The end of the season is once again upon us

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Me neither.

I like to think I’ve done a reasonably good job adapting to the heat here, but damn, this year is the worst that I remember. I know I’ll be bitching about rainy season soon, but for now, I say bring it on. Wet with sweat or wet with water both suck, but I’m ready for something different.

The heat may have been a factor in there being no other participants for the Wednesday Walkers group hike. I went out for a sweaty 7K street stroll to Calapacuan and back. Along the way, I saw two dead men walking.

I was fourteen when Jose was born, and now his journey has already come to an end.
Seven years younger than me and already gone.

Yeah, they weren’t walking, I was. It sounded better in my head.

The route of my boring journey.

It being Wednesday, we hoofed out to Baloy Beach for the floating bar experience after our one-week absence.

Some toes in the sand time.
And then, to our big surprise, we learned that yesterday was the last day of the season for the floating bar. Glad we didn’t miss it!
I’m gonna miss rocking on the water.
Some of the other attendees, including the owner, Steve, seated on the right.
Steve’s wife, Lizza, was also there for the send-off.
And that girl of mine.
Meat-on-the-stick grilling on the grill.
The floating bar crew chowing down.
Meat sticks, pizza, and a beer on the house.
Gonna miss the sunset views from the floater.
Time goes on.
Steve says they’ve remodeled the beach Tiki Bar at Kokomo’s. I told him we’d come by and check it out next Wednesday for Baloy day.
Since we’d already eaten and it was the last day, we stayed longer than usual on the floater.
Then we said our goodbyes and headed home. See you in November!

I asked Steve if there was a typhoon forecast causing the earlier-than-usual end of the season. He said the bay had swells two feet high washing over the deck this week, so he’s playing it safe rather than sorry. And so it goes.

I’ve moved on to May 2019 in my journey through the LTG archives. In this post, I reflect on life in my hometown of Barretto. The demographic trends to the elderly side, but then, as far as retirement communities go, this one is rife with exciting things to do and see. I mention my friend John and his girlfriend Mango and their 40-plus-year age gap. John was subsequently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which progressed to near disablement level. He is now back in the province with Mango and being cared for by her and her family. Loving Filipinas to stay by our side at the end of days is perhaps the best aspect of retired life here.

Mango and John back in happier days.

Today’s YouTube video is the story of the three laughing monks. I didn’t know whether to believe it or not, but a quick Google search says they did exist. Honestly, when I see people on the street laughing for no apparent reason, I figure they are crazy or on drugs, and give them a wide berth. Anyway, it is a short video with a positive message, so judge for yourself.

Time out for some humor:

Don’t be a dope!
But you only have two hands to squeeze them…
On the bright side, his place needed another window.

That’s all for today, folks.

Here’s a photo of me and the most amazing woman I had the pleasure to work with and befriend. All these years later, we stay in touch on Facebook. She’s as far to the left as I am to the right, but we’ve always managed to talk through our differences and maintain a friendship over politics. So, all you haters out there can fuck off.

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