Conductor

Hi,

Today we awoke to the smell of ‘bad smoke’.  This is, smoke that comes from the burning of plastic, rubber, or the wire casings used as insulation.  It has a distinct odor that says ‘Stay inside’.  It cleared out just in time for Daku to have his bath.  He was not happy.  The day warmed up and the sky took on the familiar haze.  

Nice to see we’re getting back in the groove with the song thing.  Lots of responses to this ‘Zany Day’ song.

“He bag production, he got walrus gumboot, he got Ono sideboard, he one spinal cracker.  He got feet down below his knee.  Hold you in his armchair you can feel his disease.  __ __, right now, over me.”  Clue: Assemble as a unit?

Here in Thailand, we don’t use credit cards, and checks don’t seem to exist.  We use cash for daily life and when we buy something from out-of-town, we transfer funds online.  It’s a very cool way to do things.  The only thing is, you have to go to an ATM to do the transfer.  This morning we went out to do a transfer and I realized that it’s all about knowing the location of the ATMs and the parking during the day.  Fortunately, we’ve got a pretty good memory of where the money is (555).  

About 4 years ago we invited a traveling couple from Denmark to spend a few days with us.  We became fast friends and we’ve stayed in touch over the years.  They’re coming back to Thailand in July, along with their little boy who we’ve never met.  We’re really looking forward to seeing Louise, Jesper and Rasmus.  

Neetchanon has an adoring extended family.  Her dad Gong, has three sisters who come over to help out when needed.  Of course this means that the little one is the center of their attention.  Today she spent time with (sister) Gope. When Neetchanon came into the house I heard her before I saw her.  She was wearing little silver anklets with bells on them.  As fast as she is becoming, it’s good to know where she is (555).  She also had a pink hair-tie on the top of her head.  That didn’t last long though.  Trying to take photos of her is getting difficult, now that she understands the wonders of the smart phone.  It plays music, cartoons, and tells stories.  When I aim mine at her, she approaches with one thought in mind, seize the phone.  I did manage to get this shot today.

This afternoon we bravely went into town.  A parking spot was waiting for us and traffic breaks allowed us to cross the busy street fairly easily.  We were having our mailbox name card laminated.  It was time to change it from four names to two.  Another one of those bittersweet tasks.  While we were waiting, we strolled down the small street that becomes the Night Bazaar in the evening.  Our friend the ‘Scarf Lady’ was sitting in her shop and called out to us.  It turns out she’s there all day and all night.  We talked a bit, I bought some cheap sunglasses and she referred to us as her good friends.  Feeling grateful.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“I was the conductor of the 

Underground Railroad for eight years,

and I can say what most conductors can’t;

I never ran my train off the track and

I never lost a passenger.”

~Harriet Tubman