How Pets Can Help Fight Loneliness on Seniors- Batman & Robin

 

 Robin grooming the feet and legs of Batman( My Two Buddies)

 

My two kitties, Batman & Robin have been a pleasure so far. Taking Care of them gives me more exercise and less time watching TV on Netflix or Amazon Prime. The two play together, groom each other, sleep and cuddle together but have separate bowl for food and water.  Robin although younger is more dominant/aggressive and Batman is very patient to please him. 

 

Batman( black face is older by 4 weeks) but like being dominated by Robin ( white face). I cleaned the litter box twice a day. I cleaned the food and water bowl also daily. I let them seat on my lap, morning, noon and evening. Otherwise I let them roam around between the bathroom and the Guest Room and Hallway. They are still forbidden in my bedroom and computer room. Evidently I will allow them to the Family room, formal Dining Room, Kitchen and Utility Room. They are not allowed in the Living Room because of the house plants in my big picture window. I have purchased a free standing 4-panel door Gate to kept them away from my house plants in the Living Room.      

Batman and Robin enjoy cuddling in my Chair in the Guest Room

 

Robin cuddling( claws and feet intertwined) with Batman in my Computer Chair in the Guest Room

 

Meanwhile enjoy this article on how Pets can help fight loneliness in Seniors especially those living alone.

 

Loneliness in seniors is on the rise. One in five Americans say that they feel lonely and nearly half of our seniors say they often feel lonely. Loneliness can affect you physically and mentally. According to a new study of social isolation published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in May, loneliness doesn’t just affect your moods. It can affect your health and especially your heart.

But here’s the good news. A new survey by Home Instead, Inc. says that regular interaction with animals can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness in older adults. Researchers found that petting a dog, holding a cat or watching a bird can brighten up the mood of a lonely senior.

Stress relief

Spending time with a pet releases endorphins. Endorphins have a calming effect and reduce levels of stress. This is especially good for patients who suffer from dementia.  Dementia patients can become stressed when they are unable to communicate with people or are unable to express their ideas or feelings. Having pets around allows them to bond with animals without relying on any language.

Self-Confidence

Spending time with pets gives seniors a sense of purpose and boosts their self-confidence and improves self-esteem. Seniors feel independent and happily take on the responsibility of owning a pet.

Exercise

Seniors who own pets are more likely to get recommended levels of exercise. As a result, they have lower blood pressure and less stress. Exercise also improves motor skills and reduces the risk of joint stiffness, falls and pain. Seniors with arthritis especially benefit from petting an animal. Seniors with a risk of heart disease also benefit from spending time with a pet, because this positively spent time helps to lower blood pressure levels. Interacting with animals actually lessens the perception of pain and discomfort.

The chance to socialize with other people

Not everyone wants to own a pet. But don’t worry: seniors experience the same positive feelings even when they visit with pets owned by family, friends or neighbors. Even interactions for half an hour a week can make a difference. For details visit the following site:

 https://whitneyrehab.com/how-pets-can-help-fight-loneliness-in-seniors/

Meanwhile enjoy this dish I ordered from Shef.com the other day

My Fried Pompano( Shef.com)-I added more onions and a dash of Peppercone Chile Oil for a little hotness...Yummy!

 

Change of Names from Romulus & Remus to Batman & Robin- Mobile Vets Services

The other day I posted of how I adopted two kittens instead of one as I originally intended. I proposed to name them Romulus & Remus inspired by the twin brothers of Ancient Rome. Since the kittens are neither twins or brothers, the names are not appropriate. Carenna suggested Batman & Robin because of the face the older kitten looks like a Batman ( see photo above). Ditas and I agreed. The names Batman & Robin are also appropriate because the two kittens are neutered males and will grow up like Eunuchs and are now having a gay relationship. The other day I saw Batman( black face) leaking(grooming) the forehead of Robin ( white face). Robin was enjoying it. I approve it. I accept a person/pet because of their personality and not of their gender orientation. 

On the subject of adopting Two instead of One. My decision to adopt two kittens instead of one was the best decision I made the other day, Here are the reasons why, Two kittens are Better then One.    

