The ocean sharpens vision and allows sailors to see things better at a distance. Back in Gorbachev’s time, I saw that by dismantling the USSR, the KGB, the Komsomol and other servants of the people were establishing a new nomenclature regime. They privatized factories, oil fields and other national resources for themselves and sold it to the people as ‘perestroika’. Living in the Russian-speaking city of Sevastopol, I also saw the beginning of the forced Ukrainization of society. I am tolerant of Slavs, but having spent years in an orphanage, I despise violence. That is why I fled.
Living in ‘normal’ Europe, I began to notice more and more people who were clearly from my past. After short-sighted democrats tore down the Berlin Wall, there were more and more people from my past. I realized that the second Tatar-Mongol invasion had begun and I would have to flee from it!
After many happy years in colorful Los Angeles, I saw that there were more and more Latinos coming. They multiplied like cockroaches, their numbers grew, and the city began to resemble Mexico… Honduras… Guatemala. I realized that the democrats had done their thing here too, and that I would have to flee again!
I have spent my entire life taking risks exploring the world. I have crossed every ocean and weathered every storm, both at sea and on land. These experiences have taught me many things, including that people have turned their world into a circus of freaks. Bloated, bald and worn out by time, they lie to everyone, including themselves. They live in a fantasy world of their own making, filled with God knows what. I thought that if their lives were so chaotic, then Providence must be punishing them for their sins, condemning them to such an existence.
One day, I came across the following conclusion by Sigmund Freud, the renowned expert on human passions and vices: “People find reality unsatisfactory, so they live in a world of fantasy dreaming that their desires to be fulfilled.” A strong personality makes their desires come true. However, a weak person lives in their own world, and their fantasies manifest as the symptoms of various illnesses…”
My older brother Sigmund opened my eyes and explained why I was so dissatisfied — a feeling which often turned into depression and drove me from place to place. I was unconsciously searching for a place where I could fulfil my desires! And I realized that changing countries will not bring me satisfaction. I need to run away from people!
One day, I found myself on the shores of the fragrant Caribbean Sea. I enjoyed the exotic surroundings and silence of this earthly paradise. I listened to the songs of exotic birds and saw the smiles on the faces of people who were free from the herd mentality. They were simply living in freedom! And it dawned on me: This was the place I had been searching for all my life! So I dropped my anchor. And after years of joyful, carefree living in this earthly paradise, I sincerely hope I never have to leave again.
The internet is like a powerful pair of binoculars, helping me to see the world up close. Sometimes, I adjust them and look beyond the horizon into the land of crooked mirrors that I once fled. It’s simply the curiosity of a sociologist, or like a researcher examining bacterial life through a microscope. The closer we look at bacteria, the more they dislike us.
I’m glad that life and the ocean have given me farsightedness, helping me to spot what was looming on the horizon and what I needed to flee before it was coming close. Those living in the land of crooked mirrors cannot even see their true reflection.
What will I see beyond the seven seas? The inhabitants of those places are like tired birds; they do not fly high to admire the beautiful sunsets. And the sunsets are amazingly beautiful! Emotional and thoughtful people who have been through a lot have a philosophical outlook on life. They have a keen sense of beauty. They enjoy classical music, literary masterpieces and art in museums. They are intoxicated by the wonders of nature, such as bizarre clouds, rain and rainbows. The scents of the earth, trees and flowers also intoxicate them. They do not worry about what will happen in a month or a year. Having crossed the red line, they appreciate the moments that Providence gives them.
What is the difference between a pessimist and an optimist? Some say that a pessimist is simply an experienced optimist. But that’s just an old joke. If you feel weighed down by your accumulated knowledge, I can help! So, if you smile reading this and realize that there’s still so much more to learn, then the optimist in you is alive! Keep smiling! Dum Spiro, Spero!
Nowadays, social media is full of advice from medical professionals promising to help older people stay active for longer. However, as you will agree, advice without personal experience is useless. So who needs these lectures?
Let me share a few real stories with you. When I was young, I boxed, fought in the streets, drank and smoked. I quit smoking cigarettes when I was about forty, simply because I got tired of it. It was easy for me to quit because I switched to cigars. The special thing about cigars is that their smoke intoxicate the brain without entering the lungs. In addition, cigar leaves are cleaned of all resins during a fermentation and ageing process that lasts several years. Cigars give a unique feeling of euphoria that anyone can experience. A cigar can take you far away in your dreams. However, such pleasure comes at a price, which is why cigars are more expensive than cognac. When at 65 I achieved my dream in real life, I quit smoking and cigars. They are still in my cigar box, but I like to try new things.
Having replaced strong alcohol and cigar smoke with dry wine, I was pleased to discover that wine can induce a pleasant sense of calm. The English call this state of mind ‘tipsy’ (slightly intoxicated). In my youth, I sailed on fishing trawlers and whaling ships, spending long months at sea. In the tropics, we drank dry wine. It clogs the pores, reducing perspiration to conserve energy and productivity. To prolong the effect, we diluted the wine with water. This became a habit, and I later learned that the ancient Greeks drank wine in the same way. They considered undiluted wine to be poisonous. Sometimes I dilute dry wine with soda to get a pleasant low-alcohol ‘champagne’ that is especially refreshing in hot weather (I live in the tropics). This wine lifts your spirits and makes you happy — I’m sure you’ll agree that this is exactly what we need!
