Goats galore - and an occasional amphibian nearby

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Nice to have some big projects behind us. I feel 20 lbs lighter without the book deadline hanging over my head. Onward ho! Today it's on to 2 class syllabi. It's go go wait wait on one syllabus; we pass messages back and forth with the registrar before we can set the class schedule. 

I get a message when I check my phone after 5 AM: "Are you coming?" Oops - we're splitting a leaders' meeting between two days. It's wonderful to hear how God is at work in women around the world = for me, it's life-giving.

Afterward, we walk the dogs. Attend more meetings. W and I have a "date" brunch mid-morning at #NaraPark. I order my usual, noodles with spicy sauce and hot tea. W has a beef bento box with vegetables, soup, meat, and rice ($5 complete). Neither of us are hungry at lunchtime.

We spot this huge leaf drying in the sunshine. It is over 2' (70cm) from tip to stem. The tree above sheds leaves almost every day - that's the difference between tropical areas and elsewhere. There's constant maintenance because leaves fall everywhere every day. The swish swish of brooms provides background noise all day long.

Anytime I bring out treats, I whistle and the dogs know what to do. At 13 yrs old, the littlest guy is losing teeth but he can still chomp down a raw chicken bone. I keep my eye on him though.

Thursday

Up for the first meeting at 5 AM, then go onward to other calls. By 7:30, we're on the road to the hike. Dina and Veronica ride along to Cikole Forest.

It's Anton's second woodland hike, but his first with his "kin" - 2 Labradoodles from the same poodle bloodline. They tussle a bit and chase around, having a great time together.

The trail is shaded most of the way. Eva has introduced the walk this way: "There's one hill at the beginning but then it's mostly flat." We chuckle as we drive into the hills. Eva is so fit that she probably doesn't notice the hills.

True again: sure enough, we go up steeply and then ascend steadily for 2 miles (3 km) before descending for almost as long. Someone who has just done the Camino walk (Portugal and Spain) remarks that nothing they encountered there was this hard.

The first steep hill is inspiring because of the purple grass heads that glow in the sunshine. They're as tall as we are and wave along the trail.

"No snakes today?" asks a hiker. "We used to meet at least one snake each time, a while back." Thankfully, we see no snakes despite the tall vegetation.

Motorbikes dig deep trenches into parts of the trails. That means maintaining a tricky balance on the sides of the gouges. We dig in our walking poles, tread carefully on the hard wet clay and all make it back in one piece.

We have lunch at Madam Sari's in Lembang. It's not big portions nor wonderful food. I borrow some rice from W's bowl to go with the small salad and a piece of chicken in my order.

Nonetheless, we're eating with nice people in a clean setting. That's good enough.

We're happy to change out of our dusty sweaty clothes and hop in the shower before we start the afternoon's work.

Tomorrow hundreds of goats tied along the streets will be ritually slaughtered for Eid-al-Adha (a reference to Genesis 22. Read the original story here. The Koran does not specify which son was with Abraham, though Genesis reports that Ishmael had already been sent away with his mother before this event.) It means 2 more public holidays (Friday, Saturday).

At night, we have a final meeting, with encouragement to move ahead on a new project.

Friday

We're up much of the night due to the ongoing chanting from mosques. People are subdued in the morning after being awake. The streets are empty except for families going to the neighborhood mosque together. Anton is a pill; he's on high alert for cats, who oblige him by darting here and there.

Jodi and I catch up. Then Gail and I call about co-teaching an upcoming class. I send off our syllabus and complete other morning work. W comes back from an errand in town before we eat lunch at Miss Bee. The staff is friendly and attentive. It rains a bit on our way home as clouds blow over but soon quits.

Saturday

Of course we walk - and this morning, Anton ("monster") is watching for cats; he's figured out where they like to sit. Today he walks past one and lunges at 3. "Leave it!" Getting there ... slowly but surely. I've had a hard workout, pulling him short for 2.5 miles by the time we get home.

The mansion down the street is coming right along - it's the fanciest in detail and the biggest house in the neighborhood, squeezed on a lot that had a modest home like its neighbors.

After I talk to Mom, I'm in the mood for crepes. They don't take long to whip up and then W and I sit on the Porch for a few minutes, enjoying breakfast. We can't believe the luxury of having good weather all year round; we eat outdoors any day  unless there's a fierce downpour or powerful mountain wind. Today the birds are chirping and the waft of jasmine drifts across the table.

'Tis the time of year for yard sales. Schools remodel and upgrade equipment during summer break. Many expats sell off their households as they prepare to repatriate to their countries. I snag a some round wooden tables (@$6.50 each) for community get-togethers. W will rent a truck to move a load in a week, once we have made room to store it.

While W takes cookies to an IES Bandung football game, I get to work. I've got less than a week to pull the first class' notes together. I teach in a week. W has to come back early as well: he's packing for a scholar's forum. A lizard hums loudly beside the Porch but I can't spot him.

Read more:

*If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:9-18

*Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:3

*The angel said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” Revelation 14:7

Moravian Prayer: Most holy Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of your glory. We stand in awe of your creation’s majesty and life- giving waters. Clothe us in your righteousness and grant us your peace. Amen.

