…after going fourth. There was no independence from the reign of tropical storm Bising yesterday, but we celebrated anyway. Her majesty has not yet relented her authority to drench all us colonizers residing beneath her throne in the clouds. But I’ve embraced the freedom of being soaked, so bitch, you are powerless to drench my spirit. And I’ve got the pictures to prove it!
Chris and Gary joined me in braving the wet weather for our Friday hike.The truck accident I posted yesterday had traffic backed up on the National Highway all the way into Subic. As you can see, we were walking through puddles on the shoulder.We kept to the pavement for the most part.A rainy bay.Once you are soaked, why bother with an umbrella?She made it to ninety-five! Well lived, Virginia!Eighty-six ain’t bad, either. Very rare to see funeral banners with folks this old. Most of the ones I encounter are younger than me.A wet 6K wasn’t so bad.
Once home, it was time to prepare for the party next door to celebrate both the 4th of July and Fil-Am Friendship Day.
I baked cornbread muffins…… candy-topped brownies……and my standard walnut brownies. I may have overbaked this batch a tad, but they still tasted okay.Maksil (second from left) brought his favorite tequila. It seemed rude to decline a shot, even though I’m not a big tequila fan. Swan says I wound up having six, although I really don’t remember.The food spread.The gals gathering.The guy’s table.The group shot.My plate. Everything on it was excellent.
It was a fun gathering and a happy celebration.
It is still February 2010 as I journey through the LTG archives. In this “Blast from the Past,” I recount having some old photographs digitized and sharing some of the story behind this one:
My Prescott, Arizona life remains one of my favorite chapters.
I’m in a Facebook group about Westminster, California, the city where I was raised. Someone posted a photo of the Hi-way 39 Drive-In theatre (who remembers those?), which brought back a flood of memories.
Sorry, the text was also cut off in the original post.
Some other Facebook memories from this day in my life:
Seven years ago, Buddy was rescued after running away from home shortly after I adopted him. He’d been gone for several days before a trike driver spotted him. In this photo, he’d just been dragged from a pondon Baloy Beach Road.Five years ago, the COVID stupidity was still on full display. They let the bars open again, with certain “safety” precautions. Yep, that’s gonna protect you from an airborne virus.
Today’s YouTube video discusses why many Filipinos are forced to live in slums. It is worse in the big cities like Manila, but even in my neck of the woods, the poverty is sometimes shocking. The last time I posted a “Grace from the Philippines” vlog, there was some debate about whether Grace is an AI rendering. I still can’t say for certain, but if so, it is probably the best AI I’ve seen.
Humor me this:
That oughta work…I’ve got to hand it to him.Do it for freedom!
And now to get on with my last day in the Philippines. I’m moving the Hideaway feeding to today, and Swan and I will dine at John’s place afterward. There has still been no break in the rain.
As seen from my balcony, the river is rising.And we are packed and ready to roll in the morning.
I’ll try to knock out a post from Hong Kong tomorrow night, but no promises. Otherwise, it will be Good Morning, Vietnam!
