The Last Decade...What Will We Remember?

When I think about the past decade, 2000-2009, it's hard to think about anything good that has happened on a global scale. The list of negatives is long, and filled with situations that won't change overnight.

Unemployment in 2000 was at 6.1%, a 30 year low. Now it is over 11% (some think that's a low estimate), a 26 year high. In 2000, foreclosures were already the highest in history, but 2009 finds foreclosures topping the 1million mark for the first time ever. This is due to predatory lending, the recession, and the jobless rate. What a mess.

Global warming has led to the hottest decade in history. Each decade gets warmer than the one before it. Melting polar icecaps not only are ruining the Artic landscape, they are reducing the number of polar bears in the wild.

2000 found America at peace, and the envy of most of the world. 2010 finds America at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, with no end in sight. Our reputation as a peace loving nation has been deeply tarnished, and is just beginning to be restored. Sounds like a pretty gloomy scene, but wait, I haven't mentioned 911.

September 11, 2001 was an event that changed the world forever. Jet planes slamming into the Twin Towers, another plane trying to hit the Pentagon, changed America and the world forever. Our country declared a "War on terror", that we will probably be fighting for the rest of our lives. Who could you trust? We were told to watch for suspicious people. What exactly were we looking for? We are a nation of immigrants. Anyone can blend into American society. So how has this changed us? The worst act of terrorism on U.S. soil has changed us in many ways.

I will remember that during this decade, the way we do everything, changed. Visitors are searched at government buildings, trunks are searched when entering a high rise office building, fans are searched at football games, everyone is under scrutiny at the airport, on trains, and so on. Will travel ever be what it was pre 911? Young American students wandering the world in search of adventure can never be as carefree as they used to be. Older Americans are subject to questioning wherever they go. Things will never be the same, as the war on terror is never ending.

Some good has come out of this past decade. Americans are consciously trying to help the environment, many laws have been passed to this end. Everyone I know is working to be green in some way or another. People are building and remodeling using sustainable products. This is huge, and if they can bring the cost down on some of the building products, even more people would get involved.

Many of us have become more concerned with the quality of our food, how it is grown and where it comes from . That means that more people are eating healthy, although the percentage of young diabetics wouldn't make you think so. I feel that many people at the local level, are trying to help those that are in need more than ever before. Many groups are trying to help military families and returnees in a way that the government has not. So there are many out there who are trying help those in need. This all gives me hope that we may recover from the mess we're in. If each of us helps in a small way it can make a world of difference. I hope we look back over the first decade of the 21st century and see it as a turning point in creating a better world, a more peaceful world.

Happy Hour+Great Music=Wonderful Evening

You know I love a bargain, and happy hour is one of the best bargains around. Pair that with some great entertainment and you hit the jackpot. Thank you, Pat, for inviting me to join your group at the Beach Grass Cafe (http://www.beachgrasscafe.com/) in Encinitas for a great evening of food, entertainment, and conversation.



Last Thursday, the night of the big rains in Southern California, a group of seven of us braved the elements and stopped by the Encinitas location of Beach Grass Cafe. If you have not been there, you should try it, as the food is just delicious. Their Solana Beach location is very popular, especially for breakfast, but the Encinitas location focuses on dinner. Their happy hour menu, good until 7 pm is terrific. They serve $5 martinis, $4 wine selections, and an array of delicious food. I had the sesame crusted seared ahi (a generous 5 slices) with two dipping sauces and a little seaweed salad. A light, healthy dinner for only $6.95. Others at our table ordered fish tacos, burgers and crab cakes. Three huge crab cakes for $8.95. Everything was just delicious, and the music that we were lucky enough to hear was equally wonderful.

The highlight of the evening was the entertainment by Adrienne Nims and Mike. Adrienne is multi talented, playing several wind instruments, including flute, clarinet and sax. Mike plays guitar and sings, and together they make beautiful music. They play there often on Thursday nights, but not all the time, so call ahead and see if they're there. Check out Adrienne's website at http://www.blogger.com/www.versatileadrienne.com for more information about her, and her performance schedule. I have known Adrienne for several years. She teaches dance at the Y and I've taken her classes regularly for several years. This, however, was the first time I saw her perform. She's a regular around town at many events, including the Encinitas Street Fair, evening at the zoo in the summer, Calypso restaurant in Leucadia, and many other spots. Try to see her. She makes wonderful music. A mellow jazz sound that will enchant you.

Give Beachgrass Cafe a try for dinner or happy hour, and be sure and look for Adrienne Nims and Mike, or Adrienne and Spirit Wind around town. They offer a cool evening of mellow jazz.

Yikes...I'm Almost on Medicare

Reading the official government handbook on medicare will make even the smartest among us question their intelligence. As if turning 65 was bad enough, trying to understand your options as a medicare recipient is downright impossible. How many pieces of junk mail did I get from health care companies, soliciting my business? Aetna, United, Blue Cross, AARP all spend millions trying to get our money. How is any reasonably intelligent individual supposed to figure it out?

I spent hours reading about deductibles, donut holes, prescription plans, covered services, not covered services, penalties, medigap and more. What did I find out? I found out that I couln't figure it out on my own, and called in a professional to walk me throught the process. I finally settled on a Part D Supplement from Blue Cross that I hope will meet my needs. We'll see.

