WELCOME TO MY SITE AND HAVE A GOOD DAY

Welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada- the Gambling Capital of US and the City that never sleeps! So, what has this city have to do with this site. The answer is none. I just love the photo, I took during our vacation to this city a couple of years ago. In this site, you will find articles from my autobiography, global warming, senior citizens issues, tourism, politics in PI, music appreciation and articles about our current experiences as retirees enjoying the "snow bird" lifestyle between US and the Philippines. Your comments will be highly appreciated. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringement of your copyrights. Cheers!

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

I was a Primary Care Giver to a Loved One with Parkinson Disease

Our Golden Wedding Anniversary Portrait- Chateau Du Mer Conference Hall, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, 2007  

My spouse( Macrine Nieva Jambalos Katague) for over 63 years passed away in August 10, 2020 after being diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 2010.  Yesterday would have been her 88th Birthday.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/08/celebrating-macrines-waksi-one-year.html

I was her Primary Care-Giver but we had hired several Home Care Aid Assistants, Physical Therapists and Home HEALTH Nurses and other home care workers to take care of my wife physical needs as the disease progressed.  Most of the services were not covered by my Federal Medical Insurance, so the expenses of her care were from my private savings/funds after my retirement from the Food and Drug Administration in 2002. 

The first five years ( Stages 1 and 2) was tolerable and our life was more or less normal except for our travel annually to our second home, Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque. Philippines.   Her symptoms were manageable with the medications that was prescribed to her. But she needed assistance with her daily living activities.  In Marinduque, we were able to get hired help 8 to 16 hours per day at my expense. But here in the US, we felt we can afford only an 8 hour help, so the rest of the day, I was the Primary Care Giver with the help of our youngest son on his days off and after work. I was lucky to have my youngest son( David E. III )who was single and lived with us during the years of my wife Parkinson Disease Diagnoses and Treatment.    

The third, fourth and last stages of Her PD resulted in two Falls, which landed with a hip replacement that was partially successful. The first Fall resulted in hospitalization and rehabilitation for several weeks which luckily was covered with my Federal/Medical insurance. The battling with the side effects of Levodopa was a nightmare. It was a stressful but rewarding 10 years of my life (see website below).

💙💙https://www.myparkinsonsteam.com/resources/survey-results-stresses-and-rewards-of-parkinsons-caregiving

In 2002 two years after Macrine's death, my youngest son David E. who was living with me suffered a Cardiac Arrest at work. After a week in the hospital with the machines keeping him alive, my family decided to cut of the machine and David passed away at the young age of 59 years. This week is the two year anniversary of his death.
I live alone in my 4BR, 3Bath Single Home House( Fair Oaks, CA) for about 1.5 years after David E death. Of course I had a Home Care Aid Help 4 Hours Every Day at my own expense. The Home Care Aide cooks, drive me for my errands and medical appointments and do light house-keeping duties. I have also a Gardener and a Pool Cleaner and occasionally a massage therapist.    

Then last June, 2023 I decided to downsize and move to an active Senior Living Community ( THD) here In Walnut Creek, to be near to my two oldest children, Dodie (Benicia) and Dinah( Dublin). 

The David B Katague Clan, December, 2023. Not in the Photo are Dinah's Children ( Ian and Elaine). 

This is my 9th month here at THD and I am very happy. I am busy with activities, playing bridge and mahjong- my 2 favorite Games. I participates in almost all of the activities provided by THD. If I need a ride to get out of my Gilded Cage, we have transportation services for the Walnut Creek Area. For travel outside the Walnut Creek area I ask either Dodie or Dinah to drive me. 

The other day, I finally received the Plaque of Appreciation from the University of the Philippines, Visayas Library Project for my major donation in memory of David E and Macrine as follows:


Last but not least about Parkinson Disease: 
A common question asked about Parkinson:" What are the causes of Parkinson Disease?  

"Researchers believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors cause Parkinson’s. In 2003, Heiko Braak, MD, hypothesized that an unknown pathogen (a bacteria, virus or other microorganism that causes disease) in the gut could be the cause of PD.

