Take it as it comes

It’s Hash Monday, so just a quick update before I hid out to hit the trail.

Day 2 of my entertaining an out-of-town guest. Nothing has changed, although I do think my post yesterday may have sounded harsher than I intended. She seems to be a kind and good-hearted woman, just not the one for me. My epiphany I suppose was coming to understand that “Jenny” probably feels about me the way I feel about my guest. Doesn’t matter how good the other person may be, if they aren’t connecting with you on an emotional level it ain’t gonna happen. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.

Anyway, my guest didn’t want to join me for my Sunday hike because it was “too hot”. Well, I’m used to walking alone, but here is some of what she missed:

The Matain river is loaded up with garbage just waiting for the first big rain to come and wash it all into the bay.
It had been quite some time since I walked through the Santa Monica subdivision. Not much had changed.
I passed through Easter mountain’s neighborhood too.
And finally, a shot from my street in Alta Vista just before arriving back home.

You can Relive it here if you have a hankering to do so.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vAOZDxW4Myq

Once back home, I had some time to kill before beer o’clock rolled around, so opened up my Netflix. She picked a movie called “Black Crab”. I guess it was okay and somewhat entertaining. Not sure I’ve watched a Swedish-made film before. Anyway, it killed a couple of hours so it served its purpose. Here’s the trailer if you want a taste:

For one of those “too much time on my hands” kind of days.

So, it was finally time to head out and I decided we’d walk to John’s place for food and beers.

The enchiladas are excellent but damn, spicy enough to leave a tingle in my mouth. I’m not criticizing, that’s probably authentic. Most places serve them so bland you wouldn’t know it’s supposed to be Mexican.
You can never go wrong with John’s bulgogi. I’d add some of those string mushrooms they use in Korea, but that’s just me. No complaints.
The bar portion of John’s is on the third floor. I enjoyed the view of watching the sun go down while downing my beers from up there.

Wound up staying at John’s until it was time to head back home for my 9 p.m. bedtime.

Up early this morning as usual. My guest did join me for the dog walk.

One of the morning views I always enjoy.

Came home and put together the ingredients for some chili in the crockpot.

Should make for a nice after-Hash meal this evening, along with the cornbread muffins I baked.

And there’s a snapshot of my life here in the Philippines. Don’t be too jealous! Facebook sent me a reminder of how life was four years ago in Pyeongtaek.

Perhaps I’m just as lonely but I have a better attitude about it now.

I really am making progress. This weekend was a good reminder to not settle for less than what I want. I’ll be just fine alone if that is what it comes down to.

5 thoughts on “Take it as it comes

  1. Enchiladas, homemade chili, hiking scenery all look good, but damn, that river pollution is depressing. While it’s not as bad along the Potomac where I used to live, the banks of the Potomac definitely do have a lot of trash, and that’s depressing, too.

  2. John
    It’s been awhile, but I have been here every day. I know that sometime in the past you’ve given us your chili recipe. I believe Kevin has modified it (pineapple). Please send again. My wife will be at a hen party in Florida for a couple of weeks, leaving my dogs and I to mess up her spotless kitchen.

  3. Yeah, the litter and pollution are negative aspects of life here. Don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.

    Jerry, nice to hear from you again. I was wondering what was up with you. There’s really no recipe for the crockpot chili–brown a pound of ground beef, drain the fat, put the meat in the pot. Dice an onion and throw it in. Add a can of pinto beans, a can of kidney beans, and a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (all undrained), mix in a pack of chili seasoning (Old El Paso or McCormicks are good). stir it all up, set the crockpot on low for 8 hours (or high for 4 if you are in a hurry). Put it in a bowl, sprinkle some grated cheese on top, and chow down. I like to serve mine with cornbread too. Easy, peasy. I’m not really a cook, just an assembler.

  4. We have great pablano peppers here. Use them a lot. I can microwave, use the stovetop, and oven. Wife has a crockpot, pressure cooker, air fryer,and a monster blender. I know how to use the blender.

    Where have I been? Still can’t get around without a walker. Very depressing. I am paying for all those things I did in my 20’s and 30’s when I was invincible. Two surgery’s in lumbar and thoracic area. Have spot on my spine that’s probably causes my pea brain to not communicate with my ankles. Severe balance problem. I iam in the gym a lot, either swimming or using machine weights. Can’t transfer that strength to everyday tasks.

    Sorry Pearl did not work out. There sure are cute women (girls) there.

  5. Rascal, so sorry to hear about your health issues. Hang in there! At least you still have a functioning mind, unlike some people we allegedly elected.

    Yeah, I’m not likely to find another gem like Pearl in the sea of women here, but that won’t stop me from trying!

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