Search Results

What started as a quiet day expecting a subdued Thanksgiving 2020 because it would just be the three of us, turned into a “normal” family gathering, and then some. We had originally planned to cook our turkey dinner, but decided to support one of our favorite restaurants, Shiro, in South Pasadena where we used to live. Shiro is a lovely, intimate place that, like all restaurants today, has been struggling during the pandemic. When I called to say that I would like to place a Thanksgiving dinner order, the immediate response was, “Thank you so much!” Not having to cook, Louie spent time in the yard raking the leaves falling from the fruitless mulberry tree. I love the tree in fall when its big leaves turn a beautiful bright yellow. Jacqueline spent time at her art studio, and I had quiet time to update Quickbooks and print reports for our year-end (phone) appointment with our tax preparer next week. Our table was set with a mix of platters and take out containers. I heated the delicious pumpkin soup, which we sipped standing up as we hung out in the kitchen. Then, Louie “FaceTimed” his Aunt Magdalena (with whom we usually celebrate the holiday in San Clemente). “Great timing, she said, we are just starting dinner.” She knows Shiro well, so Louie showed her the soup, the catfish wrapped in foil and my juicy duck entrée gently warmed in a pan. When we finally sat down for dinner, Jacqueline cleverly propped Louie’s iPhone on top of the pumpkin on the dining table so that all of us could “eat together.” Louie gave a toast honoring Thanksgiving. Then chatter and laughter ensued with everyone speaking (or shouting) over each other as we told stories. Kudos to Magdalena and Jeff who cooked their entire meal, including a 16-lb turkey! Thankfully, she made a brine for the first time, which saved the day because she misunderstood the cooking time. When they both peered into the oven to check the turkey, the bird was blackened. Oops. But the meat was tender as could be. We called the turkey skin Covid armour – that Jeff demonstrated as he hit the table with a piece of it. Then Magdalena, with her skills in smartphone wizardry, transferred our FaceTime images to the TV screen on the wall. But then Jeff had to stand in front of the television to see us because the screen was not comfortably within view of his seat at their dining table. Then more family, Tony and Alycia, called in, and our group of five turned into seven. Dinner could not have been better planned. And what Thanksgiving is not complete without the dog throwing up. Poor Lola had lost her dinner on her bed under the dining table. As far as we knew, she didn’t eat anything unusual. But the chaotic and loud evening could have caused her some stress as she, too, tried to voice herself as she barked to get our attention that it was time for her regular evening snack. But hours before dark, dangerous Santa Ana winds had begun blowing. Our friend Teresa in the canyon sent us a Happy Thanksgiving text along with an alert from Southern California Edison forewarning Sierra Madre residents that the utility, in anticipation of possible fire hazards, may perform a forced power outage. Within a few hours, my neighbor Elsie from across the street called me frantically from her daughter’s home in the canyon. Just as they were cleaning up after their Thanksgiving dinner, the house across the street burst into flames and was destroyed within minutes. A short while before, Jacqueline and I grew worried as we smelled smoke while standing in the back patio and hearing blaring sirens from fire engines. It was that house burning. The cause: a burning candle on the second floor had been knocked over by the winds. Thankfully, no one was injured -- and the fire did not spread to neighboring homes in the tight canyon. But, tragically, a home was lost. Indeed, as the majority of us followed the mandate to stay home and celebrate with family units only, Thanksgiving this year will be remembered for a long time to come. And in the posthumous words of Alex Trebek, legendary host of “Jeopardy!”, who died this month after battling pancreatic cancer: “Keep the faith. We’re going to get through all of this, and we will be a better society because of it.” This is your country, and it’s up to you to save it.” – English translation of a saying in Taiwan Washing Hands + Wearing a Mask + Social Distancing = Saving Lives PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

