The year end greeting 2020/Carlos Pueblo

 The year end greeting 2020/Carlos Pueblo

It is a time for me to do the year end greeting to my friends all over the world. During the last four years of my traveling of the world, I do run into so many of new friends and I want to say hi to all of them and wishing them a very happy new year.

It is a very special year with the threat of the Chinese Wuhan Corona Virus pandemic. I have stayed home since my scary return home from the Southeast Asia in February. Almost the entire world traveling has been stopped. We must take care of ourselves in every step to avoid to be infected. I have developed a new normal life at home by doing more of the physical exercises, helping more of the house chores, reading and writing, and making more friends among the neighbors. I am not lonely at all.

I read the daily e-mail from the cruise liner for the future cruise. I am also concerned of the furlough of my adopted daughters from the cruise ships. I hope that they can find some temporary jobs at home while waiting for the re-start of the cruise business.

Thanks to the stock market, my pension savings are doing well this year. I have no worry of my money. As a matter of the fact, I have moved some of the funds for the trips to make payments of some household expanses.

Amy is doing very well and is expecting to enroll to the Medicare next November. Arthur is with us and has been with the Kroger for 13 years. Michelle is at Austin and is working at home now due to the pandemic. She is doing very well with her rental property as well as her regular work.

恭賀新年2021/莊峻華

 恭賀新年2021/莊峻華

很快今年即將解束，我將提早問候全球朋友，不像往年，一拖拖到春節農曆年，我說的全球朋友，包括郵輪認收之愛女，旅行中認識之新友，過去之同窗，鄰居中有電郵住址者等，這是我的朋友圈，我的新老年生活，同時公佈在我的部落格，問候全球讀者知音。

這一年，因為中國武漢肺炎肆虐，我就乖乖的留在家裏，安排新的日常生活，每天都甚規律，從早到晚，幫忙家事，認真運動，甚為掛念因肺炎肆虐，賦閒在家之愛女們，不知是否得以安排臨時新工作？每天，郵輪公司都寄來廣告，招攬未來生意，我仍舊非常興趣。

今年股票市場，超乎預料，穩住陣腳，我的儲蓄，發揮作用，油股和汽車股，仍是不振，但高科技股，仍有斬獲，家人投資，也是按部就班，在奧斯汀之琳兒，成績最好。

我的糖尿病痼疾，經藥物，飲食，和運動等控制，已經穩定血糖，聽人說我的體重減輕，我自覺身體健康，只是記憶不若當年，讀書效果欠佳，今年溫習西班牙文，讀美國歷史，而且勤於作文，英文表達是有進步。

平常我常看網路新聞和節目，非常有趣，尤其是美國總統選舉，也因此與人疾辯，我也看台灣政情，中國農村烹飪，中國城市之消長，看很多網路電影，我把佛學簡化，目標只是過一有意義之人生，設法幫助人，也幫助自己，像我幫助愛美煮菜，幫助元兒修車白內障手術，幫助推廣老人網球，免費教導年輕人，培養網球興趣，都是有意義之人生。

我是愛犬愛貓之知音，許多社區愛犬知己，散步時，可以體會到愛犬真情，使用過之網球，就贈送給幾家愛犬玩耍，也是廢物利用，提到廢物利用，我散步時，也收集拋棄物，若一狗籠當香瓜棚，種香瓜避松鼠，貓糞沙桶收集雨水，我說我是拾荒者，我也喜歡採果，枇杷，無花果，還有橘科等，而且找到同好鄰居。

明年要做事者多也，希望回台灣整治牙齒，參加大學同窗會旅行，重返郵輪旅行探親，我也仍想旅行英日法德西等國，只是不知體力如何？祝大家年終新年愉快，我們後會有期。

The life expectancy/Carlos Pueblo

 The life expectancy/Carlos Pueblo

The U.S. life expectancy is 78 and the media starts discuss the 90 plus longevity. My goal has been set to 80 years old which is not very far away. Because that I have exercises daily, the morning walk and playing tennis, people are very kinds to me to indicate that I may live pass age 80. Then, I shall expect to add 5 more years at that time. There is a very good living environment to keep a longevity life in this nation. If we can live up to the seventy's without serious illness, we should be able to reach the eighty's. This is our gene DNA.

Secondly, we must have a good habit of diet and live in a simple regular life. After age 65, we are under the Medicare coverage. My long time diabetes is under closely monitoring from my physician. Every six months, I must have a physical including the drawing blood to check on several physical condition in order to refill the medicine. If I don't control well my blood sugar content, the physician will increase the dose of the medicine. If it is getting worse after the medicine intake and the blood sugar is still out of control, I must go to the insulin injection. I know that is not good for my longevity; therefore, I must follow every procedure to get my blood sugar under control.

After seven years, I am used to the regular physical examination. I can't see my physician immediately but with his physician assistant for the physical check up. The decide that this way can free my physician to take care of some other task other than the physical. I understand it. They also refer me to see a regular ophthalmologist to check up my blood sugar on the eye balls. I used to have a specialist who rescued my failed left eye cataract surgery. It is all for the insurance cost concerns and I understand it.

I feel good about my senior life and enjoy very much; therefore, I don't see any difficulty to live up to my goal. I have sufficient retirement funds to make it to the expected age. It is all come true for the purpose of saving and investment which I have preached through all my life. I only spend in necessary needs.

