Saturday, February 28, 2009

Bok Kai, the Water God

No wonder that I've been silent this month. My calendar is filled with February appointments.

I went to the Bok Kai parade this morning. Two hours of observing the participants: Smelly old cars, undiciplined school bands, loads of Ben Ali go-carts. Also wonderful lion dancers and for the first time ever, two dragons. One appeared for the final time and the second had his premiere. It was the 129th year for the parade.
We had intended to go to the renovated Bok Kai temple but were too achy after standing for that length of time. The temperature was in the sixties and sunny, quite nice.
Many people had brought their dogs. However, of all the parades to which to take a dog this is not the one. It is loud, drums and clashing cymbals are many. Firecrackers are lighted by the hundreds, so best plug your ears and give the doggies a break and leave them at home.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Mundane Musings


Seems I've not taken the time to write. The sun's been shining and I've been puttering outside. The spring garden is emerging and I've been weeding, raking, picking up. Rain is forecast, let's hope we get it.
I had Brighton spayed about ten days ago and she's not supposed to be too active. Therefore I've kept her away from the big girls, keeping her company outside and attempting to teach her proper manners.
I checked out eight books at the library and I'm working my way through those. Three light mysteries and five biographies. I'm reading my way through the British monarchs. I've come to the conclusion that in many ways those rulers of three hundred years ago and the current ones are very much alike. It's really pretty sad. Currently I'm consuming a recount of Alexandra, the last Tsarina, who was Queen Victoria's granddaughter. Next I'll digress to Australia's prison colony and read in detail about the boatload of people that almost got away from Botany Bay. They made it to Timor, Indonesia, an incredible journey, only to be recaptured.
(Too many books to read - not enough time!)