Yesterday I spoke with my dear friend Larry who I haven’t seen for a long time. He and I have known each other for many years. I also know his family very well. Anyway, whenever we meet or talk, somehow the conversation comes to his and his family’s favorite subject, “Food.”
Larry is a very special person. He’s a funny guy and food is a big part of his life. While I am a very picky eater, he eats everything, and everything tastes good to him. Well, one of us probably has no taste……… 🙂
The truth is, Larry isn’t the only friend of mine that liked to eat. But he is the champion of them all. Every time we went to a restaurant and I left food on my plate, he used to finish it off. He says “you should never leave food on your plate because there are many people who go to bed hungry at night. Plus you are insulting the chef.”
A few times a year Larry gets together with old friends he grew up with. They usually meet for dinner and chat for a few hours. They do a lot of reminiscing about their years together in elementary school and high school. Since all of them have big appetites, I would frequently laugh at him and ask, did the restaurant have anything left to serve by the end of their evening together?!……….
However, Larry and his immediate family were regularly around his grandparents and his extended family. Food was always part of the story here too. The family get togethers were almost always at his grandparents’ house. They would meet to celebrate birthdays, holidays, or for no special reason at all. Many of his favorite memories growing up were from the times he spent at their home.
Larry’s grandmother was an amazing cook. She would sometimes spend a week preparing meals for a gathering of 30 people in her home. She never complained about all the work she had to do, and the food was always delicious and plentiful. The joke in his family was that no one ever left their house feeling hungry. But there was a trick to this. You had to get food off the serving plate and onto your plate really quickly or else it would disappear before your eyes……. 🙂 Larry remembers everyone reaching for food at the same time; his aunts and uncles, his dad and grandfather, cousins…..everyone. Seriously. Big serving plates or bowls would be empty if you delayed taking your share…….. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Nevertheless, the front door at Larry’s grandparents was always open for everyone. Family and friends would come and go as they pleased. If you went there one day by mistake, you would see the smiling face of Larry’s grandmother, wearing an apron that was covered with flour. On the table, you’d find two big bowls full of dough and she was busy making cookies. You would think there must be some kind of special occasion, otherwise, why did she have so much dough ready for the oven? But you’d quickly find out this was the desert for a regular family meal…….. 🙂
Larry used to occasionally bring friends from school to their house for lunch. His buddies would see how much food his grandmother prepared and would ask, how many other people they were expecting to show up for the meal. And he would say “it is just for the three or four of us”…. (It depends how many friends he brought with him that day) The boys would open their eyes wide and say WOW there’s enough food on the table to feed an army.
Several years ago I went with Larry to visit his cousin. His cousin’s wife told me that years before they got married, she went with her fiance to visit his family in Canada. It was the first time she met Larry and his brother, and naturally, they all went out to eat. Each of the three men ordered a large (family size) pizza and finished it off in no time. She couldn’t believe what she saw. She sat there dumbfounded, not knowing what to say. But this was nothing unusual for the guys…Â Although approximately 20 years have passed since that evening, she still talks about it.
Larry always said that his dream was to open a restaurant and name it after his grandmother. Every time he said that I rolled my eyes and said it wasn’t such a good idea, because he and his family would eat all the profits and there would be no food left for his customers….. 🙂 I can just imagine him in the kitchen wearing an apron, forgetting that the food is not for him, and saying “WOW, everything looks so good, I have to taste this…………..and this………….and that……….. and look at that beautiful piece of meat……… 🙂
You could see the sparks in his eyes every time Larry spoke about that time at his grandparents’ house. When he told me those stories, I realized they took place in a time before there was an internet and social media. There weren’t cell phones, and all the distractions we have today. People used to sit and really talk to each other face to face. Unbelievable eh…..
In the end, each of us is shaped by our experiences when we were growing up. Happy memories like these are the ones that stay with us forever. They also help us when we are going through difficult times. They give us perspective and hope that not everything is negative and bad……..
The entire conversation was with David as Julia was busy with her phone. It was a bloody warm day and we weren’t even offered a glass of water. When we wanted to leave, David escorted us to the lobby while Julia went back to her computer without saying goodbye. Needless to say, we weren’t impressed.
God forgive me but I think there is something wrong with Julia which I can’t quite put my finger on. I can’t help but wonder how those two communicate with each other, as Julia is extremely introverted. It’s as though she is in her own little world…….
After our visit, I understood why David’s children were trying to come to some understanding with Julia’s family and not with her as she doesn’t communicate. Mind you, it doesn’t mean she is not an intelligent person. I also learned David pays a huge amount of money for the decor and for the activities that are offered in the retirement complex which he doesn’t make use of.
I noticed something else during our visit, although David and Julia got married not too long ago, they did not look happy together. In fact, they looked more like roommates than a married couple. I have known David for many years and he was always an outgoing person. He was also a good host. But the David I saw a few months ago was far from the one I knew.
