Month: January 2025

Mickey called me today and was asking why I hadn’t posted and what was going on with me. I told her that I started to post a couple of days ago and then got distracted somehow, and then she had another call and had to hang up, so I’ll get caught up here. I really don’t do much, so I don’t feel like I have much to post, but here goes…

I’m still working in earnest on my calligraphy graduation projects. I started out today with what felt like a good day and then… plop!, and then another prop!…and then my phone rang, and I jumped, so the L got screwed up. Big mistake on the M – too much to try to fix. But it was still fun. I’m getting used to the feel of the ink and paper. I’ll try again tomorrow, and the next day…

And here’s the latest Zentangle design:

I want to come up with one more design so that I can put a couple of packets together to donate to the LCUUC auction, which…is not going very well. Not sure why, but we’re not getting the donations that we have in the past. I’ve sent cheerleading emails, but so far, it’s sad.

Speaking of sad, this is how I feel with social media lately. I feel like I’m falling into the Zuckerburg trap of engagement by outrage. I have responded to political barbs, and I don’t like how it makes me feel. I’m asking conservatives to please explain their logic in defending Trump, and I’m being told I need to do some independent research. What? That’s when I get ornery and want to lash out, and that’s why I feel like I’m falling into the trap.

With the help of AI I drafted a letter to my federal representatives encouranging them to put some pressure on Facebook to change their algorithm. I’ll send the letter, but ultimately I know it is my choice whether or not to engage. I haven’t found my resting place yet. I’m torn between remaining quiet and speaking out. Speaking out physically upsets me, but remaining quiet feels irresponsible. I am wishing and hoping that Facebook will become what Zuckerburg says it is: a place for family and friends to connect and share. We all know it is not that. As Dan would say, “Looks like yur gonna hafta pray on that one.” My latest promise to myself is to engage for only a short time in the morning…after I read Heather. It will give me more time to concentrate on things I love.

Jolene purchased our tickets for the Camino! We’re off! I think of Jolene every time I look at my little Marcel the Shell. I think she said we leave October 19. I was impressed that she found an airfare for $503. That’s very good, AND we will meet in Chicago and fly to Madrid together from there.

Yesterday, Saturday, I went for a hike with the Caminantes de Sabado at 7:30. We did our usual Palo Alto loop, which is close to two hours. Then Barb and Steffen picked me up just before noon, and we went to Barbara and Murray’s for the pizza party.

It was fun to see old acquaintances as well as to meet a few new people. Unfortunately, I didn’t tour her orchid house. We’ll have to have a next time. Barbara has been busy playing hostess for friends from the U.S. Now everyone is gone, so hopefully she can come out and play. While at the party, we made plans to go to an art show next Saturday with Leah. I think it’s a fundraiser. Lots of fundraisers here.

I love Zoom. This past week I connected with Kathy, Jolene, Stephanie, Kathy Walter, Mickey and even Dianne Caliva, with whom I haven’t chatted for years. Tomorrow I’ll be meeting with my Soul Matters group. Technology is so great. I hope we don’t fuck it up.

This is a photo of a torch ginger on my neighbor’s porch. I should have included some perspective. It’s as big as my head. Okay, I know I don’t have a very big head, but for a flower, that’s pretty big.

Speaking of neighbors, Nancy, who has been very ill, bedridden and unable to walk, has begun to make great strides. I was told yesterday that she is actually up and walking around again. You never know. I’m going to go over to see her tomorrow.

Maria del Mar sent me this little video clip yesterday of Amanda and Einar making pizza. This is what you do when your hands are very small, and you don’t have a rolling pin:

I’m tired of trying to think of titles. From now on it’s just the date.