There are many benefits to bringing home two kittens at once:https://www.petpartners.com/blog/9-reasons-to-get-two-kittens-instead-of-one

Live-in playmate!

Unlike with puppies, getting two kittens at once can actually mean less work for you! When you bring home two kittens, they will have a built-in playmate. Both kittens can burn off extra energy by chasing, pouncing and play hunting each other throughout the house. Giving them an outlet for their kitten crazies means they’ll have less energy to engage in destructive behaviors like scratching the couch!

Fewer behavioral issues.

Raising two kittens means that your cats will pick up on feline behavior cues. Both kittens will learn how to behave socially and will be more well-adjusted! Cats learn how to “speak” cat by interacting with other cats, so raising your kittens together ensures they will learn how hard to play, how to share territory, how to communicate their needs and many other crucial social skills. In the future if you add more cats to your household, your kittens will understand how to interact with them and the new addition will have an easier transition into the family.

Keep each other company.

If you work long hours, a single kitten can become lonely being the only one in the house. Despite the jokes that cats prefer their own company, kittens are actually very social creatures! The territorial nature of cats is a main factor in them seeking solitude, and it generally doesn’t kick in until adulthood. For this reason, kittens crave the attention and fun of a playmate. Having two cats at home means you don’t have to feel guilty leaving for work or vacation since you know they will keep each other company.

Increased learning.

Kittens learn by copying the behaviors of others, so having two kittens means less time training them for tasks such as using the litter box. Kittens learn the basics of how to gauge distance, walk along narrow objects, balance, climb, tumble and stalk during the first year of their life. Having another kitten to copy and learn from can help your cat understand his limits during playtime and keep him safer into his adult years. In addition, if one of your kittens has a bigger personality while the other is quiet and nervous, the more adventurous kitten may help teach your shy cat to be more confident and playful!

Better grooming habits.

Kittens normally begin to groom themselves between 4 and 5 weeks old. Often kittens will groom each other as a sign of protection and affection. It’s difficult for cats to reach their own faces and ears, so they may rely on the other cats in their home to keep these areas tidy.

Healthier cats.

Having two cats reduces the chance that your cats will be overweight. Even as they get older, cats will often start up games with each other resulting in zooming around the house, pouncing from underneath furniture or jumping up on cat trees. Living an active lifestyle as they age and not becoming overweight will increase their lifespan and keep them healthier overall.

Save your senior cat’s sanity.

Even if you have another cat in the house, it might be a good idea to consider bringing home two kittens. While introducing a new kitten into the family can help to get your senior pet moving, one kitten’s endless drive to play can harass an older cat who wants to spend his days snoozing and not babysitting.

Costs remain relatively similar.

The great thing about two kittens is that two hardly costs more than just one! Kittens can share litter boxes, cat trees, food and water bowls, beds and toys! Some rescues will offer discounts on two kittens who are bonded or from the same litter to ensure that they go to the same home. Veterinary costs for vaccinations and deworming will be a little more for two kittens, but if you enroll in pet insurance you can choose coverage that will reimburse for the costs of annual wellness care to save you money on veterinary costs! 

Twice the love for less work.

You only have to kitten-proof your house once regardless of how many kitties you’re bringing home. Two kittens means two new lives in your house that will provide double the entertainment, snuggles and love!

Tips:

• Look for kittens from the same litter or a pair that bonded during their time in an animal shelter. That way you’re guaranteed that their personalities will match!
• It’s suggested that you choose two male cats or a male and female combination if bringing home two kittens who are not already bonded as they tend to get along better than two females.
• Cats generally don’t like eating close together, so consider placing your kittens’ food bowls across the room from each other.

Batman & Robin have already bonded during their time at the Animal Shelter.

So far I am enjoying the two kittens. It will keep me busy and company all year round. Adopting two kittens instead of one was the best decision I have made so far.

New Things I learned Today: Mobile Vets: Since I do not drive, I made an appointment for an animal doctor for home visit to give Batman & Robin their 3rd vaccination. This is the first time I used the services of a Mobile Vets for Pet Care. A little bit expensive than a regular Vets office visit, but worth it.  No waiting, no pet cages and no driving! I have also ordered Cat Food ( both wet and Dry) from Pet Smart on line.