Anyway, David’s children are determined to protect their father even though there is a price to pay for it. They hired a lawyer and demanded Julia pay half of the expenses as agreed to in the prenup. David finds this frustrating and he is sure his children are conspiring against him. He keeps saying Julia doesn’t have any money to contribute to the household expenses, but this doesn’t make any sense. Julia, who is approximately 70 and never married before, was a government employee for many years. She started collecting a pension after she retired. In addition, she received social security every month. She had her own apartment and lived comfortably before they got married.
David and Julia have been married for two years now. The question is this, if she had no money, how did she support herself before she met Mr. Moneybags……?! In my view, David doesn’t understand what he got himself into. Instead of taking care of himself, he has to take care of Julia as well. I believe someone put the idea in his head that she is his responsibility. In retrospect, he should not have married Julia.
As David got older, he retired and suddenly had all this free time on his hands. He is the kind of person who needed help with direction which he got from Ann. She used to encourage him to go out and meet with friends, attend lectures, and go speed walking in the city. Ann’s death left a big void in his life. He didn’t know what to do with himself and was afraid to stay alone. Since he knew Julia before, in a way moving forward with her seemed easy for him.
In hindsight, I don’t think he took the time to grieve for Ann. He likely jumped into this marriage too quickly. God forbid I am not saying that Julia is a bad person, not at all. She is probably harmless but is not the right person for David. I think David made a huge mistake by selling his house and even worse by not involving his children. He could have stayed in it and got some help with the household chores. But it is water under the bridge now.
Nevertheless, David’s children will continue to fight for him, including going to court if necessary. In my opinion, Julia should definitely pay her share. But the first step is for them to leave the “hotel” they have been living in.
When parents get older, they sometimes behave like small children. Therefore, one has to pay close attention and guide them if required. Sadly, many times there are serious consequences that complicate the relationship with them, especially if the older parent suffers from cognitive impairment. They do not understand that you are trying to protect them. They think perhaps you are trying to control their life or even worse, steal their money. I know for sure if David was my father I would take it very hard. So I can only imagine how his children feel.
The mere thought that this injustice cannot be stopped makes me crazy. Furthermore, David does not fully comprehend what is taking place and he is strongly influenced by what Julia’s family tells him. If David keeps listening to them, he will go bankrupt shortly. Then his children will have to support him and he will be completely dependent on them. Obviously, no one wants this to happen.
However, after countless attempts to reach an agreement with Julia to pay her share, David’s children gave up. She ignored them most of the time and repeatedly refused to speak with them. After serious deliberation, they came to the conclusion there was no other solution but to sue her. I’m sure the process will be long and tedious. It will probably also cost a lot of money, as the wheels of justice grind slowly. But in the end, justice will prevail……
The relationship between David and Julia’s family became closer after he got married. He and his new wife started spending more time with her family. Julia’s family has been giving David advice and the truth is, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out they were doing this even before they got married.
Anyway, not too long after David announced his intention to sell his apartment, the apartment was sold. David did not involve his children in the decision about selling the house or buying something else. He and Julia moved to a retirement complex that is close to where David’s brother and sister-in-law live. David said the place was beautiful and meets his and his wife’s needs. I have to say that at the time I hadn’t met Julia yet, but a member of the family who met her said she wasn’t so communicative. I thought the person was exaggerating.
Nevertheless, a little while later after David and Julia moved to the new apartment, his kids found out their father was paying a huge amount of money for rent. This came as a shock to them. Furthermore, David was paying the entire amount himself. I would like to mention that David and Julia have a prenup agreement. According to the agreement, as long as Julia lives in David’s house, she doesn’t have to contribute to the household expenses. However, if they rent a house or apartment, the expenses must be shared equally. Well, I wonder who had an interest in drafting this unjust agreement……
David’s children were worried about his new spendthrift ways. For that reason, they decided to bring in a financial planner who reviewed his situation. The financial planner stated unequivocally that David cannot afford to spend the amount of money he has been spending on rent. Otherwise, the money he has would last no more than four years. Bay the way, nobody knows why Julia doesn’t pay her share, but we know for sure she can afford it.
The truth is that even if Julia contributes her part, his funds will only last an additional four years as he bit off more than he could chew……. Moreover, David’s family suspects that he paid all the expenses for the two of them since they met. David has always been a generous person, but was cautious as well. There is no way he would spend that sum if he was thinking clearly.
Because of his condition, he is incapable of making decisions on his own. I hope I am wrong, but I have a feeling that David has been taken advantage of ………. 😦 Anyhow, when David and Ann wrote their wills, they gave their children power of attorney in case they were incapacitated. Therefore, David’s children have the authority to make financial decisions and probably medical decisions as well.
Since his children learned about his condition, they have been trying to talk some sense into him. They try to persuade him to leave this fancy place and move to an apartment he can afford. They also want to bring him some household help. They do not want to hurt him or his wife. In fact, they also tried to talk with Julia’s sister and brother-in-law in order to find a solution acceptable to everyone.
David’s kids showed them the medical reports that prove he is not well. But Julia’s family insisted that there is nothing wrong with him. They also said they would not cooperate with the children until they revoke the power of attorney. Frankly, when I heard that, I did not understand why David’s children bothered speaking with Julia’s family and not with her. After all, she is an adult. I figured out the reason later on.