My interest in sports began in childhood. As I grew older, my body was adapting to overcame bad habits. I had an inner voice that guided me. It’s not mysticism — you just need to learn to listen to yourself. I no longer attend evening get-togethers or eat restaurant food, sweets, muffins or anything containing sugar. Fruit, honey, lemon, nuts, and homemade bread are great alternatives.
I’m 75, and I don’t deny myself anything. My body works like clockwork. It takes a little self-discipline, but you don’t have to force yourself — you just need to convince yourself! After all, life is meant to be enjoyed, not spent it in a hospital bed.
In the morning, I drink tea or coffee with milk but no sugar. Before that, I go for a walk on the wet sand of the beach, barefoot. The sun smiles upon me and the sand tickles my heels. Time to stretch the muscles!
it’s important to pay attention to your hip joints — this helps prevent prostate problems. This includes forward bends and squats, while shifting your weight from one leg to the other.
To work your upper body, start with your neck. Gently turn your head from left to right. If you hear a crunching sound, this indicates that salt deposits in your cartilage are blocking the micro vessels that carry blood and nutrients to your brain. You perform slow, circular head movements. After a few days of exercising in this way, the crunching sound should disappear, meaning you’ve extended your life!
After warming up, I move on to the main exercise. I do 100 press-ups in three sets, two of which are deep. For these, rest your palms on raised platforms and lower your body between them. You could use two bricks, for example. The lower you lower your body between the platforms, the greater the effect. Press-ups are a staple exercise for all athletes as they work the muscles in your back, chest, biceps, and triceps. Soon your muscles will begin to bulge and you will regain your energy and spring in your step. Your muscles may ache a little during the first few nights, but that’s normal — they’re thanking you for restoring their firmness and elasticity! Hello, ladies! These exercises are for you too. They’ll restore your firm, soft skin; beautiful posture; and sparkling eyes — everything men love about you!
Make this daily morning workout a habit, whatever the weather. However, you will see the most noticeable results if you combine exercise with a balanced diet.
Russian writer Chekhov vividly described traditional feasts in his ironic short stories. Typical Russian and Ukrainian cuisine is ironic, too: borscht, cutlets, salad and compote are served with sweet buns. Then it’s off to the sofa. And sagging cheeks, a flabby neck, dark circles under the eyes and a protruding belly will soon follow, accompanied by sighs of resignation.
I once overheard a secret at a Los Angeles fitness club. If you’re over 50, you should eat your last meal between 3 pm and 4 pm. Then don’t eat again for 15 hours, until the following morning. If you’re really tempted in the evening, eat an apple or some grapes slowly. Even better, drink a glass of water with lemon in it. This gives your body a break from digesting food and helps it cope with ailments. That’s the secret! For me, this has become a way of life.
I drink wine mixed with soda during the day, and water with lemon at night. I cook my own food, which includes cottage cheese, yoghurt, kefir, grilled or baked chicken or fish, and soups. I also bake bread like the Italians do, making focaccia with garlic, olive oil and sun-dried tomato slices. It’s all natural food and a natural lifestyle with no preservatives. And it’s wonderful! Immerse yourself in it!
The internet is full of unique recipes for dishes that are costly in fashionable restaurants in Nice, Monte Carlo, Florida and the Bahamas. I prepare such dishes myself, and both the process and the end result are a gastronomic delight. You can easily recreate them at home. I’m going to share one of my recipes with you. It’s not meat.
CHICKEN LIVER IN BATTER.
(Author’s recipe)
Chicken liver is rich in vitamins A and B12, as well as iron and omega-6 fatty acids. They are also high in selenium, which is essential for thyroid function, and vitamin B12, which aids cell repair. Liver contains fewer calories than even the tenderest steak, chicken breast or lean minced beef.
Whether baked with herbs or fried in batter, liver is a healthy option for everyone. The main thing to remember is that liver loses its juice and valuable nutrients quickly when cooked at high temperature. The liver itself is not fried, but stews inside a batter and breadcrumb coating. The batter preserves all the vitamins and the breadcrumbs turn golden brown when the liver is ready.
Liver – 500 g Eggs – 2 pcs. Sour cream (yoghurt – 3 tbsp.) Ground garlic or chopped flour – 2 tbsp. Soy sauce, black pepper, paprika, vegetable oil breadcrumbs.
- Thoroughly rinse the liver, then trim off any veins or membranes. Separate the pieces and sprinkle them lightly with ground paprika. If the set includes chicken hearts, add these too.
- In a deep bowl, mix the eggs, sour cream and soy sauce together. Add pepper and ground garlic. Add the flour, stirring after each spoonful to ensure there are no lumps. The batter should have a similar consistency to pancake batter.
- SECRET: Place the container with the battered livers in the fridge for 30 minutes to allow the spices to work their magic.
- Frying: Coat the liver pieces in breadcrumbs and fry them in a heated pan with oil or chicken lard. Fry on a low heat for 3–5 minutes on each side with the lid on the pan to help the liver retain its juices.
- Place the cooked liver pieces on kitchen roll to absorb any excess oil. Serve with a garnish and vegetables. An absolute delicacy!
Bonus:
Dip slices of dry bread, cooked sausage, aubergine and tomato in the remaining batter and fry them. You won’t find such tasty treats in any restaurant!
Sprinkle the remaining pieces of fried liver lightly with paprika, then put them in a plastic container in the fridge. The next day, enjoy a unique lunch by serving the liver with a green salad and a glass of dry wine.
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