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email: info@wllovillage.org
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Note: This is a long newsletter, click the link at the very top that says, 'View this email in your browser'. Enjoy reading what's new and newsworthy with WLLO!
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This month's articles
(click on the title link to jump directly to the article):
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People in colder countries understand the magic of winter. What's their secret?
Dusk falls over snowy mountains that overlook the Arctic Cathedral and the houses mirrored in the icy fjord in Tromsø, Norway. Although this city is north of the Arctic Circle and experiences polar night for two months out of the year, its residents tend to see winter as a time of opportunity.
Roberto Moiola/Getty Images
A decade ago, Kari Leibowitz traveled to Tromsø, a city located above the Arctic Circle in Norway, to study a curious phenomenon. Although the city experiences polar night, a time of darkness when the sun doesn't rise above the horizon for two months of the year, its residents didn't tend to perceive the long winter as dreary. In fact, they saw it as a time of opportunity.
This positive outlook toward the season is what Leibowitz calls "wintertime mindset." She has also observed it among people in her research trips across Scandinavia, the Nordic region, northern Japan and other places with extreme winters.
Leibowitz, a health psychologist, explains how to embrace this attitude in a book published in October, How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days. Winter can be "cozy, magical and refreshing," she says. We just need to orient ourselves toward the good things about it. Here's is an excerpt from an interview.
You grew up on the Jersey Shore in New Jersey, a summer destination. How did that shape your views of winter?
I had this cultural understanding that was so engrained it was almost a fact: Winter sucks. Winter is depressing. Winter is bad for your physical and mental health and well-being. End of story.
But as you've learned, some people — especially those who live in places with harsh winters — regard the season as a beautiful, cozy and enjoyable time of year. In fact, in a study from 2020, you found that the further north people lived, the more positive their wintertime mindset was. Why is that?
You have no choice. When you have such an extreme change between seasons, especially from light to dark, summer to winter, you need to adjust your behavior and adapt the way you're living according to the season. This adaptation is really healthy and useful.
Why does mindset matter so much when it comes to winter?
Many studies have shown that mindsets impact our physical functioning, our emotional well-being, how we move throughout the world and our physiology.
When you have the mindset that winter is wonderful, you are more likely to notice and focus on the things you enjoy about the season. The way that going for an evening walk in the winter makes you feel refreshed, or the way that the indirect light of winter is really beautiful and extremely well-suited for cozy activities like reading, baking or writing.
In nature, winter is a time for rest and recuperation. But you point out that we humans don't think those patterns apply to us.
I have friends who know what I study. After the clocks change in November, they'll say things to me like, "Oh, I've just been so tired lately. I don't know what's wrong with me." And I'm like, "There's nothing wrong with you. You're a living being on a planet with a climate, you know?"
If you look at every living thing on Earth, plant or animal, they are all changing their behavior in winter in some way. They're migrating or hibernating, shedding their leaves, storing up their energy for spring. Our modern societies and conveniences have convinced us that it's a personal or moral failure if we want to slow down in the winter.
"When you have the mindset that winter is wonderful, you are more likely to notice and focus on the things you enjoy about the season," says Kari Leibowitz. Taking this advice, NPR's Malaka Gharib created an illustrated list of the things she's looking forward to experiencing this winter.
Your book offers practical suggestions on how to get into winter mode. When winter begins, you suggest making a list of five things you're looking forward to about the season. What's one thing on your list?
Candles. When you light them with the intention of embracing and celebrating the darkness, it actually has a profound impact on your experience. It changes the meaning of winter darkness.
How can we bring more warmth into our daily lives?
I like to change my diet seasonally as much as I can. I switch from a cold breakfast in the summer to a warm breakfast in the winter. And I switch from iced coffee to hot coffee. I swap out my lighter summer comforter for a thicker winter comforter. I pull out my favorite coats from storage.
These are the things I need to be comfortable in the winter. And they reorient my attention from the negative things about the cold, dark and wet to the things I enjoy when the temperature drops.
You encourage reclaiming a summer activity during the winter, like walking on the beach or having a picnic in the park. Why is that?