My husband and I went to visit David a few months ago. When we entered the retirement place we were surprised by what we saw. It looked like a five star hotel. Everything we saw was very impressive. There was a lot of staff throughout the lobby who were willing to help. When we got to David and Julia’s apartment, we were very disappointed. The apartment was the size of a shoebox. We felt claustrophobic as the rooms were very small.
Anyhow, Julia was sitting at the computer in one of the rooms and came out when we entered the apartment. I don’t remember if she greeted us, but I do remember she did not make eye contact at all. She sat down on the couch in front of us and brought her knees up to her chest. Then she crossed one leg over the other at a ninety degree angle. She held her cell phone in one hand and with the other, she massaged her toes, while her foot was pointed towards us. Since the room was so small, the distance between us was short. Therefore, we felt as if her foot was close to our faces……….
I have no problem with people who feel comfortable in their own homes. It’s perfectly fine. But to massage your toes in front of your husband’s guests who were sitting so close to you, seriously?…… it’s really disgusting……. In addition, she was staring at her cell phone like a teenager the entire visit, which lasted maybe half an hour………
David and Ann were married for more than fifty years. They have four children, nine grandchildren, and quite a few great-grandchildren. They used to do almost everything together. A few months before Ann’s 75th birthday, she didn’t feel well. When she went to see her physician, she didn’t know it would be the beginning of a fateful journey for her. She was sent for a few tests and when she received the results, it turned out she had colon cancer.
Just a brief introduction to the survival rates for colon cancer that were taken from the American Cancer Society website. When cancer is found early, it can frequently be cured. If it is diagnosed at a localized stage, the survival rate is 90%. Regional means when it spread to surrounding areas and the survival rate is 71%. Distant means when cancer has spread to distant parts of the body such as the liver, lungs, kidney, etc, then the survival rate is 14%. It is therefore very important to have the tests for purposes of early detection.
However, after Ann got the initial results she was sent for comprehensive testing to assess her situation. The diagnosis was devastating. The doctors told her that cancer had spread throughout her body and there was very little they could do for her. Sadly Ann’s health deteriorated fast. From an independent woman, she became dependent on her family especially her husband.
Because her illness was terminal, she was at home most of the time. Her children frequently visited her and did their best to help her. Her husband, who was very loving and devoted, was at her side all the time. Many times he had to rush her to the hospital in the middle of the night as she was in terrible pain. Even though Ann was very ill, she was worried about David. She told him more than once he should not stay alone after she dies. She also told her children to look after their father.
Ann’s family saw their loved one slipping away from them and they couldn’t do a damn thing about it. Her suffering was unbearable to see. Unfortunately, Ann did not survive for long. Approximately six months after she was diagnosed, she was gone. Ann’s death was extremely hard on everyone in the family, particularly on David who not only lost his wife, but also his partner for over fifty years. He was completely lost without her although his kids went above and beyond to ensure he didn’t stay by himself. However, Ann and David had neighbors who they were friendly with. The wife had a sister Julia who was single at that time. Anne and David knew her since Julia used to visit her sister and brother-in-law fairly often.
Shortly after Ann passed away, Julia’s sister Sharon tried to set her up with David. Sharon used to invite David for dinners. She suggested he join them on their family trips which David accepted as he was lonely and miserable after Ann was gone. Sharon did whatever she could to bring Julia and David closer together. David looked happier since he had company. In the beginning, David joined Julia’s family on trips and for dinners. Later on, he and Julia went to the theater, and took trips overseas together, without a babysitter… 🙂
David started introducing Julia to his family as his girlfriend. He took her to meet his family overseas. Some of his family thought it was too soon for him to start a new chapter in his life, while some thought he should move on with his life as soon as possible. When David announced he and Julia were getting married, everybody was surprised.
By the way, David is my distant relative, and not that anyone asked for my opinion, but I thought it was an excellent move, as David wasn’t a spring chicken anymore and he shouldn’t wait any longer. Also, he was lonely and it wasn’t healthy for him to be by himself, especially after what he went through with Ann which traumatized him. Besides, the man was trying to survive and I thought everyone should give him a break. The truth is that I was happy for him.
Nevertheless, after the couple got married, Julia moved in with David. Approximately a year after they got married, David decided to sell the apartment he and Ann lived in. Apparently, David did all the cooking and housework by himself. It was more than he could handle. Surprisingly he didn’t get any help from Julia, and I can’t help but wonder if she contributed anything to the household at all.
Anyway, David suffered from a memory problem long before Ann passed away. He even went to see a physician who didn’t do anything about it (at least from what I’ve heard). When David went to see a different doctor a few years later he was sent for some tests and was diagnosed as borderline dementia. As soon as his children learned the results of his tests, they took his car keys away from him which didn’t make him very happy………………
It was heartbreaking to see on TV and social media how George Floyd was executed by a police officer. The cop, or should I say, the capo……… mercilessly crushed his head while his colleagues stood next to him and did nothing to stop the horror. The officer completely ignored Floyd’s pleas when he repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe. Instead, he kept squeezing the poor guy’s head to the pavement until his victim took his last breath.
