Baby coconuts!

Oh, I'm so drowsy.  I can only splatter a few words, before I have to take a nap.  I spent the morning harvesting baby coconuts for my Mom.  Over at Ina's restaurant, there are some short coconut trees.  So I climbed up with a ladder and a saw, and took down as many baby coconuts as I could stand.  Bleah!  The trees were covered with coconut dust and black ants.  I thought these type of ants don't bite, but they do.  But I got away with quite a plentiful harvest, even though a few coconuts smashed when they hit the ground.  Hey, I'm not going to catch them.  Do you know how much those things weigh?  Would you like some baby coconut juice, Honey?  My Mom says that baby coconut juice is a fountain of youth.

Natty, we have to try fencing with each other someday.  Even though my feet are big and clumsy, I'll have to warn you that my right hand can be very honest.  I'll probably just let you win all the time.

Pina, what a lovely photo!  You must be very happy to be there.  One thing I noticed about you is that your photos always reflect your emotions.  I know you like baby coconut juice.  Want some?

 

Words

Those lyrics didn't seem quite right, don't you agree?  I'm pretty sure he said "proud man" not "bronze man".  Or was he referring to a suntanned bodybuilder or something?  Then I think he gave up on the lyrics at some point.  I remember when I was a kid, I screwed up the lyrics on David Bowie's "China Girl"....  "I stumble into town just like a sacred clown..."  And the rest of the band laughed at me.  That was my first band too.  I was fresh out of high school (no one would play with me in high school).  We didn't have a name.  I wanted to play "Karma Chameleon", but no one else did.  No one wanted to play the tune I wrote either, called "Let's Drop Dead".  Instead we played "Rio", "Nightbirds", "China Girl", and I forget what else.  Badly.  Probably only those 3 songs.  My lungs are clearing up slowly.  I still have poor control over my pitch but otherwise I feel fine.  Oh, that cough syrup makes me want to pass out.  Right now I'm watching "Wall Street".  Again.  How are you feeling, my darling?  Oh. you're so beautiful.  I love you so much.

Natty, aren't you going to share photos of your beautiful new apartment with us?  I'm getting a picture in my head of a mattress and some pillows on the floor, and nothing else.  Hey, don't copy me.  That's what I do.  Sans the mattress.  Well no, that's not exactly true.  I'm surrounded by equipment and computers, after all, I do sleep where I work.  You know something, even if I had all the money in the world, I would still keep a room like my bedroom, and sleep on the floor.  I like sleeping on the floor.

Oh, that's not it either Pina?  You're just bored?  But you get bored so easily.  Not me.  I have too much to do.  I don't get bored.

Qur'an 20170716

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

49.  No, here are Signs self-evident in the hearts of those endowed with knowledge, and none but the unjust reject Our Signs.

50.  Yet they say, "Why are not Signs sent down to him from his Lord?"  Say: "The Signs are indeed with Allah, and I am indeed a clear warner."

51.  And is it not enough for them that We sent down to you the Book which is rehearsed to them?  Verily, in it is Mercy and a Reminder to those who believe.

52.  Say: "Enough is Allah for a Witness between me and you: God knows what is in the heavens and on earth, and it is those who believe in vanities and reject Allah, that will perish."

53.  They ask you to hasten on the Punishment: had it not been for a term appointed, the Punishment would certainly have come to them, and it will certainly reach them- of a sudden, while they perceive not!

54.  They ask you to hasten on the Punishment: but of a surety, hell will encompass the rejecters of Faith!

55.  On the Day that the Punishment shall cover them from above them and from below them, and shall say: "Taste you of your deeds!"

56.  O My servants who believe!  Truly spacious is My Earth, therefore serve you Me!

57.  Every soul shall have a taste of death: in the end to Us shall you be brought back.

58.  But those who believe, and work deeds of righteousness- to them shall We give a Home in Heaven: lofty mansions which flow rivers, to dwell therein for aye- an excellent reward for those who do!

59.  Those who persevere in patience, and put their trust in their Lord and Cherisher.

60.  How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance?  It is Allah who feeds them and you, for God hears and knows.

61.  If indeed you ask them who has created the heavens and the earth, and subjected the sun and the moon, they will certainly reply, "Allah".  How are they then deluded away?

62.  Allah enlarges the sustenance to whichever of God's servants God pleases: and God grants by measure, for Allah has full knowledge of all things.

63.  And if indeed you ask them who it is that sends down rain from the sky, and gives life therewith to the earth after its death, they will certainly reply, "Allah!"  Say: "Praise be to Allah!" but most of them understand not.

The Spider 29:49-63
-----------------------------

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

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?