The Cancer Bell
(Posted on Friday, February 11, 2022)
When the bell rings in celebration because a cancer patient has survived Chemo and will live longer, for most of us the sound brings a smile.
When I see a commercial with the celebratory sound of a bell , or a picture of a friend ringing the bell on Facebook, it brings the memory of Steve’s final conversation with his Oncologist.
We sat in the waiting room, watching a group of people surrounding a bell, appaulding as our doctor observed her patient ring the bell enthusiastically. We both looked at eachother, knowing there would be no bell ringing for us.
The story of my late husband’s cancer journey into the spirit world is in my book.
Jumping Off The Planet: What It’s Like To Live With Buddhist Monks
(Posted on Monday, February 7, 2022)
Confession: I didn’t really live with Buddhist Monks. I spent a weekend in Noble Silence in a Buddhist Monastary in New Jersey.
My experience began “surfing the web” ( if people still use the term). My search was for a Meditation Weekend Retreat. My experience ended with climbing the steps to my bedroom on a Sunday afternoon ( head spinning from events that began on Friday), throwing my luggage on the rug, ripping off my incense smelling clothes, donning comfy pajamas, and rapidly descending the same steps to rush to my kitchen, and brew a fresh cup of coffee.
For the complete story, check out my Facebook page. ( click the little. “f” button on the top right of my website home page.
Lots of interesting pics from my Nepal experience are posted on my Facebook.
Enjoy! Tina
Pictures Of Nepal On Facebook
(Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2022)
Check out my Facebook page for pictures taken when I lived in Kathmandu for three months. The pictures enhance my journal included in my book.
Go to the little “f” ( for facebook) at the top right of the homepage on this website.
My Facebook members are enjoying the pics.
Thanks!
The Perils Of Pet Food In Thailand
(Posted on Monday, January 24, 2022)
Cruising on an authentic ” pirate looking ship”, has the perks of limited passengers and listening to tails of previous voyages told by our captain. A memorable story is one that took place off the coast of Malaysia. As common as we see anchored yachts in the states, anchored bamboo rafts with thatched huts can be seen floating in clusters when we cruised further from the coast. Curious about the floating homes, our Captain was provoked to tell a sad tale.
The rafts are fishing vessels, with the purpose of collecting squid and shrimp in huge nets. The catch is sold to pet company’s in the United Sates ( I suppose around the world), to make canned pet food. Profit is substantial selling to pet food companies, as opposed to restaurants or food suppliers.
We are told a story setting us back to the captains youth, when he worked as an apprentice for a sailing company. Finding himself with an invitation to inspect these bungalows with a coast gaurd patrol ship, he took the opportunity to break away from mundane ship chores.
Approaching one of the floating Bungalows aboard the Coast Gaurd Vessel, the inspectors could see a lot of scurrying around by more than 30 occupants. Presming they were busy collecting their harvest , the coast gaurd crew boarded the ship for routine inspection.
Expecting the possibility of finding contraband drugs, they were shocked to find human slaves. Tied to a pole with a metal collar around their neck, skinny men looked at them astonished in the dark room. The men rescued these slaves, but we were sad to hear this was not uncommon practice in the Malaysian waters.
One passenger noted it is punishable by death to have an illegal firearm in Malaysia. We were curious what the repercussions were for slavery. This could be a ” Tall Tale”, but never the less is a sad story.
Ghosts and Stuff
(Posted on Monday, January 24, 2022)
I love the words “I would love to have you do a reading”. My book describes one of my more detailed readings. The following is just a blurb. What…..haven’t bought my book yet?
Relaxing in a hotel room with one of my daughters ” besties”, she asked me to do a reading. I mentioned bringing my Tarot cards, but missed the opportunity to do a reading due to lost luggage. I regretted not stuffing the cards in my carry on bag.
I quickly cleared the table, sat down already feeling activity. The vision was one of her grandfather, who passed when she was six years old. He wanted to reconnect, having never had the opportunity to be her grandpa since he died when she was a child. The interesting part of this reading, was the spirit had me pick three cards, lay them out….then pick them up and start again because they weren’t ” good enough”. This has never happened in past readings. My client confirmed the request was typical of her grandfather. We also discovered her maternal grandfather ( having passed when she was an adult), was sending an angel frequently to watch over her.
