We're headed into the mountains by 7:40 AM. The forest-and-grassland walk freaks out some of our non-hiking friends.
"What if there are snakes? Aren't you afraid of the snakes?!" Well, having dogs run ahead helps. Hopefully their thundering legs chase everything else off the narrow overgrown paths before we get there. So far so good.
No other dogs are coming today so we risk a first hike with Anton. Anton still pulls when we walk him in the neighborhood. So, is he ready for the forest trails? Will he run off and not come back? Will we have to leash him the whole hike? Yes, no, and no.
W wants to keep him on leash the whole way but I let him off when the other two run free. He bounds ahead with them, comes back often to check what we're doing, and returns when we call. Good boy. These city dogs love to stretch their legs and negotiate challenging terrains.
We're in the forest without the map of sections until we're almost done with our hike. We wander around, get lost, backtrack, and finally find our way out. (Someday we'll keep going where we turned around today. There must be another trek back but we haven't found it yet.)
On the way, we spot wild ginger, a beautiful flower that pops out of the ground without leaves.
The mossy trees are full of mushrooms and lichens after the extended rainy season.
Many trees have fallen across the trails - we climb under, over, and around. My ribs are still sore so I bend with more care than usual.
The kids notice the long stems on leaves.
And we find cones and other interesting botanicals.
One pine tree has slashes across it, roots growing over it, and peeling bark. So much texture!
The kids perch on a fallen log.
We head down from the mountains for lunch. A cat casually walks across the cart inside the Sundanese restaurant where we eat. Cats are everywhere.
Congratulations to Lyong, who graduated from her university with top grades. She finished 2nd among the top 5 students! Wow - that is no small feat with +1500 graduates! We're so proud of her.
Her brother Eki accompanies their parents into town for the event but she has only one ticket, which her dad uses to watch her graduate. The rest of the family waits outside during the 6-hour ceremony.
We host the family overnight. What an honor when our "kids" introduce us to their parents. Shortly after they arrive, the heavens open with a heavy downpour. Good timing, you guys.
Friday - Happy birthday, Isaac!
Far away, our 3rd grandchild celebrates his special day. He's sometimes speaks or acts so much like his dad and his grandpa that I just stop and blink a little to take it in. We get to talk to him later in his day.
After the morning dog walk, we eat breakfast with our guests. Before going home yesterday, IbuA and IbuS prepared rice and the main course for supper. (I cooked side dishes and set the table.)
The women also cooked bubur ayam (chicken and rice porridge), which warms in the rice cooker overnight. Yum - Eki's mom used to sell bubur and she pronounces it delicious in Sundanese style.
Good thing I didn't try to cook that! haha Indonesian and Western tastes are far apart. While we have gradually grown accustomed to local food, a Western breakfast of pancakes or toast and eggs would be unsatisfyingly foreign to most Sundanese.
I finally finish the initial edit of a book its publishers are waiting on. Then I print out a 2-pages-per-sheet paper copy for the final edit = 204 pages of small print to pore over one more time.
Adik sends over homebaked artisan cranberry and cheddar rolls. They smell good. We're supposed to heat them but before we see that instruction, we enjoy them fresh out of the box.
Our water dispenser gave up the ghost so W goes off to buy a new one. I work on the Porch, enjoying warm breezes and the company of the dogs. I give up at 4 PM, with my head full of words.
I use a spoonful of "Better than Broth" from USA Costco to flavor 2 c of boiling water, toss in ready-made dumplings, chopped beans and carrots, and leftover sausage. Voila: supper. Though W initially refuses it, the smell is tempting. We both enjoy it.
Saturday
The house is quiet when we leave for the walk. We check on a nearby project and shoo away a slumbering cat before Anton can chase it. W has a study so we only do one loop (2 km). The big dogs are happy to accompany us.
Potholes may be ignored, deepening for weeks or months. Eventually, the repair is messy and organic. This is the driveway repair nearby. No need to have a smooth surface, which gets slippery with molds and mosses in the constant humidity. Instead, the cement is beaten level with small rattan brooms and left with ripples and grooves. If they've cleaned the pothole first, it may stick. Otherwise, the new paving will soon lift and ... be repaired in a few months?
God's work is more precise - and prettier. The flowers bloom in the neighborhood.
Right beside it is this perky golden display.
Our own garden offers only frail yellow flowers but it's time to make the Sunday bouquet. The live leaves and alliums from 2 weeks ago act as structure. I add silk flowers. The back is as riotous as the front.
Read more:
*Jesus said, “I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32
*The Lord said, “I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one shall make you afraid.” Leviticus 26:6
*In days to come nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 22:4
*Jesus said, “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Luke 11:20
*Pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
Moravian Prayer: Forgiving God and Lord, gird us to seek peace daily with our neighbors and those whom we see as foes—for whatever reason. Help us to offer the olive branch in our hands, and the love for you in our hearts.
Ascended Lord, we wait for your return, but we are not idle. Gift us with fearlessness and acts of love, proclaiming salvation through you and life eternal with you. Your kingdom come. Amen.
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