Friday Funnies

Hi,

We had another hot day in Chiang Rai.  Still no rain in sight and things are getting dry.  On the bright side, the burning seems to have stopped.  Maybe some of the measures the government announced have had an effect.  

The ‘Zany Day’ song this week was “What I Am” by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians.  Time for an ‘Old School Friday’ song, this one from 1957:  “Sha na na na, sha na na na na (repeat 3 times).  Dip dip dip dip dip dip dip dip, mum mum mum mum mum mum __ __ __.  Sha na na na, sha na na na na.  Every morning about this time she gets me out of my bed a-crying __ __ __.  After breakfast every day she throws the want ads right my way, and never fails to say, __ __ __”.  Hint:  Someone is being prodded to seek gainful employment.  If that’s not a give-away clue, I don’t know what is.      

At some point in every little boy’s life, sticks become the most treasured thing there is.  Just the right stick can boost the imagination and provide entertainment for hours.  This morning JaiDee discovered ‘The Joy of the Stick’.  He and Lisa were out in the yard for exercise and training time.  He found ‘his’ stick and everything else went out the window.  All the training in the world wasn’t going to get him to give up that stick.  Lisa had to put his leash on him, walk him to the water faucet and spray water in his mouth to get him to release the stick.  

Today we left the confines of The Big Brown House and ventured out into the world.  After coffee, roti and dog talk at The Wanderer, we went to Big C for a few essentials.  On the way, we passed a caravan going in the opposite direction.  There were over 10 full size vans behind an official looking car with flashing red lights.  So, somebody important on a mission.  Hmm.  When we got to the big intersection by Mengrai Square I noticed mist in the air.  Scanning the horizon I saw that they were attached to a very tall light pole.  I’m not sure if they were for cleaning the air or for cooling the folks in the square.  I’m voting for the square, although it was a bad plan since it all blew away.  Hmm, when the air is still it’s a good idea.  That’s today’s photo.

We learned some disturbing news today.  It seems that the market for hand-made paper is shrinking rapidly.  We stopped by Teppawan Art Supply so Lisa could get more Japanese paper and Pete, the manager, told her they were going to run out and there would be no new orders.  There is some Thai paper that might last a little longer, but if there is no demand, things go away.  It’s sad to see because this has been a centuries old tradition.  There will be artisans who will continue to make paper the old fashioned way, but not for commercial consumption in Chiang Rai.  

This Sunday we will return to Maw Dang’s for more herbs for us and acupuncture for me.  

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.             Time for the ‘Funnies’.

                             Peace,

                                       Danny