The Daily Breeze is a regular fount of information. Regular columns include "Ask Dr. Roach" a dubious choice for a doctor's name somehow, but … this morning he carried forth about the efficacy of ingesting sour cherries - whole, juice, dried, whatever, to alleviate gout symptoms. Apparently sour cherries have a lot of magnesium. And that is a good thing re gout. Don't ask me.
The other day he proposed putting a fresh bar of soap under the bottom sheet of the bed to halt nighttime leg cramps. This didn't make much sense to me - rolling around on a bar of soap all night? So I moistened a bar and rubbed it on my calves. Tonight is #3 for this treatment and so far, so good.
Heloise had a contributor who wrote that after handling a restaurant menu, she immediately goes to the bathroom and washes her hands. I carry a little bottle of hand sterilizer and pass it around the table when we've finished with menus. This was my own idea some years ago because while everything else on the able gets cleaned, no one seems to think of swabbing down a menu. Even "Raffish" MD didn't know that one! I love the (very) rare chances I've had to teach him, a medical doctor! something. Another example - stick your nose in a cup of coffee and inhale. Steam clears the sinuses which is a good thing. He was amazed. Equally so at "milking" the sinuses - run your thumb forcefully along under the brow bone from nose to cheek.
This same menu lady also said she carries her own pen and never uses the pen attached to the clipboard for questionnaires.
O/T it's medical but it won't cure anything. Medicare demands patients fill out a questionnaire re family history, your current medical status, any changes since last year and so forth. Frankly I think cause of parent's death year in and year out is more than a little redundant myself, but …
The appointment to go over this with your doctor will take 45 minutes. I find this excessive. So I wrote my GP as follows:
"I did the survey for the annual Medicare thing. I was told it takes 45 minutes going over it. This might take eight minutes from to start to finish, so I propose we do that and then go out for a beer. We'd have time."
He replied, (somewhat icily, I thought) "I will also address your other medical issues during the clinic visit."
Humorless bastard. I would have treated, too.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Monday, July 30, 2018
If You Can't Get There, Cook Hawaiian!
Avoid the hassle of actually flying to Hawaii, let alone the cost. You can fake it right here at home. An excellent cookbook is Honolulu Cooking by Betty Evans. Not only are there relatively easy dishes to make, the book is illustrated by her husband Gordon's clever sketches of everyday life there. Betty died of liver cancer; Gordon lingered on for a couple of years and happily joined her in God's Kitchen. They married out of high school and were in their 80s at their deaths.
They were a wonderful couple, full of intelligence, talent and wit. They had a great looong backyard that at the back held a shed with his kiln (a sculpture of talent) and closer to the house, a grape arbor with a table and chairs underneath for al fresco dining. I think back wistfully on some great times underneath it.
This was a surprise as I had thought that papaya was only eaten fresh.
BAKED GINGER PAPAYA
2 firm ripe papayas
4 T butter
2 T fresh lime or orange juice
1 T freshly-grated ginger
Sprinkle of cayenne (optional)
Cut the papayas in half, remove seeds. Melt the butter, add the lime or orange juice and ginger and fill up the "holes" in the papaya with it. Bake at 300 for 20 minutes, sprinkle the cayenne on and serve.
PINEAPPLE PAPAYA SALSA (WebMD.com)
3/4 cup chopped papaya
3/4 cup chopped fresh pineapple
1/2 cup chopped jicama (for crunch)
3 T chopped red onion
1 de-seeded chopped jalapeno
1 minced garlic cloves
2 teas. lime zest
2 teas. lime juice
1 T chopped cilantro
WebMD points out that half of a small papaya provides 150% of one's daily vitamin C requirement and they are also very good sources of vitamin A, folate, fiber and potassium.
At the start of every summer, we've learned to wait patiently for the melons to come in. Charlie's, a NY Joint, introduced us to prosciutto-wrapped melon slices with EVOO and sea salt as an appetizer.
So here's a new and interesting variation on a theme - prosciutto-wrapped papaya with a sprinkle of black pepper.
They were a wonderful couple, full of intelligence, talent and wit. They had a great looong backyard that at the back held a shed with his kiln (a sculpture of talent) and closer to the house, a grape arbor with a table and chairs underneath for al fresco dining. I think back wistfully on some great times underneath it.
This was a surprise as I had thought that papaya was only eaten fresh.
