My Latest Adventure

Today is movie day at Nancy’s, and everyone gets to choose a flower card made on the card stock that Kathy gave me.

I loved making this one. I think I need to make a few more. Mums the word.

That’s it for today!

Today at knitting, Kathy Rutz surprised me with a packet of card stock and envelopes. It is beautiful card stock. The texture is lovely. I decided to try a new flower: the anemone. The photo doesn’t do the paper justice; wish you could feel it. I’m trying to decide if I want to put a watercolor wash over the image. Just realized, I’m drawing my leaves upside-down.

I treated Gloria to a lentil curry for dinner this evening.

One of my favorite Panamanian treats – papaya.

I listened to this conversation this morning with Yuval Noah Harari, Anne Applebaum and Timothy Snyder discussing the current movements in Ukraine and the need to declare a no-fly zone over Ukraine. I find this both a frightening and exhilarating time in human evolution. The entire world is responding to Putin’s egotistical, maniacal behavior. It feels pivotal. Love is moving forward.

As an aside, I find it very compelling that Harari plans his busy schedule around his meditation practice. He plans meditation retreats and molds the remainder of his life around that. For him it is a priority. I’m looking forward to reading his books Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, and Sapiens: A Graphic History: The Birth of Humankind. I almost ordered it on Audible. That is what I call “duh” moment.

Because we watched and loved After Life, Dan suggested I watch this video with Diane Morgan who plays Kath in the series. As Dan said, it is terrific.

I just returned from the attorney’s (Enrique Quintero) office where I signed the Living Will. So, that’s all taken care of. Now all I need to do is get some sturdy bins that can hold any of my things that might need to be shipped back to the U.S. Some say I’m silly for bothering with this paperwork, but I am not comfortable with the thought of any family member having to travel here to deal with a dead or dying body. And now having worked with hospice, I know that the legal system here is a nightmare. It feels too irresponsible to leave this undone.

I tried to catch this little guy in mid-pee on my walk to the attorney’s office this morning, but his big sister spun him around. Too cute.

Last night, I watched the documentary Winter on Fire. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it to get a sense of the fierce love of country and passion of the Ukrainian people. This documentary covers the revolution of 2013-14 against their then president, and Putin collaborator, Yanukovych. I vaguely remember hearing about it at the time, but I had no idea of the intensity. It is shocking to me that Putin would even attempt the present invasion.

I copied the following from a wall hanging I saw in Gloria’s house. I love reading it.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble. It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. 

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. 

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. 

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. 

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 

Therefore, be at peace with God, and whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

 – FOUND IN OLD SAINT PAUL’S CHURCH, BALTIMORE; DATED 1692

Today’s joy. I worked on these while listening to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Life is good.

Schools have been closed here since February 2020. No education at all since then. Everyone is relieved that the schools have finally opened again. These kids have some catching up to do.

This “little” guy was on my blouse this morning. I didn’t notice it until I bent my head down to hook my necklace and then freaked out. I brushed it off, and in the process I broke the glass pendant of a necklace that my friend, Dianne Caliva, gave me. Bastards!

Gloria just finished making this beautiful rug. It is braided with wool strips. Gorgeous!

Another Trivia Tuesday:

How about a little trivia? Answers at the bottom of the gallery.

Q2 – Cheers

Q3 – Frankie Avalon

Q4 – I Will Always Love You

Q5 – Happy Birthday

Q6 – Ed Sullivan

Q7 – Imagine

Q8 – Queen

Q9 – Willie Nelson

Bonus 1 – The Coasters, The Monkees, Three Dog Night, Madonna

Q1-2 – Kit-Kat

Q2-2 – Danny Elfman

Q3-2 – Thriller

Q4-2 – Sex Pistols

Q5-2 – Walk This Way

Q6-2 – Shania Twain

Q7-2 – Yesterday

Q8-2 – Julie Andrews

Q9-2 – Trying

Bonus 2 – Buddy Holly, Ricky Valenz, Big Bopper

Our Boquete Health and Hospice volunteer training group:

Played Scrabble today with Nancy, Herta and Betty. Nancy killed us. Betty’s apartment is so beautiful. I felt like I was in a magazine.

The sketch is finished and framed; however, I cannot hang it up yet because the picture hanger I tried would not go into the wall, which is solid concrete. So, this task has been put on the Rickey list. In the meantime, I will have to keep two wine bottles handy to make sure it doesn’t fall.

And this one is called “making puttanesca in my tiny kitchen.

This will be the “before” picture. Ozman is coming Thursday to paint and the the carpenter will come soon to install an extension of the countertop and a shelf above. It’s so fun to be creating this home away from home. I’ve been making a list of things I plan to buy when I come back next year. I am happy that Gloria is okay with this. I found a great polish/oil for that cabinet today. What a difference…well, maybe only for me… 🙂

Tomorrow I’m meeting Lesley Hughes at the attorney’s office to sign the Living Will. Then we will return here for the puttanesca lunch. Sally will join us.

