Dogs sitting/Carlos Pueblo

 Dogs sitting/Carlos Pueblo

Dogs sitting has become a new chore of mine. Michelle wants to be on vacation and asks Amy to take care of dogs while they are away. I love dogs; however, the reasons why I don't dare to keep one for myself are that taking care of a dog is like to take care of a kid. Whenever I see a loose dog wondering around the neighborhood, I think of the abandonment of the owner. It is very sad.

There was only one time I had a dog, Charlie, at home. Charlie lives up to 16 1/2 years old. I have developed a very kin relationship with pet dogs ever since. I can tell when a dog is paying attention to me every where I go in the world. I can easily chat with local residents about their dogs. I think of dogs as children or grand children of mine.

Brinkley and Honey are two rescued dogs as well. They both behave very well better than most of the kids whom I know of. According their habit, I must sleep right by them at night because Brinkley feels insecure to sleep at night by himself. He likes to have a company. This is fine with me that I always wake up during the night to go to the toilet and I can release them to the back yard and let them in again to meet their needs as well.

Amy will feed them breakfast and takes them to walk in the neighborhood for thirty minutes. After I come back from my morning tennis, they will accompany me for my morning nap. As a matter of fact, they take several naps during the day. I shall accompany them to the back yard to enjoy the nice unusual worm winter this year in Houston.

It is my turn to take them to walk in the afternoon and also with 30 minutes limit. Michelle won't allow me to march them any longer because of their age. I doubt it very much and I am firmly believe that they can walk and like to walk more. I bring them to meet four of my beloved neighbors' dogs. Brinkley is very friendly yet Honey doesn't care.

Michelle asks me to do more for them to have more vacation and design to get Amy to go with them. She asks me if I can take care of these two in August. I flatly reject the idea and ask her to hire some dogs sitters to do the job.

愛犬來客／莊峻華

 愛犬來客／莊峻華

年底琳兒攜兩愛犬，來家作客，就是要我們幫忙照顧，好讓她們到墨西哥休假，我也不敢有異議，我們家愛貓羞怯，只好安置在樓上起息，愛美準備事後洗地毯，其實此兩愛犬，非常規矩，不搗蛋也不作怪，我們照顧他們多次，習慣他們作息，不久前來我們家過一次，我一直喜歡操練愛犬行軍，這次有交待，一次僅散步半小時，早上愛美帶，下午輪到我，剛好我可以恢復一些舊日散步活動。

她們家一愛犬睡覺，需要有人伴，否則會害怕，因次我就睡在午睡沙發上，一愛犬睡其小床，另外一愛犬睡我們臥室門口，半夜我需要起床如廁，剛好釋放他倆外出，若有急需，他們會來沙發提醒我，一切均甚規律。平常不許可他們上樓打攪愛貓，但他們好奇我上樓，不知究竟，跳過兩旅行冰箱阻礙，上來二樓，於是我就斥責，手指下去，他們也甚識趣，不敢違背。

有訓練之愛犬，就像孫輩一般的可愛，我因為喜歡旅行，而且有愛親別離之痛苦，我忠告琳兒要小心，但這並非她的意思，我們都是盡力幫忙而已，上次來訪有三愛犬，回去後一愛犬癌症過世，我也難過許久，琳兒她們也煩，要我們收養此二愛犬，我說我都需要人來照顧，如能照顧此二愛犬？

Facing Wuhan corona virus pandemic 2021/Carlos Pueblo

 Facing Wuhan corona virus pandemic 2021/Carlos Pueblo

Even at the end of 2021, I am still facing Wuhan corona virus pandemic daily, very real and true. Yesterday morning my tennis partner came in with a caution of his Covid 19 infection. We all wore masks immediately and regret very much that he didn't post his own quarantine for 14 days. After one set, we were dismissed and I myself declared my own 14 days quarantine. No tennis for two weeks. I asked him how he got infected. He said that was from his wife church going. Amy's church has been closed two weeks before Christmas due to the infection of their pastor and his wife. They all took tests proved to be negative. It is a precaution and the knowledge of the public health.

When Lady, Michelle's neighbor's pet came out to greet me for visiting. Her owner Nina stood far away and mentioned that she got infected. I pulled out of my two layers masks immediately. It is so inconvenient with the pandemic. I am very disappointment that cruise liners get so many of their passengers infected on the news. I am worry about the job situation of my 400 plus adopted daughters who are gradually coming back to work on the ships.

Instead of playing tennis in the morning, I am going to walk with Michelle's two dogs for the next four days. They will be here today in the afternoon for us to baby sitting while they go to Mexico on vacation. I shall go back to march in the morning like before playing tennis. It is not all bad as a matter of the fact I am saving money by my isolation during this unfortunate pandemic.

接近武漢肺炎案例／莊峻華

 接近武漢肺炎案例／莊峻華

武漢肺炎肆虐兩年餘，最近開始逼近我們家，先是愛美教會牧師夫婦感染，兩人都打過三針，今晨打球，我的夥伴感染，想來也是教會感染，我們連忙戴口罩打球，草草打滿一局，然後連忙回家隔離，不是小題大做，而是小心翼翼，對付此武漢肺炎，要全神貫注，絕對不能像中國的習近平，和美國的川普，還有許多反對疫苗注射，又不戴口罩者。

我們家元兒，一直躲在房間自我隔離，在超市上班，戴緊口罩，馬上按規定打三針疫苗，我要告訴他我接近武漢肺炎案例，當然，他每天都需接觸，需要小心保護自己，我的情況應該不是嚴重。還有琳兒週一要回家，我要她在家也戴口罩，在車上也戴口罩，因為我是自我隔離者，又需開車送她們上機場，我不能是防疫之破洞。

我甚感激台灣國民，防範武漢肺炎之努力，這是台灣國民優良之公共衛生習慣，如此可以節省許多醫藥費，工作時間，我現在都懶得爭辯，只待如此接近病患，始知健康之可貴。

In Austin for Christmas 2021/Carlos Pueblo

 In Austin for Christmas 2021/Carlos Pueblo

We are invited to Austin for a Christmas dinner in 2021. We didn't go in 2021 due to the Wuhan Coronas virus pandemic outbreak. It was a short trip yet necessary. We left at 11 am and returned at 9 am on the next morning. I did calculate the total hours of the family together was three hours for a piece of a roast beef and three shots of Scottish whiskey. Most of our time was on the long drive to and from Austin, two marches with two lovely pet dogs, and gather two large bags of fallen leaves.

