Blog
I went for a nice long walk along the beach this morning. Here are a few of the images I experienced. I love the patterns in the sand.
We’ve had a couple of iguanas visit today. They look to be a male and a female. I asked, what shall we name them? Kathy and Nancy both said, “Gracie and George.” And so it is. Meet Gracie and George.
Yay!! I finally got a decent Internet connection. Yesterday was hopeless. So I’m going to post some photos from our arrival yesterday. This is hands down the most beautiful beach I have ever experienced in my life. I feel like I’m dreaming. I’m so happy I decided to come. I was worried about the heat, but it is breezy and beautiful.
Views of the beach.
I was so surprised to see Suzanne here. She said she comes regularly with a group. I’m going to go boogie boarding with her sometime. I think it is interesting that Boquete is a get-away for expats, and now Las Lajas is the get-away from Boquete. I can see why. I’m feeling like a regular. I came with a group of five, and I knew two other people here. Small community.
And this is my writing spot. Life is good.
I was looking forward to today. Sundays are going to be my lazy days, which pretty much means no hiking and nothing mentally taxing (like databases); keeping up with this blog is taxing enough, but I also enjoy it enough to want to spend time on it.
Today was a good one.
So, first off, I slept for 11 hours last night. Love that. I woke at 6:45, but knew I wasn’t finished. I slept until 8:40. Delicious.
Then I moved on to coffee and calligraphy. My latest challenge is the stem stroke. It’s tough, but it is also quintessential Engrosser’s Script, the movement from hairline to shade and back to hairline. Ash told me to just keep doing the stem stroke over and over again until I have built muscle memory. This is today’s attempt. Not “there” yet. Lazy strokes for my lazy day.
Then I moved on to my conversation class with Hola Spanish! Again, I highly recommend it. Today we discussed our favorite movies and series in Spanish. I have acquired a great list. Then we watched movie trailers and were asked to answer questions, which we should have learned watching the trailer. Ha!! One of the great things about this class is that many others feel the same as I do. We get some of it, but not all…that’s why we’re here. We start out in one big group and then break into small chat groups to “try” to answer the questions.
This little guy is the neighbor dog. Reminds me of Cookie. I don’t know it’s name. It just wanders around here now and again.
I guess I’d better pack. We are leaving for the beach tomorrow. The beach is called Las Lajas. The “we” is Betty, Nancy, Kathy, Herta, Gloria and me. Gloria is a maybe. She’s not feeling well today, so she will be tentative. I was a little hesitant to go because I was worried about the heat, but I have been assured it’s not too bad. I have quite un-fond memories of being in Pedasi (one of the beach towns) a few years ago with Dan. I could not tolerate the heat. However, there was also no air conditioning. I am assuming we will have air conditioning at the hotel in Las Lajas. Worse comes to worst, I will have Nancy take me home. She is reading this right now and saying, “Right.”
I walked to La Fundación today. It’s a great 5-mile walk with the wind at my back. I enjoyed chatting with my knitting group and then got a lift home. I can’t remember if I posted a photo of what our knitting site looks like. I can’t find it right now, but we sit right outside La Fundación, which is a thrift store and a community meeting place for the disabled. Upon arrival, one must first go inside to see if any new treasures have been added because…you never know. I thought I might find a toner cartridge for my printer, but no such uck.
Today my friendly driver home was Nancy Peterson. She won the prize! Believe it or not, Nancy and her former husband used to live in a house they built in a subdivision off HIghway D in North Prairie. Nancy likely lived less than 10 miles from me in Delafield.
I left one of my walking poles in Nancy’s car, so she was nice enough to bring it to my house. So, then I got to see Bailey! I didn’t get his photo today, but I will, someday. He’s a cutie. He knows me as the “cheese lady.” Today he was looking into my eyes, saying, “It’s great to see you again, but where’s the cheese?”
Here are a couple of photos I did take today on my walk. I think this is the courthouse, although I have never heard anyone talk about having to go here.
I especially like the rock. It feels so substantial. The plaque on the left says Rock of Volcanic Origin.
