July 2023
The Hull Foundations
Monthly Sight Loss News
www.hullflc.org
“The publishing of this newsletter is a service of The Hull Foundation and Learning Center Inc. It is not an endorsement of any of its contents. All products, items and other information may be used at the sole discretion of the reader.”
Editors, Hull Foundation Staff
Contents
Mission Statement …p. 3
Courage, Fortune Favors the Bold…p. 4
What are Some of the Biggest Lessons You’ve Learned That No One
Teaches?…p. 8
Reading in the Dark Book Club…p. 11
Friends and Alumni Retreat…p. 16
Grilled Pork Tacos with Avocado & Fresh Peach-Lime Salsa…p.18
Tina’s Tropical Fluff…p. 23
Hull Foundation Upcoming Fundraisers…p. 25
Hull Foundation Events and Seminars…p. 27
Hull Foundation Zoom Meetings…p. 28[ ]{.mark}Jokes to Keep You Laughing…p. 29
Contact Us…p. 30
Our Mission Statement:
The mission of the Hull Foundation and Learning Center is to provide programs, facilities and services including social, educational, and recreational activities for people with blindness and sight loss.
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height=”0.9785411198600175in”}*If you would prefer to receive this newsletter by email, or to unsubscribe, please call the Hull Foundation at 503.668.6195 or send an email to: oralhull@gmail.com
Courage, Fortune Favors the Bold
-Teresa Christian, Sight loss instructor and Life Coach
Most of us are afraid or unsure in our lives in various ways. Courage is
not the absence of fear, but it is feeling scared, gritting our teeth,
and moving forward in spite of it. The dream we are pursuing is so
important that it pushes us towards the goal. We must do this thing
because… fill in the blank with your answer. Your Because, your Why,
and your Deep Why is your power plant that galvanizes you to action.
You’re a hungry dragon, and you are ready for a needed change. You are
the exact right dragon (or person) to do it.
“Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than
you know, and capable of more than you imagine.”
—Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
I encourage you to stretch yourself, push the envelope, and see where
you might end up. It could be exciting!
Love, Me
“We can’t be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that
you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that
there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is
good for you now, may be the very reason why you don’t have something
better.”
~C. Joy Bell
Explore a little bit, then a lot!
Love, Me
The above is an excerpt from my book “Inspiration from the Hungry Dragon
Café,
Share a Pint of Wit and Wisdom on Your Road to Success.”
“Those who try to do something, and fail are infinitely better than
those who try nothing and succeed.”
~Lloyd Jones
I have been totally blind for most of my life and yes, I still find
getting out and doing things a challenge at times. However, I would
rather be a little, and sometimes a lot, uncomfortable getting out and
trying something new, than sitting in my living room being bored,
depressed, and feeling defeated. To me expanding my world, even a little
bit, is more advantageous than feeling trapped in my apartment. I have
been known to go by myself to the movies. If I want to see a movie and I
can’t find anyone who also wants to see that flick, I’ve gone alone.
Nowadays with the advent of the ADA, theater people are usually willing
to help you purchase tickets, get food, and find a seat. Also, some
theaters have special headsets for audio description so you can fully
get all the action. Call ahead to make sure they have them though. There
are times I go with a friend, sighted or visually impaired person,
(VIP), it feels a lot less scary.
Summer is here and there are fun and adventures to be had. What fun
thing would you like to go do? What tiny little thing can you do towards
making that fun thing happen?
Have courage, be bold and have fun!
“Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” ~Izaak Walton
[What are Some of the Biggest Lessons You’ve Learned That No One Teaches?]{.underline}
-Marja Byers, SLI
I could add my own comments to these thoughts, I’ve had many as I’ve
read, and contemplated this list. Instead, I’m going to save it for
discussion during our “How are you doing, how are you dealing?” calls
for July. I hope if you’ve read this and contemplated as I have, that
you’ll join us on July 12 and July 26 on Zoom from 6:30-8:00 pm PT, for
some conversation about this as well as whatever else may be on your
mind.
1. Arguing with a fool is proof there are two.
2. The easiest way to wait for something is to forget it exists.
3. Leave, when a promise turns into a sorry.
4. The worst type of loneliness is the loneliness you feel when you are
with people.
5. There are no rules of attraction when it comes to meeting your
match.
6. You don\’t need to compromise your standards; the right person will
come to you.
7. A toxic person only changes their victims, never themselves.
8. A conversation about how you feel is not supposed to end in an
argument.
9. Someone\’s effort is a reflection of their interest in you.
10. You can be the whole package at the wrong address.
11. Facts over feelings. Don\’t let your emotions play with your
intelligence.
12. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of
others.
I hope to see you on Zoom in July for this discussion!
[Reading in the Dark Book Club]{.underline}
-Marja Byers
In June we read and discussed “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles,
DB105197, and “Pigs in Heaven” by Barbara Kingsolver, DB35911. We read
“The Bean Trees” by Barbara Kingsolver earlier this spring and “Pigs”
continues the story.
Our books for July will be:
7/11- “A Tale for the Time Being” by Ruth Ozeki (also narrated by Ruth
Ozeki), DB76696, 14:45.