I am not naive and wasn’t born yesterday. I heard more than once about some police officers who behave worse than criminals. But this was the first time I actually saw it and it shocked me. These are people we normally look up to and rely on for our safety……..
There is bigotry and racism in every country. Minorities suffer all over the world. There are quite a few countries where if you do not (for example) belong to the religion of the majority, they make your life miserable. If someone says that his country is devoid of any racism, he is either a liar or a fool.
However, what happened after this murder was no less disturbing than the cop’s behaviour. I was sick to my stomach watching the events unfold on TV. It clear that the violent protesters have no respect for law and order at all. Or should I call them domestic terrorists? They were breaking into stores some with their faces clearly visible, taking anything they could get their hands on, and destroying everything around them.
Some of the protesters came armed as though they were going to war. Several of them had baseball bats, rocks and bottles, etc. They also threw Molotov cocktails at the police officers while they were wearing gas masks. Is that terrorism or what?!
I don’t think these events have much to do with George Floyd. Riots and thug-like behaviour besmirches his memory. They aren’t being respectful towards his family as well. Peaceful protests are our right but vandalizing property, looting private businesses, destroying police vehicles, etc, is not a human right. It is indefensible. I can’t help but think that someone was behind these violent protests. Some have said that the people or groups behind the violence were waiting for the right opportunity. They just took advantage of the situation to spring into action. sadly, I see so much hate in this scenario.
Everyone condemned George Floyd’s murder and so it should be. However, far too many politicians have not denounced the violence. As well hardly any citizens spoke out against the rioting and destruction taking place in America’s cities. There is no perfect society and racism is unfortunately still found in America along with many other countries.
Racism and bigotry should be called out and fought against wherever they are found. It is against the law, the question is what are the authorities doing to enforce it? Every life is precious and every life lost is a tragedy. Too many people are trying to divide America into groups and play the identity politics card. It is not only hurtful, it turns one group against another and tears societies apart. This can destroy a country.
There are people who have an interest in keeping violence on the streets as it serves their agenda. In fact, they wish the situation would be escalated until the election. For this reason, they have been bailing out the looters to get them back on the street as quickly as possible. As well, radical activists are taking advantage of the delicate circumstances to incite the mob among the peaceful protesters. It’s a disgrace.
Let’s also not forget that the coronavirus is still here. It hasn’t gone away and it does not discriminate in favour of one group over another. Everyone is in this together. We are all at risk and we depend on each other to stay safe. It would be good for the fanatics to remember this next time someone wants to trash a store or throw rocks at the police.
Many people are struggling financially especially those who are out of work and those whose businesses have closed down. It’s during these most difficult times that the violent protesters have decided to give them a knockout punch to the head, which they will never recover from…… 😦 I must point out that seeing some of the peaceful protesters blocking the entrances to businesses from looters was quite heartwarming 🙂
I wonder what will happen to those businesses in the large cities which were looted during the riots. Will the owners reopen them, even though recent events illustrate their businesses cannot be protected by the police? Why would anyone choose to invest in a place where law and order are only a recommendation?
I am so sorry to see those beautiful cities which I liked visiting, being destroyed. The truth is, it is beyond me why anyone would want their city to be ruined. Who benefits from this chaos? I can only imagine what it does to the confidence of the residents when they see their law enforcement powerless.
Finally, something that should disturb every law-abiding citizen, some politicians, celebrities, and activists are calling for defunding of the police………….. Seriously……. who is going to protect the citizens?…………The anarchists?! The celebrities ah ha… these are not the ones who surround themselves with walls and bodyguards?! And politicians, are they willing to give up on their and their family’s security guards as well?……….. Obviously, the lives of others are cheap and not important…………
Indeed there are a few rotten apples in every barrel. Still, most of the police officers are decent, dedicated, and committed to keeping everyone safe.
We used to take many activities for granted. Such as going to the grocery store, going to a restaurant, among others. Now we can’t. Everything has changed. We need to change our way of thinking and how we live our lives. Maybe things will go back to what we called “normal” once there is a vaccine that will protect us against the virus. But getting to that point is at least a year away.
Wherever I go now, I always wear gloves and a mask when I have one. I avoid going shopping unless I have to, and won’t go just for one or two items that can usually wait. I also use disinfecting wipes every day to clean doorknobs, light switches, my cell phone, etc. I wipe anything that I think could have come in contact with an infected person or a surface that might have been contaminated. This is a huge change from just a few months ago.
However, I can’t get used to standing in line to get into a grocery store. And even worse, there are long lines to pay and get out. In addition, you’re lucky if you find most of the items on your shopping list. Frozen foods and baking supplies are frequently out of stock. We see reports on TV and online that people are baking more and hoarding food.