 

A Two for One Kitten Adoption-Romulus and Remus

Two events that happened this week makes me so happy, but inside I feel a little bit sad because tomorrow Ditas and Carenna will be flying to Washington DC for a new adventure in their lives. 

The first event was the Farewell Dinner at Mulvaney B & L hosted by the Bustamante's ( https://marinduquemyislandparadise.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-last-of-ditas-and-carennas-farewell.html) last Friday.   The second event is this article of my unexpected adoption of two kittens instead of one.  Here are the details of this adoption.

This is Rockwell/ Romulus Katague- Adopted -6/25/22 -Very Friendly

Yesterday, Ditas, Carenna and I drove to the Bradshaw Animal Shelter looking to adopt a kitten so I will not be lone in this big house. That day there were more than 250 young and adult cats for adoption. We looked for while for 30 minutes. I got tired and sat down to rest and perused the brochures with pictures of the kittens.  At the bottom of page 1 of the brochure a picture of a Black and White Kitten attracted my attention. I told Ditas I want that kitten and wanted to see it in person. As fate dictates, the kitten was just a few feet where I was resting. The kitten has a white forehead/breast and black back( see photo above). I told the attendant at the Shelter I wanted him. The name of the  kitty was Rockwell and 9 weeks old. The attendant suggested I should also adopt Rockwell's cage and playmate mate that also look like him so they will not be lonely. The second Kitty was named Steinbeck and is 13 weeks, also a Black and White but with black forehead and phantom like face. He is 4 weeks older and slightly bigger than Rockwell. To my surprise, I decided to adopt both kittens.

This is Steinbeck/Remus Katague-Adopted 6/25/22. He is a little bit shy and not as friendly as Rockwell/Romulus- the first kitty that attracted my attention.
 

The second kitty in the shelter was named Steinbeck. I immediately decided to name him Remus* and the first kitty named Rockwell I changed to Romulos*. Both kittens are neutered male. The names Remus and Romulos reminds me of the twin brothers of Ancient Rome*. After paying for the adoption fees/paper work, we have 2 kittens to take home. Here are more photos:

Ditas and Carenna have been busy buying kitten toys, bed/scratch board and litter boxes. Hopefully when Remus and Romulos matured to adulthood, they will be able to scare the blue birds in my backyard attacking my plants and berries. In the meantime, I will have 2 kittens keeping me company this summer.   For Details on how to adopt cats/dogs and other animals visit:
 

 https://animalcare.saccounty.gov/Adoption/Pages/ViewAllAdoptableAnimals.aspx

*In Roman mythology, Romulus and Remus are twin brothers whose story tells of the events that led to the founding of the city of Rome and the Roman Kingdom by Romulus, following his killing of Remus. The image of a she-wolf suckling the twins in their infancy has been a symbol of the city of Rome and the ancient Romans since at least the 3rd century BC. Although the tale takes place before the founding of Rome around 750 BC, the earliest known written account of the myth is from the late 3rd century BC. Possible historical bases for the story, and interpretations of its various local variants, are subjects of ongoing debate.(Wikipedia)

 

How Popular is Classical Music in the US Today?

I just finished watching a Prime Video movie-Nocturne. The film stars Sweeney as Juliet Lowe, a pianist in her last year of high school who is jealous because she is constantly overshadowed by her twin sister. In this movie there were discussions /dialogs on the relevance of classical music and also the declining popularity of this genre of music. This aroused my interest and here's what I learned from the Internet. 

 

How popular is classical music in the U.S. today? Here's the answer according to the site listed below dated Feb 10, 2021.

According to billboard/Nielsen, classical music had an overall 1% share of the market in 2019, or 12th out of 12 genres. This is the least popular music genre well behind the top four genres: R&B/hip-hop, rock & roll, pop, country, and even behind children’s music.

The top genres account for around 69% of the music with R&B/hip-hop by itself taking over a quarter of the share (27.7%). After the top four, Latin, dance/electronic, Christian/gospel, world music, holiday/seasonal, children, jazz and classical make up the other 18% of the market (the total does not equal 100%).

