Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

Worked half an hour on forty-second layer.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Worked half an hour on forty-first layer.

Good morning, Cubao!

Sunbeams walk the earth in golden slippers.

Good night, Cubao!

Night mice fashion molted insect wings into hand fans.

Retrieved Mrs. McGinty's Dead to start rereading in bed tonight.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, then off to bed with Agatha Christie.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Aubrey accomplished her last final exams yesterday.

As for myself, my paintings are my final exams. I am still on the fortieth layer of this one.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe.

Night chores.

The May leaves fall off my bound and desktop planners.

Worked an hour on fortieth layer.

Three-hour, deep tissue massage.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Worked an hour on thirty-ninth layer.

Finished rereading Murder After Hours last night. We also have the DVD version, which my sister Sylvia sent me from Sydney some time ago. A deliciously written murder story that doubles up as five deliciously written love stories.

Must retrieve another book to reread in bed tonight.

Swung by the neighborhood grocery. Bought a loaf of sugar-free white bread and a loaf of double-soft white bread.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Worked an hour on thirty-eighth layer.

Good morning, Cubao!

The morning is a basket of newly baked baked.

Good night, Cubao!

The stars are gold and silver sequins sewn onto a velvet sky.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot. John Christow was murdered last night. The good thing is I don't recall whodunnit, so this reread is progressing like a first-time read.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey took a very late lunch and is upstairs. I believe she is working on her last, electronic final exam.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Worked an hour on thirty-seventh layer.

Worked an hour on thirty-sixth layer.

Worked half an hour on thirty-fourth layer.

Bought food at the hawkers' stands: crabs cooked in coconut milk and squash, pork adobo, deep-fried tilapia, and pork steak. Replenished our soda supply.

An early lunch alone.

Worked half an hour on thirty-fifth layer.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun will always be the father of time.

Good night, Cubao!

Slow and elaborate preparations are underway for Chang-O's husband and his entourage to make their annual visit to the moon.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot. No one has been murdered so far.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey studying for her electronic exams upstairs.

Jerome deep-fried our frozen french fries in M's kitchen.

Asked Jerome to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff. They are playing cards at a square table and look exactly like the men in Thomas Hart Benton's painting A Streetcar Named Desire. 

Night chores.

Back from jalan-jalan. Had money changed and sent some money to my younger son Chito. He's back to work as of a week or two ago but I still send him money from time to time.

Bought a fresh watermelon and had it sliced into triangular chunks, two kilos fresh mango, and Toblerone and Cadbury chocolate bars for the granddaughters.

The sky was overcast above Cubao. The wind blew in drizzle droplets from elsewhere but it did not rain. It was cool and pleasant at first, and then it became very humid.

Arayat seems back to normal. Took a tricycle home.

Your Messenger message:

"Hi, sir! Sa panaginip ko po kahapon nanaginip din po ako. Alam ko po kasi nasabi ko sa kausap ko sa panaginip ko 'yung laman ng panaginip ko. Ano po kaya ang meaning nun?

"'Yung isang kausap ko po hinihilot niya po forehead ko then nagulat ako ipinatong niya palad niya sa noo ko. Bubuksan daw 3rd eye ko."

My reply:

Hello ___________!

Nahanap mo na ang pintuan patungo sa silong ng iyong pagkamalay. Dahil dito, higit na magiging makabuluhan at mayaman ang panunulat mo.

Ang pagnanais na mabuksan ang third eye mo sa panaginip ay talinghaga ng hangad mong higit na maunawaan ang iyong sarili at ang iyong mga kapwa tao.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

Worked two hours on thirty-third layer.

Lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Not much choice at the hawkers' stands. Settled for a big bowl of mussels, fried, breaded chicken, pork chops, and pork steak.

Worked an hour on thirty-second layer.

Things must be really bad if people you know are desperately trying to sell stuff in order to survive.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun has three dozen dragon pens.

Good night, Cubao!

Gnomes love leaping in and out of bedroom mirrors.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot.

Had a big, fresh red onion along with my dinner. Might fix myself a cucumber sandwich and a glass of chocolate milk later for a bedtime snack. 

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey studying for her electronic final exams.

When studying for final exams, Angelique begins craving all kinds of food; Aubrey, on the other hand, isolates herself completely from everyone else in  the house.

Asked Jerome to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Finished rereading Three Blind Mice and Other Stories. Retrieved Murder After Hours (also known under the title The Hollow) to start rereading in bed later.

Swung by the neighborhood grocery to buy a loaf of extra soft, white bread, cartons of milk, and cartons of chocolate milk.

Also bought a ream of cigarettes at D.'s store and six, fresh eggs across the street.

Aubrey came down to fix herself a very late lunch in the kitchen. Apparently last night's electronic final exam was only one of several. She will have more, electronic final exams through May 30.

Worked half an hour on thirty-second layer.

Worked half an hour on thirty-first layer.

Worked half an hour on thirtieth layer.

Happy Birthday to three of my seven kuman thong--Tanet, Niran, and Ukrit--whom I adopted in Singapore in 2017.

Tanet is my finance assistant, Niran ensures good health, and Ukrit develops and refines psychic abilities.

Lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Aubrey took her electronic final exam last night.