Light up my life - or at least the street

Saturday, May 31, 2025

My big mug of tea is refilled multiple times. 

It's a long day of editing but the sun shines, the breeze stirs the wind chimes, the birds chirp, and the house is empty. We clear our heads and hearts in the space between guests. Who knows who (or what) will land next? This tri-color plant catches my eye.

Typically, the dogs sprawl at my feet for a nap. The oldest and youngest have an occasional running feud. The yap of the little white poodle and the deep bark of the big black one punctuate their play.

Sunday

Walk. Pray. Love on the people in a good Gathering. Angie brings two boxes of my favorite tea from Malaysia. Thanks!

Arya confidently spreads his long legs across the stairwell to a narrow ledge as he swipes away a swarm of ants and multiple spider webs. Oh ... the flexibility and balance youth!

We go to #Ethnic for lunch. I can't decide what to eat and opt for my usual: rice and oncom. 

The owner thanks us for the business and offers a tour of their beautiful guesthouse that has just opened.

The driveway may be unassuming but the old house has been beautifully remodeled into rooms and suites.

There are multiple balconies overlooking the area.

The rooms are spacious and clean with ensuites. (They've opened at $25 for a one-bed and $50/night for a two-bed room!)

The grounds are lush.

There's a communal kitchen and a big dining room, but with an excellent restaurant around the corner and a coffee shop next door? Sip your coffee in the beautiful landscaping and skip doing dishes.

At home, W confirms flights and shuttles for the next weeks of travel. Then we enjoy a quiet evening.

Monday

We walk. Every home turns on their street light at night. Homeowners are expected to illuminate the street in front of their house where there's no public lamp. (And there's hardly ever a public streetlight in a neighborhood.)

At the Assistant Governor's house, this group poses for photos - the guard takes a picture with their camera.

W has Anton most of the time and remarks on how tiring it is to have a willful dog. Yeah - we've been through this with our other two big dogs but they're well-behaved now. Old Gypsy is slow and not excited about walking anymore but he goes two miles like the rest.

DrW invites us to breakfast with Pak Hendy and a group of friends. They've known each other for years and do TaiChi together twice a week. Like us hikers, if we are in any danger of calorie deficit, we fill up right after exercising. hehe

My favorite: noodles! W has a study so misses the feast and the good company.

I edit for 4 hours straight and call it a day. There's one 25-page chapter (second round) to go, plus footnotes and titles! Next time I'll work straight from a paper copy: I printed it out after the first round of edits but now most pages have marks for something I could have clarified on the first go. Sigh. I was trying to save our paper and ink $$.

Adi sends over some fresh baking - cheddar and onion bread buns. So good!

Tuesday

After our walk, I talk to Mom and a mentor. After 3 hours, the book edit is finished. Hurrah! I send it off with a request for a published copy since we don't get paid by this press. It's a fascinating look at Asia's potential to shape the world. I'm no perfectionist, but I hope I caught what I needed to, shaped what needed reshaping, and have moderately improved the academic's work. (He's a gifted writer, thank God.)

The team comes over for a meeting, complete with tea and cookies. By special request, we take out a banana bread and enjoy that, too. W and I dash to the grocer to save ourselves a trip tomorrow. Look at the beautiful orchid for sale! I leave it behind.

Supper is simple: an avocado from our tree, homebaked bread, and rujak (fruit in peanut sauce.)

W does one more round with Anton while I wrap up writing. Some nights, you feel especially happy for sundown and rest.

Read more:

*Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! Psalm 97:12

*Those who love your name may exult in you. Psalm 5:11

*Hanna made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life.” 1 Samuel 1:11 

*Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. Luke 1:57-58

*As the apostles left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. Acts 5:41-42

Moravian Prayer: Lord almighty, please look upon us, your servants, in our need and remember us. Shower us with your great mercy and grant us the desires of our hearts. May we, like Hanna and Elizabeth, give back to you all the days of our lives. 

Lord Jesus, your name is exalted above all names. Like your apostles, help us teach and proclaim you as our savior everywhere, especially at home. Faith is the best gift we can offer to our children. Amen.

Meet and greet

 Thursday, April 24, 2025

We're in the car before 7:15 AM, picking up Veronica to hike the Gracia tea fields with all 3 dogs. Little Bailey gets to come along since there are no big labradoodles to bounce on him. The past few weeks, PakGum has taken him on his own walks while we've been hiking - since a "roll-over" play stunned and frightened him. He's almost 13 years old so too fragile to be jumped.

The trek is an easy 3 miles (5 km) - mostly downhill over volcanic rock and muddy terrain. It hasn't rained overnight we get less dirty than sometimes.

In places, the trees close overhead and the path is shaded and cool: 75-80F (24-26C). Nice.

Clumps of bananas ripen along the trail.

With an early start, it's cooler. We're soaked with sweat but not panting at 85-90+F (30-32+C) like we'd be at a later hour. The view across the tea fields to the surrounding volcanos is spectacular.