In 2009, classical music physical album sales had a 3% market share. So in the span of 10 years classical music, for the most part, lost 2% market share. This is not bad compared to rock, which in 2009, along with metal and alternative, had around 50% of the market share compared to 19.8% in 2019.

One item to note is that when it comes to digital album sales in 2019, classical music is ranked sixth out of twelve. Typically, people buy classical albums rather than individual songs because an album will have up to an hour of music and contain a few major works making it a good value. Example: if you purchase the album that contains Mieczysław Weinberg’s “Symphony No. 2” and “Symphony No. 21,” it has around 90 minutes of music and costs $10.

When it comes to money, classical music does make a little money comparatively. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the total revenue for the U.S. music industry in 2019 was $11.1 billion (not including concerts). This is nothing to laugh at and from RIAA data, most of the revenue in 2019 came from streaming and digital downloads.

If classical music in the U.S. had a 1 percent market share then classical music revenue for 2019 would be around $111 million. Of course, classical music does not rely on revenue alone to survive.

From a 2014 League of American Orchestras report, the average orchestra relied on only 40% of its revenue as earned income (mostly ticket sales), with 43% coming from contributed income (donations), and 17% from investment income. Overall, only a small percentage of revenue for classical music comes from music or album sales (streaming or physical).

In looking at the data from billboard/Nielsen and the RIAA, it seems that classical music in the U.S. is not popular nor does it make that much money, but for most people who listen to classical music, that is not why they listen. Classical music has always been the “art” music of Western culture and has always been monetarily supported by the patronage of the rich and of governments.

There was no mystical time in the past when classical music was the music of the masses; it has always been the music that tries to communicate a people’s culture, national identity, interesting and entertaining stories through long-form music, while also being an artistic form of entertainment. There have been a few exceptions when classical music had a wider audience such as classical popular theater (singspiel), the advent of radio when classical music provided a lot of the early musical content (and filler music), and the most exciting thing to ever happen to classical music in the contemporary world, providing music scores for films.

Reference: https://medium.com/@AmericanPublicU/popular-classical-music-how-popular-is-classical-music-part-ii-4040456752db

 

1.However, Classical music still matters because it holds within it the core elements of the natural human being, and raw emotions unaffected by human interference and illogical concepts of society in any period of history. Oct 2, 2018

2. Why Classical Music Still Matters - iClassical Academy

Why is classical music considered better? In at least one respect, classical music is superior to popular music. ... The greater potential for expressiveness in classical music is due, in large part, to it greater harmonic resources. The harmonies in classical music are more likely to be functional, more contrary motion is employed, and modulation is more common.Aug 30, 2016

3.How Classical Music is Better than Popular Music | Philosophy

Is classical music still relevant in today's world? So is classical music still alive today? The answer is definitely yes. It's amazing that pieces written 300 years ago are still relevant today, but it seems like this is simply proof of the timeless quality of classical music in the emotional and intellectual expression that classical pieces capture.

What is special about classical music?Whereas most popular styles are usually written in song form, classical music is noted for its development of highly sophisticated instrumental musical forms, like the concerto, symphony and sonata. Classical music is also noted for its use of sophisticated vocal/instrumental forms, such as opera.

5. The Effects of Relaxing Classical Music on the Body and Brain

Why does classical music make me cry? Classical music in particular steers a mysterious path through our senses, triggering unexpected and powerful emotional responses, which sometimes result in tears – and not just tears of sadness. Tears flow spontaneously in response to a release of tension, perhaps at the end of a particularly engrossing performance.

Personal Note: I have cried listening to several violin concertos and some piano concertos. How about you? I had numerous collections of old records during my college years that I have discarded in favor of tapes then disc then videos and now only on YouTube/TV. Here's Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez that touched my heart.

https://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com/2022/05/music-appreciation-day-personal-stories.html

 

 

What A Beast!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Here's the 2022 Winner of the Cliburn Piano Competition, Forth Worth, TX, Yunchan Lin.

 

The ESIA, George Washington University, Washington DC

I am proud to announce that my youngest grand daughter, Carenna Katague Thompson has been accepted and will start her freshman year this Fall at the Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University in Washington DC. I did not know much about the university and its prestige, so I did some search and here's what I learn from Wikipedia. 

