Crazy

I'm going crazy with love with you!  Aaaah I just want to be married.  I attended my niece's wedding this morning, and that got me agitated.  But Allah commands that I be patient.  Needless to say, I was quite busy this Monday morning.  I had to get all my chores done as usual, then I paid my bills, went home for more chores, then attended the wedding luncheon all before voice training.  I didn't get a chance for a nap before singing, so I took a one (or was it two?) song nap after 4 songs.  I guess I'm the only singer that has to take a nap right in the middle of a set.  It's all those damned love songs.  Puts people right to sleep.  Yes Honey, I went to the night market without my helmet.  It's not that I have a pretty face- on the contrary.  It's just a face.

Natty Honey, how are you?  Are you longing to be a movie star?  Oh dear.  Well don't try too hard, Sweetie.  All you need to do is be beautiful, and you are beautiful.

 

 

 

Sunday

Hi Erin Darling!  How are you feeling today, my gorgeous love?  I am wondering if you are busy on weekends while in Costa Rica.  Perhaps you are receiving guests at your island paradise or something.  Best wishes and all my love to you.  It is Sunday here.  Just another average day, just me and my doing my same old same old.  I had to clean my mother's bedroom as usual.  My niece is getting married tomorrow morning, so the whole immediate family is here in town, and my sister is staying with my mother.  I have two brothers and one sister.  The weather had been nice and cool this first week of 2018, but today was hot and muggy.  Yuck.  Tropical heat.  In the evening, I cut the grass by the side of the road over at your house inshaAllah.  That's actually government property, you know the land at the side of the road, but since the government doesn't give a rat's ass about the mosquito and snake hazard the long grass poses, I guess I have to do it.  Besides, it makes your house look messy.  I hope you are not taking the mosquitoes lightly while you are in the tropics.  Mosquitoes are VERY dangerous.

Hi Nattikins!  How's it going today Sweetheart?  I had to wait a bit to clean my Mom's bedroom this morning, so I watched TV.  My parents have satellite TV, nothing I would ever subscribe to but I guess my wife would like to have it someday inshaAllah.  Anyway, I saw the trailer for the latest Vikings episode- they will be premiering it here at the same time it will premier in the US.  No lag.  Wow, the battle scenes look quite epic, just like a movie.  But it's the History channel!  TV sure has changed a lot since you were born.  Your big brother looks like a real viking, I must say.  Whatever that is...

I don't particularly like dresses of this type.  It looks like I'm wearing a towel.

 

 

 

 

Milk

Hi Erin!  How are you today, my love?  How's your tummy today?  I'm guessing you've been practicing cooking, or have to eat local food.  What is local food in Costa Rica?  Perhaps you would like to show us?  Oh don't worry so much, Honey.  You have tons of courage.  Just be cool, and pray.  I made chicken and potatoes stewed in milk for dinner.  Asians usually are lactose intolerant, but I'm only like that sometimes.  Usually with bad combinations, or bad recipes.  After all, I did have to work with a lot of cheese for half my life.  So for dinner I cooked up chicken, potatoes, ginger, garlic and butter in milk and let it simmer for about an hour or so.  Then I garnished it with black pepper and dried onions.  It was a marvelous success!  Very cheesy.  No stomach problems either, at least not right now.  You must try some!  Oh, you don't like chicken?

Hey Natty!  Oh those shoes are so cute!  Do they hurt?  They're so pretty though.  I like your hair too.  I'm guessing that you are finally calming down, and getting into your work groove.  That's awesome.  You are more resilient than you give yourself credit for.

