MAKING GAINS; Coalinga-CA

Well; we're making gains - small, but still significant 👌 

And I'm still posting small posts, aiming to get my afghan done and on the bed, soon.

Today's body toning included light cardio … and a scales reading of a couples pounds shed 😊

Bodyweight Overhead Triceps Extension; 6-12 reps x2

Side Jacks~15 to 20 reps; Side Bends~10-12 reps; Twists~10 twists EA side; Knee-to-Elbow~8-10 reps, rest 30 seconds (a count from 1 to 30); Chest Expansions~10-15 reps

The Darebee Overdue Cardio Exercises are designed to be safe and effective for individuals of various fitness levels, and is suitable for seniors. It focuses on general fitness and wellbeing, workouts include light cardio, upper body strength, tendons focus, and stretching. The program is perfect for those at home, desiring to maintain their health and mobility. Strengthens the core muscles, improving overall stability.

NOT SUITABLE FOR anyone diagnosed with osteopenia (loss of bone density = risk of bone fracture), osteoporosis (weak and fragile bones), or osteoarthritis (occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility) of the spine.

   

When the early morning-mental-cobwebs cleared, Holland called around, and was able to find a doctor that would give him a cortisone shot in his knee, for pain relief: a relieving gain.

Holland has been trying to get pain relief 🙏 ever since I've known him; I'm glad for him 👏

So, we'll be driving over there tomorrow; early morning.

We had a delicious liver & onions supper: it was so tasty, you wouldn't know it was liver if you hadn't prepared it - or watched it being prepared. No joke:

The BEST Liver & Onions either of us have ever eaten - DEFINATE repeat!

VAL'S MODIFIED LIVER & ONIONS w-GRAVY Recipe; Coalinga-CA:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2026/01/vals-modified-liver-onions-w-gravy.html)

Then, dishes were done & a vintage movie was enjoyed while I worked a few more crochet rows, as my afghan gained a couple inches upward; towards it's lengthy goal …

The Lady Is Willing 1942 Marlene Dietrich & Fred McMurry:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whhWRX-YcYY)

VAL'S MODIFIED LIVER & ONIONS w-GRAVY Recipe; Coalinga-CA

Val's Modified Liver And Onions With Gravy.

Holland suggested beef liver 🐮 with gravy, for tonight's supper meal … I've never made liver with gravy 🤔, but I was willing to give it a try: while drinking my morning joy juice ☕️, I went online 💻 to surf 👀 for a recipe ✍️ I felt confident enough 😉 to experiment with 👨‍🍳

The recipe that caught my attention was "Grandmas secret old fashioned liver and onions, with rich gravy", by Elara Maeve; I printed the recipe out (with a couple minor modifications = food allergies & personal flavor perk), below, in this post 👇🏻

Today, is also Laundry Day 🧺 … so, I prepared everything needed 📌early in the morning - so it would be an easy process to pull together later on, in the afternoon 👌

Supper prep ingredients.

Val's Modified Liver And Onions With Rich Gravy Recipe ~serve 4

1 lb Beef Liver, sliced about 1/4 inch thick * 2 c Milk (I used a powdered milk blend - it works fine) * 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour * 1/2 tsp Salt * 1/4 tsp Black Pepper * 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder * Pinch of Paprika * 4 TBSP Butter, unsalted (I used 2 TBSP Butter & 2 TBSP Bacon Grease) * 2 TBSP Vegetable Oil * 2 Large Yellow Onions, thinly sliced (I had half an onion in the 'fridge; so, I added 1 whole onion & 2 good sized shallots to round the count out) * 2 cloves Garlic, minced * 2 c Beef Broth * 1 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce * 1 TBSP Balsamic Vinegar (didn't have Balsamic Vinegar - so, I used 1 TBSP Cider Vinegar + 1/2 tsp. Brown Sugar) * Salt and Pepper to taste * 2 TBSP Chopped Fresh Parsley (opt)

1 Cutting Board * 1 Kitchen Knife * 1 Bowl, small * Ziploc baggies * Measuring Cups & Spoons * 1 Kitchen Tong * 1 Cooking Spoon * 1 Lrg. Skillet * 1 Saucepan w-lid * 1 small Cooking Pan * Supper Dishes & Silverware

1) Soak liver in milk in a bowl for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) in the fridge. This helps to tenderize the liver and reduce bitterness.

Preparing liver for milk soak; I'm lactose intolerant, so I used a dry milk blend.