I feel like I know as much or more about our crazy health insurance program than the average person, due to what I have experienced in the past year. One year ago my Cobra ran out, and I had one year to go before Medicare kicked in. I had to get private insurance for 13 months. I applied to Blue Cross, with whom I had been insured for over 30 years. They rejected me due to preexisiting conditions. What person at age 63 doesn't have preexisting conditions? I even tried to get my neck surgery or anything related to it excluded, but no, I was just rejected. So I tried other companies, including Kaiser. I was rejected by all.

Fortunately, California has a high risk insurance pool that you can apply to, and they have to take you. Kind of like the high risk insurance for drivers. Anyway, I was finally approved for Kaiser, but I had to go seven months without any insurance. What I got was a policy that cost over $600 a month, with all kinds of deductibles and co pays. I was just happy to have something, in case something catastrophic happened.

Luckily, I made it through both the uninsured months and the six months with Kaiser with no emergencies. I never thought I'd feel as happy, and relieved as the day I got my Medicare card. That meant I could go back to my old doctors. Someone asked me during the period I was uninsured, when I would be boogie boarding again. "Not until I have insurance" was my immediate answer. Now I've got good insurance, and can go back to boogie boarding, but not until the water warms up. Now all I have to do is find a doctor who can figure out what's wrong with my leg!!

Garcias in Encinitas...It's Muy Bueno

The newest Mexican restaurant to come to Encinitas is Garcias (1486 Encinitas Blvd. 760 942 1259). Their original restaurant is in Carlsbad Village, a small space on a side street. The new place (in the old Herchel's location) is contemporary and very upscale. The space is furnished with bright colors, a beautifu mirrored bar, flat screen tv's, and comfortable tables and chairs. You walk in and immediately you feel comfortable. Everyone is friendly. I've been there three times and have never had to wait. (we eat early). If you do have to wait, there's a firepit and seating area outside that looks very inviting.

Your server will immediately bring you a bowl of delicious, spicy salsa and fresh hot chips. They are great. I know the salsa is made in house, as each time I've eaten there the salsa has had a different degree of heat. I love knowing that the food is fresh.

So far I have tried fajitas, tamales, enchiladas, and tacos. Everything has been good, the tamales we excellent. The ingredients are fresh. I love shredded chicken in my tacos (not just little cubes), and Garcias delivered.

Portions are huge. I would recommend splitting full entrees. With the chips and salsa, you'll have plenty. One special note. Garcia's offers either white, wheat or gluten free tortillas. This is the first restaurant I have seen that offers so many options. I guess if people keep asking for healthier choices some restaurants will listen. Garcia's obviously did and I hope it pays off for them. Give them a try next time you feel like something new. By the way, it's great for kids too.

First Visit to Taft

When you think you've prepared for something, and things don't go according to plan, it really throws you for a loop. That's what happened to me in the past two weeks. When I dropped Ron off at Taft on January 11, I expected to hear from him within 72 hours and that he was settling in. My experience was nothing like that.



It wasn't until Wednesday, January 20, that I found out anything about his whereabouts or his condition. That evening Ron called our son Brian to say he had been, and still was in SHU (Security Housing Unit) ever since his arrival, and he didn't know when he was getting out. In essence, he was in solitary. In a cell by himself for 23 hours a day, one hour out for exercise and crappy meals in the cell. He was never given a legitimate explanation as to why he spent 11 days in SHU. I could go on forever about his experience, but I want to move on to my first visit to the camp, as he was moved there Thursday night and I was cleared to visit this past weekend.



I went there with some anxiety, as I didn't know what to expect. Horrible circumstances can break a man. Would he be bitter, angry, despondent? No, not at all. He came into the room, smiling, so I knew right away he was all right. We visited for five wonderful hours, and I don't think we stopped talking the entire time. He had so much to tell me, it will take several visits and many letters to tell everything. He spent a little time telling me how he passed the 23 hours a day, not knowing when he was getting moved . He sang, recited poems he knew by heart, counted the days, minutes and hours until he would be coming home, read, and slept. He also evaluated what's important in his life, set goals for the future, in short gave himself an emotional tuneup.

The most difficult thing for Ron in those first few days was not being able to tell me where he was. Luckily, after about six days, he was allowed to make a phone call. He called our son Brian to say everything was ok. He arrived at Taft with money, so after a few days he was allowed to buy stamps and finally mail a letter. On one of the days he was out for his one hour of exercise it started to rain, hard. Luckily, a nice man gave him a postage size towel to put over his head. Had he not had that, he would have been soaking wet for 8-10 hours until someone came around to give him dry clothes. What a place!! The hardest part of this whole experience was that Ron does not like surprises, and boy, was he surprised. He had no idea this might happen to him.




Prior to Ron getting a stamp, he was told by the guards to write his letter and that since he was in SHU he didn't need a stamp. He wrote the letter to me, and two days later it came back to him "No postage." No surprise.



Two funny stories about his horrific first 11 days. They took him for a dental check up, standard for all new arrivals. He got a clean bill of health, and the dentist told him to come back in six months for teeth cleaning. They would send him a postcard to remind him. I thought that was hysterical.



