Can’t believe I’ve been here for two months already. I’ve been so busy with the book, the auction, studying Spanish and calligraphy that I have spent zero time on making cards, one of my favorite things. So, the 31st is the end of taking in donations for the auction, and then it’s all pretty much automated until the very end when I do the wrap-up. Then I’ll have more play time.
Barb is planning an outing for us for Feb. 19-22 in the Mount Totumas Cloud Forest. Should be fun.
I did go out for lunch last week with Barb and Sally. We were going to go to Patrón de Shwarma, but they were closed. Instead, we went to Taco Rudo’s across the street. It was excellent!
On Friday, I was supposed to go to the other Israeli restaurant, Baras, with Betty. Unfortunately, Betty was in an accident with a motorcycle, and she was unable to drive her car. Instead, she came here, and I made dinner, which I took upstairs. I made a chicken-mushroom risotto and a broccoli-cauliflower side dish. Jerry made an excellent apple pie, which I had for breakfast the next morning. Thanks Jerry! This morning he brought me a couple of cinnamon raisin buns, which I had for this morning’s breakfast. I know, not very healthy, but what the heck!
I’ve started a new workout program called Tapp Brothers Primal Movements.
I like it for a number of reasons. One is that it is a structured, long-term program that begins at a very basic level. Even at this beginner level, I can feel changes the next day, so I know something is happening. Also, it’s nice and slow. The movements are all about control. I didn’t realize that primal movement was a new movement in the physical training industry. I just sort of happened upon this. The other thing I love is that it is only 30 minutes a day, which is very doable for me. If it gets too much longer than that, I make excuses. AND, I don’t have to go anywhere.
Still trying to get some feedback on my calligraphy. Ash said he would do it, but he is MIA. I just emailed another calligraphy site called INKEMETHIS Calligraphy and Engraving. They have lots of teachers and classes. I asked if there is someone who can just give feedback. I’m on a FB group, and I post my practice there, but the comments are not really helpful. So, we’ll see. Looks like I also need help with spelling. 🙂
Yes, the same moon, but apparently my friends and family at home can’t see it because of their cloudy skies. Wish I could get a better photo.
I’ve been knee deep in working on our church auction. Some very cool things are coming in. Take a look. https://new.biddingowl.com/LCUUCAUCTION2024
Kathy, check out the mandalas. They are amazing! I would love to learn how to make them. When I’m not doing calligraphy, that is…
I made a bit of progress over the past two days. I’ve received some very good recommendations from members on the Copperplate Script for All Facebook Group. I was pointed in the direction of Instagram, where I found the most popular teachers of Engrosser’s Script, which is what I practice. I’ve never really understood Instagram, but this was a very good experience. And so was this:
I just saw this posting from one of the calligraphy teachers:
I have no excuse.
There are two new Israeli restaurants in Boquete, and it turns out that I am going to be trying them both out: tomorrow for lunch and Friday for dinner. Tomorrow is Patrón de Shwarma with Barbara and Sally, and then Friday dinner at Baras with Betty, after which we will come here and start watching Lessons in Chemistry. I feel like I’ve been hold up here for a while. Time to get out and socialize.
Kathie’s husband, Michael, is doing better. He is being moved from ICU to Critical Care. Sounds like things are improving, but Kathie won’t know for a while. He was actually hit and then run over by the car, moving at 20 mph. Can’t imagine.
My writing is going better than expected on the second draft. I exercised a lot of avoidance behavior before I actually sat down and started working on it, but I spent most of Saturday and Sunday on pulling apart the Preface and Introduction and putting them back together again. That felt very good. I’ve also noticed that I find it easier to stick to the writing if I sit on the couch instead of the kitchen chair. The couch is much more comfortable, and I don’t feel the need to get up and walk about so often. That may not be good for my body, but it’s great for my brain. In any event, if feels easier, and doesn’t feel so arduous.
The rainbows never get old. This one I would rate about a 7.5. I have seen even brighter and will capture if I can. The rainbow always shows up right outside the windows that I face most of the day (it is actually what I’m looking at as I write this), so I can get them right away.
