In Search of the Sacred Bee

There are pilgrimages, and then there is landing in the Philippines and immediately asking, with complete seriousness, “Where is the nearest Jollibee?”

This is not about fast food. It is about recalibration.

Founded in 1978 by Tony Tan Caktiong, Jollibee grew up alongside a modernizing nation shaped by an improbable mix of Spanish and American influence, war, and stubborn resilience. While global chains arrived with polished sameness, Jollibee answered with sweet spaghetti, crisp Chickenjoy (crispy fried chicken), and Filipino staples like rice and palabok (pancit).

For Filipinos abroad, its overseas branches became edible embassies. Under bright lights and a smiling bee, homesickness softened. Birthday parties and family gatherings were all celebrated under the red-and-white banners of Jollibee.

So when a Filipino returns to the islands, locating a Jollibee is a small but essential rite. The first bite of chicken, the scoop of rice, the pour of gravy. That is not indulgence. That is alignment. Yesterday, on our first full day in Manila, Desiree found the nearest Jollibee and indulged.

—Mitchell Hegman

Upside-Down in Time

Desiree and I have spent the better part of two days on airplanes and in airports. Today, we find ourselves in Manila, in the Philippines, upside-down in time and suddenly swimming in heat.

Manila has survived earthquakes, fires, and one of the most devastating urban battles of World War II: the 1945 Battle of Manila. The city was nearly flattened.

Now it rises taller than ever, a blend of old Spanish churches, American-era buildings, and glass towers coexisting in an architectural conversation that sometimes argues loudly.

Our final layover took us to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. Both Desiree and I find that Incheon has a festive aura, just like Fremont Street in Las Vegas.

I’m sharing a photograph of Desiree in the concourse at Incheon. Please note: for the immediate future, my blogs may come at you inconsistently for a variety of reasons, including the time difference between us and connectivity challenges.

—Mitchell Hegman

A Winter Hot Tub Cleaning

We conducted a full-on draining and cleaning of our hot tub. What makes this blog-worthy is the fact that our island girl climbed right inside the tub and towel-dried the inside, barefoot and without heavy winter garb, on a winter day.

That’s some pure Montana stuff there.

I’ve posted a photograph of Desiree at work, with the snowy landscape all around her. 

Desiree in the Hot Tub

—Mitchell Hegman

The Blog I Never Thought I Would Write

This is a tough one, folks. I’m about to make a revelation akin to telling a kid Santa Claus isn’t real. I’m not entirely sure how this happened. Did the belt slip on my critical-thinking conveyor? Did an elbow crack somewhere in my everything-considered piping system?

Whatever the cause, Cold Smoke Beer no longer reigns unchallenged as the absolute king of post-chore refreshment. There are now moments when I reach, of all things, for Kirkland coconut water instead of a Cold Smoke.

I have no explanation. Only evidence.

And apparently, electrolytes.

A Cold Smoke and Coconut Water

—Mitchell Hegman

Free Shipping

I don’t know why you’re still hesitating. For $72,800.00, the Unitree G1 Humanoid AI Avatar robot can be yours. It does back flips. It does front flips. Tariffs are included. Shipping is free. What more could a reasonable person want?

G1 Humanoid

—Mitchell Hegman

Falling Out of Bed

Here’s a question: when was the last time you fell out of bed and woke up later on the floor? For me, that would be the night before last. I woke sprawled out on the floor long after midnight.

The house is a different place from floor level. For a few seconds, I thought I had been plunked down on a new planet.

Strange stuff.

Once I determined I was still on Earth, I crawled back into bed and had a great night of sleep.

—Mitchell Hegman

Babies Lifting Heavy Stuff

While hauling a 5-gallon bucket of split wood for the woodstove, I noticed a warning on the side. Though the bucket originally held cat litter, the label shows it partially filled with water and what appears to be a toddler attempting to lift and carry it. This is not a job for a toddler. Obviously, this is a job for big people.

Below that image is another written warning stating that children can drown in a bucket with only a little water in it.

Good to know.

Safety Warning

—Mitchell Hegman