The night before, I walked into the house of newlyweds, and immediately felt activity. To my surprise, they have a ghost cat. ( not uncommon, but usually spirits are human). This is a scruffy little gray cat, that likes to hang out in the livingroom where the fireplace is located. The Bride confirmed she often sees the shadow of a gray cat out of the corner of her eye, sleeping on the couch by the sunny window. The groom had a dream about the same cat I described the night before.
Luckily, was able to retrieve my lost luggage that same night.
I Don’t Like Spiders And Snakes, But Apparently Thai People Do
(Posted on Friday, January 21, 2022)
February, 2018. Patong, Thailand
Sautéed spider, grasshopper and snakes are displayed by street vendors similar to soft pretzels in Philly and Bagels in Manhatten. ( well, I hear they have bagel vendors in Manhatten. I remember vendors selling warm soft pretzels on the streets of Philly as a kid. These may be a thing of the past, but you get my point).
I am eager to taste the fresh fish tossed on the barbecue grills I see lined up along the busy streets. Fresh fish and vegetables piled on crushed ice, just waiting to be tossed on the “barby “, looks sumptuous. Steve refuses to eat food cooked on the street.
I watched a vendor take a whole snapper fish, throw it on the grill, filet it a few minutes later after it was smokey and cooked, then serve head, tails, gills on a paper plate. Not much red meat here. Cows are too skinny. The thick steaks sold in restaurants are imported.
Pigs and chickens are in abundance. No oranges, just tangerines. Lots of pinneapple. Eggs are not refridgerated, and they come in a variety of bright colors when displayed in grocery stores. Pink and yellow.
You know those Styrofoam looking chips you are served in an American Thai restaurant? Not one bag of those chips found anywhere in our travels.
How Many People Does It Take To Fill The Back Of A Pick-Up Truck
(Posted on Friday, January 21, 2022)
Taken from journal entries while on what would be our last cruise together. We spent three days in Thailand before boarding ship in February, 2018. My sister would pass away shortly after we returned home in March , 2018. Steve passed in October, 2018. But wait…you know this because you read the book. Uh….you did read the book, right?
Feb., 2018
Observing the roadways and traffic in Thailand is an experience worth the twenty two hour flight. Thai people have no motor vehicle laws restricting the amount of workers that can be crammed into the back of a pick up truck. I counted twenty workers is the norm. A few more if some don’t bring their shovels and rakes.
Motorcycles and motorcycle accidents are abundant. Parking is difficult, traffic in Patong makes the L.A. freeway in California look like a country road in Nebraska. Hence, the popularity of motorcycles. No walking across the street when the light turns green. More like follow the person’s ankles in front of you, and don’t stop until you have reached your destination.
Thai Language 101
(Posted on Friday, January 21, 2022)
This is an excerpt taken from a journal I wrote during what would be our last cruise together. We toured Thailand, then boarded a tall sailing ship, sailing up and down the coast of Thailand for two weeks. The cruise was in February, 2018. Steve passed that October, 2018.
Feb. 2, 2018
Thai language is a challenge. One word can have four different meanings, depending on the tone of voice used. For example, the word “MA” can be translated as ” Horse”, “town”, “milk” or “many” ( not precise translations).
Our tour guide was encouraging, explaining Tai people are very appreciative of attempts to use the language, adhere to the modest dress code and respect their culture. Another interesting tidbit, females when saying ” thank you” in Thai must end the word with “Khan”. Males, when expressing the same word, must end it with “Kha”. The language is gender specific.
With its complexities ( volume and tone of voice changes the meaning of a word), Thai language is also simplistic. For example, the question : ” where is the toilet? ” in English would be translated as ” toilet”, in Tai. No need for complete sentences.
Love all the smiling faces of the locals. I’m gonna miss Patong.
Tai Massage: Not For Whimps
(Posted on Friday, January 21, 2022)
Hours before we boarded our Tall Sailing Ship, I booked an authentic Thai Massage for me and my husband. ( After all, we were in Thailand). I was surprised the first instructions we were given as a couple was to “strip down to our underwear”. My experience was subtle. I didn’t like my face in a hole . My husband’s experience: Harsh.
I looked up from my hole to see an Asian girl kneeling on my husband’s back. Her elbows were twisting into his shoulder blades. He was sore for a week.
( Taken from a journal entry written on our last cruise together. Jan., 2018. Steve died that October 2018.