壽命/莊峻華

 壽命/莊峻華

人之於壽命，非常期待與貪婪，美國人平均壽命是七十八，現在已經開始談論九十矣，壽命與人體質，後天生活環境，和個人人生觀有觀，我想討論的是後天環境，美國人之生活環境，算是優厚，美國人平均壽命，一直在増加，這是有原因者也。

美國國家富裕，政府有作為，國家治理，井井有條，給與國民，充分就業機會，是一理想成家立業之國，凡一有志國民，都能順利生活下去，以我為例，我在五十四歲失業，省吃儉用，活到現在，進入天堂境界生活，我的壽命目標是八十，人曰八十不死，又該如何？回曰再加五年，是時美國平均壽命，可能已近八十五，因為醫藥發達，環境更加理想之故也。

年輕時暴飲暴食，患得糖尿病，有老人保險後，就有醫生注意一些數據，控制藥物，若血糖過高，則増藥劑量，若口服藥劑失效，則需胰島素注射，嚇得我不敢喝酒，天天死命運動，得以控制血糖，血糖除驗血外，也可以請眼科醫生照相，察看眼球微血管，是否有糖結晶？

因為醫生索費甚高，所以診所開始控制支出，我平常驗血檢查，已經看不到我的主治醫生，只能看到他的助理，然後由護士通告驗血結果，如果有感冒發炎，還是可以見到主治醫生，這是一位好醫生，是醫學博士，也是哲學博士，不危言聳聽，按部就班，一項項問題解決。看眼科醫生，也看不到專科，只能看資淺一般眼科，我看專科，是因為我左眼白內障手術失敗，專科眼醫前來解救，然後收為其病患，一般眼球血糖，診所都想訓練愛克斯光技師拍照了事，我的球友竇眼鏡醫師診所，也有相同設備。

上次我尿失禁，道聽途說一大堆，結果主治醫生一劑消炎片，就解決問題，美國老年保險，非常完善週道，健康老人，可以得到很多照顧，有病痛馬上就醫，連我糖尿病這種痼疾，都可有效控制，就是服藥和運動，連有些癌症病人，都可拖上八十餘歲，當然這和求生意志有關。

門診驗血檢查前，需要填表問題，其中有一題，就是厭世，護士先看，還有記憶問題，行動獨立問題，診所越來越精細，很多個人健康之維護都注意到，這是生活環境之優厚，維護相當之長壽。

This year's Thanksgiving/Carlos Pueblo

 This year's Thanksgiving/Carlos Pueblo

It is also a year to be very thankful. I am very pleased that everything is going well. There is a threat of the Corona Virus Pandemic; however, everyone is healthy. We're very careful to avoid the gathering before the vaccine is injected at our arms. I have had a new normal life full of exercises and relax everyday. Stock market is doing alright and my pension funds are saved. I quit cruise trips; therefore, money is saved.

Because of the daily exercises morning walk and tennis, I feel that I am very healthy even though the aging is still vivid. I have done more house chores than before, i.e. helping to cook and maintaining the small yard. 

Amy, Arthur, and Michelle are all doing well this year. I have joined my old college classmates line to get connected. It is like a new circle of friends in my life. This has reminded me of my humble background of my life in Taiwan, of course, I am still very humble now yet very comfortable in compare with before. I am very thankful for my opportunity to immigrate to this great nation.

Another thankful matter is that we seem to get rid of someone on the national top after the national election. I am no longer depressed.

今年感恩節/莊峻華

 今年感恩節/莊峻華

今年感恩節，情況特殊，因為中國武漢肺炎肆虐，取消所有家庭聚餐活動，但是仍舊需要感恩，今年全家平安，無甚病痛，股市些許驚駭，但似風順，琳兒家庭事業也安，我也有新的老年生活，最近開始與五十年前之大學同窗連線，新闢一朋友圈，更加感恩，當年能考入師大，接受大學教育，順利移民美國。

早上，我將順無網球局日，走畢晨步全程，休息一段，然後割草。中午，元兒和我吃肋眼牛排，晚上吃烤火雞，很多肉類，但也無妨，感恩節是大節，就像台灣的春節農曆年假日，當然，我每天都是感恩節一般。

美國即將有一新政府，一掃我四年來之壓抑，我要從頭感謝拜登，感謝到八千萬選民，讓某人下台，其實全球都需要感恩，當然希望中國也能推翻習進平和共產黨，那就是全球要極度感恩矣。

John Kerry returns to the White House/Carlos Pueblo

 John Kerry returns to the White House/Carlos Pueblo

John Kerry returns to the White House as the envoy to the Parris Accord for the President-elect Joe Biden. He graciously presents himself at the introduction of six new national security advisors to Biden. I have watched Kerry for a long time in American politic since the anti-Vietnam War era. He ran the U.S. President against George W. Bush in 2004. I wrote a piece about Kerry's Purple Heart if the Republican questioned such military award, Bush should confiscate such award physically instead of the negative campaign to smear him, a Vietnam veteran injured his foot at the battlefield.

Biden and him were very nice to a junior senator from Illinois named Barak Obama at the senate committee for the foreign affairs. Biden was invited to be Obama's vice president and Kerry became Obama's second Secretary of State succeeding Hillary Clinton. He was the negotiator of the Parris Accord for the weather concerns. Now he just returns to the meeting after four years absent from Trump's pull out. It is very nice to have him to represent the U.S. to such an important issue for the peace and the future of the world.

I was on a tip only tour of Boston around the neighborhood of his residence. The lady guide pointed a nice house to indicate as his residence. We saw his wife Theresa Hain came back with her body guards to enter his house. She was very ill at that time. I believe that the American remember his quality even Biden mentions his resume at the introduction.

This group of six advisors including Kerry all come to the podium to present themselves to the media. They all appreciate the opportunity to serve to the White House and express their eagerness to serve the nation. I am in tear to see such missing in the past four yeas. Our nation has been in chaos.

Biden selects his advisors and cabinet posts very carefully to face the new challenge of our nation. Almost all of them are experienced public servants familiar with the government business and with the proof of excellent records. I believe that my vote is correct choice.