Worked half an hour on twenty-ninth layer.

Worked an hour on twenty-eighth layer.

Good morning, Cubao!

The day is stacked like a clubhouse sandwich.

Good night, Cubao!

Undines slumber round water tanks, salamanders round kitchen stoves.

A brief, evening rainfall in Cubao.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Agatha Christie.

We all took dinner at different times; Angelique and Aubrey are studying for their electronic final exams.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Worked an hour on twenty-seventh layer.

Aubrey came down and fixed herself a very late lunch in the kitchen.

Worked an hour on twenty-sixth layer.

Finished rereading "Tape-Measure Murder", "The Case of the Perfect Maid", "The Case of the Caretaker" (which the author would later develop into the full novel Endless Night), and "The Third-Floor Flat" in bed last night.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

Worked an hour on twenty-fifth layer.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Good morning, Cubao!

Golden dragons lurk in the fiery caverns of the sun.

Angelique came down to a late dinner.

Had a fresh mango and a glass of chocolate milk.

Good night, Cubao!

Neighborhood cats and kittens moonbathe on tin rooftops.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Agatha Christie.

Dinner at home alone; Angelique either sleeping or studying for her electronic final exam upstairs and Aubrey still full from her very late lunch.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M's cafe staff.

Night chores.

Aubrey came down to a very late lunch in the dining room.

Fixed myself a red onion sandwich (two slices wheat bread toast, three slices red onion, three slices cheddar cheese, and Korean mayonnaise).

Started reading "Tape-Measure Murder".

One-hour, late afternoon nap.

Finished rereading "Three Blind Mice" (the foundation story for the play "Mousetrap") last night and "Strange Jest" from Three Blind Mice and Other Stories this afternoon.

Worked half an hour on twenty-fourth layer.

Lunch with Angelique and Jazz; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

The granddaughters have been studying for their electronic final exams.

Worked an hour on twenty-third layer.

Jazz swung by the neighborhood grocery to buy some stuff.

Worked half an hour on twenty-second layer.

Good morning, Cubao!

The day is a strand of carnelian prayer beads.

Good night, Cubao!

The earth never sleeps, for there are more denizens of the night than there are of the daytime.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Agatha Christie.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Jazz. Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Asked Jerome to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Worked an hour on tweny-first layer.

Your e-mail message:

"Good evening Sir Tony,

"Would like to consult my dream last night:

"Nagstart yung panagip ko na nasa itaas ako ng bahay namin with me thinking na lilipat na kami ng bahay. Then from somewhere nakita ko yung nanay ng pinsan ko. Then napalingon ako sa isang side kasi naghaharutan yung pinsan kong lalaki at yung pinsan nyang babae (mukhang magkasintahan sila dito sa panaginip ko). Pinapanood ko sila na naghahabulan hanggang makarating sila sa ibaba ng bahay namin. Bumababa ako ng hagdan ng makita ko na may mga gamit ng nahakot. Napansin ko na nasa sahig eh yung kutchon na hinihigaan ng nanay ko. Bigla akong umiyak habang tumatawa habang sinasabi ko na 'dito ako lumaki eh, dito ako lumaki' ang nasa isip ko ng period na ito ng panaginip ay nagmental breakdown ako kasi nakita ko na naghahabulan yung pinsan ko at bumalik sa memory ko na yung bahay namin eh playground ko naman. Humilig ako sa aparador sa tabi ng hagdanan namin habang umiiyak. Nung nahimasmasan ako naisipan kong umakyat kaso napahinto ako kasi nakita ko yung namatay ko na tiya na nasa itaas naka squat na animo'y umiihi. Napansin nya ako tapos sabi nya di naman sya umiihi. Hindi na ako umakyat bumaba na lang ulit ako at bigla ko napansin na nawala na yung kutchon at halos nalimas na lahat ng gamit. I felt the sudden rush of acceptance na lilipat na talaga kami. Then bigla nagappear sa panaginip ko yung nanay ko at yung isa ko pang tiya na patay na din. Then, yung sumunod na scene nasa lapag pa din kami ng bahay pero this time yung nanay ko pinapamigay na yung mga natirang gamit na hindi na isasama sa paglipat ng bahay. Yung gamit na parang pinapamigay ng nanay ko eh yung tv. (end na ng naaalala ko sa panaginip ko).

"Nung nagising ako irealized na yung napanaginipan ko ay yung itsura ng bahay namin before. Then yung mga gamit na naiwanan was our things back then, i remember yung TV ay yung dati naming tv.

"Wala naman kami plano lumipat ng bahay sa ngayon.

"Regards,

"_______"

My reply:

Hello ______!

This is a summary dream; it shows you where you are at the present time in your life.

Your being on the upper floor of the house indicates that your psyche is showing you an overview of your current situation. You see two cousins behaving like lovers, meaning that you perceive other people's relationships as very different from yours. They go to the ground floor of the house and you follow them there. Once on the ground floor your cousins and your psyche show you that you must accept changes in your life, and, in so doing, you must be prepared to lose many things you've been comfortable with, even if these losses cause you pain.

You do not go back to the upper floor to see things more clearly because now you are afraid and resistant, and you are convinced that going there and doing so is a form of death. In this dream, however, death is merely a form of change, no matter how drastic this change may be.

