CHANGES
For the past eighteen years I have been a snowbird. I have seen many changes in the neighborhood, new stores, new restaurants, new roads, a great many new developments, and of course changes in the population.

When I first came down I was sixty three and my husband was sixty eight. At that time we were "the young ones." The permanent residents who bought when the development was new were in their seventies. We met couples about our age and life was good.

In a recent newsletter put out by my development, "Kings Point", the social director had an article titled "Take A Chance." I want to quote part of her message here:

"In trying to please our resident base which runs from 55 to 95 (and above) , it is sometimes difficult to find a proper balance that will please most. And, as time does march on for us all some of the entertainers you have come to expect in the theater have either passed on, retired, or, to be kind should retire. In listening to our residents, what had to be taken into account was that tastes have changed and more variety was desired."

The title of the piece was, "Take A Chance." I like to try new things but when I hear it's going to be music from the 50's and the 60's, count me out.

As a result of the changes in the type of entertainment being presented the attendance in the theater has fallen off. The prices of the tickets have gone up and "who wants to go to a show that is featuring "rock and roll?" Not me!!

Another reason the attendance is off, there are still many unoccupied condos due to the damage suffered from the hurricane last season.

Because tickets are not selling well, Kings Point has changed their policy - now, after the residents pick up their tickets, the box office is open to the general public!

There are still enough of us elders who do not appreciate that type of music. Probably, in a few more years the population will change again and they will appreciate that type of entertainment.

Reading that article made me more aware then ever, time does not stand still and the one thing you can count on is change.

posted by millie garfield @ 4:15 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 10 comments

 
Yiddish Class: Sweet Potatoes

There's new video on Millie's Yiddish Class, this lesson is Sweet Potatoes.

posted by Steve Garfield @ 2:11 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 17 comments

 
HEINZ TOMATO KETCHUP CLASSIC
Even though Valentines day has past I found a recipe that would be a good one to make when that day rolls around again. I have not made this pie but it does sound intriguing, I found the recipe in the food section of the Sun-Sentinel.

LOVE APPLE PIE

Ketchup? No one will ever guess what that elusive flavor is. Good served warm with frozen yogurt or vanilla ice cream.

1/3 cup Heinz tomato KETCHUP
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
5 cups peeled, seeded and thin sliced yellow delicious apples
1 (9 inch ) unbaked pie shell
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter at room temperature

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, mix the ketchup and lemon juice together. Toss with the apples. Pile the apples in the pie shell.

In another bowl. combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon. Using a pastry cutter, large fork or two knives cut in the butter until thorougly mixed. Sprinkle over the apples. Bake in the center of the oven 40 to 45 minutes until the apples are cooked through.

Makes 8 servings.

Have you ever made a pie using ketchup? If you do make it, let me know if your guests can tell what the secret ingredient is. To quote the contributor, Suzanne S. Jones, "You can't really taste the ketchup, but it gives the pie an elusive sweet/tart taste that leaves even the most discriminating guessing."

It's never to late for love, even if it's only a Love Apple Pie!

posted by millie garfield @ 4:48 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 5 comments

 
MY LIFE SAVER
When I first started thinking about making this post I had two gripes to write about, now I have three!

For the past five years I have had a charge card with Capital One which when I used it at a T.J. Max, Marshalls, HomeGoods or A.J. Wright store I received 5% credit and periodically I received a ten dollar certificate which I could use at any of the afore mentioned stores. That worked out very well for me since I am a TJX and Marshalls shopper.

About a month ago I received a letter from Capital One informing me that they will be phasing out the TJX Visa Card effective January 31, 2007.


As of February 1, 2007 I will be automatically enrolled in a Capital One No Hassle Cash Visa program where I will earn cash back rewards

The other day I received a new charge card from Capital One with my existing account number with instructions to call their 800 number to activate this card, and they reminded me to destroy my old card.

I called the 800 number and after being put on hold for some time. You know how that goes, you wait, you wait and then you finally get numbers to press. I had a question, wanted to talk to a live person and finally I succeeded.

My question was, "with this new set-up, what rewards will I receive?"

According to the person I spoke to my understanding is that I will get 1% rewards on my purchases. My invoice will show how much I have earned each month and when I SEE that I have received $25.00 in rewards, I HAVE TO GET IN TOUCH with the company and then they will send me a rewards certificate or I can use it to credit my account.

Now, I don't know whether the person I spoke with knew what she was talking about or if this is really the way it will work. Perhaps the company is counting on the customer neglecting to keep watch of their rewards.

Ok, so I'm not happy losing my 5% rewards program and I'm not happy with the new rewards plan but listen to this!

As I mentioned earlier when I received the new card I followed the instructions, called to activate the card and did what they reminded me to do, "I destroyed the old card."

The next day I went to the supermarket, did some food shopping and used my NEW CARD. Well, what do you know, "card NOT AUTHORIZED."

I tried it several times but it was not accepted!! I did not have enough cash to pay for my purchases but I ALWAYS have a life saver in the trunk of my car. My husband always keep extra cash in the trunk, just in case!

Aaron, you saved me again!!

posted by millie garfield @ 3:41 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 20 comments