Saturday, December 10, 2016

January Meeting

Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 7th at 11am for our meeting at Chris Mallon's home.  Chris will provide a brunch casserole with coffee, tea and hot chocolate.  If you wish to bring something, Chris suggests an orange juice or other juice.  We will be discussing "The Rosie Project" which is Nika's selection.  Carpooling with 4WD is recommended.  See you then.  Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Barbara hosted our December meeting, which was held at Claudia's home.  Again, a delicious meal featuring meatloaf and scalloped potatoes (which really pleased Ron!).  Always a pleasure to gather, share and discuss, this time by the much-appreciated fire!

Our book, "When Breath Becomes Air", was written by Paul Kalanithi, a man well-studied in both literature and medicine.  His life was tragically cut short, but he contributed to every moment of it to his fullest.  The author examined the meaning of his existence , answering his own questions of "What makes human life meaningful, even in the face of death and decay."  The epilogue, written by his wife after his death, stated "...he did more than just describe the terrain.  He traversed it bravely."  "Literature not only illuminated another's experience, it proved...the richest material for moral reflection."  This particular piece of literature provided materials for individual philosophical reflection of our own lives.

We all contributed children's books for holiday gifting.  Thank you, Nika, for arranging the wrapping and distribution of these books within our community.  Several of us also participated in our secret Santa gift exchange, which is always fun!

"You could not help but feel your specklike existence against the immensity of the mountain, the earth, the talus, reaffirming your presence amid the grandeur."

"There is a moment, a cusp, when the sum of gathered experience is worn down by the details of living.  We are never so wise as when we live in this moment."

"Human knowledge is never contained in one person.  It grows from the relationships we create between each other and the world, and still it is never complete."