A lot of us experience winter lethargy, that sluggishness that comes from being inside all the time. A few hours out in the cold revitalizes us.
Go out, bundle in your winter layers, cook some hot dogs on the grill, drink some hot chocolate and enjoy the winter weather. Find a park near you that has a fire pit or a charcoal grill, and gather your friends around it. This is a very Scandinavian pastime.
But it's so cold out there!
In Norway, they have this saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." You want to be warm enough. That's the No. 1 thing that makes the biggest difference in people's comfort and ability to get outside.
In your book, you mention a practice called "big light off." What is it, and how does it impact your well-being?
"Big light off" is what my husband and I call it when we turn off the overhead lights in our home, especially in the darkness of winter. It's not a totally original idea, but it's something you'll see throughout Scandinavia. People there love lamps and candles and soft light. It makes the darkness friendlier and creates a moody, cozy atmosphere that feels very intimate. People open up, the conversations are different.
There's some research showing that darkness enhances creativity because it gets rid of our usual inhibitions and constraints. And that can be special to winter.
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Wrapping and Unwrapping
Monica H. Schneider PsyD
You’ve heard people say, “I just have a hard time wrapping my head around what is going on these days!” The phrase, “going on these days,” seems mostly associated with the day's political messages. We try to understand, but are too confused or angry towards others who are delighted. We want to share our thoughts in conversations without the contentiousness that comes with those who see things differently.
News and social media are experts at ensuring we pay constant attention to the noise of politics. We listened to the report, but it wasn't satisfactory. After being given only a bit of information, we are left with even more questions and concerns. So, we seek out someone or somewhere safe to share our thoughts. I use the word share, but it may also be in the form of venting the emotions conjured up by the news.
We sit beside someone and whisper our dismay, and see how it is received. We pick up on whether the person sees things as we do. Grocery store lines may not be such a great place to whisper these conversations and gauge how it’s received, but a lunch meeting with someone may be. I have been known to call some friends and say, “I need to talk, and you guys think like me.” We spout our opinions and conjure up a few laughs and debates. I leave feeling less stressed because I have been heard. The fault in this is that I am only talking to someone who agrees with me and not listening to other viewpoints that might help me understand what I am not seeing.
This brings me to the second point of the title of this article: unwrapping. Since we may have trouble wrapping our head around something, how do we unwrap all those heady thoughts? Among my favorites methods is watching the monologues of Steven Cobert and Jimmy Kimmel. They report the news, but add humor and often say things I too am thinking. I also “unwrap” myself around the news by watching much less of it. I only watch a few short news shows because (admit it), they say similar things anyway, and it’s not good for me to hear bad news over and over. I also watch some light-hearted videos about cats or dogs in the evening. (We previously considered this a diversion and a way to shift thinking with humor.)
Recentering yourself is important. If you use Google Maps or Waze, there is a Recenter button. I like that! How do I recenter myself? Tried and true ways for me are a good night’s sleep and laying off so many cookies - even though I do find they do have a particular calming effect!
If recentering means not dwelling on matters I can't control, I will try to do that for my mental well-being. Recentering with action is another way to help me dissipate worry. WLLO helps by offering gatherings full of camaraderie, and creating opportunities to share our time and resources with others.
Wrapping and unwrapping will always continue. I’ll put it this way - you can’t eat one big meal and never feel hungry again. We can’t do one big thing and think that will solve our problems. Instead, there are articles to read and speakers to listen to. How will I be informed and more tolerant if I am too biased to hear something different than my thoughts? Being open to diverse views opens my mind. Sit next to me, and I will listen.
Monica H. Schneider PsyD
WLLO Volunteer Monica Schneider previously taught Psychology at PCC. She is retired and is a Counselor with William Temple House. Writing is becoming a positive mood manager for her!
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Welcome New Members and Volunteers
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We welcome our new members and volunteers!
Welcome new volunteer Jody Carson! We look forward to working with you!
Return to Table of Contents
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 Volunteer Celebration
Hi Volunteers!
Did you know April is Volunteer Appreciation Month? To thank all our volunteers, we are celebrating the 2nd Annual Volunteer Appreciation lunch on April 3rd.
