← What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Chif

What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Deehl

Posted on December 6, 2024 by johnrachel

Deehl was very quiet. Finally she said …

“I’m kind of shy.”

Hmm. What could she be shy about? I tried to second guess her.

“You speak English perfectly!”

“I haven’t said much … but thanks. That’s very sweet.”

“Just stating fact.”

“Hmm. I don’t want to confuse you. But …”

“But what?”

“Just because you hear English doesn’t mean I’m speaking English.”

That’s all she said.

I really had to think about that. I still do, as a matter of fact.

I studied philosophy in college. What she pointed out refers to the paradox of perception. When I see the color red, is it the same color — meaning the actual color that appears in your vision — as you see?

Maybe I’m in truth writing this in Chinese. But you see it on the page and read it as English.

So … to those of you who want to know: Do they speak English?

All I can now say is: That’s a very good question!

What I do know is that mermaids are very smart. And at least the ones I met — with a few exceptions — are phenomenal cooks!

Do you want to hear more about my unique adventures? How about having your own copy of my book?

As I mentioned before, the ultimate deluxe full-color paperback is available for a limited time — sale extended until January 2nd! — for 25% off the regular price . . . order it here directly from the printer.

By the way, this stunning fantasy/travel/cookbook is also available as an ebook, in the format of your choice . . .

• Apple
• Amazon (US)
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon (Canada)
• Amazon (United Kingdom)
• Amazon (Australia)
• Amazon (Japan)
• Smashwords
• Vivlio (France)
• Fable
• Kobo

JUST DO IT!

[ This originated at the author's personal website . . . https://jdrachel.com ]

What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Deehl | John Rachel

What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Chif

“Chif. You are stunning.”

“I love that word. It can be taken a couple different ways. Am I a stun gun? Are you a drooling lump spread eagle on the floor? Have you lost control of your body fluids?”

“I … I … well …”

“Word is you haven’t said anything like that to any of the other mermaids. Why am I single out for flattery, John? I know you’re happily married, so you’re not coming on to me. But … I am … I am … black! Really really black! You had to let me know that in spite of that, I passed with flying colors. Yes … I’m stunning!”

“Hey! It’s not a racist thing. I’m color blind.”

“None of you top-siders are color blind. It’s something you haven’t yet and maybe never will evolve beyond. You’ve got your flags. Gang colors. School colors.”

What could I say? She was right.

My only question is: How do they know so much about us? How do they manage to figure out things about us that we can’t? From watching our movies and browsing on a smart phone for a couple weeks?

Maybe this stuff is so obvious, so in our face, we look right past it. It’s hiding in plain sight!

It’s always a journey of discovery to see ourselves through the eyes of others. So imagine what it’s like seeing ourselves through the eyes of MERMAIDS!

There’s a lot more where that came from. I met 23 mermaids in all. If you want a real walk on the wild side, check out my book.

The ultimate deluxe full-color paperback is available for a limited time (special sale has been extended to January 2nd) for 25% off the regular price . . . order it directly from the printer.

Plus, this stunning fantasy/travel/cookbook is also available as an ebook, in the format of your choice . . .

• Apple
• Amazon (US)
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon (Canada)
• Amazon (United Kingdom)
• Amazon (Australia)
• Amazon (Japan)
• Smashwords
• Vivlio (France)
• Fable
• Kobo

BLUB BLUB!

[ This originated at the author's personal website . . . https://jdrachel.com ]

What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Chif | John Rachel

“Mermaids” Special Sale Extended till January 2nd!

My publisher, Literary Vagabond Books, is swept up in the holiday spirit . . .

The special sale on the deluxe print version of What Do Mermaids Eat? has been extended! Again!

This large-format, full-color book is truly stunning! And more importantly . . . IT’S FUN!

Buy a copy for 25% off the regular price direct from the printer HERE.

Or buy a copy for 25% off the regular price from Amazon . . .

• Amazon (US)
• Amazon (Canada)
• Amazon (United Kingdom)
• Amazon (Germany)
• Amazon (Japan)
• Amazon (Australia)
• Amazon (Netherlands)
• Amazon (France)
• Amazon (Italy)
• Amazon (Sweden)

Of course, it’s also available as an ebook, in the format of your choice . . .

• Apple
• Amazon (US)
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon (Canada)
• Amazon (United Kingdom)
• Amazon (Australia)
• Amazon (Japan)
• Smashwords
• Vivlio (France)
• Fable
• Kobo

I’m a little biased. But I can’t think of a better way to put a few more smiles in your holiday season and ring in the New Year!

Mermaids are so lovable!

[ This originated at the author's personal website . . . https://jdrachel.com ]

“Mermaids” Special Sale Extended till January 2nd! | John Rachel

What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Tanya & Chloe

Meet Tanya and Chloe. I encountered them on Bonaire Island in the Dutch Antilles. Very interesting pair. I think they were an item, whatever that means in the world of mermaids.

Not that it was in any way a problem for me. I have no LGBTQ+ issues.

Chloe tried to explain the way mermaids view the boy/girl thing we topsiders seem to be so pre-occupied with.

“You topsiders sure invest a lot of time and energy …”

Tanya interjected, “And money!”

“… yes, money too, in the whole male-female thing.”

I shrugged and probably looked puzzled. “It’s pretty fundamental for us.”

She swiveled the stool she was sitting in to face me, then stretched her body out. “What do you see? Can you tell if I’m male or female?”