With just one night in Athens before embarking on a road trip around northern Greece, my challenge was what to do with such little time. Take a bus tour of the capital or explore my surroundings on foot? After all, the best way to learn about a place is by poking around, meeting the locals, and getting lost. Thank goodness for my burly taxi driver who showed me the lay of the land, even though he spoke little English and I spoke no Greek. He pointed out city sights close to where I would be staying – the Acropolis, the Parliament House, the National Gardens, and Syntagma Square as I people-watched, awed by the dizzying number of motorcycles competing for space in snarled traffic. Turning onto an obscure narrow street, we stopped briefly in front of a long alleyway with shops and cafes. “Close…to…hotel!” my cabbie smiled. My room was not yet ready – an opportune time to begin my self-tour of the neighborhood. Alongside smartly-dressed business people and tourists, I bee-lined in the direction of the cafes to fuel up with something to eat and strong Greek coffee (also called Turkish coffee, but when in Greece, it’s Greek). I was in Plaka, the city’s oldest district built on top of ancient Athens on the slopes of the Acropolis also known as the “Neighborhood of the Gods.” The rocky outcrop rising above the city is home to the Parthenon built in honor of Athena, goddess of reason, who beat Poseidon, the moody god of the sea, in a contest to become the patron deity of the city. Athena’s offering of the olive tree was victorious over Poseidon’s undrinkable salty spring water (you go, girl). I used to think there was only one acropolis. There are many throughout Greece, but only the one in Athens is called “The Acropolis,” the country’s most famous landmark. And what I had thought was just another alleyway lined with vendors was no ordinary shopping lane. It was Adrianou Street, the city’s oldest commercial road dating back to the Roman Emperor Hadrian. It’s been in continuous use ever since and according to archeological excavations, its layout follows that of the original ancient street. The marbled pedestrian street turned out to be a remarkable maze of shops, taverns and cafes. An unexpected slice of history, this shopper’s haven has everything from souvenirs and t-shirts to high-quality jewelry, clothing, art, and furnishings made by local artists and designers. I enjoyed more warm Greek hospitality as shop keepers spent unrushed time showing me their wares and wrapping fragile purchases with such care. Farther down Adrianou Street, I stood in the middle of an “intersection” having to choose between cafes as proprietors welcomed me to dine at their establishments. How could I say no to the charmer who motioned for my cell phone so that he could snap my photo? A glorious cup of coffee and a picture-perfect Greek salad -- the country’s quintessential rustic meal made with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, and heavenly Feta cheese sprinkled with oregano – was all that I needed to recharge. Before heading to the new Acropolis Museum (a 10-minute walk away), I offloaded my Athens keepsakes at the hotel, picked up a city map, and was back pounding the marbled pavement (marble is everywhere). Within minutes I was stopped in my tracks at the sight of a monumental arch two stories high hovering over fast-moving traffic. It was the Arch of Hadrian, or Hadrian’s Gate, that once spanned an ancient road leading to the Temple of Zeus, God of all gods. Made of marble, it was erected circa 132 AD marking the boundary between the ancient city and new Athens celebrating the arrival of the Roman emperor who loved all things Greek. Known as the peaceful ruler, Hadrian advanced culture and literature in Athens and was the architect of the city’s rebuilding, including Hadrian’s Library designed in the style of the Roman Forum. Located at the opposite end of Adrianou Street, it was not a lending library, but a venue for study, lectures, intellectual exchange, and was the official repository for state documents. If I could go back in time to sit in on a philosophical discourse. In my haste, I almost missed the sign pointing in the direction of the Acropolis Museum (designed by New York-based architect Bernard Tschumi) that opened in June 2009 at the foot of the ancient citadel and 1,000 feet from the Parthenon. It replaced the original museum built on the Acropolis in 1874 that had become too small to house the over 4,000 artefacts found during numerous excavations conducted around the Acropolis. It closed its doors in 2007. The raised foundation of the new high-tech archaeological museum’s 26,900 square feet is supported by 100 pillars above a protected ancient site discovered during ground breaking. Excavations had uncovered two layers of housing and workshops dating back to the Byzantine period (330-1453 AD) and the Classical period (1775-1825). Walking on glass floors both outside and inside the museum, I delighted in viewing the breadth of the extensive ruins underneath my feet. Inside, floor-to-ceiling glass walls let natural sunlight pour through. A minimalist look throughout the museum draws all attention to the antiquities on exhibit and on the first floor the rising slope of a wide hall was designed to give guests the feel of ascending the acropolis. And in the Parthenon Gallery on the top floor, the Parthenon is in full view. A principal motivation for building the new Acropolis Museum has been for the eventual return of the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, from Great Britain. In 1799 Lord Elgin, Great Britain’s ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, sought “permission” to move half of the Parthenon’s statues to England that were later sold to the British Government and have been on display at the British Museum ever since. The reason for not returning the precious relics to Greece, it has been claimed, was that the museum on the acropolis was too small to properly house them. That is not the case now. Greece may soon see reunification of the marbles. In July 2016, a bi-partisan bill was introduced in the British Parliament to invalidate that improper acquisition over 200 years ago -- and to return the marbles to their rightful home. The hours were passing quickly, yet there was so much more to experience – lively squares, flea markets, endless museums, great restaurants, and more people-watching. Hustling back to the hotel, I recalled what a staff member had told me that morning. “You must be sure to see the beautiful view of the Acropolis from the restaurant terrace…before sundown!” Perhaps, on my return to Athens, I’ll pick up where I left off. IF YOU GO: For more information about Athens and Greece, visit www.visitgreece.gr My Accommodation: New Hotel, a remake of the former Olympic Palace Hotel that first opened in 1958. The 79-room boutique in “The Plaka” pays tribute to the spirit of Plaka, the oldest district in Athens. https://www.yeshotels.gr/newhotel/ Published version: https://www.creators.com/read/travel-and-adventure/04/17/a-flash-acquaintance-with-plaka-the-heart-of-athens PHOTO GALLERIES Gallery 1 (6 images) Gallery 2 (4 images)

