Virtual China: Gansu- The Silk Road

 

This passageway is also known as The Hexi (Hu-shee) Corridor...and runs like an artery through the central length of Gansu.

It was the single most important trade route of Northwest China.

 

It also gives us our first glimpse of The Great Wall of China.

 

These 620 miles were fought over by the Qin, Han, Tang, Xia and Yuan Dynasties.

The Silk Road was a relatively flat plain that ran through the otherwise mountainous and inhospitable landscape and permitted trade from local areas as well as neighboring countries.

A ribbon linking oasis to oasis.

Drone over The Silk Road

https://youtu.be/EpLJP_fOVYM

 Documentary

https://youtu.be/sRySHM4qn08

History of The Silk Road

https://youtu.be/aGG0kgVqhWY

Virtual Tour (...the best...)

https://youtu.be/56IzyMfLJFA

The Corridor by Rail 

https://youtu.be/OJxcNJ4KzGo

When we return we will take some time and explore The Great Wall.

Until then...

Summer Solstice...Dinosaur Dates...Sisters Day and More

 

 Summer has arrived!

And the overwhelming heat seems to have subsided here, for the moment.

Finally got the hummingbird feeders up and all of the summer stuff planted. The patio garden is shaping up.

 Our tiny spruce has branched out and become a little Christmas tree...amazing, since 4 years ago it was a straight six inch stick with needles and roots!

And we had our Dinosaur Date!

With hot, extremely buttered, popcorn and Coke...and OMG!!!!

I had read reviews (both good and bad) but this was...in my opinion...perfect!

Lots of teeth and edge of your seat moments...reuniting Claire and Owen...Ellie and Alan and Ian...Maise...The Redemption of Henry Wu...and the Karma of Dodson.

Even a cameo by the Barbasol Can from the very first JP.

Seamless CGI.

A tying up of loose ends and a wonderful way to bring closure to 30 years of JP/JW,

The scent of the adventure...everything in peach...candle, lotion, spray...and complimented by dinner and peach cobbler at O'Charley's.

We have the very BEST getaways! 

Up for breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

 By Saturday...my guy was off again.

...much to Gadget's dismay...
 

Through the hills of Kentucky with Eric and Melissa to see relatives...enjoy the 70

degree temps...experience The Mellow Mushroom Restaurant

 

 ...and catch a great car show!

And bring back raspberry doughnuts from one of the best family owned bakeries!!!

...mine is frozen until we are together again...soon!

Both of us plotting and planning Our Time for July.

John's consultation went as expected and he has a rather large mass in his left upper lobe...no biopsy yet...going to redo a CT scan in mid-July and compare the growth rate...we will know more then. He is still completely asymptomatic and feels good. 

...which is everything...

Charlcie leaving in 2 weeks for her daughter's, to live.

Diane, who has started dialysis, as they search for a donor kidney.

It is a lot.

I have had 3 bad "FRED" days in the last month...but there has been an inordinate amount of stress. I am attributing them to that. Otherwise, doing fine.

Enjoyed Sisters Day with Lisa and Tina on Saturday.

Made Taco Salads and ordered in ice cream...a lot of catch up and chat. We've already set our next for mid-July.

And saw this...

 Which I never knew existed (in an etsy shop) but now I must have...lol!

And the little Ukrainian pooch (Patron) who has been getting worldwide acclaim.

We have been getting worldwide attention this week, too.

But more in the WTH??? way. 

The SCOTUS seems to have lost its damned mind...expanded 2nd Amendment Rights...overturning Row vs Wade...both in the same week.

...obviously nobody thought THAT through...

Already Clarence Thomas is eyeballing SSM and Contraception.

...imagine his surprise when slavery is brought back...

Seriously...Supreme Court...you had ONE job.

sigh

And in less than one hour the 6th hearing of the January 6th Committee...tuning in aghast to see what was happening behind the scenes at the top.

If you aren't disgusted...well...you haven't been paying attention.

                       Vote Blue Across the Board in November!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Relief From the Heat...Cinderella Saturday...and Hummingbirds

 

Yeah...it has been a lot like this...all week!

Happily, last night and today through Sunday promise to be much cooler...then things heat up again next week.

I think it's going to be a hot summer.

Cinderella Saturday, here. Laundry...dishes...dusting...tending the patio plants and putting in the last of the summer seeds.

I finally replaced my heavy glass hummingbird feeders with lighter weight and much safer plastic. Need to fill and get them hung for the season.

Hoping to finish everything early so I can enjoy a cold drink and a book outside with the Sofi-cat, today!

Getting everything organized for our Dinosaur Getaway next week. Doing a re-watch of the previous J.P and J.W.

Can't wait!!!

When we return, John has the initial consult with the doctor concerning the mass in his lung...and we will see what the game plan will be.

I know he is planning a short trip to KY with Eric and Melissa before any form of treatment starts.

But. for now...some much needed and appreciated normalcy.

The books confined to gardening stuff, right now.

