Natural tremors and calming measures

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
As kids growing up in Canada, we celebrated this day as the first day of autumn. Outside my office window, the shrub with red plumes keeps showing off. It's bloomed steadily for a month or more.

The dogs relax as we have breakfast. We had a half-hour of rain last night, which made everyone happy.

I shop for groceries while W has speech therapy. I'm in the mood to make food when I return. I make chicken lunchmeat, soft cheese, and then lunch. The chicken has to cool and solidify in the fridge before we eat it, but the homemade cheese is perfect on a fresh loaf of bread.

"Where did you get those candles?" ask my Indonesian friends. They flicker like the real thing. Ummm. The Dollar Store, USA @2/$1.25. I've noticed that they're dimming.

The DS candles have plastic parts. Our other fakes look more realistic since they have wax exteriors = 80% off at an IKEA sale. I wondered if the warm climate would melt them, but so far - after 5 or 6 years of service - they're still flickering.

We swap out the rechargeable batteries every few months. The candles are on day and night for a soft glow. They keep going and going. 

Are you dimming? What recharges you? And how long does your charge last?

We sit down with PakG, who has worked for us for 8 years. We discuss his cost-of-living increase, what's working, and what needs improving on both sides. He offers to communicate with the yardman, who neither followed W's instructions nor completed his work last week.

"We joined you in 2-year spans," IbuS notes at the end of her workday. True: IbuA came 12 years ago, IbuS 10 years ago, and PakG 8 years ago. They have truly been a blessing, helping us move from our last home to the Project. They help maintain the Project so we can bless others together.

It's muggy out - the AQI is an "Unhealthy"190 by mid-afternoon. No wonder we don't feel like working outside. We're ready to end the day when some workers leave at 3PM. Of course, I have to think about supper. Oh wait! I bought sushi (California Rolls) from the grocer's Japanese section. Maybe I'll share that with W and avoid planning another meal.

W finds a lizard on the pool pipe. It's green on the blue plastic.

It immediately turns brown as it reaches the tiles.

It skuttles off, long tail dragging. Someone corrects me. "It's a white-chested lizard not a chameleon." Hmmm. I look up what she's describing and there's no such thing on Google. I don't care what it's called. It's about a meter long, with a tail that curls for balance and strength as it climbs plants and pipes. Don't let our dogs see it!

Thursday
Today's a big day. Kel and a friend come from Jakarta with his 2 beautiful dogs. He's emigrating early next year, so he wants to rehome Bruno (a small standard poodle) and Mary (a labradoodle, daughter of our Juno.) The dogs are 6 years old and past the puppy stage. He wants to leave them here for a few weeks so we can see how they fit in. They've lived mostly indoors; the adjustment to a big yard will be interesting.

W and I finish out walk and eat breakfast at #NaraPark. Even though items have the same name, they're not always familiar. Look at the chicken drumstick-and-thigh options on the menu.

Someone has split a thick log for a bench.

It's a bug-rich environment.

What complex creatures.

When we sit down to lunch, I notice movement. W has noodles and sauce on his plate. There was only one portion of noodles so I put my hot toppings on a slice of lunch bread. My plate is squirming with minuscule ants that must be in the bag of fresh bread. I don't see them until they flee the heat. I squish them as they swarm the plate. 

After we eat, I hand the rest of the bread bag to the helpers. It's great bread! and they can toast it so there are no more ants. Have I lived here too long? Lucky W with noodles; he might not have tolerated the escapees as well. The roses from Sunday continue to provide joy and color.

The dogs are beauties when they arrive in early afternoon. Kel says, "If you change your mind at any point, please return them to our family." Since our dogs are aging, we consider adopting the poodle. I find out Lizzie, their wonderful breeder at #BaliPoodleDoodle, has sent Kel our way to see if I can find them a home.

Then Kel offers, "Actually, do you want them both? I'd like to keep them together." We do the usual "incoming routine" for dogs: a meet and greet. We walk the strangers around our yard so they can "meet" our canines and ours will accept them in the space. But our dogs meet the new ones in a neutral place. (Thanks, Chandra! Sorry about the wild kitten captured by Juno, the hunter of bats, cats, and birds.)

Mary the doodle is shy, fearful, and anxious. She bares her teeth and lunges when another dog comes near her owners, her, or her possessions. Not good. She won't be happy with our 3 curious dogs and will stir up trouble. Juno snarls back at her when she shows her teeth. (Juno is the schoolmarm around here, teaching everyone proper behavior.)

