Mico sends me a bakeshop goodie.

Vannie sends me savories.

Family mahjong day

M.'s cafe sends us fried noodles to add to our supper.

March 30, 2025, the day before my 74th birthday

Angelique treated us to lunch at Conti's Gateway 1 Araneta Center. 

Joel sends me a chocolate cake.

It was a Sweet 60
Then a Serene 61
A Solitary 62
A Stunning 63
A Superb 64
A Suave 65
A Soaring 66
A Spectacular 67
A Splendid 68
A Shining 69
A Sleek 70

A Sparkling 71

A Sensational 72

A  Starry 73

A Sterling 73

And now a Shimmering 74!

Exactly a year from today I will leave my Facebook account in cyberspace. Only my Friends will be able to reread its contents, most of which are now non-Public.

March 30, 2025, the day before my 74th birthday

Angelique treated us to a photo shoot at Great Image SM Cubao Araneta Center, then to lunch at Conti's Gateway 1. Marvin was my caregiver that day, and so we included him in some of the shots.

My family is my greatest treasure.

And, all of those girls who participated in reality-show fashion model competitions--after all the adventures, misadventures, and engineered bitching, where are they now? What are they now?

The changing of the seasons always prevents one from being consumed by boredom.

Now on the final chapter of The House Without A Key, the first novel in the original, six-volume Charlie Chan series by Earl Derr Biggers. Such a different style from Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Brother Cadfael's Ellis Peters. and Judge Dee's Roberr van Gulik but I like, I like! They are all deliciously clever (not the sleuths but the authors, I mean.)

This read like a modern-day Wilkie Collins--the crime and the perpetrator take back seats in favor of characters, their relationships, and interesting subplots. In the end, though, everything is airtight and falls into place. What confused me at first was the time frame, until a Google search informed me that these novels were written long before World Wars I and II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Love the Hawaiian backdrop--words and phrases, food, drinks, and customs--and I would have desired to fly to Honolulu except that I already live in one, exotic, tropical country.

Reading The Chinese Parrot next.

A brief note to other Charlie Chan fans: these original novels are not to be confused with the teleplays and movie scripts that were later developed for popular viewing.

Remember this, that the majority of voters do not think and reason like university graduates.

University graduates are always a minority.

Painting is a heavily mental and a  heavily physical act.

 The Crowning of Mary, work in progress for Maryhill School of Theology.

Seven hours, seven layers.

Layering, or color blocking, is my second step after construction lines. It lays the foundation for color and tone, but essentially remains flat pending the marking of the darkest darks and the lightest lights. Layering does not stop until the entire canvas is covered with paint. It is also the best time to clean up unwanted construction lines.

In this painting I included 12 crowns from 12 appellations of the Blessed Virgin, some of which are canonical crowns.

Aubrey sat for this painting, as she did for Descent of the Holy Spirit and The Assumption of Mary Into Heaven. Leah sat for the two angels.

The auditory stimulus I am using while working on this painting is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s. Do listen to it while viewing the work, but it has nothing to do with the subject matter of the painting.

Photo by Neil de Leon

A very enterprising "classmate" in hemodialysis sells food to the nurses, technicians, and even the elevator girls.

So far I have bought from her bottles of home-made Salinas sardines, sinardinas na bangus, two bottles burong Kapampangan (one plain and one spicy), and two bottles taba ng talangka.

Never sell to officemates. They're some of  the biggest cheapskates in the world.

Worked an hour on first layer.

Went to bed 5:00 PM yesterday evening and rose 7:30 AM this morning, though I recall rising briefly three times in the night: once to take a light supper, another to go to the bathroom, and a third to work an hour online.

So strange, but the two female Abba singers always make me think of Dagwood and Blondie.

The Crowning of Mary, work in progress for Maryhill School of Theology.

Worked a fourth hour on construction lines after lunch. For this painting I must have used the most number of reference photos, because I wanted to include 12 crowns from 12 appellations of the Blessed Virgin, some of which are canonical crowns.

Aubrey sat for this painting, as she did for Descent of the Holy Spirit and The Assumption of Mary Into Heaven. Leah sat for the two angels.

Construction lines are done, Not bad for seven hours' work over two days. As you can see I do not use pencils/graphite for construction lines,. Instead, I use a brush and paint dilute, which is easier to wipe off. All of the lines are painted in initially in freehand.

The auditory stimulus I am used while working on this painting is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s. Do listen to it while viewing the work, but it has nothing to do with the subject matter of the painting.

Calling it a day for painting,

Will probably commence layering and color blocking on Sunday.

Photo by Neil de Leon

Finally turned my back on Charms sour candy balls and Life Savers in favor of sugar-free drops. Of the 28 flavors, these six are my favorites.

Photo by Neil de Leon

John reported for work this afternoon.

Worked a fourth hour on construction lines

Worked an hour on construction lines.

The Crowning of Mary begins today, Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Top, antique, sterling silver double-face pendant with miniature friezes on both sides, one depicting the Nativity, the other depicting the Crucifixion

Middle, labradorite cabochon set in sterling silver, a purchase from a loop shop in North Carolina. Labradorite is said to be a favorite stone of extraterrestrials.

Bottom, pewter Celtic cross clad in silver so that it can be worn as a pendant. It was originally designed to lie flat on a plate or saucer and function as a joss stick holder.

