My Latest Adventure

I met “the gang” for breakfast at nine this morning at Sugar and Spice to celebrate Nancy and Kathy’s birthdays. Who attended? Nancy, Kathy, Herta, Betty, Beth, Gloria and me. A couple of shots from my walk in:

Later in the afternoon, we met again at Nancy’s to extend the celebration and for movie day. The selected film was Lust for Life (biography of Vincent van Gogh) starring Kirk Douglas. It was a bit Hollywood corny at times, but overall very enjoyable. It was a good followup to having just been to the digital van Gogh exhibit before I left home. Van Gogh was such an intense human being. I wonder how he would do today…on medication.

And now I’m back home, getting a few words in here and then planning to do a bit of studying with Hola Spanish. I haven’t been in class for a while, so I want to catch up.

I needed to back off on my ideas to make changes to my apartment. Gloria was feeling overwhelmed. I committed the sin of “assuming.” I assumed she wanted the changes as much as I did. i don’t think so. I’m going to just leave things as they are. If I decide there is something I would like, I’ll just get it myself and pack it up with my stuff when I leave. That was my original plan, so I should have just stuck with that. Oh, well, hopefully no harm done.

Barb made it to California in one piece. Actually, again, I’m assuming that… I didn’t ask. I just asked if she made it. She responded that it was a harrowing experience, and she was never asked once for any Covid-related documents. Perhaps that is because the airline already had them. Who knows? She made it; that’s what counts.

I went to the Social Security building yesterday for my booster. Easy peasy. No lines.

As I was sitting and waiting afterward, a young Panamanian man came and sat next to me. “The government has control over us,” he said, “If I don’t have the booster, I can’t go to my job.”

I just nodded and smiled, like I usually do, and said something lame, like, “Well, it keeps people out of the hospital.”

“Well, now I have a sore arm, and I won’t be able to do my job properly. My last vaccination hurt for days.”

His English was exceptional. Made me wonder what conservative college he attended in the U.S., but I didn’t ask, and thank God there are no thought bubbles above our heads.

I love this new technique I learned. First, you draw the flower in pencil. Mess up as much as you need to. Go over it with a gel pen, and then erase the pencil lines. It’s great! I learned it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaUFYpwoPe0 I’m going to try all 12 flowers:

Today’s completed production line:

I spent a good part of my day doing some reorganizing. Gloria has agreed to my sprucing up the kitchen a bit. I moved the refrigerator to the pantry/closet/storage room. So that gives me an extra three square feet in the kitchen. I’m going into La Reyna (the local “department” store) tomorrow to look at some kitchen things like dishes, pots and pans, utensils, etc.

Gloria is also having the kitchen painted and having her handyman put in some shelves. It’s a win-win. I will love the fresh face, and increased usability of the kitchen, and I think Gloria is happy to have someone do it. It was needed. I’m also going to make some curtains for the bedroom window. The street light across the street is very bright at night. My current solution is a might tacky.

I learned recently that I am off the hook for the hospice database. Another person on the team asked if he could do what I was being trained to do, so…there you go… I am happy to let go of the responsibility. I learned a lot working with the Bubble program, but I’m fine letting it go. Since I am no longer need there, I spent a couple of days working on their Being Prepared booklet. Editing is never finished. I offered a rather significant revision this time around, so we’ll see how that goes. In any event, I told the team I wouldn’t touch it again 2/28 when we will have a meeting and make some decisions on the final draft.

So, now I’m back in my playroom. I recently earned how to draw a hyacinth.

I paid a visit today to Attorney Erick Quintero in order to get my Living Will in place here in Panama. The one I have in the U.S. is not valid here. It must be produced in English and Spanish and then notarized. The attorney told me to modify the base document in any way I wished regarding my last wishes, and then he would have it notarized. The following entry made me smile – so un-U.S. and so Panamanian:

“I declare that to exercise the authority given by this document, my HEALTHCARE REPRESENTATIVE should try to discuss with me specific details of any decision proposed by doctors in the event that I could not communicate in any way, even with the twinkle of my eyes. ” Can’t you just picture it??? Semicomatose, but still a twinkle in the eye??? “Please, don’t pull the plug yet…”

I spent part of my afternoon preparing birthday cards to send out. This is so much more fun than standing in a shop trying to find “just the right” card. Now I can’t decide which one to send.

