The smell of apples and cinnamon

Friday, October 16, 2026
We're 2 months from final Christmas preparations. How is that possible?

After an event (like movie night on Wednesday), we expect life to be quieter and calmer. Yesterday's hike refreshed us; we are grateful for good health and are happy walkers. Today I have 3 items on the calendar, besides resetting the house. First, I pull apart Titik's Sunday arrangement to make 5 smaller ones.

Live flowers are a great pleasure. I lay the drooping snapdragons on a tray, immersed in water. Will their heads revive like roses do? (They do.)

Before Lew leaves for home, We debrief on his work for his dissertation this week. At 10, it's a joy to speak to our NZ friends, Lisa and John Bottomly. How I have missed teatime with Lisa!

Saturday
The morning sun comes up and shines on the gardens.

I joke with some friends that everything looks better with a poodle or two in it. When we're outside, they're nearby.

The fence seems to be working: the dogs stay out of the flowerbeds, even though the panels are not yet fastened to the posts.

On our walk past the local garbage dump, we spot a flock of chickens.

Some really beautiful roosters and hens root through garbage bags. They keep the bugs in check, too.

There are dead things on the road. This lizard met its end yesterday.

On the other hand, the neighbor's roses are coming along well.

The #PadmaHotelBandung's gardenia hedge has several new blooms.

I call Mom and we pray together. What a blessing to see her sweet face, even online.

I sit outside with a volunteer who arrives an hour early for the English program. A student paper has been on my desk for a week so I finally grade it and send it off with comments to the university. I work my way through Ann Patchett's latest book to prepare for the book club meeting next week.

The dogs are tied up outside my office, snoozing while the kids play and sing on the other side of the property. None of our creatures is anxious; with routines and knowing what to expect, they act relaxed and secure, no matter who comes over or how much noise happens.

Sunday

The walk is simple and straightforward at 6AM. The dogs are happy to be out, as are we. A closer look at some ordinary scenes astonishes me. This flower is usually tightly curled as it falls from the tall trees overhead. Look at the exquisite center!

The palm berries look like hollies, another reminder that Christmas is coming.

Martin speaks at the Gathering, about love and peaceful existance with those who intend to harm or distract from God's calling.

We take a young family out for lunch at Maxis. Their little guy enjoys running around the football-field-sized courtyard.

By the time we get home, Chandra has dropped off Titik's bouquet, a mix of roses, greens, and purples.

It's beautiful on the serving counter.

MId-afternoon, I am in the mood for ... what? not bread. not cookies. We have Granny Smith apples in the fridge, so why not? I toss ingredients into a bowl and bake the dough in a dozen cupcake liners. A half-hour later, we have apple muffins. Yumm.

W sets up the projector so we can watch a recommended movie Song Sung Blue. I dislike musicals (this is one) and it's about a former generation's music. Our movie night crowd wouldn't understand it or enjoy it.

Oh well. W is always looking for next month's film. Our own kids often refer the movies that young adults respond to. "Dad, have you watched ...?"

Read more:
* Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. Job 11:7-9

* O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things. Isaiah 25:1

* Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you.” Judges 8:23

* Thomas answered [Jesus], “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28

* For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14

Moriavian Prayer: Lord and God, help us to have faith in you. Even though we can’t see you, allow our unbelief to be vanquished by your glory and might. We pray in the name of our crucified and risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Movie night returns

Monday, October 12, 2026
I catch a half-hour nap before an evening meeting. It takes me hours to unwind enough to sleep, this time until 10:30. With friends and mentors in opposite time zones, getting together is not always convenient. But staying in touch is important.

Tuesday
On the walk, I notice a strange flower poking out of the gardenia hedge at the Padma Hotel. When I bend over, it flops down. Someone has tucked it between the leaves.

W and I agree: it's too soon for him to be prepping such a big event. He's stressing over tech, not speaking, and more. We'll evaluate before the next scheduled gathering. "Shall we cancel?" I ask. He's done enough work on getting the screens running that he doesn't want that. 

Mid-morning, I make a final shopping trip for movie night: eggs, fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy. I come home at noon and cook lunch, a curry with leftovers. An hour later, we're working on the seating layouts.

W decides on a screen layout that's easier for him to set up. The tradeoff is more furniture and rugs to move. I point to the new locations but being understood takes a while - or doesn't happen. I don't care enough to maximize the space, which we have in abundance anyway. We have lunch outside, meeting a friend who shows up after W leaves.

Wednesday
I'm cooking by 5AM. I scribble the menu on the fridge whiteboard, making sure everything is covered.

It should be an easy 4-hour morning, wrapping up before my 9AM meeting. Except that our two air fryer ovens keep overloading the circuits. It takes me at least an extra hour, running back and forth to the breakers and resetting the temperatures and time. Instead of wrapping up before the call, I restart the kitchen after the call ends.

The helpers arrive at 3 while I'm napping. They have their own checklist but it's slow going. They're so far behind that I pitch in for the setup. We have to be ready when the movie night crowd shows up.

The helpers keep an eye on the buffet with me, restocking the containers from a table to the side.

There's enough left over for takeaway food for the helpers and a few meals for the house. "I don't have to cook for 2 nights and my grandkids are looking forward to this food," says one.

At intermission, the young people enjoy baked goods and fruit cups.

We ask how many places of origin they come from: 14 countries! Students from the -stans (former Soviet Union satellites) and Africa are especially appreciative of lots of food and the chance to make new friends.

The consensus is that guests love the movie. They ponder two questions afterward: "Who is my shepherd/?" (Who am I following?) and, "Am I a good sheep?"

