Wise

Hi,
Well, some of you certainly know you 60s music. I think others will know this from the opening line:
"__ is the word I use to describe, all the feeling that I have hiding here for you inside..." Clue: The background vocals resembled a chorus of bells. Hmm.
To continue where we left off, it was shopping day at Sinthanee. We move in on Monday, the 1st, so it was time to gather the goods. We had settled on a few items, checked prices and decided that the best deal for the quality was at this one store. Keeping in mind that everything we get for the rental will go into our house in a year, we chose carefully. Third helped us out in more ways than we could imagine. We ended up getting free installation on everything, plus discounts on some of the major appliances. Today was delivery day for most of the things. There were three crews of two, installing various things. We now have a 32" LCD TV with and HD/DVD (free) along with a UBC Dish. Our washer/spinner is in place in the kitchen house, along with the usual warming stuff, and a rice cooker (first time owning one). We have to wait for our fridge, and the air/con for our bedroom will come in five days. We picked one, but when they saw the room, they said it was too small. It's a very important item that can't be compromised. The one in the guest room is in and it works great. Tomorrow our beds come. Can you tell we're getting excited. We can finally settle in and put the suit-cases away. We've been gypsies since July 19, and the thrill is gone.
Yesterday while we were arranging for deliveries, they asked Third to draw a map to the house. He started, but realized he didn't know all the streets. One of the many sales people called a young woman over who lived in the area. She drew a map that could be understood. She also mentioned that she knew the house and the couple we'd be renting from. Boon Surn had taught her to play the Sueng (a guitar-like instrument) when she was about 10. Today I asked him about the teaching and he said he didn't remember all the students, there'd been so many. Mostly for free. His wife then chimed in, with a big grin on her face, and said 'foreigners pay'. We all cracked up. He played and sang for me, on the back steps. First he played the Salor, a two-stringed, bowed instrument that's held vertically with the strings facing away from the player. He told me he'd teach me some Lana songs. Then he got one of his Suengs and played and sang. After a while, he handed it to me and laughed. I began to play a little pattern and then, because the frets are high (guitar players will know what I mean) I pressed down real hard and 'bent' the tone and he gave me a thumbs up and broke out in laughter. He'd never done that. I just told him 'Blues'. He repeated the word and laughed some more. What a moment.
While all this has been going on, I've been having flashbacks of numerous experiences with a dear friend of 20 years, who recently passed on. Many of you knew Craig, and many of you didn't. I'm grateful to have known a man who lived by principles and gave without flinching. Missed, but remembered.
I guess it's time for Tacky Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny


"The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect he becomes an adolescent;
the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult;
the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise."
~Aiden Nowlan


Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics