Easy Changes To Help The Environment

 I saw a picture recently of trash, mostly plastic bags and bottles, washing up on the beach.  It reminded me that plastic is one of the biggest environmental problems we have.  Diapers, plastic water bottles, and plastic bags are the biggest offenders.  There are a number of easy changes we can make to alleviate the problem.

1.  Don't buy bottled water.  Buy a good reusable bottle and carry it with you everywhere.  Schools everywhere are having children bring their own water bottle to school everyday.  Now we adults have got to get with the program.  It's not that hard, and it's probably the single most important thing you can do.

2.  Buy loose fruit and veggies.  You will buy exactly what you need, not what the merchant wants you to buy.  When you buy a bag of oranges you might end up throwing half of them away.  Pick out just what you need, and put it in your canvas shopping bag, not in another plastic bottle.

3.  Use a bamboo toothbrush.  I have one and love it.  Bamboo is environmentally friendly, unlike the plastic toothbrushes most of us use.

4.  Use shampoo bars and soap rather than shower gel.  This will cut back on single use plastic bottles, like the one used for shower gel.

5.  Use cloth napkins instead of paper.  This is such an easy change.

6.  Use reusable straws.  I always have a reusable straw in my purse.  Plastic straws have already been eliminated in many areas.  If you must use a straw, buy a reusable one.

Just a few simple changes can do a world of good.  Try to make one change and see how easy it is.

How Restaurants Have Adapted To Changing Times

 I recently had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants in our area, Qero.  It's a tiny Peruvian restaurant in Encinitas that has some of the best food ever.  Prior to the pandemic, they were open for lunch and dinner.  Lunch crowds were small, and dinner crowds were larger.  They were always busy.  Then along came the pandemic.

They closed their doors for over a year.  There was a nice crowd when I was there for lunch recently in May.  The tres leches cake for dessert is the best I have ever had.  But how did they survive a year without any dining in customers?

First, they had a landlord who worked with them.  He was understanding of the situation, wanted to keep them as a tenant, and worked out something they could both live with.  Next, they changed their mission.  They did a large take out business, started doing more catering, and teaching cooking classes.  All of these three approaches led to success.  They are still in business!  When so many small family run restaurants have folded, Qero survives.

If you haven't eaten there, I urge you to try it.  The family run restaurant is friendly and the food will wow you.  Don't think spicy when you think Peruvian.  It's not.  It's just full of flavor.

Hard times call for innovation, and Qero has done just that.  I am taking a group there for lunch in June, and I am planning to organize a cooking class for some friends in the near future.  Unless we want a world of corporate run restaurants like Outback, Olive Garden and Denny's, we must support independent restaurants.  

Is Solar For You?

 We bought solar panels for our Oceanside home shortly after we moved in.  Our dilemma was deciding whether solar was the right economic move for us.  We knew that environmentally we wanted to do it, but was it worth it financially?  After installing solar 5 1/2 years ago, I can say ABSOLUTELY.  

Residential solar systems average about $20,000.  How long will it take to recoup your original investment?  This is an important consideration.  With tax credits, the solar panels will actually only cost around $14,500, based on this scenario.  Then, you must consider how much your average electric bill runs.  If your electric bill is $150 per month, it will take just under 10 years to recoup your original investment.

But that's not really true.  If you don't already have a fully electric car, as I do, you will probably have one soon.  With solar on your roof, electricity for your car will cost you nothing.  You can subract the $100 per month that you might be spending on gas.  This will greatly reduce the number of years to recoup your original investment.  Finally, there's another bonus.  Last year I got a check from SDGandE for around $400.  They buy back excess solar that my panels produce.  

All told for me, my solar installation will be fully paid for within the next 12 months!!! Oh, and did I mention how it increases the value of your house for resale?  Anyone looking to sell their house in the future will get more for their house if they have solar.  No electric bills for the new owners.

When we first moved into our house and decided to go solar, Ron mentioned to my mom, age 91 at the time, that she should consider it.  She thought she was too old, and would never recoup her money.  Well, here we are 6 years later.  Her solar would have been paid for last year!!  You just never know, but it's certainly something to consider.  BTW, leasing solar is NOT the same.  You never own it.

Cyber Attacks Are Terrifying

 I tried to sign into my MyScripps account a few weeks ago only to discover that the site was down.  I discovered that the entire Scripps Healthcare system had been hacked.  Over the next few weeks, Scripps said very little, except that they were working on the problem.  For weeks Scripps had no medical records, and everything was done on paper, the old fashioned way.  Anyone who was critically ill was in deep trouble.  No records of their health history were available, and many patients had to be transported to other hospitals for treatment.  A 40 year veteran of nursing told me that the week after the cyber attack was the worst time in her career.

