Senior's Alphabet- K is for Kidney Stones

I found this on the web from an anonymous source. If you are a senior citizen, like me, I am sure you can identify with most of the alphabets. If you are not, your time will come. You can not stop the aging process, but you could slow it down by exercise ( both mind and body), less stress, good food, good friends and a loving family and relatives.

Seniors' Alphabet

A for arthritis, B for bad back,
C is for chest pains. Perhaps cardiac?

D is for dental decay and decline,
E is for eyesight--can't read that top line.

F is for fissures and fluid retention,
G is for gas (which I'd rather not mention.)

H is for high blood pressure (I'd rather have low,)
I for incisions with scars you can show.

J is for joints, that now fail to flex,
L for libido--what happened to sex?

Wait! I forgot about K!
K is for my knees that crack when they're bent,
(Please forgive me, my Memory ain't worth a cent.)

N for neurosis, pinched nerves and stiff neck,
0 is for osteo- and all bones that crack.

P for prescriptions, I have quite a few.
Give me another pill; I'll be good as new!

Q is for queasiness. Fatal or flu?
R is for reflux--one meal turns into two

S is for sleepless nights, counting my fears,
T for tinnitus--! hear bells in my ears.

U is for urinary: difficulties with flow,
V is for vertigo, that's "dizzy", you know.

W is worry, now what's going 'round?
X is for X ray--and what might be found.

Y for another year I've left behind,
Z is for zest that I still have my mind.

How many of the alphabets, can you relate to? I can relate to a few letters and just recently K for Kidney stones. I will be scheduled in a couple of weeks for an ESWL procedure. ESWL is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. Look it up in the Web if you are curious. It is a non-invasive procedure to break up the kidnet stones so it can paas thru the process of urination. This is the short explanation from my urologist when I visited him the other day- a follow up of my energency room trip to the hospital a month ago.

Note that A and P for Alzheimers and Parkinson Diseases are most popular but unwelccome alphabets for senior citizens all over the world.

Reading Between the Lines

Reading between the lines is to try to understand someone's real feelings or intentions from what they say or write-From Cambridge Dictionary of Idioms

Are you good in reading between the lines. Test your prowess by reading examples of rantings and writings from four of my FB friends and relatives. At the end of its writings will you be able to tell the age group, gender affinity, status and livelihood in life and perhaps the personality of the writer?. I will give the answers in my next blog if there are any responders.

FB Friend #1

Today same sex marriage is now legal in the 50 US States: Here is his comment “ I am proud to be an American today. Hey Dudes in FB are you willing to marry me? I am young and handsome!

Is this person a closet gay? How old is this person? Can you guess in what field is his current livelihood? Any guess on his personality?

FB Friend #2

How Still is Today. So peacefully quiet. How quietly all things fall into place. Today I understand the lesson that in You, there is no need that I do anything. In You, is every choice already made. In You, has every conflict been resolved. In You, is every thing I found already given me. TODAY...my heart is quite and my mind is at peace. Your love is certain and You love is mine. "Here in me is this whole world forgotten. No memory of the past, of sin, or illusion lingers on. Here in me is this resting place...so still... nothing but the hymn of heaven rises up to gladden God and his Son. Here where they both abide, they are remembered. Here where they are...is heaven and everlasting peace."
.
What age group in this person? Male or Female? Cleric or Mystic? Personality? Introvert or Extrovert?Educational Level? Field of Livelihood?

FB Friend #3:

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" ?-- Anais nin.
I have begun another phase of my growth. Going thru my closets and finding beautiful suits ranging from size 12-16, shoes size 8-9 and accessories that I am letting go. This Sunday 4 pm at my house, girlfriends are invited to come for wine, tea, snacks and partake in a clothing reincarnation gathering. If you have stuff you want to let go of bring it, no ...need to bring anything though. My friend (and declutterer/organizer extraordinaire) D L explained to me why she loves helping her clients - after a session, you are literally making space for who you are now presently and who you are growing to be. Letting go of who you were yesterday and the clothing that defined you. I am shedding my protective cocoon and emerging with my heart tremendously open to letting in the deep love we all so very much deserve.
Age Group? Personality? Educational Level? Marital Status? Field of Livelihood?

