LOVE A GOOD BINGE

I finished the first two seasons of The Diplomat, which was excellent. While waiting for the third season, Betty and I are going to start watching Black Doves. The trailer looks kind of violent, but Keira Knightley plays a role that reminds me of Salander from the Stieg Larson books (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest). I love Salander; she made me want to buy a taser. I even checked with the police department to see what it required. I never did it, but I would if I felt the necessity. Betty is coming for dinner tonight. I’m going to try another recipe with the Air Fryer: chicken thighs with panko, parmesan and lemon. I’m also going to make linguini with marinara, salad and a dessert (homemade yogurt with berries).

I’ve decided the only place I can do my brachiation (monkey hangs) is from one of the railings on the patio. It’s not ideal because the railings are square, but I brought my leather “gloves” along, which makes the grip much easier. I could skip it for the four months I’m here, but it took me a while to work up to the one minute I’ve accomplished, so I don’t want to lose that. I’m doing it at the back of the house and out of sight. Hope Martín doesn’t see me and wonder what the heck I’m doing. The one problem with this is that I have to wait for a break in the rain. When the sun came out this morning, I hurried outside, only to have it start raining again as soon as I started my countdown. Oh, well, I didn’t melt.

Dan sent me a link to one of Peter Attia’s videos. Attia is a physician who specializes in healthy longevity. He’s interviewing a physiologist by the name of Belinda Becker.

Becker conducted a research study in Australia putting elderly people through a weight lifting routine and then measuring their bone mass. I haven’t seen the details of the study, which I plan to do, but she said the results were significant, and some of the participants even got taller! Not by much (0.5 cm), but it sure beats shrinking!

I’m still working on my osteoporosis article. I plan to wrap it up shortly. I think my conclusion is going to be that I am going to continue my refusal of medication in favor of increased exercise and collagen. The results of my last bone scan were improved, but the practitioner blew it off. I also might participate in the program being offered by OsteoStrong, a new franchise near our house in Delafield. Basically, you have a DEXA scan done, engage in their osteoloading program for three months, take AlgaeCal (a seaweed supplement) and have a repeat DEXA scan at the end of that period. If you do not see a certain amount of improvement (not sure how much right now) they will give you all your money back. I plan to start that when I get home. Can’t hurt. The deal is actually being offered by AlgaeCal, not OsteoStrong; they work together.

Wednesday was an eating -out day. I met Jerry and Linda for lunch at the Sandwich Shop. I hadn’t seen them since their trip to Vietnam. As I expected, Linda hated it (too hot with horrible food), and Jerry loved it. He was there during the Vietnam War, so was impressed by their recovery and hospitality.

Dinner was with Kathy Jacobson and Holly Lane, my neighbors here in Boquete Gardens. We were going to go to Tiny Buddha, but they were closed; suprisingly, because Kathy had made reservations! We ended up at Christopher’s, which was no disappointment. Kathy and Holly both eat only meat and loved their steaks. I had the risotto with cauliflower and Holly’s vegetables. I actually had that for three meals.

After dinner we walked to El Parque Central to see the decorations, which were much nicer than prior years.

This little clip cracked me up. I love the look on his face at that end, like he’s saying, “Pretty good, right?!”

Mickey was moved to a new room at Shorehaven. She has improved so much that she no longer needs skilled nursing. She is actually walking again. I didn’t think I would see that happen, but again, it shows the power of physical therapy. She has also gained quite a reputation as a sheepshead player. She told me that one day, she had to be taken on “an emergency basis” to play with a group of guys whose fourth didn’t show up. She didn’t even have time to put in her hearing aids. She beat them all, and they have asked for her ever since.

I talked to Lynne yesterday, and I was surprised when she asked me how my back was doing. I completely forgot. It settled down very quickly.