Monday, February 21, 2022
Woohoo - there's unexpected bonus time with the cancellation of 2 meetings. I suddenly have a few hours to write newsletters for the coming month. The day flies by.
Every day, we hear the swish-swish of brooms, morning and afternoon. If you leave a house for any time at all, downed trees, dead leaves, and rampantly-growing weeds obscure the pavement. And before long, the roof falls in as the wooden rafters are eaten by termites.
After just a few months, the house starts to disappear into the overgrowth.Taking a break, I check the 2 remaining fish ponds next door. The old picture frame party shades the water on one, but it needs cleaning. There's no way I'm cleaning another pond.
What cleans water? Plants. We have water hyacinths galore in our back bathtubs. Last week I thinned them out and tossed them into the pond from the abandoned porch 5 meters away. Score! (Snakes are taking over the yard as the grass grows. If I want to get close to the pond, I beat the grass with bullrushes.)Outside our gate, the palm berries hang on their silvery stems again.
Bailey takes it easy after his walk. He loves his snoozes. The other dogs rest nearby.
Tuesday
When the alarm goes off, I'm already awake and ready. The 3:00 a.m meeting is worth the missed sleep. Some of the leaders in this cohort serve internationally; some are in the States. We discuss the "Berry Bucket" theory of eager adapters, resisters, and those who fall between. Leaders must empower all kinds of people, especially during change so we have a lot of ideas to share.
Later in the morning, our team celebrates the wins of the past months. We're still meeting online.
The yard man is sick and doesn't come today. Many others in his neighborhood have Omicron, which has arrived in force. The plants he pruned last week create a gap hole in our green wall. They'll grow back in no time.
Wednesday
It's our weekly date morning. Restaurants offer specials with flavors that Westerners wouldn't normally put together. It's always fun to try new things. I pass on this though - it's too early for pizza, even with white sauce and blueberry toppings.
W likes extra sauce and fatty foods. This morning, he orders soft bread buns with beef sausage, slathered with mayonnaise. I can hardly stand the sight of it but he says it tastes good.
In reality, my noodles and fried balls (shrimp and chicken) probably have similar calories. Everyone has varied tastes due to our upbringings. My mom cooked spare, healthy, and lean. That's the food I prefer. Do I snack? Yes, of course. And no, it's not always healthy.
#NaraPark is a stunning setting. We usually sit in the lower courtyard but the upstairs terrace is beautiful as well. There are 8? 10? separate restaurants who cooperate - you can order from any of them. #PinoTerrace is our favorite.
In the afternoon, I play catch up on book reviews. I write 21 but there's a still long list of books left to read and review.
The beds are made with fresh and clean bedding. I love the freshness of line-dried linens, don't you? My mom used to hang clothing and sheets on her clothesline when the weather permitted. The smell brings back memories of childhood.
At night, the house rests.
The night lights come in the main room before we close the bedroom door for sleep.
I find some forgotten artwork in one of the upper rooms and display it around the house.
*Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” John 4:34
Moravian Prayer; Almighty and sovereign Lord, teach us to love in truth, and to honor and respect those around us. Through your word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, gracious God, empower and enable us to love as you love, and do as you would do. Amen.
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