Beer and Blood-Letting

Our church sponsored a blood drive again--this time with Michigan Blood, with whom I have had only one successful donation. My iron levels have usually been on the low side, and I have been rejected from donating in the past. I popped a few vitamins with iron this past week just in case, but it had been quite some time (banned phrase, with apology) since I donated. My iron level (hematocrit) was at staggering 44%, so it was time to get those levels to a lower normal! This time they said levels are brought down 2 points for awhile--I thought it was three. I guess at that rate I could donate again in 56 days!

I invited two friends to join me and a few familiar faces from the last draw were there too, including the pastor. My friend Rita was rejected for low iron. We "gave" together last time. I guess she will have to eat her cream of wheat or something. Another church friend was rejected because her veins were too small to extract any blood.

My invited friends were on the low side of normal, but had high enough levels to donate. Yay us!

I have always been a carnivore but I have eaten very little (iron-fortified) bread or cereal lately. I have had a few other yeast products this year...especially, beer! (In this, my Year of Beer!)

 I learned (or was reminded), no drinking of alcoholic beverages after donating! But I was with my two beer buddies ... and we were thirsty after our successful donation!

Check out the beer blog post again to see what we did! (7-30-15)

http://onemoreyearofliving.blogspot.com/2015/06/discovery-tour-2015-summer-beaches-and.html

The Magnificent...17?!

I've lost count. I think the number actually stands at 16 as of today. Yes, the Republican field of presidential candidates is getting very crowded. It has to be hard to break out of the pack and get noticed, but one candidate with a familiar one-name identity has, as they keep saying, sucked a lot of the oxygen out of the race. Trump, at age 69, along with his famous comb-over, has been capturing, for better and for worse, much of the media attention. He also is attracting huge crowds, to use one of his favorite words. (And he is rich--really rich).

Bored Panda on my Facebook feed has featured Trump's hair, in various states of both normal and windblown disarray, paired with an animal that has a similar appearance. With Trump and his hair, you never know what you are going to get, and that's why he has been the one to watch. On his recent trip to the border he wore an uncharacteristic cap to keep those locks in place. But his words spew forth unfiltered even as his hair stays plastered down.

Establishment Republicans are worried how much damage Trump might do to their brand, and are also concerned that he may decide to go rogue, like Perot, and guarantee another Clinton (or two) in the White House.

The presidential election is well over a year away. The first summer debates will hopefully hone the field to a more manageable group of top tier candidates.

I do love what some of these fresh faces bring to the table. I have mentioned Dr. Ben Carson a few times and have heard him speak here in town. Some faces are older and not so pretty, and some are young and boyish (Rubio) but at least we have a woman, a black, and two of Hispanic heritage on the long list!

But Trump (The Donald) is a very unique character, and in spite of his perceived missteps, he has achieved a meteoric rise to the top.

I have had other things to occupy my time this summer, but I can no more completely give up my political junkie hat than the husband can give up his golf hat (including the one marked with the occasions that anyone has beaten him on the links)--even though he urges me to just vote for whomever remains standing next fall and ignore the horse race. I haven't put my money on any of the steeds (or filly) yet--certainly not the really rich one with the flying mane!

  I will try to put a lid on it for awhile...

Rosie Get Your Gun??

I was checking the watering at the church garden tonight--a little too late. Dusk had already given way to darkness, although the flower gardens are partially lit. I had the loaner Ford F-150 with a new hose in the truck bed along with two clumps of perennials from O's house. Inside on the floor I had a bottle or two of flower fertilizer, a clipper, some new pink garden gloves--and on the seat a bag with miscellaneous supplies. I had to park it just outside the gates, but sort of in my view, although behind a pine tree.

As I returned to the pickup I heard the door slam and saw a boy on a bike high-tailing it down the driveway. I had left the truck unlocked, taking purse and keys with me. There was really nothing much in the truck, not even any small change--and I was planning to be gone only a few minutes.

What a disappointment it must have been for him to dump out the contents of my bag to find only Kleenex, citrus wipes, bug spray, air freshener, duct tape and an old pair of purple Hanes panties (you never know!).

Still, I was outraged! All I could do was yell at him in my fiercest voice. As fast as he was biking, even a gun would have been ineffective ( kidding!), but I wish I had had something on me to make a loud pop and perhaps scare him so badly he would have needed some fresh Hanes!

