The mindful and meaningful way of life/Carlos Pueblo

 The mindful and meaningful way of life/Carlos Pueblo

The famous Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thick Nhat Hanh, passed away on January 22, 2022 and his teaching videos are on the You Tube immediately. I have attempted to review one of his teaching of living in a meaningful way of life. He says a lot of the mindful way of life that I doubt myself of my misunderstanding of what I have learned from him on his book, Jesus and Buddha as brothers. I thought that I was enlightened by him from that book.

I believe that he emphasizes the mindful instead of the meaningful way of life. Now I doubt that I have created the talk of the meaningful way of life. We define ourselves what is the meaningful way of life, such as making money, to marry a beautiful wife or wives, and have a good and healthy body, etc. We define our own goals as a meaningful way of live which we desire to live that is Buddhism. We grasp the opportunity to be a person in this wonderful world to live and to be prevail. 

It is up to us to live in a meaningful way of life and only ourselves can enjoy such life. On the contrary that we don't have meaningful ways of life, we shall be miserable and unhappy to live. I have run into many people who are engaging the religious missions after their retirement and some of them claim that they do make a fortune and like to do something more meaningful to the other. I categorize this as a meaningful way of life and is enlightening. Of course, there are many names to describe such insight in Buddhism that we don't have to learn them by all means.

Of course, I don't see many will agree to me for such idea. I don't really care yet this is what my understanding is and keep me very appreciated and happy to be alive. Each time when I have nothing to do, I always think of the meaningful way of life even taking a short yet unlimited nap during the day. It is a waste of time indeed yet that is very plenty which I always have had.

思索和有意義之生活／莊峻華

 思索和有意義之生活／莊峻華

剛圓寂之越南釋一行和尚，生前有許多箸作，其中一書名佛陀耶蘇似兄弟，對我影響至巨，因他剛逝世，網誌上開始出現許多他的影片，於是我開始尋找我因他而頓悟之說，很想溫故而未必需要知新，老和尚提到很多英語上之思索性生活，我開始懷疑會不會是我誤會其本意，人生本意是過有思索，有思考之生活？而非我所誤會之有意義之生活？此書我已贈送他人，無法查證，網誌上老和尚言，多半是有思索有思考，十分抽像，這是哲學，哲理，凡人不易了解，我言過有意義之人生，當然由自己定義。

年輕時我們求學，是有目的，我們在學校認真讀書，循序漸進，畢業後找到工作，成家立業，這是有意義之人生，我們都想有錢，過豐裕之家庭生活，這也是十分有意義之人生，及其長也，有些人富有後，開始信仰宗教，勸人為善，我剛來美國，參加南浸信會耶誕節國際學生會，在丹佛市就遇到有錢人贊助此活動，我在紐西蘭旅行，路上遇到傳教者，都不忘提醒我他們都是成功之商人，富有後傳教也是有意義之人生。

這些人因為物質生活無慮，可以處理精神生活之有意義，可以臻隨心所慾之境界，這是有意義之人生，我們都是凡人，凡人也可擁有有意義之人生，凡人較易滿足，也較安份，人生不滿百，至少目前如此，時間有限，不容浪費。

我常津津樂道，我的有意義人生，我出生在台灣，一個微薄家門，幸好有雙親重視學校教育，讓我有機會完成基本學校教育，就是大學畢業，因為有此學歷，我得以申請留學美國，移民美國，我能在美國工作謀生，過有意義之生活，完全是在台灣打下之基礎，我將此機會，傳給了子女，讓他們也能擁有有意義之人生，這是很簡單又實際者也

What I have learned from Thick Nhat Hanh/Carlos Pueblo

 What I have learned from Thick Nhat Hanh/Carlos Pueblo

Thick Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Buddhist Monk who has changed my life. Two of my friends informed me his death on January 22, 2022. Let me announce their names, Shelly of the tennis group and Ketsana of a television survey sale that both know this distinguish monk changes my life to a happy one forever. What do I have learned from him and made me so happy? In a simple sentence to describe it is a goal to live in a meaningful life, of course, we do define the word of the meaningful no matter is huge or little. Let me advice Putin of Russia and Xi of China, invading Ukraine or Taiwan are huge yet not meaningful while releasing a lizard from a bucket of frozen water is meaningful. When I was quite younger, I read a book of his called Jesus and Buddha as Brothers. I have read it several times and purchased several to give to my closed friends or introduced to many who show interest. On this book he introduces the philosophy of the Buddhism on the ways of Baruch Spinoza and Immanuel Kant. I am so appreciated to his help to get closed to these two European philosophers.

He explains that God is the totality of the nature according to Spinoza. I firmly agree. According to my Chinese history description that during ancient Chinese Dynasties, people worshiped the mountain and the river, the ghost, and gods of all kinds, etc. He also point it out what is the God? and gets the answer on his explanation from Spinoza. Furthermore, he interprets the phenomenal as well as the nominal. The phenomenal is the horizontal knowledge while the nominal is the vertical knowledge between the God and yourself. We must be well learned of the phenomenal in order to sense of the nominal according to Kant by the way of Thick explanation on his book. That is good enough for me to be enlighten! As I have announced that enlighten is from reading his book other than by listening to his speech like great disciples of he current Buddha's lectures some 2,600 years before in India.

I evaluate everything on every day if what I have run into is a meaningful life or not. It is very interesting that has satisfied my senior life. I don't think that I care about my formal ambition or desire any longer; therefore, there is no stress any more. What I have appreciated is the one that I currently own. I passed by the Vietnamese Coastline of his home town Hue exactly two years ago and I thought of him like before I traveled to the New England and France where his students built meditation centers. I regret very much that I never have an opportunity to listen to his lecture.

