重訪英國劍橋市2019/莊峻華
劍橋市在倫敦市北，和倫敦市西之牛津市，都是世界馳名之大學城，這次我之重訪劍橋市，原本是參觀它之河運，然後繼續北上里治市，參觀此英國重要之運河大城市，里治到利物浦間之運河，仍在有效使用中，就是觀光休閒小舟旅行，不巧，我差一週遇見攝政王公園，玫瑰花開，因此，臨時取消里治行，劍橋週末兩日後，再回倫敦一週，我相信來日行軍里治運河網，機會尚多。
我是先經劍橋市街，找到河畔，就是中國白話文中，劍橋倒影之小舟碼頭，有很多遊客搭乘人力撐駛小舟，就在小溪上來回，兩岸就是古典美麗之學院建築，草地花園，其中過橋一段為一女學院阻隔，我曾划船經過，不以為意，當地人不知我云運河為何物？僅曰此為河流，旁有幾段廢棄溝渠，我不敢曰為古運河，此船行河流，有水流方向，我準備翌日探討溪流之遠近。回客棧途中，經過平俗社區，還有劍大化學系館，客棧在火車站旁，一點都不困難尋找。
翌晨一早，我就趕到河畔，小舟工人，正在安排出租工作，岸上已有中國遊客夫婦，購票準備上稍大船隻遊河，這種船有導遊說明，來回約三十分鐘，我還是堅持等候學院開門借道，後來發現不可能，只好走出河畔，往城中方向，這些都是美麗之劍橋學院校園，而且也不開放參觀，輾轉問到一位主辦活動之學生，指點我途津，經過幾巷弄，果然找到一手寫路標，指出另一河岸，就是過一小拱型石橋，找到河岸步行徑，這是女學院之內部，可以湲溪而下。
學院草皮上有一花圃，花開甚美，我已認出當年到訪之落花櫻林，我需要繞過一四方型草原，始得續行河畔步徑，又過一宏偉學院，溪流穿過市中心，更多遊舟，更多遊客，河面上已經有許多划舟運動者，許多划船俱樂部船塢，許多年輕人划船運動。經過一大市立公園，就是農村景色，許多年輕人，走在原野小路上，到城中購物，就像過去我們虎尾鄉下過年景色，我一直走到路盡河分岐，回程中見到父母親教小女孩騎馬。
穿過城中，也找到當年之食攤廣場，我找到一攤日本店，叫一盤飯菜和可樂，席地而食，就是大學城，週末也甚熱鬧，劍橋市內，也有其他學院，也有高科技和航空產業。
Monday, September 30, 2019
The second day back to NYC 2019/Carlos Pueblo
The second day back to NYC 2019/Carlos Pueblo
The Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art is one of the most often places which I have visited in NYC. Yong provided me his zip code in order to get a local resident status to pay a discount admission while previously, I could direct the cashier how much to donate. It is now mandatory, no resident asked for $20 with 10% senior discount. We went out to have a simple breakfast at a donuts shop, then he drove me to visit a park near by the bay. Staten Island was an old landfill of NYC with plenty of Italian immigrants at the beginning. Now, it is a mixed race of several international with half a million population. Because of the Staten Island light rail system, many Asian Indian American utilize it to commute to Manhattan work place, of course via the Staten Island ferry.
I managed to make it to the west side museum before noon and prepare to answer the zip code after a safety inspection of my backpack and cameras. The cashier required a photo identification to prove my residency; therefore, I decided not to spend the money and walked out into the Central park instead. I only enjoy my learning by a minimum cost, i.e.,
visiting local art gallery or the British Museum, etc. they are all free of charge. It was a beautiful day and shaded benches were mostly occupied and finally, I found one to share with another person in front of a pond full of battery powered toy sail boats. A pair of pretty girls were taking photos with a light reflection board with a photographer. A girl wore a traditional dress with a bonnet while the other one wore a rider's outfit and they took turn to hold the board and allow the young man to take photo of different positions. I had had two cameras in the bag and asked their permission to take pictures of them. I took 6 shots with my Pentax and promised to e-mail them back. I should learn and carry my portrait lens with me that day to have their pictures taken. They are students in college to become movie stars.
I walked around the pond to the other side and took a short nap on a bench. The park became busy in the afternoon while sun was shining, the locals came out to have sun tent while I was simply enjoying my nap and good memory of my past visits. I did see the cherry blossom in the Park during my return to NYC from several D.C. Cherry Blossom Festivals. I also had visited the Brooklyn Park for its 800 cherry trees in spring. On my way out of the Park back to the subway station, I stopped by a small museum of a U.S. French museum, actually a book store yet very nice. I walked through some familiar scenery of the Manhattan.
We had had a light dinner at home, a pan fried red snapper, claim soup, rice portage, a salty vegetable jam like sea weeds, and the left over marinated duck. We continued our conversation of our life at old age.
The Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art is one of the most often places which I have visited in NYC. Yong provided me his zip code in order to get a local resident status to pay a discount admission while previously, I could direct the cashier how much to donate. It is now mandatory, no resident asked for $20 with 10% senior discount. We went out to have a simple breakfast at a donuts shop, then he drove me to visit a park near by the bay. Staten Island was an old landfill of NYC with plenty of Italian immigrants at the beginning. Now, it is a mixed race of several international with half a million population. Because of the Staten Island light rail system, many Asian Indian American utilize it to commute to Manhattan work place, of course via the Staten Island ferry.
