Friday, January 10, 2025

A Short Story- The Seduction by A Guest Blogger

Chapter 1: How We Become Friends

This short story was written by a good friend, a former resident of the Philippines. She immigrated to the US with her family when she was only 10 years old.  She finished her Ph.D in Nursing and married an accomplished scientist also of Filipino ancestry.  Her story may be rated as R, because there are some words, events and the story line may offend someone. But the story is well written and touches my heart and I love sharing it with you.    

"We had been friends for such a long time, so comfortable with each other company that we really don't have to entertain each other with witty conversation and political discussions.  All we know is that we are good friends, and although we do not get together more often than we should, when visiting time comes, we could always pick up where we left our relationship and conversation.  

Our beautiful friendship started when we both joined the Newcomer's Club. Having arrived in this small town, we joined the Newcomers Club and the local country club to seek new friends and meet people with same interest and educational status as my husband and I.  Both our families came to town at the same month.  All four of us, play bridge.  I am not that good in bridge compared to my husband,  but good enough to argue with each other when the bidding goes wrong. 

Nars and Anna Stewart came to town right after he finished residency in Surgery.  He was the quiet shy type, but very straight forward. Anna was the aggressive type, and yet she claimed to have trouble developing lasting friendship. 

Our beautiful friendship with Nars and Anna started at a cocktail party, when Anna was talking to my husband and said " You seems to be a nice couple and my husband likes you and your wife.  We like to get to know you and become friends".  That was, to my shy husband a very, very highly given compliment.  My husband evokes a personality of self- assurance in public.  He impresses you as a good conversationalist, sociable and out-going but in reality, he is none of these.  

He claims ( in private) that he just brings himself ( acting) to a crowd, so he does not appear anti-social.  I assure you, my husband does  a very convincing job as a very sociable individual.  In reality he hates the crowd and rather be alone and read. 

I am the one who is supposed to be the sociable type,  having been used to hub-nobbing with high society and belonging to the " creme-de la creme" of our small town in the Philippines.  But next to my husband, I appear to be just doing a mediocre job of socializing.  This is because I hate standing up on my high-heel shoes/feet for 2 to 3 hours in a cocktail party. If I could socialized sitting down, I could do a better job.

I used to be able to shift from one foot to another into another without ruining my posture and still appear in a provocative position.  But with twenty pounds more to carry, after having four children, I appear so grotesque.

My specialty in entertainment is a formal intimate dinner for six or eight. I tend to shine and glow with the candlelight that shines in the dinner table. 

Chapter 2: We Become Closer- Skinny Dipping

Anna and I became friends faster than our husband. We went to the same Coffee Klutches. We played bridge in the same group. We attended Fashion Shows at the Country Club every first Friday of the Month.  We had dinner at each other house, went to the country club on Saturday Nights. We became closed friends, called each other what is for dinner, share a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and swam in their swimming pool almost every week. 

As the years past by, we watched Nars invest in every kind of business conceivable. It seems that everything he touches turned into gold. He surely has the Midas touch. In five years, we have watched him became a self-made millionaire.  In that span of time, the Stewarts moved from an apartment, to a middle-class neighborhood and finally to a million dollar home complete with  a tennis court, a swimming pool and a Spa and a Sauna. 

With the enclosed swimming pool, skinny dipping became fashionable.  We have been doing skinny dipping in our own pool, although it was outdoors. Our house is located outside town in a 3-are lot. I skinny dip even at the middle of the day.  I stopped skinny dipping in broad daylight when a friend dropped by without calling and caught me in the pool. She refused to give me a towel. So, my husband and I confined our skinny dipping into our nightly swim, when the kids are all tucked in bed. 

There was nothing extra ordinary about the four of us going bare bottoms. We know each other very well and none of the neighbors could see us anyway. It was a natural thing to do. We did not really have sexual attraction for each other for fear that we would be thrown into a partner swapping deal. We just like each other company, naked or otherwise.           