The following is a rough Google Translate rendition of what is on the plaque on the right:
By divine design
From the bowels of the earth expelled
This rock has here found its destiny
Centuries have passed
at its side
The instruction of justice
has been built
It is the rock of justice
Natural pedestal
Where country and family
United will grow
Review the message sent through millenia
On this rock
Justice will stand
It brings to mind a video I rewatched recently of a young black woman journalist by the name of Kimberly Jones. You may have seen it. The title is How Can We Win I watched it for a class I’m taking called Soul Matters. I dug the video up, if you’re interested. I like adding links now. Jones was in the thick of it in Georgia during the civil unrest after the murder of George Floyd. Jones is eloquent and impassioned about the racial inequality and injustice that have been going on in the U.S. for hundreds of years. She is angry, yes, but she also sounds tired and frustrated. In the end, she said that that the oppressors are lucky that what black people want is equality and not revenge. She also said, “We have created the warrior cop instead of the guardian of the community that we deserve. ” Slowly, slowly I feel things are changing. In her tirade Jones says that she was so grateful for the education she received as a young person. I am too. She can now speak truth to power.
I hear the same courageous, intelligent audacity coming through Barbara Lee, a congressperson from CA. She was interviewed on NPR the other day in regard to a documentary that has come out about her life. Lee learned much from Shirley Chisholm. I just looked it up; the documentary is called Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power. It’s being aired on Starz, which I obviously have no access to right now, but it is definitely on my list.
The interview on NPR was compelling. I loved hearing Lee talk about her shaming of the “old boy” politicians who lacked the courage to vote honestly on issues and instead worried only about their re-elections. Like the “moral authority” I wrote about the other day, the demand for integrity is something that I believe these strong-willed, intelligent women are bringing back to our social fabric. Thank you.
Okay, back to my walk. Here is another image that I love. I don’t know the history of this building, but it is called Ave Maria, and there is a kindergarten attached to it.
Saturday morning: I had a lovely hike with Barb this morning. We went to the area known as Jaramillo. We met some friends while hiking. I only knew Chris Duffy. Barb introduced me to her friend Mike. When Mike learned I was from Wisconsin he told me that his aunt lived in Madison and used to have a radio program: Judy Rose – Simply Folk. Small world.
I have been wanting to learn how to play pickleball since I heard about it a couple of years ago. I was hoping to find a place to play when I got home last spring, but Covid put an end to all of that. At Trivia recently, I met a man named Ashley. He told me about the local games. He plays three times a week. So, Trevor and I went today for a beginner lesson. I’m hooked.
And this lovely face greeted me when I got home.
So, tonight’s dinner is a curried lentil/pork sausage stew, hummus with french bread and bananas Foster for dessert.
Today’s playtime:
I started my day with my calligraphy teacher, Ashok Giri of Mumbai. I just love saying that. Ash was able to partially diagnose my problem with hairlines. Ash is so good that he was able to tell that my issue was due to my ink (thank God it’s not me!!). So, tomorrow I’ll dilute it a bit and try again. Always something.
Just as I was finishing my class, Barb showed up. We chatted for a couple of hours and solved all the world problems…again. Barb is going through a very exciting transition in her life, moving back to the U.S. Barb has been here with her partner, Murray, for about 10 years. Barb has two adult daughters in the U.S., so, like many people who try to establish a lifestyle here, the pull of family (especially grandchildren), is strong. And, that is a good thing. Barb is a loving mom.
I walked to Super Dorado to pick up some supplies (TP and garbage bags not included in $450/month) as well as some ingredients for a dinner I’m making tomorrow night for Gloria and Trevor. I went back and forth from a lentil stew I’ve been conjuring in the slow cooker to a marinara with Italian sausage. I was hoping to find Italian sausage at Gago (across the highway from Super Dorado), but they didn’t have any. I did, however, find curry powder, so the lentil stew won. I’m also going to make hummus with pita and then bananas foster for dessert. I’ve been craving that since I got here. The bananas are exceptional. Now I just need walnuts.
I spent the rest of the afternoon working on cards and listening to an interview on Wisconsin Public Radio’s On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti. She interviewed both a retired colonel and a former prisoner. Here’s the link if you’re interested. It’s one of those that I want to listen to again. It’s ugly but necessary. Also, in my opinion, hopeful: I hear the U.S. military saying they’re sorry and victims possessing the ability to forgive and continue to see the heart in everyone.