Liver halved & placed in milk filled Ziploc baggie; set in a small bowl & refrigerated.

2) While the liver soaks, thinly slice the onions.

3) Remove liver from milk and pat dry with paper towels. Dredge each slice in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off excess.

4) Melt 2 TBSP butter and 1 TBSP oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last minute of cooking.

Onion & Shallot; cook until translucent & tender to the bite.

Remove onions from the skillet and set aside.

Remove onions from skillet & place in oven until needed.

5) Add remaining 2 TBSP butter and 1 TBSP oil to the skillet. Increase heat to medium high. Working in batches, cook liver for 2-3 minutes per side, until nicely browned on the outside and still slightly pink inside. Don't overcook.

Remove liver from skillet and set aside.

6) Add beef broth to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar (if using). Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened slightly.

Making the gravy …

7) Return the cooked onions and liver to the skillet with the gravy. Reduce heat to low and simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add tenderized onion & shallot.

Add seared liver.

Prepare side dishes while main dish liver simmers to heat through: I made instant potatoes - and heated up some frozen broccoli pieces.

8) Garnish with fresh parsley (if using) and serve immediately. Enjoy this classic old fashioned liver and onions!

Husband says, "This is the best liver and onions 👍; we'll have to repeat this recipe!"

I agree 😘

HEALTH~2026; Coalinga-CA

Between a thousand yesterdays and a million tomorrows, there is only ONE today, so don't let it go to waste: be as productive as you can be, on every level of your daily Life 👌

Coffee.

Body toning.

Then everything else …

Elbows Back Stretch - Squeeze your shoulder blades together & hold for 10-15 seconds. Slowly lower your arms. Rep 2-3 times.

Elbows Back Stretch exercise is safe for a senior woman to do; and highly effective for relieving tension and tightness in the upper back and shoulders. This exercise improves posture by opening up the chest and shoulders, increases flexibility and range of motion in the shoulders, & can help alleviate pain and discomfort caused by sitting at a desk or computer for long periods of time.

All over the world, the squat is used by countless people in pursuit of their health, fitness, and wellbeing. It is sometimes referred to as “The King of Exercises” for being a discipline that – particularly if you’re in a hurry and have limited time – not only works your legs, buttocks, and lower back, but stimulates the rest of your body too. Consequently, it is also sometimes termed “Metabolic Accelerator.” Barring clinically diagnosed orthopedic or medical factors revealing it to be unsuitable, the squat is an excellent bone density developer, so putting it into your Osteoporosis wellbeing routine is a wise measure.

The Darebee Sitting Pretty workout is designed to be safe and effective for older adults, including women over 60. It includes low-impact exercises that strengthen muscles, support joints, and improve balance, which are essential for maintaining independence and reducing fall risk. The workout is structured to be gentle on the joints and can be modified as needed to avoid discomfort. It is recommended to start with controlled movements and gradually progress to more challenging variations.

Squats can also be done against the wall - which can be a comforting stance for some:

To count exercise seconds, start by saying '1' and continue counting sequentially '2', '3', and so on, until you reach recommended rep count.

How to do Squat Hold With Punches | Joanna Soh: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2uhn9qXEmM)

Wall Squat + Calf Raise exercise for Diabetes: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zTS_zwyTsI)

How to do Sumo Squat With Side Bend | Joanna Soh: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZDercRPh8s)

Coffee rejuvenated ☕️, physical exercises accomplished 💪; and feeling pretty spry - we went for a cozy drive 🚘🎶 into Coalinga, to pick up Holland's nebulizer prescription: all my [feels] were healthily activated 😊

We're working the kinks out & life … going forward, looks promising.

Getting healthy, working on  ourselves for each other.

Back home, we brought the case of honey Bruce gifted us with last night, into the house: we left it in Betsy overnight because it was so foggy, we didn't want to risk a possible tripping over something unseen and dropping it.

I scratched off my scratch cards - and only recouped the price of 1 ticket 😑

Then, I read a concerning headline … and had conflicting thoughts about it 🤔

Hauled the box of honey into the house; this is GOOD stuff.

CHEESEBURGER DELIGHT; Coalinga-CA:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2026/01/cheeseburger-delight-coalinga-ca.html)

Only scratched off a thirst-trap win 😉

Not sure how I feel about this … on the other hand, we can't have delusional mehico 'leadership'  making demands on us, and ignoring our our National Laws - we simply cannot allow murderous drug cartels dictate how our Nation is ruled/run.