My sleep is still an issue, and frankly, I think it always will be. I am occasionally able to fall asleep without Ambien, but that is only if I had a terrible night the night before, sleeping perhaps four hours. I think I’m done with this. I feel so awful when I don’t sleep, and I have too much that I want to accomplish during the day to accept this. My latest MO is to go to bed when I’m sleepy, and if I’m not asleep in half an hour, I take a tiny nibble of an Ambien, which is about 1-2 mg. It works. And I’m not writing about it anymore. This will only ever be an issue if my doctor refuses to refill my prescription, which will not happen for a long time. One prescription lasts me over a year. Personally, I do not feel that I am at risk taking the Ambien. I do feel that not taking it is a bigger risk. Okay, done.
I’ve lucked out with Jerry as a landlord because he also likes to bake and distribute. Such a great trait in a friend. Yesterday he brought me these citrus cookies. They remind me of the lemon-ricotta ones I make. Thanks, Jerry.
Okay, back to work. It’s auction time at my church, and I’m responsible for entering the donations. Yesterday was Sunday, so I think people were reminded of the auction when they were at church. The donations are coming in. BiddingOwl has upgraded their platform, so I’m happy that I started early in order to get used to it. I’m finding a number of helpful new features.
I’m not as pleased with my Zoom account right now. For some reason, I can no longer access my account on my Mac. I’m happy that I discovered this a couple of days ago, so that I was able to put into place an alternative method for a class I’m facilitating this evening. I can access Zoom on my phone, and I’ll try FaceTime if that doesn’t work. I most always love technology, but there are always these challenges that spring up from time to time.
I had to laugh last night after I posted my calligraphy practice to the Facebook group.
A member commented: … there is actually no loop “d” minuscule (both in Engrossers and English roundhand). I’m just a clueless novice, but I had to point that out because you want to take a proficiency test.”
My reply: LOL!! I think what you are seeing as a loop “d” is actually a “c” and an “l” that are not spaced properly. It is way past my bedtime, and I was too tired to redo it. Maybe tomorrow. That was almost 1:00 a.m., and I STILL couldn’t fall asleep.
I woke this morning (finally) thinking I was going to blog something about the horrific night I had and the worst nightmare of my life that should probably be made into a book. Then reality started to set in, and that ridiculous thought was abandoned when I read my first email from my editor saying that her husband was hit by a car while crossing the street and was now in ICU with skull and vertebral fractures, which apparently is only the beginning of the story. I was hoping it was still part of my own nightmare, but it’s not. My heart goes out to you, Kathie.
So, as you can see my sleep is still not ideal. I didn’t go to bed until nearly 11. Yes, I felt sleepy, but once my head hit the pillow – nothing. I waited a couple of hours. I know that lying in bed awake is not following the rules. Experts say that if you are not asleep in half an hour, to get up and do something you enjoy. My brain says, “NO!! I’m here and I don’t want to get up! I want some sleep, Goddamit!!” So, I took half of a Kirkland Sleep Aid (diphenhydramine) that Kathy brought down for me. I fell asleep, but, as I said, I found myself in the depths of a horrible nightmare. I forced myself awake at one point, sat up and tried to stay awake, but I failed and re-entered the same nightmare – twice! I sit here now, at 11:15 am, still groggy and admonishing myself that I must return to playing by the rules.
I’ve also been thinking about what Tolle and Spira say about sleep and the longing to fall into its sweet embrace. It’s like a break we get from the work of thinking and perceiving.
Spira says sleep is like the lens of a camera that loses focus. When we are awake the lens is acutely focused on experiences and perceptions. When we are asleep the lens is allowed to relax and lose focus, only to return to acuity in its next cycling. In deep sleep there is an absence of thought and therefore an absence of ego, just pure consciousness.
Deep sleep is not the absence of awareness; it is the awareness of absence. Awareness (consciousness) is always present, always aware. I find it ironic that in deep sleep we are pure consciousness, whereas by traditional terms we would be said to be unconscious.
