Australian wines are more reasonably priced compared to Californian wine here in Manila. Australia has some of the best wines, I think. I think the best red they have is shiraz (syrah elsewhere). They have wonderful merlots and cabernets also. But then I am partial to whites; I guess that exposes me as a neophyte. I think whites are easier on the palate. When I was living in the USA I introduced myself to riesling and gewurztraminer (the latter mostly from Fetzer). My personal favorites then were whites from Columbia Crest and Cheateu St. Michelle. When I see them in the shelves here in Manila, they are priced beyond my reach most of the time, and Australian, French, Italian, Chilean, and German wines have proven to be wonderful alternatives. Gewurztraminer though doesnt come cheaply here (In the US it is moderately priced). I once served this at dinner and my workmates raved about it. I guess the 9.0 to 9.5 % alcohol content was easier on them, plus it usually is very fruity (hints of lychee) and sweet. Riesling from Germany and Australia are also good. Last week I took a chance on a Blue Nun (Germany) 2001 Qualitätswein. I was pleasantly surprised about that...I knew people avoided Blue Nun as it was synonymous with cheap wines around the late 60s and the 70s. I learned that the company has been bought by new owners, who want to upgrade the quality. Qualitätswein by the way is around 35% riesling. Alcohol content is like most gewurztraminer, at only 9.5 % So now I have this thingie for German wines, whenever I shop. As for the milk and spinach, I don't buy them at all...Our traditional diets are a bit different, including the vegetables. I am trying my best to limit meat intake because of my hypercholesterolemic state. Thus, it is usually traditional vegetables and fish for me. Dole and Del Monte are transnational conglomerates with fruit plantations here in the Philippines, for pineapples and bananas. One pineapple is usually around USD$1. Bananas are usually around US 60 cents a kilogram (2.2 lbs). You have a choice of Cavendish (which is what Dole and Del Monte export), latundan, lacatan, senorita types of bananas, with the latter three usually sweeter, more fragrant, and flavorful compared to Cavendish.

Orrin you only have six (now five) posts left in which to apologize for doubting my veracity. And how soon we forget Cynthia (Prescott, AZ). Is that anywhere near Tucson? That would explain a lot. H (kidding -O-, really)

OMG - I laughed until I cried - I so very much resemble your story; well except the microwave part! I've settled on Byron's tea in a spray bottle AFTER I've got the dry seed where I want it. And yeah, I need to tackle those itsy bitsy I can't see them even with my tri-focal seeds again this week; grr if they weren't so expensive I'd be less worried about too many in one planter; hmmm? On the bright side; they do divide pretty readily as little seedlings; just carefully tease out the soil and separate them by gingerly holding on the baby leafs. Not the speediest of methods; but I've got oodles of time. And I'm looking forward to more of your stories! ~dianne Oh, and Lou - after you brew your tea; toss the tea bags in a container with some water. Periodically pour the water off into a baby seedling fertilizer container. Then compost the remaining tea bag. It's suppose to be nirvana for baby seeds. Mine aren't saying anything about it yet. Here is a link that might be useful: Byron's World Famous Tea Recipe

Assuming you have a Windows system (as opposed to an Apple/Mac), click on your "Start" Menu and... Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> Notepad I created a shortcut on my Desktop for Notepad so I don't have to go through the "Start" menu each time. (To create a similar shortcut: Click & hold on Notepad and drag it to your Desktop)