I consider that my life is very pleasant. Every day is like a Christmas to me. I don't have any stress of my senior life that I am healthy and I have my life occupied and I don't have any money issue. In order to make it easy for the long driving, I added additional two hours sleeping by skipping  a morning tennis. Freeways are no traffic at all.

Dogs were waiting anxiously for me to take them to march. Both of them are strong and I notice that they are not usually have a daily walk. I feel a little bit pain on my left knee above the old wound from tennis wear and tear. It gets a little better after dogs slowing down. I forgot to put the amaryllis bulbs box to the trunk; therefore, I missed the transplanting. Amy and I used the new leaves blower to clean some part of the front yard. We gathered two large trash bags all after my finishing of dogs march.

I have had a good trip to get together with Michelle's family. At a chat before we had a breakfast, I asked her about Amazon.com. She explains to me how it works. A huge data collection from my search of items, reminds me constantly if I don't make a purchase, after my purchase, it can deliver the item from a warehouse nearby. It is good to know.

北上奧斯汀過耶誕節2021／莊峻華

 北上奧斯汀過耶誕節2021／莊峻華

今年耶誕節又奉召，北上奧斯汀過耶誕節2021，這是琳兒好意，剛好我老身尚可，我們是耶誕節夜早上十一時出發，翌日耶誕節清晨九時回家，時間緊湊，但安排幾件工作，帶琳兒家雙愛犬散步兩次，打掃其庭院落葉，還有和其家人晚餐，我雖非基督徒，但也不忌諱其生日，耶誕節是美國大假日，今年公路狀況甚佳，沒有傳說中之擁擠，車開入十號公路，始憶得忘記攜帶日前挖出的喇叭花球莖，我準備移植到其庭院，還好她再隔兩日，將開車回休市，搭機到墨西哥休假四日，可以順便帶回。

兩愛犬憶得此老人，緊隨我身旁，我稍吹前院落葉，就帶他兩散步去也，第三愛犬今夏來訪後，回家發現癌症已過世，此兩犬仍是強壯，用力拉我，倒是我的左膝蓋有恙，不堪折磨，但稍後較能控制，回來時已經四時，大家就等待我就位，我吃一大片牛排，喝上三小杯威士忌，打翻一小杯葡萄酒，週旋於一桌老少間，講了一夜醉語，七時尚知刷牙更衣，然後就和衣而睡。

早上我就急著要回家，親家前夜已回家，因為他們仍需趕路，攜愛犬行軍後，收拾兩大包落葉，琳兒曰可以留在家，逐漸丟棄。我問她亞馬遜郵購，她說這是大數據原理，待我開始搜尋物品，亞馬遜已經留下記錄，可以在亞虎新聞上，穿插該未購妥廣告，他們知到我會買網球拍握把貼布，貨物已經在休市附近倉庫，銀貨兩訖後，就有專車送到我家，我是不喜購物，她們一天到晚，使用亞馬遜，難怪亞馬遜可以賣便宜一些。

我開始包紅包給琳兒家人，琳兒送我很多襯衫，我的襯衫都是她送的，但她不知我缺冬日網球長褲，所以愛美邀我到市郊大賣店購物，我反正閒來無事，逛街也行，一年又過矣。

Three outstanding Prussian Ministers/Carlos Pueblo

 Three outstanding Prussian Ministers/Carlos Pueblo

Prussia is and old Kingdom of German Empire, current day Germany. I am reading a book about the reasons why Britain and Germany come to the War. WWI and I am on page 60. Even up to today, many politician still ignore the history of that time around late 19th century in Europe, Prussia for instance. Xi of China and Putin of Russia don't know how important to avoid Wars. The three outstanding minsters of the Kaiser William I are Otto Von Bismarck, Albrecht Von Roon, and Helmuth Von Moltke. I make some mistakes to identify Roon and Moltke. The Danish is Moltke and Roon is Polish who accompanied the Crown Prince Frits to attend the Bonn University and also advised the Ottoman Army instead of China. Bismarck initiated attacks of Denmark, Austria, and France while Roon and  Moltke executed it. Of course, both the Kaiser and his son are Prussian Army commanders and should be credited.

According to my reading that politicians should pay more attention to the benefit of citizens under their rule. None in history have make all the conquer, Not Xi to Taiwan and Putin to Ukraine. I am very sorry for both of them, Xi and Putin. I always believe that a war can end a dictator's tenure and even end of a nation, dynasty, etc.

普魯士三傑／莊峻華

 普魯士三傑／莊峻華

無畏號這書，讀到60頁，我又有一些感觸，作者已經講到卑斯麥，普魯士三傑，魯恩和莫特克是另兩位，是普魯士崛起歐洲之三位德國大臣。我在上期提到一位軍官，陪同普魯士皇太子佛來帝克到波昂大學讀書，我誤為丹麥人，其實是波蘭人，就是魯恩，丹麥人是莫特克，莫特克曾經奉德帝幫奧圖曼練兵，我到德國旅行兩次，第一次甚至到達比利時，丹麥，和捷克，都是火車旅行，徒步逛街，沿途搜尋谷歌，回憶和近日書本描述，許多對映。

卑斯麥微時，由魯恩推薦德帝威廉一世入柏林，這是1861年，德帝威廉一世在1857年繼兄位，威廉是普魯士軍統帥職，國會要縮減兵役制，三年改到兩年，威廉不滿，魯恩已是國家戰爭部長，威廉同意召卑斯麥入京，卑斯麥運用法律操作，將兵役和陸軍問題解決，然後就開始唆使威廉出兵丹麥，因為丹麥新王不顧倫敦條約，併吞漢堡北端兩大公國，這兩大公國居民，薛樂士維格講丹麥語，豪斯坦講德語，普丹兩國已打過一仗，丹麥戰勝，第二次就是三傑策劃，由德帝發最後通牒給丹麥，丹麥置之不理，於是威廉出兵，這就是普魯士第一次擊敗維金帝國丹麥，這是1864年。我曾搭火車在漢堡車站，轉車到哥本哈根，經過這兩大公國，終戰後由英國託管，所以後來還給波昂的西德，兩德統一後，今屬德國，第二次住漢堡，特地搭火車拜訪魯北克市，就在哥本哈根途中，非常美麗小鎮，街上店面有許多洋娃娃，曾是大公國首都，另外一海港基爾亦甚出名，是德國出波羅地海港口，都屬兩古大公國。