越南高僧釋一行圓寂／莊峻華

 越南高僧釋一行圓寂／莊峻華

越南高僧釋一行於昨日圓寂，01／22／2022，圓寂於其越南故鄉，清晨美國球友秀莉告知曰，一行老和尚書，幫助其女至甚，我僅知其夫婿羅伯特，曾是老和尚讀書會成員，讀書會後來成為禪定會，我與他提過我和老和尚之緣覺因緣，因聽說而悟為聲聞乘，因看書而悟為緣覺乘，我是讀過他的書，耶蘇和佛陀似兄弟一書而悟，老和尚曰人生即是過有意義之生活，他在這本書解釋許多德國康德哲理，深入簡出，我有佛經，道德經，和儒家思想背景，深能體會，也幫助我有健康之人生觀。

我有幾次想到聲聞乘，就是找機會聽老和尚演講，老和尚在法國，和美國新英格蘭有靈修院，其實加州也有，我旅行路過這幾處，都想到他，真想能一睹豐彩，越南客戶安慰曰，老和尚曾來休市弘法，也許我可能等到，最近一次是在兩年前，時代雜誌介紹老和尚，回越南故鄉惠省，靜候圓寂，時年高齡93，我們郵輪正好經過峴港，我是想到他。

康德哲學深奧，經過老和尚之深入淺出，就非常生動，我在阿根廷布宜諾斯艾利斯客棧，巧遇一德籍青年，我和他提及康德哲學，就是老和尚在書中介紹之物本學，水的道理，現象哲學，和物本學，就是康德講的人與神之關係，青年歉曰不懂，但告知其曾祖父與康德同鄉，當今白俄羅斯境內，我兩次途經漢堡，並且居住漢堡幾日，但未與該青年再會。

按照老和尚曰，人需多聞，了解水平世界運行萬物道理，現象學，斯可了解物本學，就是垂直的人與上帝之關係，我常懷疑愛美教會牧師，和聖經中之信口開河，愛美均斥我不要囉哩囉嗦，這是康德哲學乎？我在圖書館研究康德，未有老和尚書之易解。                                                                                                                    

The squatter/Carlos Pueblo

 The squatter/Carlos Pueblo

Current political hot subject in Taiwan other than Chinese to invade Taiwan is the squatter, in another words , the illegal construction by politicians in Taiwan. I am interested in it as I describe that Taiwan is very unique, a small island nation of the size 1/12 of the State of Texas yet with almost the same population, 24 million in Taiwan vs 29 million in Texas. Taiwanese need the space to room their family and 90% of constructions are some kinds of illegal, people add additional structures or the rich find a way to ignore the law. There are at least three topics in discussion now in Taiwan that draw my attention.

It is very interesting to me because that I have learned so much for so long about the matter even when I was in Taiwan. One of the main factor to appreciate the land value is the development of the governmental projects such as the high speed rail, subway in the large cities, farm land changed to a residential use, etc. Investors can make a fortune by purchasing the designated land before it is converted. Mayors or some legislators may leak the information to their relatives or friends we call it insider information in the U.S. Security Exchange and is a criminal offense.

For the profit of the land change, the way to solve is a proper taxation. The profit, or the gain, must be taxed from land owners when they sell and realize gains. For the illegal construction, instead of removing beautiful improvements, we can encourage the offenders to donate to the public for the benefit of the public that some one in distinguish has done that. I believe that is a frugal way and making more sense. I show the example in my Chinese edition of this article you can read it in case of your curiosity, Chia- Chuan Su is the name who used to be like the speaker of the House in Taiwan. He donated his illegal farm house to the public as a museum to get out of his jam with the law.

違章建築／莊峻華

 違章建築／莊峻華

台灣最近熱門政治話題，違章建築，非常有趣，我無法轉移注意力，還是想發表我的看法，第一，台灣地小人多，資訊發達，富人均不願落人之後，興建豪宅，第二，台灣有人迷信特權，第三，社會不知如何善後。

顏清標是黑道出身，海線黑道流氓，但因政治選舉漂白，又當上廟祝，夾大甲媽祖，以號令天下諸侯，他設法傳下衣帛給其子女，不幸其子寬恆這次立委補選挫敗，掀開一系列違章建築，面臨拆除，非常可惜，但也是罪有應得，然後是台中市長盧秀燕，也連帶波及。宜蘭縣長林姿妙，隨後也為檢廉調查，列為違法被告，她是變更地目，機關用地改為住宅用，圖利他人罪。再來就是雲林縣張麗善家族，張家勢力緣起其兄榮味，也是黑道出身，當過縣長，也犯法坐牢，他們家有多處豪宅，違章建築，都面臨拆除，或者已經開始拆除，這些違章建築，都是美侖美奐，一時之代表作品，拆除真是可惜，但也不能就地合法，雖然台灣建築90％都涉違章，台灣法律諸多漏洞，因為國民黨中國人，長期執政之劣習，上述三例涉案者，三縣長都是國民黨籍，顏家也是國民黨出身，李登輝時代，黑道進入台灣政治，蔣介石蔣經國時代，老蔣是黑道漂白，不容許台灣黑道，李登輝假台灣黑道，對抗中國難民軍頭，和台灣黨外人士，就是當今執政台灣之民進黨。

民進黨之蘇嘉全，在屏東縣長任後，也有一豪宅農舍違建，競選台中市長時被揭發，民進黨迅速處理，蘇立即捐出豪宅農舍為公義用，後來蘇當過立法院長，因姪兒生意有染，退出政壇，基本上蘇是位人才，而且清廉守法，難得有為正義，我的意思就是鼓勵上述三家族，不用拆除違章建築，浪費難得資源，捐出違建給國家社會公益用途。

佛陀在金剛經裡，反覆說明有無，這是哲學，有錢富有，只能在一穩定國家社會保持，但需守法，只有法治法律可以保護富有，美國的川普為例，一生都在挑戰法律，商法政治，現在需要面對商法政治，律師團都要求先付律師費，川普有錢，煩惱不斷，與窮人煩惱無異，把不義之財捐出吧。

My immigration to the U.S. from Taiwan /Carlos Pueblo

 My immigration to the U.S. from Taiwan /Carlos Pueblo

Each time when I watch the stressful news of Taiwan, my home country before the summer of 1975, I feel so appreciative of my immigration to the U.S. from Taiwan. Taiwan is about 1/12 size of Texas in area while 5 million shy of population in population with Texas. The density of the population per area is very high; therefore, you can see how hard Taiwanese must work in order to survive. The most important of my successful life is this immigration which has created the opportunity for me and my family to be in a much different class in the society, I mean from the poverty class to a middle class.

There is a subject of issue with the abuse of land and existing law in Taiwan from the Nationalist Chinese local elected officials. It is a fact of real life that the law doesn't apply to them. It is more like Donald Trump in the U.S., of course, there are some difference yet the same theory, greedy in public expanse or we say corruption.

In Taiwan, the land is scarce. The land must be developed in order to make room for the population to live and use. Therefore, the elected local government officers including members of councils of every level all attempt to grasp the opportunity to abuse the law and make a huge profit. It has been this way for years that the law doesn't apply to these kinds of politicians. Now, it is about the time for them to be faced the law.

I think that there is a better way to make it work for the rule of law. In the American society, they call if to follow the money and tax them! In cases of Taiwan, some talk shows discussions now come to the tax issue. The government always needs some revenue to meet needs of all kinds such as the national defense, welfare, infrastructure,  employees pension, and funds to fight the pandemic, etc. It is one of the effective way to increase the revenue and I don't see any other better way.