I managed to make it to the west side museum before noon and prepare to answer the zip code after a safety inspection of my backpack and cameras. The cashier required a photo identification to prove my residency; therefore, I decided not to spend the money and walked out into the Central park instead. I only enjoy my learning by a minimum cost, i.e.,
visiting local art gallery or the British Museum, etc. they are all free of charge. It was a beautiful day and shaded benches were mostly occupied and finally, I found one to share with another person in front of a pond full of battery powered toy sail boats. A pair of pretty girls were taking photos with a light reflection board with a photographer. A girl wore a traditional dress with a bonnet while the other one wore a rider's outfit and they took turn to hold the board and allow the young man to take photo of different positions. I had had two cameras in the bag and asked their permission to take pictures of them. I took 6 shots with my Pentax and promised to e-mail them back. I should learn and carry my portrait lens with me that day to have their pictures taken. They are students in college to become movie stars.
I walked around the pond to the other side and took a short nap on a bench. The park became busy in the afternoon while sun was shining, the locals came out to have sun tent while I was simply enjoying my nap and good memory of my past visits. I did see the cherry blossom in the Park during my return to NYC from several D.C. Cherry Blossom Festivals. I also had visited the Brooklyn Park for its 800 cherry trees in spring. On my way out of the Park back to the subway station, I stopped by a small museum of a U.S. French museum, actually a book store yet very nice. I walked through some familiar scenery of the Manhattan.
We had had a light dinner at home, a pan fried red snapper, claim soup, rice portage, a salty vegetable jam like sea weeds, and the left over marinated duck. We continued our conversation of our life at old age.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
紐約市第二日 2019/莊峻華
紐約市第二日 2019/莊峻華
清晨，永祥開車帶我逛史帖登島，幾處公園和小鎮，島上人口約是五十萬，過去是紐約市垃圾場，曾是義大利裔美人聚落處，現在已是多種族群居民，多半在曼哈頓島工作，乘渡輪上下班，島上社區，很像我們德州，獨門獨院，有前後院，春天花開甚美，不遠處就是世界大都會，我們在附近超市，買下鮮魚和海蚌，準備晚餐用，這紅甲級魚和蚌價格與休市相仿，我是準備參觀紐約美術館和中央公園後，返家晚餐，我能煎魚，做蚌湯，還有昨日滷鴨一大半。
搭渡輪過岸，途經勝利女神島，在曼哈頓島南端換地鐵，下車後又走上一段，抵達紐約美術館，館方政策改變，參觀需要門票，非市民是二十美元，老人九折優待，於是我逕自走入中央公園，尋覓一處板凳打盹，昨夜和元祥促膝長談過半夜。終於找到一水池旁，水池上有許多電動玩具小帆船出租，甚是熱鬧，我稍觀看片刻，看到兩位少女和一少年，正在池畔拍照，一位少女箸古典服裝，戴繫帶軟帽，另一位則是騎士打扮，兩位都是黑髮，東方面孔，跟隨男少年，手持相機，三位中有一位拿反光板，促進拍攝效果，我手上剛好有兩相機，忍不住要求許可拍攝，兩姑娘大方答應，我一共拍上六張，但都是長距離，未顯彼等皎美面孔，原來他們是戲劇系學生，準備將來當明星。
是日天氣暖和，我是找到一處可以打盹，近處有街頭藝人彈吉他，也有幾位老人像我，稍年輕之當地人，則攜帶毛毯，在草皮上晒太陽，春天，我確曾在中央公園，看過櫻花。離開公園，走回地下鐵站，搭車回渡輪站，這一處曼哈頓島南端，一直都是車水馬龍，古代荷蘭移民曾在此築籬巴牆，故曰牆街，抑或音譯華爾街。
清晨，永祥開車帶我逛史帖登島，幾處公園和小鎮，島上人口約是五十萬，過去是紐約市垃圾場，曾是義大利裔美人聚落處，現在已是多種族群居民，多半在曼哈頓島工作，乘渡輪上下班，島上社區，很像我們德州，獨門獨院，有前後院，春天花開甚美，不遠處就是世界大都會，我們在附近超市，買下鮮魚和海蚌，準備晚餐用，這紅甲級魚和蚌價格與休市相仿，我是準備參觀紐約美術館和中央公園後，返家晚餐，我能煎魚，做蚌湯，還有昨日滷鴨一大半。
搭渡輪過岸，途經勝利女神島，在曼哈頓島南端換地鐵，下車後又走上一段，抵達紐約美術館，館方政策改變，參觀需要門票，非市民是二十美元，老人九折優待，於是我逕自走入中央公園，尋覓一處板凳打盹，昨夜和元祥促膝長談過半夜。終於找到一水池旁，水池上有許多電動玩具小帆船出租，甚是熱鬧，我稍觀看片刻，看到兩位少女和一少年，正在池畔拍照，一位少女箸古典服裝，戴繫帶軟帽，另一位則是騎士打扮，兩位都是黑髮，東方面孔，跟隨男少年，手持相機，三位中有一位拿反光板，促進拍攝效果，我手上剛好有兩相機，忍不住要求許可拍攝，兩姑娘大方答應，我一共拍上六張，但都是長距離，未顯彼等皎美面孔，原來他們是戲劇系學生，準備將來當明星。
是日天氣暖和，我是找到一處可以打盹，近處有街頭藝人彈吉他，也有幾位老人像我，稍年輕之當地人，則攜帶毛毯，在草皮上晒太陽，春天，我確曾在中央公園，看過櫻花。離開公園，走回地下鐵站，搭車回渡輪站，這一處曼哈頓島南端，一直都是車水馬龍，古代荷蘭移民曾在此築籬巴牆，故曰牆街，抑或音譯華爾街。
Firs day back to New York City 2019/Carlos Pueblo
Firs day back to New York City 2019/Carlos Pueblo
In order to make my frugal budget, I arrived New York City four days before the ship embark at the Manhattan pier. I managed to make it to the Canal Street subway station in a shuttle bus from the La Quadia Airport to a subway station to take No. 6 line to Chinatown to meet Yong, my host at Staten Island. We walked to a Shabu Shabu Restaurant nearby to meet Peter, his fellow Chinese Malaysian who allowed me to use his two vouchers to reduce the cruise fares. The owner of the restaurant, also another Chinese Malaysian, is a successful first generation of immigrant. Peter is a 10% minor investor/owner of the restaurant. Most of the customers are young generation.