I haven’t been doing much lately. Well, maybe I have. I had dinner on Thursday with Jerry and Linda at Bluefin, which is just a bit down the hill from me. I was underwhelmed. I ordered Thai curry soup with chicken and a pasta dish. The soup seemed like plain coconut milk with a few pieces of chicken, not spicy at all. I ate it, and it ruined my appetite for the pasta. Oh, well. The pasta was good the next day. I would not go back. I bought fresh tuna from the pescadería (fish shop) the other night. It was only $4/pound, and it was fabulous. I also bought catfish. I’m going to experiment with it and see how it holds up to a recipe I like to use for a “fish fry.” I’d like to have the neighbors over. I feel like I should take my turn. And it’s a Wisconsin thing. Plus, they are very nice people. I really lucked out.

As I was walking into town the other day, I came upon a funeral. This is the main Catholic Church in town. They walk to the cemetery, which is about a quarter of a mile away.

I went to the Knitting Group on Friday. I got a nice walk in and was able to see some old friends. I felt like I had risen from the dead when Brandy saw me. She was so shocked. I don’t think I saw her at all last year. She lost her husband, Bob, to Covid, and I think she was out of commission for a bit. She was happy today. I love seeing her hug the Ngobe kids. She has established such a great connection with that community, as have a number of gringos here. It seems the happiest way to live here as an expat is to share your time and wealth somehow to make the community a better place for everyone.

This is the Knitting Group. I said Wednesday, but it should be Friday. They make hats, scarves, sweaters, blankets and other items for the indigenous. It is a very nice way to spend a couple of hours. As I view this video, I am still impressed that Cathy Schulte is still with us. She is the second from the right when the video first starts. Three years ago she had something wrong with her and looked like a resident of Auschwitz. I really thought I would never see her again. The following year she looked great. Then, last year she was hit by a bus and sustained some very serious injuries. But here she is!

As I was writing this, I realized that I haven’t volunteered for anything for a while. I was going to try the Boquete Library, which is a beautiful, mostly glass building. I haven’t done it yet. I just havent felt motivated to do that. It would be a three-mile walk each way. Actually, that might not be a bad idea. I’ll keep that in mind…no idea how long.

Sara sent me this photo of Cordelia the other day. I am so happy that she learned to knit at her school. And…I am happy that she enjoys it. I won’t push it. I’ll wait for the day when she asks me. I’m not holding my breath, mind you, but…you never know. Her grandmother also knits. I remember that as one of my favorite childhood memories: when my grandmother came to visit after Michele was born, and she taught me and Kathy (I think) how to knit. I was nine years old. She gave me a little ball of camel-colored yarn and a set of blue plastic double-pointed needles. I was in heaven. I would cast on 25 stitches, knit up all the yarn and then pull it apart and do it all over again.

Love that little face.

Tomorrow is the second fermentation for my next batch of kombucha. I’m trying to decide on a flavor. The last batch with papaya and passion fruit was so good. I think I might make one gallon of that and the other with pineapple and papaya. The pineapple should be interesting because it ferments really quickly. That’s why I usually don’t buy it. I’ve been burned a couple of times. But this will be a fun experiment.

I am so happy that I found kombucha just in time for the Surgeon General’s warning.

I also made yogurt today. After our Caminantes de Sábado (Saturday walkers) hike this morning (6 miles), I walked into town for a pedicure/manicure. I planned to buy milk and fruit and take a taxi home. Well, I got through the first part, but the taxi home part never happened. It is the last weekend of the Féria (Flower and Coffee Festival), and the town center was packed. There was not a taxi or bus to be had. I stopped at the bus stop, and when I asked which bus went past my place, the gentleman pointed to an empty parking spot. That means the bus will come, empty out and then sit there until it is full again. I didn’t feel like doing that. So, I ended up trekking up the mile and a half with the gallon of milk and fruit. So, for the day, I ended up with a little over nine miles, which I felt was good training. Now, I just have to do that all one more time, and that will be a day on the Camino. Fun, right Jolene?

I have had waves of joy come over me today after reading Dan’s email:

I’m sitting here, writing, windows open, curtains softly blowing….ahhh.