I also like to make the envelopes. This purple glue is such a fun. My friend, Nancy Peterson, told me about it last year while I was here. When you put it on, it’s purple. Then, it slowly becomes clear. I just know Cordelia would love this.

Today there was a flurry of texts between me and the contractors who are working on my kitchen. I love technology! Yesterday wasn’t so great because most of the texts were about not being able to get down our driveway, which was apparently a sheet of ice. But I am able to get the work done without even being there, and they are able to work when they want and stay in communication with me, asking questions, making modifications. So far, so good. I’m excited about cooking in my kitchen again. I feel fortunate to have such great contractors.

Another lovely Saturday walk with my lovely friend Barb. Barb is leaving soon to visit her daughters in the U.S. Their father recently passed away. I’m going to miss you!

My Valentine rose from Gloria is still vibrant. I found this beauty mesmerizing as I was sitting here writing.

I have been having an interesting experience with color, in particular a light shade of turquoise…or is it aqua? Not sure. In any event, I chose this color as the accent color for my kitchen and the entire living room before I left home. Then, as I am here, and watching The Seaside Hotel, I see that this color features prominently in the hotel. It is also Gloria’s favorite color. The entire house here, inside and out is painted this color.

I gave Gloria a card similar to this for for Valentine’s Day:

This is the cup I use here for my hot water:

What’s it all about????

Today Ash gave me a “Look at that!!” when I sent my practice video. I felt a shift in my body today. I found that I get the best result if I breathe in on the hairline and breathe out on the shade. So, with this one, it’s breathe-in, breathe-out, breathe-in. I also have to put pressure on the nib and pull down a little bit to keep it in a straight line on the downstroke. Such a beautiful, fun, art.

I started the day off with this very happy note from Ash Giri, my calligraphy teacher.

I consider this very encouraging, since Ash usually doesn’t say much, if he responds at all. So this was a great way to start my day.

Then it was on to pickleball. We had to play outside today, which is not something I will do again while I’m here. I’m too much of a beginner to also have to deal with the wind. It is lethal. We spend more time running for the ball than playing. On March 1, we will be back inside. Then I’ll play again.

My niece, Sara, sent me this article from from Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about a pickleball complex being built in Oconomowoc. Perfect timing

I met with Dr. Shannon Tuer today. As we were getting to know each other, she said, “Oh, so you’re the database person!” Small town. So, I may never see her again while I’m alive, but if I die here, I’ll have a doctor in place to sign the death certificate. Now I need to have my Power of Attorney for Health Care translated into Spanish and notarized. Because…you never know.

I’m missing my painting time. I’m still busy working on hospice stuff. Hopefully that will be caught up tomorrow, and then I can get back to some serious playing.

I went out to dinner this evening with Trevor and Gloria. Trevor is leaving early Saturday morning, so he wanted to go to an authentic Panamanian restaurant. We went to Restaurante Donde Giselle. I have been there a couple of times in the past with happy results, and tonight did not disappoint.

I spent a good part of my day today working on projects for Boquete Health and Hospice. First, I worked on he Being Prepared for Death in Boquete booklet. Here is an entry I have been asked to make under funeral services:

Hermandad Funeraria de Boquete

• Location:  They have a separate building in Los Naranjos.  Via Principal (on the left going up the hill). 
• Contact:  Ileana or Itza Ordonez.  See Directory for current phone number.
• Services:  There is a large, white, clean-tiled reception chamber where a body can be prepared. No refrigeration or embalming available.  They have a range of aluminum coffins available.
• Fees:  Coffin Prices range from $395-$700+, depending on size required. Need to give them height and weight of body. For a natural burial, client needs to provide a plain wooden coffin, which they do not supply.  Also preferred if family/friends or others wash and prepare the body ahead of time.

I also spent a part of the day working on the hospice database. I met in a Zoom with the main programmer, Chris McCall. I am excited to move forward with my role in the project. I think it is going to be easier than I thought. It looks like right now, all that Chris needs from me is to create a sign-up of form by entering text and input boxes, getting them to line up and look nice, and then he will do the workflow functions connected with those boxes. Much easier than I expected. Eventually, Chris can show me what happens “behind the scenes” in regard to the entered text and how it ends up in a database, but right now, I can just play with entry.

