I hate Swiss cheese. Okay, maybe hate is too strong of a word. But ever since I was a child, I have really, really, really disliked Swiss cheese. Maybe it is because it tasted too bland, or smelled to “swissy”. Or maybe it is because of all the holes – it just seems like a waste of space. But I do love Mozzarella cheese. Okay, maybe love is too strong of a word. But I really, really, really do like Mozzarella Cheese. 

But over the last several years I have been on a low sodium diet requiring me to check every nutritional label for the amount of sodium. (I don’t buy canned food anymore.) And from the nutritional labels, I found cheese is high in sodium, except for, you guessed it, Swiss cheese which has 1/3 the sodium of the other cheeses. 

I know many of you are on a restricted diet because of high blood pressure, diabetes, gluten intolerance or one of many other health reasons. And although living with a restricted diet can be difficult, I’ve found it exciting: providing an opportunity to be creative in the kitchen by exploring and testing new recipes – homemade spaghetti sauce without the salt; different spices – cumin and curry; and some cheeses you never liked since you were a child. 

But can I learn to not only tolerate, but actually enjoy the taste of Swiss cheese? I know the brain is malleable and can be retrained. (I learned to enjoy unsalted peanuts. And without the salt, you can actually appreciate the real taste of peanuts.) But Swiss cheese, something I never ever liked, is the real test. It is going to be tough, but I’m giving myself three weeks. Later I’ll give you an update on whether I can retrain my brain and learn to enjoy eating what I once couldn’t stand smelling. 

If you have driven past Tenth and Cherry Heights recently, you may have noticed the Uplifting Elevator sign on the corner. Thanks to Chris Zukin and Meadow Outdoor Advertising, everyone can now see how much has been raised toward the Center’s goal of $345,000. Thanks to all of your generous support, $230,000 has been raised so far. Soon we will start the final push to raise the remaining funds. 

The Center has been wanting to install new carpeting in the lobby area. But because the elevator will require the lobby and NU-2-U Shop to be reconfigured and new flooring added, we have waited. But plans changed when the ice machine leaked and saturated the carpet in the lobby. Consequently, the Center will be installing new flooring in the lobby and reception area on Monday August 31st. (We have been assured it will fit with the rest of the flooring that will be installed when the elevator is added.) To allow for the uninterrupted installation, the Center will be closed on the 31st. We expect to reopen on Tuesday unless – well, you know how the unexpected can happen. 

At the Center on Tuesday, August 25th, the Elderly Brothers will be performing. Doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00, everyone is welcome, and donations are appreciated. 

Following are the answers to last week’s brain exercise that I found at www.SharpBrains.com. If you missed it, the challenge was to find a third word that is connected or associated with both of the first two words. 1) Ship and Card > Deck, 2) Tree and Car > Trunk, 3) School and Eye, > Pupil (Exam and Private is also possible) 4) Pillow and Court > Case, 6) River and Money > Bank (Flow is also possible), 7) Bed and Paper > Sheet, 8) Army and Water > Tank, 9) Tennis and Noise > Racket, 10) Egyptian and Mother > Mummy, 11) Smoker and Plumber > Pipes. 

I can still use more ideas for the weekly “Remember When” question, so don’t be shy. This week’s question came from an email submitted by Marcia Lacock. What brilliant, talented, reclusive, and very eccentric millionaire and philanthropist is associated with Jane Russell, the H-1 Racer and H-4 “Hercules”, RKO Pictures, TWA, and an obsessive-compulsive disorder? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or mail a picture of his last wife – actress Jean Peters. 

Well, it’s been another week, looking for loose change wherever I can find it. Until we meet again, you aren’t really old until your children start receiving Social Security. “

“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Greek Proverb