I’m a firm believer in refresher courses. Like the salsa lessons Jacqueline had given to Louie and me as a Christmas gift years ago. It took us forever to start the lessons because we were so busy at the office. When we finally donned our dancing shoes, we had a ball. But, too busy to practice, we had to re-enroll in Salsa “101” – three times. Fortunately, this caused no dire consequences. Sadly, it’s not the same with Covid-19. Too many people have ignored the key steps necessary to make a difference in the fight to control the virus. We all know the routine – wear face masks, social distance, wash hands. But without 100% participation, containing the spread can’t happen. Until vaccines are widely available, we have only a small window to get this dance right. Thankfully, I found a refresher article containing updates on protecting one another from spreading the virus, especially as winter’s colder weather will keep us indoors and in closer physical contact. The refresher’s topics are worth a read with the latest. From stressing less about disinfecting packages and being prepared to checking symptoms and getting tested to wearing masks properly, washing hands, using hand sanitizers, and reducing risks. Stay safe this Thanksgiving by staying close to home. We can do this. No – We. Must. Do. This. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/22/health/coronavirus-how-to-protect-yourself-wellness/index.html This is your country, and it’s up to you to save it.” – English translation of a saying in Taiwan Washing Hands + Wearing a Mask + Social Distancing = Saving Lives PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

Yes, Max, it really is a wonderful world! Our friend Torsten and his pre-teen son, Max, had just returned from a visit to Mexico. The other night as we sat for dinner, Louie opened a text he received from Torsten. It was a video of Max singing Louie Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” -- on a boat in the middle of the sea. It’s one of my favorite songs. Without inhibition, Max (also fluent in Spanish) sang with all his heart. Touched to no end, my eyes filled with tears. Thank you, Max, for making our dinner so much more special. “What a Wonderful World” Lyrics: I see trees of green Red roses too I see them bloom For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful world I see skies of blue And clouds of white The bright blessed day The dark sacred night And I think to myself What a wonderful world The colors of the rainbow So pretty in the sky Are also on the faces Of people going by I see friends shaking hands Saying, “How do you do” They’re really saying “I love you” I hear babies cry I watch them grow They’ll learn much more Than I’ll never know And I think to myself What a wonderful world Yes, I think to myself What a wonderful world Oh yeah PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