I must post an edit to my blog from yesterday. I said that someone was ostracized from “the gang.” I have discovered that this is not true. As with most conflicts in relationships, it is messier than that. I know I can’t fix it. It is best for me to bow out. I am a firm believer that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and I don’t want to get myself sick over this. I can only hope that love wins.
As I was sitting at my kitchen table, engrossed in my writing this morning, I chanced to look up at one point and noticed that the air in front of me, in my bedroom, was filled with smoke. I thought it was coming in through the open door at the end of my bed. Wasn’t I surprised to discover that it was actually coming from a pot of beans I had forgotten on the stove – a stove which is fewer than 10 feet BEHIND me! I jumped up, turned off the beans, turned on the fans and messaged Jerry that the smoke alarm wasn’t working. He came down immediately and checked the alarm, only to find that it was working. That surprised me, but he said it was probably because the smoke wasn’t thick enough.
Jerry said that he smelled the beans upstairs in his house and thought that someone was roasting coffee. I am now pretty much convinced that my sense of smell has been compromised by my three bouts with Covid. Thank goodness nothing more than the saucepan was affected.
Now that my Las Lajas holiday is over, I’m getting back to my schedule here. I’ve started the second draft of the Camino book. I asked Kathie if we could hold off until 1/26 so that I can get it as organized as possible before submitting re-writes. It doesn’t ALL have to be rewritten, but Kathie and I have discussed certain points that would do well with more elaboration. So, as the above paragraphs reveal – I’m hard at it.
I’ve also set up a few play dates and lunches with friends. So I have more fun to look forward to. I’m also looking forward to one more trip to Las Lajas. I was hoping to say “with the gang,” but I’m not sure that will happen. Unfortunately, being an “outsider,” there’s not much I can do about that – other than be very, very sad. It’s hard being part of a group when one person has been ostracized.
I’ve been receiving photos from home recently from friends and family convincing me that I’m really “missing out” on some great Wisconsin weather. Right… After about 15+ inches of snow they are now enjoying temperatures of -10 with windchills of -21.
No, thanks. I’m good. I’m still in a T-shirt, shorts and sandals, and I didn’t have to shovel this morning.
I do, however, miss the Packer parties – not the Packers, just the parties…
When I was at Bulk Organics recently I purchased this jar of jam, which was made by one of the employees. She gave me a sample on a cracker, and I loved it. It is fabulous on my asiago-jalapeño and cream cheese bagel.
So, what is saril? I had no idea, but Wikipedia did.
I’m surprised I never heard of it; it’s so ubiquitous. It’s also called Roselle and is a hibiscus.
I spent my calligraphy time yesterday writing the names of the wait and bar staff at Las Lajas. I’m going to make them name tags, which I hope to take with me on a return visit.
I must make note of this at the top of the blog today. I’ve been taken to task for being remiss in recording ALL of my experiences. This morning Jerry reminded me that in an earlier blog I said I liked him a lot, and I would like him even better when the toilet is fixed. Jerry is now reading the blog, so he noticed that this detail was missing.
Yes, the toilet is fixed (and has been for quite a while). It was an “advanced” problem. The entire inside pump mechanism had to be replaced because of a gasket that cannot be sold separately. Yes, so it is now very nice to be able to flush when necessary without a bucket, AND I don’t have to listen to it running every 10 minutes.
It’s interesting how some noises just drive me nuts. A leaky toilet is definitely one of them. I had the same issue at one of my other places here. Tolle says that it is not the sound that’s driving me nuts; it’s my thoughts ABOUT the sound. I can see that being true in some cases (like Dan tapping his spoon on his cereal bowl) but not this one. The annoying sound is a startle to my peace. I don’t care for startles if I can do anything about them. So, my first choice is to try to get it fixed. If I couldn’t get it fixed, I’d have to move on to phase 2: acceptance. Thanks, Jerry for making it unnecessary for me to have to move into that very painful stage.
