Eternal summer

Monday, March 10, 2025

I remember the relief of spring's arrival, when the first buds open on the branches and the early flowers peek through the soil. I see the posts of friends and am happy for them as life begins after winter.

Late spring and early summer were my favorite seasons in Seattle. All that green! Some sun. And weeks of warmth. Aaaah. 

You'd wonder if I miss spring, but I don't care to experience it again. Why? because you first have to endure the dark damp gloom of a cold season. That's not for me unless I have no choice.

Fall and winter in Seattle found me spiraling into depression. I bought a sun lamp, went for walks outdoors, and ate chocolate. Nothing seemed to help.

Bandung has eternal summer: rain or shine.

W and I got caught in the rain a few days ago. Our shoulders were soaked within seconds; our trousers flapped in wet protest. We got home, exchanged the wet clothes for dry ones after a hot shower, and smiled at each other because the rain was 75oF/24oC. It wasn't even chilly because there was no wind.

Lunch is leftovers plus fresh vegetables: I reheat the sauerkraut and potatoes from last week and sauté another sausage to cut into the cabbage, along with green beans in peanut sauce. "We eat better when I'm cooking," I think aloud to W. (It's not better. But we're revisiting flavors we grew up with, which is a nice change from rice and chicken in coconut milk.)

Today I snack on a home-mix of nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate. It's stored in a recycled Trader Joe's bag, a reminder of the past. My afternoon intention is to edit an article for an academic journal - or at least start it. With a packed week ahead, let's get it out of the way.

I putter, getting my mind into the right frame by gathering bedding for a change-of-sheets tomorrow, confirming appointments on the calendar, and pedaling away on my "Under-the Desk Cycle," a gift from Kim. Then I'm ready to focus on the manuscript.

No I'm not. I spend the rest of the afternoon uploading photos onto a garden blog. Sigh. Way more fun. Work, tomorrow!

Tuesday

It's a beautiful sunny morning. The gardenia fragrance is rich and sweet.

I make an omelette with yogurt for breakfast, using the last of the potatoes and sauerkraut, along with another chopped sausage. W and I eat on the sunny porch.

After a meeting with our supervisors and coworkers, we walk to meet S for lunch at #NaraPark. Much of our time is spent with people. 

But some of what we do is word-work. Writing a daily Lenten blog is my annual spiritual discipline. Today is a mix of both people and words.

We have a team meeting in early afternoon. The birds are so noisy that it's hard to hear what people are saying via Zoom. The canary is loudest: as soon as I speak, he sings along. And he has gusto! I had no idea a small bird could be soooooo loud.

Our snack is boiled peanuts, fresh from the Tanikota farm. Yum.

Wednesday

It's my brother's 65th birthday. He's enjoying a vacation in a warm spot near a beach. Happy Birthday, Norm! from the warm hills of Indonesia.

My alarm is set for 5 appointments, which is an unusual amount. First a walk! 

Several events are especially favorable, discussing life and work with peers. Two are tea parties on the Porch. We have to move inside when the racket of a weed-wacker makes conversation impossible.

Regardless of where, time with a teacup in hand and a friend across the table refreshes the soul and body. We share life, prayer, scones, and egg-salad sandwiches. Oh, and don't forget the brownies ...

W helps me turn the mattress around. As I change the cloth of the headboard, a dead roach falls onto the bed. There's a dried 6" lizard stuck to the fabric of the headboard. Ugh. Obviously we wash the headboard cover less often than the weekly bedding change. (May have to reconsider that!)

Lizards chirp as they crawl up walls and across ceilings and floors. But the clicking of cockroach wings is what I dread most. W scoops up both carcasses with a dustbin and tosses them outside.

Thursday

HIKING! after last week's hiatus.

The impatiens that were the first sign of spring in Seattle? (I bought them 2@$1 each March from Fred Meyer to cheer up the garden.) They grow wild along the trail.

Mushroom varieties are all along the paths, too. That's what rainy season does.

Our destination is the old Dutch forts in the mountains.

We take pictures for our WA group - many are traveling.

And then we joke around an excellent lunch at Mike's Pizza. It's the first time W and I have been there in person, rather than ordering it to go. Our food (3 pizzas) and drink cost $22. Like the taste, the price is delicious.

We buy eggs and sugar at the grocer across the street. The helpers have baked chocolate chip cookies today and we're getting low on basics.

Read more:

*I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety. Psalm 4:8

*Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27

*All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 

 

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce 

fresh water. James 3:7-12

Moravian Prayer: Abiding God, with each breath, may we bring your peace into our spirit. When we exhale, may your peace enter our world through the words and actions of our lives. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.