"Is it better to be happy or know the truth?"

Tuesday, April 21, 2026
British hymns played by a classical organist accompany today's writing and work. We head to town after a walk around the neighborhood loop. This 1' / 30cm leaf has the most beautiful shape as it dries, don't you think?

We pass parades of schoolchildren commemorating Hari Kartini, in homor of the woman who championed equality for women in Indonesia.

It's time to get a full-length mirror at the Project. Who knows how we've been showing up? W is familiar with a glass shop downtown. Its owner remembers him. She offers us a wide-and-tall non-wavy option, delivered for $20. I'm planning to hang it with a secondary function. Mounting it across from an existing window will create the illusion of a window on a blank wall. We order another mirror for the guest bedroom.

When we moved in, we placed 4 floor chipped floor tiles across 2 library tables to make a serving island. Although they don't fit, it's worked well enough.

We walk past a stone seller. Since they don't have one slab of what I'm looking for, I bargain for 2 pieces of rough-cut travertine marble. (I can put our wooden cutting board between.) Once the shop offers the same price as they charge for run-of-the-mill stone, we agree to the purchase. They promise to deliver the slabs on Thursday.

It's good to have a handy spouse. W hangs the wind chimes on the Porch. Two older chimes came with us from Seattle but the one of beach glass is from our recent trip to Bali. I've missed those songs when the wind blows.

For a follower of Jesus, a multi-sensory life of worship is a daily pleasure. Our generous Creator gave us the capacity to enjoy smells, sound, touch, and more. We share his delight in the beauty of the universe = pure wonder and gratitude.

The back kitchen is readied and cleand up for tomorrow's cooking spree. Finally, the chaise liner is washed and repaired so we can pull on the new cover. (Oops, I forgot to miter the front corner. Let's leave that for the next time I pull out the sewing machine.)

The fabric is a wild neutral pattern in 3 greens, 2 blues, 2 pinks, and cream. They can be highlighted by changing the pillowcases. For now, the pillow covers are light pink and light blue.

It's time to write the partner newsletter for next month. A chocolate peanut butter cup from TJ makes the process sweeter.

Reading is part of being a lecturer or prof. Choosing texts is part of teaching. I must write reviews and make recommendations for upcoming classes. The general principle is to avoid books that are more than 10 years old unless they're seminal texts. Publications 5 years or younger keep students informed about cultural trends and current research.

We have dinner with a former student. His wife used to like Nanny Pavillon in their city. She was thinking about that with nostalgia a few days ago. She spots it across the street from our driveway. What are the chances? We cross the street and talk about homeschool, serving others, and contentment.

Wednesday
The dogs have their usual wrestling match after the walk. As we eat breakfast, they search for the banana bread crusts we toss into the yard. Then they snooze while their owners prepare for movie night.

The sky looks stormy. Rain is expected in the afternoon. There are many things we can plan and control. But the weather is God's responsibility. When there's a downpour, the streets flood and travel is restricted. We ask God for favor. [The first drops fall at night, a half-hour after our guests depart. Shortly after, the gusher begins. Thank you, God!]

The clatter of capri shellls above the Project entry hails the stir in the air with the arrival of about 80 guests.

This is the first movie night where I'm not cooking. Della, who catered the last games night, prepares the meal. The helpers cook rice, make mayo eggs, cut fruit into yogurt cups, and set out serving pieces. Everyone seems happy with the food, though those young appetites could probably have eaten more. A few mention how they look forward to the regular menu. However, none seem disappointed as they're heaping their plates.

The movie is The Truman Show, which kicked off the craze for reality TV.  We've moved art off 3 walls to make large "screens." W, who is gifted in technology, also connects a big-screen TV.

Month after month, W struggled to get the tech working at the old place. The power would flicker or the dual projectors would not synchronize. "Here," W says, "it was a piece of cake once I figured out how to link the 3 projectors and the big-screen TV." (Haha, easy indeed. What a good thing that showing the movie doesn't depend on my skills.)

We ask regular attendees how they like the setup. "We like it because we can be in groups and see the movie together. It's easier for discussion, too."

The question for this movie? "Is it better to be happy or know the truth?" We have many thought-provoking conversations afterward, with most agreeing that the pursuit of truth is crucial to a fulfilling life.

Thursday

The dogs - ours and the neighbors' - are in full cry this morning. There's sunshine and wet pavement and a tiny breeze = all in all a glorious morning.

We eased a kitten away from our entry when we left for a walk, but it squeezed back under the gate.  When we get home, the dogs spot it walking around. They chase it as it snarls, hisses, and swipes at them. They persist until W screams the dogs off long enough to pick the cat up by its loose scruff. He drops it through the fence onto a platform a little lower down. The dogs start baying again as the cat tries to climb back to our place. Silly kitty. Not long for this life, if this keeps up.

We indulge in a slice of Pannetone and tea on the Porch. The vacuum fires up and floors are washed. Beanbags and pillows go back to storage. Furniture returns to its place. We didn't move as much heavy furniture as we used to at the old place, and left the rugs down instead of rolling them up. That makes restoration quicker and easier.

W and I send a video greeting and prayer to Mom in Canada. We are grateful for ways to stay in touch as her health declines. The sunshine falls across my desk as I get to work.

Read more:
* God, from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Psalm 71:20-21

And [Jesus] said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Luke 7:14-15

* [Jesus said:] “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:25-26

Moravian Prayer: Risen Savior, we tremble when we ponder life’s end. Did you tremble in Gethsemane? Did you feel turmoil when you dreaded the cross? Enable us to grasp the promise of life everlasting when we feel the nearness of death. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.