Tree Apparel, by Sheila Benedis

Tree Apparel

I relate tree’s apparel

its leaves

to tree’s true feelings

in all four seasons

 

trees in winter

have lost their leaves

but not their life force

trees are compelled

to shed their apparel

in the cold

proudly show off their structure

their beauty their power

their magical world

for all to see

 

as spring descends

buds sprout tiny delicate

moss green leaflets

lively bright colored flowers

trees still look elegant

still happy

still magical

in the warmer weather

minimal covering of authentic life

 

but gradually leaves grow

into a deep forest green

completely cover the branches

summer reigns

apparel takes over                                                                           

trees have lost their life force

in the heat

very dark very

almost despondent mood

 

until fall approaches

after a brilliant show of color

trees happily drop their leaves

shed their apparel

disregard the cold

get ready for winter spectacle

bring armature back to life

so strong

so happy

so excited

in their glory

a mystical world

 

through an underground

network of roots and soil fungi

trees perceive and interact with environment

share water and nutrients

communicate their needs

in cooperative ways

have intelligence

store memories

send distress signals

respond to attacks

trees are social beings

support each other

have a consciousness

similar to humans

have a positive effect

on our emotions

Tree Apparel collage

Art and photos by Sheila Benedis

Art by Hart

When the picture frame store was closed for vacation...

Aunt Selma worried that Miriam was too much woman for shy Thornton

It was tricky to get everyone into the concert with only one ticket

Brodie adored Henning, her walrus-canary mix

Ray's mother had asked him repeatedly NOT to invite his plant-based friends home for dinner

Art and photos by Jane Hart

New Beauty on Main Street

When the new wall was built outside the Private Dining Room, Marilyn Bottjer, Chair of CAFA, asked Art Brady to take some photos of Kendal to add life to the otherwise massive white space. In early March, he did just that. This past week they turned the massive white space into something special. The photographs — magnificent views of the Hudson, day and night — are not only beautiful. They are inspiring. If you think they are breath-taking here, walk on down Main Street and see the real things.

Marilyn Bother and Art Brady admire the two new additions outside the Private Dining Room.

Special Observances, May 29-June 4

MAY 29: END OF THE MIDDLE AGES DAY

The Middle Ages — sometimes called the medieval period or Dark Ages — started in Europe with the fall of Rome in 476 A.D. Many historians referred to this period as the Dark Ages because they saw it as an era lacking in notable accomplishments in science, art, and politics — a period of darkness, poverty, and untapped potential.

Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, fell to the hands of the invading Ottoman Empire on May 29, 1453. This day, many believe, marks the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the 15th-century Renaissance. When Constantinople fell to Ottoman invaders led by Sultan Mehmed II, many intellectuals fled the capital city for asylum in Italy and started a revival of learning based on classical Greek sources. The study of Greek and Roman culture, languages, philosophies, and art was revived in Italy where the scholars settled, and this initiated the Renaissance.

MAY 30: NATIONAL CREATIVITY DAY

Unleash your imagination for National Creativity Day! Many things in our lives were spawned out of someone’s imagination. Artists, writers, sculptors, filmmakers, chefs, landscapers, architects, and many more. This special day was founded to honor and celebrate everyone who creates new things each day.

People have differing opinions about the history of creativity. Some believe it began in the prehistoric ages when early humans used leaves to cover themselves and developed tools for hunting. Others believe it originated with the Australian Aborigines. They had moved from India to Australia, inventing an incredibly creative hunting tool, the boomerang, in the process. People also tend to think creativity originated in ancient Egypt, Mexico, Asia. The pyramids, geometry, astronomy, and advancements in production and science are all examples of a creative bent.

The greatest period of creativity in history is said to be the period of the Renaissance, where everyone sought to express themselves, and creativity bloomed in every aspect of life, even in politics, economy, society, art, philosophy, science, and education.

MAY 31: NATIONAL SMILE DAY

National Smile Day encourages everyone to wear their best smile! The first recorded smile on record took place on 126 B.C. Okay, we made that up. But did you smile? Joking aside, a smile is born when funny things happen or we find pleasure in the things we do. Someone we love or enjoy spending time with may be the cause of a grin or beaming look of joy.