移民美國2022／莊峻華

 移民美國2022／莊峻華

最近台灣政論節目，關注幾件土地正義案件，先是台中立委第二選區，敗選顏寬恆家族違章建築，牽連到台中市國民黨籍市長盧秀燕，此案尚未結束，另案發生在宜蘭縣，牽涉到另一位國民黨籍縣長林姿妙，也是土地開發案，接著是我的故鄉雲林縣，國民黨籍張麗善縣長家族，違法佔用土地，違章建築等問題，國民黨主席朱立倫認稱為政治迫害，預告週內必有新一件迫害事件，我這一兩天都全神貫注，聆聽觀看台灣政論節目，名嘴主持人之幽默分析邏輯，加上台語發音，更加生動。

台灣地小人多，沒有高科技發展者，只能輪為仙拼仙之途，當地方官鎮長縣長市長等，可以涉及土地開發，變更土地地更地目，我在高中時，就聽聞國民黨批評高玉樹，開拓台北中興大橋，購買新莊路旁土地之指控，但並未逮捕高，後來台灣一直有類似案例，台灣一樣開發，土地一樣有效發展，有人因此獲利曰田橋仔。

柯文哲醫生當台北市長時，有前兩任國民黨市長，留下來之五大建築弊案，他找其中一大建商來市府討論，此建商老闆曰，台灣建築90％都是違章建築，我講給愛美聽，她相信，因為她們舊居也是兩層蓋三層，其實我母親房屋，惠美房屋，都有加蓋，這是見怪不怪，台灣土地就如此大，人口不斷增加，還好有我這種人，移民美國，減少一些壓力。

發現問題不難，解決問題較為實際，土地漲價一些要歸公，就是要繳所得稅，政府有豐沛之稅收，可以發展社會住宅，幫助弱勢族群，我相信台灣政府，可以克服此難。

A front yard library box/Carlos Pueblo

 A front yard library box/Carlos Pueblo

My neighbor erects a small library box in his front yard to give away books which he is no longer needs. I like this kind of the American culture which once I have witness at my daughter's Austin neighborhood. I thought that was only for a liberal town such as Austin with such people love to encourage others to read. I have known this family for at least two years since they have moved in to our neighborhood especially after they have a little baby boy Koa. Koa is a name of a camping ground in the U.S. Koa knows me and always likes to talk to me when we meet on the street. He is about two years old.

It is a well built wood box with a glass window which I can open easily to take books out. There are two layers in the box, one with several novels and Koa's large books while a down level are Koa's small size books with hard cover. I know that his mother reads all books to him and those books are below his level now. I am back to read books for the time being and I have read some in history about Germany and Britain come to war and now I am in fabricated novels. I have always loved to read books ever since I can read. I enjoy to be associated with people who are well read.

People give me books which they no longer read and I also like to purchase some books in surplus. There are many books shelves at home either built in or books cabinets in order to keep away from the dust. It looks like that I am a well learned people and I hope so. I have had some concerns with those books which I love very much once I am away eventually. Both of my children don't know Chinese language or may be they will enjoy my English collection.

圖書盒／莊峻華

 圖書盒／莊峻華

歐美社會喜愛讀書，也喜歡贈書，圖書盒是一類，有人在家門口，豎立圖書盒贈書，就是釘製木盒，盒前有小玻璃窗，藏書於盒內，過路人可自行提取，這是屋主藏書，過去我在琳兒奧斯汀社區散步，經常遇見圖書盒，我道是奧斯汀為德州首府，德大校本部，德州首善之都，全美宜居之最，當然與眾不同，今晨打球回家，路過鄰居但見圖書盒，特別走路過去查看。

圖書盒有兩層，上層有小說，和大本童書，下層全是小本童書，屋主顯然精於木工，我認識屋主，是對年輕夫婦，有一可愛小男孩名口阿，這圖書盒就是口阿和媽媽之藏書，我翻一下小說，最近我剛好有閱讀小說進度，我有幾十年小說藏書，是市立圖書館淘汰書籍，我一直不善閱讀杜撰文學，最近破例。

果阿父親是華裔，但不識華語，其母偶來照顧果阿，是馬來亞華人，希望我和果阿講北京話，例如早安等等，這果阿約兩歲，他們也有兩隻愛犬，平常走路散步。

我也想過我的藏書，我仙去後，這些書都將無所歸宿，我有一些中文書籍，一些大學化學教科書，現在開始失去功用，就像我的玫瑰木書桌椅一般，當然我想不了太多，終究是要離去，無法攜帶而去矣。

As a seeder/Carlos Pueblo

 As a seeder/Carlos Pueblo

A loofa gourd sponge which I use on shower is fallen apart and I thought that I still had some in stock in the garage. Instead, I find two jars of seeds which I have gathered during the year. There are seeds from fruits and gourds we ate, loofas, papayas, watermelons, Korean melons, etc. Usually, I would have them rinsed and under sunshine before put them in a plastic bottle. I think that is the time for me to sow seeds even though it is still in the middle of winter. I had had a very successful 2021 to get seeds out of our back yard and some harvest for loofas and melons even north to Michelle's front yard in Austin, Texas.

I always have a dream of a small lot to grow water melons. I have passed my time to own a farm land yet, I still have a small back yard with two huge trees down with some sunshine nowadays. This is my third year beginning to view my seeds growing amaryllis and I am still looking forward to gather some more seeds from my neighbors. It takes about seven years to see them blooming and I don't mind it at all. As a matter of fact, there are more of our neighbors planting such flowers and I notice.

Once my melons are out, I must make some protection from squirrels. My neighbor Mark feeds them peanuts and corns; therefore, we also have both coming out from our yards including neighbors. Michelle's yard is much rich in compare with ours; therefore, she has cook's cum and melons coming out larger than ours. It is because that her subdivision is allowed to let leaves stayed on the ground forever.

It is a beginning of the year after the severe winter that everything is growing and green everywhere. It is another wonderful year to come.