凱瑞復入白宮/莊峻華

 凱瑞復入白宮/莊峻華

拜登聘請約翰凱瑞回白宮，擔任巴黎氣候協定，總統特使，最近，總統當選人，開始推出白宮幹部陣容，都是穩健民主黨幹材，多年服務政府經驗，令人鼓舞，凱瑞是一特殊政治家，我在多年前，就幾度描述這位出身平民者，例如凱瑞之勳章，還有一次參觀他在波士頓住家，剛好遇見凱瑞夫人特莉薩女士。

凱瑞在越戰時，被徵召入伍，服役越南，他乖乖之服役前線，而且戰傷，得到紫色勳章，退役後讀法科當律師，從事公共政治服務，年輕時就當上麻州聯邦參議員，曾代表民主黨，競選美國總統，他和拜登當年都在參院外交委員會，善待一位伊莉諾州新科參議員奧巴瑪，兩年後，奧出選美國總統，帶拜登到白宮當副總統，凱瑞繼希拉蕊為國務卿，我的凱瑞勳章文，是要共和黨人，取消其被懷疑之越南戰功，只要共和黨小布希一紙命令國防部，無需在選舉中攻奸。凱瑞娶箸名韓斯參議員遺孀特莉薩韓斯女士，我在旅行波士頓，路過凱瑞府，剛好夫人外出歸來，看到侍衛協助她下車，當年她生病。

民主黨有治國理想，不是只有減稅和加重國防預算二途耳，像國民健保，一系列推出，造福國民，環境保護，弱勢之照顧，打擊犯罪等等，不遺餘力，所以選擇政府政務官，多半是從過去有經驗者，使新政府就續上路，毫無差錯。凱瑞新職，剛好是他未完成而被中斷四年之舊任務，奧巴瑪政府，受世界各國尊重，像英國國會，也幫忙非洲秩序，打擊中東恐怖分子等，都是奧巴瑪和民主黨人之功，我希望拜登新政府，實質幫助台灣，保衛台灣之自由民主，不是只賣武器玩具和豬牛肉等。

All about the Chinese Wuhan Corona Virus Pandemic/Carlos Pueblo

 All about the Chinese Wuhan Corona Virus Pandemic/Carlos Pueblo

It has been almost nine months since we are aware of the Chinese Wuhan Corona Virus Pandemic. Our life is all affected by this disease. I am afraid to visit my daughter for the Thanksgiving holiday and also the Christmas. It is very difficult for me to visit Taiwan to have my dental work done. I have to wear a face mask every where I go. I must be very careful to avoid been infected.

My last foreign trip was at the beginning of February when I came back from the Southeast Asia. That was the beginning of what we knew of the pandemic. Quickly, it has spread all over the world even makes the U.S. out of control. At home, our Arthur still needs to go to work at a supermarket and Amy goes out for grocery shopping. I make a new plan to spend my plenty of time. I quit my regular cruise traveling and add some more daily exercises instead. Now, I have had my morning walk and tennis daily and I finish my summer swimming.

We are waiting for our term to get the vaccine injected. Amy knows when. I am lucky that I save some fund from the cruise to spend some on the plumbing issues. I also help to cook more in a week, almost every day. I finish to read the U.S. History from 1860-1960 to better understand this nation. We vote Trump out of the White House.

The Chinese Wuhan Corona Virus will be like Aids or some other diseases. It will be under control and the important matter is to be safe while we are waiting for the solution.

有關中國武漢肺炎/莊峻華

 有關中國武漢肺炎/莊峻華

有關中國武漢肺炎，是美國一大課題，我們家小心應對，連感恩節拜訪奧斯汀琳兒行，都最後取消，中國武漢肺炎肆虐全球，疫苗尚未上市，而且也無明確解藥，許多人因而死亡，當然有更多人存活，像我有糖尿病痼疾，免疫力弱，非得小心應付，避免感染，改變生活方式，已經快滿一年。

每天，郵輪公司，寄來招攬生意廣告，就是在募款，郵輪尚不得啟航，航空飛行，似乎已開始，回台灣仍舊需要關兩週，以我判斷，明年五月回台灣，仍舊是迷。我發現凌晨，鄰居已開始開車外出，像是恢復上班，我們家元兒一直在超市工作，愛美最害怕，仍需要外出買菜，其他外出，都需嚴加考慮，我則是每日過我的新正常生活，戴口罩外出，見固定之鄰居，愛犬，球友，和超市店員等，結帳都是自動和插卡。

我發現牛排價廉物美，開始吃牛排，愛美嚇我，膽固醇過高，恐得中風，我置之不理，先父難得牛肉食，也得中風，我不吸煙，不喝酒，無不良生活習慣，又每日運動鍛鍊，只目標八十歲，七十可食肉矣，這是人生理想，有何錯矣？

國家就交給老拜登治理，我觀看他的白宮人事，都是年輕幹練白宮老手，奧巴瑪任內，所任用者，老拜登是政壇老手，美國將恢復穩定政治，我晚上可安寐無惡夢。

武漢肺炎，將和一般疾病，來來去去，我相信醫學，終將克服，而且也需小心，健康步步為營。

The ribeye roast cut to steaks/Carlos Pueblo

 The ribeye roast cut to steaks/Carlos Pueblo

During my regular weekly visit to super markets, I find a pound of ribeye roast is a dollar cheaper than the ribeye steak, so I wonder what is the difference? I tried to ask the butcher yet he was just off the shift. I asked my neighbor Christina my question. She says the roast must be cooked for two hours with several spices in it while the steak can be grilled and done in much shorter time. She doesn't believe both are in the same quality for intake such as the tenderness. I can't tell the difference from the outside appearance. On the next morning, I asked again to Kathy, pet dog Forest's owner. She tells me that they are almost the same and I just need to ask the butcher to cut the roast chunk into steak side pieces. She says that her parents own restaurants and practice that way all the time.