Chapter 3:  Nars and Anna

I know that Nars is a very prim and proper person.  He appears to even be the type where sex is either take it or leave it.  In fact, we sense that Anna just wasn't getting enough from him. To me when we are in a mix group, Nars appear to be very protective. We belong to a Gourmet Group of six couples. When jokes are dished out, green and sex jokes, I do not understand, Nars was patient enough to explain it to me. He had always think of me as Mrs. Prim and Proper, not capable of saying dirty words and uttering sex jokes. Nars was surprised one day, when I contributed a dirty joke that I repeated from others. Nars know that I am sexually adjusted and satisfied with my husband, Derek.     

Our friendship with Nars and Anna continued even after we had move out of town. My husband Derek, found a new job and we relocated in another town. We still visited each other and at weekend we went night clubbing together.  Later on, I heard news that Anna had been slumming for a young boy friend. Our sense that she was not sexually happy was correct and that their love for each other is not exactly the same as that of Derek and me.

Anna started having imaginary ailments. Most of the time, it was  a migraine headache. There was tension and just plain dissatisfaction of just being a plain housewife. She misses the daily challenge in the Operating Room as a practicing Nurse prior to her marriage to Nars. 

She informed me that Nars is just not the loving demonstrative type of person. She envies me, because my poor ( not a millionaire) husband would bring me flowers for no reason at all. The flowers may have been from somebody else garden, the florist shop or sometimes snatch from the Company's rose garden. Derek buy me gifts for my birthday, anniversaries, or Mother's Day. On the other hand. Nars does not do such things. He gave Anna a substantial allowance and she buys anything she wants or desire.

Chapter 4:      The Seduction

One weekend when we were visiting, Anna's tension headache was so severe, she was developing a stiff neck. I offered to massage her, give her a couple of rubdown that Anna enjoyed very much. While I am doing this our husbands were in the Sauna. Nars requested Derek to massage his neck too. My husband was not good it and told Nars to come to me and ask for a massage. 

Call it stupidity and my defense is innocence. I said yes and gave Nars a good massage. "sunny side up". meaning on the nude. At this time, I had still had my Bikini on. Nars was nude and his huge penis was starting to get an erection. I calculated it was about 10 inches long. I did not realize that a good massage was an excellent sexual stimulation for Nars. I was not sexually arouse during the massage even after seeing his huge erection. 

After the massage, Nars was so please and grateful, he started kissing me and telling how good he is feeling. He started touching me all over my body and it felt good.  I did not even think there was any harm in responding to his kisses. I really did not know that he was sexually aroused until he started  kissing me all over my body and touching me all over.  I did not even object when he started unfastening my bikini top and pulling the butttons off me. I responded to his kisses passionately. I became little frightened when he pushed me to the rug and at the same time touching my vagina. 

Then I started  to say stop it. My moral upbringing reminded me I just could not make love to anybody else except my husband. And that I could not do such a thing to my best friend, Anna. All the time, my whole body was fired up to the point of explosion. And when I said " God Nars, please No grudgingly,  he let me go.  I told him I am not ready to have an affair and if I do in the future, I would like it to be you.  I was able to bow down gracefully from a difficult situation without losing my face or him having to lost face either. 

For me it was a beautiful performance, that I bowed down gracefully. What I did not know was how extensive my emotional passion was. I did not know how much I really wanted him to go on and make love to me. My moral conscience told me to stop because it is the proper thing to do.  This incident was very typical of me. I handle emergencies,  any emergency very effectively, with a cool and detached way without a lot of emotion. And when things are back to normal, that is when I break down. 

After the incident, I really broke down, wanted to be desired. Nars made me feel desirable to other men besides my husband. The incident left me so shaken, and yet I had to go out to the swimming pool and act as if nothing happened. 

That night I could really not sleep. I could not tell Derek what has transpired and to what extent I was emotionally aroused. When Derek wanted to make love with me that night, I could not respond. I could not bring myself to make love to him. It was useless, all I could think is, "My God, I wanted Nars", I wanted him not my husband. I did not love him, and neither did he of me. I suppose I wander, how it will feel to have another man. I was longing for Nars touches and passionate kisses.     