For 11 days he ate all his meals alone on a stool in his cell. That is, if you can call it food. Ron said most of it was unedible. However, one morning at 5am they brought him French toast with maple syrup and little sausages. Now remember, it's still dark, and he's pulling off pieces of the French toast and dipping them in the maple syrup and really enjoying it. Unfortunately, since he couldn't see what he was doing, his jumpsuit got caught on something and the maple syrup went flying, all over the floor of the cell. You can only imagine the mess it made, and he's trying to clean it up with the one little towel he has. So much for his best breakfast in 10 days.



These are just a few of the many stories he told me Saturday. Before he went in, Ron did a lot of research and talked to several former inmates, to help him prepare and know what to expect. As he said to me during our visit, you cannot prepare for this because you never know what to expect. Their motto at Taft, and I assume other institutions is, "Hope for the best, but expect the worst." Today was the best.

My Favorite Mexican Casserole

When my kids were growing up one of the biggest challenges was finding dinner entrees that everyone would like. My Mexican casserole, which I just created one night, was a family favorite at our house. My son Brian, married for just two years, asked for the recipe the other day. He has always loved it and wants to make it for his wife Beth. I gladly gave them ther recipe. I hope you enjoy it too. There are lots of variations to this recipe, so feel free to experiment.

Mexican Casserole

1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained (you could also use ground turkey)

1 can corn kernels

1 can pinto beans

1 small can sliced olives

1 can tomatoes, crushed (do not use the juice from the tomaoes. It will make the dish too runny)

grated cheese ( I like a combo of jack and cheddar, but a spicy jack would also be great)

flour tortillas, either white or wheat flour

Place tortillas in the bottom of a large pyrex pan, next to each other but not over lapping. Then layer ingredients (use 1/2 of each ingredient). The order doesn't matter, but you want the cheese on top. Then add another layer of tortillas, and again layer the beef, corn, tomatoes, olives, beans and cheese.

Cook at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, or until it's bubbly and the cheese is melted and browned. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Cut into squares, like lasagna, and serve with a green salad. I promise, everyone young and old will love it.

For a little variety, you can sprinkle tortilla chips on the bottom instead of tortillas, and again for the second layer. They will get soggy during cooking, but will add a little crunch to the dish.

Top each serving with a big dollop of sour cream. Enjoy.

More Restaurant Coupons

Many people I know never go out to eat without a coupon in hand. That's not me, but I do like a bargain, and with so many coupons or "specials" available, I try hard not to pay retail.



This morning I was up early, surfing the internet, and came up with a website I have not seen before that you may like. Its called http://www.thokalath.com/. Go there and you will see some great stuff. I was looking only at the restaurant coupons available, and there are many that you can just print. Rubios, Subway, Red Lobster, KFC, Peets, Boston Market and Dominos are just a few of the coupons I saw. Some coupons are better than others. Some are buy one, get one free. Other restaurants will give you a coupon if you sign up for their birthday club.



This site doesn't just have restaurant coupons, it has food coupons for supermarket items, clothing items and much, much more. It is worth a quick perusal. With specials like Restaurant Week, Cohn Restaurant specials, and some of the more expensive steakhouses all offering specials, coupons are not the only way to go. It seems that it's the more upscale restaurants offering these great special.



Two weeks ago we went to 333 (a Cohn restaurant) in Oceanside. They offered a three course meal for $20.10. This was just for one short week, and unfortunately I didn't find out about in time to get the word out. But it was a great value, and very well received. Next time I'll try to have this information early enough to share with you.

So keep your options open. You've got the Entertainment Book, coupons, specials, restaurant.com discounts, and www.passportdining.com which everyone has told me is a great opportunity. You join the club, then you get discounts on dozens of great restaurants, not cheap places, but very upscale restaurants. Bargains are everywhere. I'll keep looking, and let me know if I've missed something great.

What They Don't Want Us To Know

I recently watched the movie The Cove, and I won't soon forget it. I don't know if you'll find it in the theatre or not. It's a docu drama about an important subject, something the Japanese govenment has kept secret from it's people and the world, until now.

It took the bravery, and probably the guilt, of Ric O'Barry to expose the situation. In the city of Taiji, Japan, a city that would have you believe they love and adore dolphins, a dirty little secret has been exposed. There is a beautiful cove in Taiji, one that attracts hundreds of thousands of dolphins a year. They come to the cove because they think it is safe. In reality, most of them never return to the sea. They are either killed by the night fisherman, or captured and sent to entertainment facilities like Sea World.

Many years ago when Ric O'aerry was a young animal trainer, he began capturing and training dolphins for the TV show Flipper. Dolphins had never before been captured and used for entertainment. At the time O'Barry had no idea of the depth of a dolphins intelligence, or the human bond that could develop between dolphin and man. His exposure of what's happening in Taiji is partially redemption for what he did to this intelligent creatures many years ago.

Undeterred, O'Berry joins forsces with filmmaker Louis Psihoyos and Oceanic Preservation Society, to get the truth of what's really going on in the cove and why it matters to everyone. He recruits an "Oceans 11" style team of underwater sound and camera experts, special effects artists, marine explorers, and world class free divers who carry out an undercover operation to photograph the off limits cove. What he finds is local fisherman going at night to hunt, kill and capture dolphins, by the thousands. Many are sold to amusement parks, but most of the meat is sold to the Japanese public for human consumption. The problem is, the mercury level in the meat is 2000% higher than what the law allows, and the government does nothing to stop it.

