Hi,
This has been the kind of day that requires one to take a day off just to recuperate. It was a beautiful day to be busy so that helped. I managed to see three regions of countryside in addition to the center of town.
Hat's off to all of you who knew the 'Zany Day' song was "Life's Been Good" by Joe Walsh. 'Old School Friday' is next:
"Come here sister, Papa's in the swing. He ain't too hip, about that new breed babe. He ain't no drag. __ __ __ __ __ __." Hint: Hit me band. Often called "The hardest working man in show business". No, he doesn't have a sack lunch.
This morning we did an early run up the highway to Makro. After our shopping we drove farther north to the Frame Factory to pick up Lisa's latest prints. On our way back to the highway we passed an empty lot with the dark red dirt I told you about weeks ago. I made a U-turn and we went back and took a picture.
Dark Red Dirt
After dropping off the groceries and two of the three prints we went into town. We stopped at Bliss Studios and left Lisa's newest cast acrylic print so Chalit could photograph it. Next stop was the flower market where we had to buy a funeral wreath. More on that in a minute. Next, we visited the art supply store. The owners are a really sweet couple and the wife, Khun Supaluk, is one of Lisa's biggest fans.
We got to take a break and relax a bit before lunch. I didn't have much time after lunch because today I was due at New Life 30 minutes early for a meeting with the director and a new friend who wanted a tour. The drive to the country was pretty pleasant until I got to a road-paving project. I was part of a long procession following a water truck that was spraying the road to hold down the dust. It's interesting to see how some rice fields are harvested in parts and others are done all at once. Something else to find out about. At the Center I learned more about the farming and some of the future plans. All of the farming is organic and the goal is to be self-sustaining. They're not quite there, but what they grow goes on the table. They have to supplement some foods. Small mud-brick cabins are being built in the forest areas of the property. These will be available for volunteers and guests who wish to have more solitude. Now that's what I call a get-away vacation.
This evening we drove out to the country in another direction to pay our respects to our friends Noni and Bob. Noni's father passed a few days ago and there has been a traditional gathering every night. When we got there, people from the village were arriving. Noni introduced us to various members of the family who had traveled from Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The casket was on a platform in front of the house, with lots of flowers and bright, colored lights around it. Tomorrow will be the third and last day of mourning. The casket will be placed on a cart and pulled to the temple for cremation. It is customary for a family member to help with the casket. Noni's husband Bob will become a monk for a day and participate in the final ceremonies. Tonight he went to the barber shop and they shaved his head, his mustache and goatee, and his eyebrows. He was a little surprise about the eyebrows. We talked about the positive aspect of the 3 to 5 day mourning and how it brought family and friends together.
I don't think tomorrow will be a 'day off'. Many little things to do for the Bangkok exhibit and life in general. Sunday we'll be meeting a professor from Bangkok and his wife. They are American and they're interested in the arts. Khun Somluk and Tamako introduced Lisa to them over the phone today. The Adventure continues.
Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. Time for the 'Funnies'.
Peace,
Danny
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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