. And what could go better with childhood memories than a P & J sandwich!
April 7: Full Pink Moon.
This will be the closest – and thereby the largest – supermoon of the year. Make sure to go outside tonight, take a look up at that bright lunar orb in the sky, and enjoy what’s sure to a be a beautiful evening.
April 9: Happy Birthday, Winston Churchill!
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
April 13: Scrabble Day.
Yay! Who doesn’t love a good game of Scrabble! And it just so happens to be Game day today at 1:00 p.m. in the Bristol Room. Come on down, spell out some words, and get your game on!
April 22: Earth Day.
Whether it’s sitting out in the lovely courtyard here at Sterling Court or going for a walk in one the many gorgeous parks here on the Peninsula, be sure to treat yourself to some fresh air and spend some quality time with this beautiful, precious planet of ours.
April 23: Shakespeare’s birthday.
Happy 456th, William! Get thee to the library – or Google – and celebrate this brilliant scribe by reciting a sonnet or two!
April 27: Babe Ruth Day.
“Never let the thought of striking out get in your way.”
April 29: Honoring Alfred Hitchcock.
Alfred Hitchcock was one of the most influential filmmakers of all time – Rear Window, Vertigo, The Birds (filmed right here in Bodega Bay in 1963) to name a few. Which is your favorite? Strike up a conversation with friends, perhaps even suggest having a Hitchcock movie night!
George Pappas: From Brooklyn to Berkeley and Beyond!
March 16, 2020
Born in Brooklyn, George Pappas still has a hint of a New York accent, but he has come a long way since then. He did most of his growing up in Manhasset, a small town on the North Shore of Long Island, during the Great Depression and World War II. In fact, he had expected to go to war.
“The high school built an obstacle course and we did 45 minutes of Navy calisthenics every day. We were all prepared to go into the service,” remembers George. Instead, the war ended and a year later when he was 18 his family moved to San Francisco. His parents had already lived there.
George’s father Louis was born in Greece. When he was just 13, he traveled alone to meet a cousin in Virginia and learned to be a candymaker. In 1907, the year after the earthquake, Louis moved to San Francisco and opened a candy store. Eventually, he wrote to his father back in Greece to say he was ready to marry. The next year, Louis went to Greece and married a young woman named Panagiota (Pauline, once she was here). They came to California for a while but Pauline wanted to live near family out East, so they moved to New York and raised their three sons.
Once the family was back in San Francisco, George decided to take some time before starting college and worked assisting a candymaker at his uncle’s store, The Red Poppy Candy Story on Polk Street. “They made all kinds of candies, jellies, and chocolates,” remembers George. After three years, George enrolled at UC Berkeley studying business administration and finance. He graduated in 1954 with an MBA in Finance. He then spent two years in the service, first in officer training and then at Nike Missile Bases in Washington State as a finance officer.
Back in civilian life, George went to work at Wells Fargo in San Francisco analyzing stocks and bonds, got married, and moved to Orinda. George and his first wife had two wonderful children: Andrea, an Art History Professor at Santa Clara University, and Clark who has three children and is a National Director at Canine Companions for Independence in Sebastopol.
After Wells Fargo, George joined Lawrence Berkeley and Livermore Labs where he became Budget Director and later Associate Laboratory Director for Administration. He stayed there until his retirement.
George and his second wife Nancy traveled the world. They went to England, Europe, Asia, Australia, British Columbia, bike tours of Brittany and Normandy, plus took seven cruises. On an 8-week trip to France and England, they rented a cottage in the Cotswolds and had friends visit. George enjoyed one of his passions: playing tennis against highly competitive team players. George and Nancy were married for 30 years and shared many unforgettable moments. She passed away just over three years ago.
When it was time to move again, George chose Sterling Court to be closer to his Peninsula friends and received excellent recommendations. “The food is good. And the people are pleasant and interesting,” he says. George may be retired but he still has a full computer setup and well-used desk for staying involved.