The following morning, he took me for a ride in his sports car convertible, as if nothing had happened.  Driving at a hundred miles per hour, we talked about what had transpired the night before.  I told him about my feeling for him, but still I could not bring myself to do anything about it, because he was Derek's friend and Anna is my best friend. 

He told me that it just as well that did not happened, because we might not be able to handle the consequences. For once you start an affair, you just can't back out of it and he did not like to ruin two families. He confess he has never had an affair and neither have I. We were both in agreement that an affair will not be enough for us. We told each other, that if we are ready to have an affair with anybody, it will be with each other. 

I was not ready for the emotional impact of our last night short encounter. Never in my mind and my prudish upbringing, thought I could be capable of wanting anybody besides my husband. I am emotionally and sexually satisfied with Derek. My husband is a good lover. He brings fireworks in all our lovemaking. We do it three times a week. Each encounter is always a trip to the moon and back. 

Now, I feel my life is tainted. I make love to Derek and our lovemaking is good, but afterwards, I would go back to thinking how it would have been making love to another man.  Nars, what have you done to me. Why are you making me unhappy? I want you! I want to know how it feel to make love to you.  I dream of you but I do not love you. Are you worth all these unhappiness? Are you a good lover?

You might not even be worth it! Worth what? Worth Committing adultery?  I do not want to commit adultery but I want you so badly. I can make love to you, the way nobody has ever done.  I will make you so happy, that you will be willing to offer the whole world to me. 

On second thoughts, I do not want the whole world. I don't even want your life. I do not want to be your wife. With all your money and millions, I do not want your kind of life. My life with Derek and family is so secure and full of contentment.  I would not exchange my life for all the millions you have.  I don't love you, but honestly I swear to God, I want you Badly( Thinking of his 11'' of Erection).

What kind of an emotional upheaval is this? Is it really possible to be able to want two people at one time? Why do I want him and at the same time I want my husband too. Is there such a thing as being able to share yourself with two people?  I thought love was a total commitment between two people. 

I love my husband. I want him and would live with him for the rest of my life. Derek is my everything, But why do I want you? What magic do you have? Or is it just fantasies all these feelings for You?

Every woman fantasies about the Knight in Shining Armor, coming or riding towards her, sweeping her into his horse and carry her into the sunset.  I guess in my mind you are my fantasy. I know that my moral upbringing would not allow me to be with you. From now on, you are a sadness in my heart and my deep wanting for you will be just my fantasy. 

Fantasies are safe. It is a healthy outlet and help you live the things in life that you know you want but never could attain. Someway or another some of the things you want are really not possible. Fantasies are the Spice of Life as well as Variety.  I deeply wish my fantasy of my Knight in Shining Armor will happen and come to reality.  But I know that deep inside my soul and prudish upbringing, my fantasy will never be attained, and eventually forgotten ".   

Epiloque: At Amanda's and Derek 60th Wedding Anniversary, Amanda give this short story to Derek. Derek was not upset and give a smile of approval.  Derek told Amanda also a short story of his one time sexual encounter with Nars. That day when Amanda was giving Anna a message, Nars and Derek were in the Sauna. They were both naked and had a mutual masturbation episode in the Sauna. It was a one-time episode, but Nars and Derek informed each other that when they were teenagers they had mutual masturbation session with others a number of times.            

  By  Guest Blogger: Amanda Belleza Sarmiento     




     

 

Paintings on the First and Second Floor Hallways of the Heritage Building (THD)

In my previous posting, I have several comments on my postings on the paintings decorating the hallways on the three floors of the Fairmont Building ( THD). One of the comments, I received that the paintings in the Fairmont Building is inferior than the ones decorating the hallways of the Heritage Building. I was curious if this comment is true, so I took sometime to take photos of some of the Paintings in all the four floors of the Heritage Building- The oldest of the 4 buildings in this compound (THD). Here are the photos on the first and second Floor of the Heritage Building.