The Elliott School of International Affairs (known as the Elliott School or ESIA) is the professional school of international relations, foreign policy, and international development of the George Washington University, in Washington, D.C. It is highly ranked in international affairs and is the largest school of international relations in the United States.

The Elliott School is located across from the U.S. State Department and the Organization of American States, and closely to the White House, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. The Carnegie Corporation of New York ranks the Elliott School as one of the world's foremost, leading research institutions in the fields of public and foreign policy, hosting numerous research centers, institutes, and policy programs, such as the Institute for International Economic Policy and The Project on Forward Engagement.

Elliott School alumni and faculty have included ambassadors, diplomats, politicians, and public figures, including heads of state and government, U.S. senators, prominent politicians, NATO officials, U.N. ambassadors, and foreign ministers. From 2015 to 2020, the Dean of the Elliott School was Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety II, former U.S. Ambassador to the African Union and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. In January 2021, Alyssa Ayres was appointed as dean, the first woman to hold the post. 

For a List of some of its Notable and Distinguished Alumni and Faculty visit the 2 sites:

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Elliott_School_of_International_Affairs_people

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of my recent purchase from Shef.com

A Fried Pompano prepared South Indian Style and our recent Father's Day simple lunch

 

Carenna, May your college life be challenging but rewarding, Lolo! Incidentally, Carenna was also accepted at UC Irvine for their Science Program.

 

Musings of A Happy Father on Father's Day

My 4D's-From left to Right: Ditas, Dodie, ME, David E(RIP) and Dinah

The Katague clan is planning to celebrate Father's Day this year with just a simple lunch tomorrow (June 19). The event is a 3-Event Celebration, Father's Day, Ditas & Carenna Farewell and David's E 90-Day Death Anniversary.

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-posthumous-awards-for-david-e.html

On this occasion, allow me to talk again on the accomplishments of my three living children as well as David E ( RIP) whose 90-Day death anniversary we are celebrating also today.  My apology to those who have already read on my previous postings on the subject of my children accomplishments.

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2021/09/my-four-children-accomplishments-in.html

1. Dodie-my oldest son

Dodie, my oldest son was born in the Philippines, but immigrated to US when he was only 18 months old. He has a law degree from University of California, Davis and had been a successful prosecuting attorney in Northern California for several years. He early retired last year to devote more time writing his 3rd novel.  He is married to his former classmate, Ruth Carver, also a lawyer and they have 3 children, Philip, Alix and Marina.  

Dodie Katague lived at Cloyne Court Coop from 1977-79 while he attended the University of California, Berkeley.  He graduated in 1981 with a degree in Geography. He graduated from the University of California, Davis, King Hall School of Law in 1985. Since then, he is a prosecutor in Martinez, California. Dodie is working on his second novel, "Rock Star Planet", a Young Adult science fiction adventure. He is now retired and finishing his third novel, "Devil Mountain DA", a fictional account of life in a dysfunctional district attorney's office. He early retired  to devote more time on his writing and travel with his wife Ruth( also a lawyer).

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?authorid=108890

2. Dinah-my oldest daughter

Dinah started her career in BSA/AML in 2011 at Bank of the West. Within three years she was managing a team of 27 contractors to clear the FDIC items of the previous year’s audit. She was instrumental in growing the new department of 5 to 42. In 2017, Dinah joined Umpqua Bank as the CDD/EDD Manager. She managed two departments of EDD Analysts and CDD Specialists. Living in the “heart of cannabis growing country”, Dinah navigated her teams through the intricacies of the current political climate regarding marijuana, hemp and CBD, to become the subject matter experts for the bank. In June of 2020, Dinah joined Technology Credit Union as the Compliance Officer/Manager of the High Risk Member Unit. Her main responsibility is to help create, cultivate, develop, maintain and monitor the marijuana businesses direct and indirect program for the credit union. Dinah has been accused by some of creating a “Dynahsty” where ever she goes and they would be correct!

 

Experienced Financial Services Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. Skilled in Analytical Skills, Software Documentation, Leadership, Financial Risk, and Risk Management. Strong finance professional with a Bachelor of Arts focused in Liberal Studies from California State University-Sacramento.