When we take the new two around the perimeter of the Project yard, Mary runs onto the pool cover, tearing it in several places. Bruno follows her but quickly climbs off. Mary feels the swing of the fabric and crouches in place, shivering for a few minutes. She finally makes her way to the side, tearing big holes in the shadecloth. Poor thing.

Hopefully, we have found a home for Mary with a family of animal lovers. Our friends have dogs of their own and enjoy visiting with Juno and the others. Just after Kel leaves for Jakarta, Mary walks over to Bruno and bites him so his head bleeds. Ouch.

Bruno doesn't make a sound but turns his back as he is pushed, mounted, and bitten. W removes him from Mary's reach and they sit by the firepit together. From then on, Bruno is W's dog.

Meanwhile, Mary snuggles with our friend Maddie. Maddie's calm nature and gentle touch puts animals at ease. Mary goes home with Maddie and her family. She explores their household.

After all that excitement, local ministry leaders drop by with a thank-you fruit basket for our hosting their group last week.

We enjoy the fruit and pastries they leave behind = supper. I don't have the energy to cook ...

We take the dogs for another long walk to settle them in for the night. Maddie says Mary goes into a sleeping crate without any fuss, same as Bruno does here. The crate is for their protection and comfort. They need a safe space of their own and we don't want our dogs stirring up trouble for them overnight.

Friday
W's off to the clinic for follow-up blood tests. But first, Bruno, Anton, and Juno walk side by side as though they've always been together.

The pink car is back, parked in its original location. Still no license plate or ID.

If we raise a hand near Bruno, he flinches. When another dog walks by, he tucks in his tail and turns away. Our dogs sniff from a distance, respecting his space and letting him be. Bruno may thrive with a few weeks of peace and quiet. The Project yard waits to be explored but he finds his safe place by his crate, behind a table and chairs on the terrace.

Once W leaves, I cook for two hours, using one big saucepan. Bacon gets fried, stored, and the fat removed from the pan. Next comes onion. I store and label half of it and add garlic to the rest. I remove half and add ginger. Then I store that and add chopped mushrooms. After half is stashed away, I add grated carrots. I freeze some mixes in cupcake trays, some in jars. 

There's enough left to flavor my brunch of scrambled eggs - and lunch. I finally have time to eat on the Porch mid-morning.

Cold water removes the baked-on food (no onion or garlic left). It is frozen in a lick-mat for the dogs. Waste not, want not.

I think Bruno has found a comfort auntie in Juno. She knows how to settle down an anxious pup. She spots him, sits near him until he relaxes, then lies down nearby. After Bruno goes to sleep, she walks off to her own sweet spot. Good doggies.

Maddie writes that all is well at her place, too. Look at Mary snuggling on the sofa with her ...

Read more:
* These had given willingly, for with single mind they had offered freely to the LORD. 1 Chronicles 29:9

* Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 

" For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life,and I will raise them up at the last day.”

At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 

They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:35-44

* He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:37

Moravian Pryaer: Generous God, you who gives us life without limit, you invite us to imitate you in giving. We offer our gifts to you with joyful hearts, knowing that all we have is yours. Help us give freely and willingly, trusting that our offerings will further your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen.

Are you leaving garbage or clean spaces behind?

Sunday, September 20, 2026
Listening to Daniel speak Indonesian while Della, his wife, translates into English, we learn new words. His encouragement goes straight to the heart.

We ask a few people out to lunch at #NaraPark. Yum for good lunch and good company. Danny beats us to the cashier. "You know what my uncles would say if I let you pay," he laughs off his generosity.

After a brief visit to the house, our guests head home. I snap a photo of the empty entry before we draw the curtains across the 8'/250cm windows. Some days are very peaceful. Being surrounded by tall trees helps filter out the noise of the main street and probably helps with pollution. The AQI (air quality) has been unsafe to toxic: 70-170 in the last week. There's paper and plastic trash in the driveway, tossed by yesterday's children. It will be collected or swept away in the morning. (We'll have to tell the kids that they're expected to throw their garbage in the garbage can by the gate.)

#TitikBadudu drops off the morning bouquet while we are out. Oh wow.

Week after week, I marvel at her fresh and artful creations. I pluck out a rose to take to Chacha's birthday party at 3PM.

Chacha celebrates at #MissBeeProvidore down the street. She's arranged for guests and family to come up the hill so W can attend, close at hand. How we appreciate being included!