Smiles are powerful! They not only create engagement between two people but the more a person smiles, the healthier their brain can be. Smiling has a direct link to our brain and can help to reduce stress.

There is so much a smile can do. Just one smile can brighten someone’s day. It can also improve your day. Smiles are infectious. A healthy smile can develop confidence and generate a new outlook on the world.

JUNE 1: OSCAR THE GROUCH DAY

 Since May 31 is National Smile Day, it is only fittin’ that June 1 is Oscar the Grouch. Oscar, a Sesame Street character, is a grumpy, grouchy creature who lives in a trash can. Oscar is known for his love of garbage and all things dirty. He is also known for being grumpy and grouchy most of the time. Despite his negative personality traits, Oscar is a lovable character. He has a heart of gold and is always there for his friends when they need him. He may be grumpy, but he is also loyal and caring.

June 1st is Oscar the Grouch's birthday — the day when he is at his absolute grouchiest. In episode 3866 of Sesame Street, after Oscar reads a birthday card from his mother, and after hearing Oscar tell the viewers that it was his birthday, Sesame Street character Telly Monster tried to give Oscar a grouchy birthday party, something that Oscar thought he couldn't do. In the end, however, Oscar was proved wrong. He received many grouchy rotten gifts that he cherished. Oscar admits that he was wrong — everyone knew how to celebrate a Grouch birthday. At the end of the day Oscar notes the best thing about having a birthday: you have to wait a whole year until the next one.

Celebrate the day with others who enjoy all things grouchy!

JUNE 2: NATIONAL DONUT DAY

 Each year on the first Friday in June, people participate in National Doughnut or Donut Day, celebrating the doughnut and honoring the Salvation Army Lassies. The Salvation Army Lassies are the women who served doughnuts to soldiers during WWI. In 1917, the original “Salvation Army Doughnut” was first served by the ladies of the Salvation Army. It was during WWI that the Salvation Army Lassies went to the front lines of Europe. Home-cooked foods, provided by these brave volunteers, were a morale boost to the troops. The doughnuts were often cooked in oil inside the metal helmets of American soldiers. American infantrymen were then commonly called “doughboys.” A more standard spelling of the word is “donut.”

On this day, many bakeries and coffee shops in the United States offer doughnut deals to their customers. Remember: You’re not consuming calories, your celebrating heroes of yore!

JUNE 3: LOVE CONQUERS ALL DAY

Love Conquers All Day has been celebrated since the early 1900s, when it was first created to honor the power of love and its ability to overcome any obstacle. No matter how tough life gets, the sailing becomes smoother with our loved ones at our side. It is a day to express gratitude and love to those who matter and recognize love as an emotion that makes the world go around. A day of joy and warmth, you can celebrate it with your friends, family, partners, pets, or anyone whom you love and cherish!

The famous expression, ‘love conquers all,’ is credited to the Roman poet Virgil. The expression suggests that there is no force in the world that cannot be overcome by love.

It's a great opportunity to take time out of your busy schedule and show that special someone just how much they mean to you. From romantic gestures to simply saying "I love you," there are many ways to celebrate this holiday and make it extra memorable.

JUNE 4: NATIONAL CHEESE DAY

National Cheese Day — not to be confused with other popular cheese related holidays such as grilled cheese day, cheesecake day, or mac and cheese day — is in reverence of the queen of all dairy: the big cheese.

Cheese making is an ancient, some might even say sacred, craft. So ancient in fact it predates recorded history. It is speculated that the magic of cheese making began somewhere around 8000 BCE shortly after the domestication of animals.

The most popular cheese of all is mozzarella. This delicious and pizza topping cheese was first created near Naples from the rich milk of water buffalos. At the time, it rarely left its home near Naples, as it was made from pasteurized milk, and a lack of refrigeration meant it had a very short shelf life. As both cheese technology and refrigeration systems advanced, this delicious cheese left the southern region of Italy and found itself traveling around the world.

Today, cheese dishes can be found on every continent served savory, sweet, melted, deep fried, and even chilled in ice cream. This household staple can still satisfy any craving after thousands of years. And if you take photographs of it being enjoyed, remember: right before you click the shutter, shout “Say Cheese!”