播種者／莊峻華

 播種者／莊峻華

今晨車庫尋找菜瓜布不果，找到兩瓶水果籽，是去年收集菜果食餘物，剛好天氣預告，三日後有陣雨，休市仍是嚴冬酷寒，我猜是播種時候，順手傾撒瓶中種籽於後院，語告愛美春天期待，我有絲瓜，木瓜，西瓜，和香瓜。去年，我甚至移植香瓜苗到奧斯汀，琳兒甚為驚訝，香瓜有收成，寄來一張小孩相片，收成香瓜，其路過鄰居，詢問婷婷玉立雞冠花名。

愛美喜愛家庭園藝，隨時整理庭院，剛好清除菜圃雜草，後院砍掉大樹兩株，空出一些日光地，剛好讓我播種，我從小喜歡庭院種植，種過許多香蕉，就是移植香蕉幼株，遍植於宿舍週圍，我到台北讀書，寒假回家過年，香蕉豐收，家人不知所措，我們家一直種有萵苣菜，旬日食葉，待老株食菜心，來美國一直買得到此菜，只不曾若昔日種植。

今年兩株木瓜，開始結果，我看過鄰居木瓜有收成，但我第一波幼瓜已凍損，寒冬尚有一個月，我想此兩株恐無法過關。幾株鳳梨成長尚好，我懷疑能結果，但甚美麗。去年我們絲瓜有些收穫，需要和松鼠較量，捷足者先登。

兩年前開始播種喇叭花，兩年有成，花籽萌芽為碧綠花葉，需要等候七年，始得開花，我無所謂開花，鄰居已經普遍種植喇叭花於前院，有一兩家，甚至許可我採集花籽，我也不時贈送喇叭花給有心愛花者。

Higher petroleum price/Carlos Pueblo

 Higher petroleum price/Carlos Pueblo

The inflation is here and makes us notice the higher petroleum price. There are so many products related to the petroleum we call it the oil, i.e. the gasoline, plastic, fertilizer, fiber for cloths, etc. I have invested in an oil company stock for more than 30 years and I am very happy that I can see some recovery from my investment recently because the market sees the intrinsic value of the underground value of my invested company reflecting the stock value, from $40 per barrel of oil to $82.5 now. I am one of those who don't care about the inflation of 2022.

I learned it when I was at college that the petroleum was a main factor of the inflation. I always try to hedge my saving by investing in the petroleum. I have failed miserably during my limited life time. I invested $85,000 cash in the late 80's for two limited partnerships in both the oil field and the cattle breeding. Both failed. I try again in the oil company stock even more after the 90's. I even double down my investment after the century , moving my pension fund as well as some real estate gain to that oil company's stock. Like many investors such as the California government employee pension fund, we miss so much of the high tech rally. We're waiting to get our money out of the oil investment and it seems that the time is coming.

At the final days of 2021, I was required to withdraw $7,200 from a part of my pension fund. I was forced to liquid certain shares of that oil company instead of a Japanese auto company. In three weeks, the sold share was up $11 per share and I felt sorry for myself. Of course, the auto share is up certain as well and my loss should be limited and I also comfort myself that the sold share were the dividend re-purchased.

There are some news released of the oil company which I am in about their new oil reserve discovery. I don't know about the stock market that one time I notice the gasoline price is cheaper than the drinking water, the gasoline power automobile is cheaper than the electric car.

石油漲價／莊峻華

 石油漲價／莊峻華

最近石油漲價，原因不詳，我一生投資石油，都是失敗，非常難過，先是80年代被騙，就是被美國大騙局騙了八萬五美金，其中石油投資五萬，養牛養蝦三萬五，當年油價一桶五美元，騙者曰投資石油可有18％之回報率，我還飛到奧克拉荷馬州參觀，另外一家養牛，主持人是德州農工之校董事長，不疑有他，這就是有限合夥人，都是經過國家證劵局立案無異議，兩投資失敗後，我又投資美國最大之石油公司，持股30年以上，現在都不知血本有歸否？最近石油漲價，油股一個月不到，漲十美元以上，這是因為通貨膨脹之原因，我的退休基金，開始跌價，非常有趣。

家人均譏笑我持石油股，我承認這是大套牢，但我也按兵不動，我安排元兒退休金在石油股，並且保證他本錢，我們都是股息再投資原股，所以買到一些低價股票，最近他開始購買石油股，因為石油漲價，我是只賣規定之退休金還政府之股份，就是所得稅。

我也購買汽車股票，也都賠錢，最近也開始回升，我不知原因為何？但也高興，我買的是日本汽車股，沒有甚多變化，都是等待一日之到來，傳曰電腦晶片不足，無法生產足量汽車，故汽車股賺錢不多也，很奇怪石油漲價，油股漲，汽車股跟著漲。

A different kind of inflation 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 A different kind of inflation 2022/Carlos Pueblo

It is a different kind of inflation 2022 after 2021 as well as annual diminished U. S. currency. I suspect that the U.S. Government intends to diminish the dollar in order to manage the huge national debt almost 9 trillion, $9,000,000,000,000, accumulated ever since 1776. Both 1987 and 2008 inflation were due to the money contract after two wars Viet Nam War as well as two Iraqi Wars. The U.S. issued huge Treasury Bonds to compete with the market available money with private industry. It is different now, the money is plenty and price is much higher in every field, foods, other goods, and some workers pays, etc. I am watching how the Federal Reserve's response to this kind of inflation. The Chairman says that he is going to increase the interest.

I am good and more experience with my own home economics, my personal finance. I am very frugal and I never spend more than what I make and also I save all the time. Not only I save, I also encourage both of my children save and work, don't waster time. I only purchase when I need it, if not, only when it is on sale. Merchants always attempt to get rid of their unsold or difficult to sell goods in order to get their invested capital back for new inventory. I keep some cash at hand for cash flow and invest the rest in the stock market for the time being. I worry that I pay more tax than the inflation.

I also have some concerns of the governments. I only like to point out at the Federal level. We need more budget spent on the infrastructure not the tax cut for the high income few. Of course that I know the income tax is high yet 50% of the population pay no federal income tax. They need a job o earn their income at least. This will help to reduce the welfare and public safety systems overall and keep the rich safe.

We need to pay back some of those 9 trillion like we personal pay back our bank loan eventually. I don't believe that 10% of the Gross Domestic Products limit number. I don't believe conservative politicians say they will balance the budget. It has never happened.