Yong, a retiree of the Metro Transit Authority, used to be office at lower Manhattan and come to Chinatown for lunch with his co-workers; therefore, he is very familiar with the area. It is much better than my previous visits by myself. He introduced me to a lady vender of a fruits stand to buy queva, longan, and mango, etc. Fruits stands are still very common in NYC with much better quality control based on the basic principle of the supply and demand. Most of the fruits are supplied from the State of Florida with unusual ripe and freshness while we don't see it often in Houston oriental super market. The lady owner mentions that they still need to work hard because their last child is still attending Columbia University after their first two children become a doctor of medicine and a business consultant. I believed that I met her husband before several times in my past visit of the city. They are Chinese Vietnamese immigrants.
The third stop was Bo Ky Restaurant where I got my favorite Diaojou marinated duck. The restaurant is managed by the second generation of the family after the senior lady passed away. Every time when I visit NYC, I always purchase several of their ducks and some times I take them to Washington D.C. to give them to my host family during my hanami, cherry blossom viewing. I was told by Yong that during the 80's, the restaurant rotated three chef
to chop 180 ducks a day to meet the take out demand. I remember my conversation with the senior lady owner in Taiwanese, a similar language with Diaojou, previously. Yong is a Diaojoujin and very familiar with the owner's family, the current manager is the second son and his wife with an electrical engineer background. I have had a found memory of my love of Diaojou cuisine since my school time in the capital city of Taipei, the beef noodle, meat and fish ball noodle with the delicious broth, etc. I am going to try some again very soon in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore on my next trip.
In order to make my frugal budget, I arrived New York City four days before the ship embark at the Manhattan pier. I managed to make it to the Canal Street subway station in a shuttle bus from the La Quadia Airport to a subway station to take No. 6 line to Chinatown to meet Yong, my host at Staten Island. We walked to a Shabu Shabu Restaurant nearby to meet Peter, his fellow Chinese Malaysian who allowed me to use his two vouchers to reduce the cruise fares. The owner of the restaurant, also another Chinese Malaysian, is a successful first generation of immigrant. Peter is a 10% minor investor/owner of the restaurant. Most of the customers are young generation.
Yong, a retiree of the Metro Transit Authority, used to be office at lower Manhattan and come to Chinatown for lunch with his co-workers; therefore, he is very familiar with the area. It is much better than my previous visits by myself. He introduced me to a lady vender of a fruits stand to buy queva, longan, and mango, etc. Fruits stands are still very common in NYC with much better quality control based on the basic principle of the supply and demand. Most of the fruits are supplied from the State of Florida with unusual ripe and freshness while we don't see it often in Houston oriental super market. The lady owner mentions that they still need to work hard because their last child is still attending Columbia University after their first two children become a doctor of medicine and a business consultant. I believed that I met her husband before several times in my past visit of the city. They are Chinese Vietnamese immigrants.
The third stop was Bo Ky Restaurant where I got my favorite Diaojou marinated duck. The restaurant is managed by the second generation of the family after the senior lady passed away. Every time when I visit NYC, I always purchase several of their ducks and some times I take them to Washington D.C. to give them to my host family during my hanami, cherry blossom viewing. I was told by Yong that during the 80's, the restaurant rotated three chef