FB Friend #4

New Year! It is never really safe to say it because it usually always ends up in complete failure of being what we hope it to be. Take a look at years way back in your life they were happier. Every year we all tell ourselves it is going to be a better year and the truth comes out eventually that yet again we all become lied to. We are all in such denial and living a complete lie. Life is a complete lie and we are constantly pretending that everything is fine and p...erfect when it isn't. Every year things are getting worse not better. The good times have been gone forever such a very long time ago. I haven't seen a truly good happy new year since the 20th Century. The happiest times are your childhood and when we were all young and innocent. Everything is not getting better we are all not even getting any younger. Once we are born then we live and somehow survive and hang on until we all die. Even now we are all not really living life just surviving and living a lie of false hope and superficial reality.
Age Group? Mental Status? Field of Livelihood? Educational Level? Male or Female? Gender Affinity?

My Grand Daughter Did It Again!

For sixth years in a row, My 12-year old grand daughter won three awards for her photographs. She won 1st, 2nd and 3rd places of the four photos ( see above) that she submitted and was accepted by the California State Fair Youth Art Competition at CalExpo, this year. You are all invited to see her work from July 10 to 26 at the CalExpo Grounds, Sacramento. Hope to see you there.

From Her Adoring LOLO and LOLA, Dave and Macrine Katague

Selling Our Time Share at the Ridge Tahoe, Nevada

Macrine and I finally decided to sell our timeshare at the Ridge in Tahoe, Nevada. For the last three years, we have not been able to use it, so we just rent it. Renting gives me a little income but not enough to pay for the annual fees of $1000. This maintenance fees goes higher every year. My children are not interested in it.

My first action was to read all about reselling your timeshare. There are several scams and companies who are in this business. The following video summarizes the pitfalls of sellers of timeshare whose value has gone down to almost zero and if you are lucky you may be able to sell it for at least 1% of the original price of your purchase. Never pay an upfront fee is what I learned from my readings in the Internet



The second thing I did was to talk to the Ridge and inquire what I have to do to sell my time share. I was told I have to list it with them and wait from 12 to 15 months for a buyer. The money I will received will be only $675 net. I was expecting more value, but I have no choice. We purchased the time share 20 years ago for $15,000 which has been fully paid ten years ago. The maintenance fee started at $100 annually.

The Ridge Representative, informed me I could try selling it myself, but I must be aware of SCAMS. She told me never pay an upfront fee to anyone who promised to sell your timeshare for more than it is worth.

Our time share is a 2-bedroom with lock out. It can accommodate from 6 to 8. It is in the Plaza 2 unit of the Ridge at Tahoe, in the State of Nevada. The website of the Ridge is www.ridgetahoeresort.com with the photo above.

If you are interested, I will entertain any offers greater than $675.

A Milestone on My Blogging Activities on Father's Day

Today is Father's Day here in the US. I attained my goal of writting 1000 original articles as well as sharing more than 400 articles in my blogs. In addition, I have written 32 hubs in my Hubpages Writer's Account. I have ten blogs but five are the most widely read with readers and page views ranging from 50 to 100 visits per day.

I have written on all subjects except on sex, politics and religion. I stay away from controversial topics although I had written articles on the political fiasco and corruption in my Island province of Marinduque and in the Philippines. I have also written articles on the subject of bisexuality and homosexuality as portrayed in Philippines TV dramas in the show, My Husband's Lover.

My most viewed blog is the Oblation Run, the annual event during the month of December at the various campuses of the University of the Philippines. Here are my five most popular blogs with the number of visits( page views) as of this writng date.

1.http://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com (415,093)
2.http://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com (376,969)
3.http://theintellectualmigrant.blogspot.com (306,509)
4.http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com (47,142)
5.http://chateaudumer.blogspot.com ( 141,309)

To all my readers: Thank you for your support. I hope you continue reading my blogs and make comments. Both positive and negative comments ( for improvement) will be published. Please read my previous article in how Blogging has saved my life( January 4, 2014).

Last but not least Happy Father's Day to all the DAD's, Papas and Father's of the World.

You Don't have to be Young and Skinny to Dance the Tango

It is time to dance the tango again this summer. The following video shows that even the old and not too sexy man can dance the tango.
Dancing with my 2 daughters during our 25th Wedding Anniversary in Pinole, California

Tango Music and dance reminds me of my teenagers years in Iloilo, Philippines in the early 1950's. My late father was a good dancer and he taught me how to dance the Tango- The old style Tango, not the Argentine Tango shown in this video. So if you like dance and music, this video( and related vidoes in the set) is a must view for you. Enjoy!

A Short Video for Your Inspiration

I was searching for old videos in my blogs. I found this one dated September 14, 2010. I found it very timely after reading the other day in my FB page about a group that is raising money for pancreatic cancer research. I hope you find this article very inspiring. I will be happy to hear from you with your comments.