I also walked into town to pick up my new shoes for pickleball tomorrow and attempted to get my booster. I got the shoes but not the booster. Maybe tomorrow. The clinic hours are 7am-2pm. I have an appointment to meet with a local doctor, Shannon Tuer, in order to establish a relationship with a local doctor. This is necessary in case I die here and need a doctor to sign the death certificate. I also need to check on my power of attorney for health care. Not sure if Dan, as my appointee in the US, will work here. I may need someone local. Because….you never know.

Of course, we all know, a photo never really does the real-time image justice, but this is my view as I close down my computer.

I’m not going to try to edit these photos (a few have captions). Just enjoy the hike with Barb, Trevor and me. It was a bit rainy, but then again it seems this is a normal occurrence in this rain forest. Not nearly as wet as it was when I walked it with Lynne and Phil Smith about seven years ago. Thanks for taking the pictures Trevor.

When I returned home, I was talking to Ricky (the handyman) about the trail. He said he was one of the original workers on the trail when he worked for Exxon in 1980.

One of my funniest language mistakes: Ricky was here with his workers fixing the problem with the hot water. One of the workers asked me to run the kitchen water to see if it got hot. I did so, let it run for a while and then said, “Sí, estás caliente.” Which means, “Yes, you’re hot.” Amazing how much difference one little “s” can make. Almost as bad as the time at the café in Greece when I said that I would take my coffee with shit (instead of black).

I am enjoying watching this little house being constructed across the way from my painting table.

The beginning of a new production line:

I have been thinking a lot about the YouTube video I posted earlier, “How Can We Win?” with the activist Kimberly Jones. I found it heartbreaking. I also watched her followup interview with Trevor Noah.

This was another episode in my education regarding systemic racism and how insidious this is.

I was particularly struck by her comment, “We have created the warrior cop instead of the guardian of the community that we deserve.”

I limit my exposure to the news, but I was curious about what the current administration is doing to address these issues. Early ideas of defunding the police sounded reactionary and untenable; however, I did read about the following, constructive measures being implemented:

— In general, Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) gives cities and states historic levels of funding that they can use to put more cops on the beat, and invest in community-based violence prevention and intervention programs.

— In July, senior White House staff established the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) collaborative, a 16-jurisdiction cohort of mayors, law enforcement, CVI experts, and philanthropic leaders committed to using ARP funding or other public funding to increase investment in their community violence intervention infrastructure.

— The CVI is spending 18 months strengthening and scaling the jurisdictions’ community violence intervention infrastructure to reduce gun crime and promote public safety.

— National experts and federal agencies are providing training and technical assistance to help communities assess their existing public safety ecosystem, identify gaps, and build the capacity to expand programming that saves lives.

— Stemming the flow of firearms used to commit violence. I had never even heard of the “Iron Pipeline” before reading about Biden’s proposals.

— Expanding summer programming, employment opportunities, and other services and supports for teenagers and young adults.

— Helping formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reenter their communities.

And these things are already in process. It sounds hopeful. I feel that this is a gradual diminution in masculine ego energy: having to conquer, to win, to be on top. I say masculine and not male because it is not about gender, it is just the most contracted, negative, form of human energy as opposed to the more expansive compassion, inclusiveness and love at the other end. Happy Valentine’s Day!!

I have been coming to Panama since 2009. I never thought that the coffee was outstanding…until today. Barb and I went to the Buckle and Tiip, a new coffee shop along the park in town. I had a cappuccino.

I was amazed at the first sip. I talked to the waiter and asked what they use for pour over. This is it:

It actually says “pour over” on the bag, and he told me to set my grinder at 12. This is perfection. I have never spent this much on coffee before. $18 for 450 g (almost a pound). I had to invoke my most analytical decision-making process: “I could be dead tomorrow.” It is a delight just thinking about it. It is like wine: you get what you pay for.

Barb said she would like to go to Las Lajas. She chastised me a bit, “I asked you SO many times to go with me, and you always said it was too hot.” I can’t argue with that. I very likely did say that, but I am now a whole new beach person. So, we may be going the first part of March. Barb is also planning to leave for the U.S. the first part of April, so this timing feels better than going later in the month.