More details to follow, but please mark April 3rd on your calendar to celebrate all the great things the WLLO volunteers did in the past year. Looking forward to seeing you!
Return to Table of Contents
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NO GUILT BOOK CLUB’S NEXT MEETING IS
TUESDAY, MARCH 11 AT 10:30 AM
Thank you to Pam Berg who hosted our February bookclub meeting at her home. We had an interesting discussion about the book What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez. This book was made into a movie, currently in theaters as The Room Next Door.
Join us in March! Cathryn Olsen will be hosting and we’ll be discussing 84 Charing Cross Road.
Our upcoming reading list is:
Mar – 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Apr - How to Read a Book (The LO Reads program selection) by Monica Wood
May – The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck
Jun – What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
July – Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Remember to call or email the office if you need a ride.
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MEMBER AND VOLUNTEER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Scavenger Hunt? Find the Wishing Tree
The tree has hundreds of bows on it, with a ton of well-wishes. Ask anyone in the Hallinan/McVey neighborhood and they will know about the Wishing Tree.
Choose a piece of cloth and tie it to a branch of this Wishing Tree, and make a wish. Guaranteed to make your wishes come true.
At the west entrance of Freepons park sits a small but beautiful tree, right next to the three or four space parking lot. One day, someone, whoever it was (I don't know, maybe you know?) hung up a sign calling it 'The Wishing Tree.' On the tree, they hung a little bucket and filled the bucket with strips of cloth, just long enough to make a bow. Alongside the small bucket of cloth strips were instructions that go something like this:
What is a wishing tree? It's like throwing a penny in a fountain, or down a well, but with a bit of a twist.
 Nowadays, people seem to bring their own ribbons and strips of cloth to tie on the tree and make a wish. How about you? Maybe you'd like to add your own wish to the tree.
They say that the best part of the Wishing Tree is that wishes come true!
A Wish Tree is a pretty well-known cultural tradition. Throughout the world there are famous Wish Trees in Scotland and England, also known as coin trees, where coins are driven into the bark for good luck.
The practice of tying cloth to a Wish Tree is a Celtic tradition called a Clootie Well. These are pilgrimage areas with wells or springs, almost always with a tree growing beside them. Strips of cloth are tied to the branches of the tree as part of a healing ritual. A "clootie" or "cloot" is a strip of cloth or rag.
The practice for the clootie wells in Scotland, Ireland, or the Isle of Man, the cloth is dipped in the water of the well and then tied to a branch with a prayer.
The modern Wishing Tree is here, and it's in Lake Oswego at Freepons Park, carrying on a tradition of spirit and connecting the community in a unique way.
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 Remember to pick up your Lake Oswego Reads book on Saturday, March 1
Bring your Lake Oswego Public Library card or number (and your friend's card if picking up multiple books) to receive a free copy of How to Read a Book by Monica Wood. 800 free books will be distributed to Lake Oswego Public Library cardholders, thanks to the ongoing support of the Friends of the Lake Oswego Library. Books will be distributed through our parking lot starting at 11am. Please do not line up beforehand. Walk up service will also be available starting at 11am.
Senior Scholar Program
The Senior Scholar Program, newly launched in collaboration with the Lake Oswego Library, offers an enriching academic journey tailored specifically for older adults eager to continue their pursuit of knowledge. This innovative program is dedicated to fostering lifelong learning and intellectual stimulation through a diverse array of classes that span a broad spectrum of subjects, including history, humanities, technology, science, and more.
Upcoming program:
 The Science of Climate Change
Friday, March 14, 2025 - 10:00am to 11:30am
Join us for an enlightening session led by Dr. Paul Loikith, a distinguished Professor at Portland State University (PSU), Meteorologist, and Climate Scientist at the PSU Climate Science Lab. This comprehensive exploration of climate change science is meticulously crafted to provide participants with a robust understanding of the factors contributing to climate change and the profound impact these changes have on our planet.