"Today's news featured the widow of Dr Randy Pausch who died of pancreatic cancer about two years ago. The news reminded me of his original video-The Last Lecture about three years ago. The whole video is available in the web but it is too long. So, I think this 10 minute video from the Oprah Wimprey show will also inspire you and reminds you of his memory and will be an easy read. Viewing this video will not take too much of your time. Enjoy and be inspired!

Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

On September 18, 2007, Carnegie Mellon professor and alumnus Randy Pausch delivered a one-of-a-kind last lecture that made the world stop and pay attention. It became an Internet sensation viewed by millions, an international media story, and a best-selling book that has been published in 35 languages. To this day, people everywhere continue to talk about Randy, share his message and put his life lessons into action in their own lives.

Randy died July 25, 2008, at the age of 47. May He Rest in Peace, Amen"

Personal Note:In this video Randy said that after finishing his Ph.D.,his Mom introduced him to all their relatives and friends this way,"This is my son who is now a doctor, but he doesn't help people".

This reminded me of my wife's introduction to all our relatives and friends after I graduated with my Ph.D degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1964. You may call my husband a doctor now, the kind that does not have a stethoscope". My wife informed me this is an easier way of trying to explain what my Ph.D.in Pharmaceutical Chemistry means to all our relatives and friends.

Some of My Favorite Quotes on Inspiration and Motivation

There are several hundreds of quotes for inspiration and motivation published in the Internet. However, the following 25 quotes inspires and motivates me when I feel down, depressed and useless. Do you have a favorite? Mine is Number 13.

1. Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force - that thoughts rule the world.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. I intend to live forever, or die trying.
Groucho Marx

4. Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.
Helen Keller

5. A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee

6. Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product.
Eleanor Roosevelt

7.

8. Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.
Salvador Dali

9. I like thinking big. If you're going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big.
Donald Trump

10. We learn our virtues from our friends who love us; our faults from the enemy who hates us. We cannot easily discover our real character from a friend. He is a mirror, on which the warmth of our breath impedes the clearness of the reflection.
Jean Paul

11. Dreams are necessary to life.
Anais Nin

12. Just as a flower which seems beautiful and has color but no perfume, so are the fruitless words of the man who speaks them but does them not.
John Dewey

13. Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.
John Dewey

14. Competition is not only the basis of protection to the consumer, but is the incentive to progress.
Herbert Hoover

15. Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.
Michael Jordan

16. Take your victories, whatever they may be, cherish them, use them, but don't settle for them.
Mia Hamm

17. Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.
Napolean Hill

18. In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.
Bill Cosby

19. The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination
Carl Rogers

20.

21. Given the choice between the experience of pain and nothing, I would choose pain.
William Faulkner

22. A man lives by believing something: not by debating and arguing about many things.
Thomas Carlyle

23. The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
Bertrand Russell

24. The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.
Vince Lombardi

25. Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.
Emily Dickinson

Source: famousquotes.123.com

Near Panic Attack on AC Conking Out

I had a near panic attack the other day. This was the first time I called 911 for assistance ( WE HAVE RESIDED here in the US since 1960) for a non-emergency situation. I think I had a near panic attack since I can not remember any telephone numbers to call. My eyes were blurry, and my hands were shaking. To add aggravation to the situation, my computer was acting up and responding very slowly. My wife sensed my situation inspite of her PD and urged me just to calm down and relax. It worked!

This is how it happened as I remember it. It was 7:30PM and the temperature outside was 104F. This was the first three digit temperature in our area this year. Suddenly I heard our air conditioning stopped blowing cold air. I check the thermostat and it was 85F. I normally set the temperature around 79F and for the last 4 days our air con was working very well.

I looked outside our window and I could still hear the air con running and humming but no cold air is blowing into the house. I know there was something wrong so I turned the AC off.

I immediately looked into my files for the heating and cooling brochure of the company where we purchased our Heating unit a few months ago. I remember that if we purchase an air con unit from them in the the next 6 months we will get a $500 rebate. When I checked the drawer where the heating files was suppose to be, the folder was gone. I panic a little bit because I completely forgot the name of the Heating and Cooling company.

So I went to my computer and goggled heating and cooling emergency services in our area. My computer was slow so I got irritated. I did find several cooling companies servicing in our area. I started calling four companies. All I got were messages to leave a message. I did left a message to the four air conditioning service company.

