This event is based on Robert Briggs and Diana Saltoon's book: "Wife, Just Let Go: Zen, Alzheimer's, and Love." The book is now the Award-Winning Finalist in the Self-Help: Relationships category of the 2018 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest! (The book is available for sale in Portland at Powells Bookstore, Broadway Books, Daedalus and Annie Bloom's as well as Amazon and Ingram.)

Details

“Placing a great faith in love.” Whether you’re a caregiver or anyone navigating through the emotions of grief, anger, hurt or sadness, abuse or depression, ultimately, it is love that soothes the aching heart. Even Einstein admitted in a letter to his daughter about the “Universal Force which is Love.” Grief is an expression of profound love within that is never exhausted. Exploring grief and all its related emotions, we learn how they may be understood, held in compassion and released into the spaciousness of peace and love. Through shared experiences we learn simple ways of releasing and healing through awareness and understanding the core of our existence.

TUE, DEC 4 AT 6:30 PM

Opening to Love, Strength, and Acceptance

New Renaissance Bookshop · Portland, OR

WIFE, JUST LET GO, ZEN: ALZHEIMER'S, AND LOVE

Wife, Just Let Go, Zen Alzheimer's, and Love," is now the Award-Winning Finalist in the Self-Help: Relationships category of the 2018 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest!

The Care Giver

The spread of dementia ever widens. I think of four close friends – two in California and two in Oregon just now suffering from acute memory loss. I especially think of the journey of their caregivers and others right now witnessing the steady brain decline of their loved ones. I so understand what those losing memory and those caring for them are going through. It can be a sad, lonely journey even when support is offered. Ultimately, it’s the moment-to-moment care that becomes intense and sometimes unbearable in the sadness it holds. If this any consolation, know you’re never alone in whatever you may be experiencing. Find moments where you may pause, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what’s at hand, your breath, or the feel of your patient’s touch, something just then to remind you that all is not lost. That however easy or difficult – the moment with a close friend, a loved one, can never be repeated. In “Wife, Just Let Go,” I’ve tried to share these thoughts and moments when we tend to be so focused in having things to do that we forget the presence of those we need to do those things for, and thus forget to tell them words they never tire of hearing, words that heal: simply, “you’re loved.” 

Robert Briggs on an excursion with Ted Bagley
(photo by Ted Bagley 2015)

Autumn 2015
(photo by Ted Bagley)

Latest News on Alzheimer's Disease

Sharing this Newsletter from Sharp Again Naturally. The Foundation is doing some remarkable things to bring the latest news and finds for preventing and healing Alzheimer's Disease

A must-read for all!