So, now…WE HAD A BLAST! That was going to be the title today. Las Lajas was as beautiful as always. Barb and I had to stay at a different B&B the first two nights because Las Lajas was booked. We stayed at a place called Le Villette, a very basic place further down the shore, not nearly as nice, but adequate. We only slept there. We spent our days with Kathy and Dan at Las Lajas and then the final two nights we were booked there. There are so many things I love about this place:
The rooms are huge and air conditioned. So sleeping is very comfortable. All of the rooms have two king beds and a twin. $90/night.
I think there are only a dozen rooms, so the resort is comfortably populated.
There is a huge lawn area with palapas (thatched-roofed umbrellas), chairs and loungers.
Big swimming pool. It was lively with kids while we were there, which was a nice part of the ambience.
The beach is very expansive (probably half a city block) when the tide is out. A walk can go in either direction along the shore for a very long time. And the beach is decorated with unique patterns from the wildlife, shells and pieces of wood – and even a beautiful fish skeleton – right Barb?!
The water is nice and warm. Sandy bottom all the way out. Perfect waves for boogey boarding or just letting the waves try to knock you down. I’ve done both and like them equally well.
The menu has improved greatly over the past couple of years. There is now plenty of variety to keep one happy over (at least) four days. Vegan and vegetarian as well. All extremely fresh.
The bar/restaurant is very colorful in pinks and blues with large Edith-Ann type chairs. I could sit at a table all day long doing calligraphy or Zentangle without feeling like I was using up dining space. The music is a nice mix of traditional latino choices and American rock.
The staff are delightful. They know me by name and also call me Querida. I’m good with both. I am going to make them all name tags in calligraphy.
We spent our days reading, writing, Entangling, wading, eating, drinking and laughing. Kathy and Dan got to know Barb, and, of course, they loved each other. Barb and I were on the main floor, and Kathy and Dan rented the upper suite in the bottom right photo.
Bar/RestaurantPool/Restaurant/BeachKathy & Dan
As I said, the food was great. Here are just a couple of photos. I don’t see captions showing up, so clockwise from URHC: Thai salad, red bean nachos (plate was pretty much licked clean at the end), Ceasar salad, fish tacos. Vietnamese spring rolls. Fresh!
A bit of a dinner serenade:
My first image in Jolene’s Zentangle gift book.
Barb and I left Las Lajas at about 5 am on Friday morning so that we were sure not to encounter the bike race on the highway to Boquete. So, needless to say, I was useless the rest of the day and pretty much just read my book, Poisonwood Bible. Not a bad way to spend a day.
Today was the Craft Fair. I went with Betty, Linda and Beth. I saw Barb there for a short time and was able to introduce her to Betty. I think they’d like each other.
I usually don’t buy much at these things, but I saw three things that I liked a lot and bought them.
The framed image and the necklace are made with broken pieces of china. The apron won me over immediately because of the hibiscus and the colors. I’ve also been wanting another apron at home, and this one is very well-made.
After the fair, we had lunch at a new place called Cafeto Arabica on the southern edge of town. I just had a smoothie, but the others all loved their crepes and pancakes. I bought coffee to try for pour-over.
And now I’m wrapping up my day, having just returned from a delicious dinner made by Jerry and Linda: Salad, anastazi bean soup with fabulous cornbread and chocolate cake (forgot the name) for dessert.
Tomorrow is back to “reality” for me. I’m going to print out the first edited draft of the book and do some re-writing and organizing. Kathie also wants an epilogue. I asked for a break until 1/26, and she agreed. We will then start the second draft. So, back to “work!”
And last but not least, my latest calligraphy practices. Ash said he was going to give me feedback (as in corrections on my work). We’ll see if it happens. If he doesn’t, I’ll just keep moving forward on my own. It’s just tough to get feedback from anyone, and…he still owes me two classes. Certainly no urgency with any of this. I guess it’s just a personality thing, I like to know that I’m making progress and doing it properly. It’s part of the art of it.
I would eventually also like to get back to painting and doing Zentangle to make new cards. I’m completely out.