to chop 180 ducks a day to meet the take out demand. I remember my conversation with the senior lady owner in Taiwanese, a similar language with Diaojou, previously. Yong is a Diaojoujin and very familiar with the owner's family, the current manager is the second son and his wife with an electrical engineer background. I have had a found memory of my love of Diaojou cuisine since my school time in the capital city of Taipei, the beef noodle, meat and fish ball noodle with the delicious broth, etc. I am going to try some again very soon in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore on my next trip.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
紐約市一日2019/莊峻華
紐約市一日2019/莊峻華
這次魁北克市郵輪旅行，因節省機票，提前四日飛抵紐約市，住在史帖登島永祥兄家，回程日和阿火兄嫂有一午餐約，其中一日自由行，到中央公園，一日到布希維克拜望再添兄，有兩日有永祥領我逛街。
抵拉闊地亞機場，按永祥指點，找到接駁巴士，到一地鐵站，順利搭上一號地鐵，來到運河街華埠，我們相約在運河街站出口會面，充份運用紐約市地鐵系統，經濟實惠。我們到附近一火鍋店用餐，一方面也同另位比德吳兄會面，我親交兩張郵輪折扣劵款給他，四年前我們一起跨洋旅行歐洲，他購買四張半價禮券，恐將過期，我設法幫他使用，這次用上兩張明年一月郵輪旅行，剛好來紐約搭船，專程送款來。他在此家火鍋餐廳有百分之十股份，所以我們來捧場，許多年輕顧客。
我拖著輕便行李，背包，和兩相機，就開始逛華埠，永祥是老紐約居民，舊日上班，常來華埠午餐，十分路熟，先經過一蔬果攤，這是紐約華埠特色，很像台灣之老街頭路邊攤，生意興隆，我在巴黎倫敦等大城市也常見，我買上蕃石榴，龍眼，和芒果等，是稍昂貴，但是新鮮可口，都是佛州產，我們休市水果，來自加州，墨西哥，和中美洲，品管不若紐約路邊攤，這位店老闆，是一典型認真苦幹越南華僑，和永祥相識幾十年，有三位優秀子女，令我心羨不已。
再來就是波記潮州滷鴨餐廳，因永祥父母來自中國潮州，因此我在三十餘年前，就曾來過此專們店，我很喜歡中國潮州汕頭口味，我們師大龍泉街，有一潮州涮牛肉攤，和台大新生南路之大聲公，據說都是同一老鄉，有同一食品工廠，這家波記滷鴨，獨步全球，我來紐約必訪，而且攜帶樣品，到華府介紹友人，此店老闆老父婦，均已過世，餐廳由次子經營，他們講潮州語，甚近台灣話，非常親切，我們帶回一隻鴨，回家當點心。
這次魁北克市郵輪旅行，因節省機票，提前四日飛抵紐約市，住在史帖登島永祥兄家，回程日和阿火兄嫂有一午餐約，其中一日自由行，到中央公園，一日到布希維克拜望再添兄，有兩日有永祥領我逛街。
抵拉闊地亞機場，按永祥指點，找到接駁巴士，到一地鐵站，順利搭上一號地鐵，來到運河街華埠，我們相約在運河街站出口會面，充份運用紐約市地鐵系統，經濟實惠。我們到附近一火鍋店用餐，一方面也同另位比德吳兄會面，我親交兩張郵輪折扣劵款給他，四年前我們一起跨洋旅行歐洲，他購買四張半價禮券，恐將過期，我設法幫他使用，這次用上兩張明年一月郵輪旅行，剛好來紐約搭船，專程送款來。他在此家火鍋餐廳有百分之十股份，所以我們來捧場，許多年輕顧客。
我拖著輕便行李，背包，和兩相機，就開始逛華埠，永祥是老紐約居民，舊日上班，常來華埠午餐，十分路熟，先經過一蔬果攤，這是紐約華埠特色，很像台灣之老街頭路邊攤，生意興隆，我在巴黎倫敦等大城市也常見，我買上蕃石榴，龍眼，和芒果等，是稍昂貴，但是新鮮可口，都是佛州產，我們休市水果，來自加州，墨西哥，和中美洲，品管不若紐約路邊攤，這位店老闆，是一典型認真苦幹越南華僑，和永祥相識幾十年，有三位優秀子女，令我心羨不已。
再來就是波記潮州滷鴨餐廳，因永祥父母來自中國潮州，因此我在三十餘年前，就曾來過此專們店，我很喜歡中國潮州汕頭口味，我們師大龍泉街，有一潮州涮牛肉攤，和台大新生南路之大聲公，據說都是同一老鄉，有同一食品工廠，這家波記滷鴨，獨步全球，我來紐約必訪，而且攜帶樣品，到華府介紹友人，此店老闆老父婦，均已過世，餐廳由次子經營，他們講潮州語，甚近台灣話，非常親切，我們帶回一隻鴨，回家當點心。
Friday, September 27, 2019
Luffa plants on the backyard/Carlos Pueblo
Luffa plants on the backyard/Carlos Pueblo
The luffa plant is very common in Asian country especially in Taiwan, we call it vegetable squash or the silk squash in Mandarin. A common squash on the dinner table for poor families just sauteed it with the garlic and a rough sponge use in bath or showering. We have several plants on our limit space of our backyard every year and all up to the rain fall of each year for the harvest. Before I left for Quebec City cruise, I didn't see any sign of fruits; however, after I came home that I found several over ripe fruits hanging on branches of trees. In a few days, they, 9 of them total in number, all fell into ground before the ideal stage of a mature ripe, dry and solid fibers. Originally, I blame the opossum and now I realize the damage is done by the squirrel. It can't really eat it yet it has the habit to mash up my joy of harvest.
When I was a little boy, I helped Mother to gather the squash on the mango tree and electrical pole where the squash sit. In Taiwan, the plant can last for years due to warm weather and the stem can be very big like a wrist size. I was taking a slow locomotive to the capital city of Taipei for my school education and viewed so many plants and yellow flowers on the side of the backyard of the railroad employee residential complex. We decide to grow it after we move to this new residence because that there is a small lot on the back of the garage just next to a tangerine tree. We let the plants climb to the neighboring trees and the neighbors do not complain and don't know what is going on. One day, Kim of the neighbor on the back did tell me that she found the squash at an oriental market and still couldn't remember the name. I taught her how to cook it and felt free to harvest. She understood another purpose of bathroom usage which was existed in the American West era.
I don't think that I can do anything about the competition with squirrels for the time being yet I can only pay more attention after the heavy rain in the summer. I must get it before the little rascal gets it mouse to it. After the freezing winter, everything dies and in the next spring, I have plenty of seeds to plant a new crop of silk squash.
