Bah

That one-handed scythe I bought yesterday doesn't have the strength to handle that grass.  What a waste of money.  I thought that if it were sharp enough, I would make the area presentable in less time than using the cangkul.  It turns out that I need something heavier, something that uses 2 hands, like the REAL angel of death uses.  But if I'm going to have to use both hands, then I might as well use the cangkul and uproot the stuff so it doesn't grow again, and make way for other ground cover.  Clover, for instance.

Natty, I can't tell what country you're in!  That guy said you are in Mali, but I don't know.  I can tell you've been sitting on the ground.  At least it seems your office has air-conditioning.  How's your tummy, by the way?  Are those strange restrooms acceptable for you?  Don't mess around with your tummy when you're traveling, Sweetheart.  Eat predictable foods only.

Pina, it looks to me that you're on the move, going from one place to another.  I hope those guys in Milan forgive you.  We all make mistakes.  Don't settle for second best, OK?  They should know that you are my girl.

Why don't women wear capes in fashion?  I think they look great, though they may attract vampires.  Well, you may attract vampires regardless because you're so pretty.  But a cape can look awesome, and one can wear a whole other outfit underneath.  Wrap the cape around yourself and cover your hair, and you can pass Islamic dress code.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Qur'an 20170621

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

91.  For me, I have been commanded to serve the Lord of this city, God Who has sanctified it, and Whose is all things.  And I am commanded to be of those who bow in Islam.

92.  And to rehearse the Qur'an.  And if any accept guidance, they do it for the good of their own souls.  And if any stray say, "I am only a warner."

93.  And say, "Praise be to Allah Who will soon show you God's Signs, so that you shall know them."  And your Lord is not unmindful of all that you do.

The Ants 27:91-93
-------------------------

Scythe

Oh, did I tell you that I lost my grass cutter?  Without going through the details, it's sufficient to say that I have been removing the grass around your house inshaAllah, the house I live in, and the sides of the street with a hoe, aka "cangkul".  My cangkul is nice, made of railroad steel, but slow in removing grass and vegetation, even though I get to uproot and compost grass and stuff.  So I got myself a scythe, which I have sharpened to razor sharpness.  It's a one-handed scythe: it's all I can afford, and I'm going to have to use my left hand because my right shoulder is overworked from being a musician.  It's like I'm a left-handed angel of death!

Aw Natty, don't feel so sad honey.  I will take care of you and I won't abandon you inshaAllah.  I will look after you and love you OK?  You're my girl now, and I will be your husband inshaAllah.  So cheer up and have fun with your incredible career, OK?

And how's it going with you Pina?  You're quiet.  And I know you are the talkative type, so talk to me OK?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 USD billion? Wow...

Hi Erin!  You look positively radiant.  I meant to ask, did you take your cat with you?  That cat sure looked like Mateo.  You probably didn't.  Most cats hate travel.  Nothing much going on here today.  I was going to go out and buy some ramen and eggs, but I guess I can live without it.  This morning's meal was quite simple: tenderloin with white rice.  I kept it simple on purpose.  I'm still not quite used to the Ramadan schedule, yet Ramadan is almost over.  The Eid is on Sunday, inshaAllah.  It's been an intense Ramadan.  I like Ramadan.  It's my favorite time of the year.

Hey Natty, are you counting your fingers again?  Relax Sweetie, and enjoy life and your career.  Ride the wild horse!

Qur'an 20170619

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

65.  Say, "None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden.  Nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up."

66.  Still less can their knowledge comprehend the Hereafter.  No, they are in doubt and uncertainty thereat.  No, they are blind thereunto!

67.  The unbelievers say, "What!  When we become dust, we and our fathers, shall we really be raised?"

68.  "It is true we were promised this, we and our fathers before.  These are nothing but tales of the ancients."

69.  Say, "Go you through the earth, and see what has been the end of those guilty."

70.  But grieve not over them, nor distress yourself because of their plots.

71.  They also say, "When is this promise, if you are truthful?"

72.  Say, "It may be that some of the events which you wish to hasten may be in your pursuit!"

73.  But verily your Lord is full of grace to humans, yet most of them are ungrateful.

The Ants  27:65-73
_____________________________

Spaghetti sauce

Aw, what cute kitties!  You do know that cats can't eat human food, so that's why I don't just let Floofy eat what I eat.  I spent this morning making spaghetti sauce.  I usually make spaghetti sauce out of marinara sauce: just heat up the sauce and throw sausage or whatever in there.  When we're married inshaAllah, I'm going to have to make paint bucket sized batches of marinara sauce for your convenience.  I must have a thousand recipes of marinara sauce, so I must have a thousand recipes of spaghetti sauce.  Today I'm just making a huge batch of spaghetti sauce to last me the rest of the fasting month.  A quick meal, you know?  Just heat up, boil the pasta, and stuff my face.  Today I'm making a spicy version of spaghetti sauce, which seems to be my favorite nowadays.  I've been using tomato ketchup lately instead of tomato paste, puree or soup.  If you mix then marinade or cook the stuff long enough, the ketchupy taste goes away.  Plus it already has sugar in it.  Plus it's cheaper.  Plus if you blend it with fresh tomatoes, who can say that doesn't have tomatoes in it?  But the stores have been out of ketchup lately- the locals must be making tomato rice for Ramadan.  So I bought chilli sauce instead, which is chilli flavored ketchup.  So I blended that with tomatoes, rehydrated chilli peppers, garlic and fresh basil.  Then I cubed 10 onions and sweated them in the pot, added the blend and water then heated the sauce up.  When hot enough, I cubed more tomatoes to put in there plus the beef, in this case burgers which I tore off chunks with my fingers.  There's black pepper in there too.  All this without tasting it!  I guess this means I'll add the salt later.  Right now, it's bubbling away on my stove top.  It's a big batch, so I used a wok to cover the pot.

Hey Natty, you Rock and Roll Babe!  You are rocking the tunes!  You should let the world know what you're listening to.  Hey, it's good business.

Qur'an 20170618

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

59.  Say: "Praise be to Allah, and Peace on God's servants whom God has chosen.  Who's better?  Allah or the false gods they associate?"

60.  Or, who has created the heavens and the earth, and who sends you down rain from the sky?  Yes, with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty and delight.  It is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them.  God besides Allah?  No, they are a people who swerve from justice.

61.  Or, who has made the earth firm to live in, made rivers in its midst, set thereon mountains immovable, and made a separating bar between the two bodies of flowing water?  God besides Allah?  No, most of them know not.

62.  Or, who listens to the distressed when it calls on God, who relieves its suffering, and makes you inheritors of the earth?  God besides Allah?  Little it is that you heed!

63.  Or, who guides you through the depths of darkness on land and sea, and who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before God's mercy?  God besides Allah?  High is Allah above what they associate with God!

64.  Or, who originates Creation, then repeats it, and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth?  God besides Allah?  Say, "Bring forth your argument, if you are telling the truth!"

The Ants 27:59-64

--------------------------------------