Category: Memoir

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Don’t retire (but if you must, do so a lot later than age 65)

Sat 09.21.24

While I am not quite sure what I plan to do in my “retirement years” I am convinced my work on this planet is not yet done. So I continue to read, steal time here and there to write and wait patiently for a sign.

“All you have to do is pay attention; lessons always arrive when you are ready, and if you can read the signs, you will learn everything you need to know in order to take the next step.” from THE ZAHIR

Read the signs: this is an individual language joined to intuition that appears at the right moments. Even if the signs point in the opposite direction from what you planned, follow them. Sometimes you can go wrong, but this is the best way to learn this new language.

Warrior of the Light, a http://www.paulocoelho.com.br publication — Paulo Coelho

Mimi and Papa by Madelyn. I’m the one on the right.

The spirit of the writer is different than the spirits of other artists. Writers are quirkier. Not as quirky as some painters or the guy who builds things out of toothpicks but quirky nonetheless. These artists qualify as top of the heap quirky. All I want to do is write. Is this too quirky?

I haven’t thought about or read much from Paulo Coelho recently. There was a time in my life when the signs were everywhere. Then they stopped. Maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention. Maybe they just stopped. Well, much to my surprise when I wasn’t looking for a sign one just shows up. I stumbled upon the article on Dr. Hinohara and at the top of the list of his longevity tips was…

DON’T RETIRE

I just finished reading The Writing Life by Annie Dillard and I realize my writing will never achieve the level of the great ones. From this short book on writing you can tell Dillard is pretty quirky. Maybe I’m not quirky enough to have chosen the writing life. But I am OK with my underdeveloped talents as I was OK with deciding not to pursue writing for a living. Too hard, too demanding, too much time spent writing words into the void where no one reads what you’ve written. Maybe if I took this writing thing seriously I would have gotten a lot better. Maybe if I had become a better writer the angels above would have tossed down a bit of luck. Maybe it’s not too late to start writing better. It’s always easier to work tirelessly on your art when you don’t depend upon it to put a roof over your head, food on the table, clothes on your back. I have always had a day job.

I still have a day job. I still write nearly every day, personal journal, online journal, blogs, grocery lists on scraps of paper. And it doesn’t matter if anyone reads my writing or not. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, waiting for the next sign.

The Artist is on the left. I’m the one on the right. I’m the writer.

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Prioritize Protein, Polyphenols, Healthy Fats, Calcium and Vitamin D

Research suggests that those who consume more protein tend to live longer and stay stronger and healthier later in life than those who consume less. But where you get your protein matters. Plant-based sources like legumes, nuts and whole grains seem to be especially beneficial, whereas protein from red and processed meat has been linked with shorter lives, Dr. Lars Fadnes, a professor of global public health at the University of Bergen in Norway, wrote in an email. How to Eat for a Long and Healthy Life – https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/02/well/eat/foods-longevity-aging.html

Nice article. The last time I checked the link the NYT article was freely available and not sitting behind their paywall.

One key point was not covered in the article. Pizza! Tomato sauce for polyphenols and cheese for healthy fats and calcium. You already know what not to put on your pie to improve the health benefits.

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All my recipes in one place – Emiko Davies

Sunday 8/25

My cookbook obsession started in my 20’s. Dad always told me if you learn how to cook you’ll always enjoy your meals. I found this to be mostly true. Ask anyone in the family about my famous Mustard Chicken or Tofu Tacos, two recipes of mine which I’ve made just one time apiece. Some recipes are meant to be one and done. Others change and get better over time. To be a better cook you have to learn how others cook. One herb or spice that you don’t use in a dish you’ve made for years can make a difference. Technique matters. Let the experience of others be your constant guide.

A few years ago I stopped buying paper cookbooks. The house was filling up with hundred of books, not just cookbooks, so I decided to cut back drastically on paper based books and transitioned to ebooks. Sometimes I borrow cookbooks from the local library to browse for more cooking knowledge. And then there’s the infinity of the internet where you can find the same recipe repeated over and over claimed by all to be their unique creations. But occasionally you stumble upon a website and you know you’ll come back for tips over and over again.

Emiko Davies is an Australian-Japanese food writer, photographer and cookbook author based in Italy for the past 20 years. Davies just posted an index of her recipes from the past 14 years. https://www.emikodavies.com/all-my-recipes-in-one-place/

I love Italian food. Time to learn how to make it better.

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Scary Charts 08.03.24

Source: Have Wages Kept Up With Inflation? — https://www.statista.com/chart/32428/inflation-and-wage-growth-in-the-united-states/

How do you stretch your grocery dollars? Shop the sales and shop at different stores. I have three stores in my rotation and my shopping list determines where I shop. I’ve always been a bargain hunter.

Wander the aisles and pay attention to sell by, best by, or expiration dates. Some grocery items are not selling quickly anymore. Other items are languishing on the shelves. I found a jar of organic blueberry fruit spread for $2.41. The other week I bought two one pound packages of ground turkey reduced to $1.00 apiece. $1.00 for a pound of ground meat! The sell by dates were one day after the purchase date and the meat went straight into the freezer. Wander because you never know what items have been deeply discounted.

Stock up when you find it on sale. My favorite brand of popcorn usually costs >$3.00 a bag. I saw this popcorn this morning on sale 3 bags for $5.00. Yeah, I bought three bags.

Speaking of sales, my local wine shop was offering 12% off a half case of wine the other day and 10% off two bottles of American whiskey.

Yup, stock up.

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How To Study Anything

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Beans for Breakfast – 06.11.24

Lead author Yanni Papanikolaou and colleagues analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey’s What We Eat in America program to study how often U.S.-based adults consume beans. In their analyses, they focused on how often Americans consumed white and red kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, and pinto beans. The researchers observed that adults who routinely consumed these beans had improved ratios of polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and saturated fatty acids compared to those who did not consume beans. Those who ate beans also consumed 30% more fruits and 20% more vegetables. Higher Intake Of Beans Linked To More Nutritious Diet — https://www.forbes.com/sites/anuradhavaranasi/2024/06/11/higher-intake-of-beans-linked-to-more-nutritious-diet/

Remember Research Reveals One Simple Habit That Promotes Longevity AND Provides Extra Income in Retirement.

I’ve expanded my collection of cookbooks in search of more bean recipes.

It’s bean a lot of fun.

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