因為這兩大公國戰後隸屬未令普魯士滿意，因為丹麥之役，動用奧匈帝國軍隊，所以奧匈分到豪斯坦，卑斯麥一直設法挑釁奧匈，揚言要組一德意志聯邦，排除奧匈，奧匈是法蘭克佛議會之主角，卑斯麥繼續唆使威廉出兵，卑斯麥有魯恩和莫特克之專業評估，威廉果然出兵，奧匈戰敗，卑斯麥有太子佛瑞茲之助，說服其父王威廉，不帶兵進入維也納，歷史書就是如此有趣，這位太子也親自領兵精銳八萬，馳援僵持普奧兩軍，他也是普軍統帥，和其父一般，他就是維多莉亞女皇之大女婿，魯恩陪讀波昂大學這位太子。

波昂在科隆市東南，沿著萊茵河，有一年我特別到此貝多芬故鄉拜訪，因為我一位表哥，母舅大公子，台大醫科畢業後，服完兵役，就來波昂大學醫學院深造，取得醫學博士後，移民美國當婦產科醫生，在洛杉磯退休，現在應是85歲。波昂大學醫科，就在前院的大樓，現在已經搬到郊外，戰後艾德娜將西德建都在他的故鄉小大學鎮，我旅行德國，特別安排來拜訪，非常親切，還有學生王子的故事，德國帝制已經不存在，國家領袖民選，維持高水準，即使亡國也能迅速復興，令人敬佩。

Reading a book called Dreadnought/Carlos Pueblo

 Reading a book called Dreadnought/Carlos Pueblo

A book called Dreadnought is now in my reading regular. Amy's sister Mulan and two other Taiwanese ladies are working hard to improve their knowledge above all by hiring an American lady to instruct them for the advance. Dreadnought is one of the text books. I like to read history book and this is written by Robert K. Massie about Britain, Germany, and the coming of the Great War. I am on page 53 now and start doing my reports. Each time when I travel to a foreign land, I always Google something about that city of interest and persons of significant. I know that there are many things which I missed and puzzled. This book has been a help to me even after years of my fond memory.

Queen Victoria and her beloved husband Albert are German as I read before and now I know where both of them are from. Prince Albert's golden stature is erected on the Royal Kensington Park next to a beautiful garden with Japanese cherry grove. He died early. Across the street, there is a museum named after both of them with huge jewelry collection of Victoria Dynasty. In 1897, there was a Diamond Jubilee for her reign of the Empire of sixty years. I believe the current Queen Elizabeth II has one as well. During that celebration, I notice that there are two persons not in good health attended. Crown princes of Germany and Japan. I must check with the future Emperor Taisho, yet Germany's Fritz was in Scotland for his larynx issue. I read about Fritz's attending to the Bonn University with an Army officer whose statue is on the Berlin Victory Blvd along with Bismarck. This significant person was from Denmark after the famous war between Prussia and Denmark in 1863.

I was puzzled with the short reign of Fritz, the future of the Emperor Frederick III. Now I know that is due to his health. His son Kaiser William II succeeded him and lost the great Empire. I visited one of  his spa at Wiesbaden with a good memory.

Each time when I visit Germany, I always fly to Frankfurt. I notice that Frankfurt is a free city of that time. I know better of the Congress of Vienna that I do visit the big church where they gathered to make it possible. Reading this book has brought me back so much fun of my trips to this great civilization.

讀書無畏號／莊峻華

 讀書無畏號／莊峻華

無畏號是一本書，作者是羅伯特.馬西，是幾本書最近跑來寒舍，我看了四十六頁，已經迫不及待，寫下心得，這是一本近代史，講到英國和德國，如何開戰，就是第一次歐戰，世界大戰，從維多莉亞女皇開始講，講到她的長女婿，德國的皇太子，皇太孫，我因為旅行德國多次，曾經谷歌多次，帶回許多美憶，這是旅行的好處，讓我一一道來。

1805年，英將那爾遜在直布羅陀西岸特拉法格，擊敗拿破崙和西班牙海軍艦隊，從此英國海軍稱霸全球，到維多莉亞時代，大英帝國為日不落，維持世界秩序，這世界秩序在二戰後，由美國接替，我們尚未相信，近代中國能挑戰美國，因此南中國海之暢通，是美國當務之急，連德國都派軍艦來南中國海，當年，1897年，維多莉亞登基60週年，英帝國有一鑽石狂歡慶祝，今皇伊莉莎白二世，也有一次，全球都有船艦代表來參加，德皇太子在蘇格蘭治病來，他是英女皇長女婿，日本皇太子也來，我猜是後來的大正天皇，但大正一直體弱多病，我一時無法考證，英帝國方面是皇太子溫莎公爵主持，這是我故事的開始。

我旅行德國，拜訪海德堡，海德堡離法蘭克佛市很近，學生王子這部電影，背景就是海德堡大學，我先後拜訪海德堡市四次，徒步到海大多次，這位學生王子，不是普魯士王子，當年德國帝國前，有三百個王國，稍有規模者，可以票選神聖羅馬帝國皇帝，就是大諸侯，法蘭西帝國，一直有規模，有巨砲，因此這些歐洲弱小諸侯，經常被欺侮，海德堡皇宮，就遭路易十四砲轟，到現在尚未重建，一直到普魯士擊敗拿破崙三世，其實早年華鐵盧，普魯士和英帝國，已經擊敗拿破崙一世，三百諸侯在法蘭克佛共推普魯士王為主，就是德意志帝國皇帝，這普魯士軍隊甚強，三敗三歐洲帝國，維基丹麥帝國1863年，這本書說丹麥王併吞兩地，德皇不爽，武力征服丹麥，還有擊敗奧匈帝國，當年當過神聖羅馬帝國共主，最後滅掉路易拿破崙法蘭西帝國，柏林也有一凱旋門，不若巴黎之豪華氣派，但德國確實滅過法國兩三次。凱旋門中有三銅像，當年終戰埋在地下，現在復立，其一為卑斯麥，另外是一位將領，來過中國，是丹麥人，當年伴讀皇太子佛來帝克於波昂大學，佛來帝克皇太子繼帝位僅三個月就病逝，我在柏林追查其履歷，僅悉曾當德皇日短，不知其故，現在知道他是維多莉亞之愛婿，民主開放，其子繼帝位，德帝國亡在其任內，我曾到過他洗溫泉浴所在，在法蘭克佛附近，畢士八登市，曾是駐德美軍總部，是萊茵河和緬茵河匯集處。

Inflation 2021/Carlos Pueblo

 Inflation 2021/Carlos Pueblo

The inflation of 2021 is suddenly a topic to discuss nowadays. Is it a surprise? After the mass printing of the U.S. dollars to help the victim of the pandemics that I don't recall how many billions or trillions. Our U.S. dollars are diminished. We must pay the increasing import taxes posted on China 25% since last administration. The oil price is finally raising and we have to pay more to drive the vehicle. How to we deal with the inflation? I think that a regular saving will help. We must have a saving to balance our income and expanse.

