Let's try again. I just wrote a lengthy blog, hit "post", then my computer froze! Nothing. AAAARRRGGGGH!!

This is a follow-up, of sorts, to my previous post. I heard a promo for Oprah on how to live longer. That got my attention, so I watched her show yesterday.

Dr. Oz and David somebody were featuring 4 "blue zones" where people seem to have the secrets to longevity. Most are the standard reasons--eating the right foods, and staying fit and active.

I was pleased to note I was doing alright in these areas. I did my exercises, slept my 8 hours, ate properly. I felt smug recapping my meals yesterday: blueberries, pear, yogurt, tomato w/ cottage cheese, sardines for lunch. Wine before supper (big in Sardinia, Italy, a blue zone), a stir fry in olive oil with sweet potato, cabbage, parsnip, broccoli, cauliflower, onion, corn, garlic, chard, all from my garden. Homemade pumpkin bread later for dessert. Yum.

Some place in Costa Rica claimed it was the water with its high mineral content, that was the reason for a long life. Good. My well water is very "hard". Maybe I should forgo my water softener.

One semi-surprise was blue zone Loma Linda, CA. This is a retirement community with a high proportion of Seventh Day Adventists. Socialization and no "vices" results in a longer life. I fail there, living alone and not being "religious". Rituals are important for these retired folks. I'm pretty good at that.

Of course, one doesn't have to live in any "blue zone" to get the benefits. One just has to have a routine and a will power to stick to the plan. I follow a 8-8-8 plan: 8 hours of sleep, 8 hours of sitting (reading, TV, eating, etc.), 8 hours of being on my feet (chores, hobbies, exercise). Seems to work for me.
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Yesterday or today in most schools, the lunch time meal is turkey and all the fixin's. I remember students and staff stuffing themselves with no remorse. I could never understand how they could do that. It would take away the anticipation of the real Thanksgiving. I can just hear mothers and grandmothers (fathers, too) cringe upon hearing "We had turkey yesterday at school".
I'm eagerly looking forward to eating my favorite meal of the year at my sisters with my father tomorrow.
Happy thanksgiving, everybody!