On July 11th Sharp Again Naturally (SAN) held our annual fundraiser, the Sharp Again Soirée, at the CV Rich Mansion in White Plains, NY. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Harold Williams’ inspiring story of recovering his memory,  which illustrates the very essence of SAN’s mission and message. This was a celebration and an evening of fun, connecting, and learning more about Sharp Again Naturally. Proceeds from the evening will support future projects such as developing educational videos and webinars, a physician database, and a day-long conference. (You can read more about the event and see pictures here). Our feature story this month about healthy fats is by Allan Warshowsky, MD in Rye, NY who started his career as an OB/GYN and now specializes in functional medicine.  The different types of fat in our diet have been much debated over the past several decades, and Dr. Warshowsky’s article, along with the Q & A from Priscilla Warshowsky, CHHC and Myra Oney, CHHS about eating out, clarify which fats help to maintain a healthy brain. Coming this fall, we will be making a number of presentations in the Westchester area (details below) as well as at medical and dental conferences.  If you are interested in having Sharp Again Naturally speak to a group, please email us at info@sharpagain.org. We are contacted every week by individuals and family members who have been told there is no hope for their memory loss, and we are getting them the help they need.  Support Sharp Again Naturally by spreading the word that dementia and Alzheimer's can be prevented and often reversed using natural approaches. Your voice matters! Enjoy the rest of the summer! Lisa Lisa Feiner Board Chair, Sharp Again Naturally Eat Healthy Fats for a Healthy Brain  By Allan Warshowsky FACOG, ABIHM   Alzheimer’s disease is primarily the result of increased brain inflammation. This has been referred to as “the brain on fire.” To maintain our brain health and cognitive abilities, we need to make dietary and other lifestyle choices that will reduce inflammation and put out the fire. Maximizing healthy fats in the diet optimizes brain health. There has been much controversy about which fats to include in a healthy diet that would help us to avoid or reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer’s or  other chronic diseases of aging like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, osteoarthritic conditions, autoimmune disease, and cognitive decline. Not All Fats Are the Same Trans fats are the synthetic fats we find in our food that are often identified as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Naturally occurring fats and oils found in food are further categorized as:  fish oils (deep sea cold water fish) saturated fats, found in coconut, grass fed/finished red meats, and deep sea cold water fish mono-saturated fats, found in In olive oil polyunsaturated fats, found in soybean, canola, cottonseed, corn and peanut oils Saturated fats are the least flexible and are therefore solid at room temperatures, while polyunsaturated fats, being the most flexible, are liquid at room temperatures. Read more...   Q&A: Eating Healthy While Eating Out Priscilla Warshowsky, CHHC, Myra Oney, CHHC                                  Take Healthy Eating Habits on the Road  A healthy lifestyle takes planning and a consistent routine for shopping and preparing meals. An impromptu meal out with friends, extended family or coworkers is also good for the body and mind because it is a great way to relax, socialize, and sometimes try new foods. But when eating out derails your healthy eating habits every time, you may want to consider some of the suggestions below: Q:  When I attend group social events, I often eat and drink more than I should. What can I do differently next time? A: This is a common problem because the food and beverages seem to be within arms’ reach the entire time. Do not say yes to every passed hors d’oeuvre offered to you. Instead of the food circulating, make sure you’re also spending time walking around and socializing. If it is a seated dinner, ask someone to switch places with you for a bit so you can talk to people at another part of the table and you are no longer sitting in front of your own plate or glass. When you know you have had enough, you can avoid further temptation by taking the salt or pepper shaker and using it generously on the food that remains on your plate to resist the next bite. Read more... Easy, Healthy Recipes Baked Tofu Spicy Coconut Tofu Oven Roasted Vegetables Easy Fish Stir-Fry Kale Chips The Sharp Again Soiree We had a beautiful evening and it was a great success. Mentalist David Levitan entertained guests during cocktail hour, which took place in the mansion with its lovely adjacent gardens. Throughout the evening, there were opportunities to bid on silent auction items donated by generous supporters, the 50/50 raffle, and Wine Pull.  In the ballroom, guests were treated to dinner and dancing, with music by the Bad Art Band.   For more pictures click here.     Board of Directors, Sharp Again          Speaker Harold Williams Mentalist David Levitan and guests Raffle winner Wendy Weinstein Karp Fall Presentations Scarsdale Adult School Keep Your Mind Sharp into Old Age Tuesday, October 2 7:30-9:30pm $20 tuition To register, go to www.scarsdaleadultschool.org and search for "Keep Your Mind Sharp Into Old Age" in the top right corner of the page. Larchmont/Mamaroneck Continuing Ed Stay Sharp Throughout Your Life! Tuesday September 25, 7-8:30pm $20 tuition Click here to register Enable us to continue this work: MAKE A DONATION to keep spreading the word that dementia is a treatable disease, and it’s never too early or late to begin taking care of your brain.  Go to www.sharpagain.org/donate or send your contribution to PO Box 713  Larchmont. NY 10538 Sharp Again Naturally is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Thanks to our sponsors:

NEW EVENT COMING UP FOR "WIFE, JUST LET GO"

In the spirit of peace and harmony, the sharing of “Wife, Just Let Go,” continues. Announcing another book event coming up in June in Los Angeles. Chado, the Japanese Way of Tea has always been a pillar that has held me up during years of intensive caregiving and still holds me up in grief especially as the 3rd anniversary of Robert’s death approaches. Please join me for a book discussion/tea ceremony at the beautiful Shoseian Teahouse in Glendale, CA on June 17, 2018. (See event post.) Please spread the word to your friends in the LA area and contact me if you need further information. The momentum for the book is ongoing.

Shoseian “Whispering Pine” Teahouse

Brand Library Park  1601 West Mountain St., Glendale, CA 91201

A  CHADO JOURNEY

We invite you to a Book Discusion and Tea Ceremony by Diana Saltoon, a teacher of Chado, “The Way of Tea”.

Author of Wife, Just Let Go - Zen, Alzheimer’s and Love 

June 17, 2018

2 PM – 4 PM

Book Discussion and Tea Ceremony

Ms. Saltoon will discuss her book, how Chado was a pillar during her years of caregiving, how the practice of Chado is beneficial not only in times of ease and joy, but also in times of suffering, hardship and loss.