BAKED GINGER PAPAYA
2 firm ripe papayas
4 T butter
2 T fresh lime or orange juice
1 T freshly-grated ginger
Sprinkle of cayenne (optional)
Cut the papayas in half, remove seeds. Melt the butter, add the lime or orange juice and ginger and fill up the "holes" in the papaya with it. Bake at 300 for 20 minutes, sprinkle the cayenne on and serve.
PINEAPPLE PAPAYA SALSA (WebMD.com)
3/4 cup chopped papaya
3/4 cup chopped fresh pineapple
1/2 cup chopped jicama (for crunch)
3 T chopped red onion
1 de-seeded chopped jalapeno
1 minced garlic cloves
2 teas. lime zest
2 teas. lime juice
1 T chopped cilantro
WebMD points out that half of a small papaya provides 150% of one's daily vitamin C requirement and they are also very good sources of vitamin A, folate, fiber and potassium.
At the start of every summer, we've learned to wait patiently for the melons to come in. Charlie's, a NY Joint, introduced us to prosciutto-wrapped melon slices with EVOO and sea salt as an appetizer.
So here's a new and interesting variation on a theme - prosciutto-wrapped papaya with a sprinkle of black pepper.
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Cranky About Word Usage
There are a couple of phrases that I wince at every time I hear them.
"Born and Bred" Um, according to Mother Nature, your parents had to breed and then you were born.
"We're pregnant!" hetero couple. The man is not pregnant. His wife is pregnant. They are happy to be having a baby. "We're having a baby!" is just as joyful and won't make Miss Manners, Jr.'s eyes roll. The only couple who can yell, "We're pregnant!" would be a lesbian couple, inseminated at the same time and both resulted in pregnancies.
Adjacent to these baby thoughts, ponder something called "a push present" which seems to be an extremely expensive gift from husband to wife on the occasion of the birth of their child. It seems to have been started by celebrities engaging in a competition to give The Most Lavish Present - aapphire and diamond necklace, new Rolls Royce... Interestingly, 30,000 pregnant women were asked if they wanted a push present. Thirty-eight per cent actually got one; 55 per cent wanted one and 40 per cent of both groups said the baby was present enough. Heroines, dammit! Respect them!
And I've been wrong about this - "Lock and load." Frankly this never made any kind of sense because even if you have only a cursory knowledge of guns, one would presumably insert the bullets (load) and then lock the mechanism that keeps them in there until being used..
No, I was wrong. Lock and load refers to refilling an M1 Garand rifle. The bolt must be pulled back and locked into place so that a new clip can be inserted to complete a re-load.
Live and learn.
"Born and Bred" Um, according to Mother Nature, your parents had to breed and then you were born.
"We're pregnant!" hetero couple. The man is not pregnant. His wife is pregnant. They are happy to be having a baby. "We're having a baby!" is just as joyful and won't make Miss Manners, Jr.'s eyes roll. The only couple who can yell, "We're pregnant!" would be a lesbian couple, inseminated at the same time and both resulted in pregnancies.
Adjacent to these baby thoughts, ponder something called "a push present" which seems to be an extremely expensive gift from husband to wife on the occasion of the birth of their child. It seems to have been started by celebrities engaging in a competition to give The Most Lavish Present - aapphire and diamond necklace, new Rolls Royce... Interestingly, 30,000 pregnant women were asked if they wanted a push present. Thirty-eight per cent actually got one; 55 per cent wanted one and 40 per cent of both groups said the baby was present enough. Heroines, dammit! Respect them!
And I've been wrong about this - "Lock and load." Frankly this never made any kind of sense because even if you have only a cursory knowledge of guns, one would presumably insert the bullets (load) and then lock the mechanism that keeps them in there until being used..
No, I was wrong. Lock and load refers to refilling an M1 Garand rifle. The bolt must be pulled back and locked into place so that a new clip can be inserted to complete a re-load.
Live and learn.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Focussed on the Tater Tots, I Forgot About the Post Meal (Gratis) Cream Puffs
Yesterday, we both had haircuts at our cutter (Tonsorial Parlor) in El Segundo. Cleverly I made appointments at 11:30 and 12 noon so that I could inveigle Himself into buying lunch in El Segundo. My other ploy, in nice weather, is to schedule us for 4 and 4:30 so that we can re-hydrate with a beer out on the spacious patio of the Old Town Bar and Grill, on Richmond.
