Just… Whatever #SoCS

Todays Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt is whatever. If you’d like to join the prompt visit Linda Hill’s blog for the rules and check out some of the wonderful bloggers who participate. 

First, I must apologize to Dan over at No Facilities for missing the deadline for a Thursday Doors post. If you haven’t already, do stop by his blog and check out the really cool collection of doors he has and meet the nice folks who submit their entries weekly. On TIME. 😏

In my defense, yesterday was an amazing day to be out of doors. Hey! 🤦‍♀️I digress..

From the moment we took our morning walk till the view of the brilliant moon before I fell asleep there were wonderful gifts. No, I didn’t get a picture of that moon. I did slip outside in my nightie to take a peek, forgetting we have a motion sensor light just outside the door that is bright enough to light a small stage. 

Whatever else the day brings is icing on the cake after a morning walk like this

I tell myself every time we pass this tree that I need a photo with such an amazing creation. 

Whatever this cat was waiting for is in big trouble. We hurried past, trying to avoid eye contact. 🤭

These are Rainbow Eucalyptus trees and in the right light they are amazingly colorful. Photos just do not do them justice because standing below them is absolutely breathtaking.

The trees are also known as Mindanao Gum and are the only eucalyptus to live in the rainforest and only one of four species found outside of Australia.

Whatever you call it, I call it magnificent! 

Hello in there. Whatever are you doing? 

Bee business my sweet lady. Bee business.

And I must be off now! 

What’s a perfect morning without my own modified Peach Bellini? Pssst…

The secret is Triple Sec and Maracuya liqueuer. 

Whatever you can find folks-and it is often better than the original! 

My fuchsia ladies are outdoing themselves.

Whatever the weather they have shown up for a parade of color! 

When you crave fried chicken and you’re retired…

Yes, that is mac n cheese from a box. With extra additions of course.

Yes, I made mine into a sandwich. Whatever…

Don’t judge me. 🤷‍♀️

I chased rainbows during last evening’s bajarque and phoned one of my grandsons to share the moment.

“Whatever,” he shrugged. I got my snacks! ❤️😂

The reason I ‘chase’ them is that they move with the shifting rain and sunlight. 

Darn power lines. 

Whatever it takes to capture this most elusive of Nature’s miracles..

I know I’ve found my pot of gold here. 🥰

Thank goodness my little bario is nestled between mountains and has a circular drive around it. I can chase to my heart’s content! 

 

This? Well, when you have homemade chocolate chip cookies just sitting around and a kind neighbor who brings you ice cream, well there’s not much else you can do. 

Extra calories? 

WHATever….

Here is your moment of zen…

And she hung around for me this morning. 😀❤️❤️

I know I play this song every couple of months but it just so resonates with all I feel about this life, this earth, this wonder we know as existence…

Did Somebody Say Cake? #SoCS #JusJoJan #Thursdaydoors

 Lord knows I love cake! Especially chocolate….🥰🥰

But…I digress. What were we talking about? Oh yes. Today’s prompt. First, my sincere apologies to my good friend Dan over at No Facilities for missing #Thursday Doors this week. I have doors but ran out of hours in my days. Visit the link to his place to see the submissions for this week. 

Since today is Saturday, that means it is time for Linda Hill’s #SoCs/#JusJoJan combined prompt. Today, the prompt is ‘icing on the cake’. Visit Linda’s blog to read some great posts and meet other terrific bloggers. 

I have been working on my novel, as if going on ten years isn’t enough, and making great progress. Yesterday was an all day event. 

So, today, I took a mind break and joined a new friend on a mountain hike. I love hiking and have been too busy for any lengthy walks lately. This was supposed to be a minimally difficult hike, not too far away or too far up. I kept in touch with the hubby while walking and when I texted that the trail was looking a bit hairier than we thought, as well as steeper than we might have wanted, he looked it up. 

The trail has a rise of 322 meters, or 1000 feet. It must be stated here that I live in the mountains these days and walk the sloping roads. But climbing them like a goat is not in my daily routine. 

I was determined though and, with some encouragement from my walking buddy as well as the man who joined us part way up, I stuck with it. There were only a few places I felt truly apprehensive about, mostly due to the fact I don’t have hiking boots yet and I had a wicked experience here a year ago trying to take a shortcut to town. The trails look innocuous in photos and often just viewing them. But, one little divot filled with loose rock and dirt at the wrong incline and you are on your as#!. Some of these trails have steep to sheer drops on one side. 

