Activities to Do at Home

This page is filled with fun, interesting things you can do at home. ​We developed these resources during the pandemic, but they are yours to use anytime. We are also looking for your ideas for calming ideas books, music, movie, etc. What would you like to see on this page? If you know of a helpful resource you feel would benefit others, please email Ann Morgan at CreativeAgingNyack@gmail.com.

Art Resources to Delight You

• Life Imitating Art - The Getty Museum challenged people to portray their favorite paintings. Such fun!
• Smarter Travel virtual resources - Explore the Sistine Chapel, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, The Berlin Philharmonic, and much more.
• The Orchid Show at the NYBG - Enjoy the New York Botanical Garden!

​Exercise Resources 
Click here for an exercise routine and links to many more.

​Getting to Know You
Click here for your bio writing prompts. 

Books of Wisdom and Insight​

• Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen - Reading this book is like having several conversations with your wisest friend. 
• The Five Invitations by Frank Ostaseski - Do not be put off by the subtitle of this book, Discovering What Death Can Teach us about Living Fully. This book is full of calming wisdom and insight we can all use right now! 
• Devotions by Mary Oliver - This is a collection of her poetry from across the decades. A gentle companion for many through her poetry, Mary Oliver poems calm and enrich.​

Book Ideas for Diversion

• Reading for Comfort - ideas from the New York Times
• Best Books of 2019 - from Goodreads. See books from your favorite categories.
• The Dutch House by Ann Pachett - Several members have recommended this novel.
• The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey. This is a charming, well-written "coming-of-old-age" novel.
• The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson. It's about Winston Churchill and the beginning of WWII in Britain. If it sounds too dry for this time, it's not. it's a wonderful way to immerse myself in a fascinating piece of history separated from this very difficult time.

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Short Films to Enjoy
Gratitude: The Short Film by Louis Schwartzberg
Quarantine Through Art - click below

​Bringing you Joy through Music

• You've Got a Friend in Me 
• All God's Children Got a Place in the Choir
• A funny, heart-felt "One Day More" – A family sings of stay-at-home blues in parody of "Les Misérables"
• A Symphony played from home - The Rotterdam Symphony plays Beethoven's Ninth.​
• Toronto Symphony - Playing Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring ('Tis a Gift to be Simple)​

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Comedy Shows to Enjoy

• "Grace and Frankie" and "The Kominsky Method" - Maxine Ferber suggested these comedy series as great diversions. If you don't have Netflicks, you can find these on YouTube.