Yesterday post-haircut (he hates them. He is a life-support system for a head of hair) he was fretful. He turned down Main Street Café and Rock'n Brew and Old Town Patio in rapid succession. And then we passed Britt's BBQ, 408 Main Street - 310-640-0408.
We looked at each other. I said, "Do you know it's the only restaurant I can remember being in that serves Tater Tots? I looove Tater Tots and theirs are so crispy that they are virtually fat-free! Yes, let's go there!" my mind firmly fixed on the red plastic basket brimming with them. So we did. He had the beef brisket sandwich which he turned into a "combo" for $4 more which included a drink and a side, beans in his case. $$13.95 I ordered a la carte and opted for the pulled pork sandwich $8.95, Tater Tots $3.95 and an iced tea $2.50.
We ate with gusto. The sandwiches are generous and both meats are smoked for 14 hours (out back they have a bunch of smokers) so I saved half for dinner. Richie cleaned up his plate. His is a more robust appetite. Replete, I asked for the check but instead, here came a little plate with four powdered sugar-covered cream puffs! I'd completely forgotten about them! They used to call these cream puffs "beignets" which they aren't as the real deal has no cream filling.
All-in-all a lovely day. Good haircuts which was no surprise; Dale's being our cutter for some 32 years; and not only Tator Tots but free cream puffs! Bliss... I recommend it.
Later - Our friend "D" said the Tater Tots inspired him to get in his car and go eat some. That is the power of Tater Tots - approach them with care...
Yesterday post-haircut (he hates them. He is a life-support system for a head of hair) he was fretful. He turned down Main Street Café and Rock'n Brew and Old Town Patio in rapid succession. And then we passed Britt's BBQ, 408 Main Street - 310-640-0408.
We looked at each other. I said, "Do you know it's the only restaurant I can remember being in that serves Tater Tots? I looove Tater Tots and theirs are so crispy that they are virtually fat-free! Yes, let's go there!" my mind firmly fixed on the red plastic basket brimming with them. So we did. He had the beef brisket sandwich which he turned into a "combo" for $4 more which included a drink and a side, beans in his case. $$13.95 I ordered a la carte and opted for the pulled pork sandwich $8.95, Tater Tots $3.95 and an iced tea $2.50.
We ate with gusto. The sandwiches are generous and both meats are smoked for 14 hours (out back they have a bunch of smokers) so I saved half for dinner. Richie cleaned up his plate. His is a more robust appetite. Replete, I asked for the check but instead, here came a little plate with four powdered sugar-covered cream puffs! I'd completely forgotten about them! They used to call these cream puffs "beignets" which they aren't as the real deal has no cream filling.
All-in-all a lovely day. Good haircuts which was no surprise; Dale's being our cutter for some 32 years; and not only Tator Tots but free cream puffs! Bliss... I recommend it.
Later - Our friend "D" said the Tater Tots inspired him to get in his car and go eat some. That is the power of Tater Tots - approach them with care...
Friday, July 27, 2018
Attn: Ladies - New Game Watering Hole Discovered
To be a successful hunter, it is helpful to know where the game are. Briefed on the habits of the particular game you are seeking, you will discover the times of the day they are most likely to be relatively inattentive and one of them is their watering hole.
Purely by accident, we stumbled on to one. As we have been happily together for 37 years, I had no need for this information, but some of you, girls, may find it useful. Disclaimer: in passing along this information, Management (me) is not responsible for any detrimental possible outcomes of actually trapping one, such as a social disease, unwanted pregnancy, a future stalker or escapee from a home for the greatly disturbed.
Grab a pencil - Sports Harbour, 5150 W. 190th Street, Torrance 424-383-1286.
It's not a big space, being about 2/3rds bar and 1/3 dining area which consists of low tables and lower benches, with bar stools and tall tables running down the back wall. Contained game is good game.
We looked around and I was surprised at the large number of hetero males in clumps having a great time. Richie estimated the ratio as one female per 8 to 10 males. If those aren't good odds, I don't know what are.
The food isn't bad either. We split an order of onion rings with our drinks which were a marvelous blend (somehow) of beer-batter puffy (despise) and crunchy. Richie had a grilled burrito with chicken ($9) and I the Reuben ($11) which came with skinny fries and two quarters of dill pickle. The sandwich was barely buttered so grilling it didn't turn it into a greasy mess. The thin slices of corned beef were fried and piled high and were amazingly tender. Mine could have used more sauerkraut but otherwise was just fine.
