Survive

Hi.

The climate report is a little odd today.  We started with an overcast sky that looked and felt like rain.  By lunch time the clouds were thinning and it was getting hot.  The soupy sky returned as the afternoon wore on and in the evening there was a brief windy rain.  Another day in the land of 'who knows what the weather will do?'

The ‘Easy Monday’ song came to some of you without hesitation.  Here is the last verse to clear things up:  “See the smile a-waitin’ in the kitchen, food cookin’ and the plates for two.  See the arms that reach out to hold me, in the evening when the day is through.  __ __, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind.  __ __, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind.”  Hint:  This song is from ’71.  It’s about wind that’s not too strong.

It had been awhile since we had been to the big market downtown.  We went looking for light, cool tops and encountered the back-to-school shoppers.  It was early enough in the day so it wasn’t a problem, but every place that had any part of a uniform had parents picking though things.  One thing we’ve learned about shopping at the ‘talat’ is that you have to be in the right mood/mind set or it doesn’t work.  

This was the day that Art Bridge held the Songkran ceremony for the elders.  Some of you may recall that each year the artists gather and receive a sprinkle of water from the older members of the ‘family’.  Lisa and I were included as elders who sat, as artists and friends crawled by on their knees to receive the water.  There were about 100 participants so you can imagine how my fingers felt after dipping them in water for each person.  The experience put each of us in close proximity with everyone in the room, one at a time.  Some of them I’ve known for years, others were new faces.  That part was really special.  Then they passed the mic and we all said a few words to the audience.  I had our friend Bob translate for me.  After all the blessings, there was food.  Cat’s school is not far so she joined us and we sat together.  Then Lisa had a meeting with the women who will be having a group show in July.  It’s been a long evening.

Today’s photo was taken from a clip of this afternoon’s ceremony at Art Bridge.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

“Love and compassion are

necessities, not luxuries.

Without them humanity 

cannot survive.”

~The Dalai Lama