I’m preparing a piece, for my graduation from the Dreaming in Script Calligraphy class, which is not due for another month, so I’m taking my time. This final project has to be an exemplar of both majuscule (uppercasel) and miniscule (lowercase) letters as well as the numbers. Plus, and this is a big plus, it has to be done in Sumi (or Sumi-style) ink on 130-pound hotpressed paper (aka expensive). I just received a packet of 12 sheets of Arches paper, which means I have 24 opportunities to get it right, or as right as it can be. I have been VERY pleasantly surprised that one of the predictions of my teacher, David, came true. He said something like, “Trust me, you will come to love it. He’s very credible, and didn’t disappoint on this occasion.” The Sumi is very thick. It’s made from the soot of burning pinewood. So, it is hard to produce the fine hairlines, which make calligraphy look so beautiful. But I think it has gotten to the point of finesse, I just have to get the feel for this particulr ink, paper and pen. I think they will be with me for a long time. As I told David, “It feels professional.”

I started to watch Black Doves. Not for me. A bit too Action. I love Keira Knightly, but the splashing of blood has become almost comical. I got a few recommendations from friends at the Knitting Group yesterday: Saving Mr. Banks, Six triple Eight and Night Agent.

I think I’m going to organize a movie night here. Holly and Todd said they were in, so I’ll ask a couple of the others as well. Natalie has enough furniture here to have company, so we’ll see. I think Todd might be able to suggest a new series. He watches everything, like my sisters and friend, Mary. So I think that might be happening. I was going to do a TV night with Betty, but the driving here is too treacherous, so we decided not to do that.

Tonight I think I’m just going to read. I’m almost finished with Conversations with God. It’s my second time through, but I have discovered that I learn something new every time I read these spiritual books. I’m enjoying seeing Eckhart and Oprah together again. They are like little angels playing together here on Earth.

Hearing Eckhart had colon cancer made me skeptical of a post I saw yesterday. This guy sounded so credible to me until the very end where he talks about cancer being impossible if you’re vibrating correctly. ???

https://www.facebook.com/reel/912921014282999

I cracked open my latest brew of kombucha last night. I flavored it with papaya and passion fruit (maracuya). This will be my choice for the duration here. I doubt I will ever be able to replicate this flavor at home.

I was wondering if the passion fruit flavor would come through. It did indeed. Kombucha has definitely replaced my wine habit, hands down. I love when I open a new bottle, and it bubbles over like champagne. It feels so alive. I also love the feeling I experience when I reach for a drink of a second glass, and I don’t feel intoxicated. Instead I am pleasantly satisfied.

I am also so grateful that Natalie has an Instant Pot. Yesterday I made a delicious soup with giant white beans. It took less than an hour, and the beans were perfectly creamy. Also, thanks to the Instant Pot, I am also able to keep fresh yogurt on hand. It is SO much better than store bought.

This one has a dollop of St. Dalfour Four Fruits. All of their preserves are lovely. I made a mistake with my last batch of yogurt. I forgot to allow the milk to cool to 115 degrees before adding the starter. The final product was grainy milk. Gag. Dan would have used it. Mine went down the toilet. Sorry God.

I went for a rainy Palo Alto walk yesterday morning with Barbara and Debra. Now that Barbara has her wheels back, we’ll be seeing more of each other. She wants to learn how to make kombucha. Barbara was also a wine lover but quit almost a year ago, so she’s interested in trying this.

Here are a few shots from our walk. We met Barb at La Casita for coffee. She was driving her kitted-out golf cart. I would love one of these. Barb’s is the only one I’ve seen. Steffen did all the custom work on it to make it legal for the streets. She said that more are becoming available now that someone has created a business doing this.

Today is another rainy windy day. Yesterday, I watched as Martin and his helpers cut down bamboo across from my house. Today the wind is blowing it over.

The bamboo can really get out of control here. It reminds me of a lesson from my Hola Spanish class. The teacher, Brenda Romaniello, compared learning Spanish to the growth of bamboo. It starts out very slowly and then it suddenly shoots up, sometimes growing four feet per day!