不同樣之通貨膨脹2022／莊峻華

 不同樣之通貨膨脹2022／莊峻華

今年之通貨膨脹和往年有異，我是有準備者，不為所撼動，第一，我節儉成性，仰賴社會福利金，和必領退休金，身體健康，有老人健康保險已足對付。今年之通貨膨脹與往年有何異同？往年就是1987年和2008年為例，都與股市崩盤有關，這兩次都與市場貨幣流通有關，所以結論和解決之道，是印鈔票，增加流通量，舒緩聯邦和民間搶錢之困，這次錢甚多，流通無礙，是貨幣貶值，如果美國財政支撐得住，股市將續揚，央行之升息，影響不大。倒是幾件簡單政策，需要注意，我分家庭經濟，家政，和國家經濟，國政，兩相比較。

我甚善於家政，其道理甚於單純，就是入需符出，節約儲蓄，減少或甚取消利息支出，讓銀行煩惱其收入。國家稍微複雜，需要控制進口稅，現在有貿易戰，高進口稅，不利於國內物價，我都更省吃儉用，網球均多使用一次，也延遲購買球褲，護臂護膝裝備等，這會影響到國內總生產量，但國家經濟與我何干？

聯邦要增加基礎建設支出，不要只減稅，不減稅富人無礙，減稅窮人本無惠及，但基礎建設，有益國家經濟發展，幫助窮人就業機會，我不敢說加薪，但止要有工作，都市會繁榮，人口將增加，窮人有機會翻身。

每天我都看報紙看電視，我沒有甚麼煩惱，日子也很好過，我小心戴口罩勤洗手，不參加群眾聚會，感染武漢肺炎，每天都過單純有意義之生活，每天都像過年，誰感染武漢肺炎？能不能出外旅行？7％通貨膨脹，實在與我無涉。

Viewing a by-election for a legislator in Taichung Taiwan/Carlos Pueblo

 Viewing a by-election for a legislator in Taichung Taiwan/Carlos Pueblo

There is a by-election for a legislator in Taichung, Taiwan recently due to a recall of such position 67 days before. I saw the result first and went into the You Tube to view programs of the final two nights campaign rally in two townships of the area. I have been familiar with the unique democratic forms of election in Taiwan ever since my childhood time. I still have very fond memory of my attending of the campaign rally speeches in my native tone Amoy language which we call it Taiwanese.

In order to attract the audience and get their votes, the candidate must speech the native tone and it is a tradition especially in the area other than Taipei, the Capital  and we call it a China Town in Taiwan. Since 1945 Chiang Kai-sek's regime occupied Taiwan, Amoy language has been oppressed by the Mandarin Chinese. It is only at the election, we can see a free expressed Amoy language coming back alive. I am very resentful of the Mandarin Chinese because I can't pronounce properly and curve my tongue in order to get close. I have had a so called Taiwanese accent when I speak the Mandarin. It is all because that I don't have a real Mandarin speaker to start my Mandarin learning. This is the same story of my English.

The winner, Dr. Chin-yi Lin, a practice obstetrician, speak fluently in Amoy and also perfect Mandarin. The Mandarin part is understandable because she is at her early 40's with a much better Mandarin education while my surprise is her Amoy capability. She must work very hard. Her political party belonging is the Democratic Progressive Party, the native political party against the long time Chinese Nationalist, of course, DPP pay more attention to restore Amoy, Hakka, and the aboriginal languages.

Another distinguish native speaker is the Vice President William Ching-Te Lai, also a urologist by training. He is always the final speaker at the rally. His Amoy language is perfect with Chinese literature classic background in Amoy pronunciation only old man like me can appreciated.

觀戰台中二區立委補選／莊峻華

 觀戰台中二區立委補選／莊峻華

台灣台中二區立委補選剛落幕，民進黨林靜儀醫生勝出，非常精彩有趣，我是最後一夜，始開始觀看兩造勢晚會，造勢晚會就是選前，候選人舉辦之節目，邀請多位講者上台助講，我曾有過許多經驗，雖然我一生都住美國，我高中時代，聽過現場高玉樹市長演講，在淡水河岸，幾年前常回虎尾，觀戰蘇治芬縣長連任造勢晚會，很有經驗，民進黨是本土派，是台灣派，講者多半是台語演講，當然北京語我也聽懂，只是台語較為親切。這次補選，是因為國民黨先罷免一位基進黨陳姓立委，民進黨推出林醫師出戰，國民黨是地頭蛇，顏寬恆捲土重來，顏父為台中黑道掌門人，大甲鎮瀾宮董事長。

民進黨是蔡英文總統領銜，御駕親征，蔡台語不練轉，大部份講北京話，她的副總統賴清德，台語則是上乘，人又親切有感情無贅語，措詞文雅有古文言古風，非常難得，林醫師年紀輕，台語甚是流利，北京語也無台語腔，談吐均動之以情，真是難得。

我很喜歡政治，而且疾惡如仇，真高興看到國民黨潰敗，我觀看台灣選舉，就像觀看美國球賽，一般有趣。

Paying tax time 2021/Carlos Pueblo

 Paying tax time 2021/Carlos Pueblo

It's a new year and paying tax time. We receive the income tax forms from the Social Security Office for our 2021 distribution forms. Our totals is a basic $30,000 plus for age 62 early withdraw. If I don't have additional income exceeding $20,000 in 2021, this social security income is not taxable. Of course, I have some retirement income; therefore, I must file the annual federal income tax for last year 2021 and start now until April 15 this year. $50,000 a year income for a family of three is barely enough and you do notice that my extra expanse for the immediate past 12 months, a underground tap water pipe replacement  and a power snake job for our second story counter top line costed $5,000 +, my 14 fake teeth is $4,400, Arthur's Retina Detachment procedure is $3,000, and my Q45 rebuilt and Arthur's 07 Camry maintenance is $5,000 +, etc. You will understand what I am talking about. We still need to pay the federal income tax.

In Texas, we don't have the State Income Tax; however, we still need to pay a value added tax, i.e. a tax of 8.5% added to goods we purchase. I am not familiar to the details of split. I believe that the State get 4%. It's why I hesitate to go ahead purchasing a new car when my Q45 broken down, I fix it instead. Our school district is financed by a local property tax along with the city tax as well as the county tax all in the same bill very efficient.

About 50% of the U.S. population don't have to pay the Federal Income Tax that is very sorry for such a rich nation to have so many low income citizen. We pay the Fed and in return, the Fed would pay the low income citizen some kinds of help called welfare. It is fair that I believe. Texas governments, all kinds of local governments, rely on property taxes paid by residents directly or indirectly, i.e. the property owners pay the property tax and renters pay their rents monthly supporting the owners property tax burden plus their profit that what I call indirectly. It is fair also.

I admire that some rich folks claim that they don't pay tax that much. I really want to know how. 