Through the course of my 15+ years’ experience, I’ve enjoyed the chance to manage and motivate teams toward consistent success. Colleagues will tell you I have a deep and intuitive grasp of business and team capabilities, and use this instinctive approach to expertly allocate staff and resources. A focus of my work has been employee engagement: by promoting an engaged and collaborative work culture, I’ve been able to develop staff members and deliver key gains to the bottom line. I also pride myself on adapting readily to new work challenges and environments.Compliance Manager, High Risk Member Unit at Technology Credit Union (Tech CU) Technology Credit Union (Tech CU)

California State University-Sacramento

***

3. David E (RIP)- my youngest son 

David is single and currently works for the Federal Government (TSA) in Sacramento. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from UC Davis and a Masters of Science degree in Public Management and Policy with concentration on Information Systems from Carnegie Mellon University. He used to work for the Office of Management and Budget(OMB) in Washington DC during the Clinton and Gore Administration. During the time of his employment with OMB we received annual Christmas cards from the White House as well as special invitations to special events such as the Easter Egg Hunting in the lawn of the White House and Parties for OMB employees. David E is learning how to speak Tagalog. During our 50th wedding anniversary party in 2007, he addressed the guests in Tagalog and made a good impression. His Tagalog is improving but still has the American accent. Macrine and I are proud of his desire to learn the language of his ancestry. Without David's help, we will never be able to enjoy staying in our island paradise in the Philippines for as long as we desire. Today, he keeps me company in this big house and talks to me about his plans to retire in the Philippines. David E joined his creator March 17, 2022.

I received David's III life insurance proceeds the other day. Part of it will be allocated in establishing an endowment scholarship fund for deserving students at the University of the Philippines in Iloilo- my Alma Mater. This will be a good deed to honor David III memory.  I have initiated contact in the Philippines Office of Alumni Relations UPV on the details of this donation.

4. Ditas- my youngest daughter 

Associate Director for Communications, US Census Bureau *Civic Engagement & Community Outreach Expert * Chief of Staff * Energy, Water-Regulatory Advisor * 🧘🏾‍♀️Yoga/Meditation Teacher. For details visit her linkedin page as follows: 

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ditas-katague/

This party is also a Farewell for Ditas and Carenna on their move to Washington DC soon. Ditas was appointed as Associate Director for Communications, Bureau of Census, Department of Commerce last April.

 https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/ditas-katague-appointed-associate-director-communications.html  

Ditas and Carenna relocation to Alexandria, VA reminds me of our 12 moves in 42 years here in the US as follows: 

https://livinginmarinduquephilippines.blogspot.com/2019/07/our-twelve-moves-in-forty-two-years-in.html

Meanwhile enjoy these 2 photos:

 

These red mangoes are huge, luscious but not too sweet compared to the Philippine Guimaras mangoes. However it is very juicy, I almost choked with delight. The brown fruit are the kiwis and looks like Philippine Chicos except it is hairy. There are two varieties of oranges in the bowl-Navel and Valencia. The small green apples are from my neighbor orchard.

Fried Pompano( cooked South Indian style), I ordered from Shef.com for Father's Day Lunch

 

A Friendly Encounter with a 2nd Generation Fil-Am at Bank of America

The other day, Carenna drove me to the Bank of America, Citrus Heights Branch. We did some business with David's Life insurance funds that I received as his beneficiary. During our visit, the teller who was a Caucasian middle age lady was surprise that I am not a member of their preferred customer award noticing the amount of balance in my checking and saving accounts.  I told her I will enroll if there are benefits. The teller then called the manager of the day ( in-charge of all the tellers that day). I notice he has Asian features, but was not sure if he has Filipino ancestry. This man was probably in his mid-30's. He initialed my deposit after checking if the teller deposit was correct and informed Carenna and I that after our transaction with the teller to go to another window and he will enroll me as a Preferred Member.  