 

 

 

The wrong tree stump

I don't normally relate my dreams here in this public place.  And I have had 9 dreams so far about Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), and I have never related those dreams to anybody.  Except the first dream, which I told the guardian of the Tempe mosque about.  I reckon those dreams are just for me to know.  But the dream I had last night about Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) was the 9th dream, and I have decided that I have to share it with the sincere Muslims for their benefit.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) performed a "hijrah" (journey), only this time it was from Medina to Mecca.  This time he was alone and on foot, barefoot, ascetic and wearing only a torn white cloth around his waist, bald and emaciated, and dragging a tree stump with a rope tied around his waist.  The stump was about 9 feet high and 6 feet across, kind of like the stump of a sequoia, and covered in thorns and vines.  He dragged this stump all the way from Medina to Mecca across the desert, and the image reminded me of Jesus Christ (peace be on him) carrying his own crucifix, except he was bald.  When Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) arrived at Mecca, he presented the tree stump to the townsfolk.  The people of Mecca said they didn't recognize that kind of tree stump, they were expecting another tree stump, and they rejected his sacrifice.  In the end, Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) was sick and bedridden, emaciated, pale and exhausted, and being nursed by the "sahabat" (closest companions and disciples).

 

 

Garlic

Hi Honey!  How's business today?  I hope everything is running smoothly for you, and that you are having a great time.  Remember to think safety, but do not be intimidated.  Nothing much going on here, just the usual.  I made chili last night, but I didn't have any onions.  It's been raining a lot lately, and onions are always expensive after a wet spell, so I didn't buy any.  But I did have a lot of garlic, so I put a bunch in there.  The next morning I wanted to kiss my cat, but she wouldn't let me.  I got a fistful of claws instead.  But she's so soft and fluffy!  When we are married inshaAllah, I guess I will have to cut back on my garlic consumption.  Which is too bad, because garlic is supposed to be good for us.  It's supposed to help us sleep, as far as I understand.  I believe stainless steel helps remove the scent and feel of garlic, but how am I supposed to put stainless steel in my mouth?  I guess a licking a butter knife might help.  Sigh.  Check out how much garlic this guy uses in his squid dishes.

Hi Natty Honey!  How's your precious tummy?  I hope you are ready to work.  Now is the time for you to make lots of money for yourself, so please make the most of this opportunity.  Now don't worry so much, because everything will turn out great inshaAllah.  It is stress that causes stomach problems- too much acid being generated.  Alcohol worsens the problems, so please don't think that getting buzzed will help you mellow out.  Stay clean and eat simple foods when things get hectic.  I am always here for you, I think about my wives all the time.  If you need to know about something or somebody, ask me.  I don't know everything, but God knows everything.  InshaAllah, I will be provided the knowledge needed to protect my family.

Luck, or magic?

I find it hilarious that people would prefer to believe in luck and magic over God.  Even the intelligent ones.  Even those who call themselves "Muslim".  We are on a spiritual trip, my love.  We cannot run away from God, we can only run towards God.

Natty Honey, are you ready to get back to big business?  Oh you're nervous, I can tell.  It's exciting, my dear.  You are going to have tons of fun inshaAllah.  Have you broken any mirrors recently, I wonder?  Good thing we believe in God, not luck.  How's your tummy?  Sweetheart you need to learn how to feed yourself, especially if you plan to feed others.  I suggest that when you are having stomach problems, stick to white bread and sliced turkey.  It will help your tummy to think of home.  And before you consume anything, please say "In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful".

Qur'an 20180103

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

7.  When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, the unbelievers say of the truth when it comes to them, "This is evident sorcery!"

8.  Or do they say, "He has forged it!"  Say, "Had I forged it, then can you obtain nothing for me from Allah.  God knows best of that whereof you talk.  Enough is God for a Witness between me and you.  And God is Oft-Forgiving, most Merciful."

9.  Say, "I am no bringer of new fangled doctrine among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you.  I follow that which is revealed to me by inspiration.  I am a warner, open and clear."

10.  Say, "Do you see?  If it be from Allah and you reject it, and a witness from among the children of Israel testifies to its similarity and has believed while you are arrogant, truly Allah guides not a people unjust."

The Winding Sand Tracts 46:7-10
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