I wish to share with my at-large readership my November monthly letter sent to subscribers. We are in extraordinary times and next week will be our first Thanksgiving holiday during Covid. With my warmest wishes, Athena Happy Holidays, Everyone! I hope my note finds you well and in the best spirits that you can possibly be. We are in this together, are we not? Indeed, this Pandemic Holiday Season is a first. Twenty twenty-one, though, is on track to be our breakthrough year with vaccines. But before we can get there, keep holiday gatherings to a minimum, starting with Thanksgiving next week. Keep the masks on, too. Because sadly, the country is back to Square A with new cases now surpassing numbers at the beginning of the crisis. Like hanging garlic on doors repels blood-sucking vampires (for real, according to Eastern European lore), wearing masks, social distancing, and washing hands can stop Covid-19’s quick and deadly spread. My heart goes out each day to our heroic medical personnel and essential workers who haven’t stopped for a minute to provide needed services and to save lives stricken by the virus, including those who still don’t believe Covid is real. Even as they lie helpless in hospital beds, some can’t let go of their anger and ask nurses and doctors why they are wearing all that protective gear. When a healthy 28-year old ER doctor fell severely ill with the virus, people called him a hoax. If they could just put a cap on that anger, take a deep breath, and appreciate the sacrifices these Angels are making. Thanksgiving’s arrival cannot be at a better time. Whether making turkey dinner from scratch, or bringing home a take-out Thanksgiving meal, let’s all grasp hands for a virtual kumbaya moment. Be well, Everyone, be grateful every day, and Happy Thanksgiving! Athena “This is your country, and it’s up to you to save it.” – English translation of a saying in Taiwan Washing Hands + Wearing a Mask + Social Distancing = Saving Lives PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

Crisp fall weather was spectacular this morning. While Lola took care of business outside, I was completely distracted as the sun cast its brilliant rays on the garden, including succulents and pokey cacti on which dry mulberry leaves had landed. When I made my way inside to make coffee, I looked out the kitchen window to see a completely different weather scene. In minutes, clouds and fog rolled over the town lending a sudden darkness. I ran outside to capture the moment. PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

World Kindness Day passed me by. It was last Friday, the 13th. Hmm. With all the unnecessary and unproductive vitriol that has managed to creep into our days, I think more and more about how my parents, especially Mom, raised my siblings and me to maintain a positive outlook on life because it gets us through difficult times. We used our imaginations to keep our minds busy and creative. Mom practiced kindness. Not that she let anyone bulldoze over her. She saved that energy for moments she needed to stand her ground – and even then, she managed to do it with grace. On weekend mornings she put on the record player and blasted music of all genres – classical, country and instrumentals -- to get us to rise early. Enter Dolly Parton, an American songwriter, singer, country music icon, and humanitarian, among other lofty titles. She, too, is tired of the negativity in our country today. “I think we’ve just become so divided, ‘cause people just seem to love to hate. You know?” she voiced on the “Today” show. This inspired Dolly to cut her first album in 30 years, titled “Holly Dolly Christmas.” We need to carry that Christmas spirit of peace on Earth and loving one another, said Dolly. We need to carry that into the new year. She wrote some original pieces and created new takes on old classics. I listened to “Christmas Is,” her beautiful duet with Miley Cyrus. You don’t have to believe in Christmas to feel the simple meanings of kindness and caring. The season is about the haves and have-nots because you can be either one. It’s time to spread some Kindness. A little goes a long way. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/13/health/world-kindness-day-acts-wellness/index.html?utm_term=1605266349074401cb37c3605&ut PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

With the time change, it’s wonderful to catch the morning sunrise. Lola thought so, too, when she decided to stay outside a while longer to lie down on the grass facing east with her head held high like a sphinx. So, I went back into the house to start my coffee. Standing in the mudroom and pouring bottled water into the percolator, I stared out the window and took in the sun’s light slowly rising above the trees’ silhouette. It was 6:01 a.m. I couldn’t help recalling my days working in downtown Los Angeles when I commuted by bus and realized how lucky I was to see spectacular sunrises each morning. More than ever, I realize the need to establish calm in our days as we shelter and work from home. So, yesterday I proclaimed the adoption of “fika” each afternoon. Basically, it’s a coffee break. But “fika,” a cultural tradition of the Swedish people, means much more. It’s a time to relax with co-workers, friends, and family -- that involves stopping work or whatever you may be doing to sit down with a coffee or tea and, traditionally, a sweet pastry (preferably homemade), and to engage in meaningful conversation. Every day. Fika is an institution at just about every workplace in Sweden and an added benefit for employers is improved productivity. Like cheese fondue is a dish meant to enjoy with others, fika is not a solo endeavor. I normally make coffee for Louie and me each afternoon. And I normally deliver his small cup to his desk with a chocolate on a napkin. Then, I normally take mine to my office to continue working. But yesterday I set both cups on the dining table along with cinnamon chip scones I had made the other day. “Today we start fika,” I announced as Louie sat on the couch pecking away on his computer keyboard. “Oh…okay,” he replied as he got up eager to hear my explanation. Louie knew about fika, thanks to our wonderful Swedish neighbors who used to live across the street from us. Every now and then, Linda or Henrik would call on a whim, usually late afternoon. Without explanation, they asked, “Would you like to come over for fika?” Even though we really never knew what “fika” meant at the time, we innately accepted the invitation and walked on over. We sat at their cozy kitchen table as they made strong coffee and brought out a freshly baked snack. Linda baked beautiful, sweet creations. And Henrik’s gift was baking bread. “I miss ‘The Swedes’,” Louie said. “I know, I do, too.” https://hejsweden.com/en/have-coffee-breaks-called-fika-swedish/ “This is your country, and it’s up to you to save it.” – English translation of a saying in Taiwan Washing Hands + Wearing a Mask + Social Distancing = Saving Lives PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