“You have breasts.”

“So do sumo wrestlers. What about down below?”

She was right, of course. No obvious signs one way or other.

“And if you were to meet all two million or so of us, that’s what you’d see.”

“There’s two million mermaids in the world?”

“Give or take ten thousand or so. No one knows for sure. The oceans are enormous!”

“You’re really blowing my mind!”

Admittedly, that was a gross understatement. Every time I met a mermaid, my mind was getting blown. I’m surprised I can think at all.

Do you want to hear more about my unique adventures? How about having your own copy?

As I mentioned before, the ultimate deluxe full-color paperback is available for a limited time (until December 2nd) for 25% off the regular price . . . order it directly from the printer.

By the way, this stunning fantasy/travel/cookbook is also available as an ebook, in the format of your choice . . .

• Apple
• Amazon (US)
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon (Canada)
• Amazon (United Kingdom)
• Amazon (Australia)
• Amazon (Japan)
• Smashwords
• Vivlio (France)
• Fable
• Kobo

JUST DO IT!

[ This originated at the author's personal web site . . . https://jdrachel.com ]

What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Tanya & Chloe | John Rachel

What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Rahqa | John Rachel

I admit that when I met Rahqa, I was surprised — a little shocked — seeing all of her MUSCLES and TATTOOS!

She was definitely unique.

But beyond being a health addict and alt-cultural, Rahqa was an activist, very concerned and upset about the way humans are treating the oceans.

Rahqa: “Did you know there’s an island of plastic garbage the size of Texas floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.”

Me: “That sounds bad.”

Rahqa: “Don’t get daffy on me now.”

Me: “Actually, I do know that but it’s not something I think about.”

Rahqa: “Well, please start. And tell your friends. Stop with all the plastic!”

Yes, she was fiery and beautiful! And a damn good cook. For our dinner, she whipped up Fruit of the Isles Sesame Crusted Mahi Mahi in Pineapple Sauce. I even included the recipe!

As I mentioned before, the ultimate deluxe full-color paperback is available pre-publication for a limited time (until November 2nd) for 25% off the regular price.

What Do Mermaids Eat? direct from the printer. JUST DO IT!

[ This originated at the author's personal website . . . https://jdrachel.com ]

What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Rahqa | John Rachel

Life In Japan: Special Purpose Temples & Shrines

“Oh, please make the bad stuff go away!”

As there are churches everywhere in the U.S., there are temples and shrines everywhere here in Japan. The really fascinating ones are the special purpose ones.

There are shrines and temples devoted to the usual things: money, health, happiness, long life, good marriage. There are ones dedicated to uniting two people in love or in friendship. Interestingly, there’s at least one shrine for breaking up! This could be a lover, a friend, an employer. At all of these temples and shrines, the donation box beckons you for your coins. There is often the option to light a candle or buy incense. The money apparently is chalked up as payment for “services rendered” by whoever or whatever is fulfilling your request.

I’ll confess, being raised Catholic, I’m very familiar with the fundraising that is integral to keeping houses of worship up and running. The Catholic Church is not exactly shy about grabbing as much out of your wallet as it can. Vatican City in Rome is supposed to hold more wealth than many countries.

I’m also familiar with praying for favors, engaging designated holy places, holy icons, and calling forth holy spirits, saints and deities. Yes, we had all sorts of saints and angels to beckon and put to work. Thousands still travel to Lourdes, France for the sacred healing powers of the spring water there, the result of miracles by a young lady, Bernadette, who was upgraded to the official status of sainthood in 1933, under Pope Pius XI.

Then there’s Saint Anthony, the patron saint for lost items. Saint Christopher is the saint for safe travel, thus many folks I knew — including my parents — had a Saint Christopher medal dangling from the rear view mirror of their car.

Back to Japan and the shrines and temples nearby Tambasasayama.

Nishinomiya Shrine [西宮神社] in Nishinomiya is dedicated to commerce and wealth. Tainohata Yakuyoke Hachimangu Shrine [ 多井畑厄除八幡宮] in Kobe is for warding off the evil spirits of folks in their Yakudoshi (bad luck years). This would be men age 25, 42 and 61; women 19, 33 and 37. Kakinomoto Shrine in Akashi is dedicated to the deity of education and literature. My own village shrine honors Benten, goddess of art and music — perfect for my wife and I, as we are both musicians.

The photo at the top was taken at Mondo Yakujin Toukou-ji, also in Nishinomiya, a temple where people bring their trials, tribulations, crises, catastrophes, problems, and heartache. The idea is to reverse your fortunes and get on a positive track again. My wife calls it the “Karma Temple, so I guess you could say you go there to tune up your karma.

A few months ago, middle of spring, we headed about 40 km (25 miles) north to one of the most unique and beautiful temples in our area. This is the Hydrangea Temple, set on the outskirts of Fukuchiyama. We got there at the peak of blooming. And you’ll never guess. The place was wall-to-wall hydrangeas. They even had chickens!

Not sure what chickens, or hydrangeas for that matter, have to do with Buddhism.

But who am I to question?

Please remember that my large-format, full-color, deluxe LIVE FROM JAPAN! is full of photos and anecdotes about the “other side” of Japan, stories just like this one, about life away from the urban frenzy, out in the country in a traditional, rural community. As I have said many times . . . “It’s like living in a fairy tale!”

Let me share with you my adventure of discovery in the Land of the Rising Sun.

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