I made hummus. I’m going to buy french bread at Gago’s and cookies at Mort’s Bakery on the way to my meeting with Lesley. I’m going to make a horta-type salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, feta cheese, lemon juice and olive oil. Puttanesca for the entrée and Mort’s cookies with gelato for dessert. I miss cooking for friends. Next year will be better for that.

This morning we went to Piero and Adrianne’s Milky Way Creamery for breakfast and a tour. I think it is so amusing how people have become so excited when they hear “baby goats.” You don’t have to ask twice. This was an easier sell for me than Las Lajas. Enjoy the tour.

I’m glad the break came here because I need to write a little more. After we finished eating, Piero told his story. Piero is from Venezuala. He came to Panama as his first choice when he “escaped” Venezuela. He explained that it is very common in Venezuela to be kidnapped. You can even get a “kidnapping” waiver on your insurance. I’m a little bit vague on the details (Nancy, please chime in), but Piero said there are three ways to escape being kidnapped: (1) Hire thugs to protect you and “deal” with the kidnappers. (2) Allow yourself to be kidnapped and deal with the kidnappers’ demands. (3) Leave the country. He chose option #3.

He told of his fear during his flight, worried about being discovered. Long-story-short…because my memory is…he chose Boquete; bought this property; met Adrianne online; they fell in love; shared a passion for plants and animals (She is a biologist); and they decided to start a goat dairy.

The rest of his talk described the trials and tribulations of starting something so unique in this climate. It required extensive research and experimentation. After seven years and investment of thousands of dollars, they are still here, and they seem very happy and thriving.

Piero exuded such passion for what they are doing here. He reminded me of Ben & Jerry. He told us that he doesn’t make any more money than the people who work for him. No one ever works more than five days a week (except for him and Adrianne, of course).

He told us of the hours they spend sleeping with the goats when they are in distress. Every goat has a name and is part of the family. It reminds me of my grandparents’ farm in Kaukauna. The farmers have such a connection with their animals.

I asked him at one point what kept him going with such tremendous setbacks, and he explained the importance of the sense of community – at least that’s what I remember. He also talked about the increased balance he feels living here. He came from what sounds like a busy, upper-class lifestyle in Venezuela, and he did not want to do that anymore.

He said he started out in Panama City, and even there it felt too formal for him. He felt pressured to wear a suit and tie.

Here he doesn’t do that.

Okay, now a couple of videos:

For some reason, I cannot embed this video, but here’s a link: https://youtu.be/sjEpajngdUQ

Okay, that’s it for today. Hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did.

The patio here is one of the very best, if not the best, feature of this casita. Rain or shine.

I planned to do laundry today. I had my bed stripped and my basket ready to take over to Gloria’s, and then it started pouring. I went ahead and washed things and then made plans to go over to Nancy’s to dry them. It was nice to have an opportunity to visit with her, and Bailey, of course. I’ve GOT to remember the cheese next time.

So, here is the finished doodle that is going on the wall somewhere. Just waiting for the frame, which I think Ricky is putting the hook on.

Ozman is coming on the 10th to paint the kitchen. Yay! I’ve decided that I won’t buy anything new until next year. I ‘m only here for a couple more weeks, so I’ll make do. Next year I’ll buy some things to make me happy in the kitchen. Then I can have people over for dinner.

I am planning to have Lesley Hughes and Sally Zigmund over for lunch next week. Lesley has agreed to sign my Living Will here, so lunch is to say thank you, and Sally is invited, just because (she doesn’t hate me anymore). They know each other from hospice, so I thought it would be a fun lunch.

I walked into town today (yes, in the pouring rain – thanks for that poncho Kathy Rutz). I needed the exercise, plus I had a pickup at RednBlue.

I was going to wait until I got home to buy this, but God wouldn’t let me…:) I might complete my classes with Ash, now that I have the proper ink.

As I was walking to RednBlue I came upon this house. I’ve seen it many times, and for some reason I just love the look of it. I can’t believe it’s still standing, and I wonder what stories it might tell.

After RednBlue, I stopped at Romero to pick up a few things. I was going to take a taxi home, but when I got into the checkout line, Ashley was just ahead of me. He offered me a ride home. Perfect!

Ever since an experience I had on the Camino, I have become aware of my occasional lack of kindness. I’ve been working on it. Yesterday I had an experience that I found myself examining later.

 I was out yesterday morning in a meeting. When I got home, I found this note on my door. “Chris, Your keys are in the bathroom medicine cabinet. I put your computer inside your apartment.”

I had left my door open because Ricky was supposed to come and fix the toilet. I tend to leave my laptop outside by my table when I am out for short segments of time.

So, my first question was, “What medicine cabinet?”  Both our places were all locked up.  I looked in the extra bathroom on the patio, and I didn’t see a medicine cabinet (I thought it was just a mirror hanging on the wall).  There is a cloth curtain covering the area below the sink.  I pulled that back, and just did a visual scan. I didn’t move anything.