It seems to me that many people will have to size up the next time they buy clothing…….. 🙂 as the gyms are closed, outdoor sports have been banned, and many parks have also been closed. I guess all that’s left for people to do is sit around at home and eat. Oh well…… Now that I think about it…… it’s not a bad idea……… 🙂
Everyone has become a chef or baker these days. People put their creations on YouTube, including my neighbor who couldn’t fry an egg without burning it. He hasn’t been working since the virus showed up, so he is busy baking. He bought tons of flour, while I can’t find a single package for sale in the grocery store.
Whenever he bakes something, he knocks on my door. When I open it he always says “sorry to disturb you” (SO DON’T) and pushes his head in without wearing a mask which unnerves me each time. Then he asks if I can taste his creation and I think to myself……. “why me again…Â of all the neighbors”……but I say nothing. A glimpse of what he holds in his hands, that looks more like a sole than a cake……. is enough for me to decline his request……
The truth is that most of the time I come up with some excuse not to be the taste tester. I didn’t survive the Coronavirus to die from eating his “Inventions”……….. 🙂 The funny thing is when I ask him to sell me some flour, he says “Oh no, I need it for my YouTube videos”…………. What the hell, this is how you treat someone who risked his life for you?!……. Oh well, at least once in a blue moon……… 🙂
Anyway, I wonder how restaurants and coffee shops will adapt. The take out area was always small, and the waiting space also had people standing right next to one another. The seating section will probably have fewer tables available, with them all spread out more.
Another possibility is time limits on tables. In other words, you could only stay at a table in a restaurant for a maximum amount of time. I have a vision of a hostess with blowing a whistle and shouting “Next”…… 🙂 This could work if people ordered their meals online ahead of time. I could see take out and delivery being a much bigger part of their business from now on.
The experts have been consistent about keeping a distance from others. This makes a lot of sense, and I admit it took me a while to get used to it but I adjusted. Then I see stories on TV about large numbers of people going to parks and beaches and not following social distancing protocols. It is irritating although I understand that everyone is tired of staying indoors, and want to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. But being too close to others is a good way to either infect others or be infected by someone else. Besides, what about being responsible……….
As much as I enjoy going on vacation, I couldn’t imagine getting on a plane now. The airlines had poor reputations for years regarding the cleanliness of their planes. And now we are supposed to believe that all of a sudden the planes are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected? And last but not least, there is no such thing as social distancing while on a flight. I have no faith that flying will be safe for passengers anytime soon.
There are also big adjustments in doctor’s offices and dental offices too. Many doctors are only speaking with patients by phone or by video calls, and their offices are closed. Dental offices have also been closed except for emergencies. Maybe there will be fewer office visits with doctors from now on. It’s too early to tell, but I’d rather not have to sit in a crowded waiting room for my turn to see a doctor. On the other hand, it’s hard to get your teeth cleaned or have a dental check-up by video conference……… Who knows, maybe right now someone somewhere is already working on a new startup…. a self check-up and cleaning dental device………….
I have a feeling more and more people will be working from home, and video conferencing will be a bigger part of our lives. This isn’t such a bad thing as people spend a lot of time commuting to and from work. The roads are always clogged, the buses and subways are full, and it amounts to a lot of wasted time and lost productivity. With more people working from home, companies will need less office space which hopefully can be used for other purposes such as more housing in our urban areas.
In that case, employers should pay us much more as they’re saving piles of money on office space…… Yeah right ….. When hell freezes over………………
1. Let’s review the last few months coping with Covid-19. We are in prison for more than 2 months, even though we didn’t commit any crime. Social activities and interactions have not been allowed. Therefore, families spend more time in close contact with each other, and in many cases, this is a positive outcome. But there are some downsides too. Quite a number of people experience stress due to losing their source of income which can make the atmosphere at home extremely tense. Unfortunately, violence against women and children has been exacerbated during the current crisis.
People are angry about losing their freedom and their inability to enjoy life, as well as coping with anxiety and fear. Sometimes it is the result of consuming too much Coronavirus news or from the huge amount of disinformation they get from social media about the disease.
2. ALERT! We shouldn’t ignore what has been happening with our seniors. One of the most disturbing things is seeing them in residences or long term facilities where they have been under total quarantine for months. It’s heartbreaking to hear they suffer from loneliness and depression and their families have been unable to visit them. In addition, they have been neglected for a while now due to shortages in staff even though they are prime candidates to catch the virus. Seniors should not be forgotten as they are helpless and vulnerable and must be protected. The important thing to remember is thanks to them we are here………
3. Scrub and scrub some more. Due to Covid-19, I’ve become increasingly paranoid over the past few months. Like so many other people, I admit I overreact. If anyone comes near me, I’m convinced I will be infected. When I come home from the grocery store, I clean everything with sterilizing wipes. I wash all the fruit and vegetables with soap and water. I don’t know if all this work is really necessary, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Luckily the habit of washing my hands has always been an integral part of my daily routine.
4. Tender loving care for airplanes. I’ve been thinking lately that I may be unable to travel overseas to visit my relatives for some time. Flights may be more expensive in the future as the airlines will have to make a lot of changes. They will finally be forced to thoroughly clean and disinfect the planes as they should have done long ago. It’s also about time they finally clean the blankets and pillows. This way I won’t have to smell someone else’s body odor or the smell of their stinky feet on them……….. Yuk.