It looks like you are facing major upheavals in your life, and that you are yet to gain the momentum to face them.

I will always prefer to be the creator than the commentator.

Worked an hour on twentieth layer.

Went with Angelique to the neighborhood grocery.

Started rereading Three Blind Mice and Other Stories in bed.

Worked half an hour on nineteenth layer.

Lunch at home with Angelique and Jazz; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Worked an hour on eighteenth layer.

Good morning, Cubao!

Palm trees brush the sky with blue cosmetics.

Finished rereading Passenger to Frankfurt last night. A tedious reread due to its subject matter: megalomania, world domination, a neo-Nazi movement, and scientific warfare. The plot is intriguing and has a twist as all Agatha Christie novels do, but everything is too verbose and lost in long-winded Shavian discussion. Must have been penned after the author attended a lecture or participated in a serious conversation with experts on what a mess this world is in.

Must retrieve another book to start rereading in bed later.

Good night, Cubao!

Mountain giants roam streets in total darkness.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Stafford Nye.

Aubrey came down to the dining room and took a late dinner,.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Worked an hour on seventeenth layer.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Jazz; Aubrey still taking her evening shower.

Worked an hour on sixteenth layer.

Worked an hour on fifteenth layer.

Three-hour, deep tissue massage with ventosa.

Jazz arrived.

It is heat-stroke hot in Cubao.

The sun is telling us to keep ourselves indoors.

Lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Good morning, Cubao!

Sunshine turns the sand into powdered gold and white sapphires.

Good night, Cubao!

Windows glow in the night like cozy picture shows for travelers in the street.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Stafford Nye.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Asked Jerome to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Worked half an hour on fourteenth layer.

Calling it a day for painting.

Night chores.

Aubrey came down to a very late lunch in the dining room.

Worked an hour on thirteenth layer.

Back from jalan-jalan. Changed money for the granddaughters' weekly allowance and then swung by the Korean grocery to buy a few goodies.

Glowering skies in the south, but I feel that the goddess of the storm will not allow the rain to fall over our house.

Worked an hour on twelfth layer.

Lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

The sun inoculates the earth with fire through a golden syringe.

Good morning, Cubao!

Slept nine hours last night.

Good night, Cubao!

Watch for the silhouettes of night parades on the peaks of rooftops.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, then off to bed with Agatha Christie.

Worked half an hour on eleventh glaze while waiting for the granddaughters to come down to dinner.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Asked Jerome to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Tomato sandwich and a glass of soda.

Worked an hour on tenth layer.

Jerome is now in the kitchen grinding Kalinga coffee beans to refill our crystal coffee jar.

Started rereading _Passenger to Frankfurt_ in bed.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

Retrieved Passenger to Frankfurt to start rereading in bed later.

My bed is calling me now.

Your Messenger message:

"Dearest sir Tony.. I dreamed of you last night. I was working for you as an assistant and your studio was a long room full of fabrics of all types. You were working on a sheer black cloth textured like a fine net. There was a huge collection of crocheted appliques that you yourself crafted by hand. Leaves, flowers with pretty details...

"Thank you for appearing in my dream"

My reply:

Hello _________!

Yes, you must have attended an unannounced night class.

Looks like you'll be working with exotic fabric soon.

Lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Asked Toto to buy two things for me at the center since he was going there anyway.

Worked an hour on ninth layer.

Went out to buy food. The sun was dazzling and infused my surroundings with hot, white light. I felt that everything around me was an extremely overexposed snapshot. When I came back home I had to lie inside my cool, dark bedroom for an hour.

Worked an hour on eighth layer.

Finished rereading"Murder in the Mews" and "Triangle at Rhodes" last night.

Must retrieve another book to reread in bed later.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun fairies shroud the trees with gold tissue.

Good night, Cubao!

House mice use discarded pincushions as throw pillows.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot.

Angelique and Aubrey took an early dinner; took my dinner after watching the news.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Calling it a day for painting.

Night chores.

Always ensure that the bedrooms are the most comfortable rooms in your house.

Comfort is a function of good health.

Whenever you can afford it, upgrade.

When a meeting, arrangement, or deal does not happen the first time around, do not even try to revive it, because, in the first place, it was never meant to be.

If, after stepping out of the shower, you can still smell your bath soap and your shampoo on you, you have not rinsed your body thoroughly.

It is a good idea to light scented candles in your bathroom.

After my daughter-in-law Ivy passed away five years ago, single women in the neighborhood and on the compound came to me at different times and offered to live with me, do our housekeeping, and take care of my granddaughters. It was uncanny because I felt that they were all auditioning for a role. They presumed that I could not fulfill all three obligations by myself. They came to me on separate occasions, many of them bringing food and gifts. I, of course, turned down their offers. Had I accepted any one of them I would have been most unhappy.

As it is, I believe that I take care of my granddaughters better than other people take care of their own children.

Never be in a position in which you have to beg for anything.

A retired man is a man of leisure, and that is what I've been since December 2015.

That was the same year I ceased updating my curriculum vitae.

Honor the god of your front door every day and every night.

You can spray boiled ginger water as a non-toxic insecticide.