They rev their motorcycles away or call motorcycle taxis to take them back to their homes and dorms. At the end of the night, all is quiet.

Thursday
Neither W nor I get enough sleep. We're hiking in the mountains for a change of pace and to de-stress. On the way, we pass groups of military recruits carrying weapons and heavy packs up the slope.

The hike has mixed terrain. Parts are very dusty as the dogs run ahead.

Parts are gravel and rough trails. There are as many dogs (7!) as humans. It's short (7km/4 1/2 miles) but steep.

We pass several bundles of grass and ferns moving above legs (below) or motorcycles. In dry season, men cut and haul heavy loads from the forests for livestock.

Bruno stays at the car with PakG, going on his own walk. When we return to the car, he snarls as the other dogs try to jump into the back. I put a quick stop to that, twice. We're having NONE of that = no fighting on my turf. My reflex is a smack which surprises him out of his violent growling, and then a comforting chest rub.

He lets the others in after the second correction. They lay down together, resting in the back on the bumpy roads home, a pack at peace.

We decide on Sideng Reret for lunch. The food is plentiful and tasty.

Wax candles are wrapped in table napkins so they burn with a bigger flame. Ours are practically flamethrowers, keeping the flies (mostly) off the food.

Lew takes us to supper at Miss Bee nearby. The new menu includes a cauliflower salad, complete with pomegranates, feta cheese, and young greens. It hits the spot.

Read more:
* The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. Lamentations 3:25

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me. Revelation 3:20

Moravian Prayer: Lord, we thank you for entering our world and our lives. Let us continue to hear your knock on our door so that we may open it to allow you in. May we join you, gracious Savior, at the table you set before us, to quench our thirsty souls and fill our lives with good gifts. Amen.

So much beauty each day

Saturday, October 10, 2026
My mom's Black Forest cake was famous at my brother's office. She used to bake the torte and send it along for all to celebrate him. Norm's admin used to send a note to the realtors: the cake is coming tomorrow, and everyone would show up for a slice.

Mom would cut a circle around the central whipping cream for the person being celebrated. Then she'd cut 3 pieces between each cherry. It went a long way and was so rich that each person had enough. The last time I had some was 5 years ago when she baked it for Canadian Thanksgiving.

I'm grateful for a good heritage. I bake bread in the air fryer since our ovens don't get hot enough. There's too much dough - it rises and we can smell the crust burning as it rises. Hey, I'll cut it off. Distracted, I reversed the ratio of water to flour (2:3) and put in 3X water to 2X flour instead ... so the loaf is bigger than usual. The crust is very crisp and the inside still damp-ish.

We cross the street for lunch ($4, below and $3) at Ayam Balarasa. I have a hard time remembering Indonesian restaurant and street names. W's better at it. This eatery is easy to remember because all 6 vowels are "a"s, interspersed with consonants.

When the kids arrive for English lessons, the Project fills with children's laughter, shouts, and chatter.

PakG parks the car away from the carport where the kids register. The group is smaller: 60-ish. It had grown too big to handle; the volunteers have split it in two, alternating weeks with the children. The moms' class is on one of the porches.

When you get up at 4AM, evening events are a stretch. By 6PM, W and I are winding down. Instead, I head for the IES Bandung worship gathering. We eat the fresh bread for supper. W stays home, relishing extra rest in recovery. As requested, I take along banana bread for the potluck.

A good group shows up.

The high school reunion at the hotel across the street turns its speakers to full blast (110+ decibels - as loud as a jet runway, if not louder). Talk about competition. Such volume is the norm. I put in earplugs any time there's music or someone speaking/shouting through a microphone.

On the walk home, I pass out banana bread to motorcycle taxi drivers and the security guard. There is abundant food on the potluck table for snacks after the evening's singing concludes.

Sunday
We grab the dogs from around the yard.

On our walk, a vining wall is a mass of red.

Vendors have begun to rebuild their booths -> shops -> homes where the government removed them last week. The rule is that stands must be portable. This one's already become a lean-to.

We schedule appointments for the week ahead before heading to the Gathering. Look at what Titik has created this week!

She drops it by after the Gathering.

W and I have lunch at NaraPark, where adults are getting horse rides around the courtyard. Usually it's just the kids who ride around the neighborhood. Horses and runners wait outside eateries and hotels for clients.

There's always something going on -  

After yesterday's evening out, I'm happy to stay in this afternoon.

Monday
The early call is just after sunrise so W walks the dogs by himself. He makes a cup of tea for me cooks porridge. The dogs flop outside the open window while I'm online, checking periodically to make sure I'm still there. Bruno has begun to come to the bedroom door, checking the handle to see if it's unlocked. he likes to sneak in and explore the house when we're not paying attention.

We're off to the wholesalers at 8AM. The first stop is for a new kitchen faucet. The one installed is such rubbish that it leaks from multiple places after 9 months of use. (W installs it when we get home.) Then we head to two food wholesalers. W gets a warm greeting from the second grocer, who hasn't seen us in months. We check out with everything we need for movie night, except the fresh food that I"ll pick up tomorrow morning.

Chacha comes by for a few hours, starting with a late lunch across the street, followed by tea and cookies on the Porch.

Read more:
* It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? Isaiah 50:9

* It is Christ who died, or rather, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:34

* Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Ephesians 1:3-10

Moravian Prayer: Gracious Savior, through your life, suffering, death, and resurrection, we are forgiven. Thank you for interceding on our behalf and for removing our sin. In your precious name, we pray. Amen.