My COVID Tale

It's been three weeks since  I've been out with friends and coming home barely minutes before curfew starts. And I have no plans if doing the same in the nearest future. 

I had the greatest scare of my life after hearing the news that bff was was scheduled for a swab test. She was closely exposed to a friend who died of Covid on the day that we got together one night for dinner. 

The thoughts of the consequences that my carelessness kept me awake most nights until news of a (-) result came out three days later. Though I did not bother checking my blood pressure, I could tell it was higher than normal. What the survivors say is true. COVID may not kill a person but anxiety will. Sigh... 

In my prayers, I always ask God to spare my life for so many earthly, selfish reasons. But hey, I'm just human. 

My First Bonsai

It's the sixth week of the quarantine. Two of our sewing machines expired from overwork and my craft stash has ran out of white thread. Hmmm, how do I kill time?

Since mother's episode at the hospital three days ago, I looked after her plants, watering them everyday after our afternoon snack.  Her garden is a cornucopia of plant varieties. There is no marked theme. She has cactus, succulents, roses, orchids mounted on palms (only a feet apart from each other), crotons (a number of varieties), sampaguita, rosal, bougainvillea, and scores of other which names escape me all in one row.

An inspiration struck as I spied the unruly growth of bougainvilleas. I watched a couple of videos on how to make a bonsai and started with it yesterday despite being unsure still if I understood the whole process or not.

Looking around the house perimeter, I found everything I needed: plant, pot, wires, pruning shear and pliers. I set to work right after breakfast. Whew, it was more difficult than I thought. I broke a lot of branches while wiring them and couldn't seem to bend them to where I want them to go. So, I called it a day and leave the rest of training in the next days. Hope, my plant survives the abuse.

Bonsai, Take 2

What could  be more urgent than delivering a wired Australian beach cherry at midday on the 29th day of the Community Quarantine?

After being out in the garden all morning on top of sanitizing the living area and the kitchen, the prospects of a lengthy bath was very enticing. It was an idea I did not dare delay once my body temperature has normalized.

Just after dispensing off my soiled work clothes, I heard a car pulled over and it sounded like it was just outside our gate. Thinking that nanay did not hear that, I wrapped a towel around me and tiptoed towards the screen door for a quick peek. I thought it would be the baranggay employees again who realized that we, too, might be eligible for SAP, hahaha! I was at first confused at finding out that it was bessie and it dawned on me that this day might be it, when my Australian Beach Cherry bonsai (in training) would come home. I was right, happy about it but a little put out at the timing. I mean, how difficult was it to key in a message to say that "we're coming".

So, I went back to the bath despite nanay telling me I have visitors and deliberately missed the opportunity to thank my donor personally.

When I was done with my excuse, I promptly went out to see the newcomer. As opposed to our (donor and myself) conversation, the fruit that came with the tree was ripe but was off it. I washed
it thoroughly and bit into it. The seed filled up most of the fruit but whatever little flesh (yellow in color) it has tasted soft and sweet. I ate only half of it and looked for a small pot where I can germinate it in. I would really love to have a fruiting, colorful hedge  in two or three years time. It is going to be a long wait. God, give me the patience to get through it :D

Two Scores and Six

Together with three sisters from different mothers, we planned to spend my birthday in South Korea and watch the cherry tree bloom along the river Han but apparently God has a different plan. Instead, I had the whole day spent at my sister's (all the way next door, hahaha).

It took the whole morning preparing "alupe" (a native dessert made of  steamed shaved tapioca root mixed with brown sugar and coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves). As to the proportion, I have no idea as "papi" (my brother-in-law) took care of it. He left the wrapping with Summer and myself.

The experience of doing things together with the little ones which actually teaches them something practical is a joy. I can feel Summer's sense of pride and accomplishment at doing something for me on my birthday.

Handmade Washable Masks, anyone?

I quit my day job to concentrate on research and writing the paper on it after COVID -19 was declared a pandemic. The timing couldn't be worse as just two days after it, classes and exams were cancelled so I was left with nothing to do. While passing time at the neighbor's watching the news, the fact that stores have already ran out alcohol and face masks (thank you hoarders!!!) stood out. I thought out loud, "Why don't we sew washable masks and sell them?"

Sis took out her sewing machine (and I helped a little in setting it up) and her stash of fabrics from the loft. She took charge of cutting and left me with the sewing. When two prototypes were done, took a photo of them which I sent to our group chat to see if there will be takers. It was no surprise at all that there is definitely a market for it but I wasn't ready for the overwhelming number of orders we received and I doubted if we can finish everything through the night given that I was still on practice mode.

So sew I did until midnight and my right arm felt sore.

I woke up early the next day to make the quota. We made it but it was already 4PM.  Later that night, I received another message. It was from a friend who has a pharmacy and she ordered 50 pieces. This time, we didn't only work until our arms were sore but stopped only when our eyes couldn't be helped from involuntarily closing from drowsiness.

Mind, we are into this not purely on a business sense. Despite our regular sources of income suspended, we still have it better than most and did share whatever little (masks) we have to our dear frontliners: one for the city public information officer, three for the checkpoint volunteer (plus books), three for the ECQ pass holder down at phase 1 and two for my cousin who lives a few blocks away from our house.