Considering the generous portions, it's an inexpensive and more than adequate meal. With drinks (dirty gin martini and three beers) the tab was $51.44.
Happy Hunting! And remember, you read it here so a wedding invite would not be totally out-of-order. But I don't have to bring a gift. You're walking down the aisle with it.
Purely by accident, we stumbled on to one. As we have been happily together for 37 years, I had no need for this information, but some of you, girls, may find it useful. Disclaimer: in passing along this information, Management (me) is not responsible for any detrimental possible outcomes of actually trapping one, such as a social disease, unwanted pregnancy, a future stalker or escapee from a home for the greatly disturbed.
Grab a pencil - Sports Harbour, 5150 W. 190th Street, Torrance 424-383-1286.
It's not a big space, being about 2/3rds bar and 1/3 dining area which consists of low tables and lower benches, with bar stools and tall tables running down the back wall. Contained game is good game.
We looked around and I was surprised at the large number of hetero males in clumps having a great time. Richie estimated the ratio as one female per 8 to 10 males. If those aren't good odds, I don't know what are.
The food isn't bad either. We split an order of onion rings with our drinks which were a marvelous blend (somehow) of beer-batter puffy (despise) and crunchy. Richie had a grilled burrito with chicken ($9) and I the Reuben ($11) which came with skinny fries and two quarters of dill pickle. The sandwich was barely buttered so grilling it didn't turn it into a greasy mess. The thin slices of corned beef were fried and piled high and were amazingly tender. Mine could have used more sauerkraut but otherwise was just fine.
Considering the generous portions, it's an inexpensive and more than adequate meal. With drinks (dirty gin martini and three beers) the tab was $51.44.
Happy Hunting! And remember, you read it here so a wedding invite would not be totally out-of-order. But I don't have to bring a gift. You're walking down the aisle with it.
Thursday, July 26, 2018
When Some Husbands Go Clothes Shopping With Their Wife
What can go wrong you ask? Hah! The wife can discover unexpected personality disorders in some cases.
And I just happen to have two examples. Both took place in the same store so there's no variable there. Such as while you clothes shop at Target, he can browse the Automotive Dept. and both of you are happy. But, when it is not a store with diversions for males, it's a whole new ballgame.
First Incident: This was several years ago. Richie was with me because I was still gimping on a walker from hip surgery. The sales lady helpfully pointed out the several deep couches for the non-participants waiting pleasure. He sat, I shopped and when I felt I had taken enough advantage of the store sales, I went to the cashier. Faster than a speeding bullet, he was there, pulling out his wallet. "Let me get this," he said in best Daddy Warbucks accents. So I did. When he looked at the receipt, he gasped and it was obvious that he'd wished he'd kept his mouth shut.
He clutched his chest, grimacing mightily to amuse the cashier and paid. As we walked away, him toting the clothing bag, I looked at him and said, "I told you, you can't afford me!"
Second Incident: yesterday, after the monthly French class luncheon at El Torito this time, I told him that I had business at The Store. He eagerly acquiesced and away we went. He was in a restless mood and kept dragging hangars of clothes over to me, asking, "Do you like this? What about that?" which is annoying because I knew exactly what I wanted and he is gifted at finding abominations I would never wear. .
So, to get rid of him, I said, "See if you can find the Perfect Shorts, size 10. Eagerly he hared off and I went back to browsing the sale racks. Sooner than I would have liked, he was back with a pair of shorts - one navy blue, the other snow white. "Here's all of them I could find." I looked at him and I said, "Richie, what color shorts am I wearing? (answer snow white size 10 Perfect Shorts)"
He said, defensively, "You said size 10 shorts."
Richie is too literal to take shopping. Even if he pays when I can't sneak my card out fast enough and beat him to the register. So what if peace and harmony while shopping come at a price? It's worth it!
And I just happen to have two examples. Both took place in the same store so there's no variable there. Such as while you clothes shop at Target, he can browse the Automotive Dept. and both of you are happy. But, when it is not a store with diversions for males, it's a whole new ballgame.
First Incident: This was several years ago. Richie was with me because I was still gimping on a walker from hip surgery. The sales lady helpfully pointed out the several deep couches for the non-participants waiting pleasure. He sat, I shopped and when I felt I had taken enough advantage of the store sales, I went to the cashier. Faster than a speeding bullet, he was there, pulling out his wallet. "Let me get this," he said in best Daddy Warbucks accents. So I did. When he looked at the receipt, he gasped and it was obvious that he'd wished he'd kept his mouth shut.