Art by Hart

Dobbin didn't know why he had to go to the hospital when he was just a little hoarse

Grace and Lenny were an unusual morning news team, but their ratings were going through the roof

Josephine's spicy tuna roll impression was spot on

Felicity had expected her yard sale to be far more successful

Old MacDonald rented out the farm EIEI-oh

Art and Photos by Jane Hart

In and Around Kendal

The Flowers and Trees of Rockwood Park, by Edward Kasinec

A Touch of Color

An Orangutan Tree

A Babbling Brook and Bucolic Birds of Rockwood Park, by Carolyn Reiss

The Peonies of Rockwood Park, by Art Brady

And a Magnicent Setting Sun Out Over the Hudson, by Alice Clague

And a Little Closer to Home . . .

A male house finch dropped in on the Brady patio

Photo by Art Brady

What's Up on the Rue Des Artistes?

You may have noticed a little bit of a change on the Rue des Artistes, which recently went from picture-laden to mono-chromatic:

Photo by Art Brady

Great news! Thanks to dedicated members of the Art Committee, led by Ann Holloway, and including Judy Baker, Cathie Campbell, Carolyn Reiss, Peter Sibley, Martin Smolin, Jackie Wilke—and a very helpful Gerry Mahoney—a new show is being hung. And it will kick off with gusto (and a gala reception) on:

Check your cubbies for your very own invitation. Then come and enjoy the food, friends, and Legacy Art Show.

Books Recommended by May 18 Speaker Steve Liesman (The US Economy)

On May 18, CNBC senior economics reporter Steve Liesman gave a fascinating talk on the US economy, the outlook for a recession, the Federal Reserve, interest rates, and inflation. During the course of the discussion, he mentioned several books that we thought sounded fascinating, but whose titles we had no ability to remember—and no pen and paper to write them down. Thankfully, Education Committee Chair Fran Kelly diligently made note of them. And here they are!

Peter Bernstein: “Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk”

Todd Bucholz: “New Ideas from Dead Economists: The Introduction to Modern Economic Thought” 

Ben Bernanke: “The Courage to Act: A Memoir of a Crisis and Its Aftermath”

Michael Lewis:  “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine”

Andrew Ross Sorkin: “Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System--and Themselves”  

The Continuing Saga of the Goats of Rockwood Park

Just to remind you of their mission: Stone Barns Center and Rockefeller State Park Preserve have joined together in the Rockwood Hall Goat Project for invasive-species management. Stone Barns Center goats are helping to control chocolate vine, porcelain berry, multiflora rose, wineberry, and other harmful invasive species that are eroding out native species at Rockwood Hall.

Contributed by Maria Harris

The Herd You’ve Heard Of in Their Moveable Fencing—and (center) Their Valiant Canine Protector

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

Herd Solo Members

All goatish needs are attended to.

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

You lookin’ at me!?

Photo by Maria Harris

The Valiant Goat-herd Protector

Never failing to be vigilant

Checking fore and aft

Geez, this can be tiring work . . .

Photos by Valerie Wallace

Z-z-z-z-z-z: A goatherd sleeps . . .

Photo by Edward Kasinec

Accomplishment, by Sheila Benedis

Accomplishment Artist Book

Accomplishment  

In a landscape pruned of humans

Sheltering in isolation at home

 

The magnolia bursts forth radiant

Undeterred by a pandemic or unrest

Oblivious to the plight of its inhabitants.

 

Growth transforms our environment

Magnificent blossoms

Flash soft delicate colors

 

Smooth petals

Varying tones

 

Tiny moss green leaves unfurl

Organic shapes

Increase in size day by day

 Gradually leaf out

Slow steady pace

 

Scent of air on the breeze

Soft whispers of wind

 

Branches hover

Almost embrace

 

Slow smooth soft serene

Proud accomplishment

Spring’s abundance goes

Almost unnoticed in dire times

Art and Poem by Sheila Benedis

Art by Hart

It was a heated issue in the Petco boardroom: Had Woofy's bone been a bribe, a reward or a treat?

You know you need glasses when you start tripping over fish

Always hopeful, Pierre went out on a limb to meet women

Corbin couldn't understand why he never appeared in any of Selma's novels

Lili never got Mr. Potatohead out of her system

Art and photos by Jane Hart

© Kendal on Hudson Residents Association 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 all rights reserved.  Please do not reproduce without permission.

Photographs of life at Kendal on Hudson are by residents.