 











Here are the paintings, I took on the Second Floor of the Heritage Building








My next blog will be the Paintings on the third and 4th Floor of the Heritage Building



So, if you have seen the paintings in the Fairmont Building, Do you agree that the paintings above are more superior than the paintings in the Fairmont Building?  Do you have any favorites? Let me hear from you!


Thursday, January 9, 2025

Photos of the Katague Grand Children Vacation in Marinduque

Getting Ready for a Round Trip Tour of the Island Via The Jeepney. The Jeepney  is a type of public utility vehicle (PUV) that serves as the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines.

In my previous postings, Marina sent me photos from their recent vacation in Manila and surrounding Suburbs.  They stayed in the big city for 3 days and went to Marinduque- the location of Chateau Du Mer- my former retirement home and beach house in the Philippines.  Alix was with her husband Brendan. Marina was with her partner Wyatt. Philip went along with them. They send photos of the Beach house, and the tourist spots they have visited in the small island of Marinduque. Marinduque is often called the Heart of the Philippines and the Lenten Capital of the Southern Tagalog Region  because of it annual celebration of the Moriones Festival during Easter Week. Here are some of the photos of their trip.   

















    Mt Malinding and White Beach, Torrijos, Marinduque ( below is my own photo)


For comparative purposes, the following are photos of Chateau Du Mer in the Years of its Grandeur. I encourage you to open it and ponder at the dramatic difference when a place is maintained as a residence and business compared to when it is vacant with no daily personal care and maintenance. 
 

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Responses for My Updating My Distribution List for 2025

The other day I sent the following E-mail to about 100 names in my Distribution List. Half of the list are my co-residents here at THD. I believe about 10% in my list are not reading my blogs regularly. I would like to delete their names to declutter.  

" I am cleaning clutter of my E-mail and Distribution List. If you are reading this E-mail, I would appreciate if you tell me you want continue reading my blogs for 2025. Otherwise if I do not hear from you in the next couple of days, I may remove your name in my DL list for my blogs. If You are one of my loyal reader, my million thanks and again my wish for a Prosperous and Productive 2025". 

So far, I received a confirmation for Continuation from around 50 readersone to Discontinue and some with comments (18) that I am reposting. It will be anonymous for privacy reasons. 

1. l look forward to your blogs, David.  I find them very informative and insightful especially about things happening at THD.  And your years of experience about life in general and the way you present them in your special personal way.

2. I am a loyal reader. I found your blogs informative.

3. Keep my name on your list.  Look forward to reading your daily blogs.

4. David, I want to continue reading your blogs, not just for enlightenment, but to watch for what others say about THD! LOL, ♥️  

5. Thanks for your daily blogs -- your windows into our world!  Keep it coming!  

6. Please keep my name on your send list, David…I do enjoy reading your daily blogs.
Thanks so much.  Happy and healthy new year to you and yours!

7. Please keep sending.  I enjoy your blogs

8. Please keep me in your list. I believe your blogs enhances our sense of community and belonging here at THD.  

9. Do not remove my name on your DL list.  I found your blog informative and at times inspiring.  

10. I learned a lot about the Philippines from your blogs. Keep me on the List. I wish I had travel to the Philippines during my younger years.

11. I enjoyed the Meal time conversation segment in your blogs. Keep me on your list.  

12. Keep me on the list. I enjoy reading your articles on Senior Citizen issues  

13. Keep me Informed.  Thanks, as always, David, for enriching our understanding of our complex home, the planet earth. 

14. Do not removed me, David, your blogs open another window into our world, here at THD. 

15. Keep me in the list. Your blog  photos just keep enriching our worlds.. thanks, David!

16. I read your blogs every other day. I enjoyed them, but has no time to make comments. 

 17. Yes!! I’m in.. I read your blogs each day but rarely respond as I think my responses don’t “go through.  I’m currently absorbing the wonderful “80’s… wow!!