The Movie:

Since I wasn't really a fan of the first one...I'm probably not the best source.

Maybe a 7 of 10 for this one.

I think the distraction (for me) was Cruise, himself.

In real life he is closing in on 60.

He has had a lot of work done and could easily pass for his 40's...but he keeps using the acting persona of his...maybe 25's.

The point is he is not cute with boyish charm anymore...and trying to pull it off just feels a little..idk...pathetic. 

At the very least- unrealistic.

Nice work with Val Kilmer.

Hard to believe Connally (...who was 14 in The Labyrinth with Bowie...) is now 41.

Nice way to continue with Goose's son.

But overall...meh.

Your mileage may vary.

Two new strains of Omicron out there now...and up from 9 cases to 45 in the US of Monkeypox.

Over 3000 worldwide suspected now.

Eyeing this warily.

W.H.O now saying this is a concern.

 ...sigh...

Back to the housework...

 

 

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

Virtual China: Gansu Bingling Temple Grottoes

 

The Bingling Temple caves along the Yellow River is also known as The Caves of 1000 Buddhas.

The works inside span over 1000 years.

The Buddhas range from the very small to almost 100 feet tall.

An earthquake destroyed all but 776 of the statues.

Tourists come from all around the world to see the grottoes.

Tours

https://youtu.be/vBmtRoWBlOE

https://youtu.be/wVoi7VeP-Yg  (...you might want to turn the sound off for this one...)

They can only be accessed by boat,
and only in the summer or fall. 

There are no roads here.

Next time we will explore The Silk Road!

A Drive Through the Countryside...Logan's...and Everything Changes

 

John and I took a midweek break together.

Through the backroads of Bridgeton and Parke County.  

Out to visit friends and see old places and his parents gravesites.

We stopped in Terre Haute for lunch at Logan's.

Oh...and met this guy....the keeper of the bridge.

Across from the old mill.

It has been a lot...this last couple of weeks.

The pneumonia on his lungs now resolved...but after a requested CT Scan...much more troubling news.

A large mass (as yet unidentified) found...waiting on the consult...and waiting...and waiting.

(...he used to be a heavy smoker...)

Together we've decided to enjoy a couple more normal weeks...in case of subsequent treatment (...which we have both been through with our late spouses...).

On top of this news, Diane, who is now in renal failure...refuses dialysis...and is not a candidate for a kidney transplant due to multiple health issues.

And our friend, Charlcie, who is end stage COPD and will soon be moving to her daughter's house and hospice care.

...breathe...

We're going to get through all this...arranging things...making plans...and taking it one day at a time.

It is all any of us have got.

 

Summer's Beginning...Peachy...Louis Vuitton Mahogany...Gardening & More

 

Most of the plants settled in now...my hummers loving the return of the pink petunias which they seem to favor even over feeders. 

This summer's scent... Bath and Body Fresh Peach.

Which I have now in everything!

Started the morning by baking (and enjoying) a hot peach cobbler...basking and reading a bit...so everything is right in my world.

And yesterday...well...I did a thing.

Except for the salted caramel highlights a couple of years back...it has been almost 30 years since I have messed with any type of hair coloring.

A few days ago the planets aligned because

A. I was sick of the gray creeping in...maybe 25% now and not the at the temples thing but scattered willy-nilly throughout.

B. The hair coloring called Louis Vuitton Mahogany...touted as a rich mink brown with reddish undertones. Trending for this summer.

(...who knew???)

Louis Vuitton Hair-Coloring.

No more gray and I'm loving it!

(...of course, the only way to look like her is to staple the picture to my forehead...lol)

But the results are good...actually look like me again...at  maybe 50. And the whole process left my hair softer and in better condition than when I started.

Very pleased!

Most of the week spent finishing out the patio garden and containers...mulching and tidying the borders. 

And basking.

Waiting on the miniature hot pepper seeds and morning glory seeds...but otherwise done until Fall.

Changing over Spring decoration to Summer this weekend.

"That doesn't go there!!!"

                                   -Sofi

 Sofi loving some outdoor harness time and supervising.

She will soon be 4.

Manx middle age.

This week's Book

 A sequel of sorts to AML: Gift of the Sea.

The intro written by AML's daughter...which approved.

A deeper dive into self-reflection.

Excellent read!

 

The Movie:

 An older (2014) Malkovich film that I had somehow missed.

A great role for him...playing the Siberian Gang Boss (nee grandfather) teaching his grandson the criminal's Code of Honor...he should live by through his life.

I can't think of anyone better suited for this role.

Stories amidst stories...convoluted but always engaging.

This is one you won't want to miss.

You know what I do miss?

 

The days when mass shootings weren't back to back...or multiple in one day.

This week has been insane.

Schools...Churches...Grocery Stores...Family Homes...an effing Funeral for fuck's sake.

WTH is wrong with people????

Enough is enough...we have to do something about our lax gun laws.

And good luck with all that

I'm starting to see a pattern emerging.

Vote them all out in 2022.