So, I guess it was a heart kind of a day.
As I was making these cards today, I felt again that I have, what I call, the Henry Ford gene. I really enjoy having a system and doing all the steps. Interesting how this trait comes out in my artwork. Still feels funny to say “my artwork.”
I want to say thank you again to my friend, CathyAnne, who copied all seasons of The Seaside Hotel, as well as many other PBS programs, onto a thumb drive for me. I am so grateful. I can’t access my Passport account from here, and the Netflix and Amazon Prime offerings are very limited (legal stuff). So, I’m so happy now having this to look forward to at night, as well as the book I’m now reading Sooley by John Grisham. Next on the list is Never by Ken Follett.
Here are a few images from the Tuesday Market. It is a weekly market of indigenous, Panamanians and ex-pats alike. Beautiful fresh produce, baked goods, cheese, goat-milk yogurt, coffee, chocolate, oils, jewelry, crafts and much more. It is also an opportunity to socialize.
A couple more video clips of the Tuesday Market. Sorry about the Slo-Mo. I had no idea it was even an option.
I have passed this guy hundreds of times along the main road. I had no idea what he represented. I finally got up close, and I STILL don’t know. There is no explanation.
This car has been in this same spot since we first visited Boquete in 2008. I do not believe it has ever moved…horizontally anyhow.
An uninvited visitor to my room last night. I had to squirt him down with my Waterpik, put him in my yogurt-cup bug collector, and let him outside…where he (we) will be happier.
I just completed this piece for a friend here who was overlooked in my Christmas card delivery. I don’t think she’s reading the blog, but I’ll say again, “Sorry, Betty.”
I love the above quote from The Little Prince. It has taught me a lot.
I find it very interesting that my biggest mess here is in the word, “invisible.” So, you probably can’t see it. 🙂
I sat with Gloria and her nephew, Trevor (visiting from CO) , this morning to give lesson #1 in calligraphy. Considering what a beginner I am, it is a bit of a joke that I could be considered a teacher, but for someone who knows absolutely nothing…I can do that.
Taking this to bed with me tonight:
Dan gave me this bar of soap shortly before I left home. It is an unusual thing for him to do and, I thought, very sweet. He has asked me a couple of times if I’ve used it yet and thought of him. I had to say no. Today I took it out of its hiding place in my bathroom cart and decided that I will use it next time I need to. Now I’m wondering if there’s hot pepper in it or something. Think positive… He’s been watching After Life with Ricky Gervais. I know he gets very sentimental sometimes.
I was working on this card today while listening to an interview with Rupert Spira, one of my favorite teachers. He talks about creativity and how it is a participation in bringing consciousness into the world.
I never thought of myself as creative. Creativity was something done by “the talented people,” like Rosalind Schmidt, in grade school. She always won the prize during “Let’s Draw.” The rest of us were judged as not quite good enough.
Spira says, “The process of creativity is being called into participation with the other. It’s bringing consciousness into the world.” I believe that the joy we experience in creating something is God saying, “You’re on the right track. That’s what I want from you. Thanks.” I feel great joy while making these cards and also thinking of the joy of giving them to friends and family.
Today I had my first experience with an ER. I got bit by a friend’s dog. Not mentioning any names, not necessary, she feels bad enough. The bite is not severe, but a Google search recommended seeing a doctor in any event; so I did. The amazing thing was the ER experience.
I called a taxi and just asked him to take me to the emergency clinic. He asked which one. I said I have no idea. I told him that I heard there was a clinic in town that was open 24 hours. So, he took me to what is known as the “public” clinic. He told me later he would never go there because you have to wait too long, but I was seen immediately. There was no one else there.
I simply cannot believe that the doctor visit was only $0.50, and the medicine $2.50. The guy who was checking me out, said, “Si, es Panamá.” Increíble!!
This one is for Mary. Remember I told you I have a long way to go with my calligraphy? This was my practice this morning. I met with my teacher. He said he loved the one that looks like a dog.