18. Hi Dave, Just to let you know that l enjoy reading your blogs - very informative as you touch a variety of topics to write about. Take care.

The rest of the responses were: Keep me on your list!  Again to my loyal readers and to those who responded quickly, my million Thanks, Muchas Gracias, Danke, Merci, Mahalo  and  Maraming Salamat.   

Lastly, here are 2 more buds of my amaryllis Plant. Looking forward for the full blooms.  


and Batman and Robin enjoying the Patio today.


Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Eight Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp- Senior Moments

Last December,  I mentioned that I did not pay my rent on the first day of the month- I have paying my monthly rent for the last 18 months always on the first or second day of the month.

Last December 6, a THD Concierge personnel politely reminded me that I have not yet paid my rent.  I was a little bit surprise, because, I thought I have already paid it.   But I realized after thinking a little bit, that I had really not paid it. I was a little bit embarrassed and concerned that I must be losing my marbles slowly, thus this posting from henryford.com blog.  

"Everyone has the occasional “senior moment.” Maybe you wander to the kitchen and can’t remember why, or you misplace your keys. But while these mental hiccups may be bothersome, they usually don’t drive you to visit the doctor.

“Most people focus on physical problems—high blood pressure, pain, disability,” says Rumana Yunus, M.D., primary care physician at Henry Ford Health. “But if your mental health isn’t functioning optimally, your physical health will suffer as well.”

The good news: Studies show you can bolster your brain’s reserves and reduce your risk of losing your mind by adopting some basic health habits. Already in your golden years? Don’t fret. Research also shows the brain continues forming new connections throughout our lifespans. And you can help it along with these 8 brain-boosting strategies from Dr. Yunus:

1. Learn a foreign language. Learning a second (or a third) language challenges the brain in new ways and may even delay the onset of dementia, according to recent research. Say you learn the word for mother in Spanish is “madre.” Initially, you may have to concentrate to remember that word, but if you practice, over time, it becomes part of your vocabulary. That easy recall proves your brain has laid down a new pathway.

Quick tip: Pick one night a week to speak in another language (however poorly), or stay silent and communicate with sign language.

2. Try a new activity. Engaging in mentally challenging activities helps build a reserve of brainpower you can draw on for years. The key, of course, is choosing unfamiliar activities that you enjoy. Play chess, take up gardening or learn to play a musical instrument. It doesn’t matter what you choose, provided the activity is new to you.

Quick tip: If you’re a whiz at crossword puzzles, do a word search activity instead. Comfortable with writing exercises? Try your hand at drawing or painting.

3. Eat brain-boosting foods. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in saturated fat and sugar, can help protect brain networks. In fact, studies consistently show that eating a mix of nourishing foods—fruits, vegetables, nuts, fatty fish, and yes, even a daily glass of wine—sharpens your mind, builds new brain cells and fights off mental decline.

Quick tip: Keep a stash of trail mix in your pocketbook or glove box. The brain needs consistent fuel (at least every 3 to 5 hours) to function well.

4. Exercise. Research consistently links physical exercise with brain benefits, particularly in the regions responsible for learning and memory. But don’t worry. You don’t have to spend 90 minutes in the gym to experience exercise’s mind-boosting effects. Even moderate exercise (say jogging, cycling or even walking) for about 30 minutes daily can get the blood flowing to your head.

Quick Tip: Preliminary research suggests the perks of physical activity are more pronounced when combined with a mental challenge. So things like taking a dance class, learning martial arts or practicing yoga may be especially beneficial.

5. Get some sleep. Getting sufficient sleep is one of the best things you can do for your brain. While researchers aren’t entirely clear what happens in the mind when you’re snoozing, they do know that sleep is critical for the body and mind to function at their prime. Sleep not only reenergizes the body’s cells and clears out waste products from the brain, it also promotes learning and memory.

Quick tip: Strive to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Can’t manage to sleep that many hours in one stretch? Consider a daytime power nap.

