Quote to ponder under the apple tree
Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.
~ Edgar Degas (born July 19, 1834)
Resources to bite into
1. Looking at life from other angles *
This week we celebrate the 175th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Degas. He was a contentious fellow who didn’t like being associated with Impressionism (a term he despised) and indeed was different from them because his fellow artists were interested in the effects of natural outdoor light, while Degas seemed most interested in the artificial light in theatres and opera houses – and the contrast between lightness and darkness. He also took great advantage of the unusual angles from which he could view the stage – the wings, balconies, orchestra pit – whereas his contemporaries tended to view life straight on. Think about the opening quote. Does it apply to all art mediums? From what angle do you view life?
2. Eponyms *
The current Brain Aerobics Weekly has a word quiz about eponyms – common words that derive from people’s names. Some are obvious, such as when we call a very bright kid an Einstein after the genius Albert Einstein. In other cases, the originator has been long forgotten. For example, according to Lyle Larson, Etienne de Silhouette served as finance minister under Louis XIV. During only four months in office he levied such heavy marriage, income, and sales taxes that people had to get by with the barest essentials--hence the silhouette, a portrait reduced to its barest essentials. You can find many more examples at http://homepage.smc.edu/larsen_lyle/eponyms.htm.
3. A reason to celebrate Christmas in July *
Tomorrow would be the 230th birthday of Clement Moore, (born July 15, 1779) the author of “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” commonly known as “’Twas the Night before Christmas.”
* These items are easily adapted when working with people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Tips/ideas/insights to savor *
The current UBrain Aerobics WeeklyU features an article on learning how to be a ventriloquist, inspired by the Vent Haven Ventriloquist Convention in Fort Mitchell, KY, this week (July 15 – 18). While great ventriloquists spend years perfecting their skills and coming up with unique voices for their puppets or dummies, learning the basics is a terrific exercise for your brain, so try it:
The goal is to speak without putting your lips together, and the trick is to substitute other letters for these six:
B F M P V W
Here are the basic sounds to substitute:
• For B use the letter D. (Say “doy” instead of “boy.”)
• For F use TH. (Instead of saying “That's fun to do,” say “That's THun to do.”)
• For M use N. (Instead of saying “My dog is black,” say “Ny dog is dlack.”)
• For P use T. (Instead of “Will you play with me?” say “Will you Tlay with Ne?”)
• For V again use TH. (Instead of “Victory is mine," say “Thictory is Nine.”)
• W is only a problem when actually pronouncing the letter (double U). Again substitute the letter D. In other words, if you are talking about former President Bush, you would say, “George DudleYou Dush.”
It may seem bizarre to say “doy” for “boy,” but the audience automatically substitutes the right word, because a) we’re staring at a dummy putting its lips together, clearly making a “b” sound and b) the human brain ignores what doesn’t make sense and substitutes what does. Ventriloquists also often distract us with humor.
Have a conversation with a friend while you both try talking without moving your lips using the substitutions above. Brains thrive on new skills!
Source: http://www.backstagepassparties.com/burghers/ventriloquist_tips.html
Let the ever-ripening Wiser Now website become the apple of your eye.
-- Host a workshop, purchase materials or click on the blue print to sign up for Brain Aerobics Weekly. and Wiser Now Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Tips.
Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.
~ Edgar Degas (born July 19, 1834)
Resources to bite into
1. Looking at life from other angles *
This week we celebrate the 175th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Degas. He was a contentious fellow who didn’t like being associated with Impressionism (a term he despised) and indeed was different from them because his fellow artists were interested in the effects of natural outdoor light, while Degas seemed most interested in the artificial light in theatres and opera houses – and the contrast between lightness and darkness. He also took great advantage of the unusual angles from which he could view the stage – the wings, balconies, orchestra pit – whereas his contemporaries tended to view life straight on. Think about the opening quote. Does it apply to all art mediums? From what angle do you view life?2. Eponyms *
The current Brain Aerobics Weekly has a word quiz about eponyms – common words that derive from people’s names. Some are obvious, such as when we call a very bright kid an Einstein after the genius Albert Einstein. In other cases, the originator has been long forgotten. For example, according to Lyle Larson, Etienne de Silhouette served as finance minister under Louis XIV. During only four months in office he levied such heavy marriage, income, and sales taxes that people had to get by with the barest essentials--hence the silhouette, a portrait reduced to its barest essentials. You can find many more examples at http://homepage.smc.edu/larsen_lyle/eponyms.htm.
3. A reason to celebrate Christmas in July *
Tomorrow would be the 230th birthday of Clement Moore, (born July 15, 1779) the author of “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” commonly known as “’Twas the Night before Christmas.”
* These items are easily adapted when working with people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Tips/ideas/insights to savor *
The current UBrain Aerobics WeeklyU features an article on learning how to be a ventriloquist, inspired by the Vent Haven Ventriloquist Convention in Fort Mitchell, KY, this week (July 15 – 18). While great ventriloquists spend years perfecting their skills and coming up with unique voices for their puppets or dummies, learning the basics is a terrific exercise for your brain, so try it:
The goal is to speak without putting your lips together, and the trick is to substitute other letters for these six:
B F M P V W
Here are the basic sounds to substitute:
• For B use the letter D. (Say “doy” instead of “boy.”)
• For F use TH. (Instead of saying “That's fun to do,” say “That's THun to do.”)
• For M use N. (Instead of saying “My dog is black,” say “Ny dog is dlack.”)
• For P use T. (Instead of “Will you play with me?” say “Will you Tlay with Ne?”)
• For V again use TH. (Instead of “Victory is mine," say “Thictory is Nine.”)
• W is only a problem when actually pronouncing the letter (double U). Again substitute the letter D. In other words, if you are talking about former President Bush, you would say, “George DudleYou Dush.”
It may seem bizarre to say “doy” for “boy,” but the audience automatically substitutes the right word, because a) we’re staring at a dummy putting its lips together, clearly making a “b” sound and b) the human brain ignores what doesn’t make sense and substitutes what does. Ventriloquists also often distract us with humor.
Have a conversation with a friend while you both try talking without moving your lips using the substitutions above. Brains thrive on new skills!
Source: http://www.backstagepassparties.com/burghers/ventriloquist_tips.html
Let the ever-ripening Wiser Now website become the apple of your eye.
-- Host a workshop, purchase materials or click on the blue print to sign up for Brain Aerobics Weekly. and Wiser Now Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Tips.
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