May 2005 Newsletter

Pow-wows and smoke and no bugs in the Cistine Chapel. Not the wild and woolly west but the election of a Pope. Tradition and ritual can colour an event. One might wonder at the pyrotechnics of the smoke-I think fresh fir branches might produce white smoke ...but black??. It makes you think-nasty rubber fumes, high octane fuel or something very simple and traditional? I would like to think that some very well respected Chinese fireworks maker was consulted. I don’t think I’m allowed in to the enclosed conclave to ask questions but I’m sure it’s not such a big guarded secret. Here’s your big chance to tell me all about it in detail. Oh no not Rat singer !,and what odds Paddy Power is giving are the main topics at the moment . The critical day or days starts to-day –18/4/’05 and I believe even Paddy is in Rome. May day May day –will the new Pope give more voice to women, will he be even more conservative??? You will I’m sure know a lot of these answers by the time you read this bit of musing as we head towards May. May each day of your life be a good day and for this month a very good May day. Bye Lyd

If anyone has any articles or comments they would like to submit please e-mail them to us at: platinumclubhouse@eircom.net

The month of May –great it’s the start of summer- we all hope! Skies are blue and the sun is warm, in theory at least. Like spring the anticipation of the changes is nearly more important to the psyche. Flowers are in bloom and the birds are singing and busy. Children think of holidays, going to school with an extra enthusiasm. Hospitality businesses hope we will have more tourists .We hope they will see our towns, parks and gardens at their best. If anybody, born in May, wants to buy their birthstone they should look for emerald, which is their special one. Happy birthday to you! The GAA championship stars in May, Wicklow and Kildare play off on 15 May and the winners of that meet Westmeath on 29/05/05. An event not to be missed !

Sometimes when you’re feeling important
Sometimes when you’re ego’s in bloom
Sometimes when you take it for granted
You’re the best man in the room
Sometimes when you feel that
your going
Would leave an unfillable hole
Just follow this simple instruction
And see how it helps your soul.
Take a bucket and fill it with water
Put your hand in it up to the wrist
Pull it out and the hole that remains
Is the measure of how you’ll be missed.
You may splash all you wish when you enter
You may stir up the water galore;
But stop-and you’ll find in a minute
That it looks quite the same as before.
The moral of this quaint example
Is to do the best that you can.
Be proud of yourself, but remember
There’s no indispensable man.

Daytime social. Wednesday 4-5-05 Japanese Gardens.
Social Wednesday 18-5-05 cinema (Carmel and Mary)
Social Wednesday 11-05-05 meal out in Newbridge (Carmel/Breda).
Employment dinner Friday 27-5-05 Newbridge (Eileen Tom)

Socials up Date

Social unit is very active since Jan 2005 members and staff have gone bowling, to cinema, employment dinner in Kilcullen, Newbridge, greyhound racing, had a valentine night. We have a very busy calendar for April and May in our social unit.

Warm Bacon &Chicken Salad

Thinly slice 2 large skinless chicken fillets. Heat 15 ml oil in a large frying pan & stir –fry the strips over a high heat for 3-4 minutes Add 100g Smoked Bacon bits & fry for a further 2-4 mins until cooked Remove with a slotted spoon & set a side Add 175g cooked& sliced new potatoes to the frying pan & fry until crisp adding a little more oil if necessary Divide a 250g bag mixed salad& herb leaves between 4 serving plates & top with the chicken, bacon & potatoes Stir 15 ml wholegrain into frying pan with 90 ml of ready made French dressing heat through gently. Pour the dressing over the chicken& bacon salad & serve immediately.

Five tips for carving roast

Leave the cooked joint to stand in a warm place for about 15mins before you start carving. This allows the meat to `relax’ and will make it easier to carve. Pour any meat juices that seep out into the gravy for extra flavouring Make sure the joint is on a flat and firm non-slip surface ,such as a board or spiked meat platter. Remove any string or skewers from the joint which will get in the way of the carving knife. Use a good -sized, really sharp knife. A large two– pronged carving fork with a finger guard will keep the meat firmly place and prevent any accidents should the knife slip. Joint with a bone in should be craved across the grain of the meat, which usually means cutting at the right angle to the main bone.

I was delighted to be offered a two week trial at Atlantic Homecare. It was my first challenge since I became ill with Aspersers Syndrome and both my employer and I were pleased with my work which lasted eighteen hours over a two week period. Initially I found it hard to concentrate but after a day or so that came back naturally to . I worked in a small office with a lovely lady and amongst other things helped her match purchase orders with delivery dockets. On each delivery docket there was a lot of stock listed out.

Shanghai has a long and varied history, being occupied for many years by different countries. Indeed some of the architecture from these colonial times remains and is protected in this city. It is quite striking to look at such fine imposing historical buildings standing proudly amidst the modern classics that have been developed over the last two decades. Another point to be made about Shanghai is that despite being a bigger city than Beijing, the air is so much cleaner. This could be due to the fact that Shanghai is on the coast and therefore benefits from more wind, but there are others who claim that the improvement is due to the fact that the local authority has insisted on green spaces or parks all over the city. The people of Shanghai enjoy a higher standard of living than elsewhere in China, but the cost of living is almost double. For example, in Changsha the average monthly wage is equivalent to US$100 whereas in Shanghai it is US$200. I had a great time and would have no hesitation in recommending anybody to visit China..

Please note that words occur in all directions, including diagonal, we hope you enjoy the 'search', let us know how you get on!!!!!!

Birthday Wishes to: Stephen,Stephen C, Tony, Denis, Francis, Patrick, Pat, Anthony,Carmel.

Get well wishes to: Simon ,Clive, Bernard .

American Visitors: (For post site visit ) Kevin & Peter 9th to 15th May

Contributors: Lydia, Breda,Clive,Tom, Editorial Team