I’ve been hearing from friends and family in Wisconsin about the heavy snow.
It’s funny that I’m thousands of miles away and still kind of involved. My neighbor, Ann, texted me that a tree had fallen across my driveway. My sister, Michele (in our house), didn’t know it yet, so we all texted, and Jay helped clear it away. Then other friends, Kerry and Matt Duma, sent an email that they were looking for a generator. I told them I had one, but then Michele let me know that it was too heavy to get out of the house and into their van. So, I can safely say that I’m not missing much, especially the -24 wind chill that is on the way. It’s 72 here. 🙂 Just saw an email from Kerry that their power went back on! Yay!
Panamonte is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) restaurant in Boquete. The ambience feels like a plantation in the South. I already blogged about it in December when I went out with some of the gang when I first arrived. This was my second visit this year.
Dating back to 1914, this elegant country hotel in the highlands of Boquete has hosted guests such as Teddy Roosevelt, Charles Lindbergh and Richard Byrd during its long history. Surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens, and with an excellent restaurant and lounge, it makes for a relaxing haven for a few days in this peaceful part of Panama.
This time I went with (R to L) Kathy, Dan, Jerry, Linda, Kathy, Betty and Beth. We had a great dinner.
And I think everyone loved their entrees. Clockwise: tuna, trout, pork tenderloin and pork chop.
We arrived at Las Lajas today. Since Las Lajas Beach Resort was fully booked, Barb and I are spending the first two nights at a small place called Le Villette, which is about a mile down the beach from Las Lajas Beach Resort where Kathy and Dan are. We went over there today and had lunch with them. We will spend the day with them tomorrow on a day pass and then move over there for our last two days.
Kathy and I are going to do some Zentangles with our new little books that Jolene made us. Thanks Sweetie! I LOVE it.
I received a heart-warmer from Sara today. She said that Cordelia still wears this dress I knit for her when she was two years old. It is now a top. Good thing she has skinny arms.
I’m more and more pleased with my calligraphy these days. I did this one yesterday. I noticed this morning that Ash sent me a text with feedback on some work I sent him. I will enjoy my happiness right now for a few more seconds and then see what he has to say.
I just reviewed his “feedback.” I sent him a couple of things that I wrote and I asked him for feedback on them. He said he was going to give me detailed feedback as soon as he was feeling better. I said that’s fine, no rush. What he sent me were videos of him re-writing what I wrote. No audio. I don’t consider this feedback. I’m done.
Yay! No exercise today. I am enjoying the pilates workouts, but it is very nice to know I don’t have to do it today, Sunday, my day of rest. So different from other days…:)
Yesterday we spent the afternoon at CHOX for a chocolate-making class. We learned all about the process from the owners Nina and Baris. We even got to make a half pound of chocolate creations to take home!
Nina and Baris are the current owners. They took over the business from Debra (“the chocolate lady”), who brought her business here from California. Nina is from West Africa. She tells the story of having a passion to learn the process so that she could make treats for Baris, her new husband, the chocolate lover from Turkey. What a lovely couple. They worked with Debra until they had perfected their skills and now are flourishing.
Baris then took over and showed us all the mechanical steps to producing the chocolate for the form ready for molding.
The dried pod from the tree and the beans from inside which have been roasted in an oven:
This video shows Jerry taking his turn at the grinder (a Champion juicer).
The above images show the nibs after grinding; the melanger with sugar and other ingredients added; and the cocoa butter, which is produced separately with a baking soda process.
The melanger runs for 36 hours to assure that the product is silky smooth. The cocoa butter is used to make white chocolate and also as a skin moisturizer. (edit on 1/14: I’ve been using it nightly and love it).
Next, we moved to the room next door where we melted, tempered, molded and decorated our chocolate. We were able to choose the chocolate strength we liked best: 80% 70% 60%, coffee or milk. Dan, Jerry and I chose 70%, Kathy went with the coffee, and Nancy chose the 80 (I think). We could choose from the following toppings: cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, coffee beans, dried coconut, dried orange, candied ginger and caramel.