This was followed by a more extensive hypothesis, stating that PD starts in two places: the neurons of the nasal cavity and the neurons in the gut. This is now known as Braak’s hypothesis. In this theory, the pathogen enters the body via the nose and/or gets swallowed and reaches the gut. The pathogenic products thus come into contact with the olfactory (smell) and/or enteric (gut) neurons, triggering the aggregation of an abnormal protein called Î±-Synuclein. The aggregated Î±-Synuclein (called Lewy body) then spreads toward the central nervous system (namely the brain), and eventually arriving in and causing the degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the area of the brain called the substantia nigra.

This theory is supported by evidence that non-movement symptoms, such as a loss of sense of smell, sleep disorders and constipation, may appear several years ahead of movement symptoms. For this reason, researchers focus on these non-motor symptoms to detect PD as early as possible and to look for ways to stop its progression".

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231219/Breakthrough-in-Parkinsons-research-Scientists-identify-protein-synthesis-pathway-as-culprit.aspx#:~:text=A%20so%2Dcalled%20pathological%20protein,off%20in%20this%20neurodegenerative%20condition.

Do you have a love one who has suffered or is now suffering from the scourge of PD? I like to hear from you. 


Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Related Words to Attractive and Its Opposites












Yesterday, we had fun with acrostic poems. Today, let us explore one word of the English Language, That is the synonym and opposite of the word attractive. I asked several THD residents a couple of weeks ago, to give me 5 synonyms of the word attractive in 20 seconds,  only 3 residents  was able to give me 3 words within the 20 seconds time limit. Above are 41 words related to ATTRACTIVE.  Not in the list is my favorite-easy to the eyes.


Sunset from the Balcony of the Chateau Du Mer Beach House, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines.   

I have used the word mesmerizing to describe some of my sunset photographs and easy on the eyes or good-looking for a beautiful or handsome person, man or woman. I have used fascinating, glamorous, stunning a number of times in my writings since 2008 to the present. So if you are a writer used some of the above words for variety in place of the words beautiful or attractive. Meanwhile here are opposite words of being physically attractive or unattractive. 

I also asked a few residents for words opposite of being physically attracted. Not one of the Senior THD residents I asked gave me a positive response. So here are 44 words that are the opposite of Attractive 
  • Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ... 
  • Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting. ... 
  • The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. ... 

Now for Photos of my youngest grand daughter who to me is a beautiful person. Do you agree or disagree?


  

Monday, March 25, 2024

My New Acrostic Poem- Some Other Examples

Last week I had been posting on the Katague Clan personal experiences of Kindness from Strangers. This week, the subject will be totally different starting with acrostic poetry and perhaps ending with my postings on unusual English words, homonyms and again possibly on Filipino Food by the end of the week. Today it is acrostic poetry inspired by Marsha Kefer.  


Marsha Kefer send me last week an acrostic poem she wrote with my name DAVID. She titled it Ode to DAVID
ODE  TO   DAVID

D   is for his DANCING shoes

A   Is for his positive ATTITUDE 

V   Is for his VARIATION of the word clogs

I     Is for his INTERESTING and INFORMATIVE blogs

  Is for the Philippine restaurants he loves to DINE

Oh, I wish there was another letter to complete this rhyme!

💛Thanks a Million, Marsha for this poem. It is a variation of a true acrostic poem as follows: 

     D edicated Blogger since 2008

            A ccomplished Scientist with FDA.

V enturous in his taste buds

   I nteresting posts in his blogs

          D elightful company in everyday.  


                                K nowledgeable of Philippine history
                                A ppreciative of God's Grace and Blessings, 
                                T hankful for loving and thoughtful relatives
                                A bundance of friends here at THD.
                                G rateful for long life and good health
                                U nbeatable in Hong Kong Mahjong on Thursdays
                                E lation for winning bridge on Mondays and Fridays.     

Acrostic poetry- Poetry that certain letters, usually the first in each line form a word or message when read in a sequence. 


Chareau Du Mer- My Second Home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. An acrostic Poem written by Victor Viscara (RIP).  

And Here's a tribute to my two Cats-Batman and Robin


Here are two of my favorites Acrostic Poems:


 Here's an original Poem by Me Inspired By Marsha's Ode to David


The above poem is acrostic, but not majestic, 
Very simple, very truthful and not erotic. 
Inspired by Marsha Kefer, Ode to David,
Made my day and felt much beloved!