George’s life advice? “Live in the present and enjoy every day.” It’s obvious that this world-traveling Brooklyn Boy has lived by those words.
Celebrate Women’s History Month!
March 3, 2020
Ah March! The wonderful month that ushers in springtime, longer days, more sunshine (for all of us up here in the Northern Hemisphere anyway 😉), and … Women’s History! Shining a light on the incredible impact women have made throughout history – Marie Curie, Jane Austen, Rosa Parks, Rosie the Riveter, Maya Angelou, perhaps your mother or grandmother 😊 to name a few – Women’s History Month salutes both notable and “ordinary” women as it’s impossible to explore certain parts of history without remembering the vision of the women driving it. WHM began in 1978 right here in California, up north in Sonoma as National Women’s Week, and eventually morphed into a month-long celebration. We’re being summoned to honor women and to teach young people, especially young girls, about the powerful role women have played in history, inspiring everyone to dream about how they can fulfill their true potential. No matter if you’re a woman or a man, the most important thing we can achieve in life is to be the best person we can and positively influence the world. Here are a few suggestions on how to pay homage to women and the feminine spirit – past, present, and future.
Write a letter to an inspiring woman in your life.
Put pen to paper and express your gratitude to a woman – a personal connection or a public figure – who truly guided you in your life, inspired you to do your best. If possible, send it to her. If not, sit quietly with your words and then store the letter to memorialize your sentiments to all remarkable women.
Explore.
Empower yourself with the story of a remarkable woman … like the one showing right here in the Revere Room on Thursday March 5 and 12 at 2:45pm: Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story. (Did you know that this top leading lady was also a talented inventor who created a radio system that is now considered the basis of Bluetooth technology?!) Grab a friend and go see a free screening on March 23 at the San Carlos Public Library of Hidden Figures, 7-8:30pm: “Three African American women at NASA serve as the brains behind a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world.” Or simply cozy up with a book about a pioneering female figure who inspires.
Celebrate family.
Delve into your personal history, reach out to friends and relatives and have a memory-lane chat with them, embracing a deeper understanding of your family’s roots and evolution, and how certain women in your life have influenced who you are today.
Encourage the young.
Inspiring up-and-coming girls in the world today to grow into strong, independent women tomorrow is just as important as celebrating the incredible women of the past. WHM is the perfect opportunity to invite your daughters, granddaughters – any of the beloved girls in your life – for a visit. Any sort of gathering will do! Swap stories, share wisdom from the elders to the youth … and vice versa! Happy Women’s History Month!
Kris Creates Beauty & Appreciates the Little Things
February 19, 2020
Kristin (Kris) E. Kirk loves creating and surrounding herself with beauty, which makes sense when you hear her past professions – beautician and flower arranger – and when you see her apartment! Her home is surrounded in animal prints, soft lighting, and just a little sparkle.
“I enjoy the moments of life. Every moment I’m here is a present,” says Kris, hinting that there is a lot more to her story.
Her parents, Neil and Janet Daniels, married before her dad left to serve in World War II. He became a B-17 pilot, flying 29 bombing missions over Germany. In the meantime, her mom worked as a “Rosie the Riveter”. On his return, they moved to Burbank, California where Kris was born and then her family moved to Denver. But the mile-high climate didn’t agree with her dad, who was then a United Airlines pilot, so the family headed to Los Altos, which “was just a little village then,” says Kris.
Kris married when she was just 18 and fresh out of high school. The marriage didn’t last – but she did discover a true love. “I went to Beauty College in Palo Alto and I was a natural!” says Kris. She was a hairdresser for 20 years and prided herself on pleasing her clients and listening to what they wanted. She even had her own salon in Palo Alto called House of Hair Styling.