She's the beautiful fairy godmother to her pastor's kids. I had an aunt like that. Memories of AuntieM are dear to my heart, many years after she passed on.

Monday
On the Porch, the orchids have fully opened. Some are on their second round of flowers. This one, from DrIngrid and IbuDhani, has been gorgeous since late August without dropping blooms. They brought it along on a visit after W came home from the hospital.

W leashes the dogs for a walk.

"Does it bite?" We pass a chameleon that's seen better days. I snap a photo: 2:1 tail-to-body length is the normal ratio.

You know your diet has definitely shifted when, instead of bacon and eggs, it's a luxury to have cinnamon apples (stewed this morning), porridge (without sugar or milk), and chia seeds soaked in cranberry juice. I cook quinoa while that's getting ready -> must think ahead when meals are cooked from scratch rather than thawed and heated, or prepped by others.

The yard seems barren of color though the transplanted shrubs look healthy after almost a year in the ground.

The yard man shows up every 2 weeks to tame the Project yard. He brings 10 pots of flowers from the nursery where he works. Once a month, we give him $17 to liven up the flowerbeds with pops of colour.

The leaves get swept away with a homemade split-bamboo broom. (They don't use rakes.) We don't actually have a lawn. Rather, it's a clearing planted with spreading green plants that don't need mowing.  Everything has begun to yellow in the dry season, despite semi-weekly watering.

I choose a side porch for an online meeting. After closing my computer, I hear a loud crash from the front yard.

One of PakDa's jobs is brushing off the tile roof. He has fallen into the garden. OUCH. I rush over to see what's going on, but he insists he's ok and can repair the ladder. The top joint of the aluminum ladder has failed? The metal hinge is bent out of shape. How did that happen?

I call W from his speech therapy session to check on PakDa. Apparently PakDa - not the smallest of guys - opened up the folding stepladder and extended it to prop on the eaves. There's no supporting middle brace; he climbed up with the metal fold on the wrong side. The simple V-joint collapsed, sending him flying to the ground. He'll be sore tomorrow!

W brings a sturdier and taller ladder. It's common for locals to "make do" with whatever is nearby, whether that is appropriate or appropriated. They seldom "bother" us to ask for correct tools. PakDa finishes the job.

There's a lot of natural debris. We hear the swish swish of the broom as heaps of leaves are collected from the walkway and under the trees. You can't let the leaves pile up under the tree canopy either, because snakes and rodents will nest in it. It may be perpetual summer, weatherwise, but it's perpetual autumn with trees shedding leaves, branches, cones, and needles.

With a forest overhead, natural debris must be removed regularly from the roof. During the dry season, they sweep off easily. It's more difficult during the rainy season, when composting foliage meshes into wet clumps. 

The garden waits to be discovered, wherever you look. This 8"/20cm x 1"/2.5cm cylinder has appeared in the shade of a thriving palm tree. Some plant is making its way into sunlight. It won't twist off. I cut it to add to my collection of natural wonders. (Don't worry, there are more!)

There's no way to keep up the Project alone. The staff works hard to maintain the inside and outside. We are grateful for each one.

Tuesday
We agree that oatmeal porridge is better than the quinoa leftovers from yesterday's supper. W dislikes the texture. It was savory, cooked in broth, and I prefer a sweeter breakfast.

The yardman has to sort the garbage from the compost piles. Locals explain to us their habit of throwing plastic, food, and other waste on the ground, wherever they are. "We used to live off the land, so whatever we threw away decomposed. We've just continued the custom of throwing down our garbage when we moved to cities." Some street sweeper picks or sweeps it up, burning it in toxic piles along the street.

Bottles, bags, and other debris have been mixed into the piles of leaves raked against our fences. Those must come from someone who worked in the yard. No one else has access. Today, one guy gets to clean it up. Looks much better when he's done.

I spend over an hour researching and sorting research for an upcoming book. I intend to walk down to the women's study but have left it too late. I catch a ride instead.

Afterward, PakG drops me off for lunch and then takes two other women to their house. I'm sleepy and need a nap. My dad napped for  10-15 minutes after every lunch, then woke refreshed into a "second morning." Good idea, though I usually forget until it's too late in the afternoon.

It's a full but quiet day, the best kind. W keeps working on the pool. It's not yet ready for water aerobics or water therapy, but we're getting closer.