I ask the butcher to make a free cut for my roast into five pieces of steak. I am not quite sure that I take any of the advantage of the price difference because that there is more fat and bone attached to the meat; however, I can't tell the  difference of the taste. I feel good for the discovery.

Recently, I find the steak price on he weekly sale is about the same as the pork or even cheaper. I also watch some direct broad casting on the You Tube from China about the retail port price. I feel that I am so lucky to live in the United States where the food is so abundant over all. I mention a famous sentence from the Mencius that after age 70, people can start to eat meat that is the ideal of the Confucianism in the ancient China. Confucius says that at age 70, you can do whatever you like under the law. I also watch a picture of a wedding feast at a rural village in China to kill a cattle for the feast. I see the frightened appearance of the ox and kill some of my desire to eat the steak. I google the famous sentences which are in my mind. They are all from the same dialog style of article between a King and Mencius. The theory and the philosophy are all materialized in the current days of the United States of America. I am going to continue eating my meat.

購牛排記/莊峻華

 購牛排記/莊峻華

昨日驅車前往超市購買牛排，每週三，我均等每週牛排特價，巧克力糖特價，徘徊於兩家超市和一家藥局，牛排解決我之口饞，巧克力為低血糖備用，巧克力今無特價，牛排則有兩則特價，都是肋眼排，一是肋眼排，另一為烤肋眼排，兩者每磅相差一美元，吝嗇如我者，開始遲疑，找來肉舖年輕店員，也不知我所云，屠夫已下班，只得回家深思，最近觀看一中國河南鄉村娶媳婦，屠牛景況，甚是淒然，但食素確實有困難。

先問祕魯鄰居克莉斯汀娜，她說兩者不同，一者為燒烤，一者需烤煮兩小時，燒烤是牛排，貴烤煮用肉一磅一美元，她說她先生再乎食草牛肉，不喜食飼料牛肉，我問烤煮肉切成牛排片，可視同牛排？她說肉質不同，於是我開始要放棄此項，專攻另一超市之丁骨牛排，本週價高於上週五角，我內心不爽。今晨，再問凱西，就是愛犬森林女主人，她很肯定曰，只要煩屠夫切片即可，她父親曾經營餐廳，非常熟悉，我於是乎再回超市，買上一塊，切成五片牛排。

最近吃牛排，寫作文都連貫到儒家思想，像我提到七十可食肉矣，真是隨心所欲，而沒有超過膽固醇之標準，看到河南娶媳婦屠牛，光是牛掙扎，我就心有淒淒然，我在谷歌把梁惠王上找出來，孟子提到吾不忍其觳觫，若無罪而就死地等等，這是一篇精彩之短文，孟子講了一段道理，中國歷代統治者，無人費心去了解，非常遺憾，他的理想，至少在我家庭實現，很多美國家庭都早已實現。

To own a house/Carlos Pueblo

 To own a house/Carlos Pueblo

To own a house to live is a dream of a young family. We can go to work from our own home and come back home from work every day. We can raise our children at the house we own. I have done that and I fully understand why so many people are frustrated themselves that they can't fulfill such dream in their own life. It is because that in a big city where the job opportunity is plenty yet the living space is limited; therefore, the housing price is high. It is so high that you save all your life time earning and still not able to purchase your own house to live.

I repeated such claim to a couple from the Switzerland, a Haka Taiwanese married to a Swiss engineer. He disagrees and tells me a story of their daughter who married a Swiss banker after 10 years dating. They manage to buy their own house, where there is a will, there is a way. Even in a high cost of nation, a professional couple are still capable to purchase their own house.

I have seen many of my customers who start at a small house and change to a larger house after their children are born. We must have a goal and working hard toward that goal. We can start at a beginner's house outside of the city limit and commute to work inside the city. After more established, we can sell the small house to move into a larger house in a better location. 

There are always reasons why we can't make sufficient income to purchase the first house. Some writers loves to use the statistic numbers to fool themselves and their readers. It is not cheap to own a house in Texas, yet it is still make more sense to own a house. It is what I encourage my children to purchase houses as their first goal of their life. One of them has made it while the second one is still living with us. His income is still not sufficient to live in  a house comparable to ours even as his savings is plenty to purchase his own house. We get it all figuring out carefully. There are still children in a big city like Houston who are still living with their parents. As a matter of fact, I intend to give my share of house to my son when I die. Many of the residents in the capital city of Taipei, they inherit their houses from their parents or their ancestors. 

Or, you can plan to immigrate to the United States to live in a city such as Houston. You can find plenty of the job opportunity and plenty of houses to purchase to live. As soon as we march toward that direction, the shorter distance to the goal can be reached. Some time it takes several general generation to pass on to own a house.