The movie is a provacative mix of investigative journalism, eco adventure and arresting imagery that adds up to an urgent plea for hope. If you get a chance to see this movie, please do. It's got so much to say, and makes clear the greed of our culture, even at the risk of killing ourselves. You won't want to miss this powerful film.

Can Fast Food Be Good For Your Diet?

Yes it can. I never could have said this 10 years ago, but the fast food industry has tried hard to accomodate those of us that want to eat healthy and still go to our favorite fast food joints. When my son David first graduated from college, he managed Koo Koo Roo Restaurant in Los Angeles. This was a healthy fast food restaurant, and the food was great. One young man we knew decided to go on the Koo Koo Roo diet, where he ate only food from that restaurant for lunch and dinner everyday for a few months. The result was that he lost 20 pounds!

Now the big chains are all promoting their healthy food as a way to lose weight. Just look how successful the add campaign from Subway, with their spokesman Jared was. He ate Subway everyday, lost weight and kept it off. So now everyone is getting into the act. I just tried a new product from Taco Bell (I never go there, but I had a free coupon) from their Drive Thru Diet Menu. I had the chicken fresco taco. It was delicious and filling, and only about 180 calories.

So here are a few other players in the Diet fast food arena. El Pollo Loco has a skinless grilled chicken breast meal (no tortillas) for only 275 calories. Their tacos al carbon is 150 calories, although you'll need two of these to fill you up.

Would you believe KFC is really the leader in providing nutritional information to its customers? They have introduced grilled chicken, breasts for 180 calories, thighs for 140. They also offer complete meals with mashed potatoes and veggies for around 350 calories. One of their more inovative ideas is the introduction of exchange lists for diabetics. With 25% of the adult population either diabetic or pre diabetic, this is a fantastic idea. For example, the roasted caesar without dressing or croutons= 1 vegetable exchange + 3 1/2 lean meat exchanges. This may not make much sense to you if you're not diabetic, but to diabetics this is great information.

For years, Wendy's has offered a baked potato with sour cream and chives, a pretty filling lunch, for 320 calories.

Subway continues to show the way with many 6 inch subs under 350 calories and very low in fat. They also serve frest fruit as a side. I love their sandwiches and they are very filling. What could be better than a turkey breast sandwich piled high with veggies for 280 calories?

I'm on a diet, and many of you probably are too, so don't forget that dieting doesn't meant you can't go to these fast food places anymore. It only means you have to make sure you order properly. Each company has their nutritional guide on their website and posted in their store. So you can eat fast food if you do it right. No, Jan, you cannot go to Long John Silvers and get the fish and chips. Sorry.

My Personal Journal

A week ago I dropped Ron off at Taft, so I figured one week later I'd have a lot to tell you. Unfortunately, he has not called or written yet, which I guarantee is no fault of his own. They have their procedures, you know. So I'll give you a little background on what I think is happening in Taft, and how I have been holding up.







Our attorney told us that once you are in the system, be prepared for anything, and go with the flow. There's nothing you can do about their procedural snaffoos. Ron went there with all his ducks in a row. He had his medical records, his medications, his legal papers, and his money. The reason for bringing all this is to expedite processing. I can only imagine how long things would take if he hadn't brought all these documents with him! Money is critical. If you don't bring money, you can't buy a phone card. You also can't buy any of the items that you might need from their store (you have to buy their stuff, after all they're in business to make money). This would include paper and stamps, radio, coat, etc. Ron would have had to wait until I sent by Western Union a money order, and who knows how long that would take to process? So he went with the money, which they put into his account, but apparently he hasn't been completely processed yet. My only other thought is that they don't give newcomers privileges right away. This is a possibility. I do know one thing. They are definitely not interested in making the situation easier for anyone involved.







In the meantime, I know he is there and probably surrounded by a new group of friends by now. He's a pretty friendly guy, and I can imagine him watching the football game today, screaming at the quarterback, with his new group. I hope he's not cold, I hope he's not lonely.

I am relying on my friends for support, and getting more than I ever could have imagined. For the most part, people really are wonderful and want to help. I have found that those who may seem like they're not supportive probably just don't know what to say, so they say nothing. Keeping busy helps, but at the end of the day I'm alone with my thoughts. That's something no one can help me with.







Crying. I expected to do a lot of that in the first few weeks, but so far that is not the case. I am busy during the day, tired at night, and time is going quickly. Sometimes during the day I will reach for the phone as I so often did, to call Ron and see how his day is going. I miss that. I know I will have my moments. As I have said before, I look forward to this challenge. Once I hear from Ron, once I get to go see him, we will work into a routine.



I almost forgot to tell you about my cleaning obsession. I am not a good housekeeper, never have been, never will be. But something has happened this week. I'm on a cleaning spree like you wouldn't believe. I started in the kitchen, throwing out unneeded food in the cupboards, refrigerator and freezer. Then I moved to the bedroom, and am in the process of going through every drawer and closet and throwing away clothes that I don't wear or don't fit. Enough with the clutter. I find all this very therapeutic.





