That’s easy! The whole Trump/MAGA/Republican schtick IS an alternate universe characterized by outrage and nausea.
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$$$ Meal
Daily writing prompt
What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?
I spent over a hundred dollars at Oscar’s Steakhouse at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas. It was sort of all right, but not worth the money.
Habitual
Nothing brings me joy more than travel. Unfortunately, I don’t have the cash tom do as much traveling as I want. So, the next best thing is breakfast. Early on in my life, I was not a big breakfast eater. After my brain surgery in 1966, however, I was prescribed medicines that made it mandatory to eat three meals a day—including breakfast. I love drinking a cup of hot tea with honey and fresh lime, accompanied by one of ten rotating breakfast dishes.
While eating breakfast, I perform the KenKen and Sudoku puzzles in the Los Angeles Times, followed by a reading of the funnies, where one finds more truth than in any other part of the newspaper.
My Looks
Imagine a combination of Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. Throw in Paul Newman’s blue eyes. (He was from Cleveland like me.) Think of an exciting life of race-car driving and climbing the Southern Andes. That, in a word, is not me. I am too ordinary for words.
Typical
I would say it was more typical of a Monday; but, as I had to drive Martine to a doctor appointment in Lakewood yesterday, my weekly schedule has shifted by one day. So I prepared a big pot of Cuban black beans and rice, which turned out delicious.
Self-Description
I’m a seeker after truth.
Honoring the Ancestors
Non-Japanese Participants in the Obon Dances
For the first time since before the Covid-19 closures, Martine and I attended the West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple’s Obon celebration yesterday. In Southern California, the various Buddhist temples take turns in offering an Obon celebration. Many of the participants that we saw included families from the Venice, Nishin (downtown L.A.), Gardena, Orange County, San Fernando Valley and various other hongwanjis that spend weekends traveling from one celebration to the next—as the celebrations are designed not to interfere with one another.
Again, the Men’s Club at WLA provided their superior udon noodle soup, which I enjoyed with some Japanese chili powder (togarashi) for extra flavor. Missing was the sushi booth, which I patronized in previous years.
In many of the posts I have written about ethnic festivals, I have rued the steady decline as various ethnicities become more attenuated to the hamburger and french fry mainstream of American culture. This does not seem to be the problem with the Obon festival we attended. Many of the participants dancing and wearing kimonos and happi coats represented either mixed families or all white families.
Apparently, the WLA Buddhist temple is very attractive to refugees from some of the nastier Christian denominations. According to their website:
We are a Jodo Shinshu Pure Land Buddhist temple located in the heart of Sawtelle Japantown in the West Los Angeles area of Southern California. We are an inclusive community welcoming of all people, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
That inclusive attitude seems to have borne fruit. I’m happy, at any rate, at least as long as the Men’s Club continues cooking up their udon soup.
Health
Daily writing prompt
What strategies do you use to maintain your health and well-being?
My main strategy is to vary my diet, being sure to include a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. I believe that one’s diet should be varied and healthy, with not too much meat. As a diabetic (Type 2), I try to maximize the amount of fiber in my diet.
Arizona
When the weather in the desert moderates a bit, I’d like to spend a couple of weeks with Martine in Northern Arizona.
Society
Just about everything.
Tarnmoor 
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