January 24, 2015

The rain and the sun have conspired to motivate the garden. 

One of the nicest irises I have seen

Black pepper and cloves from the garden drying in the sun

There were about C$10,000 worth of cloves drying in the sun on the veranda at Thalathuoya the other day.  The smell was sweet and lovely not like when they are dried in a dryer when the smell is harsh and makes you feel like you are drugged.

The cat is getting more and more settled.  This morning I found her sleeping on the cushions on the veranda.  She must have jumped off the roof to get in.  Here she is sleeping beside me as I eat my lunch.  She just has to be close.

January 23, 2015

So I have relented and decided that the neighbourhood cat, who I have named Patches, will be my feline friend.  She started coming when I first came to this house, but started misbehaving when I brought Fernando in.  She was peeing and pooping around the doors and even in the house if she got in.  Since Fernando has died, I have resisted befriending her as I thought that I would be getting another cat.  But about a week ago, she was plaintively crying outside my door so I let her in and fed her.  She has not misbehaved since.  She is very affectionate and quite cute.  Here she is:

All the cats live Tina Tranchila.  Patches will often lift one of Tina's legs and cradle it like a pillow.

Her morning routine.  I keep her outside at night.  In the morning I let her in and right away she has breakfast.  She is quite fat as a number of people feed her.

After she finished breakfast, she meows asking where I am.  Usually I am in my office checking e-mails and Facebook.  She comes in and sits on the rug, cleans herself and then goes to sleep.

She does not want to be held, but wants to be close.

I keep trying to pick her up and cuddle her, but she doesn't like it.  She wants to be patted a lot and even came and slept in my lap in the hammock one day.  I think she will make the perfect pet as she actually has another home and a number of people in the neighbourhood feed her.  So when I go away, I don't have to worry about her and when I am here, she is good company.

Went to my first yoga class in about 7 years.  I surprised myself with the amount I could do.  I have some way to go with my knees being a bit stiff, but overall it was a good start.  We are doing it outside at my friend Clare's.  She lives high on top of one of Kandy's many hills with a spectacular view and the most delicious breeze.  Plus, I walk part way to her place, so I get some exercise there as well.  I get a lift for the last bit as it is like climbing a mountain.

The farm is back in full operation now the rain has stopped.  Got some lovely arugula and the flowers of a green leaf plant that is used as a stewed green.  The flowers are especially tasty when prepared right.  Had the most delicious supper of arugula, pomegranate, blue cheese and walnut salad the other night.  Yummy.

Went with my friend Ava to the Earl's Regency (one of the big hotels) for breakfast yesterday.  Great breakfast with the highlight being the croissants.  Ava gets the croissants on order, so I have tagged myself on to her croissant tails.  What a treat it will be to have croissant with my espresso.

Speaking of espresso, I have a line on a full service espresso machine that a friend is going to give me for nothing.  Can hardly wait.  Shades of Kathy McLane who gave me my fabulous Canadian espresso machine.

Finally got out to Thalathuoya to retrieve my things from there.  So we have had our first Sadhu in the new house.

Got the aquarium on the veranda filled up with stones and sand in anticipation of germinating and planting some maryjane seeds.  Patches thought that it was a huge litter box and promptly used it as such.  Thankfully only pee, so I cleaned it up and covered it until I can get some soil and get the seeds germinated.  Will also plant some marigolds around the pot plants to hide the smell, keep mosquitoes away, and honour the Buddha all at the same time.  Very multi-purpose.

January 18, 2015

The weather has turned lovely again.  Sunny but not oppressive and still cool at night.  That means that the plants are able to recover.  Vegetables have become very expensive since everything that was outside during the heavy rains was destroyed.  Even the farm I go to has been devastated.  They have had to replant so many things.  Luckily, they have some green houses so those things inside have been saved and even some outside plants survived.

In my garden I have some lovely plants, but the queen is this plant:

I have no idea what it is called, but it has the most lovely clusters of white flowers.  The honey birds love it.

Off for Thai food at the Chinese bordello hotel tonight.  Will have to wear a bag over my head to get to the restaurant, but then all will be good.

Tomorrow is film club.  My turn to air the film.  Doing 12 Angry Men.  Great time to discuss due process of law when we badly need the restoration of the rule of law and an independent judiciary in Sri Lanka.

January 9, 2015

It is a great day for Sri Lanka.  Yesterday, there was a peaceful presidential election which saw the ousting of one of the world's most corrupt politicians.  For the first time in a very long time, Sri Lankans have been allowed to democratically pick their leader.

Thanks to a brave and honourable elections commissioner who stood for right in the face of death threats, there was a peaceful election with a very high voter turn out.  Although the new president won by a tight margin, we can all be confident that he did so legitimately.  The outgoing president ended his term in an uncharacteristically honourable way, departing Temple Trees, the official residence of the Sri Lankan President, early this morning with no fuss.  I understand there has even been a transition meeting with the new president.

Now let's see.  The new regime is inheriting a huge mess:  a country still suffering the after effects of a 35 year war, a bankrupt economy, a country unable to feed itself without imports, a compromised judiciary, a deeply corrupt bureaucracy, a bloated military, an executive branch in thrall to China.  Let's hope they start doing something today to set things right.

Those of us who are committed to democracy and to Sri Lanka are jubilant.

Congratulations President Maithripala Sirisena

January 2, 2015

Second day of 2015 and already things are looking good.  Not one for making new year resolutions, I decided I should start the year as I meant to continue, so yesterday I did some exercise apart from my usual cleaning regimen.  Exercise bike, ab work on my resistance ball, and a big swim.  It felt good, especially the swim.  Was rewarded on the bike with a brahminy kite and a parakeet.  Great way to start the year.

Then it was off to Sonali's for kiribath (coconut milk rice).  This is a ceremonial dish that is made for all special occasions.  If you really want the occasion to be auspicious you are supposed to let the milk boil over into the fire.  I don't think they did that, but it was very good served with fish curry, seeni sabol (spicy onion chutney), cashew curry (one of my favourites) and banana to finish.

The Christmas decorations came down yesterday as is my wont.  I have to agree with my friend Clare Booker that it would be nice to have both a tree trimming and de-trimming party.  But I was on my own.  Now on the third straight day without rain, I even got a little sweaty.  Part of the reason the swim felt so good, I expect.

Hard to believe that this my 3rd new year in Sri Lanka.  Time really flies. 

We are less than a week away from the election.  Things are heating up with huge rallies particularly from the President's side.  People are really complaining.  They are spending millions on the posters, cut outs, rallies, etc. yet there is no emergency relief for all the people displaced from the flooding and land slides.  The opposition would do well to divert some of their campaign funds to emergency relief.  That will get some well earned votes.  Oh well, no-one is asking me.