Ransomware isn't new.  It's a form of malware that can lock up networks and deny access to business-critical data unless the victim pays a ransom-often in bitcoin and often millions of dollars-to the attackers.  Ransomware attackers are preying on businesses now because of the transition to remote work and the uncertainty caused by the pandemic.  Healthcare companies are often exploited, but any business, large or small is a potential target.

Should the ransom be paid?  Law enforcement officials say that if there is any other way to handle it, ransom should not be paid.  Paying a ransom does not guarantee return of the stolen data.  Companies in general need to practice good cyber hygiene.  Many companies don't do a good enough job, so networks must be made secure.

More than 300,000 victims in over 150 countries fell victim to ransomware over the course of one weekend, with businesses, governments, and individuals across the globe affected.  The hackers are sometimes criminal organizations, sometimes countries.   Many of the companies reside in Russia, although they are not the government itself.

Ransomware is like Covid-19, always evolving, with new variants continually appearing in the wild and posing new threats to businesses.  It seems to me that protecting information should be a top priority for government agencies and businesses alike.  We have the technology to make computers secure.  Now we just have to spend the money to implement it.  

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Of One Year Alone

 It's been one year since my wonderful husband Ron, passed away.  I thought I'd take this opportunity to say a few words.  It's been one hell of a year, for me, and most likely for all of you.  Suddenly finding myself single after more than 50 years of marriage made it that much more difficult.

First the good.  Yes, there was some good.  Ron's death in June from a rapid cancer saved him, and me, from going through the last few years of ALS, which would have been difficult for both of us.  I am thankful that he didn't have to suffer from a slow, progressive death.  

Also good is that I don't have to cook, clean or do anything I don't want to do.  I love cooking exactly what I want now, and not having to worry about meals or laundry for anyone else.  I have incorporated avocadoes, kale, quinoa, sweet potatoes, salmon and much more into my diet.  These were things that I liked, but  Ron didn't.  I love having David, Phil and Brian constantly  remind me of a favorite saying of Ron's, or having them ask me what Dad would have done in a certain situation.  That keeps him alive for me.

Now for the bad.  I miss him terribly, but have found old and new friends to keep me busy, and have had lots of time to spend with my mom, which I couldn't do before. Oh, how I love spending time with her.  I realize how fortunate I am to have her here, and we make the most of our time together.  I play lots of golf, pickleball and bridge.  I do lots of jigsaw puzzles, take long walks, read lots of books,and do some cooking.  I miss having someone to discuss the events of the day with.  That was one of our favorite parts of the day. I also miss being able to share a funny story with Ron.  One of the things I do almost daily is reach for the phone to call him and share something with him.  It doesn't sound like that will pass anytime soon.

Finally, the ugly.  The ugly part is the 10 pounds I gained during this past year.  I could blame it on Ron's passing, but that wouldn't be entirely true.  Staying home during Covid-19 is partly to blame. So I'm a little bit heavier than I was last year, but I'm headed in the right direction.  I fill my days with activities I truly love.  Nothing will replace my special relationship with Ron.  I will keep him in my heart always, but try to find happiness in other ways. 

Bill McCreary Was A Trailblazer

 Bill McCreary, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, died in Brooklyn recently.  He was 87 years old.  He was one of the first Black television journalist in New York.  He filled a noticeable gap in local public affairs reporting.  He was hired by WNYW, the flagship station of the Fox television network in 1967, and remained a familiar on-air presence until he retired in 2000.  He rose to the rank of vice president of Fox 5 News in 1978.  McCreary co-anchored the station's 10 o'clock News into a ratings powerhouse.  He became managing editor and anchor of Black News in 1970, and The McCreary Report in 1978.

There was little reporting on ethnic issues at the time, because there were few black journalists on television.  McCreary reported on inner city issues, and places like Harlem and Bed-Stuy.  McCreary won several Emmys, and in 1987, was given the N.A.A.C.P's Black Heritage Award.  Among the figures he interviewed were Rosa Park, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Nelson Mandella.

Unlike a lot of journalists today, Bill gave you the news, not his opinions.    "You never knew where he stood on any issue.  Bill McCreary told the unvarnished truth, and that's what set him apart.  He told it with tremendous dignity and integrity", sos said Cheryl Wills, an award winning reporter who considered McCreary a mentor.

What a Mother's Day

 

What a wonderful Mother's Day!  Lucky me.  I had my mom with me for the day, and although my kids all live far away, I had Facetime conversations with everyone, all the grandchildren, and my three wonderful daughters-in law.  I wanted to make the day special for my mom.  Unfortunately my sister in Temecula was unable to join us, so we carried on, just the two of us.