I had begun to take on a different persona in my big truck. I am woman, hear me roar! I left the radio tuned to a country station. I donned a cap. My tough girl attitude didn't help me at all--probably just made me stupid and careless! Oh well. I was not robbed--but it was an unpleasant violation of some sort.

Seriously, a gun--even one that just pops or pellets--is probably overkill for this situation.

But if a gun is not in my future, I do need to think about better ways to protect myself.

And  I need to lock my doors!

One More Birthday

Birthday cocktail with frozen cubes of watermelon and cucumber-infused vodka

One more birthday--in this my one-more-year-of-living. The original blogging retiring rose is flying through the 60-somethings waaaay too fast.

As with life, my birthday weekend had some ups and downs.

The weather was hot and muggy. Then July the 18th dawned dark and thunderstormy. Later there was more rain and even a hint of a tornado while we dined out Saturday night.

The car key that I had so much trouble with was, and is still, LOST. I spent all weekend looking, even in the refrigerator, just in case I had become SUDDENLY SENILE.

The power steering went out on the Subaru. Tried adding fluid. Have an appointment...

I discovered why my vision has been problematic. My right eye has improved dramatically for distance (?) and my trifocals make my vision more blurry! Have an appointment.
Maybe I will find the key after I get a new prescription!!

But I had some fun days last week, some good food, and received some birthday wishes and gifts. I ate cake three times helping to celebrate M's July birthday, so I had plenty cake!

I got real snail mail cards from one "old-fashioned" friend G. and one "old-fashioned" cousin, V. and from my almost completely senile almost 97-year-old mother-in-law. I wonder if she got help with the address and mailing? Her handwriting is still old-school beautiful!

I got a beautiful card from a daughter who now designs for a  company in Manhattan:

I have a minor peacock theme in my life--and another daughter sent me this thoughtful gift:

A third daughter sent nothing but agreed to a rain check - for a special dinner out with me this year!

Two More Breweries in July...on the same day!

We are finally branching out to the beach town breweries. Check out the latest additions to the Summer Brews and Beaches post:

http://onemoreyearofliving.blogspot.com/2015/06/discovery-tour-2015-summer-brews-and.html

Added 7-27

Oregon hops field - by JDL

With all the new breweries cropping up, I'm thinking about growing some hops!

A Little Christmas in July

Last December I was thinking about Christmas and ways that I could give, or make a difference, with my modest amount of disposable income. I documented some of that in a post.

One thought I had was that I could bring my new neighbors a bottle of something red or white and bubbly to welcome them before the New Year. Well, they seemed to vacate for the holidays, and by the first week of January, it seemed too late to walk over with the bottle of Prosecco that I had purchased for them.

So, they seem nice, and busy, and I still had not walked over to say hello--and neither had they--until yesterday!

So while another neighbor just up the hill was here checking out our new siding, they walked over with their dog to meet us.

In the course of the conversation, I asked, "Hey, do you drink things alcoholic and bubbly?" They replied in the affirmative and I told them I had a bottle which I had purchased for them for the holidays that was still in my fridge (the "beverage center" mini fridge).

I can't believe that I actually managed a little Christmas in July cheer! Yay me, lol.

Another Trip to NYC

Plane flies above One World Trade on a cloudy day in Manhattan

Finally, my final post, documenting our recent trip to NYC.

It wasn't quite as exciting for me to visit Manhattan for a second time this year. We did some of the same things that I had done in April. Our subway excursion to lower Manhattan was dampened by a misty grayness, but it never actually rained. I'm thankful it wasn't sunny and hot, if that was the summer alternative.

The new World Trade Center building wasn't quite as luminous under the clouds, but I had to get one more shot of it, happening to catch a plane flying high above.

An Asian girl stopped me to ask what building it was that I was photographing. How could she not know? She asked if I was an American and I added that I was from Michigan. Had she heard of that? Oh yes, "U Me" she said.

We walked to the East River, to the dock where people are ferried to IKEA. I bought a hotdog from one of the many Sabrett stands, for the husband and on his list, and learned later it was probably not a real Sabrett--I didn't ask for the famous natural casing frankfurter and got an ordinary dog for the outrageous price of $4!

yes, a flag!

