Wednesday, March 18, 2015

End

Hi,

Today Chiang Rai experienced more hazy skies, but cooler temps.  It is not uncommon to see face masks these days.  

The 'Easy Monday' song was "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor.  It's time for another pesky 'Zany Day' song.  
"The problem is all inside your head she said to me.  The answer is easy if you take it logically.  I like to help you in your struggle to be free, there must be __ __ __ __ __ __.... You just slip out the back, Jack, make a new plan, Stan, you don't need to be coy Roy, just get yourself free..."  Hint:  The singer is given advice on how to exit a relationship.  Hmm, so many ways, how high can you count?  

This morning was the second day that we have taken the dogs outside and not played our games because of the air quality.  They look puzzled by our behavior.  Where are the balls, why can't I run?  This translates into frustration in the afternoon.  Daku tries to get some kind of 'play' going in the house but he's too big for that.  For their sake, I hope we get some relief soon.

Makro is a giant store with 'fresh air' for ventilation.  This means that inside is no better than outside.  Many of the employees were wearing masks in the store today.  We should have worn ours but didn't think it would be so bad.  Now we know.  The rest of our morning shopping we wore our masks and it does make a difference.  We stopped at Browney's Pet World and it felt a little odd to be talking to the helpful employee who was smiling, and realize that she couldn't see our smiles.  

This was the day that 'Ling-Ling', Cat's nephew, became a 'baby monk'.  We saw photos of him having his head shaved, reading vows, and receiving gifts from his mother.  This all happened at the temple in his village, so lots of family and friends were there.  It put us more in touch with the fact that this is a different culture.  This 12 year old boy is now going into a world much different than the one he has known so far.  Many monks began their spiritual life at the same age and continued on the path for the rest of their lives.  Time will tell whether 'Ling-Ling' will go past the three years he has committed to.

Nature is a very persistent force.  Even with the hot, dry weather, and the smokey air, things are still blooming around us.  Today we saw a bright green rice field and at the Big Brown House, orchids are appearing.  Today's photo is the first 'pool orchid' of the season.


It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

                   Peace,
                             Danny

"What we call the beginning is often the end.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.  
The end is where we start from.
~T.S. Elliot

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