“A time being is someone who lives in time, and that means you, and me,
and every one of us, who is, or was, or ever will be.”
“In Tokyo, 16-year-old Nao has decided that there\’s only one escape
from her aching loneliness and her classmates’ bullying. Before she ends
it all, Nao, first plans to document the life of her great grandmother,
a Buddhist nun, who has lived more than a century. A diary is Nao’s only
solace-and will touch lives in many ways she can scarcely imagine.
Across the Pacific, we meet Ruth, a novelist living on a remote island
who discovers the collection of artifacts, washed ashore in a Hello
Kitty lunch box-possibly debris from the devastating 2011 tsunami. As
the mystery of its contents unfolds, Ruth is pulled into the past, into
Nao’s drama and her unknown fate, and forward into her own future.”
7/25-We’ve chosen two books as they are books with a combined time of
6:47. Though the first book was written for an audience in grades
4th-7th, some schools have banned it. I admit that I have never read it
and wanted to have some discussion about it.
“Are You There God? It’s me Margaret” by Judy Blume, DB37405, 3:10.
“Margaret is lonely after her parents buy a new house in a New Jersey
suburb because she is from the city. The new girls expect her to be more
grown up than they are, but Margaret’s body hasn\’t begun to mature yet,
and she has never kissed a boy.
Our second book for 7/25 is,
“Ellen Foster” by Kaye Gibbons, DB44846, 3:37.
\’When I was little, I would think of ways to kill my daddy. I would
figure out this or that way and run it down through my head until it got
easy.\’\
So begins the tale of Ellen Foster, the brave and engaging heroine of
Kaye Gibbons’ first novel, which won the Sue Kaufman Prize from the
American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. Wise, funny,
affectionate, and true, Ellen Foster is, as Walker Percy called it,
\’The real thing. Which is to say, a lovely, sometimes heart/wrenching
novel… [Ellen Foster] is as much a part of the backwoods South as a
Faulkner character and a good deal more endearing.\’
ALSO ~ Did you lit lovers know that Hull Foundation has another Zoom
discussion group about literature that is a bit unique! “But just
reading isn’t enough” meets the third Wednesday of the month on Zoom
(this month it will be July 19) from 1:00-2:00 PT. This call also goes
out on American Council of the Blind-ACB Community Calls, so we get a
larger group, and we all love books! In June much of our discussion was
about our favorite narrators but we discuss many different aspects of
our relationships with literature. So, join us if you can, there is no
book that you have read, just come with thoughts and ideas to share!
[Friends and Alumni Retreat]{.underline}
{width=”5.872916666666667in”
height=”2.642361111111111in”}-Monica Butler, Executive Director
**\
**The Friends and Alumni retreat was held June 13^th^ through the
17^th^. We had such a wonderful time seeing old friends and making new
ones. This retreat kept us remarkably busy; we took a tour of Bonneville
Dam. The rangers that gave us the tour were so friendly and informative.
We were able to experience the fish ladders and made a special trip to
the spillway where we got soaking wet from the mist. This was our first
excursion there, and I would definitely return in the future.
We also took a trip to Seaside OR for the day. Rae and Patty Hail so
kindly had parking spaces available for us at the Elks Lodge. We split
up into small groups and had a fantastic time exploring Broadway Street
and the Promenade. We ate taffy, cotton candy, ice cream, chocolate,
elephant ears, and seafood. Guests had a fun time riding the bumper cars
and Tilt-A-Whirl. Most of the guests did shopping and brought home a
remembrance from the beach. I can’t wait for new and fun adventures.
Grilled Pork Tacos with Avocado & Fresh Peach-Lime Salsa
-Desiree Christian Sight Loss Instructor
Courtesy of Mealtime Serves: 4
Ingredients:
1 avocado
1 head butter (Boston) lettuce
1 small bunch cilantro
2 cloves garlic
2 jalapeño peppers
2 limes
4 peaches
4 pork chops, boneless
1 medium red onion
black pepper
chili powder
cumin, ground
extra virgin olive oil
garlic powder
onion powder
salt
Note: My house did this recipe with the substitutions of small corn
tortillas, street taco size. Nectarines instead of peaches. No cilantro
and I think Anaheim peppers instead of Jalapeno’s.
Instructions:
Step 1: Wash and dry the fresh produce.
Step 2: Combine spices in a small bowl.
Step 3: Heat a large grill pan or outdoor grill, or skillet over
medium-high heat.
Step 4: While the grill pan heats up, pat the pork chops dry with paper
towels and season with spice mixture on both sides.
Step 5: Once the grill pan is hot, coat with oil. Cooking in batches, if
necessary, add pork and cook, flipping occasionally, until cooked
through, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and loosely cover with
foil.
Step 6: Meanwhile, peel and small dice onion. Peel and mince garlic.
Place in a medium bowl.
Step 7: Halve jalapeño peppers lengthwise; seed and remove ribs with a
spoon. Finely dice and add to the bowl. (Be careful, with jalapeños, do
not touch your eyes and ensure
you wash your hands after handling or wear gloves while preparing.)