Everyone is hunkering down this week. It is the week of the Boquete Flower and Coffee Fair. The traffic in town is overwhelming. So, locals stay home or leave town. Barb and Steffen left this morning for Pedasi on the southern coast. I don’t expect much other activity. Trivia and Tuesday Market are both cancelled because of the fair.

I will spend the next couple of days learning some new Zentangle patterns and build up my card supply.

A few weeks ago, I thought that I “should” write an ode to kombucha. Right now, I’m at my desk, practicing calligraphy, and again admiring my kombucha for coming into my life. I thought again about the ode. Then I thought of what it might be like to use AI to give me the technical information and how-to’s and I would just have the experience of the “writing of an ode.”

So, I asked AI, “How does one write an ode?” Perplexity answered as follows:

“Writing an ode is a creative and expressive endeavor that celebrates a person, object, event, or idea. Here’s a structured approach to crafting an ode:

Understanding the Ode

An ode is a lyrical poem dedicated to praising or celebrating its subject. It often conveys strong emotions and can be directed toward something absent, such as a beloved person or cherished object. Odes have their roots in ancient Greece and come in various forms, primarily categorized into three types:

• Pindaric Ode: Traditionally consists of three stanzas with a formal structure.
• Horatian Ode: Features one or more stanzas that follow the same structure.
• Irregular Ode: Lacks a specific pattern, allowing for more freedom in expression.

Steps to Write an Ode

1. Choose Your Subject:
   • Select something you are passionate about—this could be a person, an object, or even an abstract concept (e.g., love, nature) 13.
2. Decide on the Structure:
   • Determine which type of ode you want to write (Pindaric, Horatian, or Irregular). Consider how many stanzas you will include and how they will be structured 34.
3. Create a Title:
   • A typical title format is “Ode to [Subject]” or “An Ode to [Subject]” 24.
4. Generate Content:
   • Write down a list of praises for your subject. Include both broad themes and specific details that evoke strong feelings 4. Use vivid adjectives and verbs to bring your subject to life.
5. Incorporate Poetic Devices:
   • Utilize similes, metaphors, and hyperbole to enhance your expression. Repetition can also be effective in emphasizing key themes 34.
6. Write the Ode:
   • Begin composing your ode based on your notes and structure. Focus on creating a rhythmic flow—while rhyme is common in odes, it is not mandatory, especially in irregular odes 16.
7. Revise and Refine:
   • After drafting your ode, take some time away from it before revisiting for edits. Ensure that the language flows smoothly and captures the essence of your feelings toward the subject 34.
8. Finalize Your Work:
   • Once satisfied with your ode, give it a final read-through for any adjustments before considering it complete.

By following these steps, you can create an ode that not only honors its subject but also showcases your unique voice as a poet.”

Very interesting. I wonder if we all have a “unique voice as a poet.” This is recorded here as reference in case I decide to continue. My brain started shutting down at “Pindaric Ode.” But it made me think back to my 20’s to 50’s when I used to become interested in a topic and wonder where I could take a class. Then there was always the getting there and home (the city bus was my only option for many years) and having to do it at night after work. Ugh! So tiring. Look how lucky we are now to have technology. The answers are available instantly. I cannot imagine…nor do I care to imagine…what my life would be like without YouTube, Teachable, podcasts, Netflix. I have enjoyed so many more fun experiences since they all came along.

I was upset for a few minutes today when I read an article that was again pushing the “fear button” on the AI machine. I get it. We need to remain vigilant and informed, but the article provided zero assistance in how we might do that. This was my favorite line: “…it is becoming harder to mitigate unless people really start to think about reducing what they post online.” It sounds like he is blaming the victim. How about passing legislation that will prevent this from happening? From what I understand there are zero controls on AI right now. It’s the social media giants that need to take responsibility and not “use” humans to make more money. It seems to me that they would still be gazzilionaires from the money we would be willing to pay them to do things that we agree to and are not tricked into by capitalizing on our weaknesses. Okay, I’m done. And I’m going to read Vivek Murthy’s book, The Lonliness Epidemic.