Now, I'm listening to Tony Kinnett's newsfeed; while working a few more crochet rows:

Working on current WIP & listening to newsy chatter …

🚨BREAKING: Tim Walz, Jacob Frey, Keith Ellison, & Other Dems SERVED by FBI as Riots Targets Churches: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbvbzpiODhs&list=PLjMHBev3NsoV3kHckydY58R7TaYsizl45)

There is a lot of obamanite 2009 hold-over political nonsense 🍋 to unpack in 2026: we are trusting Elohim & hoping it can be done in a healthy manner for a healthy America & a healthy personal life.

CHEESEBURGER DELIGHT; Coalinga-CA

January 19th: I'm working on an over-sized afghan I want to have done quickly; so, I am just doing quick run-downs on daily activities until that project is finished …

The day was shrouded in thick, low-lying fog - from dawn and into the night.

Foggy morning, this chilly morning; Coalinga-CA

Body toning following morning coffee and internet surfing.

My Amaryllis Post featured on 'My Wee Abode' Blog Hop.

My China Town Post featured on 'You're The Star' Blog Hop.

Arm exercises provide several important advantages that help seniors stay strong, mobile, and independent. Key benefits include:

Arm Raise Step in Place Warm-up~10 to 12 ct. reps

Improved daily function – Makes lifting groceries, carrying bags, and opening containers easier.

Better upper-body strength – Supports pushing, pulling, and reaching tasks used every day.

Supports healthy aging – Helps slow age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia = muscle atrophy; muscle strength loss).

Enhanced joint stability – Strengthens the shoulders, elbows, and wrists for smoother, safer movement.

It is generally safe for a 69-year-old woman to do the Darebee I Do Not Yield dumbbell workout, as it is designed to be simple, safe, and accessible for older adults. The workout includes bodyweight exercises that help reclaim strength, balance, coordination, and energy. However, stop if you feel acute pain.

Curls~6-8 reps x 3; Punches~8-12 reps x2; Chest Rows~5 reps x 5; Shoulder Press~8-12 to reps x 2

My lungs were working better today, so we enjoyed a Day out-of-house; first off, we took a leisurely drive through the countryside - through Avenal; over the hill, and along the freeway route to Kettleman for a tasty cheeseburger.

Bruce's bee boxes … he's beginning to set them out in the orchards, now.

Heavy fog passing over the Hydrill Oil Fields, in Avenal-CA

Supper in Kettleman-CA

Jimmy Buffet - 'Cheeseburger In Paradise' Lyrics: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkEkwfh3kb4&list=RDMkEkwfh3kb4&start_radio=1)

Following our cheeseburger delight, Holland got a phone call from his cousin Bruce, inviting us over to Hanford for a sit-down visit - I like Bruce; he's friendly, inclusive, and has a good sense of humor.

On our way to visit Bruce; very foggy in Hanford-CA~newscum's rails to nowhere, in the background seen from the freeway.

Bruce only gets to CA a few times a year, taking care of his Bee Business - which, at this point, includes his sons & grandsons … decades ago, he saw himself having a prosperous family business; he set about creating that personal dream - and now he's comfortably living it.

Bruce & his boys were enjoying a homestyle supper of grilled cheeseburger delight, themselves.

Between the convo, the in-and-out patio grilling, & the plate fixin's chowing down; Bruce at one point turned to me, and asked, "So, how do you feel about all the family drama?" I said, "I didn't know about any of it until after we were married." His eyebrows rose, and he said, "Must have been a shock, and quite a bit to get used to." I said, "It was. We're working through the hard stuff." And that was the end of that unpleasant line of convo.

Bruce had an interesting dog; Holland told me his cousin Kenny, had also bred and sold that same type of dog.

Bruce's dog looks like a labrador-dalmation mix.

The Dalmador is a combination of the Labrador and the Dalmatian: if we had the floor space, and the yard - I'm sure Holland would be bringing one home. And I wouldn't mind; this was a big dog, but it didn't seem overly aggressive.

Coming home from Hanford, in the thick fog, got us to thinking we should cancel our planned Santa Cruz … and hang out here, in our Coalinga-CA [safe haven] another month; instead of driving to OR.

Foggy homecoming … kinda scary (as in "risky diving") - it was so thick; Coalinga-CA

We're hoping that by this time next month, the weather will be more accommodating up north … and hopefully, the roadways needed to get there, will be easier to travel after storm clean up.

We aren't clear on which way to go yet - but, we know what we want & we're working on way to accomplish our dream life.