It is the only chapter I remember well from two of many memorable books and texts I read as a student at San Jose State University: The Tao of Poo and The Tao of Piglet.  Deep reading indeed for a young GI Bill-funded university student.  Cutting to the chase, a wise monk was watched by townsfolk as he walked home one evening from his daily meditations.  The community had been flustered for weeks by a vicious donkey who kicked at anyone trying to walk down a well-traveled street where the donkey held sway in essence disturbing commerce and peace of mind.  No one could pass without a rib-breaking trounce of his sharp hooves.  At their wit´s end the local town leaders watched as the monk approached the fateful road he usually traveled to see how he handled the situation.  Only to watch as the monk walked past the donkey-ruled street and moved over to the adjoining one, bypassing the donkey, to continue his untroubled walk home.  I will be moving from my apartment to another, three blocks away from my metaphorical jackass, the nationwide El Compadre chain of cheap merchandise to the masses, braying their incessant, continuous drivel exploiting poorly-paid pitchmen and loud music to entice the ignorant with amplified speakers to come into the store and spend their money, drowning a mixed small business and residential community neighborhood with unadulterated, loud, continuous noise every weekend right across the street from my bedroom window; worse on holidays.  This nightmare began two years ago.  I, as a renter, am able to bypass the braying ass.  The residents who own homes and small businesses have to live with it, unless they band together to force the alcaldía to enforce nationwide anti-noise laws currently on the books as I constantly suggested.  It´s really none of my business anymore; I´ll be at peace in my new home on September 16th, Mexican Independence Day.  AMF.  Ciao.

So much has happened these past few days.  Most of it has been progress.  We have still not been notified by our benefactors as to the date for construction of the new orphanage building to begin, which we hope will be soon.  But we do have the well in place awaiting the breaucratic process to reach fruition.  Meanwhile we continue to improve the current premises.  A donor family from Texas donated a swing set for the kids to enjoy a few weeks ago.  The newly planted trees are growing tall.  And the new galera, a space being developed to sell food is taking shape.  All materials are provided by donations.  The goal being self-sustainability the Fundación intends to sell food there while the new building is being erected, expected to take 9 or 10 months to complete once the work begins.  And Saturday mornings I teach an English class to six of the most advanced children.  Two are missing from the picture due to illness.  So, yes, life must continue while the pain of loss slowly subsides, but is never forgotten.