The luffa plant is very common in Asian country especially in Taiwan, we call it vegetable squash or the silk squash in Mandarin. A common squash on the dinner table for poor families just sauteed it with the garlic and a rough sponge use in bath or showering. We have several plants on our limit space of our backyard every year and all up to the rain fall of each year for the harvest. Before I left for Quebec City cruise, I didn't see any sign of fruits; however, after I came home that I found several over ripe fruits hanging on branches of trees. In a few days, they, 9 of them total in number, all fell into ground before the ideal stage of a mature ripe, dry and solid fibers. Originally, I blame the opossum and now I realize the damage is done by the squirrel. It can't really eat it yet it has the habit to mash up my joy of harvest.
When I was a little boy, I helped Mother to gather the squash on the mango tree and electrical pole where the squash sit. In Taiwan, the plant can last for years due to warm weather and the stem can be very big like a wrist size. I was taking a slow locomotive to the capital city of Taipei for my school education and viewed so many plants and yellow flowers on the side of the backyard of the railroad employee residential complex. We decide to grow it after we move to this new residence because that there is a small lot on the back of the garage just next to a tangerine tree. We let the plants climb to the neighboring trees and the neighbors do not complain and don't know what is going on. One day, Kim of the neighbor on the back did tell me that she found the squash at an oriental market and still couldn't remember the name. I taught her how to cook it and felt free to harvest. She understood another purpose of bathroom usage which was existed in the American West era.
I don't think that I can do anything about the competition with squirrels for the time being yet I can only pay more attention after the heavy rain in the summer. I must get it before the little rascal gets it mouse to it. After the freezing winter, everything dies and in the next spring, I have plenty of seeds to plant a new crop of silk squash.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
後院絲瓜/莊峻華
後院絲瓜/莊峻華
避暑旅行歸家，整理庭院，常見後院絲瓜散落，初為鄰居庭院工人，摘下籬巴外果實，摔過籬巴，這些過老絲瓜，已不能食，但似未熟能為絡，就是不能為菜瓜婆洗身用，非常可惜，一日，愛美置放一大粒於內院製水機上，我摸掉落果實，正在婉嘆，她和我細數掛在樹梢幾粒老瓜，約有八粒，足夠我洗身需要，和明後年種子用，不想連續幾日，老瓜繼續落地，有些尚有啃食痕跡，初猜為北美兒鼠所為，後來發現最後一粒是白日落地，顯然是松鼠為患，北美兒鼠是晝伏夜出，專食水果，松鼠則是無物不摧毀。
吾家庭院多高樹，僅後院車庫被有一小畦，容得絲瓜延伸於樹枝上，春夏中稍得雨季，但不逢開花期，只得過仲夏日後，颶風帶來豪雨，絲瓜開始結果，台灣南部虎尾，絲瓜結實一整年，我們家經常吃絲瓜，瓜籐漫延到芒果株和電線上，坐在火車上，沿路鄉村都種絲瓜。
郵輪旅行回家口饞，削上一粒嫩絲瓜，烈鍋蒜爆炒瓜，瓜塊粒緊縮，香噴噴一小盤，一口氣吞下，明晨要與松鼠，爭食後院絲瓜。
避暑旅行歸家，整理庭院，常見後院絲瓜散落，初為鄰居庭院工人，摘下籬巴外果實，摔過籬巴，這些過老絲瓜，已不能食，但似未熟能為絡，就是不能為菜瓜婆洗身用，非常可惜，一日，愛美置放一大粒於內院製水機上，我摸掉落果實，正在婉嘆，她和我細數掛在樹梢幾粒老瓜，約有八粒，足夠我洗身需要，和明後年種子用，不想連續幾日，老瓜繼續落地，有些尚有啃食痕跡，初猜為北美兒鼠所為，後來發現最後一粒是白日落地，顯然是松鼠為患，北美兒鼠是晝伏夜出，專食水果，松鼠則是無物不摧毀。
吾家庭院多高樹，僅後院車庫被有一小畦，容得絲瓜延伸於樹枝上，春夏中稍得雨季，但不逢開花期，只得過仲夏日後，颶風帶來豪雨，絲瓜開始結果，台灣南部虎尾，絲瓜結實一整年，我們家經常吃絲瓜，瓜籐漫延到芒果株和電線上，坐在火車上，沿路鄉村都種絲瓜。
郵輪旅行回家口饞，削上一粒嫩絲瓜，烈鍋蒜爆炒瓜，瓜塊粒緊縮，香噴噴一小盤，一口氣吞下，明晨要與松鼠，爭食後院絲瓜。
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Facing another car issue/Carlos Pueblo
Facing another car issue/Carlos Pueblo
When I arrived home from my trip, I was facing another car issue immediately. Amy was nervous about a sudden drop of 43 inches rain which her new vehicle was restrained on streets for hours might be flooded. I agree to bring the vehicle to the dealership for checking up after many of her concerns, such as the engine service soon light, computer screen mash up since last oil change, and her complaint of 10,000 miles limit of free oil change after one year, etc. Man, driving a new vehicle is still facing issue of any kinds now a day. She did have similar situation previously on our old Honda Accord flooded on a stormy night while parking on the street with a total loss and troublesome afterward with the tall authority for the new owner not paying toll fees. I agree to accompany her to the dealership and bring her home while waiting for the check up of the dealership.
The manager on duty assign a foreman to handle our walk in. He asked if the door mat was wet, no was answered; therefore, the vehicle was not flooded. She still wanted the dealer to check the engine to make sure no water in it. He said that would cost $135 and she wanted to pay for it to make her a peace of mind. I disagreed and she yield. We walked out the office toward the vehicle and he checked on the vehicle panel and did some adjustment in less than a minute and announced everything was alright and free to go. Engine service soon is for the oil change reminder and he takes it off. Computer panel messed up was from last oil change, a wrong touch and the mechanic didn't know how to adjust it. Upon returning home, I asked her to pay me $135 with my guaranty of the safety of flood damage. She changes her mind to buy such peace of mind.