Well, ‘tis the season to be extra cautious. We are around the corner from a serious resurge of Covid-19 and we best be prepared. The midwestern part of the country is already in the thick of it. Most of us know the routine – wear masks, social distance, and wash hands often. For those who have ignored the routine, it’s time to get on board. We had spring and summer to get it right. That failed. But unlike the warm seasons that allowed us to be outdoors, fall and winter’s cold weather will keep us inside – and put everyone through the toughest test. We really ought to learn from Asian countries who continue to maintain low numbers. That’s because they have learned how to deal with pandemics thanks to past experience. Masks work. And diligence matters. I read an article this morning by a journalist who did 14-day quarantines in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. Her experience with mandatory quarantines, contact tracing, and rigid international travel restrictions shed light on why “Asia has largely managed to suppress the virus…” https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/selina-wang-asia-covid-quarantine-intl-hnk/index.html I also realized that even though I have embraced CDC guidelines since the beginning, it never hurts to refresh our knowledge so that we can each play our part better to make this collective effort work. After all, since last March, studies have uncovered better and smarter ways to manage the virus, including the most effective masks. In short, gators and bandanas are the least effective and should only be used as a last resort. Tightly woven 100% cotton masks work really well -- two-ply masks are good, three-ply is even better. The correct way to wear your mask: It must go over the bridge of your nose and below the chin. It must rest along your skin. Silk is also an effective fabric because it “may help to repel moist droplets, and reduce fabric wetting and thus maintain breathability and comfort.” A most important rule in mask etiquette: Don’t wear it below your nose for goodness sake! You need to cover both your mouth and nose. Droplets from the nose are smaller and can float in the air longer. Also, a nasty germ-spreading sneeze can travel more than 26 feet – that’s longer than the height of a giraffe! Gross. And always, always carry hand sanitizer. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/health/cdc-face-mask-guidelines-wellness/index.html Strict disinfecting practices are also the norm but has impacted the supply of disinfecting products like wipes, sanitizers, and sprays (not to mention toilet paper and paper towels). It was of great help to “re-learn” the things that we mustn’t forget: Like the difference between cleaning (clearing away dirt) and disinfecting (removing germs); wearing disposable gloves for the right reason and disposing of them the right way; ways to make your own bleach solution; accepting delivered packages; handling carryout food; laundering; and setting up a sick area in your home. https://blog.cheapism.com/how-disinfect-without-harming-your-stuff-or-yourself/#slide=19 There is still a window to get this right. But it’s getting smaller. “This is your country, and it’s up to you to save it.” – English translation of a saying in Taiwan Washing Hands + Wearing a Mask + Social Distancing = Saving Lives PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

Yesterday was poetry in America. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris spoke to all Americans. People cried. I cried. People who don’t cry cried. And Van Jones cried. Church bells tolled in cities around the world, including Paris. By chance, I found in my notebook something I had jotted down during the summer. I don’t remember where I heard it, where I read it, or whether I wrote it myself: “Love builds on the good hearts we are born with. Sadly, hate is learned.” Biden reminded Americans, “We may be opponents, but we are not enemies.” Biden will tackle Covid-19 and heal our Nation. His promise: “I will work as hard for those who didn’t vote for me – as those who did.” JOE BIDEN’S SPEECH: KAMALA HARRIS’ SPEECH: VAN JONES: PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