When in doubt, stop and rest.

Taking a break from painting. Now on a Garfield binge. Had a tomato sandwich--one ultimately fixes tomato sandwiches and cucumber sandwiches after extensively reading Agatha Christie--and two chocolate candy bars.

Finished rereading "Dead Man's Mirror", the first story in the Dead Man's Mirror trilogy, and began rereading "Murder in the Mews".

Worked an hour on seventh layer.

Lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Worked an hour on sixth layer.

Good morning, Cubao!

Aries the Ram shuttles back and forth from the planet Mars to the Sun.

Good night, Cubao!

Gnomes sleep soundly inside their secret bedrooms in the dragon tree.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, then off to bed with Agatha Christie.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Calling it a day for painting.

Night chores.

Worked an hour on fifth layer.

Replenished our soda supply.

Retrieved Dead Man's Mirror to reread in bed later. I remember that, when I reread this years ago, I was actually inspired to buy a wall mirror for our credence table at the foot of the stairs.

Worked an hour on fourth layer.

Finished reading A Pocket Full of Rye in bed. Quite contrived, but I enjoyed it. An Agatha Christie with an excellent point of attack.

A light, one-hour nap.

Worked an hour on third layer.

Your Messenger message:

"Hi Tony! How are you? I forgot to share with you kahapon, I dreamt of you 2 days ago

"In my dream I was in the grade school grounds of my Holy Spirit school. Then was with Rachel Berry of GLEE show and she was disappointed because she read the symbolic letter of her Mom as something negative, like she was not going to be there for her event or something. Then I got a hold of the letter and was deciphering it and I said she misinterpreted it! As i was looking for Rachel to explain the heart cut shaped letter with drawings and symbols, I saw you bgla sa path. Then you held out a mini doll house na blue plastic roof and set it on the ground. And im like wow cool, looks like my favorite Polly Pocket toy

"Then suddenly may lumabas na female na sobrang liit. Prang size ng pixie. Pero human form and the female was traipsing and turns out to be my Mom daw and prang sya ata nagpadala ng sulat. And telling me I did understand the letter. And that was it. Human form pero kakaiba ung clothes.

My reply:

Hello _______!

This dream summarizes the current state of your personal affairs. You may be remiss in your role as mother, daughter, and housekeeper, and you lately have been disappointed with yourself because of this. A dollhouse in a dream usually represents the need to control home and family affairs.

In this dream you are not only yourself but also Rachel, Rachel's mother, your own mother, the tiny female--and, believe it or not, your daughter.

At this point in your life, reflect on whether your life is turning out like your mother's and whether you expect your daughter's life to turn out like yours. Do you feel tiny and insignificant, like the female who comes out of the dollhouse? Are you still in pursuit of bigger dreams? If you are, go ahead and reach the sun, but, at the same time, do not neglect all your responsibilities at home.

Dumpling delivery.

An early lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Good morning, Cubao!

It is most relaxing to nap on cushions of white clouds.

Good night, Cubao!

Moonbeams are slices of white, winter melon.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with the bereaved characters in A Pocket Full of Rye.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Worked half an hour on second layer.

Night chores.

Worked half an hour on first layer.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Finally done with construction lines after nine days.

The canvas is ready to receive the first layer of paint.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Retrieved A Pocket Full of Rye and started rereading it in bed.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Your Messenger message:

"Hi Tony. Sorry to disturb you but I had an unusual dream yesterday while I had a nap. Unusual in the sense that I never dreamed of both my parents together. My mom passed away 12 years ago and she appears on my dreams rarely. In my dream my mother is about to fetch my father, and both of them looked on their prime (40's). My mother was wearing her favorite dress and she looked happy. My father looked young and healthy, but he was dazed and sweaty. Then there were kids who I cannot identify who were sitting and laughing on the side. I was just an observer in this dream and neither my parents or the kids saw me in the eye. I haven't seen my father for more than a year now since he's in _________. I hope that there's nothing bad about this dream. Last year was pivotal in my relationship with my father as it was the first time that we were really able to connect as father and son (after 40 years!) and I know he's a bit worried about me now."

My reply:

Hello ____________!

In your dream, your father respects your Masculine Self and your mother your Feminine Self. They are on the threshold of integration, which is a good sign. While your Feminine Self is happy and wearing her favorite dress, your father is dazed and sweaty, meaning that your Masculine Self is undergoing extra stress at this particular time. One of the children watching is your Inner Child, whom you have not yet accepted as part of yourself.

In addition, that the images of your parents appeared in this dream indicates that you are being called upon to be a proactive parent to your children.

Remember that whenever a dream is disturbing--whether mentally or emotionally--it is because you have not taken appropriate action on the issues being presented.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Finished rereading Dead Man's Folly last night. Must retrieve another book to reread tonight.

Good morning, Cubao!

It is always the foolish eagle who believes he has the power to reach the sun.

Good night, Cubao!

Gnome banks are open 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. I have a secret account in one of them.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver. Still only one person, the murder hunt Victim, has been murdered, and the mistress of the mansion has been missing for weeks.

Actually took a substantial meal 5:30 PM, so I myself skipped dinner and later had a snack of toast and ground pork. Reminded me so much of some of the sandwiches my mother packed for me when I was in high school. 

