>  ML> Lilli is trying to get me to be compliant. I'd
>  ML> rather be in pain.
> If you need them, take them but be mindful of the side effects. I just
> have one more on the above regime and, other than a spike in my b/g the
> next day once or twice, so far no ill effects. Don't know if they've
> done any good either as I've still got that cough.

As I indicated, I'd rather be in pain. The cardiologist
has forbidden them anyway (in retrospect).

>  ML> one of the more unfortunate side effects.
> I know, but hopefully most of them will do similar to what the Wake
> County system is doing. You send in a list of the books you want to
> borrow, they'll gather them and send you a pick up time/location. I
> presume drop off will be in their usual drop boxes when you're done with
> them.

I noted to Swisher what is happening here. We have 
two parallel library systems, and though they are
largely duplicative, they serve separate nominal
constituencies and of course have separate 
administrations that would probably be hostile to 
any attempt at a merge. The peculiar upshot is 
that some communities are very well served, with 
two or more facilities within a couple miles of 
each other. It's kind of moot these days, because 
all of the 35-odd county branches are closed as 
are 2 in 3 of the 35-odd city ones. (Coincidence?
I think not.)

> Samsung. They made one of our longer lasting microwaves--bought in
> Berlin and it died while we were in AZ. It got a lot of use as it was
> the one we had as our girls learned their way around the kitchen.

It's weird that in our lifetimes companies such as
Samsung and Lucky/Goldstar (now LG, get it?) have 
come up so far in the world compared to our own 
industries. We'll see what happens, because Mr. 
Samsung - Lee whatever his name was - just died; not
to worry much, there are tons of family members out
there, some who have defected to other chaebols; 
his older sister married into the LG family (I
actually prefer LG products when I've made a head
to head between them). Lilli has a Samsung fridge,
bought when the GE one died, and though it's mostly
solid, little side things such as the ice maker are
too cleverly and not intelligently enough designed.

>  ML> relevant just insofar as the waiter's thumbs
>  ML> aren't in the gravy.
> If it's posted in a visible place, I'll check the Department of Health
> certificate's rating. In the days when smoking was allowed in
> restaurants, how close together the smoking/non smoking sections were a
> big factor in my decision to eat at that place or not. That's much less
> of an issue now, thankfully. Some places that haven't looked too
> promising on the outside have been nice surprises on the inside so
> that's not as much a concern.

I'll go as far as a B rating, figuring that 
since my immune system is pretty A, I can take
a certain amount of impurity in my food if it
tastes good enough.

>  ML> I should try that sometime - though my pO2
>  ML> bottomed out at 99% (!), sometimes my lungs
>  ML> don't feel all that great.
> Could be inflammation? The steroids would help that, as well as NSAIDs.

To me taking those things for a potential benefit
of 1-2% (yes, Virginia, according to some systems
of measurement pO2 can briefly exceed 100%, no 
matter what the Internet says: I don't know what
the mechanism is) is dead risky. NSAIDs and aspirin 
are to be used with utmost caution in my case 
because I have this bleeding issue, which I will 
have to strenuously remind them of tomorrow.

>  ML> No wonder you're not enthusiastic about coconut.
> I never did care for it or marischino cherries. I'll tolerate coconut in
> some things, as long as it's not a major ingredient, but would rather
> not have it, given a choice.

I didn't like the stuff until I encountered the
Brach's Neapolitans on a Halloween back in the late 
'50s and discovered that coconut didn't have to be
gullet-stabbing shards of wood. Since then shredded 
coconut has been okay, but the taste of the fruit is 
important to my eating if not so much my cooking.

> I looked for the book some years ago when I was home but I guess it had
> been given away after I got married. I'd thought about passing it along
> to our grand daughters, so mentioned it to Rachel. She said that her
> older daughter is cooking (and baking) out of "adult" cook books
> instead.

The thing about kids' cookbooks is that they are
easily outgrown, and in a household that takes
its food seriously, not necessary to begin with,
as we've been saying.

>  ML> > whole counter top full of stuff. Salt hadn't been "demonised" yet so
>  ML> a > lot of it was used in cooking.
>  ML> Yes, and the idea of making something that was
>  ML> more or less from scratch without investing all
>  ML> the time, I guess there was a bit of a draw.
> That, and larger families with the baby boom, moms probably appreciated
> the convenience.

With the result that the boomers have diabetes and
heart failure!

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.01

      Title: Mushroom and Barley Soup
 Categories: Soups/stews
      Yield: 9 servings

    1/2 c  Pearl barley                        4 tb Butter
      1    Clove garlic, minced                8 c  Chicken broth
    1/2 c  Finely chopped onion              3/4 lb Mushrooms (4 c) chopped
    1/2 c  Finely chopped celery                    Salt and white pepper
to tas

  Soak barley in water overnight. Saute gfarlic, onion and celery in butter
  until tender.  Drain barley and add to vegetables. Saute 10 minutes
longer,
  until barley becomes thick. Add chicken broth and mushrooms and simmer,
  covered, until barley is tender (about 1 hour). Season to taste with salt
  and pepper. Makes 9 cups From: The Village Restaurant, Disney World

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