Kidney Transplant Successful...AMEN!

Kidney Transplant Successful...AMEN!

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Chinese Squat Toilets

Have you ever heard of a squat toilet? I just thought that if you were thinking of traveling to China and wanted to see some "non-tour guide" stuff, you might need to be warned that you will always need to carry your own toilet paper. Freeing yourself of the "tour guide" could be a lot of fun I think. In downtown Shanghai, for example, landmarks are easy to spot. The river is in the east so heading that way from the Portman Hotel for example will take you directly to the river. If you follow the street that runs directly in front of the hotel and turning left should take you directly to the river. But get map or find a way to get you bearings and then go for a big long walk.

As for the toilet paper, they sell it in China in little packets that look like our tissue. Carry several of these in your purse along with a business card of the hotel where you are staying. The toilet paper will be necessary when you need to use a bathroom because the toilets are holes in the floor with water running down a trough. You will need to squat to relieve yourself and there will not be any toilet paper so keep your purse handy.

The Squat Toilets on the river front are pay as you go...a coin is deposited in the slot, a door will open, you will enter. When you are finished you will see a green button that will open the door. (I paniced a little when I realized I had not checked out the exit stategy before stepping into the space and the door closed behind me automatically.)

Now you can walk about freely, eat in restaurants or a booth on the street. Just make sure everything you eat is very hot. Take a camera so you can snap lots of pictures (squat toilets included). When you need to go back to the hotel hail a taxi, hand the driver the business card and be prepared to pay him in RMB adding a small tip.

I just thought you might want to know.

b

Snow Birds Behaving Badly

I think I need to tell you a little about myself....so you won't think I am a young person writing about what, how and when retired people do things. I am 67 (68 in November) years old and have been retired since I was 55. I have traveled across the United States and lived in an RV for month at a time. For the last three years I have lived 6 or so months out of the year in a RV Resort in Tucson, AZ. When it comes to Snowbirds and aging, I know what I am talking about.

So why do I need to tell you this...well here is the deal. It has to do with how we older people behave ourselves. I am beginning to think that older people do a lot of things they do because younger people give them permission. In yesterday's post I wrote about regulations for Snowbirds and today I just needed give you a little follow up. A few years ago someone wrote a poem call "Warning" and it went like this:

WARNING!

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other peoples' gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickles for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

by Jenny Joseph

People took this woman's advice to heart. It gave them license to behave badly. After all they are old therefore they have earned the privilege. Right? Well the answer has to be no...you cannot behave badly or break laws or put other people in danger or "swear in the streets" or do any of the other things that you might think you can get away with because you are old. First of all, yesterday's old is today's middle age. Secondly, there are getting to be a huge number of old people so we need to remain civilized as long as possible. Thirdly, the laws apply to old people too. You really should not drive if you need oxygen to stay alive or cross three lanes of traffic at one gulp. But most importantly, acting as though we have license to behave badly just makes you and everyone else miserable.

I am always so interested that people feel sorry for old people. I have taken it as my personal mission to let people know that you do not need to feel sorry for old people. We do not need it. We want your respect. We want you to value our opinions and use our experience. We want you to need our help and guidance. When we are ill we need your love and support. But your pity? No thank you.

I think I am done. Give it some thought.

b

Mayo Clinic and the Piano (You Tube)

If I didn't have a mirror
I would not know that I was getting old.
But I would know I was having fun...
I don't need a mirror for that.

b

Willamette Valley, Oregon Wineries and More!

Architecture, Cunea Winery

Stag Hollow vista.

Stag Hollow owner, Mark Huff

Stag Hollow Vista

This part of the world is very, very green. The views from a high point in the valley will take your breath away. Verdant fields, blooming clover and grape vines line every road. The wine tasting tours are only surpassed by what you might find in the Sonoma/Napa Valley area in California...and then not by much. Bed and breakfasts with romantic names like Brookside Inn on Abbey Road‎ are readily available. It is the perfect escape from the realities of this world.

Map of Bed and Breakfasts located near Carlton, Oregon

We have just passed the Memorial Day holiday and it is gorgeous, sunny and warm. The temperatures have been in the 70's since last Thursday. Rose Festival has just started in Portland and visitors from around the state and nation will come to this area for a beautiful holiday. It can rain but this area is beautiful because of the rain.

I want you to late a look at the pictures I took on Sunday when my husband and I wandered down the road toward Carlton, Oregon. We ate lunch at the Cunea winery (Cana's Feast) and visited Stags Hollow Wines and Vineyards a little later. It was one of those days when I could have been tempted to buy real estate. Then again I already have a beautiful condo, live here 6 month of the year and love every minute of my time spent in my home state. I own a rain coat, sweater sets and warm slacks. In my own personal view it is perfect...even in the rain.

Come on over and see us sometime! =)

Cunea Winery/Cana's Feast couryard seating

Stag Hollow Vineyard

The Willamette Valley

Santa Fe, New Mexico...bringing the flavors home! Corn Bread

Food while traveling can be a problem for many older people. Grown accustomed to home cooking consisting of meat and potatoes they find that exotic spices and textures just don't go down even when they try. It really is too bad that they can't do the food thing!

But for those of you that enjoy a new taste, don't mind an exotic spice once in a while and love to travel, I am telling you that there is a world of wonderful food for the taking. Even in the United States, various regions have a distinct food preference. For example, the southwest is influenced greatly by it's closeness to Mexico. But even there you will find Sonoran style food, Texmex food and that food made in the pueblos in New Mexico. That is where I found the food I truly loved. I can't even tell you what it was about it but WOW is it good.

In New Mexico red and green chili peppers are found on almost every dish. You have a choice, or if you are adventurous, you can choose the Christmas variety using both. Hot is a good thing but this food is not about temperature...it is about flavor.

Tonight my husband and I are back in Oregon. But we had a wonderful dinner reminiscent of that wonderful week we spent in Santa Fe. Corn bread with green chilies and cheese added were the side dish for barbecued pork ribs. Yum! Yum!

I found the recipe for the corn bread on Cooks.com by putting New Mexico corn bread in the google search. (The recipe is #5 on the list) I chose the one made with yogurt. I used chopped green chilies from a can but fresh jalapenos would work too. The lovely thing about the recipe is that it is very forgiving. By using the canned green chilies that are more moist than the fresh peppers, I has to increase the cooking time. I think you will love it. Give it a try.

MEXICAN CORN BREAD

3 lg. eggs, beaten 1 c. plain yogurt 8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded and divided 2 tbsp. jalapeno chilies, chopped or chili peppers 1/2 med. onion, chopped In small bowl, stir together eggs, yogurt, 1/2 of cheese, chilies and onion; set aside. In large bowl, mix dry ingredients with fork. Cut in butter with pastry blender. 1 c. unbleached all-purpose flour 2/3 c. yellow cornmeal 2 tbsp. sugar 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 3/4 tsp. salt 4 tbsp. unsalted butter Pour egg mixture over flour mixture and stir until just blended. Turn batter in greased shallow 2 quart oven-proof dish. Spread batter level and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake about 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown and when toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Serve hot or warm.

The Poppies Are in Bloom...a reminder!

The Poppies Are in Bloom...a reminder!

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