Say, that's a great trenchcoat

I want one like that!

Erin, you're so quiet lately.  That's not like you!  You must be busy.  I hope you are staying safe and healthy.  I want you to know that I love you.

Pina, I think it's about time you got a new leather jacket.  If you're a good girl, that is.  If you have relocated to Milan like I told you, I would like your bosses to reward you with a new leather jacket.  Something Italian.  Something that makes you look like a rock star.  Or rock star's wife, rather.  Don't forget to to sign up for a cooking class while in Italy.

Here's a video of a local kid catching a wild king cobra.  If you're wondering what the guy in the background is saying, he's wondering if the snake has any venom.

Strength is not enough

There's always someone stronger, and God is the Strongest.  That's why I keep asking you to pray, because we need the help of God.  Even if you get to that point in your career where you get to stay at home and still conduct successful business (which is what I want for you), you still have to pray.  Prayer is not an option.  Evil has become so strong, you may ask, "Why does God allow evil to become so powerful?"  God's plan is to allow them to increase in iniquity before calling them to account.  As for us, we must strive to be good people and not allow evil to walk all over us.  This is a spiritual game.  I'm alive today because God kept me alive.  I didn't make them miss me by an inch.  God made them miss me by an inch.

I'll have to admit that I don't have a competitive bone in my body.  I'm just trying to be me.  I like making music, I like to cook and eat good food.  My Mom is very competitive.  She has to be the most competitive cook on the planet.  She doesn't tolerate any mediocre or bad food from me.  She doesn't seem to enjoy the good food I give her, but she doesn't tolerate any mediocre or bad food whatsoever.

Qur'an 20170105

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

101.  When We substitute one revelation for another, and Allah knows best what God reveals, they say, "You are a forger," but most of them understand not.

102.  Say, "The Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from your Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims."

103.  We know indeed that they say, "It is a man who teaches him."  The tongue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear.

104.  Those who believe not in the Signs of Allah, Allah will not guide them, and theirs will be a grievous penalty.

105.  It is those who believe not in the Signs of Allah that forge falsehood, it is they who lie!

The Bees 16:101-105
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Let's get cooking

It's pizza night!  I decided to try a different sauce recipe this time, plus use shredded mozzarella cheese instead of cheap old sliced cheese.  I rather sensitive to mozzarella cheese, like I'm sensitive to mayonnaise.  It's all those years working at a pizza joint.  I think the best mozzarella should taste like provolone.  This cheese didn't taste all that special, but at least it didn't stick to the knife.  The sauce I made is sweeter and spicier than my old sauce.  I also made some home made halal beef sausage, for my favorite pizza which is sausage and basil.  The basil harvest isn't good right now: I don't think the basil likes a lot of rain.  All the seedlings die quickly.  I had to chop up whatever basil I did have very finely, and eat it raw on the pizza.  I think I like the flavor of sliced cheese better, but shredded mozzarella is certainly more photogenic.  Ugh... I'm full.

Natty, you're looking really hot!  I like those shoulders, very sexy.  How's your tummy, by the way?  I know you like pizza, but what else do you like?  I'm guessing that you have a sensitive tummy, you don't eat a lot, and you don't like to experiment with food.

Pina, you are as pretty as a picture!  Do you want some pizza?  You must take a cooking class while in Italy.  I promise you it would boost your modeling career.  InshaAllah.

Movie Night

Bruce Lee was a famous martial artist turned movie star of the 70's.  He died of a brain edema (swollen brain) just before "Enter The Dragon" was released and what do you know, "Enter The Dragon" was a huge international hit.  His son Brandon died of a "firearms accident" on the set of "The Crow" , which what do you know, also turned out to be a hit.  By chance, his dad Bruce "made" a posthumous movie called "Game Of Death" where his character also died of a "firearms accident".  Tonight's movie is "Fist Of Fury" aka "The Chinese Connection" which is set I guess in 1937 Shanghai, when Japan invaded China.  It took me a while to find an English dub: I did however find dubs in Tamil and Mexican.  Let's play a game: can you tell which of these actors who died on set were accidents or were set up?  They can't all be accidents and they can't all be set ups.



Do you like playing cell phone games?  My favorite right now is "Doofus Drop".

Squirrel

Yes Erin, I remember that show.  Where your hat wouldn't stay on your head, and you couldn't decide whether or not to go out on the catwalk.  I'm sure the people (like me) remember more about those fashion shows than you, especially since I have it programmed into my TV station.  One option is to go out holding the hat with your hand, but I guess it's all too easy to be wise after the event.  My favorite part of that show was when you leered at Justin Bieber as if he were a pimple.

I was cleaning out the cat box this morning, when I saw a squirrel on the ground behind me.  It was bounding away like squirrels do towards the house with its bushy tail up.  I thought that squirrel must be either injured or stupid to be on the ground, moving towards a nest of cats.  And sure enough, it attracted the attention of Emma.  Emma is my yard cat, she used to be my brother's cat, now she considers herself guardian of my yard.  I've never seen her catch a mouse though: she prefers to kill birds.  Now she fancies that squirrel.  She pounced on it and held it in her mouth, while the squirrel was squealing away for its life.  I said, "Hey, you're supposed to kill mice not squirrels!"  So I put the cat box down and went to grab Emma by the scruff of her neck.  The squirrel was squeaking and crying while in the clutches of Emma's mouth... yes, there were tears running from its eyes.  I told Emma to let it go, and she dropped it.  It played dead for a few seconds, then flipped over and bounded away into my baby mangoes then disappeared.  Now there's nowhere for a squirrel to hide among my baby mangoes, as you can see from the photo.  I marked where the squirrel vanished.  Even Emma went to look for it at the spot where it vanished, but she couldn't find it.

Hey Natty!  How are you feeling, my dear?  Are you ready for the next round?  I don't want you to worry so much Sweetie, because I'm with you.  Just try to have fun, be safe, and please pray.

Pina, you're the only girl I know who looks cute with red eye.  Your friends look like they are about to devour anything that crossed their path.  Don't you have a red eye neutralizer app in your cell phone?

Happy New Year!

Wasn't 2016 an intense year, Honey?  You started the year kind of sleepwalking, as I remember.  I stopped trying to talk to you via YouTube, and tried your Instagram instead, which I think made both our lives more exciting.  Then Ramadan happened and people started to fight over your beauty (to put it mildly).  Was that before or after the President tried to pimp you?  Who knows what this next guy will do.  Then the Cubs won!  You thought they were going to lose, didn't you?  Looks like 2017 going to be more exciting.  Please pray that this year I get to give you a ring.  Please be patient with me.

Natty, my darling Natty!  Are you excited for what's going to happen next?  God bless your parents for having such a beautiful and wonderful girl that is you.  Thrasher Girl!  What happens next is all you, the adult you, so please move to Paris, have fun, stay safe and pray.

Pina!  Hello to you too!  Happy New Year!  Did you enjoy the holidays?  Did you eat a lot?  Are you excited for 2017, Pina?  Are you?  Are you?  Remember: your task is to take Italy!