This is for anyone interested in understanding the scientific foundations of climate change and its implications for our planet's future. Whether you're a concerned citizen, educator, or professional, this class offers valuable insights into one of the most pressing issues of our time.
Covered Topics
- Weather and climate in the Pacific Northwest
- The difference between natural climate variability and change
- Observed and future changes in our region
Participation Details
- Fee: Free for both residents and non-residents
- Course Code: 30192
- Schedule: Friday, March 14, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
- Location: Lake Oswego Adult Community Center
- Registration: Call 503-635-3758 to Register
For More Information:
Registration Details
- Cost: All classes are offered free of charge, ensuring accessibility for all interested participants.
- Registration: Due to limited space, advance registration is required. Early sign-up is encouraged to secure your spot in the classes of your choice. To register please call (503) 635-3758.
- See: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/acc/senior-scholar-program
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YOUR LOCAL ADULT COMMUNITY CENTER
Check out more offerings from the City of Lake Oswego and West Linn Parks and Rec and Adult Community Centers: There are too many offerings to list them all here! Offerings include learning how to create habitat in your yard, the increase in prevalence of autoimmune disorders, and other learning, fitness and social opportunities.
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/acc/programs-workshops
https://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/adult-community-center-upcoming-classes-activities
Return to Table of Contents
Be sure and click below ("view entire message") to see this months wrap up of our eco-friendly impact and recycling as well as upcoming activities!
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TERRY'S EARTH FRIENDLY TIPS
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 Terry is taking a break this month! Feel free to drop him a line to suggest future topics
Terence M. Shumaker
shufly46@comcast.net
RECYCLING
Our next recycling pickup is March 11, and every other month afterwards.
WLLO RECYCLING COLLECTION SCHEDULE
Remember, we pick up plastic film, (no crinkly plastic film), and all clean clear #1 PET and PETE plastics. Please, no black or colored #1 plastic. Thanks.
PLEASE REMEMBER: We can no longer accept #6 PS or Styrofoam plastics.
March 11: Electronics and everything with a power cord. PLEASE: NO LIGHT BULBS OR SMOKE DETECTORS! But LED light bulbs are ok! Free Geek rehabilitates and recycles this stuff. Please wrap up cords and cables and secure with a twist tie or rubber band.
https://www.freegeek.org/take-action/donate-technology
May 13: Furniture, linens, dishes (no chips or cracks or alcohol-themed items), kitchen utensils, mattresses/box springs, small appliances (in working condition), decorative items and artwork, rugs etc. Items are donated to the Community Warehouse. https://www.communitywarehouse.org/give-furniture/
July 8: Building materials, tools, plumbing and lighting fixtures, fasteners etc. The Rebuilding Center breathes new life into these items. https://www.rebuildingcenter.org/donations
September 9: Cleaners, pesticides, chemicals, light bulbs, smoke alarms, paint, batteries and other hazardous materials. Metro South Hazardous Waste site reclaims and recycles.
https://www.oregonmetro.gov/tools-living/garbage-and-recycling/garbage-recycling-hazardous-waste-disposal-oregon-city
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WLLO & Villages Events
Check out our calendar on our website homepage. It's easier to read, you can change how information is displayed and the calendar is also printable.
- Also be sure to check your Week-At-A-Glance email. Members and Volunteers receive Week-At-A-Glance emails every Sunday with detailed information for the upcoming week.
- Summary of Regularly Scheduled Events:
- Ted Talk Discussion Group - Monday 11:00 AM
- Book Club 2nd Tuesday at 10:30
- Brisk Walk Wednesdays at 9:00 AM
- Chat and Stroll Wednesdays at 10:00 AM
- Crafting Circle 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 10:30
- 2nd Thursday of the month - Happy Hour in person at 4 PM
- 1st Thursday of the month - Happy Hour on Zoom at 5 PM
- The 3rd and Last Friday - Coffee in person at 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM
- All Fridays except the 3rd and last Friday of each month Coffee Hour on Zoom at 9:00 AM.
- For registration, calendar questions, or log-in help, contact the WLLO office (503-308-8223). To get log in details to specific events, email info@WLLOvillage.org. (Many events are for members and volunteers only.)
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