I was feeling irritated and annoyed that I was going to have to wait for her to get home. I figured that she put my keys in her medicine cabinet and then locked her doors.  I was able to reach her at The Haven (the gym), and I told her in my best try-not-to-sound irritated voice that I was locked out. Gloria then explained to me that the mirror in that extra bathroom was actually a medicine cabinet.  Sure enough… The fact is, someone could have read that note and found the key. Oh well.

I’m not irritated anymore, and I’m happy that it gave me yet another opportunity to check myself before I react. That was a reaction. Even though Gloria may not have picked up on my irritation, I knew it was there. Food for ego reflection.

The sunflower has been entered.

And it inspired one of today’s cards:

I just realized that I did not upload the video and photos of my Sunday lunch with Mimi. I met Mimi while I was here last year. She is a massage therapist. We went to the Fish House and had an excellent meal. Mimi had a burger, and I had the coconut shrimp. I should have taken a photo of my plate. The shrimp are actually langostinos, which are very large shrimp and taste more of lobster. I could not finish my plate, which is very unusual for me. So, I had two meals of it.

And then on to Saori’s for ice cream!

 

My sister-in-law, Ann, suggested that I make a sunflower for the piece I am creating for the apartment here. This is my first attempt. I’m not completely happy with it. But it’s only the first one, and I have some ideas. I can feel precision coming on. I’ll try again tomorrow.

This morning I met one of the carpenters who is part of the construction crew of the little house, which is my view across from my play table.  He was standing at my kitchen window having a chat with Gloria about the extra countertop she is having installed here.  Very nice man.  I told him that I have been enjoying watching the house go up.  He invited me to come over some day and have a look.  Perfect!  I was already scheming how I could see it.  I was planning the whole intro thing in my mind.  Now that we’ve met, it will be easier, and of course, it’s always nice having an invitation.

I met with the hospice team today in regard to the Being Prepared for End of Life in Boquete manual. Looks like this responsibility is also winding down. So, the remainder of my time here is going to be total play.

I am waiting for my walnut ink to come so I can start practicing my calligraphy with that. I am going to continue making cards. I believe I have made enough now to fulfill all my commitments. So, from here on it is “extras.” I’m disappointed that some of the birthday cards I sent didn’t make it in time. Oh well, I hope they show up eventually. Sorry Mickey and Dianne. Just know they are on the way.

Things are continuing to move along with the remodel at home. I am so happy that I was able to contact Dulce and Erika Slotke to clean the place before I get home. It will be such a thrill to come home to a clean and updated environment.

Just finished sketching this a little while ago. Gloria gave me the frame. I painted the mat, and then decided to draw the hyacinth in the first slot. I’m going to learn some of the other flowers from the same YouTube channel and then put my favorites in the other two spaces…stay tuned. I am going to hang it somewhere in the apartment and leave it here. The color matches the walls. It makes me happy, and I will be happy to see it when (if) I come back. You never know.

I walked down to Lady’s Place today for a pedicure. Completely forgot two things: 1) my sandals and, 2) it’s a holiday. The sandals part is obvious to anyone who has had a pedicure. You cannot put socks and shoes over a fresh pedicure. The second part is important because, given that it is a holiday, it is difficult to get a taxi. The pedicurist was very sweet. She tried calling three taxis without luck. She gave me those foamy little slippers and then went outside and hailed a taxi for me. This is Panama after all. And…she just now sent me a rose emoticon on WhatsApp when I thanked her for her help. I love this place.

That is kindness. Obviously, it is customer service, but it goes above and beyond. People here are just kind. It is a good place for me to practice kindness.

Being kind is a challenge. I find it increasingly a challenge when I am here anew and have to navigate new relationships. I am working hard on making kindness my response reflex. It is an interesting process. My immediate/initial/knee-jerk response is irritation and defensive. I feel like have to be on guard and protect myself. I don’t want to be taken advantage of or pushed around. However, I am working on pausing, taking a breath, allow the irritation to pass through me as though I were invisible, and wait. Waiting is the hard part, but it pays off.

I have discovered that if I wait a bit before I respond (sometimes a few seconds – a day is better) the result is always rewarding. In the peak moment, just saying, “okay” works, and then I take time to think it through. I let the wolves fight it out in my head.

Do you know this story?

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

So, I’m doing my best to feed the Wolf of Kindness. The Dalai Lama, when asked about this religion, said, “My religion is kindness.” I’ll take his word for it; it’s a good choice.

I understand that given all the exact circumstances of birth and conditioning, I would be saying/doing exactly the same thing as the other person. I am in THIS body; they are in THAT body, but we are all manifestations of the same source. In our ESSENCE we are the one.

I have no idea why I felt I had to write that, but there you go!

I received a $50 Amazon gift certificate today from GBInsight for writing a testimonial in regard to my genetic testing with them. First time I have ever been paid for writing something. Dan is so happy.