It's so quiet in the house and that is a new sound for me. Usually Ron would have a ball game on or I would be watching the news. I have hardly turned the TV on since he left (except I am watching the Golden Globes right now) and have really enjoyed the quiet. And more than once I have looked for Barney. Old habits are hard to break. Change is hard, but it also leads to personal growth. I'm hoping to grow alot in the coming months. Next week I hope to give you my account of Ron's first impressions, how he is managing, and how it felt to finally talk to him.





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Goodbye Barney, RIP

How do I describe to you the dog that has brought so much pleasure to our lives? Found by accident, he turned out to be the perfect dog in every way. This morning, after months of debate, I took him to the vet and had him euthanized. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, not to mention one of the hardest days of my life. I've had a few of those lately!

I found Barney by accident. I was shopping in Century City one afternoon. I had parked my car in a different area than usual, so I returned to my car by a different route than normal. Right near the escalator that I would not normally have walked by, was a group call the Amanda Foundation, a dog rescue organization, with a few dogs left that had not yet been adopted. I had no intention of getting a dog that day. We already had a young Akita mix at home that was a handful, but Barney looked up at me with an expression that said "take me home." I could not resist. I called Ron and told him I had found an adorable dog, could we handle another dog, and he said "NO". I bought him anyway. Ron was not happy about this at all, especially since I was leaving a few days later for a week in Paris.

Well, I came home from Paris, and Ron was in love with Barney. They had a week to bond and have been inseparable ever since. When Ron used to come home from work, Barney would be standing at the door, wagging his tail. He'd follow him upstairs as Ron changed his clothes, then sat by his side on the sofa while Ron watched the news. Recently, although he could barely walk, he'd hobble from living room, to office, to bedroom. He just wanted to be by Ron's side.

I remember so many funny incidents with him, I am smiling just thinking about them. One time the pool man left the gate opened and he and Tali (the Akita) ran away. We lived near a big street, and I don't know how they crossed without getting killed, but they did and ran down San Vicente for several blocks, finally ending in a residential neighborhood where they wandered into someones' backyard.

I remember car trips from LA to Del Mar when we were building our house. We would come to Del Mar almost every week with the dogs. We would always stop at In And Out for burgers on the way home. We would buy burgers for ourselves, then burgers for the dogs. It was such fun.

I remember as Barney got older, we would walk in Del Mar and when he wouldn't want to walk any farther I would have to call Ron to come pick us up.

I remember a cold nose pressing my face early each morning, telling me it was time to get up. I also remember him licking my face, and breathing that terrible breath on me. Honestly, his bad breath was his only negative.

I remember when I came home four years ago and he couldn't move, his hind end was completely paralyzed. We took him to a specialist who said the only way to save him was to do spine surgery. He was almost 15 years old, the surgery cost $5600 plus rehab, and everyone thought we were crazy to do it, but we did, and got to enjoy him for another few years. I'd do it all again.

Recently I remember wheeling him around in a little red wagon, loaned to me by my friend Pat, and having complete strangers stop their cars to tell me how cute he was.

So Barney, old boy, we're going to miss you. The house will be lonely without you. Who will I take my afternoon nap with? Who's going to get me up in the morning? Eventually a new dog will come along, when the time is right. For now, I have memories of Barney that will keep me going. I know there is another special dog in my future, but for now I will simply reminice about Barney the Wonderdog.

Arrival at Taft

There are certain events in your life that you will never forget, like where you were when JFK was shot or what you were doing when you first heard about 9/11. Monday, January 11, is one of those days for me. It's the day I drove Ron to Taft Federal Camp, said goodby to the life we had enjoyed for over 40 years, and started anew.

As much as you can prepare for such a situation, I was prepared. I had talked to wives who had been through the experience and I had read a great deal on the internet about what to expect. Nothing can really prepare you for how you will feel as you drop off a loved one at the front door, and drive off, knowing you may not hear from them for several days, or in some instances, several weeks.





The weather today fit my mood. As we came down the grapevine, a heavy fog covered the ground, and visibility dropped to almost zero. The temperature, too, dropped almost 30 degrees. This combination evoked an erie feeling. We got off the freeway, headed west on a two lane highway, and 20 miles later, we arrived at our destination, Taft Federal Camp, and its adjacent medium security prison. All we saw on the 20 mile stretch were almond trees, orange groves, and dessert brush.

It's difficult to describe my emotions today. I think over the past seven years I have gone through every immaginable emotion from anger and frustration to fear. I feel void of any of that right now. I feel excited that this is finally underway. I know that sounds weird, but the sooner it starts, the sooner it's over. I'm also anxious to see how I do in this situation. I haven't been alone in my entire life, and I wonder how I will handle it.





We had talked and prepared for this day for such a long time that we said a quick goodby, a kiss and hug, and that was it. I thought I would break out in tears as I headed off to Los Angeles to pick up my dog, but I didn't. I really couldn't think about anything. My mind was a blank. I had brought a book on tape to listen to. I put it on, but realized after a half hour that I hadn't heard a word. I made a few phone calls, just to distract myself, and before I knew it I was at my Mom's house. We went out for a quick lunch, then I left for home.





