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MAY 2021
Garry F. Liday Corporat ion FINANCIAL COACH
RETIREMENT ASSET MANAGERS, INC. A Registered Investment Advisory Firm (RIA)
Life Can Be Scary
THAT TIME I LIVED IN JAPAN... Remembering 4 Months in the Land of the Rising Sun
In many ways, my job is to help people prepare for the future. But that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the past: We all have experiences that we’d like to relive, and if we’re lucky, we’ve got more than two or three. I consider myself lucky, but one experience that jumps immediately to the top of my list is the four months I spent living in Japan as part of a Rotary club exchange program. Ironically, I wasn’t a Rotarian until that trip. It was a promotional deal, and they didn’t want anybody who was involved with the organization putting themselves ahead of others in the application process. The one exception was that our little group was led by an experienced Rotary leader. That person made connections with the Rotary clubs in Japan and generally helped us with itineraries and places to stay. And in that four months, we spent a lot of time meeting with Rotarians in the various places we visited — dinners, lunches, drinks, banquets, you name it. The Rotarians there even invited us to stay at their homes instead of in a hotel, and we frequently took them up on the offer. It was a great way to experience the culture, and it was also a sign that we appreciated their hospitality. The concept of “crashing” with a friend for a while was a foreign one to our hosts, which meant the offers were deeply generous.
I found a lot to appreciate about Japanese culture during my stay. I spent most of my time on the island of Shikoku — it’s the small one nestled up to the southern tip of the biggest island in the chain, Honshu — and back then, they hadn’t built a bridge between the two yet! Things were a little slower- paced than on the big island to the north, and we were able to savor the amazing food and even learn a bit of the language. Or at least, we should have been. I found that in my little group of Americans, I was the only one even remotely interested in Japanese food, language, and art. They were a far cry from the wide-eyed servicemen I’d traveled with back in the Marine Corps. “Why can’t we get ‘x’ here?” was a refrain I got used to, and I couldn’t understand who would sign up for four months in a foreign country if you didn’t want the opportunity to broaden your horizons. Also, who doesn’t like Japanese food? On the other hand, that meant that I was able to keep the translators cornered pretty much the entire trip, and they were gracious enough to answer my questions and help with whatever I wanted to try next. Early on, I wrote a short “thank- you” speech that I could deliver to whatever local Rotary branch or club we were visiting that day, and our translator helped me put it into Japanese — but written out phonetically, so I could practice the words and get them right when spoken aloud.
That little gesture never failed to impress our hosts, who I quickly realized were more used to the “Why can’t we get ‘x’ here?” brand of visitors. Something else I’d done even before leaving the States was assemble gifts for my hosts; it was customary in Japan for guests to present a host with something to show respect and vice versa. I made up hundreds of small, wood-backed pictures of Oregon sugar pines to hand out. In return, I often received gifts of far greater value. I learned that the Rotary clubs in Japan were typically for the wealthy only. That was certainly not the case in the States, and I sometimes wondered how my Japanese counterparts were faring back home! The disparity between gifts didn’t seem to matter to my hosts, though, and I made many friends that way. I also learned something important, which was that people from wildly different cultures and backgrounds can still get along if they’re willing to meet each other in the middle. Small gestures of respect, like giving gifts and trying to learn basic Japanese, go a long way. I got along well in Japan, and the people I met appreciated my efforts to meet them in the middle.
This backfired on me only once. It was late at night, and I’d been dropped off at my hotel after a night
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Saving Lives One Hole at a Time AUSTRALIAN WOMBATS IN CHARGE
Remember the Australian wildfires of 2019–2020? These fires ravaged large areas of the country, displacing and leaving countless animals to fight for survival. To make matters worse, swaths of the country have been dealing with drought. It’s one challenge after another for humans and animals alike. But one species has taken matters into its own “hands.” Numerous wombats have been discovered digging holes in search of water — and they found it! According to Australia’s ABC News, one group of wombats was discovered on a farm in New South Wales, which was situated over a large underground reservoir. So, the wombats went to work. One farmer, Ted Finnie, reported that wombats dug a hole roughly 4 meters deep by 20 meters wide (or about 65 feet). Their incredible work made this source of water remarkably accessible. At this particular watering hole, Finnie captured all sorts of creatures on camera — birds, emus, possums, echidnas, and monitor lizards — congregating around the wombats’ creation. What isn’t known is how, exactly, the wombats discovered the water, but they surmise the animals likely picked up on environmental clues and dug until they found what they were looking for.