For breakfast I prepared a dutch baby pancake with blueberry compote.  It was just delicious, and we spent the rest of the morning talking to children and grandchildren.  We did a little shopping in the afternoon, then headed to Sunshine Vineyard and Tasting Room in San Marcos.  It's a little known special place that I like to take out of towners and even locals who enjoy wine, music and a beautiful view.

We weren't the only ones who thought of going to Sunshine Vineyard.  We arrived around 3:30.  The place was packed.  They have spacious table groupings out on the patio, overlooking the vineyard and San Marcos.  It's really quite beautiful, but there were no seats.  We got our wine from the tasting room, and figured something might open up.  Well, I saw a table for four with two people sitting with their two dogs.  I asked if we could use the chairs, and they invited us to join them.  This couple likes to dress up their two beautiful, calm pit bulls in costumes.  Nutmeg wore pearls, a necklace, a flowered headband, a dress, and painted toenails.  Bruce just had a scarf and goggles.  So funny.

A wonderful musician played guitar and sang, children and moms danced, and the adults all enjoyed their wine.  We went home around 5:30, made a wonderful creamy parmesean chicken with spinach for dessert, and watched a Netflix after dinner.  The movie  was with Helen Mirran and Richard Crowe.  I can't even remember the name of it, which tells you how much I liked it.

All in all, a wonderful Mother's Day.  I am so lucky to still have such a "youthful" mom.  We still enjoy so much together.  Lucky me.

Ocean Hills Country Club Celebrates Moms

 Our golf club at Ocean Hills had a belated celebration for all the moms.  My friend Peggy invited me to join their foursome in a scramble.  I was happy to participate.

All participants were asked to wear their pajamas.  After all, it was a celebration of moms, and what makes us comfortable?  Lounging around in our PJ's.  Most women participated, and what fun we had.  The men really pampered us. Here's what they did.

As we arrived at the clubhouse, there was a man (our caddy) to take our clubs up the hill to the the first tee.  What a treat.  At the second (or maybe the third) hole, there were two gentlemen there, all dressed in tuxes, to serve us mimosas.  What fun!  Next, several holes later, we had caddys to clean our clubs and balls.  On the last hole of the day, there were two men there to hit off the tee for us if we wanted.  We needed a good drive, so we let the men hit for us, and we ended up with a birdie.  Finally, a parting gift for each mom, a little bag of homemade goodies, brownies and cookies.

It was such a special day, and we all appreciated being treated like queens for the Mother's Day Scramble.  Our team ended with -2 for the day, a pretty good showing, and a great time was had by all.

Blade 1936 in Oceanside: Great Food, Lots of Noise

 Blade 1936 is a modern Italian eatery featuring Neopolitan pizza, pastas, and a modern twist on some old favorites.  The restaurant opened about a year before the pandemic hit and I was never able to get there, but in May I finally visited it.  

The name of the restaurant, Blade 1936, is a nod to the Blade Tribune, a newspaper that was published in Oceanside from 1936 -1960's.  The historic building was built by famed architect Irving Gill.  It's a real treasure.  

I thought Blade 1936 would be a rather elegant upscale restaurant (I don't know how I got that idea), and was surprised when I entered the extremely noisy restaurant.  The front of the restaurant has a bar area, semi open kitchen with a beautiful pizza oven, and large tables, around which people stand, drink and eat pizza.  This was not was I expecting.  The waitress took us to the quietist inside table, which wasn't very quiet.  There were four of us for dinner, and we almost had to shout to be heard.  However, the food was delicious.  Paparadelle with butter and mushrooms, spaghetti bolognese, bruschetta, muscles in broth with charred bread, were just some of the items we ordered.  

In all fairness, there is a tented outdoor area with heaters that we could have eaten at (should have eaten at), and next time, yes there will be a next time we will eat outdoors in the tented area, which is much, much quieter.

Blade 1936 attracts you people, families, and a few older folks.  No matter, the food is good, and if you go at lunch I am sure the noise will not be a problem.  If you go for dinner, sit in the tented area.

We did not have pizza, but they looked amazing and will get one next time.  Food was outstanding, so go for lunch or dinner in the tent.  You will love the food.  (The restaurant is just steps from the Oceanside train station).

Hikers Are Nice

 On a Saturday morning in May, Fran and I decided to explore.  We've been walking the same route (more or less) for at least 8 years, so we decided to be a little more adventurous.  Rather than walk, we looked for some easy hikes in North County.  I found the perfect 3 mile hike in Solana Beach.  What a day we had!