We reach the pickup point about 10 and go for brunch at Paulina's Chahaya resort. We ride the funicular down to the restaurants in the valley below.

Three young woman pose for a photoshoot.

We're having my birthday lunch (almost a month late!) = #Chanaya pasta made by their Australian chef. Yum yum.

There's a variety of good food on the table - enough that we take some home.

It starts to pour rain as we finish eating. We hitch a ride up the hill in the resort's van and run for the car.

This pops up on my phone: 3 years today our standard poodle Cocoa was found and buried in the hills above Bandung. We had been hiking a familiar path when she disappeared and we couldn't find her. She'd fallen into a well and was discovered by villagers 3 days after we lost her. We hiked that trail 2 weeks ago - we'll always remember Cocoa.

Now, 3 years to the day, we say hello to her great-grandson Anton. He arrives late in the evening; it takes 1.5 hours to persuade him into his crate. Once his front legs are in and he's snarfing up his treat, he doesn't fuss. Then all is quiet for the night.

Friday

It's meet and greet for our dogs! We let Anton into the yard without the other dogs. It's early - before 6 AM - to prevent crate accidents. But he's a big boy and does just fine. 

While I walk the loop with Anton, W lets our dogs run around the yard before he walks them, without letting them see the newbie. They're happily tired when we meet up at GG (neutral ground). After they get acquainted and run around a bit, we walk them home together. That's worked for us every time. A little prep on Day 1 saves a lot of fights for months to come.

As we pass by, everyone is excited and wants to pet Anton. Today's not the day for that - and maybe not for a few days. He's smart and learning to walk at my side rather than lunging forward. (I turn in a new direction when he gets ahead, so he watches where I'm walking.) He knows sit and a few other commands already.

Back home, the other dogs demonstrate how to come for a treat when I whistle. They're calm. Sitting. Anton gets the hint (and his treat) after a few minutes. He's quickly disabused of any notion that people like dogs jumping on us. Juno doesn't let him bounce on her - she was the nursemaid of the yard at the breeder's - she knows how to handle puppies.

W and I head to Setiabudi Market for groceries. This week, the helpers have baked away the butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. We eat lunch in their basement restaurant. I like the simple decor: batik cloth hung on curtain rods.

The menu has SE Asian options, plus Western and Mexican dishes. W orders a burrito and pad Thai. I choose Vietnamese pho soup and spring rolls.

The afternoon passes with people making deliveries, helpers coming and going, and other fun experiences for the new dog. None of the critters like being on their own when thunder and lightening rolls through, so I work outside. They sprawl or pace nearby. Poor Gypsy has torn out fur patches again, a nervous habit since puppyhood. Edits and more edits. I wade through Chapter 2 this afternoon.

Saturday

It's sometimes hard for people to remember our time zone differences. Today's not too bad: the first call comes at 5:30 AM. Might as well get up and walk when we hang up.

Anton snaps a leash in two, dashing to get out the gate and after the 2 older dogs. Nope - W goes back for the "Gentle Leader" no-pull collar that we used to teach Juno not to pull ahead. For the first few blocks, Anton bucks like a bronco when he rushes ahead and feels the collar. Then he figures it out: a comfy walk happens at my side. Good boy!

After the first loop, he wants to be on the same leash, so the 3 big ones walk together. The older calm dogs are good trainers.

Sam's given us some tea samples. The Serenity herbal goes great with Boh Cameronian Gold (black tea) in the first pot of the day. It's no longer caffeine free, but it is tasty.

Much of the morning involves coordinating a house move for others, getting volunteers into place, and other "smalls." Satisfying Saturday, with 4 dogs lying nearby.

We meet a leader regarding the next season - and it looks like we'll be going ahead. Then W and I walk to Ethnic for supper. I'm not hungry but manage part of a bowl of soup. W enjoys black pepper sauce on tenderloin. 

The birds nest fern beside our table has massive fronds (+4'/1.5 meters), tied to a thin-trunked tree.

On our way home, we spot a paladin. Some boy has been - or will be - circumcized. Male family members or friends will carry the boy in a song and dance parade. Circumcision can happen any time but usually the child chooses to join the community before age 16.

Sunday

The hall is full! Many extras extend the morning Round Table Gathering. We have 2 regular attendees who are repatriating.

A local classroom has come to sing 3 songs. They wrap up the meeting after the talk with a traditional dance.

The post-Easter potluck is wonderful. We try out our new canopy, which confirms at it is too small for a potluck; it needs to be 1 meter/3' wider. 

The food disappears - we have double the number of people expected, but God multiplies the food. All 4 loaves of Ibu Apong's banana bread disappear. It's a favorite!

For cleanup, the canopy collapses easily and stores into a long narrow box.

The evening is a farewell dinner with John. W orders a shaved ice and a beef salad. The rest of us sip hot honey lemon tea along with dinner. We walk home as darkness is falling.

Read more:

*My heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 NIV

They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” Mark 7:37

Moravian Prayer; Divine Healer, we are forever grateful for your presence among us, for the beauty of creation, and for our salvation. God, we need your healing. Lift up our neighbors in poverty and conflict, and let your boundless love reach every heart. Amen.