Face Masks

Aloha Everyone,

One of our daughter-in-law’s friends began sewing face masks to give away to First Responders as early as in April. This friend also gave our daughter-in-law about two dozen or so face masks. 

These face masks come in different colors and fabrics.  They are washable thus reusable.  Some face masks are secured with ribbons behind your head and others are worn with elastics either looped around your head or around your ears.  I tried different ones every day for the past seven days.  As you might have guessed, I chose the most comfortable face mask for today’s walk.

CDC recommends “all people 2 years age and older wear a cloth face covering in public setting and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.”

The latest news on COVID-19 cases in California is alarming with about 300,000 cases across the state.  We must be individually responsible and do our share in reversing the curve.

Aloha -- Cathi

Hamilton, Broadway Musical

Aloha Everyone,

Alexander Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was the First Secretary of the US Treasury under President George Washington. Hamilton was a legal scholar, military commander, lawyer and banker. Born in the British West Indies circa 1755, Hamilton died from a gunshot wound received while dueling with Aaron Burr.

Ambitious, superbly intelligent and a quick learner, Alexander Hamilton rose from a very humble birth to become one of the most influential persons of his time.

Lin Manuel Miranda, the composer and star of the Broadway Musical, Hamilton, the Revolution is just as fascinating. Presenting such a historical figure and events using Hip Hop and multi-racial casts was a bold step to take. Since our daughter-in-law and granddaughter saw the Broadway Musical of Hamilton in New York last summer with her parents, I have been waiting to have a chance to see it.

With Disney+ releasing the filmed version of the actual play is truly remarkable. Now quality online entertainment is available to much wider audiences than before at a packaged cost of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ for $12.98 per month.

All I can say it, it was entertaining!!!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.biography.com/.amp/political-figure/alexander-hamilton

Aloha -- Cathi

San Diego Farmer’s Markets

Aloha Everyone,

This week our daughter-in-law’s friend picked up some delicious fruits and vegetables for us from the San Diego Farmer’s Market.

Officially known as “San Diego Certified Farmers Markets, the produce are grown in California, meeting all California’s strict quality standards.

Among the more unusual fruits were Saturn peach, also known as donuts peach due to their flat shape.

Aloha -- Cathi

California Strawberries

Aloha Everyone,

We are coming to an end of this year’s strawberry season. While individual fruit size has diminished, they are still sweet. We are grateful, as all through the past three months of the COVID-19 pandemic’s sheltering-in-place, we were able to enjoy a steady supply of these delicious seasonal treats.

According to data provided by the California Strawberry Commission, each year, about 75% of the crop are harvested for the fresh market. The remainders are frozen for the processed market. While a majority of strawberries are consumed locally, about 15% of the fresh strawberries are exported.

Eating a cup of strawberries every morning gives a quick energy for the day. Strawberries are fat free, sodium free and cholesterol free. High in antioxidants, full of fiber and vitamins, they are, eaten purely as fresh fruits, is a guilt-free treat.

Aloha -- Cathi

Movie Nights, Maleficent and Maleficent 2

Aloha Everyone,

Just by looking at the title, you know it has to do with something evil. The main character portrayed skillfully by Angelina Jolie started as a beautiful young woman with a pure heart. How Maleficent became the wicked horned witch as well as charming princess Aurora’s godmother is contained in the first movie.

The development of the story line is familiar but there is a nice twist. Of course nothing stays in bliss, peace and happiness and thus the sequel.

Maleficent 2 tried to include too many elements in the story line. Additional 20 minutes compared to the the first Maleficent film did not help much. Elle Fanning’s performance as Princess Aurora along with Angelina Jolie in both films gave a continuity.

Similarities of screen play to Game of Thrones, similarities of special effects, visual effects and cinematography to Lord of the Rings series, Harry Potter series and How to Train Your Dragon, especially part 3 were very evident.

As a fantasy/adventure film fan, I still found these movies entertaining and enjoyable.

Aloha -- Cathi