Ken Newton

I Knew Coffee Was Good for You… February 5, 2009

Just finished reading an article in the Noticias Bajareque titled “Is Coffee Good for Me?”. Well, it seems studies favor my not having problems with most diseases for the rest of my life. And even more encouraging is that the reduction in risk bears relationship to the number of cups per day, 6 being a recommended number. The coffee in Panama has to be the best in the world, which makes taking my medicine all that much easier!

I have been off the blog radar for several weeks. When we went to the US and Canada to be with family over Christmas, extending into January, I let the writing slip. Probably not that bad a choice, as I would have tended to the negative. Being with family and friends was great, but coming back into contact with the NA culture didn’t do much for me. But , Lynda and I are back in Potrerillos Abajo, moving to another level of connection and settledness, and, of course, savoring the incredible weather of Panama’s dry season.

Although, we have been without electricity, internet, water, and phone for the past 15 hours or so. It is a strange mix of beautiful blue sky, warm dry air, and what feels like hurricane force winds. Lots of trees down, and, I guess with that, power lines. I am typing this on laptop battery power, and will post it when life’s luxuries return.

This morning Paul and I attended a meeting of Club Rotario de Boquet. Rotary has a very active presence in the area, and we were given the opportunity to present Dead Wheat. Paul’s presentation focused on the difference in the approach to need – dependency v.s. empowerment. Quick fix v.s. sustainable change. It was a stellar presentation, and Paul is one of the most gifted speakers you will find. I am very glad to be part of Dead Wheat, and there is so much to do that will have a lasting influence here in Panama.

If you are interested in reading Paul’s presentation, I am sure I can get him to post it. Let me know.

Hey – check out some of the pictures on the Dead Wheat site – click on ‘Media’ and see how the aquaponic farm is taking shape. And especially check out the injuries – mine in particular! Too bad we don’t have a picture of me falling backwards and upside down off a scaffold. (Steve saved me at the last minute….)

Anyway – not the best written blog to launch a new segment, But it has at least launched the discipline of writing something most days. I will try to keep up. For now, gotta go – Lynda was just moving a flower arrangement in the kitchen and a lizard of some variety lunged at her from out of the leaves. Not that it was any longer than a couple of centimeters, but I guess Lynda still has a way to go in adapting to life’s new experiences.

By the way – next blog is going to be about a product that we bought for Christmas that turned out to be so dangerous that everyone needs to know about it. I want to take this company down!