Read more:
* Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Psalm 33:22

* May those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!” Psalm 40:16

* Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

* [Jesus said,] I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved. John 10:9

* For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Philippians 1:21

* The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18

Moravian Prayer: Gracious God, we thank you for the beauty of creation, a reflection of your steadfast love. As we place our hope in you, lead us through the gate of Christ to salvation, trusting in your mercy and eternal care.

Mighty God, you are our salvation and our strength. We rejoice in your love and proclaim, “Great is the Lord!” Rescue us from all harm and lead us to your heavenly kingdom. To you be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Understanding the present through the past

Wednesday, September 16, 2026
We're watching for the pop-up pink car around the loop. It's been parked in at least 3 different places. For a few weeks, one like it (only pinker, if that's possible) sat on the side of the road. It was covered up with plastic for a while, and then it disappeared. Life here is a mystery.

One monthly meeting of international leaders has moved to 5AM. It's not a night with a lot of rest. After waking at 4:10, I decide to snooze. My alarm doesn't go off. I miss the beginning of the conversation. Grrr. After we log off, I send Mom a video hello. Well, I send it to Sandi, who oversees her care and passes it on.

W and I love sitting on the Porch in the morning, praying and eating breakfast together.  I cook apples and pears, and make a nuts-and-seeds porridge. W has put a lot (a lot!) of chia seeds into the juice so it is a thick pudding. We look up whether you can eat "too much" chia. It's possible but unlikely. Every morning, we pull out the overnight juice-and-chia jar from the fridge and have a half-cup with breakfast. Our cardiologist suggested it as a food substitute for blood thinners. Stroke patients should also take meds, he says. W goes for both.

W is improving day by day. He has speech therapy at 9, while I prepare for the Book Group meeting next week. I don't have a copy of the book, but Amy loaned me hers yesterday. I have to finish Theo of Golden, a book recommended by several friends. I read Amy's book today and return it by mid-afternoon so she can take it on her travels tomorrow.

This insider's account of the 1960s military coup in Indonesia explains much of what we observe. We have wondered about the ongoing role of intellectuals: the readers, the well-educated, and the articulate groups who forged the nation after Dutch colonialism. We know Indonesian scientists and teachers but haven't met many authors, poets, and philosophers.

In most societies, there are rulers, their advisors (scholars/philosophers), warriors, and peasants. It is unpopular to admit that most of us are worker bees, but that seems normal in stable kingdoms.

While the sun is high, the air is still. Rain is predicted in a few days, which would be a relief. The clatter of capri shells on the Balinese mobiles at the front entry and the ting-ting of the Porch chimes signal winds brushing across the mountains morning and night. 

I like the memories FB tosses up. Today, there's a photo of a teaching seminar we hosted for local educators (thanks to Korrie Taylor), an inquiry on how we kept from having "helmet head" when biking to work in Seattle (run your fingers through your hair when you get to work - ha), an alumna asking about German high foreheads, another alum exclaiming on the presence of God during suffering, 2 dog pics, and a nanotank saltwater setup. Pretty random bits of personal and professional history, going back 18 years.

W and I are tired but it's too early to turn in. We head outside walk a few thousand steps around and up the hill. Firetrucks pass us, still trying to extinguish the garbage fire on the upper hillside. The big dogs are happy to trot along with us.

The house is still being put in order after last week's guests. IbuSumi has found time to bake a loaf of seed bread so that is supper. 

Thursday
We're still not hiking but have a long neighborhood walk with the creatures. Last week, I was thinking about our two old dogs, who may not live much longer. One walks with us, but only when his arthritis isn't too bad. The labradoodle is 11 but loves walks and long sprawls on the terrace. Should we look for another poodle next year? I ponder whether and when to contact Lizzie, the breeder of the wonderful dogs we rehomed. Maybe one of hers will be ready for retirement. I commit it to prayer. "God, whenever," and forget about it.

Someone offers me 2 free dogs that he purchased from Lizzie as puppies. He lives in Jakarta (3 hours away) and is moving out of the country. He sends me photos of the dogs, their papers, and their vaccination certificates. They're gorgeous and healthy. "They are like my children, not pets." Well, they're pets here, though we love them.

The standard poodle is as big as 2-yr-old Anton. K's dogs are 6 years old so will be more settled. The doodle is the daughter of our labradoodle Juno. I'm interested in the standard, but I was considering next year. What are the chances? Weird.

"I will bring them to Bandung to see if you are a good home." Hmmm. I WhatsApp friends to see if anyone is interested in rehoming the labradoodle. I am often a conduit rather than the final destination for incoming blessings. W rolls his eyes but doesn't say no. Yet. I guess we'll meet up; hopefully I can raise interest from others.