Since I missed my morning walk, I might just finish another car issue of my own, an annual inspection of safety and air pollution in order to renew a sticker permit to drive on the street. I inherit a 1998 Q45 from the family, from Amy when it was brand new for the purpose of grocery shopping and children delivery and a vehicle for Arthur's transportation to work, etc. After there were mechanic issued occurred, it became for me to handle it, an old man without any use of the vehicle. I have to spend money to fix various lights on the panel such as radiator, oxygen censor of many kinds, starter, etc. in addition to tires with a grand total of $6000 plus for a market value of less than a thousand. I hate to waste and am not used to donation; therefore, I keep it and refuse to fix the air conditioning system. I only drive less than 350 miles a year for tennis matches around the neighborhood.
Pass and pass this time and I bought a sticker on a nearby super market. I am free for another year. The garage foreman tells me after three year, I only am required for annual safety inspection, no air pollution, and pay $8 instead of $25 now include pollution part. The sticker is about $76 a year for the old vehicle in Texas. I'll have this 98 Q45 an antique vehicle status in three years and that is why I expect that I'll get more than a thousand sale price afterward.
When I arrived home from my trip, I was facing another car issue immediately. Amy was nervous about a sudden drop of 43 inches rain which her new vehicle was restrained on streets for hours might be flooded. I agree to bring the vehicle to the dealership for checking up after many of her concerns, such as the engine service soon light, computer screen mash up since last oil change, and her complaint of 10,000 miles limit of free oil change after one year, etc. Man, driving a new vehicle is still facing issue of any kinds now a day. She did have similar situation previously on our old Honda Accord flooded on a stormy night while parking on the street with a total loss and troublesome afterward with the tall authority for the new owner not paying toll fees. I agree to accompany her to the dealership and bring her home while waiting for the check up of the dealership.
The manager on duty assign a foreman to handle our walk in. He asked if the door mat was wet, no was answered; therefore, the vehicle was not flooded. She still wanted the dealer to check the engine to make sure no water in it. He said that would cost $135 and she wanted to pay for it to make her a peace of mind. I disagreed and she yield. We walked out the office toward the vehicle and he checked on the vehicle panel and did some adjustment in less than a minute and announced everything was alright and free to go. Engine service soon is for the oil change reminder and he takes it off. Computer panel messed up was from last oil change, a wrong touch and the mechanic didn't know how to adjust it. Upon returning home, I asked her to pay me $135 with my guaranty of the safety of flood damage. She changes her mind to buy such peace of mind.
Since I missed my morning walk, I might just finish another car issue of my own, an annual inspection of safety and air pollution in order to renew a sticker permit to drive on the street. I inherit a 1998 Q45 from the family, from Amy when it was brand new for the purpose of grocery shopping and children delivery and a vehicle for Arthur's transportation to work, etc. After there were mechanic issued occurred, it became for me to handle it, an old man without any use of the vehicle. I have to spend money to fix various lights on the panel such as radiator, oxygen censor of many kinds, starter, etc. in addition to tires with a grand total of $6000 plus for a market value of less than a thousand. I hate to waste and am not used to donation; therefore, I keep it and refuse to fix the air conditioning system. I only drive less than 350 miles a year for tennis matches around the neighborhood.
Pass and pass this time and I bought a sticker on a nearby super market. I am free for another year. The garage foreman tells me after three year, I only am required for annual safety inspection, no air pollution, and pay $8 instead of $25 now include pollution part. The sticker is about $76 a year for the old vehicle in Texas. I'll have this 98 Q45 an antique vehicle status in three years and that is why I expect that I'll get more than a thousand sale price afterward.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
處理車事/莊峻華
處理車事/莊峻華
旅行回家，愛美因雨大心煩，憂慮座車浸水，然後又喃喃自語曰，車上有指示燈曰，引擎服務盡速，然後又安慰自己，當天雨大，街上淹水高度，於是我只能說是，送到車廠檢查，她又要我查看我停在街旁老車，車墊是否浸水？返家前一日，伊美達颶風，帶來豪雨，三小時內落水43吋，超過3.6呎，公路淹水，淹死五人。車行曰將車開到車行，讓車行檢查，然後再行處理，週日，一她就開元兒座車出沒教會，拜訪親戚，和買菜等。
車行經理，看到新車進來，連忙帶到服務台，專人處理，工頭詢問何事？愛美準備長篇大論，於是我連忙指出，擔心車浸水，服務引擎燈亮，和調整車內電腦看板，工頭問車墊是否浸水？愛美曰無，但要求車行檢查，工頭曰車行檢查要錢曰$135，愛美曰可，她願花錢買個安心，於是我凡心大作曰，我錢來之容易乎？她說她出此筆，我仍是不願浪費，工頭笑我們台語爭論，要我們隨他看車去，按上電腦銀幕，那豪華電腦功用，馬上就範，他又調去引擎服務亮燈，那是更換機油信號，然後曰可也，一共不到一分鐘，我一直開舊車，而且一年開座車，不到三百哩，這些新車功能，完全不熟。回家後，我向愛美索取那筆錢，由我提供其心安，她又恢復節約理智不給錢。