I arrived home at 3:45, absolutely exhausted. The emotion of the day, along with six hours of driving, wiped me out. I had been told by several wives of inmates that they cried for days after their husbands were gone. I kept waiting for tears to come, but they did not. It' s not because I'm stronger, it's just that everyone reacts differently to adversity. I think talking about it and writing about it is my release. As difficult as this day was for me, it is only the beginning. Thanks to so many supportive family members and friends, these tough times will be easier. I have a busy week planned, and before I know it, I will be going for my first visit to Taft. I've been told my many men and women that this difficult time can actually be one of the most enlightening times in ones life. A time to really get to know yourself and reevaluate your values. I'm looking forward to that part of the experience. As I always try to do, I'm looking at the positive. My story will continue after my first visit to Taft.

Gray Whale Migration

As I sat on the beach a few days ago, enjoying the warm sun and a good book on a January afternoon, I got lucky. I heard a few people on the beach yelling and pointing, and I looked up to see a pod of about a dozen gray whales frolicking in the Pacific. They were on their way south, to Baja and even beyond.

What a sight, a dozen large whales, blowing and diving as they travelled south. I have never seen anything like it. Mid January is the peak of the migration. After spending the summer feeding in the food rich waters of the artic, the Grays swim south along the coat to the bays of Baja California, where they mate and nurse their young.

Over the years, as many ocean species have declined, the gray whale has actually increased in numbers. In the 1980's there were estimated to be about 15,000 gray whales, today that number is up to about 27,000. Why, then, do we see fewer whales migrating? No one knows for sure, but biologists think it has something to do with the number of boats that are out in the ocean trying to view the migration. In some instances, boats are actually chasing the whales in order to get a closer look. Although this is strictly prohibited, it still takes place. To avoid this, whales are staying farther from shore and are moving through heavily populated areas, like San Diego, at night. I was lucky to see this group, and will look for them again in a few months when they return from Baja with their young. There is nothing more magnificent than to see these beautiful gray whales dive, blow water from their blowspout, and flap their tails. Nature is truly grand.

America's Favorite Food

With over 3 billion pies sold every year in the U.S., pizza is definitely America's favorite food. Yet it has only been an American favorite since after World War 11.

It's history goes back to the 6th century B.C., when Darius the Great (521-486 B.C.) baked a kind of flat bread upon his soldiers sheilds , and covered it with cheese and dates. Many other cultures, including the Greeks and Romans also made a version of pizza. In 79 A.D after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, evidence was found of a flat flour cake that was baked and widely eaten in Pompei.

In the 19th century Umberto 1, King of Italy, and his wife, Queen Margherita di Savoia, were in Naples on holiday and were offered several varieties of pizza. The Queen loved the mozzarella, basil and tomato pizza (the colors of the Italian flag) and ate it every time she went to Naples. So now you know how the Margheritta pizza got its name. By the late 19th century pizza was sold in the streets of Naples for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Simple ingredients like mushrooms, anchovies,cheese and tomatoes were used.

As Italians imigrated to America at the turn of the century, so did the pizza. It was introduced to Chicago by a peddler who walked up and down Taylor Street with a metal washtub of pizzas on his head.

Gennaro Lombardi claims to have opened the first U.S. pizzeria in New York City in 1905. No one seems to dispute that fact. The pizzeria is still in existance today. When American soliders reutrned from Europe after World War 11, they wanted the delicious pies they had tasted in Italy. This was the beginiing of a phenomenon that would sweep the nation, and to this day shows no sign of letting up.

Today, pizza comes in many forms, from street food to gourmet quality. Thin crust, thick crust, with sauce, without sauce, everyone has their personal preference. I love a very thin crust. I will list my favorite pizzerias at another time. I know there will never be agreement on which is best, but in the mean time, send me your favorites so I can check them out. With my committment to lose weight in 2010, this is probably not a good way to start the year, but what the heck, I can't recommend something if I haven't tried it.

New Year's Resolution: More Calcium

It's a new year, and a new opportunity to make resolutions. I know, some of us have stopped making resolutions because it's so hard to follow through. Well, here's one promise I am making to myself that I know I can stick to. I'm going to increase my calcium intake and decrease my risk of developing osteopena or osteoporosis.

Several years ago Fran, Jan and myself went to the Oaks at Ojai (www.oaksspa.com) for a few days of exercise, healthy eating and relaxation. Each night they have a guest lecturer speaking on a variety of topics. While we were there we listened to a nurse speak on osteoporosis. I thought I knew a lot about the disease, but she really deepened my understanding. This is such an easy problem to turn around. It just takes a few small changes. Here is some of what I found out. As with all medical topics, always check with your doctor before starting a new regime or changing old ones.

1. Eat foods high in calcium. This includes dairy products, especially yogurt, but don't forget about leafy greens, beans and seeds. Leafy greens are high in calcium and don't produce some of the side effects of milk products, such as digestion problems and mucous. Orange juice contains both calcium and vitamin D. The body cannot absorb calcium without vitamin D. Another bonus of orange juice is it's high vitamin C content.

2. Sit in the sun, without sunscreen, for 10-20 minutes per day. This is important, but you are advised to do this when the sun is not at full strength. Before 10am or after 3pm are the best time for catching some rays. In between, wear sunscreen. The purpose of sunbathing is to allow the body to absorb vitamin D, an important component in warding off osteoporosis.

