DORIS DOES PNEUMONIA

       There is a Stephen King book called The Dome which was made into a TV series.   It's the story of a small town which is mysteriously covered overnight by a clear dome.  You can't get in and you can't get out.  Why does this remind me so much of Largo, Fl.?

         My story begins when my daughter/best friend became ill in January of this year.  I stayed with her for two weeks and was returning home at last when a young lady who was late getting back to work from her lunch slammed into my car.   Though the car was driveable, I returned to Robin's house to call my insurance company, her insurance company, and - smartest of all - Morgan and Morgan.

          When I returned home a couple of days later I had various tests and started therapy for neck and shoulder injuries sustained in the accident.   This is still ongoing.   Though I am feeling a little better, it looks like it will be a long road to recovery.

            Since I am obviously a slow learner, I embarked again for Largo to spend Easter with daughter and family.  While there, I developed a cough that just wouldn't go away, so I returned home the Wednesday after Easter.  I decided that I must just have a nasty cold and endured my misery until Monday, when I recruited my long-suffering son to take me to the emergency room because I suddenly couldn't breathe.  

            Imagine my surprise when they took one look at me and rushed me to a bed in the emergency room.  After X-rays, blood work, etc.  the doctor said, and I quote, "You have a little pneumonia."  Is this like being a little bit pregnant?

Two days later they allowed me to go home, loaded down with medications, etc.

             So here I am, feeling much better but not quite back to my old energetic self; so bored with inactivity that I just signed up to take an online course in  proofreading and copyediting.  I have always delighted in finding glaring mistakes in the daily paper, so I figured this would be right up my alley.

             Should I blame Largo for all this misfortune?  Why not?</

                                              M E N O P A U S E        

The following was submitted by one of our fearless readers.  I'm sure you can sympathize.

(sung to Oh, Christmas Tree) "Oh, Menopause, oh menopause, where for art though, menopause? When you first came, I was so young......But now I'm cranky, and high-strung......Oh Menopause, oh menopause, I'm counting days, until you come."

Thanks, Julie

FOR THE LOVE OF AVOCADOS

I came to the appreciation of avocados late in life.  They were like mangoes - a Southern food that seldom appeared in our Northern states back when I was younger.  Even after we moved to the best place in the world, Florida, the old northern tastes prevailed, but once I was introduced to this wonderful fruit it began a love affair that has lasted to this day.

I love all kinds of avocados; the Haas with their rich, buttery taste and the lower calorie but much larger Florida avocados that require a little boost to kick up their blander taste.  Although far from low-cal, this luscious fruit is chock full of that monosaturated fat that is so good for you.  In a vegan or vegetarian diet, the avocado (also known as alligator pear for obvious reasons) is a sinfully creamy delight.  

Herewith, a few recipes for those of all tastes, purely vegetarian or omnivorous:

                                                             QUICKY GUACAMOLE

One ripe Florida green avocado or 2 ripe Haas avocados

Juice of 1/2 lime

2-3 T. mango salsa (I like the Paul Newman's)

fresh ground black pepper

Mash the avocados and mix with the rest of the ingredients.  Use as a dip or as a sandwich spread instead of mayonnaise (or just to eat with a spoon, it's that good).

                                                          AVOCADO SALAD

One ripe Florida avocado

2 T. fresh lime juice

1 jarred roasted red pepper

1 T. extra virgin olive oil

2-3 c. mixed salad greens
1/4 t. dried dill

Toasted walnuts

Slice avocado in half lengthwise and remove pit.  Scoop out flesh, just leaving a thin layer on the rind.  Cut up the flesh into about 1/2" chunks.  Slice the red pepper into strips.  Sprinkle 1 t. of  lime juice over the avocado shells.  Whisk the rest of the lime juice and the olive oil with a  fork and toss with the greens.  add the red pepper, dill and the avocado chunks and toss gently.  Pile into the empty shells and top with the walnuts.

2 Servings.
                                              CHOCOLATE AVOCADO PUDDING

One ripe Florida avocado, peeled, pit removed and cut in chunks
1 t. vanilla
4 T. unsweetened cocoa
4 T. real maple syrup
6 T. almond milk

Pop it all in the blender and blend until smooth.  Refrigerate until cold.  

Top it with a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt sweetened with a little stevia and serve with some fresh raspberries, if desired.

Two servings.

These are just a few ideas.  This versatile fruit can be used for a lot of 

delicious dishes.  Simply adding avocado slices to a sandwich or a

salad can make these ordinary meals really special.

ENJOY