I have been out of work since 2001 even though I do try to get back to work yet in vain. I do save my limited income to live in a frugal life style so as my family members. I always enjoy to tell my love of saving money. I don't like to spend money. All what I am doing now is filling up my gas tank once a month, buying beef weekly when it is on sale, and paying the necessary expanse to live in a house. The value of my retirement accounts are growing faster than the inflation rate if there is.

It is a strategy which we preach to the general public while we sale insurance and financial products, make hay while is sunshine. I like to go to foreign trips and I insist that the price must be right, i.e. I monitor the price to make a cruise trip and am still waiting for the right one or I shall forget it.

Some farmers like to have the inflation; therefore, they can make additional income. Of course, they have to face the cost of materials to grow the crops, yet it is a farm management that every farmer must learn like we must manage our money wisely.

Don't let the inflation bothers you if you like to be stress free. Work hard when we need it, save hard we must, and spend less as much as we can to fight the inflation. 

談論通貨膨脹2021／莊峻華

 談論通貨膨脹2021／莊峻華

最近開始又有通貨膨脹之壓力，我最喜歡談通貨膨脹，美國政府印那麼多鈔票濟急，又沒有黃金節餘儲備，幣值不會貶值？我們賣保險，天天鼓勵客戶節約儲蓄，道理在此。下週琳兒售出租屋，還我一筆貸款，我正想如何處置？剛才查閱銀行定期，兩年是0.7％，於是我想錢還是留下他用，我出身寒門，來到美國始得翻身，現在仍舊不喜歡花錢。

昨日球畢，驅車上超市，購買一包三塊牛排，大家都說肉貴，豬肉漲價，我吃牛排，不吃豬肉，我只買特價牛排，超市有嚴格規定，牛肉不能過期，我們家元兒，每週日吃牛肉麵，牛肉由我購買，我也注意特價，買多備用，如果肉貴，我就恢復素食，就是吃蔬菜而已。

我住一樸實二樓磚房，約2，560平方呎，有小庭院前後，當年是賣出舊屋，買斷此屋，尚有增值節餘，老年又有房地產節稅，價錢比住公寓便宜甚多。

我們家有車四輛，愛美車新，是2019年，因為她是婦女，車需可靠，琳兒開2013年車，她比較能幹，而且無所謂新舊車，她經常出差，現在在家上班，元兒開2007年車，每天開3哩路上班，我開1998年舊車，開車2哩路打球，因冷氣壞而不修，因此開車僅需要耳，車不壞，漲價與我無涉。而且我有油公司股票，油價上漲，我還可以找機會兌現。

過去我常出國旅行，現在因瘟疫肆虐，搭飛機郵輪，諸多限制不便，而且我吝嗇旅行習慣，像投宿客棧，吃潛水艇素三明治，到處徒步，又搭休市公車到機場，旅途勞累，我心有餘悸，乾脆省下旅費，留給親人使用。

還有，美國對中國出口貨物增稅，當然我們付稅，東西不會便宜。

My arm and knee issues after the tennis/Carlos Pueblo

 My arm and knee issues after the tennis/Carlos Pueblo

After every morning tennis, I have developed my right arm and left knee problems nowadays. Traditional thinking might be quitting such exercises and stop the wear and tear circumstances and let my over used body heal. I think of it and don't know how I can replace the morning tennis. It is such a good routine which helps me consume my daily 24 hours and 365 days a year.

A tennis companion gave me his old arm brace to tie up my right arm to decrease certain degree of shaking and vibration each time I chop a ball. It helps. I slice tennis balls when they are coming to me instead of a ground stroke or a top spin that I credit it to save my tennis elbow throughout these years. No, my problem is not the right elbow instead is the arm between the elbow and wrist. After the tied up brace, I feel better and am able to continue playing. It has been for more than a year with the arm issue. 

Recently, I develop a sour pain above my left knee. I see many partners wear knee braces and understand that will help to decrease the pain. It is not that urgent therefore, I have a thought that may go away after a night's rest. I was wrong. My double partner gives me his old knee brace because that is too small in size to him. I wear it and see the result instantly. After taking it off when I return home, I feel comfortable without the original rest overnight. I can see that is working. I should know it earlier.

Playing tennis regularly can help me sleeping well. Now, I have had an additional nap during the day and I go to bed before 8:30 pm. Occasionally, I can sleep through the night without a toilet break that is very unusual for a diabetes. I am loosing weight and am about 140 lbs. or 65 kg. I haven't so light for quite some time. I am thinking to enjoy some brandy during holidays.

護臂和護膝／莊峻華

 護臂和護膝／莊峻華

網球運動容易磨損手臂和膝蓋，我的左膝上方和右手臂，都呈現問題，打完球似乎無問題，過些時候，開始酸痛，球友贈送老舊不用護臂和護膝套，果然奏效，我用舊護臂套，已經多時，固定右臂，不使擊球頻頻，磨損右臂肌肉和神經，造成網球肘，其實我是肘下之臂，膝上之腿部份，現在兩處固定，可以再打網球些時。

為什麼老年要打網球？不然要做什麼？一天有24小時，剛開始我們有四人，可以每天打，現在有兩日，可以增加到八人，甚至達十二位，因為老人和家庭主婦，開始重視此項運動，有趣省時又省錢，打完球我可以有一午睡，晚上可以早睡，早上可以早起，生活和飲食都甚規律，我相信能幫助長壽，因為日常生活，沒有壓抑憂慮。

體重開始減輕，肥腹但見消失，我可以再瘦十磅重，這是幾十年難見奇蹟，身體輕如若釋重，走路上樓都輕便，這是每日運動之好處。

幾局網球下來，全身是汗，對心臟跳動，血液循環有幫助，而且可以消耗多餘血糖，克制糖尿病，我想來想去，清晨網球已經佔用一日，其餘都是善後和維護，人生已經無法再做什麼矣。

Happy New Year 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Happy New Year 2022/Carlos Pueblo

It's the time to say Happy New Year 2022 to my friends worldwide even though I have been mostly at home in 2021. I have enjoy this kind of life and everything is going so well that I have no complaint. It is a prosperous year as you notice that the stock market is up for most of the year; therefore, I have had an appreciation of my retirement funds. I have been very healthy and I do solve my fake teeth issue in Houston instead of going back to Taiwan.