3. Take calcium supplements, between 1200 and 1500 mg per day. Be sure to take calcium carbonate, the easiest type to absorb. It must also be formulated with magnesium. Liquid calcium in a citrate base is an excellent choice, easy to add to juice drinks or shakes. remember to take your calcium in several doses throught the day, as the body cannot absorb it all at once. Many years ago my ob/gyn told me to start taking Tums everyday. What he didn't tell me, and probably didn't know at the time, was that the calcium in Tums does not absorb as well as calcium citrate, thus it was doing me very little good. Take only 500-600 mg at a time.

4. Try to give up soft drinks. This is a hard one for me. I'm not sure I can do it. However, the carbonated drinks deplete the calcium in your bones, because they contain phosphoric acid, which makes calcium pass out of your system in the urine.

5. Make sure that your multi vitamin or calcium supplement contains trace minerals. It may not sound like much, but trace mineras are essential to bone formation. Boron, manganese, copper, zinc and vitamin K are important in the bone building process.

I always make new year's resolutions. Rarely do I stick to them very long. I'm hoping I will be able to incorporate some of these changes into my daily life and help keep my bones straight and strong.

Claires on Cedros

It's great when two friends get together and create something unique, something just right for this time and place. That is what happened when longtime friends Terrie and Claire decided to open a restaurant together. Claire had a long history in the food industry, working 12 years running the bakery at Milton's in Del Mar, and creating the bread recipe that she sold to them for their now famous, Milton's Multi Grain Bread. Terrie brought her talents to the project, and together they have created a breakfast/lunch restaurant that I think you will like.

I've been there twice now, once for lunch, once for breakfast. The food is fresh, creative, and artististically presented. For breakfast, you'll find omelettes of every variety, huevos rancheros, bacon and eggs, and fritattas. I had the caprese fritatta, their best selling breakfast item. It's a fritatta with mozarella and tomatoes on top, finished with a lightly dressed salad of small, delicate lettuce leaves. Just delicious. Our group also had the multi grain pancakes which were excellent and the fruit and yogurt combo with a homemade muffin. Everything was fresh and the baked goods were all made in house. The coffee was great too. For lunch I had a warm chicken salad with nuts, cranberries and olives in a delicious dressing. This was served with homemade pumpkin muffins to die for. Other luncheon items included burgers, salads of every variety, soups, quiche and fresh, warm, breads. Following the meal our server brought us two wonderful butter cookies. I don't know if this is standard, or if they're just doing that to get us interested in the bakery. In any event, it topped off the meal beautifully and made us want more.

One of my favorite things about Claire's is the building itself. Their goal is for the building to be as sustainable as the menu. It is the first free standing restaurant in the country with LEED Platinum certification. (leadership in energy and environmental design). They have also joined the Green Restaurant Association, which strives to run businesses using environmental practices and ensure sustainability. This is all important to me, and the space they have created is both trendy, homey and green. It appeals to a certain crowd, those interested in the environment and up to the minute fashion. There are lots of businessmen there as well, so don't get the idea it's just for women. Especially for lunch on the patio, you will see many men discussing business.

I highly recommend Claire's on Cedros (http://www.clairesoncedros.com/) for something new, different and delicious. Just across from the Solana Beach train station, it makes for easy parking. They also cater private parties after closing, with different menu items altogether. Give it a try.

What to do With Lavender

A field of lavender is one of those beautiful sights you will not soon forget. If you've been to Provence in the spring, you have most likely seen it. If you live in California, there are many nurseries that grow lavender, although not in abundance like you will find in France. In any event, it is a wonderful aromatic herb, with a variety of uses.

Hang it upside down and dry it, then crumble the flowers and make sachets. Or make a beautiful lavender wreath and hang it in your closet or bathroom. Also, the stems can be used to weave baskets. It can also be used in cooking. One common use is in lavender honey. Here's a recipe for blueberry lavender jam. This is so good and so easy to make you'll want to keep it on hand to make any breakfast a special event.

Blueberry Lavender Jam

2 T. dried lavender flowers

1 can (11-1/2ounce)frozen white grape juice concentrate

3 c. fresh blueberries, washed and drained

Make a lavender sachet by cutting a piece of cheesecloth into a 6-inch square, placing lavender in the center, and tie into a bundle

in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, bring lavender sachet, grape juice concentrate and blueberries to a boil. Stir constantly until the berry mixture jells, about 20 minutes. (to test whether mixture ihas jelled, place a teaspoon on a plate and cool. Lightly touch the berry mixture with your finger to see if it is the consistency of jelly. If not, cook 10 more minutes. Cover and steep for 2 hours.

remove the lavender sachet and sicard. Divide the jam between 2 pint jars, cover and stor in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Offbeat Travel: A Trip to Cuba

In 1987, when I had all about I could take of teaching in LAUSD, I became a travel agent, something I continue to do to this day. There were many opportunities for agents to travel near and far, and I took advantage of this as much as possible. In the year 2000, my friend Elaine and I decided to journey to Cuba. This was at a time when travel to Cuba was tight, and the rules for foreigners were ridgedly enforced by the Bush administration.

I had sent a film crew to Havana in the late 1990's so I had some idea of the red tape that was involved in getting the proper permits. Elaine and I went with permits from a ministry in Los Angeles. We brought medicine and clothes to a church in Havana. There are several categories of people allowed to visit Cuba, religous and medical being two of them. We spent several weeks obtaining the proper documentation, meanwhile planning our trip so we would be ready to go when our papers were in order.

