Porthole

August 22 -23

I told Joy: "22 is my favorite number and I had a surprise birthday party, the only one I'd had since I was 3 ... and never again. I'd had a bad start to my stay in Costa Rica and it didn't get better for months. Yes, I remember the year, the dates, the names, the places ... all in a blur now after over 40 years.

Gold. I reread the poem with a fake Irish lilt and that actually helped me. Sometimes it does. It's a love poem of sorts.

Gold. Very little will combine with the noble metal. Very offish, in my humble opinion. Thankfully we are carbon based, less pure but also much more complicated and interesting and much more flexible than its cousin silicon which is what AI is based upon."

Still cool. Cool all day. Posted my d/c blog entry on the newsfeed hours ago. Little response. perhaps WDC is still in its summer slumber."

Gold Properties
Gold conducts heat and electricity. ...
Gold is ductile: It can be drawn out into the thinnest wire. ...
Gold is highly reflective of heat and light. ...
Gold is prized for its beauty. ...
Gold is malleable, so it can be flattened into extremely thin sheets.

Quotes: "Assuredly gold is purified by being submitted to the fire and if it contain any alloy or imperfection, it will disappear. That is the reason why violent tests become the cause of the everlasting glory of the righteous and are conducive to the destruction and disappearance of the unrighteous.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá v3, p. 655
Be not grieved; tests lead to the development of holy souls and the ardor of the flame of fire causeth the pure gold to shine and the violence of winds is conducive to the growth and thriving of a firm and well rooted tree.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá v2, p. 297
Be thou not sad, neither be thou unhappy; although the divine tests are violent, yet are they conducive to the life of the soul and the heart. The more often the pure gold is thrown into the furnace of test, the greater will become its purity and brilliancy and it will acquire a new splendor and brightness. I hope that thou art thyself in such a position.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá v2, p. 302-303"

I powered up my new computer yesterday. Not amused. Not sure that's what I need. I have 10 days to return it.

73 degrees or is it 69? 54 AQI. Weekly forecast: 74/65 for highs and lows 45/38. Summer has fled.

Summer came early and now autumn comes early; will winter be here by early November?

Melons ripened early in July. Melons like heat. Now? Cool weather does not bode well. Apples and squash? Squash will be at market next week.

At YCC "Does she remind you it’s your birthday every week?
Are you sure she’s your wife?
Does she wear a white coat over pink or blue “pajamas”?"

I washed my clothes. I wanted to wash my bed cover most of all and I remembered to do so! Memory is becoming an issue.

AUGUST 23

1 a.m. 58 degrees and dropping.

I wore a white brocade shirt today. Laxmi gave me her ribs. I took them home and ate them after I took my white shirt off. Spaghetti taught me that lesson long ago.

They locked us out of the Center again. I'm beyond beyond.

Need to reread "The Soul-Collector - Autumn-Crocus World" 

I wrote to Cappucine: "A friend saw a budgie up in a tree today. Someone's pet escaped. We don't have lorikeets in Montana. It feels like autumn after an early, very hot, very smoky summer. Here in the high plains... almost semi-desert... rain is always welcome. The high mountain valleys may frost tonight and our low may dip to 5 degrees."

To Elycia: "I'm barely clothed when I step out my door to use the toilet or shower that's right next to my room. In the stifling heat I didn't do anything with my hair nor did I put on anything more than my red shorts and a shirt (sometimes not).

I live in an old hotel that's half AirBnB... I resent their intrusion into what I consider my home. But they bring in the money and can do most whatever they please. Most have been respectful. Unfortunately with covid they make this place less safe."

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