I miss the cruise trip and notice that the cruise is coming back. There are some familiar ships coming back for business and I am looking forward to going back to trips of any kinds. I wish every one of you is doing well and coming back to work next year.

Our daughter Michelle is married this year. We went to Costa Rica for the wedding in August. Arthur is doing well also. He stays with us at home. He has had an eye surgery to repair his left eye retina detachment and successfully corrected. Amy is doing well also with her sisters both in family as well as her church.

I have built an unique way of life now. I have had a routine to play tennis and a morning walk every morning. Even though I do have left knee and right foot issue and lucky me I do have a way to protect them like to protect my right arm to avoid the tennis elbow. For an old man, I am considered very healthy and active. I don't see that I must go to the nursing home any time soon.

I am loosing weight as well. It is due to the morning exercises and my vegetable diet. I have some steaks in a small size and not that often.

新年恭喜2022／莊峻華

 新年恭喜2022／莊峻華

新年恭喜2022，年終問候全球親友，我已經離群索居多年，只能在部落格問候。首先問候我四百位全球結識的義女，我是兩年未上郵輪，也未到處旅行，只是每天打網球，煮飯，整理庭院，最近開始留意郵輪旅行，主要還是考慮到瘟疫肆虐，小心為盼，郵輪飛機價格均漲，剛才忘記提到今年哥斯達黎加旅行，是八月份。

我已經習慣這種生活，因為清晨運動，所以上下樓梯不難，享受二樓書房之樂。我而且可以繼續割草，整理庭院，可以和鄰居朋友，交換園藝心得，我還是結交社區鄰居愛犬，現在已經擴充到第二處社區，就是網球場屬社區，此社區較大，有一綠地草場，讓我想起倫敦的三座皇家公園，堪辛頓，海德，和攝政王公園草地，清晨散步小草場，比美皇家公園。草場與球場間，有游泳池和幼兒遊憩場所，約是上午九點許，許多家長媬姆，推車來中心玩耍，涼亭就在球場旁，可以看到許多可愛嬰幼兒，金髮碧藍眼，真是享受。

剛過74歲生日，直奔75歲，我知道已經老年，但感覺不老還好，偶聞有人過世，因為疫情嚴重，也沒有告別式，新聞上有名人逝世，我都注意其壽命，確實有人長壽，我沒有甚麼希望。有一天，一位寮國苗裔美國姑娘，來家裡推廣觀看電視，美麗能幹，讓我想起船上的愛女群，偶而有愛女寫上支言片語，我都非常興奮，找出留照相片，祝大家事業順利，我們後會有期。

The joy of playing tennis at the old age 2/Carlos Pueblo

 The joy of playing tennis at the old age 2/Carlos Pueblo

In additional to my informing tennis partners to play tennis in the morning every day, I also have informed them a day before. We have built up our tennis routine for our senior life that is very good for our health and also the joy of playing tennis at the old age. The other day one of our regular advised me practice my ground stroke during a regular game when I am way ahead like forty love. I slice or spin the incoming ball instead of a ground stroke because that I have a better control of the ball yet slice ball is slow in speed and not good looking.

It is because that I don't have a proper training to make a proper stroke. I learned my tennis when I was a kid in Taiwan. We played Japanese tennis with a bamboo racket and a robber ball most identical to a regular western tennis; however, it was very difficult for me to convert my grid and hit to meet a new style of tennis. I adopt the slice technique and it works for me all the time. I don't run into good players because they don't like to play with me to mess up their good stroke yet I have enjoyed very much get along with not so good players most of my time especially when we play matches. I slice or spin the ball, love the ball, and wait till they make their unforced errors.

At the rally, I do dare to hit the ground stroke and I know that I can't control my ball within the base line. It is because that I don't have that top spin form involved, the arc swing to finish the 360 degree circle. My friend tells me that is fine because the old professionals before the 70's playing that way. There was no top spin involved. 

I try immediately and feel the pressure that I can't no longer control the game during a match. I hate to loose at a match. I like to win all the time that makes me very happy. I have to correct it right away and back to my slice lower and lower  to make a threat. A regular ground stroke form is still in my mind and I like to make such improvement to enjoy the tennis.

打網球之樂趣／莊峻華

 打網球之樂趣／莊峻華

打網球成為我晚年第一樂事，經過我認真推廣，現在我們已經固定，每日佔有一球場雙打，經常有兩球場，週六甚至擴張到三個球場，就是同時有12人在球場上，我從清晨起床，忙到十點半回到家，又打掃香楓落葉，像是全職工作下班，掃落葉是因為我剛購置一電池落葉機，解決前院香楓橡樹和木蘭三巨株落葉，我們撒掃也應對幾十年，第二次機動化，也幫助球友分擔球場落葉打掃。

我應該是在1960年，開始學打網球，那時候是初二暑假，糖廠球場有同儕少年聚集，使用破舊球拍，淘汰球網橡皮網球，中午後在球場打球，我們輪流到典明家取裝備，安置球網，然後就打三場一局雙打，敗者下場排隊，勝者繼續，互砌互蹉，很快的初三上，我們中有幾位，已經是學校校隊，出征西螺縣運網球賽。

我選擇台北聯考，暫時放棄網球，台北高中無網球場，但寒暑假回家，仍舊可以在糖廠球場打球，當年尚有一先父朋友贈送之破損球拍，如此持續到大學，我知道師大有校隊，所以迫不及待加入校隊，但學校舊日球場已拆建，所以還是中斷，大專每年都有對抗賽，我每年均敗，最後排不上出賽前五線。

