Seeds aren't just for gardens

Saturday, November 9, 2024

It's another thundery day but W's hungry for pizza at lunch so we head up the street to Miss Bee. He brings his umbrella and I bring my decade-old IKEA rain cape. We stay dry when it sprinkles on the way home.

I bake a "White Fruitcake" for breakfast tomorrow and next week. I sample it as it comes out of the oven. Yum. I wanted a quick and easy dish so I created a recipe with basic ingredients (fresh fruit, oatmeal, nuts). It can be easily customized with whatever's in the kitchen.

Today's cake tastes very good! but of course, I'm going to try a different version next time.

Again, FB and IG won't let me post a link to the recipe - it's "forbidden" for whatever reason. I send off a "whatcha thinking?" report to FB staff, to which I don't expect a response.

Sunday

We're back at IES Bandung for the first time in weeks. It's really true that you "carry people in your heart," and these are people we love and care about. We're glad to be home.

I end up playing keyboard for worship though I haven't played for a month and rarely before then. The ease of thinking into the black-and-whites is mostly gone ... unless I'm not focusing deeply. Then the reflex of decades of playing takes over. Lila has worked well on the musicians; their progress and enthusiasm is apparent.

We have a team meeting after the Gathering. It's so good! to see these dear coworkers. We plan Advent and choose topics for the first three months of 2025. Team is best. We take those not otherwise committed for lunch at Maxi's.

There are movie cameras, actors, and support staff at this empty house, filming a romantic drama.

The rain starts up, as it does most afternoons. You can hear hissing in the trees as the rain approaches. Then you see spitting on the ground. A downpour follows.

Monday

Sun's up and we're out the door by 5:30. I'm fascinated by the plant life and fruits that fall from the trees. When I open this 4" ball, swarms of ants stream out.

Flowers spring up, street-side.

The breadfruit at the neighbor's house is growing, too.

Each morning, the winged "ants" have dropped their wings and crawled off. The lightweight wings blow inside.

Anything that dies is swarmed by ants who process it and drag it off to their nests.

W and I empty and refill the aquarium bowls on the Porch. I'm putting off Christmas until we have movie night. These fluffy red bulbs are blooming beside the fence but I haven't plucked them this year.

I don't mind shopping for groceries. While W is in a study, I get that out of the way. It's so dark outside, almost like Seattle (November through April). At least it's warm-ish. I wear long sleeves most of the time in this gloom, though it's 75-80F/22-25C.

The heavens open and the streets overflow. The drainage canals can't handle the downpour so the motorcycles and cars must be careful. Water splashes halfway up the tires. It's the first time we've been out this wet season. We run a visa errand and eat a late lunch at a new bagel cafe. W loves his beef toppings. There's only an "everything" seed bagel for me.

Tuesday

Kirsten's at Grandma's, also visiting with my brother. I talk to them a few times - they have a wonderful time together. 

On our walks, I just can't enough of this tree, which flowers for months.

Across the street, we spot this "hedge" of bulbs.

Up close, the flowers are even stranger.

This vine drapes from a fence. If it's still blooming Saturday, I'll use it for the Sunday arrangement.

Inside the house, Titiks roses have opened up. Gorgeous.

Wednesday

After a double-loop walk, I try the banana bread IbuA baked yesterday. It's baked without added sugar. It's made with whole wheat flour, old bananas, homemade applesauce, and homemade date syrup. Pretty healthy breakfast! It's chewy and naturally sweet.

My morning chore is editing an academic paper on the contextualization of religion in Java. The topic is right up my alley. I learn something, adjust it for publication, and ask W to find anything I missed. Then it goes back to the editor of the press.

Another to-do is finding a replacement gardener for the guy who quit. That takes a few back-and-forth messages before we schedule an interview.

In the afternoon, I get a notice from two publishers: I'm pre-approved to review upcoming books by favorite authors. I download the books and write a bunch of reviews while I'm at it.

Supper with Don at Nara means a good time and good food.

There are a few new restaurants in Nara kitchens that were vacated recently. (End of contract?) They're worth a try. The guys have a monstrous burger while I have some pizza.

Thursday

YAY YAY YAY. I get to hike for the first time in almost 2 months. We're not sure what the trek will be like; it might be too slippery. So the dogs stay home. It's a foggy morning with layers and layers of mountains below.

We climb to the top of the fault line: Gunung Batu. There's a steep cliff plunging to valleys on either side of the monument. Whew, it's quite dry compared to some hikes. When it rains, the clay soil feels almost icy in slickness.

We pass some ladies hauling 30 kg (about 66 lbs) of livestock grass from the mountain slopes.

This developer took the money for the Mountain City and left homeowners high and dry. They're trying to finish their own homes on the steep slopes. Doesn't look safe to us.

There's a casualty on the street: we're not sure if it was a lizard or snake but it no longer bites.

We walk uphill to lunch, which is ok - a vegetable sate for me.

Between texting and coaching, I sample the fresh bread IbuS baked this afternoon. So good.

Read more:

*I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3

*Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Psalm 84:4

*Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Psalm 103:;22

*Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26

*He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6

Moravian Prayer: Spirit of God, how happy we are that you dwell within us, and that we belong to you. We give you praise that you always hear our prayers; help us in all our weaknesses, teach us how to pray as we should, and intercede on our behalf.

We praise you, O Lord, for all the great things you have done. Through your grace, and through your son, Jesus Christ, we become your children. We give you glory, Lord, for all the great things that you have done in our lives. Help us to be children who are pleasing to you and bring glory to your name. Amen.