住者有其屋2/莊峻華

 住者有其屋2/莊峻華

按照輿論報導，許多世界大城市，一般收入家庭，無法住者有其屋，就是房價太貴，大城市就業機會多，適應時代生活需要，所以人口，漸漸増加，住者有其屋問題，變成顯學，社會之問題，我懷疑政府有辦法解決，解決此困難，必需從自己開始，切莫浪費時間。

同樣成長，許多人可以高收入，許多人仍舊低薪，甚至找不到工作，我們把元兒留在家裏到現在，他的儲蓄，早已可以自行購屋，但不經濟，因為購屋後，需要交房地產稅，還有日常維護費，將耗盡其所有收入，無法儲蓄老年退休金，若失業，則無處可歸，我在社區散步多年，從數車經驗，仍有美國家庭，成年子女，與父母住在一起，經濟稍可之父母，終究將留住屋給子女，這是解決住者有其屋之首步。

租屋其二，先租便宜較遠較偏僻之公寓，節省支出，計劃生育，直到可以購屋為止。許多家庭都是經過這一程序。我談到許多節約儲蓄方法，日子一樣好過，精神一樣快樂。

其三，就是想辦法搬到德州，這種住家便宜，工作機會又多之城市，找到一適居房屋不難，現在有些加州之高科技產業，有移到奧斯汀市之趨向，奧斯汀有昂貴之屋，也有許多可負擔之廉價住屋。

其四，移民出國，我在台灣，生長於先父之糖廠宿舍，稱不上住者有其屋，我想移民美國，所以在台北找到工作，住在訓導處之體育器材室一年，省吃儉用一年，投資美國大學許可，取得學位後，就投奔在休市工作之兄嫂，他也是搬離紐約市後，始能住者有其屋，我一找到工作，就按照長兄指示，買下兩住屋，一直到20餘年後始脫手。

我甚至在全球旅行中，遇見許多移民，都是住者有其屋，我無需注意這些移民失敗者。幾年前回台灣，遇見舊鄰居楷龍兄，與我談起一位舊日虎尾高中，好學生之故事，虎中有一位其同事，願意提供獎學金給好學生，楷龍是訓導主任，選擇推薦一位清寒女學生，這位女學生，考上東吳，畢業後當國中教師，一直到退休，一日回虎尾探望恩師曰，準備在虎尾購屋定居，那一年，我經常回虎中打網球，楷龍遇我，提起此事，當年提供獎學金之同事，也非常高興，住者有其屋，是一意志之實踐，並非怨嘆耳。

Making a good use of our time now/Carlos Pueblo

 Making a good use of our time now/Carlos Pueblo

Once we make it to the 70's, we appreciate more of our time than ever before. Because that we know our future time is limited and our past has gone. We must make a good use of our time now. I don't think that I have very much to dream for now. I can only hope that I can have an occupied daily schedule and I am healthy away from the pain of the sickness. It is nice to stay at home to have my daily routine.

Recently, I have just finished watching the American voters to vote out Trump from the White House. I feel that I shall have a better sleep at night at least for the next four years. I feel that Biden will do better for the disadvantage American and the rest of the world more than Trump.

I practice my believe every day to exercises and rest comfortably. I get my diabetes under control with the same medicine. I move along well with my old body and feel great and looking forward to every new day. 

The limit of traveling around the world is no problem to me. I have set up my new normal life without the travelling since the lockdown of the Wuhan Corona Virus Panedamic. More and more of our neighbors have joined our morning walk and even invade to our neighbor subdivision. More residents have signed up our tennis court and I just finish my summer swimming. I am almost at the annual Thanksgiving festival.

It is very important to stay healthy and away from the hospitalization. It is nice to stay home than live in a nursing home. This is what I advise my tennis partners to schedule time to play tennis and in addition to tennis, to make some walk in the morning or in the evening or both. We can't grasp back our memorable past neither catch up what we shall have in the future. The only real thing is now to make a good use of it. 

把握現在/莊峻華

 把握現在/莊峻華

老年人生活，最重要者，為把握現在，無需憧憬那有限之未來，也無需眷戀美麗之過去，就是活活運用現在，過一有意義之生活，我是指避免生病，莫想住老人院，兩者均是理想，而且有徑可循。

因為中國武漢肺炎肆虐，我將今年生活，作一大改變，二月初，從東南亞回來，郵輪旅行，從此中斷，於是我開始安排，不能出外旅行之生活，増加清晨散步哩數，推廣老人網球運動，増加家事工作，和勤於日常作文自愉，我發現時光荏苒，精神愉快，一年很快渡過。

我也重拾西語教科書，溫習動詞變化，日語教科書在案旁，只欠東風。我經常觀看中國網路直播節目，了解中國經濟近況，和中國地方烹飪技術，我也觀看台灣政論節目，最近剛結束美國大選政論課，今年正式讀畢美國近代一百年歷史，對我了解當下美國政情，助益匪淺。

我因晨步，認識許多鄰居，許多愛犬知己，還有小嬰兒，社區老人，漸漸搬離，搬來一些年輕家庭，家長攜帶小嬰兒愛犬，出外散步，一年四季，和諧環境，像是人間樂園。我略估計，約可看到這些小嬰兒上小學。

香楓落葉，撒滿前院，我掃落葉，像是掃滿美鈔一般，心甘情願。美國將有新政府，我可安心舒適四年。

Grocery shopping/Carlos Pueblo

 

Grocery shopping/Carlos Pueblo

Recently I do some grocery shopping because that I like to have the steak meal every week. I find the steak sale price is very attractive; therefore, I can’t let it go. Of course, Amy doesn’t like it and she thinks that eating steak is not good for my health and my son Arthur’s health. I am too old which is fine with her; however, Arthur is still very young and I shouldn’t make him at risk to have a stroke at the young age. Every Wednesday, I read the flyers on the mail I can find what is on sale from two large super markets. I’ll make a special trip to make such purchase. I don’t like to eat chicken and pork all the time. These are what I can get now for steaks, T-bone $4.50 a pound, strip $4.00 a pound, and rib eyes $5.00 a pound which are the same cost for the pork in China.

On my way to the super market, I stop by a drug store to check on chocolate for my inventory. It is a necessity of my exercises. I need to take two pieces when my blood sugar is low. How do I know it? When I can’t make a proper overhead of a volley over the net, I know that I must eat sweet right away. I found my favorite kind is on sale; therefore, I purchase two boxes.