我在虎尾高中教書，這是當年母校，許多體育組同事，都憶得當年的我，於是我有一非常愉快之一年，因為準備出國，我第二年就到新店教書，學校有位中國流亡教師，在廣場水泥地練網球，於是我自告奮勇，陪他牽球，他說前一年有位羽球國手，也在該校任職，擊羽球於牆上云云，一年後，我就離開台灣，前來美國。

我在拉斯維加斯居停，陪義父母愛女打網球，她很奇怪我能擊球，而且她挑戰單打，也打不過我，我到奧本，就買下一過時新球拍，因握把過大，我只能切球應戰，不能全擊，而且軟式網球和硬式網球，許多差異，幾位美國同學邀請挑戰單打，我都能應付自如，當然高手不願與我一淌混水，平常牽球我能正常擊球，然一比賽，我就開始切球，因為較能控制求路。

我的越南球友尼墨氏，鼓勵我正常擊球，他說我的正常擊球比較強勁，切球速度慢，我提出無法控制之理由，他說贏球甚多時，可以戒掉切球，恢復正常，確實切球式網球，不是正常打法，我曾戒過一次，但後來求勝心切，又恢復切球。

The rest of my life/Carlos Pueblo

 The rest of my life/Carlos Pueblo

After my birthday last week, I re-started thinking the rest of my life in this world. I have been out live  my beloved father for nine years and my question is how long shall I keep on going. Michelle, my daughter, is selling her rental house and returning the balance of my mortgage. I am considering a way to dispose this fund and I am thinking of my rest life.

I was from a very humble background before and after I came to this nation. All what I have had now is what I work for it all my life, of course, it is during my limited tenure of working years. I was a trained chemist, yet I didn't have a chemist job but less than three years. I was lucky to make it as an insurance agent. I save money and invest wisely, then I have achieved a financial independent status. Both of my adult children have jobs and manage well in their life. I still like them to have my savings gradually before governments touch my estate.

I live in a solid old house of 40 years and I don't see any structural issues in my life time and after I leave there is no longer my concerns any way. My life from a humble background is very simple and easy to be satisfied. After two and half hours tennis every morning, I am exhausted and required a very completed rest during the rest of the day for the next morning. Even though I am no longer working yet every day is still very pushing, pushing to the next morning.

I can no longer to make a foreign trips due to the pandemic. The cruise ships are getting more expansive than before. I am afraid of making a trip required a lot of walking around a foreign country and I am also afraid of long distance driving domestically which is the sorry of the rest of my life.

餘生／莊峻華

 餘生／莊峻華

人到老年，就開始要面對餘生，或是餘年，我們都不知道能再活多久，我要馬上安排一些後事。最近琳兒將賣出一棟房屋，我們家中三人是貸款主人，將領回一小筆貸款，錢是我出的，我是可以藉此機會，贈送給家人，動機非常純正高尚，而且我已經開始如此贈送，但是我又不甚習慣，如此慷慨，我的出生是貧戶，家人為金錢掙扎甚久。

美國遺產稅是真的，而且扣得非常厲害，我可以想盡辦法，安全贈送財產給家人，但如果我臨時有急需，不知家人能否還我？當然這是一很羞恥的想法，我從來未想過要成為家人之負擔，我就是如此自信，我也不喜歡苟且偷生，他們說我需要填表，此表我尚不熟，一拖就是好幾年，我交待元兒，他說會找姊姊幫忙。

我們住屋，甚為堅固，因此我無懸念，可終其一生，現在我還可以割草掃落葉，房屋維護，可以找師傅幫忙，我只生活在一小圈範圍，容易滿足。我開24年舊車，打網球和買牛肉，已經有多年未買新車，而且新車費用也是三分，合情合理，無形中省下一筆錢，元兒和我都是開舊車。

因為中國武漢肺炎一直肆虐，我已經放棄出外旅行，在家居住簡單舒適，而且時光飛馳，沒有甚麼其他的憂慮，每天都過一天，日子甚是好過，我也沒有甚麼怨嘆者也。

Saule Omatova withdrews her nomination/Carlos Pueblo

 Saule Omatova withdraws her nomination/Carlos Pueblo

Today Salue Omatova withdraws her nomination by President Biden as the Federal bank regulator because she can't get 50 votes in the senate, a couple of Democrats joins all the Republicans oppose her nomination. It is due to her opposition of banks are getting too large to be control. I write this not because that the position is vital yet her photo on the news has brought to my attention. she has a face of the oriental yet she has a Russian last name.

I go to the Google to search on her. She was born in western Kazakhstan of the central Asia. She is a Kazakh American. I believe that the Kazakh ancestors were from the north China, north of the Great Wall a group of Huns. They used to be spread all over that area. Chinese Dynasty as well as the Mongolian conquered them and pushed them toward the West. They are settled in current day the Central Asia. After the Soviet Union collapsed, they have formed one of the four Central Asia nation. They use Russian as their language. They look like Siberian Russian because their ancestors were all Huns. They are or were all under the Russian rule.

I read some history and am very curious about everything about the Huns. After the Caucasian Russian expelled the Mongolian, Peter the Great moved his force toward the West. His Empire and later has claimed many no-mans land in the West even to some part of the current day U.S. like Alaska and the northern California. Soviet Union had had the largest territory during before 1990. My tennis partner informs me that Putin puts 200,000 force around Ukraine and ready to invade the nation just like 1,600,000 army around the Manchuria three days before Japanese surrender. Some people like to gain the territory and ignore to build a better nation for their own citizen to improve their living. Russian and Chinese are the typical example.

I have been watching the You Tube videos produced by Chinese outside of China about China. China is such a pitiful nation as a matter of the fact. People are so poor that I feel pity to them. Chinese Communist pay more attention to invade Taiwan and I don't know the reason. Russia is the same difference, do Russia and China not big enough to manage their own large nations? Do they feel more safe after they annex Ukraine or Taiwan?