On a walk around town, Louie and I saw our friends, Joe and Teresa, and enjoyed catching up with them. They told us that their son living in Taiwan is a radio host on Taiwan Talk, a new segment on ICRT (International Community Radio Taipei, Taiwan’s only English radio station), that covers life in Taiwan – arts and culture, politics, and finance, as well as in-depth interviews. I couldn’t wait to tune into one of Trevor Tortomasi’s interviews. Like his mother, a retired high school Spanish teacher (she also speaks French and Chinese), Trevor has the gift of language and is fluent in Chinese. Well, the show I tuned in on was about insects, that is, entomology, a branch of zoology. Trevor was interviewing Professor Matan Shelomi who teaches the subject at National Taiwan University. Joe had told me that the interview was about 40 minutes. I can’t remember the last time I sat in on a talk about insects, I thought. “Insects are the dominant animal life form on the planet,” Prof. Shelomi started off in the first 45 seconds. That got my attention. “Insects eat about one-third of the world’s crops – in the field or after the harvest -- and we’re trying to get that number down…” In other words, pest management. I was unexpectedly captivated by the animated conversation between Trevor and Professor Shelomi. The minutes flew by. Trevor’s curiosity and Professor Shelomi’s terrific way of drawing in a layperson like me turned a potentially academic talk into something fascinating, fast-moving, and eye-opening. Then… Professor Shelomi mentioned how much he enjoys working in Taiwan, especially because it’s “Covid-free.” Whaaat? That also caught my attention. In short, having learned lessons from the SARS scare of 2003, the leadership took control of the Covid-19 pandemic from the beginning. Learn from experience, right? Even though Taiwan, a country of 24 million citizens, is geographically close to China, it had only 451 cases and seven deaths as of last July. Their strategy included strict quarantining, wide availability of masks, and contact tracing. Individuals returning from travels must quarantine for two weeks in a hotel and meals are delivered to the room. A government representative regularly checks in and thanks the individual for playing her or his part in not spreading the virus. At the end of two weeks, so long as the individual tests negative, that person is free to go about daily life (and masks are mandated on subway trains). There’s a saying in Taiwan: “This is your country, and it’s up to you to save it.” Taiwan has been successful because every citizen takes the pandemic seriously -- by playing his and her part willingly. It’s no wonder Taiwan’s Covid-19 numbers are so darned low. It’s never too late to learn, is it? https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/15/how-taiwan-beat-the-coronavirus.html PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

The other day Chef Louie was in the mood to make cocido – Mexican Beef Stew – or the Mexican version of chicken soup. A perfect fall meal. Lucky Jacqueline and me! Louie bought vegetables – cabbage, carrots, corn, celery, squash, onions, and Yukon potatoes. But before adding them to the three packages of beef shanks he had bought earlier in the week, he cooked and tenderized the meat in a steamer for two hours seasoned with bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Then he went into his zone and happily started chopping all the veggies that he cooked in a separate pot of seasoned water. Finally, he added the tasty tender meat to the fragrant vegetable soup. Throughout the afternoon, we kept sipping the broth until the taste was perfect. Then Louie pulled a small bone from the juicy soup, scooped out the slightly sweet and spongy marrow from the center of the bone and we indulged in a tasting. Bone marrow, a tissue, is nutritious because it’s rich with stem cells that become red blood cells and white blood cells tasked with the job of transporting oxygen throughout the body, strengthening immunity, and aiding with blood clotting. I will never forget when we spent a long weekend in California’s wine country with Louie’s aunt and uncle. As we enjoyed bone marrow appetizer spread on slices of a French baguette, Louie’s aunt chuckled and said, “Hey, Louie, remember how we used to eat bone marrow growing up because we couldn’t afford meat? Now it’s a delicacy.” The moral of this story? Comfort food always wins. And I will forever remember the words of Louie’s chef father when the two would cook together at their family restaurant: “Son, when you cook, you have to be happy…” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-marrow#what-it-is Washing Hands + Wearing a Mask + Social Distancing = Saving Lives PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