Those attending will be served traditional sweets and a bowl of matcha.

After the demonstration, the afternoon will be open to further discussion and questions from the audience, taking place in the historic Shoseian “Whispering Pine” Tea House, one of Glendale’s “Hidden Treasures”.

$20 per person donation

RSVP by June 13th to : friends@shoseianteahouse.com

Friends of Shoseian is a non-profit IRC Section 501 (c)(3) organization.

Contributions can be tax deductible under IRC Section 170.

City of GlendaleSponsored by:

AT GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA

Glendale, CA at Shoseian Teahouse and Brand Library with a dear chajin and teacher. Beautiful day in sunny LA. 

Shoseian will be hosting an event on "The Journey" based on Wife, Just Let Go, this summer!  

Diana Saltoon-Briggs

EVENT AT DIESEL BOOKSTORE, BRENTWOOD, CA

Thanks to Diesel Bookstore in Brentwood, CA, for a successful book event of “Wife, Just Let Go!” last Thursday. Many came – old friends and new and thanks to them for a lively discussion and purchase of the book. The positive response to “Wife, Just Let Go” is encouraging and inspirational and promises another event on a return visit to Los Angeles this summer. Now in UK enjoying a visit with my brother and family, and reuniting with dear friends. The weather here is reminiscent of Portland, OR - clouds and rain with sunshine on the horizon and warmer days to come. Yet, with all this travelling I’m reminded by Hakuin Zenji that: “Coming and going/we never leave home.”

NEW REVIEW OF WIFE, JUST LET GO

Latest news on Wife, Just Let Go – a review by Bliss Bowen at the Argonaut Newsweekly, Los Angeles, CA 

CONNECTION THROUGH CREATIVITY

Posted by The Argonaut | Mar 28, 2018 | Arts & Events | 0  |     

“WIFE, JUST LET GO: ZEN, ALZHEIMER’S, AND LOVE” HOLDS LESSONS FOR US ALL

The main reason Alzheimer’s is such a merciless disease is because it eviscerates memory, thereby disabling not just everyday cognitive function (e.g., pull on your socks before your shoes) but also the intimate connective tissue of relationships. So it is doubly poignant to read in Diane Saltoon-Briggs’ book “Wife, Just Let Go: Zen, Alzheimer’s, and Love” that her late husband, Beat-inspired “Ruined Time” author Robert Briggs, retained not only his love of poetry but also his ability to reflect upon and celebrate aging — even as he “steadily lost the ability to converse.” It is one of several moving elements in her slim memoir recounting how she strived to be a living “memory bank”
for the intelligent, dignified man
who’d made her feel safe and beloved since their first meeting in San Francisco in 1977.

It’s a very personal book. The “Zen” in its subtitle references the meditation practice they’d shared for decades; scenes of meditation and tea ceremonies depict quiet respites from Alzheimer’s onslaught, and illuminate the quality of their life in artistic communities in California, Oregon and New York as much as Briggs’ poetry readings with his jazz trio. More than anything, Saltoon’s poems and recollections show how the couple relied on creativity to stay connected as the disease eroded Briggs’ mind and body. As many caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s can attest, that was a true achievement. “We never lost the ability to communicate emotionally,” Saltoon writes, adding, “the creative process in the brain, however limited by Alzheimer’s, remains accessible.”

Her heartfelt pieces bracket poems and prose written by Briggs throughout his life; in the three years before his death in 2015, his thoughts became more nonlinear yet retained surprising insights. The surreal “gifts” the disease grants include, to Saltoon, “Awareness, Acceptance and Appreciation”; to Briggs, the realization that “blue sky … seems bluer wherever I am.” Poetry and music, especially jazz, continued to stimulate him; this was a man who’d once declared, “Jazz is to music what poetry is to knowing.” When he could no longer write he still gripped a pen and paper like comforting emblems of identity. Toward the end, when clocks were incomprehensible puzzles to him, Saltoon notes one of his enduring lessons to her: “Time is of no consequence … It is just the moment that counts.”

— Bliss Bowen

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Diana Saltoon discusses “Wife, Just Let Go: Zen, Alzheimer’s, and Love” at Diesel Bookstore (225 26th St., Ste. 33, Santa Monica) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5. Free admission. Call (310) 576-9960 or visit