Dinner last night for Holly’s birthday was divine. The restaurant was Nomad. It has apparently been here for years, and I never heard about it. Kathy, it’s right next to the Oasis where you and Dan stayed once. You’ve probably eaten there. I should have done a video. The ambience was truly heavenly: lush gardens, stone pathways, babbling brooks, lotus flowers, fireplaces, rock walls. And it made Holly very happy. She’s the one in the green.

Still watching Shrinking. I texted Dan and told him not to watch it. I don’t think he could handle it. He would cry too much. It even got me at one point, and I’m kind of a tough case…at least compared to him. This was one of my favorite lines today from Harrison Ford: “Babies are assholes.”

I was awake at 3:30 this morning, so I almost begged off, but I decided to join my neighborhood group for a hike. I’m happy I did. They said that they hike every Saturday morning at 7:30, rain or shine. We walked the Palo Alto loop, which is about 5.5 miles on back roads, some slight inclines, but mostly easy. Maybe Barbara can join us when her busy social life slows down a bit. It was a beautiful day. The rain has finally let up.

I finished watching Bad Sisters, and now I’m moving on to Shrinking. Let’s see if I can stay awake until at least 9 pm. Looking forward to a good night’s sleep.

I spent the afternoon at a lovely New Year’s day party at Betty’s. It was nice seeing Jude and Cheryl and Larry and Cathy. They all lived near me when I rented the Glass Cottage a couple of years ago. Also met some new people.

And then I came home to this sweet exchange on the Dreaming in Script calligraphy platform:

Hey you guys!

I’m sure you would have been seeing the dedication with which Christing Kunert is going through her ES practice! It is hugely inspiring to all of us here, and I thought of making this Nameplate for her as a token of my appreciation. 🙂 

Christine, believe me when I say, it’s not often at all when a Dreamer goes through the programme with such zeal and sincerity as you, much less the second time around! Not in my experience at least, which is ~4 years now. 😀

Thank you for being such an amazing motivator to pick up our pens and work a little harder on refining our scripts with each day of consistent practice! It has been fabulous getting to know you here! <3

—Sneha. (student mentor)

Beautiful! Hear, hear! Thank you for all of your hard work this year! Your script has made such incredible progress in the months you have been with us and I hope that you will continue to push yourself and your study for years to come. 🙂 

—David (DIS owner)

My response: Aww…you guys… :). What a nice surprise for New Year’s day. Thank you very much. As I have said before (and as Casey Stengel taught me), it’s only work if you’d rather be doing something else. There is nothing else that I would rather be doing (at least the majority of the time). Calligraphy in general, and this class in particular, have been such a gift. Thanks Sneha, David and Tony for always being so dedicated as well. Your feedback and interest go such a long, long way for me. I feel this is essential for a good, continued, guided practice. I couldn’t do it independently. 

I’m in the final strech for the graduation process. I just received my new pen and nibs, so I submitted a redo of my final “trained script.” It’s not a huge difference to the casual observer, but I sure liked it a lot better, even though there were a couple of ink blobs.

I retook the quiz and still got three wrong, which gives me a 94%. Not sure, but I think I need 95%. I’m waiting to hear from David. There as a bit of a snag. When David sent the email that I could retake the quiz, I couldn’t get it to work. I kept clicking on an answer, and nothing would happen. When I tried it the last time, it worked, but I hadn’t paid attention to the fact that there were two correct answers, and I only selected the one I was experimenting with. I explained to David what happened, and he said he would reset it again, since I got it right the first time, but when I finally took the quiz this morning, I intentionally answered the first question wrong because I felt like I was cheating.

So, we’ll see where I go from here. Happy New Year!!