年度報稅2021／莊峻華

  年度報稅2021／莊峻華

新年過後，馬上準備年度報稅，這是聯邦所得稅申報，各種收入表，將一一寄到家中，哈里斯郡房產稅早在年底寄達，我們年初寄交，德克薩斯州徵收購物稅，是4％，其餘加到8.5％是地方政府分收，美國政治清明合法合理，沒有一次幾十個億逃漏稅情況，只有川普總統，膽敢挑戰法律，也只有共和黨幫他出律師費辯護。

德克薩斯州沒有州所得稅，所以只能節儉購物，像不買新車開老車，新車購買稅，足以修理舊車，現在超過四萬新車，尚需交奢侈車稅，美國稅增甚合理，富有者多勞，富人不交稅，我尚不清楚如何？所以我煩惱舊車修理，節儉成性，避免購物扣稅，德州德政，購買不加工食物免稅。

學校稅是和市郡稅合併帳單，分開估計一起通知，大概是房地產價格之3％，所以30萬之房屋，一年要九千美元房產稅，郊區新屋更貴，因需交自來水區費，當然包括廢水處理費，這是要維護近代化之維護費，美國有些地方，沒有自來水下水道等，是因為沒有這類稅收，來維持這種設備，就好像社區沒有網球場一般，只能到高中球場打球，現在有些高中球場都上鎖。

聯邦所得稅較為複雜，我們已經收到社會福利金稅收表，我們兩人基本收入一共三萬出頭，這些前仍舊需要當年收入扣稅，理由很複雜，也不合邏輯，但我無法抵抗。我們的收入，主要是儲蓄投資之股息，和我領取之退休金，因為超過兩萬元，所以上述之社會福利金三萬，不能免去年度所得免稅，讀者可以知道我們收入，已經到達五萬以上，很緊張，這種收入尚稱中產階級以下，我們房屋買斷，汽車買斷，兩人都是老人健康保險，身體健康，省吃儉用，吃肉都是特價購買，仍有顧忌。

我相信美國稅率合情合理，政府需要如此稅收，來維持一般支出，像治安，公共衛生，教育，國防，社會福利，債務利息等，當然現在利息等於零，這是國民之福，美國之厲害。

The old car repaired afterward/Carlos Pueblo

 The old car repaired afterward/Carlos Pueblo

Last three days were quite dramatical to me, the old car repaired afterward. I know that it is coming yet I can't face it as a reality. The old car, a 1998 Q45, can be broken in any time and why I am still keeping it. It is because that I am frugal, I don't drive that much, and I hate to get rid of it for free.

I don't work and I only need to drive to play tennis in the morning. I may forget my tennis if I don't have a car to drive or I can share with Arthur and Amy to use their cars in the morning. Arthur's car is also old, a 07 Camry and if it is broken down that will be another headache to me. Amy's car is a bit newer and I don't think my after tennis sweating is good to her mint condition. It is nice that the shop owner Antony offers me an alternative to fix the power sterling fluid pump first and also fix a leak on my old A/C by replacing two hoses. Now I can keep on using this old vehicle as my transportation mean as well as a mobile unit of storage for my all tennis needs, towels, balls, rackets, bags, and a new battery power leaf blower to blow leaves on the courts.

I am thinking of some major expanses for the past 12 months, of course, they are not for a tax deduction purpose. There was a broken tap water pipe in the front yard that required digging a ditch along with the original pipe cost me $4,700 and I asked the well learned plumber to power snake a disposal pipe from the second floor down to solve an old issue for $800 other wise Arthur would keep the waste water in a pan and dump into the toilet. Arthur has an emergency surgery for his retina detachment in the mid of last year out of his insurance net work for about $3,000, I have had an installment of two sets of fake teeth for $4,400, and finally, the removal of a frozen big tree due to that severe cold weather in February costed us $1,200. It is not a piece of cake while living in Houston, Texas.

I thought that I could get $1,000 for the value of the old car; however, it is required to provide all kinds of information such as picture of exterior and interior with series numbers and mileage, a history of the repair including a flooded or not record, etc. I think that is more than the $1,000 value to prepare the request. I don't want to donate the vehicle to a charity and I would rather keep the nice looking old vehicle on the street to be my storage.

舊車頭痛後／莊峻華

 舊車頭痛後／莊峻華

幾天前舊車出毛病，頭痛三天後，暫時解決，上次是四年半以前，心有餘悸，最好的辦法是買輛新車，但我生性節儉，不喜歡花錢，因此得過且過，和裝置假牙一般，健康保險公司有帳單來，去年光是拔牙費用，就超過兩千美元，加上裝假牙自費四千四，一共六千四，近代生活昂貴，去年尚有幾筆大宗支出，庭院水管破裂四千八，砍樹一千，元兒視網膜斷裂手術等等，我都十分不捨如此花錢。

我特別跑到愛犬佛瑞斯特家，講我的故事給其主人聽，我真高興這次花一千二，暫時解決動力駕盤液馬達，和冷氣漏管問題，我得繼續駕駛舊車，現在想到此舊車甚至有儲藏功能，流動儲備我的網球裝置，甚至電池吹葉機，每日清晨清掃球場落葉，當上實際的領導，昨日我們有十餘人出現球場，有三位青年在臉書慕名而來。

我的老年時日又恢復正常，我開舊車到藥局拿藥，糖尿病三藥，我甚慶幸還不需打胰島素，因為我每日運動一兩小時，我常嘮叨球伴打球不力，有些球伴不悅，不願與我一組，於是我改到足球場草地散步，草地散步讓我回想到旅行英格蘭之美憶，散步倫敦三大皇家公園，曼徹斯特，伯名罕，牛津，劍橋，約克，和新堡附近之運河。

省下買新車之購買稅，我就可以暫時修護舊車，省下國外旅行和郵輪旅行，我可以支付年度所有意外大筆支出，而且又可以無慮於中國武漢肺炎，我已打三針，我相信美國醫學技術，美國政府都是按照醫界之推薦，對付武肺，我讀台灣醫生李秉穎之肯定，患病者現在五日內，即可恢復，而且無需服藥，蓋尚無藥可服也。

China has no money to fulfill the trade agreement with U.S./ Carlos Pueblo

 China has no money to fulfill the trade agreement with U.S./ Carlos Pueblo

There is an article appeared on a newspaper about China Misses Target In 2020 Trade Deal which has been brought into my attention. My conclusion is that China has no money to fulfill the trade agreement with U.S. China is a poor and developing nation with a huge population, Chinese love to exaggerate their wealth in order to save their face, and  finally Chinese government has never obey the law. They don't mean what they say in every way.

At the peak time of Sino-U.S. trade war, Trump posted a 10% import tax on Chinese goods and threaten to raise up to 25% on every items coming from China in order to improve the trade deficit. China sent its vice premier Liu He to D.C. in 2020 to sign a trade deal to slow down the tariff. More than a year passed, there is a report out and we see the progress, the percent of phase one target, 2020-2021 that  75% Agricultural, 50% All goods, 50% Manufactured, and 25% Energy. China is simply can't make it. There are several crisis in China now such as foods, power, and the Wuhan Corona Virus Pandemic in need of vaccine. 

The trade war has dragged Chinese economic into bankruptcy. Factories have been closed,  workers are laid off, teachers and public servants paid reduced, etc. Its proudly GDP decreased. Chinese are facing a hard time.