Absolutely heavenly. I have NEVER tasted better chocolate. We paid $46 for this 3-hour class. Baris said that he would sell a single bar like this for $10 at his table at the Tuesday Market, so I think it was a great deal.
When I got home, since we are leaving for the beach on Monday, I had to take an inventory of my refrigerator and make a clean-out-the-refrigerator soup, which I will freeze. Garlic, onions, carrots, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, oregano, basil, mint and celery tops. Turned out to be very good – topped with basil pesto. I added the remainder of the jar to the pot. I don’t have to think about dinner next week.
Kathy and Dan finally made it to Boquete. They missed their connecting flight from Panama City to David, so they had to stay overnight in Panama City on Wednesday, and they arrived in David on Thursday morning. Not the best situation because one has to get up so early to catch that flight, but that’s traveling for you.
We had a lovely dinner here on Thursday night. Jerry and Linda graciously offered their home. Jerry invited Betty and Kathy, so we were a full party. I made Fettuccine Mio Amore, which is a recipe I learned about from The Lincoln Highway. I would have to say it was just “okay.” I didn’t have the smoked bacon, which apparently is essential, but it was definitely palatable. I should have known better. The meat is not good in Boquete. So, I’ll try it again when back home. Dan was surprised there was no Nueske’s here. LOL.
Today we are going to go to CHOX for a chocolate-making class. Looking forward to that. When I told Jolene about this, she sent me this photo. It’s one of my favorites. The right is a photo of a CHOX gift I brought back for her one year. The left side is Jolene and me sharing a piece of my mom’s wedding cake. I think it is such a sweet photo.
I met with Kathie yesterday. We reviewed the final pages of the book. Now that I have ink for the printer (thanks, Kathy), I’m going to reprint the entire book and start again from the beginning to complete the second draft. Kathie is such a great editor. She pulls the things out of my brain that really need to be on the page. She lets me know when a scene is incomplete. She wants more. This next time through, I’m going to have my photos in front of me so that I can relate a more complete picture.
Dan and I talked some yesterday about El Portugues, the trail we are doing in May. I learned that El Portuguese has three options: Central, Coastal and Litoral. I’m opting for the Coastal, both for the views and the ease of walking, as well as the fact that it was the favorite of the authors I am following. The one “downside” is that some of it is actually on beaches, and, of course, walking on a beach is harder than walking on ground or pavement. We’ll see.
A couple of oldies but goodies from Zentangle. I had to make something to send Michael for his birthday. Although the gold ones lack the traditional shading of Zentangle, I love the gold on black.
And, of course, there is always my favorite pastime:
Still no feedback from Ash.
I’ve started listening to Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. This is yet another excellent example of how we are all products of our conditioning. To say his was bizarre and brutal is an understatement. His father was Trump x3.
This is why this house is called The Rainbow House. I’d give this a score of 6/10. Hope to get a 10/10 before I leave. Stay tuned.
And one of my very favorite Boquete treats – a jalapeño asiago bagel from Morton’s Bakery. I rode into the Tuesday Market this morning with Jerry just to pick some of these up. I bought four: one for me this morning and some extras for Dan and Kathy. Not sure if they will be able to toast it. If they can’t, I guess I’ll just have to keep them. Oh…just remembered, Dan can’t have cheese. Too bad.
With St. Dalfour’s Mango Maracuya preserves. O-M-G!!
So excited that Kathy and Dan arrive tomorrow. Plans are already being made. I may meet them tomorrow night in town. I’m riding in with Jerry and maybe Linda so that Jerry can go to drumming with other friends. Linda and I will just hang out while they’re drumming and then meet them for dinner later. Dan and Kathy might join us.
I need to buy a few ingredients for a dinner I plan to make here on Thursday. It’s Fettuccine Mio Amore. It is a recipe I heard about while listening to The Lincoln Highway while I was on the Camino. I’ve been wanting to make it. So Thursday it is!
