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Member Profile: Louise Ervin
I met Louise Ervin for our interview in her resident building lobby. She took me by the arm and we walked down the hallway to her doorway. She unlocked the door and we entered. The smallish room was only lit by filtered sunlight. She asked me if I needed light, and I replied that it would be helpful, so she switched on the lighting. She instructed me to sit on the couch as she made herself comfortable in her rocking armchair.
As she awaited my questions, we faced each other. She patiently gazed my way. I began to ask her to unfold bits of her nearly eight decades of perceiving, navigating and experiencing this world.
Growing up in Texas with two siblings, and raised by a working mother, Louise led the life of any active, normal child. She enjoyed roller-skating, as well as horseback riding and bowling. Her mother worked for civil services, and there were many moves. She attended public schools, and made many friends. In the 5th grade she learned to type, which would serve her well in adulthood. She noticed, when in high school, that her friends did not include her as much as before in their social lives and activities. She became aware of being somehow different, but she adapted.
After graduation, she attended college in Arkansas, married, settled around Houston, had a daughter, and had several occupations-one of them being a medical transcriptionist. Raising a child was not easy. Her husband worked long hours as a machinist. She cooked the family meals. She recalls tying bells to her daughter’s shoes so that she could keep track of her whereabouts. Eventually, she lost her husband after 27 years of marriage.
In recent years, her siblings and now-married daughter began to leave Texas. She took in a Terrier/Blue Heeler, named it Spirit, and they were inseparable companions. Eventually, she decided to move to Washington to be near her daughter’s family. On the day Louise and I met, she felt sad and alone. After 13 years together, she recently had made the compassionate decision to allow Spirit to move on. She is still grieving, and we commiserated.
These days, she has her daughter’s family, whom she sees once a month, along with two grandchildren. She has temporarily lost some mobility, and needs knee surgery to regain it. She appreciates the opportunities for companionship and transportation assistance offered by her friends and volunteers at NNN.
In her 76 years of age, she has experienced a full and rich life, but she has experienced it all without the benefit of sight. Her lack of the sense of vision is not her defining characteristic, but her common sense and wisdom are. She does not feel handicapped or hindered, and perceives the world in her own unique way. In her own words, “I live in a sighted world so I darn well better adapt to it. I do what I gotta do.” She also told me that she would not want to be presented with sight now. “If you put a glass of water in front of me, and if I could suddenly see it visually, I would not recognize what it was. I would have to re-learn everything about the world."
"But I know what a glass of water is, maybe better than you.” We have much to learn from Louise. It was my privilege to have met her.
-By Jack Hagel, NNN Volunteer Writer
2024 Member & Volunteer Celebration is May 18th, 2024
Reserve Your Spot & Join in the Fun!
Details:
Who: Current NNN Members and Volunteers
When: May 18th, 2024. Check in begins at 1:15. Dining room opens at approximately 1:30. Event ends at 3:30.
Where: Laurel Cove Community, 17201 15th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155
NNN members will have an opportunity to win one of a few raffle gifts, and all attendees will be eligible to compete for a “best party hat” prize. Hats are not required, of course, but if the mood strikes... Please consider wearing something festive in honor of the celebration!
Members or volunteers, check your email inbox for details or click this link for more information and how to register.
Registration is Now Open ~ Space is Limited!
April NNN Hosted Events
Please join us! NNN has a variety of events, gatherings and online chat groups. Throughout the month check out the website calendar for new or changed events as well as the monthly event descriptions/links.
Click on this link to view our Events page.
NNN members may request transportation to any NNN hosted event.
New Opportunities (Also on the Events Calendar)
Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - Edmonds Marsh Interpretive Trail walk. Meet NNN volunteer Gene W. at the Boardwalk entrance and enjoy strolling the Edmonds Marsh Interpretive Walkway. The path begins with about 300 feet of boardwalk and continues onto a paved asphalt walkway. Gene will begin walking by 10:15 if you want to meet and walk with him. Bring binoculars, if you have them, there are usually some interesting birds to see.
Ongoing Events
Walk with Friends
Take a stroll and enjoy the company of others.
Mountlake Terrace, Every Tuesday, 12 p.m. - Terrace Creek Park. Meet in the parking lot.
Edmonds, Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. 4/10 & 4/24- Edmonds Marsh. Meet at the entrance to the Boardwalk.
Edmonds, Every Sunday, 12:15 p.m. – Meet at the corner of Sunset and Edmonds.
NNN Lunch Bunch
Scheduled 2nd and 4th Fridays, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
4/12 –Aurora Borealis - Shoreline
4/26 – Furi Chinese Restaurant - Edmonds
Lunch Host Ginger H requests registration so she can let the restaurant know how many to anticipate. To register online, click on the Events page,and then on the date, or instead call/text 253-237-2848, or email Social@NorthwestNeighborsNetworks.org.
Coffee with Neighbors!
Every 1st Thursday, 10:00-11:00 a.m. – 4/4
Richmond Beach Coffee House, 1442 NW Richmond Beach Rd, Shoreline, 98177
Join host Sandy M. and take a mid-morning break to enjoy coffee and conversation with a few other NNN neighbors! Look for our table sign, grab your coffee and sit with us!