We return our dogs to the yard after the walk and head to #NaraPark for a date breakfast. Beside our table, a 7'/120cm hedge flaunts false-bird-of-paradise blooms.

I order a hotpot with rice noodles. The noodles have steeped too long in the broth and have clumped together. The taste is good after I untangle the mass. Yeah, I prefer my usual mie rica (spicy noodles).

By the time the workers leave, the house and yard are back in order. We are ready for the next crowd. Let's see who God wants to bless at the Project. We've had several inquiries about private retreats since last week's group left.

Most local people aren't readers, but we store our books on the shelves. Sometimes people borrow them, though I seldom get the books back. The 6 sections of the dining room shelves mix function and ornament: vases, cups, plates, and serving pieces are interspersed with books, candles, and art.

Friday
Is this potted plant a coffee tree? It's similar to what we see in the mountains, where entire tea plantations are being ripped out to make room for coffee. 

"Indonesia is the world center for coffee." It's yesterday's bold claim by a local.

Walking to the meeting place for the WHW (women who walk), this elegant petal catches my eye. Dozens of pinks hang on a tall tree beside the street.

Seven of us start down the hill. A block from our gate, I zip back inside home to swap out of my Merrill sandals. The sole is flapping and coming off. A hazard of this climate and walking is that our shoes don't last long. Most often, the sole separates from the footbed. I grab old Nike trainers and off we go. They're neon pink and blue, 10 years old. 

"From behind, you look like a tourist," exclaims one walker who is near the back of the pack. Is it my shoes? The wide-brimmed hat? The long strides? I forget to ask. We cross a few bridges that wouldn't pass a civil engineer's inspection. They hold up just fine so we take photos on it. When bridges break or wash away, they're rebuilt the same way.

We stop at a student food court (OBC) and descend to a friend's Korean restaurant. It isn't open for another half hour, but the server makes the drinks we order.

Around the corner from OBC is a Dutch-style restaurant with an artifact wall for selfies. "Looks Dutch for sure," says my friend in the USA, who immigrated from the Netherlands to the USA 50 years ago.

The servers wear little caps and ruffled aprons, apparently Dutch style. I've never before seen a historical European lace cap pinned on top of a hijab (kerudung). 

Most of the menu isn't ready to serve yet. They order deep-fried bananas and fried tofu as a midway snack. Do you like deep-fried foods? Seems oil is always heating in Indonesian kitchens.

It's a nice pause before the last hill to our starting point.

The ladies relax on the Porch for cookies and coconut water, ordered by Alice for us all. Then we invite Waldemar and Reuben to eat with us at a restaurant across the street.

W and I take one more walk around the neighborhood. People used to argue when I said, "We're getting older," in our 50s and 60s. Not any more. They agree. haha

Today's log is16,000 steps and 14 flights. We are grateful for vigor, the ability to run steps, and sustained energy in the heat. It's 85F/30C and muggy. Helps to maintain the same weight and keep mind and body active, that's for sure. 

For supper, I fill spring roll wrappers with leftover chicken and vegetables, roasting them in the air fryer for 15 minutes. Too long, but tasty.

Saturday

The morning is quiet and normal. I'm reading another book about cultural revolt, equally heartbreaking to Tuesday's memoir about Indonesia in the 1960s. This novel is about Romanians living under the Ceauşescu dictatorship of the 80's and 90's. It's unimaginable what people can endure. It's described as "a historical heart-pounder" (Wall Street Journal). Agreed.

W cleans the very dirty whiteboards used at the Saturday get-togethers. I write a note at the top of each: "Wipe clean after class." When they leave it dirty (barely wiped off) each week, the accumulation turns the boards grey. 

Sayaka comes to work with W on facial function. He makes leaps in clarity of speech after each session with her. I send a banana bread along for her family. An abundance of gifted bananas from Veronica allows us to share. The volunteers today will enjoy a loaf for their post-session snack, too. 

We welcome almost 100 kids plus to the afternoon's English conversations. We smile as we listen to them chatter together. Later, they walk or zoom off, chattering like little birds.

Read more:
* The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

* Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits. Psalm 103:2

* Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 

 

On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21

* Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27

Moravian Prayer: Mighty God, our refuge in times of trouble, strengthen us to serve those in need with humble hearts. Let our faith be lived through love, caring for the oppressed and vulnerable, and by reflecting your mercy and justice in all we do. Amen.