I can write I can sing and I can dance,
What else do you want me to do?
I try my best to make my blogs interesting,
A hard daily grind, but worth achieving!

Your comments, verbal or written are welcome,
Hoping to hear from you in the days to come. 
Thank you THD Readers and Relatives,
 Time of my life to always remain Positive!

Thank You to All My Readers all over the World,
 Proud to achieve the million page views threshold. 

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Kindness of A Stranger, Fair Oaks, California-Part 3

n my previous postings( Part 1 and 2), I described act of kindness by strangers in the Philippines. In this posting is another incident that shows a lot of people are kind here in the US. This incident occurred in Fair Oaks, CA- my former home.


Here's a repost of my blog, I wrote a couple of years ago.    


Kindness of a Stranger-Free Hair Cut for Macrine

Photo Credit: by J. Jesus

My barber is a young South Korean lady probably in her early 30's. She told me her parents immigrated to the US about 2 decades ago and she is a Roman Catholic. This is all I know about this personable young lady who cuts my hair every 4 to 6 weeks. 

One day, I mentioned to her that my wife who is home-bound in a wheel chair needs a hair cut. I asked her if she does home service haircuts and if not if she knows of any one. 

Without hesitation, she said she does this kind of work but for free as her humanitarian and charitable project. I insisted I pay her. She said if I pay her she would not come. I gave her my phone and home address.

The other day she called and dropped by our house after her work at the Barbershop. She complained she had a busy day with dozens of kids having haircuts all day and getting ready for the opening of the school year.

She came to the house just a few minutes after our dinner. The smell and aroma of the Kare sa Pata *💙( Pigs Hock/Feet with peanut sauce) that I cooked that afternoon was still permeating the whole kitchen and dining area. David III asked her if she eats pig feet.

Without hesitation she blurted out this response: I am Asian you know so I eat anything that moves. What a sense of humor.
David packed her a sample of my Pork Hocks Kare-Kare with shrimp paste (bagoong) in peanut sauce and assorted greens plus a can of coke to take home.  She was very appreciated of the food we gave her.  She plans on cutting Macrine's hair every 4 to 6 weeks. 

Thanks a million Agnes Chung for your generosity. I hope what you give will be returned a thousand fold!    For my other blog on Kindness of Strangers please read:

https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/search?q=kindness+of+a+Stranger

Read this site for the recipe of my Kare-Kare: 

💚https://myfavoritepinoydishes.blogspot.com/2020/12/cooking-oxtails-kare-kare-for-our.html


Saturday, March 23, 2024

Kindness of a Stranger in the Philippines-Part 2

In Part 1 of this series I discuss an incident in Marinduque, which showed an act of kindness of strangers by showing their home to us without an advance notification. In that article, Macrine ( RIP) and I were complete strangers, but were welcome to their vacation home without advance notification. This is Part 2 and I hope you will enjoy reading this posting also.   


An Unexpected Help from a Stranger


Bright Future for Philippines' Younger Generation 

During the first leg of our trip back home (Boac to Manila) from the Philippines to Northern California, after our 4-month sojourn from our vacation beach house, I experienced an act of kindness and thoughtfulness that was not expected from a complete stranger. This act of kindness that is unexpected is an omen that there is a bright future for the Philippines' younger generation.

I was carrying two hand carries boarding a Zest Air plane bound for Manila. Suddenly, a young man rushes in front of me and volunteered to carry one of my hand carry bags up to my seat in the plane. I was sort of shocked, since this was not expected. I gave him a look of surprise but gave him a thank you smile and appreciation of his thoughtfulness.

Perhaps, you are wondering why I had two "hand carry" bags. The reason why I have two hand carries is that Macrine is now using a quad cane and is not able to carry her own hand carry. She refused to use a wheel chair in boarding the plane, since it was just a short walk from the boarding gate to the plane. 

The volunteer was a young and good-looking teenager named Carlo Yu. He is a student of De La Salle University in Manila. He is traveling with his mother and an older sister, returning to Manila after a three day vacation at the world-renown 5-star beach resort, Bellarocca Resort and Spa💚 in Buenavista.

💚 https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/08/photo-memories-of-chateau-du-mer-and.html

💚https://marinduquemyislandparadise.blogspot.com/2014/03/is-bellarocca-resort-and-spa-closing.html

Thirty minutes later when we arrived in Manila, he and his sister again helped me picked up and load my three suitcases in my cart for check out. 