While he was activating my account in the computer, I notice his name- Justin Sebastian. I was 99% sure he is a Filipino-American even though there was no trace of accent in his conversation with us. He started a friendly conversation about our plans for the day. Because of his friendly attitude, I was not hesitant to ask him if he has Filipino roots. When he said yes, our conversation run smoothly about Filipino food and restaurants, various dialects in the Philippines and playing mahjong. Carenna identified with a big smile when Justin mentioned playing mahjong.  I learned that he is a second generation Fil-Am ( born in US) but his parents were originally from Zambales, Philippines. It was a pleasant experience banking at the BA with a friendly 2nd generation Fil-AM.

Justin Sebastian enrolled me as a Preferred Gold Customer with the following benefits:

B of A Credit Card Bonus (25%), Advantage Savings Interest Rate Booster ( 5%), No fee transactions at non-B of A ATMs in the US, Foreign Exchange Rate discount (1%), New Mortgage origination Fee Reduction ($200), Home Equity Line of Credit interest rate Discount ( 0.125%)  and an auto loan interest discount of 0.25%.  This Preferred Reward Status is for customers who maintained a 20k to 50K three-month combined average daily balance.    

It was indeed a pleasure doing business with a friendly B of A employees like Justin Sebastian.  I hope there are more B of A employees like Justin Sebastian. Listen B of A Over-All Manager of the Citrus Heights Branch,  I recommend a Customer Service Award for Justin Sebastian.

 Meanwhile if you want to know more of the Filipino-American story read this:

 https://thefilipinoschool.com/the-filipino-story/

       

 

Three Dishes I Ordered Yesterday from Shef Delivery Food Services

 

Three new dishes that I have not tasted I ordered today from Shef.com -a food delivery service that I recently discovered. The first dish is filipino, the second is Argentinian and the 3rd is Southern Indian.  Here are a brief description of the dishes. If you decide to order from Shef.com please refer to my code DavidK35. Thank you.

1.Bone-in Pork Estofado-Philippines (photo above)

Estofado is from the Spanish word estofar which means to braise in a covered pan. Yes, there is an array of Spanish estofado dishes but the Filipino adaptation is a fusion of the traditional Spanish cooking method, Chinese seasoning (soy sauce), and Filipino ingredients (saba bananas). My father used to make this during fiestas.

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Main ingredients

Pork Leg Meat, Chinese Sausage, organic potato, organic carrots, plantain, Vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, bay leaves, black pepper corn, organic garlic, salt to taste, turmeric.

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 2. Chicken Empanada Saltena - Argentina

I am familiar with Filipino empanadas but not the baked chicken empanada from Salta, Argentina. This is filled with cage-free chicken thighs, potatoes, caramelized onions, green onions, and bell pepper. It is served with the traditional Argentinian chimichurri sauce on the side.

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Main ingredients

Cage-free chicken thighs, potatoes, caramelized onions, green onions, garlic, parsley, flour, oregano, butter, and bell pepper. Vegan empanadas ( spinach, mushrooms or roasted eggplant are also available besides the standard beef, steak or chicken empanadas).

 

3. Bone-IN Fried Pompano- South India

This is the 3rd dish I am trying this week. The Pompano fish fry makes for a staple side dish in Indian meals. It goes great with a rice dish, adding a crispy and moderately spicy bite to your meal. Cooked with authentic masalas and shallow fried at the perfect temperature. Mouthwatering recipe.

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Main ingredients

Green chili paste, coriander leaves, lemon juice, pompano fish, ginger-garlic paste, coriander powder, black pepper, turmeric powder, salt, corn flour, olive oil, chili powder.

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For the last 2 weeks, I have ordered several Filipino dishes from Shef.com The dishes were mongo with dried shrimp, chicken afritada, pork menudo, chicken tinola and pork dinuguan.  The dishes were all good and tasty. The dishes were delivered in red insulated bags and were easy to heat.

Food from all over the world are available to order and prepared at home and delivered in your front door within 4 to 5 days. I recommend you try it. Some of the dishes are pricey, but a few are reasonable. The expense is the price you pay for not cooking and messing up your kitchen.