Along the way she met and married her second husband, but their union was short-lived. He left before their son Jeffrey was born. She moved to Walnut Creek when a friend offered a home. “It was the late 1960s and he knew I was in a predicament,” says Kris. She pauses and says, “I’ve lived a real life, not a fairytale.” Her third husband lasted a lot longer and she was able to enjoy raising her child. Jeffrey now lives in Ohio with his wife, daughter, and stepdaughter. Kris is happy that she has been able to set up a college fund for her granddaughter.
Years of salon chemicals took their toll on Kris’s hands and she needed to change professions. Luckily, she discovered flower arranging and worked for Ah Sam, creating hundreds of arrangements. But life had another curveball in store.
After years of looking after others but not herself and catching fast-food meals on the run, Kris had a major stroke at just 59 years old. Her right arm was useless, and she had to relearn almost everything, but she laughs saying, “The physical therapist forced me to recover. She said, ‘You can swear all you want to!’ but she made me do the exercises. I promised God that I’d never eat another pizza.” That was 14 years ago, and it appears she has kept the promise regaining the use of her right arm and losing 100 pounds in 3 years.
Kris appreciates every day now and takes delight in the little things. She’s also quick to say how much she loves living at Sterling Court. The location makes it easy to walk downtown plus it’s close to her doctors. Kris loves the dining room and says the chef has a French flair and obviously “believes in people being healthy!” She also enjoys working out in the exercise room. Plus, her expert’s eye is impressed by the modern flower arrangements and the landscaping. She likes how people personalize their doors with decorations – hers has a zebra-print mini-wreath. She even compliments the cleaning staff!
To relax, Kris curls up by her window overlooking two sturdy oak trees and either reads a mystery or watches one on PBS. And when she’s feeling inspired, a trip to nearby Michaels craft store helps satisfy her need to create something beautiful.
Home is Where the Heart Is
February 14, 2020
At the end of the day, our home is always there for us – a calm sanctuary where we can truly relax and be ourselves. While you’d be hard-pressed to take your living space out to a fancy dinner this Valentine’s Day 🙂, you could instead profess your love for that awesome abode of yours by paying homage (home-age!) to your home sweet home. Expressing your appreciation is sure to make your living space a brighter, happier, healthier place. And isn’t this also the ultimate gift and way to show yourself love? Here are some ideas to demonstrate self-love and home gratitude. After all – home is where the heart is!
The Beauty of a Bouquet.
Flowers – the go-to gift that just doesn’t quit! That pop of color and good energy in your home will make you smile every time you walk in. Lighten your space and soften your mood with the beauty and fragrance of fresh flowers.
Change Up the Décor.
This can be a simple touch, like purchasing some new couch pillow covers – or perhaps attending Jeri’s creative art class on Mondays or Kay’s on Thursdays and making your own! And if sewing isn’t your thing, the process of crafting a piece of art will bring that extra special personal touch to your home. Either way, a little something new will inspire fresh vibes.
Freshen Up.
Spending time cleaning your place is a great way to express love. Show some tender loving care to a section that you’ve overlooked. Tidy up the drawer next to your bed or polish up your living room mirror – shine a little light on a part of your abode that could use some love and enjoy the sparkle!
Nature Soothes the Soul.
Introduce tranquility with all-things Mother Earth: potted plants, shells, rocks, wood – or perhaps the lovely sounds of a water fountain. Most any of the elements of nature will inspire joy and calm in your living space.
Dress It Up.
A unique lamp, a new piece of art, a fun refrigerator magnet – fresh additions, small or big, bring your own personal style and signature to your home. Join us on one of our shopping trips Mondays and Wednesdays and see what catches your eye! Items that make you happy reflect those good feelings back at you. [smiley face emoji]
Fill It with Friends and Family.
Make new memories in your home by inviting over those closest to you, perhaps sipping tea, enjoying each other’s company, sharing stories, catching up. The wonderful energy that only comes with being with dear ones will infuse your space with love.
Slow Down … Embrace Your Space.
Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, sit down and soak it all in. There’s great healing beauty in sitting still with ourselves in our own space and being grateful, truly embracing the moment, and feeling the love. Happy Valentine’s Day!