回家後，迅速吃畢早餐，驅舊車到小車行，做年度行車安全空汙檢查，許可後再購買年度行車許可貼紙，安全空汙檢查費是$25，貼紙是$76，但需有車險證明，德州法治，調理分明，我接下這台1989 Q45，已有多年，這是從愛美新車開始，運送小孩們上學，然後傳給元兒上班，一直到車況不可靠，展轉成為我座車，一年前，車內電腦板一直有燈亮，兩三年內，修理約六千美金，始在去年，通過年度安全空汙檢查，我現在準備再等三年，成為古典車，一年僅開三百哩，無車冷氣亦無妨。我把新貼紙換上，又有一年合法行車許可。
旅行回家，愛美因雨大心煩，憂慮座車浸水，然後又喃喃自語曰，車上有指示燈曰，引擎服務盡速，然後又安慰自己，當天雨大，街上淹水高度，於是我只能說是，送到車廠檢查，她又要我查看我停在街旁老車，車墊是否浸水？返家前一日，伊美達颶風，帶來豪雨，三小時內落水43吋，超過3.6呎，公路淹水，淹死五人。車行曰將車開到車行，讓車行檢查，然後再行處理，週日，一她就開元兒座車出沒教會，拜訪親戚，和買菜等。
車行經理，看到新車進來，連忙帶到服務台，專人處理，工頭詢問何事？愛美準備長篇大論，於是我連忙指出，擔心車浸水，服務引擎燈亮，和調整車內電腦看板，工頭問車墊是否浸水？愛美曰無，但要求車行檢查，工頭曰車行檢查要錢曰$135，愛美曰可，她願花錢買個安心，於是我凡心大作曰，我錢來之容易乎？她說她出此筆，我仍是不願浪費，工頭笑我們台語爭論，要我們隨他看車去，按上電腦銀幕，那豪華電腦功用，馬上就範，他又調去引擎服務亮燈，那是更換機油信號，然後曰可也，一共不到一分鐘，我一直開舊車，而且一年開座車，不到三百哩，這些新車功能，完全不熟。回家後，我向愛美索取那筆錢，由我提供其心安，她又恢復節約理智不給錢。
回家後，迅速吃畢早餐，驅舊車到小車行，做年度行車安全空汙檢查，許可後再購買年度行車許可貼紙，安全空汙檢查費是$25，貼紙是$76，但需有車險證明，德州法治，調理分明，我接下這台1989 Q45，已有多年，這是從愛美新車開始，運送小孩們上學，然後傳給元兒上班，一直到車況不可靠，展轉成為我座車，一年前，車內電腦板一直有燈亮，兩三年內，修理約六千美金，始在去年，通過年度安全空汙檢查，我現在準備再等三年，成為古典車，一年僅開三百哩，無車冷氣亦無妨。我把新貼紙換上，又有一年合法行車許可。
Monday, September 23, 2019
Coming back from my summer retreat cruise trip/Carlos Pueblo
Coming back from my summer retreat cruise trip/Carlos Pueblo
A day before yesterday right after midnight, I arrived home from a 25 day trip of the land and cruise combined trip in New England and Canada. I define it as a summer retreat vacation from the summer heat way of Texas temporarily away from a 102 degree Fahrenheit to the
high 50's. I arrived 4 days early in New York City to visit friends and interesting places and left late on the disembark in order to have a lunch with an old friend and his wife. The Hudson Yard is a new wonder which I like to describe. The back to back cruise route is from NYC to Quebec City including several current day paradise in New England, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and repeated on the way back to NYC. To my surprise, I have visited he home town of the late Senator Claiborne Pell at Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, MA; Portland and Bar Harbor, ME; Halifax and Sidney, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Quebec; and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, al are current day paradise in the world.
My summer villa is the huge cruise ship and I am mobile. I didn't see the foliage, change color of the leaves; however, I still see lovely dahlia and chrysanthemum at the home gardens at the coastal line of Bar Harbor. I met several lovely dogs out on the harbor walk of Halifax and the newly maiden voyage of the British Carrier, the Queen Elizabeth on her drill at Halifax harbor. Quebec City is another amazing city which I have had plenty of time to count the old cannons on the citadel. I read all the monument come to my eyes for the description of history. I can tell a whole story why I admire the city and he people who have built such a place of history.
I shall write all of these lovely place on my journal with a back up support of my cameras even though I do miss some lovely scenery while the ship slowly moving away from the beautiful farm and mansion of Quebec City along the St. Lawrence River and the coastal line of Newport toward Manhattan.
A day before yesterday right after midnight, I arrived home from a 25 day trip of the land and cruise combined trip in New England and Canada. I define it as a summer retreat vacation from the summer heat way of Texas temporarily away from a 102 degree Fahrenheit to the
high 50's. I arrived 4 days early in New York City to visit friends and interesting places and left late on the disembark in order to have a lunch with an old friend and his wife. The Hudson Yard is a new wonder which I like to describe. The back to back cruise route is from NYC to Quebec City including several current day paradise in New England, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and repeated on the way back to NYC. To my surprise, I have visited he home town of the late Senator Claiborne Pell at Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, MA; Portland and Bar Harbor, ME; Halifax and Sidney, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Quebec; and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, al are current day paradise in the world.
My summer villa is the huge cruise ship and I am mobile. I didn't see the foliage, change color of the leaves; however, I still see lovely dahlia and chrysanthemum at the home gardens at the coastal line of Bar Harbor. I met several lovely dogs out on the harbor walk of Halifax and the newly maiden voyage of the British Carrier, the Queen Elizabeth on her drill at Halifax harbor. Quebec City is another amazing city which I have had plenty of time to count the old cannons on the citadel. I read all the monument come to my eyes for the description of history. I can tell a whole story why I admire the city and he people who have built such a place of history.
