American Russia Observations

Try some cold borsht soup this summertime!
If our US politicians were introduced to this scrumptious dish, perhaps they would stop manipulating countries... and start enjoying life.
When I worked in the Califon NJ area I used to buy my sandwich and soup at Rambo’s General Store close to the river.  From October to April every weekday was a one soup day... chicken, split pea, tomato, beef barley, maybe onion.  Americans usually think...

Unexpected Seasons
Winters are long around St Petersburg but less severe than in parts of the United States.  Pushkin wrote about the beauty of autumn in our city area but the current climate is often rainy, cold, and drab.
We hope for good May weather, but spring is often cold and wet. This year both our village and St Petersburg had several hot May days, then raw weather two weeks before summer began on June 21.  June’s cold days and nights have been unusually severe...

Another way to stay in touch.
Getting ready to leave the city is more complicated this year. We watch the news to see what's happening, and also to anticipate changes in money supply, prices, and train schedules.
My monthly Social Security and New Jersey teacher pension payments are automatically deposited in US banks.  We use Visa cards issued to our accounts to withdraw in Russia   $300 at a time, at $5 a transaction.  Now we have less confidence...

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