Life before and during

Friday, September 25, 2026
The book group meets in the afternoon. We have a lively discussion about a teenager's recollections of the political revolution in Indonesia in the 1960s.

Saturday
The morning is full. The crack in our office floor is worsening with the constant earthquake tremors. The tremors are small and mostly undetected, but the heavy clay roof tiles can't be helping keep the foundation stable.

I jump out of the way of a snake in the road. Oh wait. It's a 24 inch/60cm twisted branch. Whew. It's good to pay attention. As I walk the dogs near a fence, a big lizard falls out of the tree, lands in a pile of leaves, and disappears into the heap.

Is our new dog Bruno limping? He has a strange gait, half lope, half reluctance. Maddie reports the same of Mary, her new dog. After a slow 1 1/2 miles walk on paved roads, Bruno's foot pads are a bit bloody. Oh oh, what's going on?

The previous owner and I WhatsApp back and forth. I have some questions about the dogs and the rehabilitation they require. Turns out Bruno and his mate Mary have lived inside on ceramic tile since they arrived 5 years ago. They don't know grass or dirt because they've never encountered it. That explains their slinking and gliding on tiptoe around the yard.

During a call with dear friend Keelee (a professional baker @QuietWatersBakery), I make "shake and fold" bread, following instructions from a Scottish FB baker. Easy peasy.

I test both ovens: one maxes out at 300° (150°C) and the other at 350° (180°C). Neither is hot enough for bread. The loaf pan goes into the hotter one, for a slightly longer time than recommended.

The bread is excellent: as soft as rolls, without kneading. I let it cool completely before storing it in the wax breadbag. I can't use a bread box because the ants (especially the tiny ones) would get through the smallest crack and be all over the food.

Sayaka comes for lunch at #NannyPavion. Then she does myofascial therapy with W. As always, it's very helpful and exhausting.

Meanwhile, I head to a nearby women and children's clinic. It's a delight to welcome little Sora ("sky" in Japanese, and "on the journey" in Spanish). She arrived into the world this morning. Mom Angie and her beautiful newborn girl are doing well.

The English groups, with about 100 kids, are in full swing when we get back. The volunteers know just how to set up and clean up. There's music, language practise, and of course snacks at the end. Harun, a tall teen, plays on his computer and enjoys cookies while his mom teaches the ABC song.

For supper, besides fresh bread, we enjoy lemper (rice steamed in leaves) that W picked up in the hospital cafeteria. The doc gave him a good medical report at his monthly checkup.

When you break it open, there's chicken inside.

Anton gets the poodle "zoomies." His skids and full-speed runs are devastating as he plows through the flowers and grass-like lawn. He's showing off for Bruno, trying to get him to run and chase. Not yet. But hopefully soon!

We're happy that all the moms and kids gets home before a light rain falls. What good timing! And how it is needed in the yard. After soaking the ground slightly, the real rain begins. The downpour floods the streets, yards, and drains.

I wake at midnight, review student grades from the last class, and send off the results to co-teacher Gail. She's a star at compiling their results. We learn in every session we teach, especially from the research of doctoral students. They live and serve in various cultures and countries so offer fresh perspectives.

Sunday
I rest before our neighbor DrW swings by with goodies from Poland.

They're redoing the neighborhood drainage, cutting the narrow channel wider before rainy season. The jackhammers and pickaxes are loud and effective.

PakChandra drops off another fantastic bouquet that Titik made.

Up close, every petal is perfect.

The garden is happy with last night's downpour, too. There are daylilies.

Curly blooms.

Neon ball flowers.

The 8' /2.70cm shrub has a dozen pink blossoms. They're big: 4" /10cm across and last only a day.

The fragrance of the jasmines reaches the Porch.

We walked first thing, but Bruno became exhausted with one loop. He's been lying around since. He's afraid of the driveway (cement bricks), as well as the grass and soil in natural areas. There's no way to take him hiking until he grows calluses on the pads of his feet. Will he have bone or muscle damage from never being in the sun? We'll wait and see.

Chacha and I meet at #MissBeeProvidore for conversation and lunch.

Having a hot bath is complicated. The electric heater produces lukewarm water for showers, but W found an immersion water heater online. We fill the tub, plug it in, haul a few pails of hot water from the serving kitchen, and a half-hour later, the bath is ready with the help of the heater.

You have to plan ahead. And later, all the surfaces have to be wiped dry. There are the beginnings of rust-like stains on the tile surround and the plastic tub. It's from the well water.

I enjoy a piece of Keelee's #QuietWatersBakery coffee cake with a cup of tea.

Oh oh, the 10' / 350cm hedge beside the driveway is leaning.

"Blown by the wind and rain, it's going to come down," warns PakT. He gets the costs for shoring it up, permission from the neighborhood who owns the fence behind it, and says 2 guys will be needed for the work. I also text the Project owner, who says he'll take care of it. We don't want to cut down his privacy-security hedge! It's also an effective sound barrier against the busy lane behind it.

The wind kicks up at 3, blowing leaves, needles, and cones off the trees. The yard is a mess but it will be swept tomorrow. The chimes sing as the sky darkens.

Monday
We leave Bruno (new poodle) home after a walk in our yard. His footpads are still sore from the short walks around the neighborhood. What are those white flowers? Can it be .... !

Indeed. It is my favorite flower. The only 5-star hotel on the hill recently renovated its rooms and gardens. They've planted a hedge of gardenias! Wonder if they noticed that we stop every morning to smell the gardenias at the neighbor's house, across from their parking lot. So yummy - like heaven's perfume.

W helps make a hearty breakfast.

We make a mess from peeling pomegranates, lunch prep, and cleaning out the fridge. I put all the cut vegetables and meats in one ziplock, label it "SOUP needs broth," and put it in the freezer.

The yard is bursting with color.

This looks like a zinnia - pretty red.

We pack. Then we're off to the train station mid-morning, headed to a mandatory organizational supper in the next city. We'll not be gone long. The trains are clean and generally safe.

Read more:
* But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6

* And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations. Matthew 24:14

* The same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. Romans 10:12

Moravian Prayer: Gracious Lord, our hearts rejoice in you! You are our God, our source of true happiness. Your generosity knows no bounds—it pours blessings upon all who call on you. May we always praise you with joyful hearts and grateful souls.

Lord of all, your reign stretches to the ends of the earth, and your kingdom is our refuge. May your truth be proclaimed to every nation, and may all people recognize your power and love. Be our guide, now and forever. Amen.