Saturday, November 30, 2024
I wrote and scheduled newsletters yesterday. But it's another writing day. I've agreed to edit two book chapters so I try and fail. It's a multi-week volunteer (no-pay) process to rewrite someone's dissertation into their book. I've done it multiple times.
What's the process? The order of the dissertation is sifted, the information gets resorted and grouped, and then it's edited once or twice more for good flow and English. Doing a few chapters at a time? I send back a note to the publisher: either send the whole dissertation or it's a no-go. (They reply, "Please edit what you have." Ok, they've made a choice: I'll do it but let them know that I can edit it once, not multiple times.)
An academic journal contacts me. Do they have permission to republish my article from the last decade in an anniversary edition? Sure. We message back and forth as we consider whether they want future articles from me. I have the topics and curiosity. They have to be interested before I do the research and writing.
I trash old computer files, sitting on the Porch with mango slices and a cup of tea. The canary is whistling; somewhere on the hill roosters are crowing; next door the goats are bleating. It sounds like we live on a farm.
W's on a walk with the Hash group when it starts to pour. Meanwhile, I chill in my chair beside the Christmas tree. Among layers of garlands, lights, Christmas cards, and memories, it's easy to overlook this old handcrafted bear, wedged in the branches each year.
His pink companion rests a few branches away.
One of the fun aspects of the season is finding instructions for crafts. Even though I won't make most things, it's nice to know how. I fill up my memory bank for future creativity.
Sunday, December 1: First Sunday of Advent
W got sick at the Hash or caught something from a kid coughing on the angkot (little bus-taxi). The flu creeps up on him as we speak together. We enjoy meeting friends of friends who were at BIC 20 years ago.
People line up for selfies with the festive hall decor designed by Daniel and Della.
Titik has outdone herself with the Advent candles. Her husband built a table to hold her creativity.
After the Gathering, we head to Reuben's graduation-Thanksgiving lunch, along with dozens of others. We celebrate his accomplishment around a table groaning with food. Well done, Reuben!
When we get home, I hydrate the flowers Titik arranged for the hall. So beautiful!
W's definitely under the weather but does a loop walk. Later he rests and orders medicine online. It's delivered to the gate via motorcycle by afternoon. People dress warmly for the cool walk in the morning (70oF/21oC). When the temperature dips below 75F/24C, we're shivering.
A random piece of curved bark comes in handy as a stable for a nativity set in the nook.
Last week's bouquet is almost gone.
I strip it to fill 5 tiny vases. This is what's left.
Grouped on a Christmas plate, the little vases look cheerful.
The colors match the Batak cloth I was gifted in Medan for teaching professors how to write and publish academic articles.
I meet with Kim and get some clarity on this period of waiting. By the end of this week, W and I hope to be closer to an answer about future work. A fellow scholar and I WA back and forth about theology definitions and cultures. The push-and-pull of such discussions is informative and energizing.
I fold the tablecloth back and spread my books out. I can rest my eyes while looking out the sliding doors to the garden.
I head uphill to purchase plants before the new yardman comes Wednesday. PakG pulls over to call PakD, "Where is your nursery?" We've passed it so we turn around. He helps us choose bright-colored annuals. I'll place those and he can dig them into the ground.
PakG points out deep holes on both sides of the street. Bandung is getting rid of multiple poles and wires strung above the thoroughfares. These trenches are for electrical wires.
The workers are from a people group who are renowned diggers. They migrate wherever their skills are needed. PakG says, "They will probably not restore the paving afterward, just put mud over the holes. And then the road crews will have to come and fix the sides." We agree that it's inefficient but provides work for a large labor force.
Will the overhead internet cables be pulled through at the same time? "Probably not. This work is from the electrical company. The companies don't work together. The others will dig the street up again for their cables."
Typically for office workers in Bandung, this group is dressed in uniforms as they walk by.
Supper is fresh-baked bread for W and mango and papaya cubes for me. It's healthy ... after the rosemary crisps I devoured while I was reading. Before we know it, the sun sets. It's 7:00 p.m. and time to wrap up the day.
Tuesday
It's a kitchen day for IbuA and IbuS. They bake 7 banana breads and several hundred cookies. I bought an extra dozen eggs and several pounds of butter yesterday. Gone.
Meanwhile, I work and guzzle tall mugs of jasmine tea. The house smells good during our meetings, those chapter edits (sent off, hurrah), and calls. I sign on for a year of Blinkest summaries at 90% off, the cost of one printed book. Getting short versions will help: my library card gets maxed out at the limit of books I can borrow from the Seattle and KCLS library systems.
The workers take banana bread home and deliver other baking. Kiki and Veronica gave us dozens of bananas a week ago that were ripe. Other friends request cookies for their Christmas hampers. Soon the ladies will fill gift bags for a friend's restaurant, too.
I used to bake hundred of cookies each August and September to fill two freezers. Then we would thaw them for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. That seems like a long time ago ...
*Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:4*Jesus said, “I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock.” Luke 6:47-48
Moravian Prayer: Loving God, too often we seek stability in the shallow imperfections of this world. When they inevitably fail, we come running to you. Center our lives on your strength; with you we will not falter. Amen.
