I wonder if you could really call it happy amidst the devastating news brought about by the destructive earthquake in Nepal. Let us pray for the repose of the souls of those people who didn’t survive and pray too for the survivors who will pick up the pieces again – beneath the rubbles, destroyed homes, broken spirits. May they have strength to carry on. I share your pain Nepal.
I attended the 6am mass at St. Jude Parish. The heat here is such that you either go out early or attend the last evening mass to avoid the humid feel of the day. I walked a mile, no skip that. I walked back going home, a ten-minute-very-much-needed exercise, rather make that twenty because it was a leisurely walk savouring the scents and sounds of the early morning while my mind was busy with lots of thoughts that I need to write. Some people here are not really showy with their smiles unless you greet them first and smile at them, then they would have that lovely smile on their faces and you get to be greeted “good morning”. That’s an experiment I do to people I meet, it is lovelier though when you get to see familiar faces then it becomes a genuine gesture of smiling and greeting.
Funny how you could observe things while walking around the neighborhood. I could smell coffee and newly baked pan de sal in the air. There was a lady in her front yard drinking coffee and the dogs patiently waiting at her side probably for a scrap of bread or what she is having for breakfast. I could smell fried tuyo while walking further. It is a staple in a typical Filipino breakfast paired with sinangag (fried rice) that maybe has lots of diced garlic and egg (cooked any way you want). Or maybe, there is that yummy (but sinful) longganisa . Longganisa is the Pilipino equivalent of sausage and it even tastier dipped in vinegar with lots of chillies.
We make do with instant coffee every day. It is the fastest way to prepare it, a teaspoon of coffee granules with a teaspoon of sugar. Ah wait, I just remembered that I baked cookies last night. It’s kind of nice to pair it with a favorite cup of Raspberry Zinger herbal tea.
These are your regular Oatmeal Raisin cookies, so soft and chewy but have that crunchy feel to the bite. I used multicolored chocolate candies and reduced the sugar by half. The sweetness of the raisins and chocolate are good enough.
How was your Sunday?
Your cookies look very tasty Arlene, I expect you needed a sugar boost after getting up for a 6am Mass. My Sunday has been very quiet so far, but it’s not even midday here yet.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am afraid to go out when the weather is hot, at least in the early morning, you can enjoy walking. If you were near, I’ll give you some, they are not too sweet because I always lessen the sugar. I am afraid of sugar overload 🙂 Thanks Pete!
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Hi Arlene! Those cookies and tea sure do look good! Cutting the sugar is definitely something I would do – guess we have the same thoughts on that! I love your descriptions of the world around you. And I was so saddened to hear of the earthquake as well. Spring is back to it’s temperamental self here in Ohio with one day being in the 70’s followed by highs in the 40’s the next. Your heat there right now sounds oppressive though, so I guess I shouldn’t complain. Hope you are well 🙂
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Thanks Kelly! I saw the photos on Nepal. My heart breaks seeing all those damaged properties and loss of lives. It reminds me again of our ordeal when typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila more than five years ago. I was in the middle of my chemo sessions then and our car was submerged in water too. A former classmate from high school fetched me at the house to bring me to the hospital. Yes, you are lucky you have at least four seasons to enjoy. I am doing good, how about you?
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That must be a very traumatic memory for you – no wonder you have such deep empathy. Yes, it is such a tragedy. Other than the heat, I’m glad to hear you are doing well. I love hearing about your flowers and different dishes you make! I’ve gathered that you really like chilies – am I right? lol! I’ve been traveling a lot lately with work and my son’s regattas. Thank you for asking. I’m looking forward to a free weekend soon so I can do some gardening in my own yard 🙂
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Sorry for the late reply Kelly. I don’t know why I don’t receive feedback on your blog posts. They don’t appear on my reader.
Every time the rainy season sets in, there is always that inner fear and I always pray too that it won’t happen again. Every time there is a typhoon here in our area, I can’t help but remember what happened before. We had to renovate, change cabinets and I had all our cabinets built in so they won’t topple down. We lost almost a thousand of books when they got blooded including children’s books that Nissa collected over the years. But that is life, when a natural calamity happens, we have to be brave to face it.
You do gardening too? I hope you would post some pics of your garden.
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Sorry to hear my responses aren’t coming through. I can notify WP. I’ve had some issues lately with likes and comments coming through on my end as well. That is quite an experience that you went through. So sorry for your losses. You and your family are ok, and that’s what’s important. The worst natural calamity I have ever dealt with was the blizzard here in 1978. I was only 6 years old, but I remember it well. Still, it was nothing compared to what you have faced. There is strength in adversity, and I hear that from you in your statement to face it and be brave – but I hope you never have to go through something like that again. I’ll post pictures when I get some flowers and plants in the ground. We put in a paver stone patio last year, and I have empty beds surrounding it. I have a lot of work to do!
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Thanks again Kelly. Our country is prone to typhoons and floods. We are visited more than 20 typhoons a year. I follow some other bloggers here but I never see their updates on my reader feed except when I visit their blogs. You might have noticed I am always late in reading yours.
Looking forward to seeing your garden.
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so sorry for Nepal. 😦
the cookies look yumm Arlene. i heard from family that it is unusually hot there. take care.
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Thank you lolaWi. it’s true, it is so hot here.I heard over the radio early this morning that it will reach a hot 39.6 C by Friday, they told us to stock on cold water and wear comfortable clothes. Sabi ng anak ko, magbabad na lang tayo sa mall Ma at manood ng cine, rest day kasi niya yun 🙂
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