Above, faceted, oval amethyst encircled by a brass serpent

Below, antique, sterling silver cross pendant encrusted with faceted amethysts and marcasite

Photo by Neil de Leon

Finally dreamt of Lito Bauza two nights ago. He looked like he does in his most recent Facebook account. We were glad to see each other.

In the dream, an unfinished, multistory structure is on our compound. Lito needs to go to the second floor, and I decide to accompany him in order to spend more time with him. I keep close to the left side of the concrete stairway, because the right side is wide open, I am afraid of heights, and I am afraid of falling,. Lito helps me along, however, and we easily get to the second floor.

On the second floor is the lobby of a college that reminds me of the college associated with the hospital I take dialysis in. Lito has enrolled in some kind of course. We stay together and chat before it is time for him to go to class. Before he goes, he very thoughtfully escorts me down the stairway.

My interpretation:

This dream seems to indicate that it is possible to delay reincarnation if one wishes to learn more about cosmic law on the astral plane, which, it appears, Lito has decided to do.

The timing of reincarnation, therefore, is up to the individual soul and not up to any higher authority.

A collection of jewelry is precious in more ways than one, because each piece is associated with at least one, wonderful memory.

Look, Dick, look!

A new piece of cradled canvas arrived this morning. Now I can start working on The Crowning of Mary.

Will need to finish two paintings after this: a religious painting for Ces's school and a portrait of Yvette.

I lose my appetite when I am surrounded by too much food.

Jerome's day off. He spent most of last night helping the cooks for M. and Rose's wedding celebration, which will be held today. All of their wedding sponsors were invited.

Friday, March 14, 2025

Lunch at Bellini's Cubao Shoe Expo, our favorite oasis in the district

Friday, March 14, 2025

Third eye injection

My father's birthday

He was a Tiger.

"Though I see the danger there/
If there's a chance for me, then I don't care/"

Aubrey went jogging with a friend. Angelique arrived from Thailand. George picked her up at the airport.

I am turning 74 this year and my granddaughters are close to their 30s, but I still worry about them when they're not home.

I wonder if my parents did the same for me when I was young,

My Friends,

I will be sending EARLY invitations to 13 of you (Spirit Questors and Joy Luck Club members) soon, knowing full well that only five or six will have their attendance CONFIRMED, will be COMMITTED to the event, and will actually be COMING.

The invitation is to stay overnight at my house 9:00 PM - 5:00 AM on THE FIRST NIGHT OF HUNGRY GHOSTS MONTH, which is on SATURDAY. AUGUST 23 this year.

The schedule will be as follows:

9:00 - 10:00 PM, arrivals and dinner

10:00 - 11:00 PM, making food, candy, drink, bottled candle, and joss stick offerings on the driveway.

The offerings you make will be considered offerings to the Hungry Ghosts from YOUR houses. I will, therefore, also be making my own.

Do bring a bottled candle, joss sticks in a can, and food, candy, and drink offerings in SEALED containers.

If mendicants or street children take the offerings away during the night, it is perfectly all right. The offerings will be counted as having been successfully made.

11:30 PM - 5:00 AM, back inside the house.

Ghost story-telling. Prepare as many ghost stories as you like,.

Alternatively, bring movies on your laptops for screening.

Or playing cards/dominoes/chess sets/board games/Tarot cards. The Spirit Questors can read cards for the non-Spirit Questors and for each other.

Bring a sleeping bag if you feel that you will need one. A blanket and a pillow will do.  Everyone will have to camp out ON THE FLOOR.

Will serve pizza, chips, soda, coffee, and tea in the dining area through dawn.

You may Google-search everything you need to know about Hungry Ghosts and Hungry Ghosts Month before the event.

Departures can commence 5:00 AM, but everyone is welcome to zonk out and sleep through noon. Brunch wll be available, served from M.'s cafe.

Friday, March 7, 2025

The Joy Luck Club meets again for lunch and the 34th Bilbo Baggins afternoon.

Vegetable dumplings, a modern version of Judge Dee' breakfast of "salted vegetables." The dumplings are made of Taiwanese pechay, black fungus, carrots, and button mushrooms.

Many years ago my youngest sister, Sylvia, sent me an authentic recipe for salted vegetables, but I seem to have misplaced it.

Sometimes you look forward to eventually reuniting with a deceased, loved one, without considering that he or she actually may not want to see you again.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Lunch out, for a change of place

Wearing embroidered, silk scarves from France via Rustan's Gift Pavilion

Photo by Neil de Leon

Back home from bank day, escorted by Marvin and Neil, Paid our electric bills, sent some money to my younger son Chito, and bought an outdoor light for our gate.

Lunch out, then Neil brought me home in a taxi.

I've been staying home most of the time and bundling up against chills. When I have to go somewhere, I'm always transported in a Grab car or a taxi. There's been a three-day heat wave but, in my condition and my situation, I feel none of it. Outside our house, the world is suspending classes and people are complaining of the intense, searing heat.

Wondering whether I shall ever feel like everyone else again.

Angelique in Thailand. Just saw videos of her feeding an elephant and eating at a sumptuous Thai buffet.

My elder son Nelson's death anniversary (1998)

Lighting candles at our family altar and columbary.

Today my eldest baby Angelique earned her open-water certificate from Scuba Diving International. She aims to go for advanced eligibility, and then apply for another certification at DENR.

In photo, Angelique and George.

Angelique and Aubrey are leaving soon on separate trips to Thailand.