6. Stay on top of your health conditions. Just as your mind can help protect your body, keeping your body humming can protect your mind. Health conditions ranging from diabetes and high blood pressure to depression and hypothyroidismcan impact how well your brain functions.

Quick tip: Protect your memory by following your doctor’s advice carefully, taking medications appropriately and reporting any changes in how your brain is functioning.

7. Meditate. The brain needs time to restore itself and reflect. In fact, research links “thinking about not thinking” to a host of physical and mental health benefits. And emerging research suggests meditating regularly may even enhance your memory.

Quick tip: Take 10 to 15 minutes each day to quiet your mind and focus on only one thing: your breathing. Not only will you give your brain an opportunity to recharge, but the focused breaths will promote blood flow to it, too.

8. Connect. Maintaining close relationships requires a certain level of brainpower. Not only do you have to think fast to engage in conversation, but resolving conflicts and debating current affairs flexes mental muscles as well. So it’s no wonder studies suggest that socially active seniors are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than their wallflower counterparts.

Quick tip: Develop friendships with people of different ages, races and ethnic backgrounds to increase the load on your brain. Processing differences in speech, tone, even the latest cultural lingo can challenge the brain to build new connections.

Above all, says Yunus, “The easiest way to keep your mind sharp as you age is to develop a meaningful life. The combination of a healthy lifestyle, work that motivates you and a sense of purpose goes a long way in terms of safeguarding the brain.”

If you notice a change in your memory, or if you find you’re struggling to think clearly, make an appointment to talk with your primary doctor or a specialist.

Source: https://www.henryford.com/blog/2016/06/8-ways-keep-mind-sharp

Personal Note: I write daily for my blogs and play party Bridge 4-5 days a week to sharpen my memory. I read a little, watch television a little and play with my 2 cats when I am bored. I tried to say hello to everybody and keep a positive attitude and smile as frequently as my mood allows.  I follow most of the rules on aging gracefully. So I hope the episode of my 3-4 days delay paying my rent is just an episode of a  "Senior Moment".     

Meanwhile,  here's a photo of me with my Batman Shirt taken last year.


Personal Note and Lastly, Just bringing a recent meal time conversation about no acknowledgement of THD residents suggestions from THD Management for the improvement of our quality of life and well-being here at THD. I know of a few examples of suggestion that was just totally ignored.
🏖️

Monday, January 6, 2025

My Wandering Jew Plants- Inside and Outside

My Wandering Jew Decorating my Kitchen Sink- and Living Room View. This is one of the easiest plant to grow even if you do not have a GREEN THUMB.


SEVEN THINGS EVERY ONE WITH A WANDERING DUDE (TRADESCANTIA) NEEDS TO KNOW

1. Tradescantia are virtually unkillable. They are the perfect houseplant for forgetful owners.

2. They are easy to propagate and start new plants. They'll send out new roots from any node.

3. In fact, Wandering Dudes can help you root other plants. The juice in the stems are natural rooting hormones so squeeze this juice onto any cuttings you are trying to propagate to stimulate root production.

4. Until recently, the Wandering Dude plant was known as a Wandering Jew. This terms is still often used, but we choose not to.

5. Tradescantia have tiny three-petaled flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and snowy white. The flowers bloom for a day, but when many bloom at once, it creates stunning points of color against the dark emerald leaves. Some varieties bloom more than others.

6. Tradescantia leaves often fade from vivid purple to white when there is too much or too little light.

7. There are over 75 varieties of Tradescantia for growing inside and out.

Outside Patio-Getting the Effect of Winter Weather-Need to be Placed Indoors


The above other three photos are all indoor cuttings that I am rooting and had rooted in just pure water. 


The original cutting was given to me by my
next door neighbor ( SG) about a six months ago.

Meanwhile, I enjoyed the Guided Winter Landscape Painting, last Saturday. Below is my creation with the efficient guide of of Sindu, Professional Art Teacher


Lastly, here is the photo of my
Christmas Berries Decor



and My Amaryllis two buds and one bloom! -A Christmas Gift

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