從邵莉.奧瑪托娃撤銷提名談起／莊峻華

 從邵莉.奧瑪托娃撤銷提名談起／莊峻華

今日邵莉.奧瑪托娃，撤銷被拜登總統提名為，聯邦銀行總監，因為民主黨參議員50票中，有幾位不同議其提名，是這樣的，共和黨全部反對拜登總統，所以民主黨任何一票，都可否決拜登總統，當然此官位不甚顯赫，對邵莉也不是損失，倒是對控制銀行無限擴大，是一挫敗，對我這種小公民毫無影響，我提奧莉是有其他目的。

邵莉有一東方人面孔，但又有俄羅斯姓名，托娃就是托夫之女性，一猜就是舊日之蘇聯屬中亞，我查谷歌是來自哈薩克國，哈薩克族驍勇善戰，歷史上如是說，曾住中國長城以北，就是歷史上的遊牧民族，為中國人所破，也多次入關消滅中國，統治中國，歷史上最近，隨蒙古人，歐洲歷史稱之為哈薩克人，征服俄羅斯，統治俄羅斯兩百四十年，非常有趣。這些蒙古人的後代，在蘇聯時成立四個自治國，蘇聯瓦解後獨立成中亞四國，仍舊受俄羅斯影響，講俄羅斯語，使用俄羅斯文，邵莉出生於哈薩克，在莫斯科大學畢業，威斯康辛大學哲學博士，西北大學法學博士，康乃爾法學院教授。

我很好奇，俄羅斯國各界，對台灣有興趣，對客家人有興趣，像我這種毫無名氣之部落格作者作品，讀者排名俄羅斯第一，客家人匈奴說，政大論文研究，俄羅斯大學出資贊助，俄羅斯人想幹甚麼？有何歷史連結，我所不知？

俄羅斯人東進，佔據許多中國之領土，現在中國海外人士，屢屢提到中國東北之土地，我現在有新的結論，這些土地自古不屬中國，是邵莉的祖先匈奴，是東方臉孔，也有白種人臉孔，幾年前，我在一艘郵輪輪上，認收一位塔吉克美女為義女，她名艾奴拉，電郵址是俄羅斯簡寫，白皮膚東方輪廓，長髮尾端為赤，奇怪不？中國人，中國統治者不爭氣幾千年，這些匈奴後裔，早就不認同中國，早就認俄羅斯為父矣，西伯利亞大世界，早就為俄羅斯人統治矣。

我講這邵莉故事給球友聽，他是中國人，他也不想當中國人，被中國人所統治，所以我們都來美國當美國人，他說當年蘇聯想唆使軍閥吳佩孚，為吳所佢，只好找孫文，因孫無兵權，因此蘇聯幫忙設立中國國民黨，難怪國民黨就像共產黨，有所謂的國共合作，這些都是中國近代史，我們都讀不到真像。

Shinzo Abe's speech about Chinese invasion of Taiwan/Carlos Pueblo

 Shinzo Abe's speech about Chinese invasion of Taiwan/Carlos Pueblo

Japanese long time prime minister Shinzo Abe delivered an important speech about Chinese invasion of Taiwan the other day. Chinese foreign minister's aide called Japanese ambassador , Hideo Shui, in Beijing to protest Abe's statement. Both Abe's speech and Shui's brief statement have created a heavy wave of international politic in regard to Taiwan that I believe is the most interesting development of Taiwan issue for a long time. I hear and read Abe's speech in Chinese translation and I wish I can read the original Japanese edition and I believe that is a very interesting article with his sincerity and good logic to maintain the world peace.

As I have described recently about Taiwan as well as Manchuria and Manchukuo on my blog. Both Taiwan and Manchuria were under Japanese rule before WWII, 1895-1945 for Taiwan; 1932-1945 for Manchuria. Just a few days ago, an You Tube program has reminded me that most of the Chinese coastal provinces were under Japanese rule as well, 1938-1945. As a matter of the fact, all Eastern Asia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Lao, Thailand, Singapore, Malaya, Burma, Indonesia, Philippines, even to the India border were all fallen to Japanese control. Eventually, Japan was surrendered. China has never been stronger than Japan in history. 

All politicians understand wars are not good for the peace; therefore, NATO has been established to prevent Germany from attacking the others in Europe. NATO and European Unions try to tell Putin of Russia not to invade Ukraine. Russia has plenty of land to rule likes China doesn't need to annex Taiwan to make it great. Taiwan has never been part of PRC.

It is true that Abe says when China attacks Taiwan just like attacking Japan because that Taiwan is so closed to Japan. Japan must have self defense. U.S. and Japan have a mutual defense treaty and both must response Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Does it scare off Xi of China? Only Xi can tell. He is very busy to be an emperor nowadays.

Abe is good at arithmetic that he figures it right that Taiwan has 25 years of democracy, since 1996. Before that was under Chiang Kai-sek's martial law and Nationalist Chinese rule neither free nor China.

安倍晉三對台灣的看法／莊峻華

 安倍晉三對台灣的看法／莊峻華

日本前首相，安倍晉三氏，幾日前受台灣智庫演講，對台灣的看法，非常有趣，中國外交部，非常不滿，調日本駐日大使，原想申斥，沒想到日本大使垂秀夫，有備而來，雙方對話，立刻可判斷高下，我在一網紅節目，聽畢安倍講稿中文翻譯，深覺此為難得之政治講演，有感情有內容，深想如能有日文原稿更好，可以欣賞日文之美，需知我們欣賞日本傳統演歌，其歌詞都是近體詩，非常難得，作詞者都是詩人，日本詩詞在演歌中，均有歌譜可吟唱之，安倍之演講生動有趣又簡潔，難得之曠世作品，垂秀夫大使，更是高桿，簡潔有力，日文古代是受中國文學之影響，現在已經超越中國文學幾百代矣。

中國一直迷信恐嚇詐術等，可以撿便宜，文攻武嚇台灣，安倍氏曰，中國侵略台灣，等於侵略日本，美日兩國都不會坐視，二戰時，中國領土近半都為日本佔據，尤其沿海各省，香港，越南，新加坡，馬來亞，泰國，緬甸，逼近印度邊界，好大之武力，近代中國有此能耐乎？中國人卻是迷信有原子彈是萬能，真是幼稚，安倍氏奉勸中國，切莫窮兵黷武，這是忠言逆耳。

我觀乎安倍年輕有為，1954年出生，兩任日本首相，工作狂幾近生病，是因病引退，不像習近平之不學無術，只想當皇帝，終生執政，中國比日本更大更複雜，可以如此輕鬆愉快，說要當皇帝就當皇帝？天天騷擾台灣，就能使中國強大富有？