3:45 a.m. Louie was up late watching the presidential election returns. He told me that our current president just declared himself the winner. Even though the vote count isn’t finished. That’s a first for America. With that news, it was difficult to fall asleep again. So, I decided to stay up to enjoy the absolute silence in the house and write. I couldn’t wait to make a hot cup of pumpkin spiced coffee. When I looked at the beautiful roses on the dining table, I felt even better. Last night Jacqueline had gone to the grocery store and brought back the fresh bunch of colorful flowers! 5:07 a.m. The other day, I couldn’t wait to open my package from Metria Design. Can’t say we’ve ever owned mask chains before – that is, stylish pandemic-inspired glass-beaded chains, created to attach to face masks that have become a regular part of our daily attire to aid in avoiding spread of the aggressive novel coronavirus. The subtle yet eye-catching look of the chains reminded me of the beautiful eyeglass chain that I had purchased at an eyewear shop during a visit to Geneva, Switzerland, in the early 90s. It was a simple design with tiny round coffee-colored beads. I attached the eyeglass holder (or rubber loop) on each end of the chain to each temple (arm) of my sunglasses. So, whenever I would remove my glasses, they would just hang on the chain and I would never lose them. Ironically, many years later, I managed to misplace the chain and never found it. Was I brokenhearted? Yes, because I could not find something similar again. Eyeglass chains are hard to come by and those that I could find were either too gaudy or they were designed for athletic use and made with bulky fabric. Designer Rebeca Pacas brilliantly makes the chains so that they can also be used as a necklace, a bracelet – and, of course, an eyeglass chain. For use as a mask chain, (removable) rubber loops wrap around the mask’s elastic ear loop and are held together with the chain’s clasp. A most special collection caught my eye -- chains designed with messages in Morse Code that celebrate diversity and individualism: We Are In This Together, BLM, Love Is Love, and (Louie’s favorite) Good Trouble. The chain-making process involves careful encoding to determine the message length. Then the beads are counted to create a three-to-four symmetrical pattern, a time-consuming task because not all beads are equal in size, color, or texture. Suffice it to say, each chain is an original work of art. Covid-19 will be hanging around for some time to come and most Americans have accepted this reality. It’s apparent as face masks are now the new fashion item and people are having fun with beautiful and whimsical mask designs. Ms. Pacas’ mask chains are just what we need for our new lifestyle. When dining out, for example, they will make it easier to eat, drink, and quickly retrieve. And the chains will keep us from placing our masks on tables or stuffing them into handbags and pockets. Just don’t lose your chain. www.MetriaDesign.com Washing Hands + Wearing a Mask + Social Distancing = Saving Lives PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

It’s Election Day Eve. For those who haven’t yet cast a ballot, run, don’t walk, to your nearest polling place to exercise this most sacred right. And yesterday, when my neighbor, Elsie, Louie, and I ventured out for a Sunday morning walk, we got last glimpses of the best of Halloween 2020 displays before they will be packed away once more. This year, like early voters, skeletons were out in “droves.” Then, Louie ran into a few long-lost friends. Washing Hands + Wearing a Mask + Social Distancing = Saving Lives PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY

Happy Halloween! On my way home from running errands yesterday, I drove by a house and did a double-take when I saw skeletons seated at a dinner table complete with candelabras, goblets, and elixir. What a cool Halloween vignette! I made a U-turn so that I could take a photograph. The friendly owner was standing outside. “I love your Halloween display. May I take a photo?” Of course, she replied. This isn’t even half of what I normally do! “Really?” I began to feel a bit guilty because the most I do at my house is put out pumpkins – the regular round orange ones as well as artisan pumpkins with their odd shapes, textures, and beautiful coloring. Placed on tables and on my front porch, they wake up the large yard with the mood of fall and warm autumn colors. The irony of Covid times. The necessity of wearing masks, keeping our distance from one another, keeping our hands clean, and staying close to home as much as possible, has managed to bring humankind even closer to each other -- metaphorically, not literally. Without the need to say a whole lot, we share the uncertainty of the coronavirus and its impact on our daily lives. While, sadly, deniers in our midst contribute to prolonged and rapid spread of Covid-19. But if the breadth of Halloween creativity this year is a measuring stick, including an owner who put out Halloween toys and games for kids on her front yard, I like what I see. “Because there is no trick-or-treating this year,” the owner said to me, “…I’d like children to have fun in another way.” Indeed, the dire challenges of Covid have brought out the best in so many of us that in turn, inspires others. People are saying now that our lives in the time of Covid will never be the same. I see the truth in that. But that won’t stop me from always seeing the glass half full. One way or another, there will be life after – or with -- Covid. Washing Hands + Wearing a Mask + Social Distancing = Saving Lives PREVIOUS ENTRY NEXT ENTRY