Interestingly enough, wombats have been known to help other animals in the past. During the Australian fires, countless animals were left searching for refuge, and they found it in wombat burrows. While the wombats weren’t exactly welcoming other species into their homes with open arms, they seemed to “tolerate” the visitors, as one ecologist with the University of Adelaide noted. It was a case of accidental heroism, much like their search for water, but it was heroism nonetheless.
HOW TO LIVE TO 99
Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity
Stay Busy With nearly eight decades of acting under her belt, six Emmys on her shelf, and over 120 screen credits to her name, White is no stranger to hard work. As she told Parade in 2018, “I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.” Exercise Your Mind In addition to her busy work schedule, what keeps Betty White sharp? Crossword puzzles! She told Katie Couric in an interview, “I’m addicted. An admitted addict. I just can’t put ’em down.” Find a Cause White is a lifelong animal lover. She calls her golden retriever, Pontiac, “the star of the house.” While pet ownership itself comes with proven health benefits, White has channeled her love for animals in bigger causes. She’s been a trustee and board member of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for over 40 years and has done work to help protect endangered species in the wild. Funds raised from White’s official fan club, Bet’s Pets, all go to support animal charities. Embrace Your Vices White told Parade she loves vodka and hot dogs “probably in that order,” which just goes to show that you don’t have to forgo your treats to live to 99.
Beloved “Golden Girls” actress Betty White is still enjoying her golden years. The famed
actress celebrated her 99th birthday this January. While she told People magazine that she’s “blessed with good health, so turning 99 is no different than turning 98,” she also had a few tips for folks looking to make it to their centennial birthday.
Keep Laughing “Don’t take yourself too seriously,” White says. “You can lie to others — not that I would — but you cannot lie to yourself.” White has undoubtedly provided many laughs to viewers over the years, but she’s not just playing it up for the camera. Laughter is part of what keeps her young. Be Optimistic White says a good sense of humor also helps her keep a good attitude and look for the positive rather than “dwelling on the downside.” Avoiding negativity also gives her energy. “It takes up too much energy being negative,” she told People magazine.
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Become a Savvy RV User
... continued from Cover
out drinking sake with my fellow Rotarians — the Japanese ones, not the American ones! Tired and a little tipsy, I realized that I didn’t remember what room I was in, having just checked in earlier that day. In my wanderings, I stumbled across an events room with perhaps 20 Japanese men sitting in armchairs and talking quietly. And drinking sake, of course. All wore suits with identical lapel pins. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but they were delighted that an American spoke a little of their language and asked me to join them. We visited for perhaps 20 minutes — the time it takes to nurse a glass of rice wine — and then I bid them goodnight, off to bed at last. The next day, while relaying this incident to my translator, I watched as his expression changed to concern, then to humor. He started to laugh. “The lapel pins are a dead giveaway,” he said. “You were drinking with the Japanese Mob!” I couldn’t believe it, but hey — they’d been nice to me! Looking back, I would love to visit Japan again sometime. I made many friends, and for years afterward, people I had stayed with would contact me and ask if they or their family members could visit me in Oregon. I played host to many college-aged Japanese kids over the years, and I learned that respect and meeting people in the middle can bridge the widest of cultural gaps.
This past fall, RV manufacturers reported a 31% increase in sales compared to 2019. This was no doubt related to an effort to stave off the spread of COVID-19, which had more families opting to take road trips and camp instead of going on tropical and European vacations. While the great outdoors can be the perfect affordable backdrop for family vacations, it doesn’t come without a cost. AND SAVE MONEY ON YOUR SUMMER ROAD TRIP
Even with the Japanese Mafia.
– Garry Liday
You can hit the road without your bank account taking a hit with these three must-do tips!