I picked Fran up and we head to a cul-de-sac at the end of N. Rios near the lagoon in Solana Beach.  I guess we weren't the only ones that thought it was a nice day for a hike, as the streets were loaded with cars.  Our destination was Annie's trailhead, which leads into narrow canyon.  The trails were dusty, thus slippery, but most areas had handrails.  

Most of the hikers were families with young children, families with older children, and young couples out for a beautiful hike.  Then there was us!  We were the oldest people by at least 20 years, but what impressed me most was the friendliness and helpfulness of everyone we met.  Young men who saw us struggling were happy to help us up or down a rough spot.  In fact, some of them insisted on helping.  Rather than take the "moderate" route, we took the "more difficult route."  Unfortunately, we were not able to make it to the top.  Trying to navigate between the walls of a very narrow space was difficult, and our motto is always, "safety first."  I would say we made it about 70-80% of the way, or at least that's what Fran thinks.

We talked to so many nice young people, families, teens, young men.  They all wanted to help us get to the top, but we decided it was just too much for us.  We turned back, and continued the rest of the way on the moderate trail.  So much fun to get out in the lagoon area of Solana Beach and experience beautiful canyons there too.  All of this is just steps from the 5 freeway.

We were so happy to see people of all ages, races and abilities, out in nature.  Everyone wanted to help each other have a good, safe, experience.  It gives me hope that we are good people.  I just have to turn off the news, where all we seem to hear about is another shooting.  Most people are good.  Maybe more people should get out and hike! 

The Many Uses Of Vinegar

 There are so many household products that have multiple uses.  I recently wrote about the many uses of hydrogen peroxide. Now you will hear about ways to vinegar.  You will be surprised.

1.  Brush your teeth with vinegar once a week to keep your teeth shiny and white.

2.  Eliminate carpet stains.  Mix 2Tablespoons of vinegar and 1/4cup of salt or baking soda.  Take the mixture and rub it into carpet.  Allow to dry before vacuuming.

3.  Revive old towels and make them fluffy again by adding 1/2 cup vinegar to wash.

4.  Keep fleas away from pets by taking 1 part apple cider vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle.  After Fido's bath, let him dry.  Then spray lightly with this mixture.  This should eliminate fleas.

5.  Want soft feet without getting a pedicure?  Mix vinegar and mouthwash and soak feet in the mixture for 15 minutes.  Scrub feet and remove dead skin.  Your feet will be nice and soft.

6.  To speed up the healing time for bruises, soak a paper towel in distilled white vinegar and press on bruised area.

7.  Spray distilled apple cider vinegar on a sunburn to relieve pain.

8.  Add 2 Tablespoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar to cut flowers.  They will last longer.

9.  Spray on stains as a stain remover.

10.  Add some vinegar to a load of laundry to remove any mildew smell, especially if wet towels have been sitting around for awhile.

11.  Heal mosquito bites by dabbing with vinegar.

12.  Use as an air freshener by combining vinegar, water and a few drops of lemon essential oil in a spray bottle.

You may know of other uses, but these are some that you might want to try.  

Coded Bias

 I'm not sure where to start on the subject of Artificial Intelligence that I learned so much about from the Netflix documentary, Coded Bias.  There's so much I didn't know, and all I can say, is please watch Coded Bias.  I will tell you just a little of what I learned about this fascinating topic.

Artificial Intelligence was first developed in 1956 at Darmouth, by a group of all white men from the math department.  It was first used to show that a computer was smarter than a human by beating humans at chess.  Artificial Intelligence has moved way beyond that.  It is now used throughout the world by police departments, colleges, school districts, finance companies and apartment complexes, just to name a few.  It uses historical information to make a prediction.  That is the definition of an algorithm.  Unfortunately unconscious bias is imbedded in technology.  The result is that facial recognition analysis works best on light skinned males.  There is a very high probability that when a white male is identified using facial recognition technology, they have identified him accurately.  However, when a man or woman with darker skin is potentially identified using this same technology, the rate of accuracy is far less.

There are 9 major companies in the world that use AI to track you, find out what you like and dislike, and steer you toward making decisions favorable to that company.  This includes Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Alibaba.  

In China, every citizen is in the database.  Everything a Chinese citizen does is monitored.  Who they associate with, what they buy, where they go.  It's all tracked.  They have something called a "social credit system," to improve behavior!  Who you befriend is likely based on their credit score.  If you do something bad to affect your own score, it will also affect the score of your friends and family.  Chinese citizens know this, and behave accordingly.

The difference between China and the U.S. is that China is transparent about their surveillance.  We aren't.  Right now there about 117 million U.S. citizens in our database.  It's a biometric photo that the government has, which is like having your DNA or fingerprints  These can be used without permission for all kinds of reasons.  

AI is a fascinating field.  To learn more about this subject, watch Coded Bias.  It will open your eyes.