See? Looks innocent right? Slippy slidee if you don’t step right.

My ‘goat’ buddies

This was my end place. That indented grass was part of the trail. 

This hike was so great though and just the treat I needed. 

And this….

Was the icing on the cake.

Do I look happy.. or what? 

Cool breezes

Bamboo. Not just for cooking utensils..

Every tiny thing…

These two were the sprinkles on that cake! 😉

Oh this?  My friend climbed up the back of that rock face for the 360 view. 

I admit it is gorgeous. Just not ‘risk breaking my neck’ gorgeous. At least not today. 👍🏻

Thanks for the walk, Doug! 

This one’s for you Dan! I’m late but it was such a cool abandoned house and of course it had a door! 😉

And the Winner Is…#JusJoJan

 Okay,

When I saw the word for today’s #JusJoJan prompt by our host Linda Hill, I thought I knew just what to do. It involved a non verbal mini rant about my opinion of certain officials in certain high offices who certainly fall under the category of ridiculous. Then I took a long walk in the gorgeous early morning light and changed my mind, intending to share this image and a remark about the ridiculously perfect weather here.

But, then, something popped into my head that really sealed the deal for me. Our boys grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and we watched a lot of tv with them. There were some classic, never to be matched sitcoms that when viewed today don’t hold the same magic as they did back when. They nonetheless remain in my book of top funniest duos. So, without further ado, I give you…

Balki from Mypos. Don’t beeee…ridiculous! 

Okay, okay, I have to pay homage to my all time favorite film series here, as well as honor the memory of the late Alan Rickman. Only he could wear a dress with such Shakespearean style. ❤️

Today’s prompt was provided by Lauren Try stopping by her blog to say hi and visit Lind at the link in the first paragraph to find the rules to this and other great prompts as well as meeting some pretty terrific bloggers. 

This is Thanksgiving #1LinerWednesday #9GoodThings

 In spite of all the hype, the unquestionable historical inaccuracies and blatant commercialism, I have found true celebration in honest Thanksgiving. 

In a morning hike

The air, the view, the invigoration of an uphill climb

Then rest and cool breezes are Nature’s gentle reward for a job well done

A friend to share it with

An unexpected rainbow hiding in the shadows..

No matter how often I see it, this view takes my breath away

A celebratory Pina Colada after my cornbread for tomorrow is baked

(I even toasted coconut for garnish 🤭)

Yeah, fresh pineapple and coconut milk too. 😋

A sweet phone chat with my youngest about making dressing. We used to cook together a lot! 

Always looking down I find so much art in Nature. 

May all your days be celebrations of thanksgiving. 

This post is part of Linda Hill’s 1LinerWednesday prompt along with #9GoodThings for my gratitude month. Visit her blog to meet other bloggers and check out the rules for this prompt. 

So Many Good Things! #9GoodThings

 

I’ve been bad. But only because it’s been so good. I didn’t post yesterday, but not because I had no good things. In fact, there were so many good things in one place that we were ready for a nap when we got home. 

We were invited to go up to another gorgeous spot near Boquete with amazing views and the most lovely restaurant/hotel. This time, our dear friend Julie took us with her to Hacienda Los Molinos, about 15 miles outside of Boquete. To say that this country club area is amazing would be an understatement. Someone found the perfect spot to build the community. Standing on the lawn of the clubhouse you get a 360 view of the mountains and canyons of the area as well as two waterfalls. There is even a hike you can take down to the waterfall. No, we didn’t do it on this trip but I definitely want to go back-and hike I will! 

If you click on the link you will see a video of the hotel and the breathtaking nature there. Meanwhile, you know I took photos. I’ll try to keep it to nine. Honestly up there I lost track of how many wonderful things there were.

But the very first good thing happened before we left the house. A video call from my little monkey back in the states. That boy sure makes me smile. 

 

Hey Bug! 

The most visible of the waterfalls

The clubhouse at Los Molinos

A panorama shot of the canyon

The pool… so natural. No hubby and I didn’t swim.

We want to go back and spend a night. 

The pool area includes an outdoor covered dining area, lounging tables near the pool and another bar which was closed.

View beyond the dining room

My very yummy Complete Bourbon Experience. Wake up, John Howell! Although not made with Woodford Reserve it was a unique smoky delight.. with real smoke uncorked at the table. 

A tasty chicken wrap for me, the Canyon Burger for him

I love waterfalls. 

But the best good thing? You’re lookin at it. Another day together. Thanks Julie! 

Let’s hear about your good things. 😀