5. Hygiene. I’m sure most people will be much more conscious of hygiene from now on. I hope they will wash their hands more often, cover their mouths when they sneeze, and I think social distancing will become part of our way of life too. In addition, I don’t think people will rush to get on flights anytime soon, and they will stay away from crowded places like pubs and shopping malls…… 😦 😦
6. Symptoms. Anyhow, anyone who coughs or sneezes in public nowadays immediately gets suspicious or dirty looks from others around them. In my opinion, people should put a note on their foreheads which says: “I’m not infected. I have seasonal allergies” or “I start sneezing every time my mother-in-law is around…….”
7. Gloves, anyone? Furthermore, most people are wearing gloves all the time. But when I do see someone’s hands, they look like they’ve been scrubbing them with sandpaper……. It looks like everyone works in construction as their hands look chapped and dry, probably from washing their hands so often.
8. What a mask. Regarding face masks, the instructions for wearing them are inconclusive as doctors have different opinions on this issue. In any case, since masks cannot be easily found in any of the stores or online, people use disposable masks multiple times, or improvise their own which are not necessarily effective.
Apropos face masks, the virus revealed the creativity which was hiding deep inside many of us. Otherwise, it is impossible to explain the unusual masks some people have been wearing. They come in all different colors, and some have designs on them too. Two days ago the person behind me in line waiting to get into the grocery store, was wearing something black and hairy that looked like a mask. From where I was standing It looked as though he swallowed a squirrel, and the tail was hanging out of his mouth…….. 🙂 🙂
I have also seen a number of people who were wearing gas masks everywhere they go which are meant to protect themselves against poisonous gases. I guess people are trying to have some fun and lower the level of tension too………..or they are losing it………… 🙂
9. In other news. There seems to be more cars on the road the last few weeks, but people are driving a little slower and aren’t in a big rush to get somewhere. Nevertheless, you can still hear the birds all the time. They aren’t being drowned out by the sounds of all the traffic driving by, the car horns blowing, and sirens from ambulances and firetrucks.
10. If you can’t go to the zoo, don’t worry, the zoo will come to you. You can see wildlife in the cities, even during the day. The animals feel free to walk around and go to places where humans were always present but aren’t there much anymore, like on beaches and in the parks. I’m sure the animals are happy now, as they are free to roam around. They are reclaiming their property!
There has been some good news lately. The number of infected people is slowly dropping and governments are cautiously allowing more businesses to open. It’s important that people get back to work, get their paychecks, and the economy starts to grow again.
11. If anyone would ask. There is one business that must open immediately, and it is the hairstylist salons. As I know a few men who desperately need their services. For example, our Prime Minister, as well as my precious husband, who is in competition with me to see whose hair is longer…….. 🙂
12. A final thought. In the end, I really hope that we will beat the Coronavirus as soon as possible before people die from starvation or depression…….
Bruno was an accountant and when he was alive he took care of all their financial matters, while Mary was busy running the business. After his death, she slowly began to learn about bookkeeping. But she wasn’t knowledgeable enough to take over. Mary didn’t even notice the money and the chequebooks were missing.
There were many upheavals that occurred in Mary’s life in a short period of time since Bruno passed away. She was trying to survive and focus on her recovery. She could not imagine that the woman she trusted was deceiving her. The worst of it was when Erica allowed her friend to abuse her precious son.
After all the locks in her house were replaced, Mary filed a complaint with the police, and Erica was arrested. The police couldn’t find Julio and his friend who turned out were wanted for a long time. They were part of an organized criminal gang that terrorized the local community. After Erica was arrested, Mary started receiving threats non-stop on her and her son’s lives which greatly affected her health. People would loudly knock on her door in the middle of the night. They also put threatening letters in her mailbox and broke some windows in her house.
She became anxious and was afraid of staying by herself. Mary couldn’t stand the pressure and had another heart attack which almost killed her. Mary then decided to drop the charges against Erica. But the police wouldn’t release her as she was an illegal immigrant. The threats on her life continued as long as Erica was in prison. Mary was forced to hire a lawyer for Erica and she did. Mary was left alone after Erica was released but she never recovered. She was devastated and her health was deteriorating.
Mary sold her house and went to live in a retirement home where she could get 24 hour care. When Carmen came to see her and told her about Jacob, Mary decided to speak up and tell her story. She also agreed to speak with the police as she wanted to help Jacob and felt she had nothing to lose anymore. After hearing Mary’s story, Kelly knew it would be irresponsible for her to let her father return to his house.
However, according to the tests he had later on, Kelly realized that Jacob’s medical condition deteriorated. Apparently, he wasn’t regularly taking his medication. This time Jacob agreed to stay in his daughter’s house and Kelly brought him a personal support worker to take care of his needs. In the meantime, Kelly hired the best private detective in the area.