I use my common sense to make my judgement on China. Chinese GDP per capita is very low while its GDP number is the second next to the U.S. Per capita means a number of share split around the total population. You can't say that your GDP is high; therefore, you're rich. I see many You Tube video programs that Chinese cities are very poor, poorer than Taiwan in the late 40's, not to mention current day U.S., U.K., France, Japan, and Germany, etc.

Chinese Xi, the national leader, must pay more attention to improve the welfare of Chinese now instead of attempting to be a President for life. Stop flying war planes around Taiwan to intimidate Taiwan and the area peace. Save every penny to improve Chinese average living.

中國無錢購買美貨／莊峻華

 中國無錢購買美貨／莊峻華

最近幾天，兩則新聞引起我注意，第一則是中國無錢購買美貨，按照中美2020年貿易協定，就是川普準備第二輪增加中國出口美國進口稅到25％，中國派副總理劉鶴前來美國簽約，暫緩增加稅率，華爾街約翰朱美倫曰，農作物達75％，其他物達50％，工業產品達50％，能源品達30％，所以是爽約，原因就是中國真的缺現金，中國真的無錢購買美貨，中國人喜愛顏面，國內總生產毛額，世界第二，就可以翹腳鏈嘴鬚，逼迫併吞台灣。拜登繼續川普之關稅增加，美國最怕者為通貨膨脹，中國近口貨物，若無法及時取代，不是通貨膨脹，就是緊縮消條，中國已經看到消條跡象，美國股市連續三週疲憊，年底和年初，沒有傳統之升盤勢。

美國經濟問題，由總統和他的經濟財政顧問內閣管理，我關心者為我的家庭經濟，就是家政，現在我們家政簡單，每人財務獨立，我的負擔甚輕，也無時間煩惱太多，國家財政經濟，能了解已是萬倖，如何拿遠水來救近火？我家一直未曾失火。

我更無需為中國有錢無錢憂心，中國人能吃苦，中國人會解決與美國之貿易關係，我固定接觸到的消費是新網球，一筒從二元增加到三元二十五角，還好都是同伴出資購買，這些都是進口貨物。

The scare of an old car broken down/Carlos Pueblo

 The scare of an old car broken down/Carlos Pueblo

The last two days was very difficult to me because that my old vehicle 98 Q45 was broken down after a peaceful four and a half years. The power sterling wheel is very stiff and the fluid is low in level. I added some fluid and is still not improving; therefore, I took to the shop. It is a broken power sterling pump and some leak and the cost is $1,900. I drove the vehicle back and to consider all my options.

We purchased this vehicle in 1998 for Amy to drive kids around. After that we have developed a system to rotate all vehicles around in the household. Amy will drive the newest one, Michelle is the next, Arthur is number three old vehicle, and I drive the oldest one. 98 Q45 has become the oldest one after 2018. I fixed the car four and half years with $5,000 in order to let me drive around the tennis court about 3 miles every day.

I ask Michelle if I can give her $10,000 to get her 2013 Maxima back home and let Arthur drive it. She can purchase a new vehicle herself. She disagrees. I; therefore, must find the second option. She helps me to gather some information in order to sell it. It is very details information which I must provide in order to get $1,000 out of this vehicle.

Suddenly after one night sleep, I decide to keep the vehicle on the street as a mobile storage. I can still store some clean towers on the back seats, tennis items in the trunk, and now a leaf blower. I can drive Arthur's 07 Camry to play tennis in the morning while he is still sleeping. He works on a night shift from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. I always pay the maintenance and in case of replacement I can always wait till that time to come to buy a new vehicle for Amy and let Arthur drive her 18 Camry.

The garage owner suggest me fix the pump first for about $850 for now to have the vehicle moving and deal the leak later. I agree and drive the vehicle back to his shop to get it done. I am going to skip many new vehicles purchased unless it is necessary or I shall keep on alternate all my vehicles. Most of the vehicles on Cuban streets as well as Iranian streets are more than half a century old.

Peter comes back from Mexico and attends our tennis several mornings in a roll. He has a 77 Lexus quite impressive. He told me that was from a junk yard where he paid $2,500 and additional $3,500 to fix it. The outside body is still very adorable. He said that he went to search some used parts at a junk yard and got this vehicle instead. Luck him is what I says.

Q45/莊峻華

 Q45/莊峻華

前日開車上球場有困難，方向盤轉動不靈，於是找出舊存動力運轉液，灌入車管液通道，不足再赴握瑪大店，買兩小罐，灌入一瓶，開到馬克丹尼爾店估價修理曰，美金一千九百元，我將車開回家，然後長考。我開的是1998年之日產英菲尼迪45，已經24年，約四年半前，花五千美元整理一下，現在已經無冷氣多年。

我先留言給奧斯汀之元兒，看我是否能買下她的2013年日產麥可斯馬一萬元，我們家車輛，都是我出前，只是三年前，她出一萬元，幫忙買下2018年豐田卡麥莉新車給愛美，我們給她這2013年日產，牽回她開之2007年豐田卡麥莉給元兒，我再接下元兒之Q45，元兒開車上超市夜班，需要稍為可靠之車輛，07豐田比98Q45可靠也，於是相安無事四年餘，其間元兒車輛維護費，都是我出錢。

琳兒說不想換新車，要等到今年底，於是我開始準備下一步驟，先要想辦法賣掉此頭痛之Q45，五年前說是值一千美元，於是我才先後花五千元修理，感謝上帝，讓我多開四年半，現在要價一千元，尚且需要詳細之車身調查，我上次曾想估價此車25年後之價值，經過此手續，太煩瑣碎，沒有完成，但卻清楚，於是我通知琳兒，中止售車申請手續，我要保留此車，於是我開元兒車打球後，跑到車行請教老闆，他說可以先修理動力轉液馬達，約850美元再說，漏液可以慢慢解決，於是我再把Q45開回車行修理。

古巴和伊朗市面上，都是半世紀之舊車，只有美國人得天獨厚，車輛買來賣去，我的球友比德是幾百萬富翁，剛從墨西哥回來，開一1977年豐田凌志，他在廢棄車場2500美金購得，另一輛1976年，置放於墨西哥別墅，我無需標舊立異，處理好這Q45已經心滿意足矣。

這車後座放滿家裡洗淨毛巾，整整齊齊，後車箱堆置我的網球裝備，九支舊球拍，新舊網球，折椅和球框，還有新購之吹葉機，如果不修理此車，我也可以當作一活動儲藏室，停在前院前街道旁，一切都是合法，不像醫學中心街道之寸土寸金。

What I have learned about European history/Carlos Pueblo

 What I have learned about European history/Carlos Pueblo

It is interesting and therefore we can predict the out come of the future in Asia. Recently I read a book about the historical background of Germany's wars with England, two advanced nations in this world. It is because of these two recent wars, WWI and WWII, we don't see the top influence of the world affairs dominated by these two powerful nations. I believe that both of them were exhausted entirely by these two wars. I like to point it out to China's Xi of the European current history also point it out to Russia's Putin for their lack of history reading and stupidity.

