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Home , Dave Brubeck, Elf, Yule

Iceland’s Lads The Meaning of Messy

Children eagerly anticipate the arrival of 21 is the shortest day of the year on December 25, but in Iceland children await no fewer in the northern hemisphere, so why bother making than 13 different Santa Claus-like visits. Beginning on your bed when you’ll soon be back under the covers? December 12 and for 13 nights leading up to That was the rationale behind fifth grader Shannon Day, homes are visited by the -like Yule Lads, mischie- Barba’s appeal to the United States Congress asking to vous sprites who are naughty and nice. make Don’t Make Your Bed Day an official holiday. Perhaps Barba doesn’t appreciate what making a bed in The Yule Lads, like Snow White’s dwarves, have unique the morning reveals about an individual’s personality. names and personalities and get into unique mischief. Some psychologists claim that those who make their According to the National Museum of Iceland, they are: beds set a positive tone for the rest of the day. Bed- Sheep-Cote Clod, who disturbs sheep; Gully Gawk, who makers are organized go-getters. What about those who steals foam from buckets of cow’s milk; Stubby, who don’t make their beds? These people are not necessarily steals food from frying pans; Spoon Licker, who licks bat- unorganized, but instead enjoy not knowing what hap- ter from spoons; Pot Licker, who licks food from un- pens next. They enjoy surprises that bring excitement washed pots; Bowl Licker, who steals food from under and energy to the day.* the bed; Door Slammer, who stomps around the house and keeps everyone awake; Skyr Gobbler, who eats up all the Icelandic yogurt; Sausage Swiper, who steals sausag- When Brown is Best es; Window Peeper, who peers into windows and some- times steals things he finds inside; Door Sniffer, who has Keep Your Footing * Articles courtesy of Activity Connection On December 4, it’s time to add a new color of foot- a big nose and steals baked goods; Meat Hook, who steals wear to your shoe closet, it’s Wear Brown Shoes Day! leftover smoked lamb; and Candle Beggar, who steals Most men play it safe when dressing and opt for black Scotland’s is one of candles. These Yule Lads arrive to fill a good child’s the world’s greatest New Year’s Management Team shoes. Black is versatile and goes with most any outfit. shoe, left on the windowsill, with a gift or treat. Bad chil- But sometimes black just won’t do and brown shoes are celebrations. Hogmanay is the dren find their shoes filled with potatoes or turnips. This Scottish word for the last day of Jamie Maul - Executive Director the perfect finishing touch. When choosing a pair of may sound like a harmless Yuletide tradition, but in the shoes one must always first consider the colors of the the year. In Scotland, the celebration of Hogmanay Misty Nicholas-Liceaga - Resident Services Director outfit. Are you wearing a smart, suave ensemble for a past, the Yule Lads were far more terrifying. was traditionally even more important than Christ- night out in the city? Follow the maxims “No brown in mas. The most important ritual of Hogmanay is the Pam Burbank R.N. - Wellness Director town” or “No brown after six.” Black is likely best. But In olden days, the Yule Lads—the offspring of two practice of first-footing, which begins immediately are you wearing earth tones like khaki, tan or green? —were joined on by the Yule Cat, Melissa Wahl - Business Office Manager after midnight. This entails being the first person to Then go brown. Brown even pairs well with varying a giant black beast. According to legend, they would cross over a friend or neighbor’s threshold. Any first- gobble up any person found not wearing one new item Jason Thomas - Dining Services Director shades of red, white, and navy. Also, are you wearing footer must arrive bearing symbolic gifts of salt, coal, brown suede? Brown brogues? Antique brown patina of clothing. The Icelanders definitely take their shortbread, whiskey, and black bun. Another ritual Chris Warlick - Community Relations Director oxfords? As you can see, brown shoes can be just as seriously. Magnus Skarphedinsson, a top elf researcher is redding the house, which involves cleaning the fancy as black. So on December 4, don’t play it safe. and headmaster of Iceland’s Elf School, says that 54% of home and hearth, and then “reading” your fortune Keenan Kemper - Life Enrichment Director Take a fashion risk and wear a pair of brown shoes. If Icelanders believe in these beings. The image of the Yule on the hearth’s ashes. No Hogmanay is complete you’re particularly stylish, pair those brown shoes with Lads may have changed from naughty to nice over the Bryan Ostrander - Plant Operations Director some colorful shoelaces. * without singing “Auld Lang Syne,” composed by centuries, but many still fret over their arrival each De- Scotland’s own national poet Robert Burns. * cember.* December Birthdays