I love watermelon very much. I always purchase some when it is on the July 4^th or the Labor days weekend. The supermarket always put up sale price to celebrate the holidays. When I go shopping with Amy, I always select those items on sale. It is a habit built from my childhood. I was from a very humble family background and I have appreciated the value of my money. All the money which I save from necessary shopping, I put it on saving and make the money works for me forever.

It is a part of my strategy to save money. It is also a theory that I can make money from nothing. I have been enjoy to describe on my writing all the time. Gaining something from nothing.

 

購物/莊峻華

 

購物/莊峻華

每週三，我均等待牛排廣告，準備上街購物，因為我開始改變日常食譜，牛排價格，比豬肉和蔬菜水果便宜，美國農民也很慘，一大半餐廳，仍舊關閉，我先順路到一老藥店，買下兩盒巧克力糖備用，然後先到一家超市，買下一塊兩磅重肩胛肉，一磅三美元，再買一袋馬鈴薯，再到第二家超市，買一盒三片前肋排，是四點五美元一磅，因為昨日為退伍軍人節，未送郵件，故無廣告可看，購物僅憑經驗，愛美嚇我，吃牛排會中風，若我不怕死，也需顧慮元兒，元兒也不理會，所以她要他每週休兩日，與我打網球。

我出身於貧窮人家，對購物價錢，十分敏感，過去購物，均先請教峻嚴，他總有些資料，結婚後，就是愛美買菜，我想影響她精打細算不果，精打細算，需要有很好之算術，要會平衡，我覺得蔬果，都需要在季節間購買，肉類就等特價，衣物就等年終特價，美國社會，不重視浮華，簡便服裝成習，只要整潔即可，我的衣服，久穿不壞，西裝一穿三十年，座車已開22年，而且也只生糖尿病。

我也曾經素食過七年，但素食甚是不便，而且食材我也不喜歡，因此在老人健保生效後，我就恢復葷食，喜歡西瓜，所以養成經常運動之習慣，我也無甚奢望長壽，如能享受有限餘生，不為金錢所困，過有意義之生活，美國真像天堂。

The oil price/Carlos Pueblo

 

The oil price/Carlos Pueblo

The oil price has been depressed for a long time and is affecting my own investment saving. Yesterday, there was a 10% gain on my oil stock in one day. Of course, it is not significant after years down turn. I like to guess that the Saudi Arabia Kingdom has made a decision to change the oil price. The media in the U.S. has made a conclusion that the Kingdom likes to control the world market and beats up all the competitors especially in the U.S. and Russia. Sometimes, the gasoline price is cheaper than the drinking water and how the Saudi can feed its people.

One time, the U.S. oil production has reached to the top of the world and the Saudi is not happy about it. The Saudi has flooded oil on the world market plus the Chinese Wuhan corona virus pandemic. The Saudi is not happy with the stall situation in the Palestine. It doesn’t look like Trump is fair in the conflict. I can feel that people are losing their oil related jobs in Houston, Texas similar to the 80’s. Many houses in the subdivision are on the market for sale.

I am hurting as well. The Saudi has taken advantage of the oil to do what they want. I have noticed at least twice since I immigrated to the U.S. One was the oil embargo back to the 70’s and the second one was in the 80’s. There were 200,000 jobs loss in Texas during the last time of crisis. This time may not be as severe as last time, yet I am hurting like a hell. My oil stock has been depreciated 70% from the peak of the time.

Now, Biden will be our new President who has plenty years of the foreign affairs experience at the Senate as well as the Obama administration. I hope that he will lead us to a smooth recovery of the relationship with the Saudi and the rest of the world. Let me have a peaceful senior life.

油價/莊峻華

 

油價/莊峻華

昨日道瓊和油股大漲，我想和新政府，即將上任有關，我之儲蓄有顯箸之油股，這四年來，飽受壓抑，股票被踢出道瓊股，選舉時，共和黨人與我爭辯裂油生產問題，第二次總統辯論，川普也責問拜登限制裂油生產政策，逼得拜登改口曰，只限制在聯邦土地裂油，我猜民主黨人不願見裂油造成環境污染，我問質疑我之共和黨人，裂油有利可圖？油價一桶三十美元，裂油生產一桶成本七十美元，生產裂油技工，不是最低工資者，是幫助誰？就像生產煤礦一樣，受到市場之制衡。我說這是石油戰爭，沙烏地在打擊美俄兩強，這發生幾次在歷史上。

我的老師賴洋卿先生，在沙國服務多年，有一英文箸作，我仔細拜讀，稍悉沙國政治，石油是沙國惟一生產，王國賴以為生，沙國曾經運用油價，發動經濟戰，例如上世紀七十年代之石油禁運，還有壓低油價，擊潰所有美國之油葉岩生產，還有今年之原油氾濫市場，為甚麼沙國自干墮落？自貶身價？汽油一度比不上礦泉水，沙國在想甚麼？

沙國不爽川普之以色列政策，沙國不容許美國搶奪世界石油市場，美國一度奪回世界油產第一，呼風喚雨，沙國不爽巴勒斯坦問題未決，沙國也不爽伊朗俄羅斯等石油產國，於是我的儲蓄投資，幾乎泡湯，也於是我更加省吃儉用於日常生活中。

我希望拜登新政府，恢復關心巴勒斯坦問題，關心巴勒斯坦人之處境，就像關心美國境內弱勢一般，當然富人也要關心，讓他們之投資有保障，讓他們交少些所得稅，維護世界和平，無需擴充多餘軍備，我說油股慘跌，不但影響到我，也重措加州之退休金投資，要爭取美國第一，要動腦筋，要穩定前進，不是喊口號，要充份準備，要跟上高科技。

Trump has been voted out/Carlos Pueblo

 

Trump has been voted out/Carlos Pueblo

It is the American politic that Trump has been voted out of the White House. I was at the tennis court last Tuesday night. Before leaving the court, I checked with i-phone news about the election. I was depressed that Trump was ahead among the battle grounds of states and also ahead in Texas. It reminded me almost four years ago while I was on my way back to the U.S. from the Europe. I have been very depressed in Florida and Texas for the past four years.