Meanwhile, here are 2 photos of my okra seedlings:

Trying to protect them from the jay birds and 3-Digit temperatures

 

Two Old Award-Winning Movies on Prime Video for Your Enjoyment

There are two old movies on Prime Video that I enjoyed.  Both movies had several nominations but a few awards and had mixed reviews. The movies are Legends of the Fall and The Song of Names. Here are brief summaries of the two movies from Wikipedia.  

Legends of the Fall is a 1994 American epic historical drama Western film directed by Edward Zwick and starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn, Julia Ormond and Henry Thomas. Based on the 1979 novella of the same title by Jim Harrison, the film is about three brothers and their father living in the wilderness and plains of Montana in the early 20th century and how their lives are affected by nature, history, war, and love. The film's time frame spans from the early 1900s, World War I, through the Prohibition era, ending with a brief scene set in 1963. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards and won for Best Cinematography (John Toll). Both the film and book contain occasional Cornish language terms, the Ludlows being a Cornish immigrant family.

Award	Category	Recipient	Result
Academy Awards	Best Art Direction	Lilly Kilvert, Dorree Cooper	Nominated
	Best Cinematography	John Toll	Won
	Best Sound	Paul Massey, David E. Campbell, Christopher David and Douglas Ganton	Nominated
Golden Globes	Best Motion Picture – Drama		Nominated
	Best Director	Edward Zwick	Nominated
	Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama	Brad Pitt	Nominated
	Best Original Score	James Horner	Nominated

 

The second movie that I really enjoyed and made cry is The Song Of Names. It had also mixed reviews. If you enjoyed the violin, this is must see movie for you.

 

The Song of Names is a 2019 drama film directed by François Girard. An adaptation of the novel of the same name by Norman Lebrecht, it stars Tim Roth and Clive Owen as childhood friends from London whose lives have been changed by World War II. The film was nominated for nine Canadian Screen Awards, winning five.

Dovidl Rappaport, a 9-year-old from Poland who lost his parents and siblings in World War II, is also a prodigy at the violin. The Simmonds family adopt him and he is taken to England. Their son Martin starts bonding with his new adoptive brother as he likes Dovidl (anglicized to David) playing the violin.

David continues practicing the violin while still remembering his biological family. Years pass, and David and Martin are now 21 years old. There is just one day left for a concert featuring David, when he mysteriously disappears with his violin.

It is revealed that David had fallen asleep on a bus and visits a Polish Jewish community in Stoke Newington, asking them about whether his family is still alive. He is then taken to a synagogue, where a list of people with the surname Rapaport who died during the WW2 is announced (in the form of a song, to make it easier to remember). After finding out that none of his family has survived, David breaks down.

Years later, in about 1986, Martin is now 56 years old and is married. He learns about a violinist, who he notices plays in the same pattern as his brother David, who had disappeared about 35 years ago. Martin then sets off to Poland to find his brother.

After meeting David's former love, who says that David left on a plane but told her where he was going, Martin arrives in New York, where he finds David, married with children. Martin is furious with David and tries to persuade him to perform at a concert. David at first refuses, but then accepts on two conditions (not revealed in the scene).

Two months later, Martin and his wife attend the concert, where David first plays with an orchestra, and then has a solo performance, in which he plays the 'Song of Names', remembering his family. Martin then receives a letter from David stating the former must think of the latter as dead and they must never meet again. The film ends with Martin reading the Kaddish, having reluctantly accepted that David is now dead to him. 

If you are bored staying at home, these two movies will certainly entertained you.

I watched them on Prime Video but I believe both are also in Netflix or Hulu.

Here's the Trailer for the movie The Song of Names

 

 

Heat Wave in Northern California and Comcast Outage

Yesterday and Today was and will be another 3-digit temperatures here in Northern C alifornia. My Internet, TV and Land line phone was out for almost 8 hours yesterday . However, my I-pod and cell phone were working. After watering my plants, I had nothing to do so I decided reading the books in my collection. The above photo are two of my favorites-Fear and Full Service.  

Last night was indeed a very warm night. I had some energy to take photos of my front yard featuring my solar lights as well as David E(RIP) room and former Macrine's(RIP) office now my guest room. Here are the photos:

 Here are the Photos of the Guest Room and David E(RIP) former room

 

Stay Cool and stay inside! Have a Productive Summer to you All...