I shall write all of these lovely place on my journal with a back up support of my cameras even though I do miss some lovely scenery while the ship slowly moving away from the beautiful farm and mansion of Quebec City along the St. Lawrence River and the coastal line of Newport toward Manhattan.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
美加避暑郵輪旅行歸來2019/莊峻華
美加避暑郵輪旅行歸來2019/莊峻華
昨晨過午夜，方趕深夜巴士回家，結束24日夜，美加避暑郵輪旅行，我是提前四日，抵達紐約市，住在史帖登島親戚家候船，四日後在曼哈頓碼頭上船，前往加拿大魁北克市，然後再搭原船，沿同一路線回紐約市，途中經過新英格蘭，新蘇格蘭，和舊新法蘭西，西洋中之桃花源，氣溫在華氏70度以下，與德州夏日溽暑相較，堪稱避暑，我有很多感觸，在紐約市，在魁北克市等，我將一一描述。
紐約市四日，再加上回程上岸一整日，行程滿檔，我除在史塔登島外，也進出多處紐約市，在中央公園看小玩具船，遇到兩位美麗之影劇系小姐，永祥兄領我一日，逛曼哈頓華埠，和高線公園，麥迪生調車場，再添兄領我參觀布希維克新貌，和最後登機日，得以拜會阿火兄，並蒙招待豐盛之韓國料理，非常有趣，永祥告知，當常來紐約市玩，紐約市有很多有趣之景觀和歷史。
船行11日北上，經過許多港口，9日回程省略幾站，仍然有趣，首尾站是羅德島之新港市，意外發現這是故裴爾參議員之故鄉，參議員對台灣非常同情，在國會中經常為台灣仗義執言，大學中之平民裴爾獎學金，就是因他立法而得名，新港有一跨海大橋，以他而命名，他在二戰時，服役海軍戰艦，曾聽課於喬治柯爾，就是被出賣之台灣一書作者，因此對台灣人處境遭遇，心生同情。新港是一美麗城市。
次站是麻省之波士頓港，是我訪問多次之城市，我只在華埠逗留一上午，然後就回船，華埠越來越熱鬧，我找到塔虎特醫學院前之客棧，現在價錢是當年之一倍，美金真是貶值不堪。波市過後就市南緬因州之波特蘭市，也是舊地重遊，然後是緬因州北小鎮，巴哈柏港，這小鎮甚美，看到許多家庭花園，大理花和菊花盛開。
加拿大有五停靠港口，哈理法克斯和雪黎在新蘇格蘭，佳洛鎮在愛德華王子島，前程因有颶風閃躲，並未靠岸，直接開到魁北克市，一直到回程始路過停靠。這一段來回經過者，均為富裕美加城市，就是世外桃源，當年逃避歐洲之戰亂，美加兩國均能提供安居樂業之生活環境，就像人間樂園一般之舒適。
昨晨過午夜，方趕深夜巴士回家，結束24日夜，美加避暑郵輪旅行，我是提前四日，抵達紐約市，住在史帖登島親戚家候船，四日後在曼哈頓碼頭上船，前往加拿大魁北克市，然後再搭原船，沿同一路線回紐約市，途中經過新英格蘭，新蘇格蘭，和舊新法蘭西，西洋中之桃花源，氣溫在華氏70度以下，與德州夏日溽暑相較，堪稱避暑，我有很多感觸，在紐約市，在魁北克市等，我將一一描述。
紐約市四日，再加上回程上岸一整日，行程滿檔，我除在史塔登島外，也進出多處紐約市，在中央公園看小玩具船，遇到兩位美麗之影劇系小姐，永祥兄領我一日，逛曼哈頓華埠，和高線公園，麥迪生調車場，再添兄領我參觀布希維克新貌，和最後登機日，得以拜會阿火兄，並蒙招待豐盛之韓國料理，非常有趣，永祥告知，當常來紐約市玩，紐約市有很多有趣之景觀和歷史。
船行11日北上，經過許多港口，9日回程省略幾站，仍然有趣，首尾站是羅德島之新港市，意外發現這是故裴爾參議員之故鄉，參議員對台灣非常同情，在國會中經常為台灣仗義執言，大學中之平民裴爾獎學金，就是因他立法而得名，新港有一跨海大橋，以他而命名，他在二戰時，服役海軍戰艦，曾聽課於喬治柯爾，就是被出賣之台灣一書作者，因此對台灣人處境遭遇，心生同情。新港是一美麗城市。
次站是麻省之波士頓港，是我訪問多次之城市，我只在華埠逗留一上午，然後就回船，華埠越來越熱鬧，我找到塔虎特醫學院前之客棧，現在價錢是當年之一倍，美金真是貶值不堪。波市過後就市南緬因州之波特蘭市，也是舊地重遊，然後是緬因州北小鎮，巴哈柏港，這小鎮甚美，看到許多家庭花園，大理花和菊花盛開。
加拿大有五停靠港口，哈理法克斯和雪黎在新蘇格蘭，佳洛鎮在愛德華王子島，前程因有颶風閃躲，並未靠岸，直接開到魁北克市，一直到回程始路過停靠。這一段來回經過者，均為富裕美加城市，就是世外桃源，當年逃避歐洲之戰亂，美加兩國均能提供安居樂業之生活環境，就像人間樂園一般之舒適。
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