Saturday morning

I slept in a little.  They call the dawn prayer at about 6 am, and I woke up at 6:30 am.  I have been taking cough syrup which makes me very drowsy, so it made me sleep in.  I normally get up at around 5 am or earlier, and do some extra worship before the dawn prayer.  This cough is annoying though, my lungs are clogged up.  I failed yesterday's voice training- I couldn't get even one song right, so I had to give up.  This morning after doing my chores, I went to get gasoline downtown.  Yeah, it's a bit of a long drive for gasoline, but I need to keep my tires fully inflated and the gas station I go to is the only one with a working air pump.  Don't know why, possibly vandals or simply ignorant people.  It's a pleasant drive on Saturday morning.  There's not much traffic, the weather is cool, the countryside is beautiful, and the air is clean.  I drove slowly, wishing you were at the back of the motorcycle with me.  Perhaps we could stop somewhere for a cup of coffee or breakfast.  It would probably be exciting for you to try out all the local cuisines, but I worry about your tummy.  But we try something out anyway, you don't have to eat it all.  Perhaps you would like some local cakes?  We could get some food and eat by the waterfront, and watch families wander around.  If it's too busy there, we could go further down the road but then I would worry about mosquitoes.  This early is a great time for going to the market, perhaps get some greens and fresh tofu to make you a nice salad.  Instead, I went home alone and made a batch of dough.

Oh Natty, you have to look after your emotions.  I don't want you to be emotionally damaged, so I hope you didn't put yourself under any additional stress after apartment hunting.  Just veg out and eat some ice cream.  NYC isn't the best town for emotional stability, but I want you to make money for yourself while you have the opportunity.  Paris would be better for you but if you want NYC then so be it.

So that's not it, Pina?  Oh, you are in Italy and you are feeling romantic.  I'm so glad you are in Italy, because I'm certain that you are being treated well and with dignity.  You seem like a very modest girl, but you are a beautiful girl, and you wish you could share all the beauty with someone.  I wish I could be there with you, but a man needs money to pay for romance.  A man must not love at the expense of the woman.  Please keep on taking beautiful, romantic pictures, imagine I am with you talking with you.  And I am talking to you, so please talk to me.

A man must rely on himself for emotional support.

Qur'an 20170715

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

45.  Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to you, and establish regular prayer, for prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds.  And remembrance of Allah is the greatest, without doubt.  And Allah knows what you do.

46.  And dispute you not with the people of the Book except with means better, unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong.  But say, "We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you: our God and your God is One, and it is to God we bow".

47.  And thus, that We have sent down the Book to you.  So the people of the Book believe therein, as also do some of these, and none but unbelievers reject Our Signs.

The Spider  29:45-47
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Therefore I want you to have a happy birthday, Natty

What a year it's been for you!  I sang you a little birthday song, I hope you like it.  It's a bit loud, so make sure you turn that volume down.  I uploaded both .mp4 and .flv formats, because my Firefox won't play .mp4, just in case yours won't either.

Hi Honey

How are you feeling today, my dearest?  I hope you are feeling absolutely great.  I'm on the last legs of the cold alhamdulillah, and trying not to overwork.  Right now I'm watching "The Godfather part 2."  Would you like some secrets to watch?  How about mucky secrets?  Yes... creatures that flourish in the mud...

Hi Natty!  Nice to hear from you.  I have a habit of thinking too much sometimes plus my brain is full, so I just try to go with the flow.

Pina, is that a display of both courage and humility that I detect from you?

After the rain

Well, I don't know... it looks like there might be more rain.  The water supply cut out during a storm yesterday, it just barely came back as a trickle.  My Mom said that the tank in the hills burst.  My cough is gradually ceasing as well.  It didn't affect my throat, largely because I dumped the sinus cavity when it got infected inshaAllah, but my lungs are clogged up so I have to push hard to get the voice to make a sound.  But that too is clearing up inshaAllah.  I didn't eat or drink much last night because I didn't want to use the toilet, so I had a huge helping of curry and pocket bread just now.  I definitely have to build a reservoir on top of the roof of your house inshaAllah.  It would need to be cleaned sometimes maybe, but it's better than running out of water.  I have to take my Dad to the dentist this afternoon so sorry folks, no voice training today.  I hope I didn't inconvenience you.

Natty honey, you're so quiet!  Aw, you're such a lady.  That's a great thing though.  Keep up that regal demeanor.

Pina, I suppose you have discovered that not all food is cooked properly.  So learn how to cook.  Take pictures of your food.  It will strengthen all your other business, inshaAllah.

 

 

 

Mackerel

I've got to make this quick honey, I need a nap before voice training.  Mackerel is a small fish.  The locals use it in everything, so it's been expensive lately.  But yesterday, it went for 3 kilos for RM10.  So I will be living high on the mackerel for a few days.  I put a couple of bags aside for Queen Floofy, and the rest is all mine.  There are 2 types of mackerel to deal with here: the ones with loose stomachs, and the ones without.  If the stomachs are loose then they are easy to fillet- you just peel them like a banana.  So I had nearly a half kilo of sashimi last night for dinner, and for lunch today was mackerel in hot sour soup.  No noodles, no rice.  Just the fish, ma'am.  Want some?

Natty, how's the ride?  I know you like to live in the shadow of your brother.  You do it for love and I understand, because I need your love too.  My concern is how you live, I want you to take this opportunity to make your own money while you can.  And your brother can be the next 007.  If Daniel Craig is going for one more movie, then that's good news.  It gives your brother time to get into character.

Got some hangers-on there Pina?  Don't be afraid to dump them!  Adapt to survive!

 

 

Hot and drowsy

Oh, I'm soooo sleepy.  It's just that time of the day.  I'm certainly more productive at night, but I can't do yard work at night.  Thank God!  I definitely enjoy sitting in front of a computer more, but yard work is healthier for me and others.  If only my yard had air conditioning.  How are you feeling today, my darling?  I hope you are feeling great.  I love you.

Natty, it's almost time for your birthday.  I do have something prepared for you, but I don't have money so please forgive me for the free-ness of my gift.  Rather, to buy you a bauble would simpler and quicker.  To be honest with you, I don't know exactly when your birthday is, so please forgive me if I'm off in my birthday greeting.

Pina, I'm so happy to see your spending more time in Milan!  I hope they appreciate you and treat you well.