Puerto Rico

I posted about the volcano here in Bali because I get emails asking about it and our situation and so forth and so I mention refugees from near the mountain and other details. But it's just news and I'm not really making an appeal for Balinese who aren't in their homes now. The infrastructure here is not so bad and Balanese tend to take care of each other and nothing is devastated now and there are a zillion foreigners who care about Bali, who come here now and then. I'd say that Puerto Rico is in dire need of help right now, not Bali. 

Mt. Agung close to an eruption

Every day we hear an eruption is more likely - from the news and expat sources. Just read this in the Star Online, a Malaysian news service. We're around a lot of locals, more than usual these days because we just moved into a new home and there's a lot of work going on but none of them seem to pay any attention to it. But that's because we're 38 miles from the volcano here. About 150,000 people have left their homes, more than half of them outside the evacuation zone. Katrinka and I decided to be better prepared for possible disruption in services. We've got a water filter and have been storing extra drinking water in containers. Filled a 30 gallon can in the courtyard. Bought two little burners with gas canisters - like you'd take camping, got a bunch of canned and packaged food. All of that is highly unlikely to be necessary but it gives us peace of mind and it's fun. If it does erupt the main danger likely is ash and that means staying inside. Meanwhile there's so much going on at home that we forget what's happening aside from putting stuff here and there, installing fans, and screens doors and so forth. - dc

Kodo Arts in Nevada City

for their yearly sale. Check out their website and say hello to old buddies Jake and Yuko.

Mount Agung Refugees Appeal

As you may have noticed in the news, Agung, Bali's highest mountain, is a volcano which is on the edge of having an eruption and so far about 15,000 people have been evacuated. Katrinka made a contribution instead of a planned outing with friends in the Bali International Women's Association which is keeping an eye on the humanitarian angle. Here's how you too can help. It's run by the East Bali Poverty Project and looks quite legit. That's where the poorest people in Bali live - a lot of them are mainly off the grid. - dc

Bali volcano on highest alert

BBC reports

Mt. Agung is 63 kilometers or 38 miles from our new home. Couple hundred thousand are urged to get further away. - dc

Moving

We're moving out of our apartment of three years today to a home a few kilometers away still in Sanur and a short walk to the beach. Just paid two years rent on it at $375 a month. Pardon the tasteless mention of filthy luchre but it's a big part of why we're here. - dc

Indonesia raises alert level for Bali volcano

Mt. Agung is showing signs of waking up. Agung means highest and that's what it is here. It's a whole 58 kilometers from Sanur where we live. That's 36 miles. Down boy. Back to sleep.

Houston Hurricane victim Dharma Friend needs help

Jamie Avera organized a fundraiser for his relatives who are victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. He's a longtime supporter of Cuke Archives - from the first year - helping with web design, suggestions, and financial contributions which now are monthly. Now he and his loved ones need help. I always prefer to give to individuals with ties rather than institutions. Please send a little something you can afford to help them meet their modest goal. Here's the link to a YouCaring crowdfunding page he set up.
Thanks.- DC

A Favorite Quote from Shakespeare

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, 
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. 

Or "our philosophy" from another version. I see it as all thought and belief. Hamlet speaking. I recall this especially when I hear thinkers or scientiests expressing great and profound things yet revealing limitaions in their views and beliefs. - dc