When I woke up for my toilet break at about three a.m. Amy told me that Biden came from behind and was ahead in counts among some states counts and shrank the gap of loss in Pennsylvania. I was excited. Since then, we have been closely watching the reports of the ballot counts and figuring out how to figure out how many ballots left to be counted. I have been very good to convert the percentage by multiple and division to get the number which I desire to have. The reporters explain very much in detail how the numbers turning out and the reasons. This is lasted on every minute until Saturday when the Associate Press announces it project winners of the election, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, Trump is out or on the way out of the White House.

I don’t like Trump. As a matter of fact, I have never voted for the Republican. I believe that a nation should help the poor in the nation or in the world with the mighty power of the U.S. I am very happy of myself that I don’t have to see Trump’s face and his voice again. I wish him well on all his law suits now and after he leaves the White House.

I am not alone on the outcome of his end of the presidency. We shall have a new beginning of the old normal democracy. At least, I shall enjoy my next four years and possible before the end of my life.

川普下台/莊峻華

 

川普下台/莊峻華

上週二，美國大選，我剛好有早晚兩局網球，待晚上球局結束，翻閱手機新聞網頁，川普在幾關鍵州領先，尤其我們德州，僅逼近膠箸一段時間，我甚納悶如此多人，仍舊投票給此世紀大騙，回家後就匆匆就寢，半夜醒來，愛美告知拜登已經領先，而且川普開始演小丑戲，自行宣佈當選，要求賓州停止計票，他認為郵寄票有鬼，但又提不出證據，我開始詳細閱讀全球各家電台報紙之網路實況，非常熱鬧精彩。2006年大選，我在捷克布拉格市投票，美國大使館幫我郵寄選票，當然，我的票被共和黨人壓抑，在史詩號郵輪橫跨大西洋，驚悉川普當選，然後就開始四年之厄夢，我非常厭惡川普之為人處事態度，甚至遷怒到投票給他者。

我覺得支持川普者，都有幾種因素，喜歡減稅者，種族岐視者，福音派新教徒，和厭惡中國古巴越南者等人。我很不齒川普行徑，所以偶而與川普支持者爭辯，我無法容忍他的詐騙，好色，為富不仁，不盡國民義務，他絕對不是一個國家領導人，充其量為一姦商耳。我發現台灣政論節目，一面倒向川普，於是我開始拒看節目，現在谷歌開始排除台灣頭版，所以我又節省一些時間，開始看些中國農村直播節目，了解中國近況，還有學習烹飪。

亞虎網頁，有一大掛牌指示開票近況，然後可以讀文字分析和影視分析，美國總統大選，非常清楚公開，注意開票，也可以了解美國各州之投票制度，美國總統選舉之根據，很好之公民課，也幫助股票投資，當然我仍然不解，武漢肺炎肆虐，重創美國經濟，何以股市變化不多？當然川普又邀功，是我厭惡之處也。

各州因應武漢肺炎，鼓勵郵寄投票，所以這些非大選日之投票數目増加，當日無法計票完成，一直拖到週六，就是五日後，美聯社始正式判斷拜登當選，川普揚言訴訟，以圖翻盤，電台訪問學者，全曰不可能，俄羅斯也一時措手不及，普汀無法學史大林，替美國算票，又是提早選舉票，又是郵寄票，又是大選日票，又是各郡各算票等，俄羅斯高科技駭客，有所不及，美國這次有準備。

川普還是不認輸，還是要耍賴不走，美國法律正在等候他，還有各州檢察長，地區檢察官等，民事訴訟案，都在等候，落選德意志銀行要他還三億四千萬貸款，不戴口罩，感染武漢肺炎事小，高爾夫球場豪華大飯店倒閉事大，要跟中國索賠？中國更慘，人民吃都有問題。

Adding the steak in my weekly dinner menu/Carlos Pueblo

 

Adding the steak in my weekly dinner menu/Carlos Pueblo

Recently I add the steak in my dinner menu because that there are weekly sales on the supermarket. I guess that is due to the restaurant closure and the Wuhan Corona Virus pandemic. Amy is against that we, Arthur and I, are taking so much beef to increase the fat consumption. She doesn’t want us to have a high cholesterol; consequently, be suffered a stroke. Both Arthur and I love the taste of the steak and the price is right.

I read the flier delivered by the mail every Wednesday and go to the market to pick up a box with two or three pieces of steak. The receipt is shown how much I have saved. I would cook a piece with boiled potatoes along with it. We share equally for that piece as our dinner. I prefer steak to any kinds of pork. I watch Chinese direct broadcasting on the You Tube, my cost of steak is even less than the cost of pork in China. This is one of the luckiest matters to live in the United States. Of course, the free market and the democracy systems are among the advantage.

I go on to check the Chinese names of the strip steak, the rip eyes steak, and the T-bone steak and their location in the cattle. These are the common ones on sale. I also find the chuck roast available some time. I remember vividly that one time my dad prepared a beef stew for our family. I think that is a Japanese dish involving the potato, the carrot, the green bell pepper, and a root vegetable called go mou in Japanese. I shall prepare one based on my memory.