Step 8: Shave cilantro leaves off the stems; discard stems and mince the
leaves. Add to the bowl.
Step 9: Halve and pit peaches. Working in batches, if necessary, add
peach halves to the grill pan, cut side down, and cook until the flesh
is soft and charred, about 4 minutes. Once done, transfer to a cutting
board, medium dice, and add to the bowl with the cilantro.
Step 10: Juice limes into the bowl, season with salt, and stir to
combine the salsa.
Step 11: Meanwhile, thinly slice the pork chops crosswise into strips.
Step 12: Halve and pit avocado; slice thinly while still in the skin and
scoop out with a spoon.
Step 13: Separate the lettuce into leaves. Pile leaves, in stacks of two
per wrap, onto plates. Top with pork slices, peach salsa, and avocado.
Enjoy!
Note: Mealtime recipes can read as overly detailed so it can initially
seem like a lot of steps to some, but it can also help you organize your
tasks while cooking so time spent is less. I will make a note in that
specific recipe what substitutions or changes our family has made.
Mealtime for iPhone
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mealime-meal-plans-recipes/id1079999103
Mealtime from Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mealime&hl=en
[Tina’s Tropical Fluff]{.underline}
-Tina, SLI
1 box of lime sugar free Jell-O
1 16oz. Container of small curd cottage cheese
1 16oz. container of Lite Cool Whip
¼ cup shredded coconut
½ cup of coconut covered cashews
Pineapple tidbits
Things you’ll need:
Medium to large mixing bowl
Spatula for folding and mixing
A quart size Ziploc bag
Dishes for serving
This dessert can be made the night before a BBQ or event.
- In a medium to large mixing bowl: pour Jell-O into cottage cheese and mix well. Refrigerate for 4hrs. to overnight.
- Mix in coconut until well combined.
- Put the cashews in a Ziploc bag and roughly smash with your favorite smash tool. (I like cans of whatever is in the pantry.) The nuts should just be chunky bits. (Disclaimer: If you have made powder— Not to worry, save it for later to use as crumble on top.) Fold into the cottage cheese mixture.
- Gently fold in Cool Whip. Refrigerate for an hour.
- Top each serving with pineapple tidbits (cashew powder topper if you went too far.) and serve. Enjoy!
[Hull Foundation Upcoming Fundraisers:]{.underline}
-Tea Party at Hull Park
July 29, 2023 1pm-4pm
Our event will feature a variety of teas and mouth-watering scones, savory treats, and sweets! Wear you best “tea party hat” we will have great prizes for the fanciest hat, the funniest hat, and the hat with the most flowers. Call the office to purchase tickets.
-Diamond Jubilee
Join us on August 20^th^ from 10am-4pm. Celebrating 60 years of service to the blind and low vision community. Come join us for games, food, raffles, and vendors. Call the office for more details or with interest in volunteering.
-Summer Raffle Fundraiser
June 1^st^ through August 31^st^ We have lots of great raffle items!! We have a beautiful Quilt, Picnic Shelter Rental, a 2-night stay at Lanai at the Cove, Seaside, a gift basket of 12 bottles of Oregon Wine and a piece of Art by a Blind Artist. Call the office for details.
[Hull Foundation Events and Seminars:]{.underline}
-One Day Fun Day: A Day at Blue Lake Park, includes a picnic lunch and
fun in the sun — July 19^th^
-Fundraiser: Annual Tea Party at the Park — July 29^th^
-Intro to Sight Loss Seminar — August 1^st^-3^rd^
-Summer Adventure August 18th-26^th^ Registration is closed-full
-Diamond Jubilee August 20^th^ open to the []{.mark}public everyone is
welcome!
-Sighted Spouses Seminar September 6^th^-8^th^
If you are interested in any of our Recreational Getaway Events, One Day
Events, Seminars and Retreats, please contact our office and get signed
up! The spots can fill up very quickly, so jump in with both feet, save
your spot and come out to Hull Park in 2023!
Hull Foundation Presents Zoom Meetings:
Zoom meetings will include topics on tech, cooking, crafting, book club and a class on forgetfulness that has been immensely popular. If you are interested, please join us. Bring a friend or spouse, sighted or not!! If you would like to sign up to receive a weekly email with the Zoom schedule for the week and the links to the meetings, please email the office at oralhull@gmail.com or call us at 503-668-6195. If you are not an email user, then you can call us on Mondays to receive that week’s classes and the call-in number and Meeting ID number for meetings you are interested in attending via phone.
Jokes to Keep you Laughing…or Groaning!
Q. How does NASA organize a party?
A. They planet.
Q. What is a robot’s favorite snack?
A. Computer chips!
Q. What passes but never pauses?
A. Time!
Stay well, stay safe, and stay happy!
[Contact Us:]{.underline}
The Hull Foundation Family\ Phone: 503-668-6195
Email: oralhull@gmail.com
Website: www.hullflc.org
Visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/OralHullPark/?notif_id=1631758417290618¬if_t=page_user_activity&ref=notif
On Instagram:
www.instagram.com/hull_foundation/