I took a photo of the tomb of founding father Alexander Hamilton in the Trinity Church cemetery, his wife Eliza resting under a small gravestone alongside.

We ate at the beautiful new food court overlooking the Hudson River, (Hudson Eats at Brookfield Place) but I ordered badly this time--sliced up sausage on a bun at the BBQ place. Slathering a little BBQ sauce on it helped. No amazing maple bacon sweet potato fries, either.

On Friday night of the first day in the city the four of us took a wild taxi ride down to Mid-town and enjoyed "An American in Paris." We sat up very high in the theater. I tried to count all the steps on the way down--I got 71! When the show got out, Broadway was wall to wall peopling and the lights were daylight bright. It was not our scene and we quickly found a taxi to take us home.

But most of our time was spent on the Upper East Side within walking distance of our kids' apartment.

The husband was excited to visit Brick Church but did not fully appreciate the message brought by an associate woman pastor. The church was quite empty. I'm sure the senior pastor was cottaging somewhere. He likes Lake Michigan! Or perhaps he was in the Hamptons.

Another highlight was Sunday Afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The famous large painting by Georges Seurat about a Sunday afternoon is in Chicago, but there were other examples of Seurat's work.

Seurat - Gray Weather

The misty gray weather magically lifted as we exited the museum and the rest of the time was sunny and beautiful, as evident in my final photos at Carl Schurz Park and the East River, below.

Since the kids have memberships (our over 65 senior rate was $17) and live close by, we were allowed to choose our favorite galleries. I wanted to see the European galleries, making sure I saw whatever Van Gogh works they had on display.

This Van Gogh was a favorite to photograph and I caught the husband taking a shot of his own:

Van Gogh - Wheat Field with Cypresses

He also requested to visit the gallery with armor and war stuff. I have to say that that was very interesting as well. Beautiful guns and swords were also displayed. Some of the armor weighed over 60 pounds.

Americana coffee 

Armor at MET

The son-in-law introduced us to some amazing large paintings in the "French Academic" gallery. My favorite, of young lovers on a swing is quite revealing, with the girl in a diaphonous dress--so I will not share that photo! (Springtime by Cot, if you must check it out.)

Sunday night we were planning to chill at home and eat lasagna leftovers from Nick's Pizza (museums are exhausting). On the way home from the MET I insisted on stopping and paying for some coffee--so that perked me up a little, as did the cheese almond danish! I had never yet been to a coffee shop in NYC. It was the NYC chain Le Pain Quotidien.


But later the kids called from the Libertador bar that we should meat them, I mean meet (it was Argentinean!) The weather was absolutely perfect--exactly 72 degrees!! We just had to eat a meal outdoors ... and so we did. I had read some reviews before walking to the restaurant and I was ready to order well (really, medium rare) this time.

The sidewalk chairs were a little insubstantial and our waiter was kind enough to get the husband a sturdy wooden chair with a back from inside. I was tipping a little towards the street in my chair, but soon forgot--after some sipping--or should I say tippling? I had read that the white sangria was delicious. I ordered a carafe and offered to help pay--and we shared.

I shared this mixed grill with my daughter. The chimichurri was amazing. The empanada was authentic, stuffed with beef, green olives and chopped eggs. YUM!

Mousse at Libertador

Topping off the meal, a bite of chocolate mousse for all. Ahhh. We were sated and almost ready to return home to our ordinary lives.

A breakfast at The Mansion (Eggs Florentine) and a little walk to the river and the gardens of Carl Schurz Park and we were ready for the long day of travel ahead, hoping to make it all the way to our own bed.

How to Feel on the 4th

Old Glory center stage at Millennium Park

We have not really ever had a 4th of July tradition. When the children were young we always went somewhere to view fireworks. Once we were in Rochester, NY for fireworks. Once we viewed fireworks from the top of the Hancock in Chicago. They looked like tiny puffs of color far below--the worst fireworks display ever!

A few years ago I walked in a parade supporting a local congressmen. Our church has a float every year in two local parades--but that surely is for the younger folk.

I always feel bad (just a tad bad) that there is no particular way to conjure up patriotism on days that are so designated. I have some resentment for a day that is prescribed to be patriotic. Imagine if we had a day when we were supposed to show we were Christian? And Patriotic songs don't really belong in a Sunday worship service. So what does one do on the 4th of July, beyond burgers and beer?

