Old So What

  That whatever tastes good (such as taco chips) is bad for you, whereas whatever tastes bad (such as Wheatena [hot] cereal) is good for you but tastes like eating a woolen blanket. I don’t think they make Wheatena anymore, but the child in me (who was forced to eat it) would say: No Loss!

  What is the voice of reason? It’s that little voice inside our heads and those of others, that speaks to us with logic, fairness, good judgment, using evidence…to convince ourselves to act in a sensible, civilized way. We seem to have lost this little voice of hope along the way of today’s not-so-nice, not-so-safe world. (In other words:   a world out of control, and often malignant.) If we could reinstate “kindness” it would greatly aid the little voice of reason.

  I can’t say enough in praise of the new Netflix program, “Captivating the King.” An historical drama, set in Joseon times, that is simply incredible.   And it gets even more incredible as it goes on, especially when the love story begins. It may well be one of the best features to appear on any television anywhere…anytime. (Coming from someone who has watched TV since 1950). The cast is impeccable with Jo Jung-suk and Shin Se-kyung taking the two top leads.   But the cast and director have played this story so well, with ALL leads.   There are very few minor roles.   Everyone is at the top of their game. Bravo to writers, directors, producers, actors, musicians, set designers, and anyone else, happily for us, to be participating in this production! This lovely series captures your heart.   It truly does.

  Every spring I’m confronted with the same problem: Bugs.   Relatively easily solved by the annual, sometimes biannual, calling of the exterminator (who sprays only in the basement and around the outside of the house). Now picture a Warner Bros. cartoon of an ant.   This would have the mandatory huge anthropomorphic (having human characteristics), cartoon eyeballs of exaggerated size. And a large head, wearing a big smile. With the beginning of the spring season comes the scout ants. They burst upon the scene to literally scout the scene.   What’s happening, any predators around, is this safe, any food? I envision one specific ant who I actually saw appear on my kitchen counter in a ceremony of great expectation on its part.   It was heaped in the enthusiasm of the very young. As it actually was. How did I respond to this appearance? I crushed the little twerp! Right there and then. But not without any regret. Here was a tiny being whom I always remember with huge sympat

  Maybe I’m taking a proprietary view here in that this successful series, which ran on HBO, from June 1998 to February 2004, should remain part of its time, without an appearance in 2021. Talk about a fish out of water! This is not good. Leave Sex and the City alone.   You have tortured and abused the original enough. It was in, its time, for the viewers of that time, a very enjoyable show. As one of those viewers, now I can no longer look at it. It has been distorted beyond all meaning...beyond all redemption. What are you trying to achieve here? I think what you have created is an unrecognizable Frankenstein.   And an unlikeable one at that.  

  My husband once said: “You are the only one I know who could get chocolate on their underwear!"

  What to do with all that money and time? I’m talking about those who can afford to stay at luxury, high-end hotels on view now on YouTube. So, you’ve checked in with your Louis Vuitton luggage. Right after you’ve checked the luggage to see if it’s all there, then what? Have a complimentary bottle of Perrier…or something stronger and…? What do you do in such a hotel? Shop? Explore? Swim in the many inside/outside pools? Take a tour of the town? Read a book; take a nap? Well, all of the above. In this economy most of us would really love to have these sorts of questions as our primary worries.   Bring them on!

  Sometimes, called leaf cabbage, kale is primarily grown for its edible leaves, and is also used for decorative purposes. (It’s that stuff that the supermarket sticks around vegetables in display cases in the hope of adding an appetizing touch, which kale almost never does.) This is a cabbage-like vegetable, part of the mustard family, related to broccoli and Brussels sprouts. It contains vitamins A, K, C, folate and minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. One of those leafy greens whose sugars help to fuel intestinal health. Kale can help with weight loss, heart health and protecting against diseases. Consumption of kale in excess can, however, lead to problems, such as stomach irritation and constipation.   And kale can increase the chance of getting kidney stones, and the risk of iodine deficiency. This is not a definitive list about kale, so please don’t quote me. You might not want to eat kale every day, if at all, because, in my personal opinion, kale is not

  On dry foods, such as tuna or chicken, always have a glass of water nearby to supply moisture. (This simple rule has helped me many times.)