Sent some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Aubrey came down to dinner.

Took an early dinner before watching the local news. Angelique is now taking her dinner in the dining room; Aubrey is still doing her electronic schoolwork stairs.

Calling it a day for construction lines.

Bought 1 1/2 kilos fresh mango and six fresh eggs across the street.

Bought a fresh watermelon and had it sliced into triangular chunks.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Toward the end of Dead Man's Folly.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

A very early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Good morning, Cubao!

Sunbeams are the sun's long legs that walk the earth.

It is futile to believe in heaven as a place where we are not in control of heaven.

Good night, Cubao!

Fairies weave gossamer clothes out of silver cobwebs.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver. The Victim died this afternoon, before I took a nap.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Calling it a day for construction lines.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Watched an untitled, Korean full horror movie on Facebook videos about a horsehair worm epidemic. Quite suspenseful, and I am certain it was most difficult to shoot all of those long shots and mob scenes. A clear illustration of how atchays are the most prone to mass hysteria. That ending shot was most perplexing, though. I feel that one must have an understanding of Korean psychology in order to comprehend it.

Going out during the time of a pandemic is a democratic right. It is called the freedom to die.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Angelique gave our ref a general cleaning and overhaul, and refused to let anyone inside the kitchen to help her.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

A very early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Gold, copper, and brass are the favored metals of the sun.

Good morning, Cubao!

Slept nine hours last night.

Watched I Miss You, a Thai full horror movie on Facebook videos. More of a love story than a horror story, if I may say so.

Don't watch this movie, it's very badly dubbed, because toward the end some atchay erased a lot of chunks of dialogue along the way.

Good night, Cubao!

In the middle of the night you will wake up to smell vanilla and cinnamon from the fairies' bakery.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, then off to bed with Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Calling it a day for construction lines.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Finished rereading Poirot Loses A Client last night. Enjoyed it. I do have the DVD version, which my sister Sylvia sent me from Australia years ago, but I'd forgotten the details.

Retrieved Dead Man's Folly to reread next. This is I do remember, as well as the DVD version which my sister Sylvia also sent me, but I do so love follies (our roof deck is really a folly, so are our front and side Cubao New Orleans French Quarter balconies) and I can't resist fetes with Murder Hunts. Yes, this is the novel in which Ariadne Oliver organizes a Murder Hunt game, an event referred to in at least two other books in which Ariadne Oliver is a character, and in which the designated Victim gets killed.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Back from jalan-jalan. Sent my younger son Chito some money to cover his personal expenses, then swung by the neighborhood grocery to buy a lot of stuff we need.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

A mid-morning lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

The blazing sun is out again, and yesterday's dark rain in Cubao is now only a dream.

Sunshine always dances on the waves of the sea.

Good morning, Cubao!

Slept nine hours last night.

Aubrey came down and fixed herself a late dinner in the kitchen.

A bedtime snack.

Gave M. a bag of rice.

Good night, Cubao!

Gnomes sail on fallen leaves in street gutters.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, abd then off to bed with Hercule Poirot.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Watched The Promise, a Thai full horror movie on Facebook videos. It's subtitled in English. A good screening--if you happen to be afraid not only of vengeful ghosts but also of heights!

Looks like another wet night in Cubao, and it's gotten quite chilly too!

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Rain dwindled to a drizzle.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

Our stainless steel bread toaster arrived.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

It's been raining consistently in Cubao.

Lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Drizzly night, drizzly dawn, drizzly day. Time to light our incandescent lamps again.

Lit morning joss sticks. The Tao deities asked me to turn on the lamps at our Chinese altar. Replenished the alkaline drinking water in vessels at two other altars.

Everyone said that the only way to prosperity is to honor one's ancestors, and that it is too sad that many people have no other recourse but to abandon their deceased in public cemeteries.

Good morning, Cubao!

Nature always grooms itself; human beings seldom really do.

Watched Karma, a Thai full horror movie on Facebook videos. About a 36-year-old defense lawyer who is psychic/clairvoyant. Found it completely engrossing; it's what the Spirit Questors are constantly going through. Loved the simple but effective special effects and the triple twist at the end.

Aubrey came down to a late dinner.

Evening shower.

locked up for the night.

Good night, Cubao!

Night mice convert old shoe boxes into their townhouses.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot.

Asked Jerome to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Calling it a day for construction lines.

Night chores.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey still doing her electronic schoolwork upstairs.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

A very early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Good morning, Cubao!

The night has a thousand eyes that see everyone's secrets, but the sun is the one eye that sees the truth.

Finished watching a Thai full horror movie on Facebook videos. It was subtitled in English, but the title of the movie wasn't. It was in Khom, and I can't read Khom. This movie was comprised of four horror stories. All were enjoyable, though I liked the third one the most. Loved the casting in all of them.

I am the foster father of seven kuman thong and I have four books on Thai magic, but I've never been to Thailand. I think that I shall never go there. I believe that, second to Filipinos, the Thai are the most beautiful people in Southeast Asia. Should I ever go to Thailand I would most probably stay there.