Current day China is no old day's Europe. China is a failed nation under every prospect. I read Chinese language and firmly doubt of their accuracy the number and the fact. In every prospect, current day China is far behind Germany and Japan national strength before WWII. Why does Xi love to threaten Taiwan with war to annex the island? I believe that Xi never has an opportunity to read European history yet does Xi read Chinese own history? The reasons why I don't mention Chinese history due to the lack of the freedom of speech and write. You don't see that kind of writing in history. I believe that European history is more interesting.

After WWI, there were four great empires collapsed, German Empire, Austro-Hungary, Russian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. The fall of German Empire was not due to the corruption of the Empire like the rest of three Empires. It was because the foolish and childish of its ruler. It is on the history. 

I have learned after I read the book and watched many videos about the Napoleonic wars about Europe. I have visited Europe several times with very fond memory. Europe has been in peace for 77 years and European leaders understand wars can not solve their egos and shall never extend their time to rule the nation. With that I have no longer in stress every time Chinese mention to conquer and annex Taiwan.

閱讀歐洲近代史／莊峻華

 閱讀歐洲近代史／莊峻華

最近我都在看書，看網誌有關歐洲近代史，同時也看許多台灣蔣介石和他一位將領的故事，我對歷史甚感興趣，求學時代，因為想來美國，不敢眷戀歷史政治和文學，走捷徑化學，來美四十七年，隨時都注意政治，歷史，和文學，最近剛好愛美鼓勵讀書，我們有很多共同興趣，也增加我寫作之體材，我提到無畏號，現在我已經到200餘業，作者已經交待完德國一部分，開始講述英國，書是無畏號，內容是德英兩國如何演變到歐戰，當然，歐戰結束，世界四大帝國瓦解，德意志，奧匈，俄羅斯，和奧圖曼。

這段歷史，大概是1850年開始到1918年，最後一任亡德意志帝國皇帝，是德皇威廉二世，他是英帝國女皇維多莉亞之外孫，長女之子，其父繼帝位後不久，因喉癌去世，名相卑斯麥年邁罷官，其祖父是第一任德意志皇帝，因有卑斯麥之鼎力相助，像普魯士國王家族，都是尚武，能帶兵打仗。這時候的歐洲，還是打來打去，弱肉強食，所以很多歐洲人移民美國。德意志帝國之滅亡，非常可惜，因位德國不是腐敗積弱，而是威廉之責任無知，其他三帝國之滅亡，都是應該者也。

同時我在網誌上，也看到幾集拿破崙戰爭，這是1792年到1816年，很詳細介紹拿破崙之興衰，就是25年，帶給歐洲之浩劫，不但拿破崙無法保存帝國帝位，他也算短命，一生征戰不停，妻子不保。

我當然不是看書看電影好玩，中國詩經曰殷鑑不遠在夏后之世，近代中國習近平之流，識字不多，迷戀權位，武赫台灣，世人多以警告，仍迷信武力，國家腐敗墮落，人民水深火熱，俄羅斯的普丁亦然，迷信武力，欺侮弱小，歷史上之強權，全部滅亡，我看歐洲近代史，難怪歐洲人不再戰爭，全部重視和平共存，歐洲已經有77年和平矣。

Drinking coffee(2)/Carlos Pueblo

 Drinking coffee(2)/Carlos Pueblo

There are three different ways of drinking in the family, Arthur's milk and juices; Amy's fruits and vegetable combination; and my drinking coffee. It is because of my pancake breakfast; therefore, I must have something other than water and the coffee is my final choice. I can only drink the black coffee due to my diabetes concern. Recently, I have purchased five large cans of coffee about 51 once each, lb 3 oz or 1.44kg. I ask Michelle and my tennis double partner if they like to have a free one from me. Michelle says that they don't drink that brand of coffee while my partner claims that he only drink the instant coffee, instead they give me a small bag of grinded coffee and a coffee bean bag for new year presents.

I have no idea of the quality of any coffee while I don't add anything. I don't ask for the fragrant of the coffee, as a matter of a fact that I consider myself as a beginner of a coffee drinker with a very limited duration of coffee drinking. After the coffee twice brewed, I would dump the leftover into a flower bed as a recycle. I believe that can be good for the soil.

I was from Taiwan. The famous green tea Ulong is not that easy to get it and I believe that is also more expansive for me to have the tea instead of the coffee in Houston. I believe that there is a quality difference between coffees, i.e. the free coffee on a buffet cafeteria table is not as good as a fee paid steak house on a cruise. Of course that I must pay in order to get a better one. Drinking coffee is very economic way of life.

咖啡（2）／莊峻華

 咖啡（2）／莊峻華

今晨球友贈我一小包咖啡豆和加勒比海蘭姆糕，剛好我們家有一磨豆機，我喝咖啡已有幾年，因為我吃西點，巧克力，黑咖啡是絕配，而且減少血糖高之精神壓力，我覺得黑咖啡無甚差異，所以我購買特價品，一次買下甚多，愛美喜歡博士曰，咖啡有期限，我又開始懷疑爭辯，咖啡粉罐裝，甚是乾燥，無甚化學作用，何有期限？她又說新鮮度，我說咖啡苦口功效不變，而且我已經習慣沒有咖啡芳郁品，苦口即可也。

而且我的咖啡沖泡煮兩次，咖啡渣現在都填木瓜株，也不知有何功能？木瓜是有結實，但這兩日，休市大寒，不知小木瓜會凍傷？即使渡過寒冬，也不知能否過松鼠這關？

琳兒剛回家過境，搭機到墨西哥渡假，要我們幫忙看顧愛犬，贈我一開包之咖啡，她們喝咖啡是有選擇，我買的品牌她們不中意，這開過者顯然不如其意，我也不爭辯，我讀過一本自傳，作者在中國下放期間，咖啡連續泡煮多次，令我十分感動。我提過香港的尤金妮亞，喝咖啡更是講究，我表示過我的看法後，就沉默不語，喝黑咖啡比較簡單，沒有很大學問，我現有庫存咖啡無數，我也忘了磅數，所費有限，每日喝咖啡之美名。