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Hi,

We’re back in the nasty air thing again.  On top of that, it’s an official Songkran heatwave.  Guess who’s staying inside?

So far, no one has claimed to know this song.  I thought it would be very easy since a special day is coming.

“If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street, if you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat.  If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat, if you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.  Don’t ask me what I want it for, if you don’t want to pay some more.  ‘Cause I’m the __, yeah, I’m the __… And you’re working for no one but me.”  Clue:  Special day when we all have to report to the title of the song.

This morning we talked to Joe, Lisa’s dad, and then drove up to The Dark, by Cat’s school.  We had coffee and she had breakfast.  We talked a lot about her trip to California on Monday.  Then we went to her apartment, which they call a ‘dorm’, so she could pack clothes in the suitcase she’s taking.  That turned into a lesson ‘what is essential?’  At first there was a blank look when she was told that she packed too much.  In the end, it’s a lighter case to handle and it won’t be overweight.  

Though tomorrow is the first day of Songkran, today was the beginning for many people.  We stopped at Browney’s Pet World and discovered they were closed.  This is the Thai New Year and the tradition is for people to return home.  Cat told us that most of her friends at school have left to be with their families for the holiday.  

Songkran is also a time for renewal, or cleaning.  Today Gong and Natcha did a lot of cleaning around the outside of the house.  They also gave Chopper a bath.  He looked so bright and clean afterwards.

I remember Boot, our first housekeeper, doing this and explaining things.  It’s times like these that I realize the aspect of one culture and the unity that it instills.  Powerful stuff.  

Today’s photo is from ‘Yard Work’.  Neechanon is either contemplating the emptiness of the dustpan, or trying to figure out how to get the leaves inside.  

This afternoon Lisa had coffee with our friend Tye at The Wanderer.  She said it was very crowded.  We suspected this would happen as families bring visitors to the ‘destination spots’.  

Tonight we are going through the attack of the flying termites.  They look like big, winged ants and they are drawn to light.  This is an annual thing that happens and while we avoid them, there are folks out there collecting them under street lights.  They will take them home and fry them up.  It’s supposed to be a delicacy.  Oh, never mind.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                       Peace,

                                 Danny

“All change is not growth,

as all movement is not forward.”

~Ellen Glasgow