January 27, 2025

Monday

I took a photo of this painted carabao at a car rental agency here in Guam. The carabao is a draft animal similar to a water buffalo and was used in the Philippines to cultivate the land for growing rice. It’s the national animal of the Philippines and was introduced to Guam in the 17th century and is the unofficial animal of Guam.

I asked the nice lady at the desk about the statue in the office, and she was happy to answer my pesky questions. Yes, people eat the meat like beef. Most farmers use machines now, but some use the animals to keep the tradition alive. Further research on Wikipedia reveals that the carabaos can be milked and that the meat has less cholesterol and more protein and minerals than beef.

Intrigued. I will eat some if I find it on a menu. There is also a Carabao Brewing Company on island. Have a feeling C will want to check that out.

Yesterday afternoon, I opened up this laptop and found my Google drive and the file for Strawberry Moon, the Liv Lively mystery story I drafted with pen and paper last June in Maine. I’m happy with what I’ve got down so far and have decided to expand it into a novelette with chapters of about 5 pages each. Maybe 10 chapters?

One problem, though. I have no idea where my original pages are, and I’ve forgotten some of the details of the mystery. Where are the pages? Back in Maine? En route to Guam from San Diego? I have a sneaky suspicion it’s the latter, and we haven’t received word about our goods arriving. It’s been six weeks. Getting nervous. We have applied for a two-year lease on an apartment, so we might move in like squatters with zero furniture. Good thing there’s a K Mart for an air mattress, a coffee maker, and a microwave.

This could get old, quick. Meanwhile, we languish in the lap of luxury at the hotel. Found a wondrous pizza shop/pub the other night that served elevated pub fare with an Asian flare. Think chicken wings served with scallion slaw. Beet salad on a bed of creme fraiche with pumpernickel croutons and tiny sprigs of sprouts and some balsamic reduction. The pizzas have perfect crunchy, oily crust, white or red sauce, and melodies of cheeses plus meat and vegetable and grilled fruit toppings.

The “bar” area is called Study and had a big bookcase behind the bar with some cookbooks along with the liquors and some decorations. Loved the vibe there. The bartender was so friendly and recommended the eel pizza next time which is definitely something I’ll try!

I’m so glad I’m an adventurous eater. I’ll try just about anything. Not eyeballs. I’d draw the line there.

Here we are on the balcony enjoying the most glorious sunset, the best one we’ve experienced so far. Guam is growing on me. My skin is soft and plump and glowing. My hair loves the humidity. My fingernails are growing (as well as my chin hairs at an alarming rate!).

I’ll get back to Strawberry Moon Mystery and see if I can jog my memory. I’d like to offer this one as a lead magnet in exchange for people signing up for my newsletter.