Should sleep well tonight. Today's jalan-jalan at the center exhausted me. Walked in my flip-flops; when I got home only the skin under the straps remained light; the rest of my feet were burned a deep tan.

M. hired a man to knock down a set of wall shelves in the cafe kitchen. He is now thinking of having the wood repurposed as something else.

My favorite time of the day has come once again: an evening shower and then off to bed with Agatha Christie.

As it turns out I reread Poirot Loses a Client some time ago and even watched the DVD version that my sister Sylvia sent me, but I've forgotten who the murderer was.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey. Angelique ordered deep-fried pork chop with rice and veggies from M.'s cafe. Aubrey took her dinner upstairs to continue her electronic schoolwork.

Brought some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

Wanting to check into a hotel with some Spirit Questors or artist friends and view the complete DVD series Genius: Picasso that my sister Sylvia gave me.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

Jalan-jalan at the center to have money changed. If that storm is coming I don't want it to creep up on me and have very little cash on hand.

Swung by the neighborhood grocery and bought two bottles cooking oil.

Must replenish our soda supply later.

A very early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

In the remote future, the rich and the middle class will be living in real, detached houses firmly planted on the ground, and all high-rise, condominium buildings will be reserved for the poor. 

The objective for the poor is for them to eventually rise and belong to the middle class.

The middle class is the salvation of the poor.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun's flares send arrows of fire.

Oops--started rereading Elephants Can Remember and suddenly remembered not only who the murderer is in that one but the implausible twist as well.

Retrieved Poirot Loses A Client and can only hope it's a story I've completely forgotten.

Retrieved Murder in Retrospect to reread in bed tonight, then, a few pages in, realized that it's Five Little Pigs retitled, about an eccentric painter possibly patterned after Picasso. Since I remember who the murderer was, I returned it and retrieved Elephants Can Remember instead.

Good night, Cubao!

Gnomes ride on fruit bats to deliver enchanted parcels at back doorsteps.

Calling it a day for construction lines.

My favorite hour of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot.

Dinner at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey are skipping dinner this evening.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Not So Terrifying Tuesday

Watched Vengeance, a Thai full horror movie on Facebook videos. A police posse hunts criminals in a  cursed jungle and encounters different groups--among other things.

So-so. I liked the metaphysical treatment of time, but the ending made everything quite pointless. The movie also suffered from having too many elements: a talisman, an enchanted knife, swarms of tiger wasps, bathing sirens, a giant and anaconda-like snake, vampires, flying monsters, and shape-shifters.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

You can fight and defeat bureaucracy only with bureaucracy.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

Finished rereading Ordeal by Innocence. Enjoyed it.

Must retrieve another book to reread tonight.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Delivery of 45 gallons of alkaline water.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Good morning, Cubao!

Sunlight falls on earth like colorful confetti.

Good night, Cubao!

Fairies hold their midnight meetings in garden follies.

The more you serve your family, the more your spirit guides will make you rich.

All artists have political inclinations, but not all of them agree with yours.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Arthur Calgary.

Finished watching Dark Flight 407, a Thai full horror movie on Facebook videos, which I started watching in sections this afternoon. Scarier to me than all the 80s Airport movies combined. Liked the orchestration of characters and thought the casting was good. I also know how difficult and complicated it is to shoot inside and outside an airplane, at an airport, and on a runway.

Asked Jerome to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

The bush that overgrows the garden will always be subjected to drastic trimming.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

This painting begins today, May 11, 2020.

Unscheduled and spontaneous visitors will not be admitted.

Three paintings are now wrapped and ready for pick-up and installation at Maryhill School of Theology: The Wedding Reception at Cana, Feast of Tabernacles, and RESURGET MARIA.

In the meantime a fresh, 6' x 4.5' cradled canvas is on the easel, awaiting becoming Painting #16.

Angelique and Aubrey swung by the neighborhood grocery.

Should have joined them. Craving chocolate again, but had to wait for Jerome and Neil to come and wrap RESURGET MARIA.

Sat with Angelique while she took her lunch in the dining room.

Now halfway through Ordeal by Innocence.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

Bought another fresh watermelon and had it sliced into triangular chunks. Also bought 1 1/2 kilos fresh mango.

A very early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

RESURGET MARIA is completely dry and ready to be wrapped for pick-up and installation.

Good morning, Cubao!

The clouds are balls of yellow cotton candy.

Cubao rain.

Watched a Thai full horror movie on Facebook videos. It's untitled in this version, but it's about a group of six college students who go on an island to document indigenous rituals for their socio-anthropology class. Enjoyed it, but would have written the twist at the end quite differently.

Good night, Cubao!

The gnomes' symphony orchestras play in concerts on neighborhood rooftops.

Retrieved Ordeal by Innocence to start rereading in bed tonight.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower and then off to bed with Agatha Christie.

Finished rereading Third Girl last night. Enjoyed it, but there was too much cogitation on Poirot's part.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Asked Jerome to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Three-hour, deep tissue massage.

This I always thank my spirit guides for, that I would always rather be the person shelling out money to others than the person waiting for someone to shell out money to him.

We are saved by the sea whenever she takes danger away from us.

The mediocre artist is he who never bothered to listen to his spirit guides.