In astrology, those born between December 1–21 are Archers of Sagittarius. Sagittarians are travelers, open- minded, and constantly in search for meaning. Extrovert- ed and optimistic, Archers seek change and take con- Shirley nd Orville C. 2 crete steps to achieve their goals. Those born between th December 22–31 are Capricorn’s . Goats are practi- Gregory Vyrne S. 5 cal, determined and focused on their ambitious goals. th They follow a straightforward, well-planned path and Bob B. 8 persevere with grit and honesty. Their sympathetic and th caring natures make them devoted friends. * Ina S. 11 Maynard S. 25th Bette Midler (entertainer) – December 1, 1945 (musician) – December 6, 1920 th Eli Whitney (inventor) – December 8, 1765 hirley was born in 1933 in Chicago, Ill. to Edna and Clifford Gregory. She has 2 sisters and 3 Jeanne S. 25 Rita Moreno (actress) – December 11, 1931 brothers. Shirley was last in that family. They actually lived in Wheaton but the Dr. felt the th Dave Clark (musician) – December 15, 1942 best facilities were in Chicago. As happens in snow country, a snow storm was predicted so Juanita M. 26 Ty Cobb (ballplayer) – December 18, 1886 S Mom went to the hospital early. th Barbara Billingsley (actress) – December 22, 1922 Toni J. 26 Humphrey Bogart (actor) – December 25, 1899 When Shirley was 4 they moved to Des Moines, IA. Her father went as Editor of a farm magazine owned Lillian N. 31st Tiger Woods (golfer) – December 30, 1975 by politician Henry Wallace, Her father wrote a column of humorous poetry "Song of the Lazy Farmer." Donna Summer (singer) – December 31, 1948 When Shirley was in college she was doing some research and she happened upon some of her Dad's writings. At her Mother's funeral (her Father died many years earlier), an elderly man came up to Shirley Resident Ambassador Program to tell her of the times during the depression the teachers in Chicago sometimes didn't get paid and her It is our that an essential part of the move-in and accli- father would come to give money to those in need. mation process for new residents to any Senior Living Com- Tuesday, December 5 6:00 p.m. munity is found with a caring group of peers who “remember She remembers when her favorite brother, David, who was six years older, would come home from Refreshments will be served. what it was like to be the new kid on the block.” The goal of school and would ask her if she wanted to go for a ride. He would pull her around the block in his little the Resident Ambassador program is to promote a welcoming integration of the newly arrived neighbor with the rest of the red wagon. Later when he was about l0 or l2 their dad bought him a little car with a real engine He let Join us at Cascades of Bend for our Annual Tree Light- community, its residents, its services and its programs. Shirley drive it around and she crashed it into a tree. She didn't say if she lost her special standing with ing Ceremony. Start celebrating the season with friends and family under the dazzling lights of our beautiful For more information please attend our Ambassador Luncheon her cherished brother. held Thursday December 28th at 12:00pm community . Enjoy delicious sweet treats, coffee, hot chocolate and while you take in Shirley spent her grade school and high school years in Des Moines, then it was off to college in Colora- the sights and sounds of Christmas. The night will fea- do Springs. After graduation she married and moved to a small town in eastern Colorado. Because ture a special choir performance to ring in the Christ- A Special Thank You he was pursuing a job in the lumber business they moved many times. They had three children, Karen, mas spirit at Cascades of Bend! Thank you to all of our many resident volunteers that give Kim and Scott. Scott lives in Bend. Shirley and Bard divorced and Shirley fell back on her teaching de- their time to our community. One of the first things people gree and enjoyed teaching in many states. At this time she reclaimed her maiden name. While she was notice when coming to the Cascades of Bend is the welcom- teaching full time. she acquired two more degrees, one in Special Education and one in General Educa- ing atmosphere and camaraderie between residents. It is your tion. She loved going to school. commitment to each other, your fellowship, and your giving nature that make this place a home to all of us. Shirley retired to Tigard and when her son, Scott and wife Denise moved to Bend, Shirley moved too. Keenan Kemper - Life Enrichment Director She needed a knee replacement so she came here to Cascades of Bend to recuperate. Guess she likes it th here because she has been here for three years. Tuesday, December 12 Seatings at: 4:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. Operation Santa Paws Residential Care: 4:00 p.m. Vyrne Samco The December holiday season may be one of good cheer Dinner will be served. Celebrate the Best Time of the for humans, but a group of animal lovers has made sure Year! You and your loved ones are invited to Cascades that the warmth of the season extends to pets as well. In of Bend to celebrate ! Say - 2001, Justin Rudd spearheaded a movement to solicit do- lo to friends you know and everyone you meet in our nations to animal shelters during the holiday season. warm, welcoming community. Our talented Chef Ja- Since then, every December, animal shelters and rescue December Happenings Dec. 8th, Lunch Outing: Chan’s son Thomas will be creating wonderful selections for groups participate in Operation Santa Paws, an effort to you to enjoy for the jolliest of the Dec. 1, Brunch Outing: McKay’s Cottage Dec. 12th, Holly Jolly Christmas collect toys, treats, and supplies for neglected and aban- season. Don’t miss this festive gathering at Cascades of doned animals, especially those pets given as gifts and Dec. 2, Christmas Parade Dec. 19th, Happy Hour & Caroling Bend! Dec. 22nd, Lunch Outing: The Pine Tavern then left out in the cold. Providing a happier holiday Dec. 2, Cascade Chorale Holiday Outing season for sheltered and rescued animals can even in- Dec. 29th, Lunch Outing: The Phoenix Call to RSVP by Friday, Dec. 8 541-389-0046 Dec. 5th, Tree Lighting Ceremony crease the likelihood of adoption. *