Rafflessia speciosa

          Finally, after two attempts, I was able to behold the largest flower in the world (albeit in an unhappy circumstance).

           At about the same time last year, nanay and I took a trip to her hometown to join the annual revelry in honor of the baranggay's patron saint and to attend her elementary school homecoming. Besides the fact that nobody from my kin knows where the jump off point is, the peace situation in the area was not favorable at the time, it being an election year and the military was on red alert. So as not to tempt fate, I conceded and decided that I would go some other time.
          This year, we had no plans of going at all. It is most unfortunate though that nanay's oldest sibling passed suddenly and we felt we should pay our last respect and so we prepared for the trip.
          Mornings are actually slow. Even the member of the family who lives nearby were out and about with their daily routine so I took the chance of asking who wanted to take the hike with me. My invitation was met with a lot of oppositions like Villa Valderrama is in ruins, the slope too steep or the climb would be too arduous for me. Two went with me, a cousin and a niece both my junior.
          Though we've frequented Tigmamale in our toddler years, I haven't been to the town yet. But it wasn't hard to reach. We simply took a trike which deposited us at the Gas station where the skylab and their drivers await for visitors. No haggling transpired. They were quite trusting. They agreed that we pay when they come back for us after the hike. Just like my last hike, we forgot to bring water and food (we only had coffee and bread back at the house) so we had to go back and buy for provisions from the market below.
          To my surprise, the motorcycle ride wasn't as scary as my Bugnay experience. There is a 2-lane concrete road connecting the village to Villa Valderrama. Some parts of it are still under construction but it looks like it's going to be done by the middle of the year. Most of the road is bare and the 9 am sun was unrelenting. It only began to feel cool as we entered the canopy of mahogany trees that signaled we have arrived at the resort.
        
The funny thing is that once we walked our way up to reception, Diotay greeted two of the employees. Imagine that and she had no idea what I was talking about since the last time I mentioned about the hike. Hahaha! 
         Waiting for our guide took only a few minutes, just enough time to answer the call of nature. We were told, the hike would only take 30 minutes. At my pace, we had to multiply it by three. The hike was mostly assault interrupted only by a few meters of flat surface and two stony streams. The trail was slippery from the dried leaves that carpeted it. Falling flat on our fannies was inevitable. It started with Byuti (who had it on a ravine, my heart nearly jumped out of its ribcage), followed by Diotay. I was last, just when the pool where we started the hike is on plain sight already.

       
        I have no idea how far up we went for the water break in the cold spring. Spotted on the area were the wilted remains of the rafflesia. They must have bloomed a week ago. Up ahead was a small area cordoned to signal the presence of buds. So this particular species lives on the alupidan vine (Tetrastigma harmandii).
        It's difficult not to feel disappointed about our timing. I just console myself with the fact that the trek can be replicated in the future and that I was not beset by nasty leg cramps during our 3-hr walk.

Travel Cost:
Bagtason to Valderrama Proper                                    : P100 (trike single trip)
Valderrama Proper (Gas Station) to Villa Valderrama : P50 per head (Skylab aka habalhabal)
Registration Fee                                                            : P20 for locals and P50 for the out-of-towners
Guide                                                                             : P400 (3-hour hike to rafflesia site and back)
Villa Vaderrama to Bagtason (to avoid waiting)           : P100 per head (Skylab aka habalhabal)

Needless Heartache

           I came home a little after noon from my graduate school class last Saturday. After a quick lunch, I took Coco out from her house to play. When I turned her around to rub her tummy, a ghastly gash on her right thigh stared meanly back at me. The area was spotless which only meant, she hurt herself a few hours ago. Panic gripped me as I gathered my stuff to go to the vet.

           The vet was out. The attendants took photos of the injury and sent it to the vet who recommended suture. The problem was, we had to bring Choco to Silay for the procedure. So I have decided to bring her to Hinagaran as we have more options when it comes to transportation.

           Since Choco is turning 9 this year, the doctor wanted to make sure that she's up, physically, for the anesthetic and other medicines before the operation. I gave my consent before leaving the hospital with a heavy heart.

           We got Choco from this clinic but has ceased taking the trip for consultations around five years ago when AlphaVet started to operate. It was both a happy and sad reunion. The good doctor never failed to impress me with her customer service skills. She still remember Shifu and Sis by name. She commended me about my being a good fur mom.

           The weekend passed in slow motion but when the doctor said they will close early yesterday, my time seemed to run out on me and again I started to panic. This time, my discomfort was more on additional expense should Choco stay another night at the hospital. I felt my blood pressure shoot especially when it took forever to transact for transport.

           I wonder who was happier, Choco or myself as we had our going -away photo taken by the medical technologist.

           The ride home was uncomfortable (which reminds me to bring some rubber matting in two weeks for check up). Often our eyes would meet and seemingly reassure each other that all is well.

           Like Max in the secret life of pets, Choco was a bit disoriented with the cone collar that she was fitted with. It made eating and moving around quite difficult. Meantime, she got settled at the kitchen while we read her lab results. The figures were indeed comforting. It did make me feel accomplished. Then we examined the medicines: antibiotic, ferrous sulfate, vitamin C, dextrose and topical disinfectants (spray and ointment).