Indeed what a kind and thoughtful young man. If most of the Filipino teenagers are like Carlo, there is indeed a bright future for the Filipino younger generation. Thank you again Carlo for your kindness. Perhaps someday our path will cross again, then I will have another chance to say thank you. Hep, Hep, Hurrah! for the Filipino Youth!

Meanwhile, here's the picture of Macrine as she waits for a visit from her sister Charro Jambalos Levine of Palo Alto, CA, February 17, 2020 

💚Today both Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and the Bellarocca Resort and Spa are closed.  Chateau Du Mer had a 3 Star Rating while Bellarocca Resort had a 5 Star Rating prior to their closure.   

Friday, March 22, 2024

Kindness of Strangers in the Philippines-Part 1

Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque.Philippines, 2020 


The other day I posted an article about the kindness of a stranger to ten soldiers in their way to Afghanistan, buying them $5 lunches in the airplane. In that article I cited three links on my own personal experience as a recipient of kindness from complete strangers in the US. In this blog, I am reposting my previous article ( Part 1) of our ( Macrine-my late spouse and I) experience as a recipient of kindness in Marinduque, Philippines - my previous home. Here's Part 1 for your reading pleasure. Part 2 will be posted soon. 💚 Do not forget to view the video at the bottom of this posting.     

 

Kindness from a Stranger!- Boac, Marinduque, Philippines



Front Yard of our Retirement House in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Several years ago, prior to the building our beach house in Amoingon, Boac, Macrine and I usually have Sunday drives after church from Amoingon to Buenavista. This drive along the national road parallels the western seacoast of Marinduque where there are beautiful homes of expatriates and balikbayans retirees from all over the world as well as rich businessmen from Manila. We drive just to get an idea of the architectural styles that we may be able to incorporate into our beach house design. 

One Sunday we saw a beautiful modern design beach house painted blue, between Gasan and Buenavista. It is appropriately named, CASA DE AZUL. We were struck by the simplicity of its design and architecture, we decided to park outside the gate of the house. We got out of the car, linger a while at the closed gate to see if the owners are in. It appears that someone was in the house and I started ringing the door bell. No sooner than after I pressed the buzzer, a middle aged lady got out of the house and asked us what we want. I said we admired the style of the house and asked permission to take a photograph. Then we introduced ourselves and stated our purpose why we stopped. 


To our surprise the lady invited us to come in and introduce herself as the owner. Her husband was outside the yard and asked if we are interested to see the whole house as well as the backyard which faces the ocean. The house was beautiful inside, modestly furnished and with a swimming pool. We found out that the couple resides in Manila. The house is their weekend retreat. The lady is a Filipina and the husband was originally from Austria. The wife works in Manila and her husband is in the import-export business. 

This incident will never happened in the US. The owners will probably call the police and accused us of trespassing. Bob Martin, owner of "Live in the Philippines" web magazine commented, "Wonderful story, David. I fully agree this will not happen in the USA. They would suspect that you might be a terrorist, or planning to pull a robbery at the house". 


To reciprocate this act of kindness from a stranger, we allowed visitors to take photographs of our front yard. We have several visitors the last couple of years who stopped at our front gate and ask permission to take pictures of the front yard. The front yard is landscaped with blooming bougainvilleas in a rainbow of colors, orchids, and several blooming tropical shrubs. Yes, indeed we allowed them to take photographs of "my landscaping" and even offer them a glass of juice or bottled water. It is our way of reciprocating the kindness of the couple who resided in the Blue House by the Sea. 

Unfortunately, we have forgotten their names and they probably do not remember our names also. But, I feel this story is possible only in the beautiful island of Marinduque-home of the most hospitable people in the Philippines, if not in the whole world.

Meanwhile, Marinduque is known for its heritage homes built several decades ago in downtown Boac. This one is the ancestral home of my wife's Grand Parents ( Nieva-Jambalos family).  

Please view this video on Kindness and how it affects Others. 

💚https://nethugs.com/be-kind-inspirational-motivational-video/

We are called to be kind! When we show kindness to others the impact it has can change their lives.

Last but not least, Kindness is an act that the blind can see and the deaf can hear. Have a Great Day Every One. 

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...