Stay for Free If you’re on a cross-country adventure, you will need a place to park and rest each night before continuing your adventure the next day. Rather than shelling out money every night, consider free options. Search for public land that’s part of the Bureau of Land Management or in a Wildlife Management Area that allows overnight camping. Walmart allows RV parking at no cost, but some locations pose safety concerns. To mitigate this, well-meaning RVers have listed Walmart locations with red flags. You can check them out at AllStays.com. Save on Fuel Fuel could be your biggest expense, but you can cut down on the inevitable by driving slower than 60 mph when it’s safe to do so. Once you hit 60 mph or above in your RV, your gas mileage will drop. Furthermore, you can keep your gas bill in check by sticking to trips within your state, planning your route to avoid unnecessary detours, and leaving early to miss the traffic. Each little action could make a big impact on your fuel bill. Re-Use Items in Your Home You may have a long to-buy list for your RV, but not everything on there may be necessary. Before splurging on the latest gear, consider what you have in your home. Use old kitchen utensils and plates, cleaning supplies, bedding, and entertainment items like books and toys in your RV to save money and clear some clutter from your home. It’s a win-win!
Shaved Asparagus Salad Inspired by ACoupleCooks.com
Tangy citrus and salty Parmesan cheese complement earthy, fresh asparagus, a favorite spring vegetable with a short growing season.
INGREDIENTS •
1 lb asparagus spears 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp Dijon mustard
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3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
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1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. With a vegetable peeler, shave each asparagus spear from tip to base. This is easiest to do if the asparagus is on a flat surface. 2. Place shaved asparagus in a bowl and blot off excess moisture with a paper towel. 3. In a separate bowl, make a vinaigrette by whisking together lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and olive oil. 4. Pour vinaigrette over shaved asparagus and add Parmesan cheese, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Looking for more RV tips? Check out GanderOutdoors.com or download apps like AllStay, RVParky, and State Lines. Happy trails!
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INTEGRITY, RELIABILITY, & COMMITMENT
Garry F. Liday Corp. Retirement Asset Managers, Inc. A Registered Investment Advisory Firm (RIA) 15405 SW 116th Ave., Suite 103A King City, OR 97224
Call Us: (503) 620-3531 www.garryliday.com
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Inside This Issue Did You Know I Lived in Japan? PAGE 1 Australian Wombats Are Saving the Day! PAGE 2 99-Year-Old Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity PAGE 2 3 Tips for RVing on a Budget PAGE 3 Shaved Asparagus Salad PAGE 3 Brighten Up Your Space With These May Flowers! PAGE 4
Bring Spring Indoors THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAY FLOWERS FOR YOUR HOME OR OFFICE The April showers came and went, so now we get to enjoy May flowers! You might not buy flowers for yourself often, but it’s totally worth treating yourself and your visitors, all while supporting your local florist! To start off, anemones are the most mythological May plant around because of two famous Greek myths surrounding these jewel-toned flowers. Anemones are said to have sprung from blood shed by the death of Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis. The ancient Greeks also believed that the god of the west wind favored anemones — hence their second name, the windflower. Attach them as pops of color to any bouquet for a classic, romantic, or modern arrangement, or mix them with roses and trailing greenery for a more boho look. Carnations are also fantastic flowers to display in May. Some people may see carnations as a cheap flower, but, when used en masse, they can have a truly breathtaking effect in a room. Try using natural-colored carnations to create a fresh, contemporary space.
ranges in the flora kingdom, in fact! Delicate, ruffled, and feminine, sweet peas are sure to delight anyone who sees them.
Lastly, although tulips or orchids would be classic choices for your arrangement, consider surprising your visitors with lilies of the valley . These beautiful, peaceful little blooms only grow in white, which is often seen as the color of renewal and innocence, and they wear it well! Their adorable little bell- like flowers will be sure to put a smile on your face. We hope you will consider these gorgeous flowers for your space this year. A small purchase at your local small businesses can make a big difference, just like how a few flowers can make a big difference in your home!
You can also freshen up the room with sweet peas , which have a wonderfully mild perfume. They come with an enormous range of colors — one of the biggest
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