We made most of our arrangements through a Canadian tour operator, as there are no restrictions for Canadian tourists, and Elaine has both Canadian and American citizenship. Most people that go to Cuba connect through either Cancun or Mexico City, as there are no direct flights from the U.S. One can also fly direct from Canada.

We arrived in Havana, went through customs without a hitch, and were on our way. There were many four and five star hotels in the city by then, and our accomodations were excellent. Much of the historic center of Havana has been restored, and several European governments have gambled a lot of money on the fact that Havana will again become a world class destination. Old Havana is the place to visit. One site that no visitor misses is the Hotel Nationale, the old hangout of Earnest Hemingway. It's loaded with pictures of memorabilia from the 1950's.

Once the hot spot of the Caribbean and popular destination for Americans, Cuba has now been declared a World Heritage Area by UNESCO with many plazas having buildings dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Old Havana's side streets, narrow and cobble-stone, are another picture, one of urban decay. The walls of many of the buildings are literally propped up with wood. Walking these narrow streets one is struck by the absence of commodity shops. There is very little to buy, and they have stamps for all basic necessities. In other words, everything is rationed. When you do see a shop with clothing, the merchandise is 20 years old.

As poor as the Cuban people are, they are the happiest people you can imagine. There are musicians everywhere, even dancers in colorful clothes hoping to make a few pennies by entertaining passers by. I was struck by the fact that there is almost no anti American sentiment. Almost everyone you meet has a relative in Miami and their hope is to get there one day.

Where did all the old Chevys and Oldsmobiles of the 1950's go? Why, Cuba of course. They have vintage car shows several times a year. This is a big attraction for visitors from all countries. They also have music, music, music. Every bar and restaurant has music at night, dancing too. It's a happy place to be.

Open air markets offer an array of items, from food to crafts, to original art. When I was there I bought several oil paintings for under $20 each. Most artists are untrained but their paintings emote such feeling for life in Cuba. You can't help but love their raw, primitive work.

Food varies from poor to excellent. Many families use their homes as restaurants, and serve dinner in the backyard, dining room or patio every night. These were among our best meals, and it was so personal, as we could talk to the family members we were visiting.

Our tour guide was a young woman of 18, a college student, another person we met who hoped to come to the U.S. one day. She recited information from a prepared statement, and would not offer personal opinion on Castro, good or bad. We gave her a big tip at the end of the week, probably more money than she makes in several months. We were told that at the time doctors made $20 per month.

Beaches in Cuba are beautiful, and although we did not visit them, there are five star resorts along the coast, just as you would find in many other Caribbean islands. All in all it is a wonderful vacation, a real eye opener as to what life under a repressive dictatorship is like.

I recommend Cuba for anyone wanting to see this island before it becomes overpopulated with American style hotels and restaurants. It's beautiful, reasonable and very interesting. It will also give you a great appreciation for the American way of life.

Go Green and Save Money

I usually think of going green as a way of helping the environment, but at a higher cost. This is not necessarily so. Check out some of these energy saving ways to help Mother Earth and save you money at the same time.

1. set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer. Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85% of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.

2. Take shorter showers to reduce water use. Install a low flow showerhead. Install a faucet aerator on each faucet. This conserves both heat and water, while maintaining high water pressure.

3. Walk or bike when possible.

4. If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat is one of the most costly items in your shopping cart. It's even more expensive when you consider the related enviornmental and health costs. Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs and dairy whenever possible. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy. Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain. This is especially true for seafood.

5. Skip the bottled water. Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it creates large amounts of container waste.

6. Borrow instead of buying. Borrow from libraries intead of buying personal books, videos and movies. This saves money. Share power tools and other appliances that are infrequently used.

7. Make your own cleaning supplies. The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon and soap. This is a huge moneysaver.

Finally, check out the web site http://www.blogger.com/www.worldwatch.org for up to date information on going green and many more tips. If you just pick up one idea from this or other articles on the subject, change will come.

New Beginnings

As we begin a new decade, I too, am starting a new chapter in my life, and will be sharing some of my journey with you. For the first time in 40 years, I will be without my husband, Ron. After seven years of investigation by the federal government, Ron plead guilty in a tax matter. He will be spending the next 16-20 months at Taft Federal Camp.







I tell you this for several reasons. First, I am not a secretive person. I'm pretty much an open book. You might say, then why didn't I talk about this before? There were legal issues involved, and I didn't want to tell my story and speculate about how it might end. I have a great life, a wonderful family and a network of spectacular people to support me. Above all, I have a fantastic husband who I love and adore. This too shall pass.







So my blog is going to change a little. Once a week I plan to write a more personal blog, about myself and how I'm coping and about visits to Taft (which from what I've been told can be comical at times). I hope I won't bore you with this information, but I do hope I will enlighten you in an area you probably (hopefully) don't know much about.







Look for these once a week blogs. They'll probably be every Monday, beginning January 18. Ron will be checking into his new address on January 11, so I'll be ready to write the following week. As with everything else in my life right now, I have no definite plans, so my writing schedule may change. I thank you for your support and especially for reading this blog. I love doing it, and it's the positive feedback from all of you that keeps me going.