He clutched his chest, grimacing mightily to amuse the cashier and paid. As we walked away, him toting the clothing bag, I looked at him and said, "I told you, you can't afford me!"
Second Incident: yesterday, after the monthly French class luncheon at El Torito this time, I told him that I had business at The Store. He eagerly acquiesced and away we went. He was in a restless mood and kept dragging hangars of clothes over to me, asking, "Do you like this? What about that?" which is annoying because I knew exactly what I wanted and he is gifted at finding abominations I would never wear. .
So, to get rid of him, I said, "See if you can find the Perfect Shorts, size 10. Eagerly he hared off and I went back to browsing the sale racks. Sooner than I would have liked, he was back with a pair of shorts - one navy blue, the other snow white. "Here's all of them I could find." I looked at him and I said, "Richie, what color shorts am I wearing? (answer snow white size 10 Perfect Shorts)"
He said, defensively, "You said size 10 shorts."
Richie is too literal to take shopping. Even if he pays when I can't sneak my card out fast enough and beat him to the register. So what if peace and harmony while shopping come at a price? It's worth it!
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Ask Not For Whom the Bell Tolls, Lawyer-Client Expectation of Confidentiality
It tolls for you.
There are some things we can take for granted vis-à-vis TV cop shows. An example is Law and Order. How many times have we seen a lawyer claim that privilege and refuse to answer questions citing it? Even if the client is now deceased. Confidentiality is the one thing the Catholic confessional, medical personnel and the lawyer-client privilege share.
This confidentiality (for lawyers) is one of "the oldest recognized privileges for confidential communications. The US Supreme Court has stated that by assuring confidentiality, the privilege encourages clients to make 'full and frank' disclosures to their attorneys, who are then better able to provide candid advice and effective representation." source Wikipedia
In my digging around, I came across numerous references to Rule 1.6 Confidentiality of Information. It goes like this, according to no lesser party than the American Bar Association. I quote: (a) a lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent, the disclosure is impliedly (Ed. This is a word?) authorized to carry out the representation or the disclosure is permitted by paragraph (b)
(b) A lawyer may reveal information relating to the representation of a client to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial harm." As in a client tells his lawyer, "I'm going to kill my wife's lover and this is how I'm going to do it."
I bring all of this up to mark the seeming end of lawyer-client privilege in the matter of Michael Cohen, who secretly (alleged) taped his client then Donald Trump. Cohen in turn is now represented by another attorney by the name of Lanny Davis who released Cohen's tapes to the general population. Cohen had to have given Davis said tapes. Both should be disbarred.
Incidentally, let me stress that this particular column is not "O poor Donald Trump." Instead it is meant as a head's up as to what can happen to you, me and the rest of America.
There are some things we can take for granted vis-à-vis TV cop shows. An example is Law and Order. How many times have we seen a lawyer claim that privilege and refuse to answer questions citing it? Even if the client is now deceased. Confidentiality is the one thing the Catholic confessional, medical personnel and the lawyer-client privilege share.
This confidentiality (for lawyers) is one of "the oldest recognized privileges for confidential communications. The US Supreme Court has stated that by assuring confidentiality, the privilege encourages clients to make 'full and frank' disclosures to their attorneys, who are then better able to provide candid advice and effective representation." source Wikipedia
In my digging around, I came across numerous references to Rule 1.6 Confidentiality of Information. It goes like this, according to no lesser party than the American Bar Association. I quote: (a) a lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent, the disclosure is impliedly (Ed. This is a word?) authorized to carry out the representation or the disclosure is permitted by paragraph (b)
(b) A lawyer may reveal information relating to the representation of a client to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial harm." As in a client tells his lawyer, "I'm going to kill my wife's lover and this is how I'm going to do it."
I bring all of this up to mark the seeming end of lawyer-client privilege in the matter of Michael Cohen, who secretly (alleged) taped his client then Donald Trump. Cohen in turn is now represented by another attorney by the name of Lanny Davis who released Cohen's tapes to the general population. Cohen had to have given Davis said tapes. Both should be disbarred.
Incidentally, let me stress that this particular column is not "O poor Donald Trump." Instead it is meant as a head's up as to what can happen to you, me and the rest of America.
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