Games at Third Place Commons, Lake Forest Park
Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 1:00-3:00 p.m. – 4/3 & 4/17
Upper level, Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, 98155
Join games enthusiasts and Host Sharon L. for an afternoon of games and conversation. Bring a snack and beverage if you like to nibble while you play games. Look for our NNN table sign. All are welcome. Just play for fun! Lots of choices and no cutthroat competition.
Mahjong!
Every Monday at a member’s home, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
We’ve added a second table! Let us know if you want to add your name to the waitlist. We’re happy to add another table if we get 4 additional players. Contact Sandy@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org
Quiddler!
Every Saturday at a member’s home, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Engaging word card game that’s fun to play with others. Contact Sandy@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org for location and to confirm that you’re coming.
Book Club - Online
4th Monday of each Month, 4/22 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Join host Eileen C. and others as they share their thoughts about a book selected by the group each month. The group is reading Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher and will discuss it in April. Click on this link to join or go to the NNN Events page.
Conversations and Camaraderie - Online
Looking to take a break in your afternoon for a few minutes of interesting conversation and laughter? Join via the links below or go to the NNN events page. Phoning in information is available via the NNN events page.
Every Monday, “Let’s Chat with Jerry,” 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Coffee klatch style casual conversations. Join online - click here or go to the NNN events page
Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday, “Women’s Afternoon Break,” 3:00-4:00 p.m.; 4/9 & 4/23.
Relaxed conversations with Anne G and Carol F. Pour yourself a cup of tea, coffee or your favorite beverage and join us. Let’s make friends!
Join online – click here or go to the NNN events page.
Every 1st & 3rd Sunday, “Artists, Crafters and Hobbyists Online Gathering,” 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 4/7 & 4/21. Work on your favorite art, craft or hobby project from the comfort of your home as we chat, find inspiration, demonstrate, and share in the company of other crafters and hobbyists. Pop in when you can, stay for the entire time or just a bit. Click here or go to the NNN Events page.
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~ News You Can Use ~
Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: It must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all. ~William Faulkner
~ FREE paper shredding and electronics recycle - Saturday, March 30 from 10am to 1pm. Windermere Real Estate (Alderwood) parking lot @ 18811 28th Ave. W., Suite J Lynnwood.
SBK Recycle will be destroying sensitive documents on site and will be collecting your small electronics and small appliances to be recycled. Simply drive up and have your documents and electronics/appliances unloaded for you, from your car onto the trucks. It’s quick and convenient.
What items are accepted
Computers, Laptops, Monitors (LCD only),TVs (Flat screen LCD only),Keyboards/mice, Printers/scanners, Ink cartridges, Fax/copy, Servers/routers/hubs, Networking devices, Office machines/electronics, Communications equipment, Cable boxes, VCRs/DVD players, Video game consoles, Stereos/audio, Computer parts, Cell phones/telephones, Cameras, PDAs/handheld games, Batteries (small quantities only), Electronics.
These Are NOT accepted
No CRT TVs on monitors, No projection-style TV’s, No light bulbs, Nothing containing liquid, gas, or oil.
~ Homage is partnering with NorthSound ACH to provide comprehensive care coordination services to clients in the Snohomish County community.
Through this collaboration, Homage is equipped to assist individuals with a wide range of needs, including but not limited to:
-Complex Health Needs
-Domestic Violenc
-Food Assistance
-Homeless/Housing Needs
-Medication Assistance
-Transportation Support
-Substance Use
-Tobacco Use
-COVID-19 Recovery
-And much more...
Please use the link to view the Brochure detailing program information https://northsoundach.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/NS-Hub-Brochure.pdf
For further information, you may call a Homage Aging and Disability Resource Network representative at 425.513.1900 or 800.422.2024.
~ Ted Talk "Older people are happier". https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_carstensen_older_people_are_happier?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
Laura Carstensen is the director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, and has extensively studied the effects on wellbeing of extended lifetimes.
In the 20th century we added an unprecedented number of years to our lifespans, but is the quality of life as good? Surprisingly, yes! Psychologist Laura Carstensen shows research that demonstrates that as people get older they become happier, more content, and have a more positive outlook on the world.
Visit Our Events Calendar!
Want to see if something’s been added or changed before you lock in your plans?
We encourage you to visit our website at www.NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org. Our main page has a side column that includes NNN planned activities for each day and coming weeks. You can also find a month at a glance calendar of upcoming activities by visiting the Events tab on our website. To view the Events calendar, click on this (or type this address into your web browser) https://northwestneighborsnetwork.org/content.aspx?page_id=4001&club_id=571198. Here’s an ‘at a glance’ calendar for planned events in April as of the time of this publication. Hint: It’s easier to review when you look at it on the website from your computer or Smartphone. 🧡
Birthdays in April
Join us in wishing our NNN members and volunteers born in April a very happy birthday month! We hope each of you finds something that makes you smile, as we smile with you.
Happy Birthday to:
Melanie BV., Christabel B., Glenn C., Nancy C., Nicole D., Yasmin G., Jeanette H., Leah H., George H., Ron H., Rita K., Ted L., Hyona L., Marie M., Liliana M., Erika Q., Youngmee S., Liberty S., Sandy T., Barb T. |