Tulip Time (for the Dutch) is celebrated in at least two towns that I know of. I don't do that either.

On Memorial Day we have a family picnic. But Independence Day has no particular traditions for us anymore and we have no family in town. I explained to my friend that we were adults and didn't need to do the fireworks thing any more. So she messaged me a video of just what I missed!

I spent an hour mowing the rental lawn and feeling foolish for mowing on a holiday while I imagined others having really fun celebrative stuff to do. I saw only one man working in his yard on the way home. I mouthed loser at him, but it was half directed back at myself.

Doing noisy things apart from fireworks seemed like an intrusion on the holiday, although all the noise of firecrackers kept us awake into the night for several nights.

I planted a "patriotic" mix of petunias in a pot recently, now that most of the magenta trim is removed from our house, even as it is still in the process of being sided.

How patriotic do I need to be, anyway? It is just another day. For many it is just a day off--or at least the day before was. I can theoretically take any day off. And I can see flags all over every day to remind me of my country.

There is a flag over the cemetery I visited a few weeks ago where my parents were put to rest:

I have just been to NYC, viewing the grave of one of the founding fathers, at Trinity Church.

I'm sure there was a flag here somewhere

Earlier this year I had a draft at a tavern where George Washington himself imbibed, in a building that is now a museum to Revolutionary War times. That seems pretty patriotic!

I'll break open that bottle of Rogue Chocolate Stout I found that was almost like the double chocolate stout I drank at that old tavern in lower Manhattan and call it a celebration!

Looks like me! - Rose goes Rogue

There are flags everywhere if you look. I recently saw the flag at Millennium Park, above.

And at all the welcome rest stops on the road trip West:

Wisconsin welcome center

Every day I am thankful to be in this country, even though I hear noisy haters all around who seem to have no appreciation for the laws and principles that were put in place in the country's infancy.

(Even those 9 wise "men" in Washington seem to be just making it up these days.)

Maybe next year. Celebrate. Celebrate. Dance to the Music....

 A flag cake, perhaps.

Anyway, Happy Birthday America!

P.S. I read that William Kristol has a tradition of enduring a reading of the Declaration of Independence at his holiday celebration. I think I'll stick with the cake idea!

Road Trip to NYC

Flower gardens along East River - UES

I did not drive this time but I was on the road again--to New York City! The google map lady was very helpful, always telling us we were on the fastest route. She was especially needed as we went through the bridges and busyness of Manhattan. The GW over the Hudson River is an awesome bridge but I didn't want to lose the lady to take a photo because we had no idea where we were going after the bridge. It now costs $14 to enter Manhattan, but they let you leave for free! We left on the lower level, following our lady's suggestion. Who were we to question why?

Rain, traffic and construction backups delayed us a little on the trip up, but we stopped overnight, so it didn't become too grueling. The return trip took 13 hours, after stopping for a satisfying dinner at a diner in Pennsylvania. We arrived home safely, with reduced traffic, at 2:00 AM, with the help of a little Jet-Alert.

The most astounding thing on the road trip was seeing a large black?? bear in the ditch in Pennsylvania. He stopped ambling to look at us (was he alerted by the deer whistle installed just before the trip?) and then crossed the expressway, according to the husband, who saw it through his rear-view mirror as we flew by at 75+ mph.

I thought the $9.95 chicken salad might be too much food at the diner, off-roading in Pennsylvania on the return trip, but the waiter surprised me with this salad, which he said was only $6. We are not in NYC anymore! Draft beer was $1.50.  Funny how quickly your perspective changes:

Diner Dinner - $6

You can afford this price point when you haven't changed the table tops since the 50's! Cal said this was the same pattern as the counter top in his childhood home:

Husband made me take this photo and message his sister to confirm that this was the same pattern.

I forgot how much (maybe 10.50) we paid for this Chop't Cobb Salad in a plastic bowl, another NYC kind of thing, where they assemble and chop the salad as you watch. I looked up that there are around 30 Chop't Creative Salad Co. places in the NYC and DC areas. This salad was a pretty good value as well--one of the least expensive meals we had in NYC, consumed with only water--by all but me.

Chop't Salad - UES -  I don't think a french fry topping was an option here.