Jaleh's Birthday

David, Gianni, Ela, and I celebrated Jaleh's birthday with dinner at Taj Mahal. Jaleh looked so beautiful and radiant as you can see in her picture. She's looking forward to a great year beginning with a great new job as assistant in an art gallery. She will also be teaching a yoga class in the evenings. Congratulations Jaleh!

Barney

The other day our dog, Barney, was playing with his friends (the neighbor's dogs) out in the yard and was vigorously defending a bone he had found. He latched onto it so tightly that it lodged between the back of his lower front teeth and jaw. David and I both tried to pry it loose but without success. So Barney was taken to our local vet. He had to sedate him and saw the bone off with an electric saw!

I love this video of Sasha quoting Abdu'l-Baha on kindness to animals and thought it appropriate for this blog.

"If an animal be sick, let the children try to heal it, if it be hungry, let them feed it. If thirsty, let them quench its thirst. If weary, let them see that it rests." 'Abdu'l-Bahá

New Neighbors

We've always been very lucky to have great neighbors, and it looks like our new ones will be no exception. This is Chris, Camila and their son Victor, who is four years old. They are from Sweden, but lived in Barcelona for ten years. They will move into the new house at the entrance to our property. Gary, who is our next-door neighbor, invited us to his home this morning for a great brunch and to introduce us to the new family.

"Ropa Americana"

I love going shopping with my friend Sonni. We both love to go to stores called "Ropa Americana". These are stores in the middle of San Jose where one can find REALLY good bargains, similar to the Goodwill in the States. Goodwill, however, is like Saks Fifth Avenue in comparison. These stores are just stuffed full of horrible clothes, but hidden among the junk are shopper's treasures if you have a good eye (which Sonni does).. Within the space of a few minutes, she has a Donna Karan or Ann Taylor in her hands. Today we purchased 4 blouses, 2 slacks
and one jacket all great looking, designer lables for under $20! Then we treated ourselves to lunch at the French "Cafe Christophe". Thanks for a great day, Sonni!

Friends

Some definitions of "friend": "another I", "a second self", "a person with whom I may be sincere", "a person with whom you dare to be yourself", "one who knows your faults and loves you in spite of your virtues". These definitions may be true on one level (the "I" level), but i wonder how many of us think of being connected to our friends before we entered this world at the soul level - the world that is alluded to in the Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh:

"O MY FRIENDS Have ye forgotten that true and radiant morn, when in those hallowed and blessed surroundings ye were all gathered in My presence beneath the shade of the tree of life, which is planted in the all-glorious paradise?......"


My Best Friend

Peacock feathers

I love peacock feathers. They remind me of the mystical, the serenity of Baji and the wonder and awe of God's creative design. The feathers that I have are old, faded and a bit frayed so, I had been thinking of how beautiful new ones would look in the tall blue vase that Jere bought for one of my birthdays. However, finding peacock feathers in Costa Rica is not always easy - in fact I don't think I've every seen them here except at "ZooAve". Colin tried to bring some down, and even hand-carried them on the plane so they wouldn't get crushed, only to have them confiscated at customs upon his arrival. Therefore, one can imagine how surprised and delighted I felt when, returning home one afternoon, I saw a man walking along our dusty rural road with an armload of beautiful peacock feathers. (I mean, what are the chances!) Of course I bought as many as my "peaje" change dish would allow. My peacock feathers have taken on yet another profound meaning - God's infinite care in providing for our every need, even the smallest most whimsical!

Continuity

Watching a community grow up


"I bear witness oh my God that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee..."

Bahá'u'lláh