南非有一武漢肺炎變種，南非立即通知全球注意，武肺肺炎從發生在中國武肺第一株病毒，中國一直設法隱瞞全世界，習近平毫無公共衛生觀念，終國病毒為害全球，現在全球都戒慎恐懼，一切無常，這種人還想繼續當中國皇帝？

Take Arthur to have his final visit of the eye sugery/Carlos Pueblo

 Take Arthur to have his final visit of the eye surgery/Carlos Pueblo

In early June this year, my son Arthur has had an emergency retina detachment procedure successfully and we're scheduled to have a final visit of the surgeon after five months. I have been puzzled for that I haven't received any bill from the surgeon and like to ask his clinic. The front desk nurse checks the accounting office and tells me that Arthur's insurance company pays it all. I am very happy yet am very surprised. My guess is that he is referred by a net work surgeon to this non net work surgeon and the insurance company has considered as a net work job; therefore, waives the co-payment. I learn something every day. Because of the unknown cost, I have borrowed some money from several credit cards to pay the expanse and now I can re-pay the short term loan before the due day. I am glad that he has a job and his work carries the group health insurance and this insurance has put in good use my driving to take him for the surgery is nothing at all.

After the visit, he has another dental visit because his dental crown, a cover for his trouble tooth was broken. That is the reason why he is not eating well lately, my pan cake and Amy's fruits ball, etc. His dentist is very busy and unable to do anything until early next year. He can't do anything about it and his company is going to switch to another insurance carrier. I can't take it; therefore, I step in and make a phone call to my dentist for help. Coincidently my currently dental clinic was the original one which installed his crown five years ago. He switches the dentist due to the net work issue. I ask the front office to check whether they are under his insurance net work. The girl promises to call me back before the end of the day and I can't wait that long. I call myself to the insurance company to find a help. Two customer services ladies are impressed of my urgency and step in to help. My dental clinic is actually inside of Arthur's company coverage. We have a schedule appointment for next Monday. All doctors are busy nowadays.

I feel very good for that I still can help my son to solve his issues of all kinds. I consider that is a very meaningful way of life. I am busy with my senior life routine and also I can find a way to help my adult children. How lucky I am that I am some sort of a important person.

帶元兒看眼醫／莊峻華

 帶元兒看眼醫／莊峻華

元兒的眼睛手術，視網膜剝離症，期滿半年，我們依醫生指示，昨日到休市醫學中心診所檢查，我將球場門卡交給隊友幫忙開門，我是清晨球局領導，有事交待助理領導幫忙，合作一件有意義之工作，過有意義之生活。休市內超速公路610號，清晨已經忙碌不堪，恢復正常，我門趕診所第一班，先讓大夫助理護士檢查，然後等候大夫，大夫告知手術成功，一年後再來檢查，這位大夫是今日華陀，能妙手回春。

我問櫃台護士，如何未收到帳單？已經半年，護士幫我查，原來元兒保險公司已經全部付清，我鬆了一口氣，感激美國保險制度，更感激元兒工作，有一團體健康保險，這次大手術，我們輾轉使用保險外醫生和醫院，我擔心醫費昂貴，特別到銀行信用卡，借了幾張信用卡債備用，現在用不上了，我猜測是因為這位大夫，是經由契約系統內大夫介紹，因為他無法緊急處理此案，立刻轉移送元兒，到契約外大夫和醫院，保險公司視同契約內醫藥條件處理，這是美國！還好我從事保險業，能夠立刻了解。

元兒最近食慾不振，連我的熱餅都不捧場，小碗水果也未吃畢，原來是牙套脫落，看完眼科大夫，再趕到牙醫診所，牙醫大夫太忙，只能延到明年一月，元兒也非常無耐，我又開始打暴不平，我立刻電話給我的牙醫，就是幫我裝假牙這位，剛好這診所五年前，幫元兒裝此牙套，因元兒公司每年換保險公司，換來換去，契約內契約外診所大亂，元兒只注意電腦遊戲，所以我又介入幫忙。

我先電話給我的牙醫診所，先生娘不在，所以我就請櫃台護士幫忙，查證其診所是否為元兒契約內？她先問要作甚麼大事業？然後說日內回復，我等不及，就逕自追查，保險公司女士，很有經驗，立刻幫我查到我的牙醫診所是契約內，於是我就回去將門診約好，現在醫生都很忙，看病除非是急診，否則均需等候。

我每天都很忙，打球忙，午睡忙，作文忙，現在又看電視忙，這是一有趣之老年生活，每天過一天，時間飛馳，又是一年。

Taiwan after WWII(2)/Carlos Pueblo

Taiwan after WWII(2)/Carlos Pueblo 

Chiang Kai-sek's army was invited to rule Taiwan in 1945 after WWII. Nationalist Chinese always claim that Taiwan return to China after 50 years Japanese rule. As a matter of the fact that Taiwan was one of a few places which the Nationalist Chinese could actually controlled at that time with a firm help of the U.S. naval ships to move Chiang's army to Taiwan and Japanese 250,000 imperial forces orderly disbanded. Chinese Mainland began a very rapid civil war and the rebellion Communist Chinese quickly defeated Chiang's forces. Chiang's collapsed forces exile to Taiwan with a government called the Republic of China. Chiang's claimed himself a President of that Republic with a central government formed by some kinds of form established in China after the War in 1947. He had firmly controlled Taiwan with his military and successfully passed on to his eldest son when he died in 1975. His son lived up to 1989 as the ruler of Taiwan. We call it the Chiang's Dynasty, 1945-1989. A native Taiwanese took the succession in 1989 and he made it possible for Taiwanese voters to make the mandate for a democratic system and elected him as a new President of Taiwan. A native Taiwanese political party won a national election in 2008, Chen Shui-bien became the first leader of Taiwan to briefly took over the central government. In 1978, the U.S. severed the relationship with Taiwan. Taiwan has been moving on since. I credit it, the 17th world powerful economy, to the political system, hard working Taiwanese, and the support of the U.S. as well as many powerful nations and developing nations of 15. It is very interesting that Taiwan survives for all of these years. In the past several years, I have traveled around the world and I find that Taiwan is one of the best nations came out of a colony of the power nations. Now, Taiwan can help some poor nations in the world. Taiwan received some U.S. Aid like many in the world after the War, yet I can see Taiwan comes out self sufficient. I am just like Taiwan, my old home land, I come out alright as an individual and I am doing all right after all.