It is the insecure artist who feels terribly threatened by the emergence of other artists--especially if those artists' works are far better than his.

Only extraterrestrials can enter the summer palace of the sun.

Good noon, Cubao!

Slept nine hours last night.

Watched Kotodama (a Japanese full horror movie) on Facebook videos. Students linger inside a haunted school building. Interesting, but the dubbing script was poor. Loved the concept, especially the simultaneous layering of three periods of time.

Good night, Cubao!

Tree spirits release cool breezes to comfort the desolate.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey took a late lunch and is skipping dinner.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

More than halfway through Third Girl.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Saturday tedium. Two men are now cleaning and servicing Aubrey's bedroom air-conditioner.

_RESURGET MARIA_ almost completely dry and should be ready to be wrapped in a few days.

Good morning, Cubao!

The leaves of the trees sparkle like emeralds in the sunshine.

Watched Ghost Mother, a Thai full horror movie on Facebook videos. Grisly but gripping. Loved it.

Good night, Cubao!

Concerned fairies pay visits to neglected dolls and stuffed toys.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver.

Asked Jerome to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Wrong: "They were discriminated."

Correct: "They were discriminated against."

Pareho = the same person or object

Parehas = identical or matching system

Correct: "Pareho kaming nabigyan ng ayuda" (We were both given assistance)", focus on "we".

Correct: "Parehas ang ayudang ibinigay sa lahat" (Identical assistance was given to all), focus on "assistance".

Also correct: "Tig-isang libo ang natanggap ng mga manggagawa. Tigalawang libo ang natanggap ng mga tambay. Hindi parehas." 

Becoming accustomed to GMA 7's 24 Oras.

One-hour, mid-afternoon nap.

Back from jalan-jalan at the center with Toto. Paid our electric and water bills covering all of March and April.

Aubrey came down to lunch.

Leaving with Toto in a while.

We die not to be mourned but to come back and live again.

Another delivery arrived.

Angelique came down to lunch.

Read and appreciate the information disseminated by others. And then, wait and see what action they take.

If they do not take any action, wonder why. 

A very early lunch at home; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

One-hour, mid-morning nap.

Your Messenger message:

"Hi sir tony ,I hope you are doing well and the girls too.i just wanted to share a dream I had night before last and you were in it.you had us me and a few other people with you out of town.then you gave me a keepsake like you always do.an antique vase before we proceeded with our activity.and you also handed me a soft clay like item that was in a wooden spoon.we then rode a boat along with the other members.the whole idea was to return to the sea what the earth was lacking.dark waters as we road back silently.wala lang I just wanted to share this with you

"In the past I’ve dreamt the night classes but it’s only now that I share it with you.missing our you and all you have taught and shared with us .keep safe "


My reply:

Hello _______________!

Your dream is best interpreted backwards, i.e. from the end to the beginning. Your psyche presented the sections in your dream that way to prevent you from getting hurt.

The sea and dark waters are always metaphors for the dreamer's emotional state, which is usually turbulent at the time she is having the dream.

The substance in a wooden spoon is the medicine you need to take to heal you of the turbulence, which, in your dream, I am administering to you.

It is the antique vase you must interpret for yourself as it applies to your current situation. Some possibilities include:

--"Antique" could refer to an old issue, something to do with elder relatives or ancestors, or an incident in the past
--Remember that Pandora's box was not really a box but a vase
--On a Freudian level, vases represent either the vagina or the uterus
--Antique vases are also used to channel spirits.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sky is a gigantic mirror maze.

At melting point the earth will quake.

Good night, Cubao!

The moon and the morning star glow through the mist of summer rain.

My favorite part of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey took a very late lunch earlier.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

Three of our gutters are between sloping roofs rather than hanging over the driveway or the street. I've often wondered how possible it would be to widen and locate planters in them.

Back from jalan-jalan at the center. Sent some money to my younger son Chito to cover his personal expenses.

Actually, money is everything--as long as you already have whatever else you want and need.

Jerome and I went on the roof and cleared four roof gutters of dead leaves and debris. 

A very early lunch alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Good morning, Cubao!

All roads of dreams lead to the kingdom of the sun.

Watched Beacon Point (full horror movie) on Facebook videos. A hiking team goes off-trail and encounters the unexpected. A combination of ancient Cherokee legends and extraterrestrial stuff. Acting was underplayed; no hysterics. The ending is ambiguous, though. The only happy ending is that I am not and will never be a hiker, though I recall that my older son Nelson was a hiker and a mountain climber and loved it.

Good night, Cubao!

House mice collect tube caps to add to their tiny kitchenware.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, then off to bed with Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Watched The Cinderella (a Thai full horror movie dubbed in Tagalog) on Facebook videos. A movie crew shoots a film on an island. One of the actors dies in an accident, and his obsessed mother attempts to use dark magic to bring him back from the dead. Enjoyed it. I've seen at least five Thai horror movies over the past two decades, and I take my hat off to their writers, whose material is always authentic and original.

Ate a bar of Twix. Can't live without chocolate.

Tony Perez's Art of War: When you insult a bitch, he will make sure that you remain on the losing end--even if you do not think you are on the losing end.

Be critical, but do not be arrogant at the same time.