The P.I. brought Kelly evidence that Julio lived in Jacob’s house with his lover Erica. He told Kelly that the couple was negotiating with a number of people for the purchase of her father’s house. Erica presented herself as the owner of the house and used Jacob’s family name. In addition, he interviewed Erica’s Aunt Celeste among others, who were deceived and went bankrupt because of Erica and Julio. Celeste and the others were persuaded to file a complaint against the couple.
The P.I. brought more than enough proof which indicated that Erica and Julio were cold and calculating con artists. Kelly went to the police with an enormous amount of material. She also gave them the names and addresses of people who were ready to testify. Erica was arrested but Julio escaped.
At first, Erica refused to cooperate with the police before speaking to a lawyer. In the presence of a lawyer, she said that Jacob was her husband, she loved him and took care of him since he got sick. She showed them documents signed by Jacob transferring the ownership of the house to her. In addition, the documents gave her access to his bank accounts and investments. Erica vehemently refused to speak about Julio. She only said he was a handyman who she used for odd jobs around the house.
Erica was just a small fish as far as the police were concerned. They wanted to get their hands on the mastermind who controlled the gang. The police decided to put pressure on Erica as they were convinced she knew much more than she was willing to say. They showed her the interviews with her Aunt and Mary who were eager to testify against her, as well as pictures of her and Julio in intimate moments which unquestionably proved their close personal relationship.
The detective also played video recordings where they were discussing their plans including selling Jacob’s house. They planned to withdraw large sums from his bank accounts as soon as possible before they would be exposed by Kelly. Julio and Erica mentioned the names of some of the gang members and their lawyer in the video recordings. The police drew Erica’s attention to the fact that the lawyer, who had a very bad reputation, was arrested as well. To save his butt, he was already prepared to make a deal with the prosecutor.
Erica froze upon hearing this news. She realized she could receive a long jail sentence. The police also told her that her children would be taken away from her by the child welfare authorities. Erica was terrified…… Then the police said they had an offer for her to turn state’s evidence, in exchange for immunity from prosecution. But the expression on her face didn’t change and she still looked frightened.
Erica knew testifying against the gang would be a death sentence for her and her children. On the other hand, she couldn’t live with the thought that her children would be taken away by strangers. After consulting with her lawyer she understood she was in deep legal trouble. Erica had no way out of the quagmire. A few days later she was found hanging in her cell and was declared dead.
All of Jacob’s assets were embezzled. However, he still had his house as the court ruled that his signature on the transfer of ownership was invalid due to his illness. Despite everything Erica put her family through, Kelly was determined to adopt her children. As they did not have any family in the state except Jacob who was like a grandfather to them.
Julio and Carlos another member of the gang were caught several months after Erica’s death. They tried to cross the border into Mexico. They were armed and fired at the police when they realized they were closing in on them. The police killed Julio and slightly wounded Carlos. He was arrested and was interrogated day and night. He was tough but ended up betraying the whole gang and started to sing……..
Mary was in her seventies. She was a very sick woman but sharp like a tack. She was a widow and her only son Guy was autistic. Mary owned a spa and worked most of the time, particularly after her husband passed away.
She was introduced to Erica a few years before when she was looking for a part time housekeeper. Erica made a good impression on her and Mary hired her immediately. Erica was an excellent cook and always made sure to prepare Mary and her son’s favorite meals. In addition to the cooking, Erica cleaned the house, did the laundry, and all the household shopping. Mary really liked Erica and was generous with her. Over time they became like family.
Mary had several credit cards that she used for her business. One day she received a phone call from her credit card company, asking her about an unusual purchase she made for her spa, which Mary denied making. Shortly afterward, she regularly got similar phone calls from credit card companies asking about other purchases. Later on, she realized that a special piece of jewelry she inherited from her mother was missing from the safe she had at home.
Mary’s husband installed security cameras in their house many years before and he checked the videos pretty often. But since he died, nobody looked at them. After her jewelry went missing and she couldn’t find the videos on the computer, Mary asked her nephew to look for them, but he didn’t find anything either. When he checked the cameras, he found they were disconnected…….
Mary decided to install a new home security system. But then she had a severe heart attack and was hospitalized for a while and the installation was postponed. Mary never suspected Erica was responsible for the missing jewelry or for stealing her credit card details. She therefore appreciated her offer to work full time and assist her in her home after she was released from rehab.
Nevertheless, on her doctor’s orders, Mary reduced her working hours. She worked mainly from home and Erica was there whenever she needed her. Mary trusted Erica and would send her to do some banking for her. Erica took advantage of the access she had to Mary’s bank account and cheque books. Along with her boyfriend Julio, they stole a lot of money from her. Eventually, because Mary had a health problem, she couldn’t handle the stress of running a business. As a result, she decided to sell her spa.
However, Mary’s husband had a laptop which he would take with him everywhere. When he died suddenly she couldn’t bring herself to touch his belongings. The laptop was on a bookshelf in their bedroom since he died and nobody moved it. After Mary sold her spa, she had a lot of free time on her hands. She had a dream that one day she would write a book about her life.
