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48 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2021 Ceramics Class Merry Christmas to you and your family from everyone in ceramics. Ceramics class has something for the novice crafter looking for a new hobby, or someone who has experience and wants to create unique designs or pieces for friends and family. In addition to individual projects, we offer class projects throughout the year to teach new techniques. Come and join in the fun; drop by the Arts & Crafts Room to see our monthly ceramics class schedule and learn more about our upcoming class projects. We meet Wednesdays from 1 to 4 pm. Please see the class schedule for any exceptions. A certified instructor and/or an experienced class team lead is available to support your crafting needs; participation is at your own pace and frequency. Call Loretta Ramsey at (714) 803-6744 or Brenda Ystrom at (909) 910-1100 for more information. ~ Brenda Ystrom Knit & Crochet Group We meet Tuesday mornings in the Arts & Crafts Room from 10 to 11:30 am. All levels of knitters & crocheters are welcome to join us. We also welcome anyone interested in learning how to knit or crochet. We are working on our own various projects, as well as optional community service projects. Please email me if you have any questions. ~ Marlene Doyle, marlened3333@gmail.com Writers' Club Balancing Act I call myself a writer, but I haven't written much since the pandemic began. I can't imagine why. Like most everyone else I know, I had a whole year with a blank calendar, except for visits to the dentist and the garden supply store. An ideal time, perhaps, yet it was tainted with a good deal of anxiety and a nagging feeling of impermanence. Somehow, that time didn't seem to stretch as efficiently as before. My focus shifted from the outer to the inner world (in the house, that is). I became obsessed with trying to read everything I could about nutrition, organic food, vitamins, cooking and baking healthy meals, and finding recipes that weren't too sugar-laden or complicated. I also needed to stay abreast of the latest research on dementia and Alzheimer's disease, prediabetes, macular degeneration, and neuropathy. Also, I tried to figure out a way to keep my husband from drinking all the coffee creamer, though I realize there could be worse things to drink. Shopping online is something of a challenge, but I love that I can do it in my jammies, and with the current price of gas, it's more of a blessing than I imagined. And as I am currently the only driver in the family, I'm thrilled when I don't have to go anywhere so I can get the laundry done and the house swept and dusted once in a while. Designing a new website? I have neither the time nor the expertise. Marketing my books? Ditto. Learning calligraphy? Doing collage? Attending Writers' Club? Drawing and painting? Making Christmas gifts? Exercising? Practicing yoga? In my dreams. I've even stopped writing in my journal. My one guilty pleasure (besides reading), is gardening. Working, walking, and sitting there. I won't win a prize at the Chelsea Flower Show anytime soon, but I'm inordinately fond of my David Austin roses. And my dahlias. And my peonies. And something I could never grow in northern California where I'm from — hibiscus. Then there are the veggies: peppers, lettuce, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and several kinds of berries. And herbs: parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Cilantro and dill in season. Maybe next year. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Writers' Club meets at 1 pm the second Tuesday of the month, in the RCN Conference Room. Interested? Join us. We don't bite. Text mlarchibald@mac.com (707) 239-4060. ~ Mary Lynn Archibald