By this time the temperature was reaching 86F. We have electric fans, but It was getting hot. I sarted to panic so decided to call 411 for information on companies that had 24-hour emergency services. I was finally able to reach one company and the guy informed me that all their technicians are busy and the earliest time they can come will be the next day in the afternoon.

Finally, I found the brochure of the heating company. I called them and I was told that my message will be relayed to their technician and wait for their response. When? No one knows!

I was getting panicky and thirsty. I drunk a glass of water. I decided to call 911. The phone rung about 8 times and after the 9th ring I heard the question, What is your emergency?

I answered that this is not a life or death emergency, but I need assistance to find someone who could looked at my air con unit as soon as possible. The emergency responder told me she will connect me to the 411 directory. Before she hanged up, she asked me If I needed an ambulance. I said NO!

Speaking of ambulance services, I had my first ambulance service experience about 2 weeks ago. I had documented this experience in my article titled Ten Hours in the Emergemcy Room. At that time I was not sure if My Federal insurance will cover it. Today I received my Explanation of Benefits. The bill had a total of $4,600. Lucky me my copay was only $100. Thank you my Federal Insurance Company.

The next day, a cooling representative inspected my air con unit. He changed the capacitor and the system worked. My total bill was only $274. I was so happy we decided to celebrate and went out for dinner and a little Casino Gambling. When we left the house the air con was working.

When we arrive in the house 4 hour later, the house was hot and the air con was not working. It was 8:30PM but I decided to call the cooling representative and he said he will inspect our unit again the next day.

He was here the other day. He checked the the unit and the problem was the compressor. The unit works, but it gets over heated and it turns off. Recommendation: I need a new unit. Cost will vary from $3000 to 4800. Since I am not very rich, I decided to order the cheapest unit which has still a 5 year warranty. The unit will be installed tomorrow just in time for another 3-digit temperature in our area.

Our AC unit was over 10 years old. I did expect it to conked out and this expense was no surprise at all.

Getting My Trees Trimmed-Making My Neighbor Happy

Yesterday was an unusual day. I finally decided to have three huge trees in my side yard trimmed. My next door neighbor a widow (84 years old and lives alone) complained again that the three branches of my three trees in our boundary line are encroaching on her roof. She complained that if a strong wind and a storm ( most unlikely this time of the year) toppled in her roof, I should pay for the repair of her roof. I have heard of this complaint before. I am tired of hearing it again. So I decided to get an estimate for the cost of trimming the trees.

I called four tree care services company in our area for the free estimates. Two of them responded immediately. One gave me an estimate of $575 minus my 10% senior discount. The other tree service company give me an estimate with a range of $600 to $800. When I asked the estimator why there is a range he said because he has no idea how long will it take for his employees to the finish the job. This is an ominous signal that this tree service company is not realiable. I decided to hire the first tree service named The Stumpman from West Sacramento.

The next day three men came to my door. I discussed with the lead man what I want The three men were all speaking in Spanish. Since I understood what they were saying, I know I will be satifified with their work. I knocked on my neighbor to come out and we both supervised the trimming of the trees.

After one hour the job was done. All the trimmings were all turned into powder for mulching after it passed through a machine. My three trees looked shapely and beautiful. My neighbor is happy. The $517 dollars that I spent was the best investment I have done during the last six months for my yard. It made my neighbor very happy. I hope I will never hear another complain of my trees falling on her roof and that I will have to pay for the repair of her roof.

I am very pleased with the services provided by Stumpman Tree Care Services.

Note: For the last six months, I have allowed my lawn to turn brown because of the drought. I would guess about 80% of the neighborhood are doing the same to conserve water. The rest of the neighborhood whose lawn is still green I believe are unpatriotic and selfish. I have no empathy for those selfish individuals who waste water to satisfy their ego of having a green lawn. I hope they get penalized and learned a lesson.

Some of My Favorite Kundiman Songs

Let us start the month of Jume with some of my favorite Kundiam and Harana songs of the Philippines.

These collection of Philippine Love songs,and songs for Serenade( Harana) both old and new are some of my favorites. Singers are Conching Rosal, Pilita Corales, Sylvia La Torre, Ruben Tagalog, Victor Wood, Diomades Maturan and the Mabugay Singers. I hope you will enjoy these songs as much as I do.



One of the songs worthy of mention is Ruben Tagalog. Ang Dalagang Filipino with the paintings of Fernando Amorsolo as the backgroud. Beautiful paintings of Filipino women, indeed!