Back from the neighborhood grocery with Aubrey.

Bought a fresh watermelon and had it sliced into triangular chunks.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

When the audience is being distracted and its attention diverted to a big sideshow, it means that something even bigger is being prepared backstage.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sky is a cake covered with blue and white and yellow icing.

Good night, Cubao!

The pets are once again invited to another banquet in the elfin mound tonight.

Retrieved Third Girl to reread in bed later.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, then off to bed with Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver.

Asked Jerome and Neil to flip the cradled canvas on the easel.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

One-hour. afternoon nap.

Back from jalan-jalan at the center with Toto. Did minor groceries and bought a big pack of lobster balls and a big pack of crab balls at the Japanese grocery,

Lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Finished rereading The Moving Finger last night. Enjoyed it.

Must retrieve another book to reread tonight.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun encodes its stories on a golden keyboard.

Morbid Monday Night

Watched The Haunting of Marsten Mansion (full horror movie) on YouTube. A blind girl inherits her aunt's antebellum house. She, her boyfriend, and her sister stay in the house a few days and witness scenes from the past being replayed. Not scary to me at all. Some glitches in production design--lights were on when they were supposed to be off and were off when they were supposed to be on. At least the characters were not obnoxious, and the story has a happy ending, which not many "horror" movies have.

Also watched Forensic Files - Season 6, Episode 19: "Pure Evil", about an adolescent boy and his half-sister who were killed and mutilated by a young, would-be serial killer.

Good night, Cubao!

The queen of the gnomes wears midnight blue.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower and then off to bed with Jerry Burton, the protagonist in Murder Is Easy.

An early dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Brought some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

One-hour, mid-afternoon nap.

Back from the bank with Angelique. She deposited money in her and Aubrey's account.

Violy and Oscar were at the bank as well. They gave us a ride part of the way home, since they were headed for Farmers Market to buy some stuff.

An early lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Worked an hour painting the cradle sides of _RESURGET MARIA (MARY RISES)_.

Monday, Monday

Still waiting for the varnished painting to dry completely, but I hope to be able to commence Painting #16 within this week.

A cup of  very black Kalinga robusta coffee.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a gazillion birthday sparklers lit in the sky.

Good night, Cubao!

The sky is a black mantle round the shoulders of Earth.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, then off to bed with Agatha Christie.

Retrieved The Moving Finger to reread in bed later.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey cooked her own dinner and took it earlier.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Finished rereading Murder Is Easy. Enjoyed it. Must retrieve another book to reread in bed later.

Bought half a dozen fresh eggs and a ream of cigarettes.

 A two-hour, noon nap after lunch.

A three-hour, deep tissue massage.

A very early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Whatever lasts my lifetime--whether a house, jewelry, or other possessions--are permanent and eternal enough for me. After all, my succeeding lifetimes will have other joys.

Every person has moments of heaven. Know what yours are and cherish them forever.

I will always prefer owning diamonds, emeralds, and rubies to growing plants and fresh flowers at any time.

It is a matter of convenience. One must have Farmers Market in one's neighborhood, I guess. And, believe it or not, Farmers Garden has been in business everyday since the beginning of the lockdown.

Sunlight plunges into oceans to light up its depths, as insight lights up the depths of the mind.

Watched Horror House (full horror movie) on YouTube. Five short stories set in the same house at different times, like a mild Tales from The Crypt movie. An imaginary companion, a deck of Tarot cards, a fire hex, a Japanese doll fetish, and a leap year monster straight out of Grimm. Interesting.

Good night, Cubao!

Fairies serve their birthday cakes with glasses of sweet, midnight dew.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then off to bed with Luke Fitzwilliam.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Asked Jerome to bring some food over to M.s' cafe staff.

Night chores.

Vernissage: _RESURGET MARIA (MARY RISES)_

You can view the photos on my Facebook Wall at https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2951188508301190&set=pcb.2951189538301087.

Lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Two-hour, afternoon nap.

Back from jalan-jalan with Angelique. Escorted her to the drug store, then went to the Japanese grocery and ordered a tray of salmon sashimi and a tray of tuna sashimi. We met up after to do groceries at the Korean grocery.

There are more vehicles than usual in the streets.

Never think that, just because you are an artist, the world owes you a living. Your foremost obligations are to feed, clothe, and provide for your family, pay your bills, and pave the way for a prosperous future. Only then can you practice your art with a clear conscience.

If your job does not serve you well, change it.

Never convince yourself that you are a classroom teacher forever, or a jeepney driver forever, or a fish vendor forever.

Good morning, Cubao!

Sunbeams are golden banners streaming down from the sky.

Good night, Cubao!

The moon casts magical shadows only at midnight.

The favorite hour of my day has come again: an evening shower and then off to bed with Luke Fitzwilliam.

Been tripping on Facebook's full horror movies and laughing at them as though they were comedies. (Maybe they are.)

Dinner at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey ordered food from outside earlier and had that for their dinner.

Asked Neil to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

Aubrey came down to a very late lunch in the dining room.

Replenished our soda supply.

T. gave us a plate of biko that she cooked herself.

An hour in bed with Luke Fitzwilliam, the retired policeman-protagonist in Murder Is Easy.

Caught forty winks.