When she noticed the computer lying on the shelf she thought the time had come. Mary wanted to use her precious husband’s laptop to start writing her book. With shaking hands, she took the computer and turned it on. She waited for a few moments and suddenly two images appeared on the screen. One of the images was of the living room and the main entrance of her house. The second image was of the hallway outside Bruno’s office, Guy’s bedroom, and the master bedroom.
Mary was surprised as the images were online. Then she remembered that Bruno installed two additional hidden cameras after they installed a safe in his office. She wasn’t prepared for what she saw on the follow up videos a couple of days later. The videos showed that Erica let some man, who Mary learned later on was Julio, into the house several times. They obviously knew each other well according to the affectionate way they greeted one another. While Erica was doing her chores, Julio was walking around exploring the house. He deactivated the security system like a professional.
Mary’s son lived in an institution and used to come home once a week. Guy didn’t speak and when Erica was at Mary’s house, he would follow her around wherever she went. A couple of videos showed Julio aggressively pushing the son to his room and closing the door behind him while Guy was pounding on the door. This was very traumatic for Mary to see as her son was helpless.
Anyway, after Julio mercilessly locked Guy in his room for hours, he went to Bruno’s office. He wasn’t there by himself. He came with another man and both of them attempted to open the safe until they finally succeeded. They took some cheque books, cash, and jewelry. They also took pictures of the business credit cards and put all the cards back in the safe. Those credit cards were canceled later on by the bank. Then a light went on in Mary’s head. She immediately checked the most recent transactions in her chequing account and saw there were some large cheques recently cashed. Mary panicked……
When Kelly went to see the doctor, she told him her Father said he was diagnosed with Dementia, even though Jacob never said that. Kelly hoped that the doctor would take the bait and he did. Feeling more confident, she asked him for more information. Then he said in fact, Jacob had Alzheimer’s which is the most common form of Dementia. In addition, it is incurable at present.
The doctor was very helpful and gave her all the information she needed. Kelly made sure to record the conversation she had with him at her attorney’s request. But when she asked for Jacob’s medical records, he said he couldn’t forward them to her unless she had power of attorney. Kelly knew it might be a problem as she did not have one………
She went to see her father and invited him over for dinner. Jacob gladly accepted her invitation. They sat and talked after dinner. She showed him some old pictures which brought back a lot of good memories. The atmosphere was positive just like the old days. Jacob enjoyed himself and was focused. Then Kelly decided to bring up the topic of a power of attorney. At first, Jacob was surprised by her request. But then Kelly explained how important they are just in case he gets sick or is injured, and reminded him she was his only child.
Jacob smiled and then dropped a bomb and said she doesn’t have to worry as he has a wife who is looking after him. Kelly almost fainted when she heard the news. She tried hard not to lose her temper with him. She asked him why he didn’t tell her about it and Jacob whispered to her that it was a secret. He added, this time in a normal voice, that it was a fake marriage. He admitted he married Erica after she pressured him just so she could get American citizenship. In return, she promised to take care of him as long as he needed her help.
Kelly was delighted to hear his admission as she was recording every word he said. At some point, Jacob lost his focus and looked as though he was in his own little world. With regret, Kelly decided to take advantage of the situation. She had him sign two documents, giving her power of attorney over his affairs. But not before she called two of her friends and asked them to come over to be witnesses as the law requires.
Kelly received his medical records a few days later. The next step was to go to Jacob’s bank. Jacob was an economist and did very well for himself over the years. He used to invest in stocks and made a lot of money from it. Family and friends came to him for advice all the time. Jacob also had an excellent pension which meant he didn’t have to worry about money for the rest of his life.
However, when Kelly went to Jacob’s bank she found out her father had a large overdraft. Kelly asked for the last 6 monthly statements. Then she saw there were substantial withdrawals from his saving and chequing accounts. Also, large purchases were made within a short period of time which didn’t make sense. she went to see her father right away. She took him to her place so they would have some privacy.
She tried to get some information from him about his spending habits. Jacob said he hardly spent any money for a long time. Kelly asked him if he had any credit cards, and he said he had a few but didn’t know where they were. When she asked how he paid for groceries, he told her he used his debit card. Kelly had tears in her eyes as she knew for sure that her father was being taken advantage of.
Kelly called Jacob’s bank and asked them to cancel all his credit cards immediately except his debit card which had a low daily limit. In addition, she instructed the bank to put a hold on any withdrawals from his accounts without her approval.
At the same time, Carmen started to check up on Erica. She found out that Erica was a problematic and dishonest person. First of all, Carmen discovered that she was never married. Her children were from two different married men. In addition, she and her boyfriend Julio deceived quite a number of people in the Cuban community. They usually targeted people who were helpless or in the country illegally. As a result, their victims were less likely to complain to the police.
Carmen even contacted Erica’s Aunt Celeste, who didn’t want to say anything about her niece. But after talking to Celeste’s acquaintances, it became clear that Erica had stolen a lot of money from her Aunt. Carmen learned a great deal about Erica and Julio’s illegal activities. Yet none of the people she spoke with were willing to give a statement to the police except one lady……………
With Experience Comes Wisdom 