We’re going to ask Debra to go with us. Debra just broke up a seven-year relationship and is ready for some R&R before she leaves for her daughter’s in Canada. Perfect.

I picked up my thumb drive from Cathy this morning, as well as some caraway seed. I am going to prepare spareribs and sauerkraut for Gloria and Trevor.

I’m having a happy technology moment. This may be ho-hum for you, but for me it’s kind of a big deal. I finally figured out that I can sync all my photos and podcasts from my Mac to my iPhone and vice versa. I knew it was possible but never sat down and figured out how to do it. Today was the day. In the process, I also realized that I can recharge my iPhone while it is plugged into and syncing with my Mac. For some reason, I thought this was all being done automatically, but the hard-wire plug-in seems necessary…at least until some kid tells me otherwise… 🙂

I’m excited. I received an Amazon “delivery” today (had to pick up at RednBlue) , and it contained my new mechanical pencil (uni Kuru Toga 0.5) and a precision scissors (Cutter Bee). I love good tools. It makes everything more fun. We just love a good crease, right Barb? If I were a carpenter, I would be Tim Allen.

No, we’re not in Las Lajas anymore, but a good time was had by all, and the memory will stay with me forever. Such an amazing place. On the way home, Nancy and Kathy said that we will plan to go there every year when I come down. I won’t hesitate the next time.

Gloria’s sister, Angel, is coming to visit at the end of March. Gloria invited me to go along with them for a visit to Las Lajas, but I think I’ll pass on that. It seems too soon to do that again (why? no idea right now), but that is also very close to the end of my stay here, and it would feel rushed. I guess I can’t take too much luxury at one time.

Yesterday, as I sat near the pool writing, I noticed this gentleman walking around the resort, talking on his cell phone. He came and sat down in this spot for a little while. I had the thought that this is what doing business in 2022 looks like.

I learned later that this man is the owner of many of the very best restaurants in Boquete: Retro Gusto, A Pizza, Otto’s and The Butcher. There may be more, not sure. He is Italian. I don’t know his name. I hesitated posting this, but I learned that in the blogging world, if the person doesn’t want it posted, they can ask to have it taken down. So, right now, it’s just part of life.

I learned all this about him from Kathy (the very best source for current information – as long as you don’t hold her to it) when I commented on the cutest little girl who walked by us. Turns out, this was the restaurateur’s daughter. Kathy then gave me the scoop. So, another great example of Boquete expats enjoying Las Lajas as a get-away.

One last sand image:

I listened to an excellent podcast this morning by functional medicine physician Mark Hyman. He interviews , Kara Fitzgerald, MD, a specialist in epigenetics. They were discussing how our ability to prevent disease and slow down the aging process can be accomplished by using food, supplements, and exercise. (I wanted to add “medication” to that, but I’m not sure.) This is not big news, but I have experienced the benefits of genetic testing twice already, and so I am a strong advocate.

I had a genetic test called Genesight done in 2016 at a point of extreme emotional discomfort. Because of having this test done, I was placed on a medication that synchronized best with my metabolism. I think this basically means they determine which pathways your liver uses best to metabolize a given medication. It was a life changer.

And then recently I had genetic testing done with a functional medicine physician near my home. I was hoping to see her in regard to the issue of “osteoporosis” that has been following me around (for no good reason). Her name is Tamara Dall, MD, FNLP. Her preliminary workup includes genetic testing and blood work. She then looks at genetic risk for disease versus blood values that would contribute.

In our meeting, she said, “I know you are concerned about the osteoporosis, but what is more important is that you have what has become known as the ‘heart attack’ gene. AND my bloodwork showed an elevated CRP (inflammation marker). Could be from having had Covid…maybe not… So, I’ve agreed to taking a small dose of Zetia. I lost sleep over that one, but I have come to believe in the power of the genetic testing, and I am going to trust the functional medicine people. Plus, she said she would work with my primary care physician.

Okay, so, that sort of felt like TMI, but I know friends and family are reading this, so, just sayin’. This is the way medicine is going.

And now back to Boquete reality. I’m looking forward to spending the morning with Barb. We’re not doing our usual hike because I need to rest my feet and legs from the sand walking, but we’re going to drive into town and run a few errands. One stop is Cathy’s. Cathy Schulte is going to download the next four seasons of Seaside Hotel onto my thumb drive. I’m set!