I am so lucky to live in the modern day to have plenty of meat to eat. According to the ancient Chinese literature, Manfucius used to advise a king about how to rule a nation. His goal is to make senior citizen aged 70 to have plenty of meat to eat. This is what I mean my luck so far in my life. Confucius also mentions something after 70 that he advocated man after 70 can do whatever he desires to do with the boundary of the law.

 

七十者可以食肉矣/莊峻華

 

七十者可以食肉矣/莊峻華

美國農業發達，大量肉產，人民豐衣足食，沒有孟夫子當年之顧慮，美國人耽心者，為肉食過多，對身體不好，這七十者可以肉食矣，是孟子梁惠王上之一段，孔子也提到七十歲，他說七十而從心所欲不逾矩，我的食肉問題是，這些年來，食物受愛美控制，雖是葷食，但卻口將吐出一隻鳥來，於是我開始上超市，購買牛排，讓我和元兒解饞。

我先找兩家超市，每週三就推出特價牛排，一般在一磅五美元以下，一塊一磅重之牛排，由元兒和我均分，我在熱鍋上，兩面煎熟，均分一半，佐以水煮馬鈴薯，如是一餐，如一包兩塊牛排，則分兩天食用，三塊則三天，吃牛排餐，則不易飢餓覓食，我能買到者為，牛腰脊排，上腰脊排，和肋眼排，幾乎每週輪流特價，因為武漢肺炎肆虐，一半以上餐廳都休業。

吃牛排不但是一享受，而且也非常經濟，元兒喜歡煎熟，所以我也跟著改口味，煎熟也較衛生，愛美說我們兩人都要中風，因為牛排過於油膩，我想兩成人一餐分一磅牛排，應該適當，所以不加理會，而且我近來幾乎每天都掌廚。

我喜歡看中國自播網誌，許多農村生活，中國肉價昂貴，尤其牛肉，我越想越幸福，七十多歲後，每週吃牛排。

A false alarm 2/Carlos Pueblo

 

A false alarm 2/Carlos Pueblo

Driving an old car is an art which you must know the vehicle well in order to save the money. The other day, I was resting on a sofa and was alarmed by Amy for a flat tire of Arthur’s 07 Toyota. I barked at her for moving the car to the street by ignoring the red light on the panel board. Actually I should bark at Arthur for not being alert of the low air pressure. I am a good father and I pay all the maintenance except for the gas. I worry that the flat tire may cost me hundreds if the tire is ruined.

First, we call AAA for help to replace the spare tire. I told the serviceman where the tire lock key located. He quickly jacked up the flat tire put the spare tire on and we could drive the car to the Costco tire store. Arthur got lost again on following my car at I-10 federal road. I worried again if he was involved an accident. I-10 federal’s traffic is always very bad. Finally, he made it to the parking lot of the Lowe’s. We went home to wait for the replacement. After 4 hours or so, we went to pick up the car and it was free of charge due to warranty. I am released. I admit that I hate to spend unnecessary money.

He drove home safely from the Costco and told me that the key battery is low. I asked Amy for the spare one last time I bought. She said that was used on a new car key because the old car key was not working properly. Man, I must go to Walmart to buy a new battery or Arthur would have a hard time to get in to the car to work or to come back home at midnight. I might just drive to the Walmart to solve the issue. That Walmart doesn’t carry the battery and Amy reminds me where I get it. I was mad again and barked at her and waked up Arthur to buy the battery. After his returning with two sets of battery, he tells there is no need to go to the Walmart. Any of the supermarket carry such items.

虛驚一場2/莊峻華

 

虛驚一場2/莊峻華

清晨運動歸來，正在沙發上小寐些時，愛美打攪曰，元兒車胎砰風，原來是她需調車外出，將元兒車開到街上，我已被吵醒，甚是不樂曰，未見紅燈？她以為沒關係，僅移車位幾步耳，於是我將元兒叫下樓來，交待他如何處理，先拿出美國汽車協會卡，呼叫協會派車來換備胎，同時責問元兒，何以漏風亮紅燈，仍不知不覺？然後大罵愛美笨，開車一輩子，尚不知警覺，而且幾週前，始換一新車輪胎，兒子笨老母跟著笨，她換一新車輪胎約五百美元，是她出自己之錢，我是心平氣和，幫她處理接送，元兒收入少，我早發心幫忙，所以不是很慷慨，一直憤憤不平。

車協會人來，也只有我知道輪胎鑰匙，就是一環狀圈，套在胎柱上，始可鬆動缷下爆胎，換上備胎，這是防盜設備，也只有家中智者，知其所在。然後，我要元兒開車隨我到卡斯科大賣場，十號公路旁道，已是車水馬龍，跟車不易，果然他又走失，我真耽心車禍，上次也一樣，他就開車回家，我因不曾打過電話給元兒，故無其電話號碼，過了三十分鐘，仍未有電話來，於是我在卡斯科灌風輪胎，然後到一五金行如廁，果然元兒電話來，已在停車場，愛美電話給元兒，元兒曰已與我會合。

卡斯科職員曰，無預約需候四小時，我們就回家等候，我心中仍是憤憤不平，不知此車爆胎，要花我多少錢？我也可以要元兒自己出錢，但我又失去一人生一有意義之善事，所以只好碎碎唸愛美，她正送蛋糕給姊姊，所以才調車位，我更是遷怒不已。

卡斯科人電話來，找輪胎鑰匙，我當然知道，很快就換好輪胎，也不提價錢，我心中高興，一定是免費，輪胎受損不巨，尚在保證期內，到店後取得車鑰匙就離開，無需付帳，真是虛驚一場。回家後，元兒告知，車上紅燈警示，車匙電池過低，需換電池，這也是急務，我需立刻到握瑪大店購買，不然他開車上班不安全，半夜下班，進不了車。