(...Who votes against lowering insulin prices and making baby formula available, anyway???)

Gearing up for the mid-term elections.

And then there is Monkeypox.

 Which has grown from just under 200 cases to 700 in one week worldwide. 

Still something to watch.

In the states we now have 19 cases...but I remember when there were only 11 cases of Covid...and 4 cases of HIV...so I'm not impressed.

Ukraine has held its own toward Russian Invasion for 101 days now!

And Patron is making hospital rounds.

I love this little guy.

Completely Cinderella Weekend here...

See everyone next week.

Love,

Carla
 

 

 

 

Virtual China: Gansu Cuisine - Lanzou Beef Noodles

 

The best known dish in Gansu...Beef Noodles.

The beef and broth with bits from the roasting pan reserved.

The noodles are Dan Dan egg noodles...and have more than a bit of body to them.

The broth thickened slightly and heated to boiling...soy sauce added...then poured soup-like over the beef and noodles in a bowl.

Garnished with pepper here, but you can use bok choy..or cilantro...or scallions.

The smell is incredible...the taste even better.

Next we will explore the Temple and Grottos.

Also..I have been contemplating my painting for China. 

Since I love beaches...I went searching.

Wow.

 

Can you say "Way too many people."

To the point where it was hard to see water or sand.

(...seriously...just looking at the pictures freaked me the hell out...)

and several had horrible blooms of algae, attributed to hotter than normal conditions.
 

 BLEAH!!!

And even one area where RED vegetation had taken over...

 Until I was about ready to just give up!

When I found this...

A quiet, nearly deserted beach, on the coast of Haian China.

Going to start painting this weekend!

More later...

 

June...Bring On The Summer!

 

                                         Welcome to The MIDDLE of the Year!

 

"Also my 4th  Birthday, soon!"

                                                 -Sofi

Despite some set-backs and earlier changes...turning out to be a much nicer year than the previous two.

Fully vaxxed to the max and still social distancing and masking...no Covid yet!

(...although now Monkeypox is emerging on the scene...over 23 countries and more than 200 cases...and 9 or 10 of them here in the states...so you never know...)

Working hard on the gardening...have the pink petunias out for my hummingbirds...now back...planted a half-barrel of bamboo and will soon add a lotus...some of my herbs in and more on the way...including Sofi's catnip...my roses are bloomed and the Minuteman Hosta is huge...morning glories, onion sets, and mini-multi-colored pepper plants on the way!

 

The daffodils and irises now gone for the year.

Spent Monday mulching the borders and trimming the bayberry bushes.

You never realize how you have neglected certain muscles all winter until you spend three days weeding and trimming and planting and mulching!

It is shaping up out there.

 ",..seriously???"

So am I.

Slowly.

Back to regular P.T. and O.T and seeing some difference.

Eating sensible.

Well, some days, anyway.

(...don't ask about the Italian spread and the Canolli over the holiday weekend..okay...)

I've lost about 10 pounds of the Covid weight...and have about 10 to go...give or take.

Not stressing it.

Yeah...I know that with the 5:2 I could easily lose it...but...yeah...I love good food.

Besides, I'm over sixty...give it a break.

I am.

(...face it...you can't be a size 5 stripper forever...)

And that's okay. 

As my DS friend Janine mused recently

"I may be exhibiting Panda Tendencies."

Me too, Janine.

           Me too.

Found the doorway to my own Secret Garden with Sixty and Me.

Enjoying sharing and learning from this worldwide group of 60 and overs. From practical advice to make-up, games and silliness. It is wonderful to go into Act Three with so many others who are just starting out (like me) and some who are well on their way.

We laugh, cry, bitch and moan together.

Usually over coffee and pastries.

 And have been doing daily Luminosity workouts for months now.

Although my speed is gone...I can see gradual improvement in most areas.

(...spacial...memory...organizational skills...et al...)

I intend to continue indefinitely.

FRED?

Well, with the plague around, I haven't kept up on my MRI's like I need to...but haven't seen any vast changes...in fact...I have regained some of my vision...and not a lot of sequencing difficulties recently. So feeling pretty good about that.

I'm a bit slower...but still alive.

I think by the time you reach 62, you've earned the right to slow down and not rush through life anymore.

 

Starting the 30 Day Meaningful Life Challenge.

 Perfect, since today is the first.

Fiances stabilized and looking way up after this year's substantial raise...and the addition of extended credit with a good raise on the horizon.

Most of the decluttering accomplished.

The Marie Kondo Method

"Does THIS spark JOY?"

Abandoned for the 

"I'm so FUCKING tired of looking at this mess and not being able to FIND anything!!!"

Method...involving a lot of plastic trashbags.

Don't laugh...it worked for me.

Still need to downsize in my bedroom.

Just too much stuff.

John and I, beginning our 5th Year back together...and soon to enjoy a midweek trek to our favorite steakhouse and a Dinosaur Date.

 

 Can't wait!

As for my one goal this year...

YES...

Happy June!

(...the fireflies are back!!!)