Joys of Retirement at Chateau De La Mer (Seaside Garden Paradise)

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Signs of Spring in Northern California

Inside Orchids on Our Picture Window

Lets take a break from the corona virus news dominating the whole world and enjoy flowers as a sign of spring. The following photos are from my garden here in the US as well as in the Philippines.


Geraniums in Front Entrance

Camelias on Side Yard


Orange Ice Plant in Front Yard


Fressia on Side Yard


Terrestial Orchid on Side Yard


Spring Planting

The last three photos are my orchid and hibiscus from the Gardens of Chateau DU Mer in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of my recent purchase of mangoes:

Monday, March 9, 2020

Garden Wedding and Reception of Arvy and Rosiel at CDM

The following photos were posted by RRC Professional Lights and Sounds of Boac, Marinduque during the Garden Wedding and Reception of Arvy and Rosiel, March 7, 2020.

Our Congratulations to the Bride and Groom! From the Owners of Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center, Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines- David B and Macrine J,. Katague

Chateau Du Mer Hall Ready for Reception

Friday, March 6, 2020

How Many National Parks Have You Visited?

The United States has 62 protected areas known as national parks that are operated by the National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior. National parks must be established by an act of the United States Congress. A bill creating the first national park, Yellowstone, was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872, followed by Mackinac National Park in 1875 (decommissioned in 1895), and then Rock Creek Park (later merged into National Capital Parks), Sequoia and Yosemite in 1890.

The Organic Act of 1916 created the National Park Service "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. Many current national parks had been previously protected as national monuments by the president under the Antiquities Act before being upgraded by Congress. Seven national parks (including six in Alaska) are paired with a national preserve, areas with different levels of protection that are administered together but considered separate units and whose areas are not included in the figures below.

Criteria for the selection of national parks include natural beauty, unique geological features, unusual ecosystems, and recreational opportunities (though these criteria are not always considered together). National monuments, on the other hand, are frequently chosen for their historical or archaeological significance. Fourteen national parks are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS), while 21 national parks are designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BR). Eight national parks are designated in both UNESCO programs.

Of the 62 listed National Parks, Macrine and I visited only 10. How about you? How many have you visited? Was it worth your time? For list and road map of the parks read:

https://matadornetwork.com/read/mapped-optimal-road-trip-see-us-national-parks/?fbclid=IwAR0vfnuu_XhWxFkdqPQeIJ2A4ziVS7ZMupNLL5q4EOla1clCG5Ja5VHRVSI

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo:

Chateau Du Mer Beach House, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Technology Use Among Seniors

Recently, I started subscribing the New York Times on line. My enjoyment of the news summary everyday reminded me of how lucky I am when it comes to computers use among senior citizens; specifically of the group I belong-the octogenarians. I found that less than 2% of octogenarians avail themselves with the pleasure of the Internet and Social Media. Photo Credit above: Flickr.com

http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-use-of-internet-by-senior-americans.html

Here's an interesting video on how technology marginalize senior citizens.

https://youtu.be/kQzrs5oP4WE

The following report detailed the technology use among senior citizens in the US. Enjoy the report.

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2017/05/17/technology-use-among-seniors/

Meanwhile enjoy this Painting from Ditas Katague collections
http://www.grievingthruglee.com/about/

Monday, March 2, 2020

Old But Treasured Photos from My Album-Part 3


Spiral Stair Case of the CDM Beach House


A Few Minutes After a Beautiful Sunset at CDM


Any One for Beer? CDM Balcony


Nunu ( Dwarfs) Decor and Welcome Plaque


My Marble Bench from Romblon


Round Marble Table and Table Tennis-Ground Floor of Beach House

Macrine wearing her CDM T-Shirt (Back Porch-at Twilight),2011

Meanwhile, enjoy this video with the Nieva Brothers at CDM taken 4 years ago

https://www.facebook.com/david.b.katague/videos/10206321560494258/

Gravel Pathway Entrance of the Main House

About Me

David B. Katague is an online memoirist and cultural essayist whose writing has appeared on HubPages and Blogger since 2007. His work reflects a sustained interest in Filipino heritage, family history, senior living, art, community life, and the cultural meaning found in everyday experience. Through memoir, reflection, and essay, he explores the personal and historical dimensions of identity, memory, and belonging. His writing seeks to preserve lived experience while offering thoughtful commentary on the traditions, values, and social realities that shape individual and collective life. As a Filipino-American writer, he brings a distinctive cultural perspective to his work, drawing on personal experience and careful observation to create writing that is both reflective and engaging. His online essays and memoir pieces continue to document a lifelong commitment to storytelling, cultural understanding, and the written record of experience.

Joys of Retirement at Chateau De La Mer, Marinduque, Philippines

I have been retired from USFDA since 2002. At first, I feel I have lost my identity as an individual or have lost my contribution to society. However, within a few weeks all these feelings were gone. It started when my wife and I started baby sitting one of our grandchildren. As some economics professor states: "Your children are your capital investments, but your grandchildren are your profits. That is why you love your grandchildren more than your children". I really agree with the statement. Retirement also gives you lots of time to do things you like to do, such as your hobbies and of course travel. In my case, I turned my hobby of gardening and landscaping into a small business in the Philippines. This endeavor was planned about five years before 2002. That year my wife and I started construction of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque , Philippines. The next year we built a beach house, followed by a Conference Hall two years later. Needless to say, planning and executing the landscaping was a challenge and very enjoyable. With the help of local labor, I not only enjoy the time gardening and landscaping, but also help improved the economic situation of the province by providing work and jobs to the local residents. With plenty of time, I have engaged into two specific activities as follows: First, I created a website for my small business. By trial and error, I created and design the website, www.chateaudumer.com I have never been a computer nerd or expert. But with plenty of time and patience, the fruits of my labor could be enjoyed if you visit the website above. The second activity, I have not done before was to utilize on-line activities, such as shopping, paying bills ( save you stamps) and playing computer games in the Internet. I really enjoyed playing duplicate bridge on line. You play with players all over the world and can chat in between games. But be careful, you are not spending too much time in the computer. It is very addictive. With a lots of time, my wife and I devoted more time on our favorite humanitarian project. For the last 15 years, we have been involved with medical mission to the province of Marinduque. For details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org As a summary, the joy one gets on retirement is very specific for an individual. Some enjoy their free time by learning new activities, getting involved with humanitarian projects or spending more time with their grandchildren. Others hate it, since they missed their former jobs and co-workers. Others with no children still enjoy retirement by traveling, turning their hobbies into business or more community involvement. Of course those that retire and hate it, is believe to die earlier than those that enjoy their retirement years. So, plan your retirement as early as you can. The happier you are on retirement, the longer you will live.

David B. Katague is an online memoirist and cultural essayist whose writing has appeared on HubPages