Friday Funnies

Hi,

Our cool mornings/hot days pattern continues.  We’re in need of a serious rain, but there is none on the horizon.  It’s as if we’re going to go into the cold season without a true rainy season.  Time to seed some clouds?

The ‘Zany Day’ tune was “I’m A Hog For You Baby” by The Coasters.  Here’s a clip, just in case you never heard it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGn9TNsXECQ   Now it’s that ‘Old School Friday’ time and it’s easy:

“Callin’ out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat?  Summer’s here and the time is right for __ __ __ __.  __ in Chicago (__ __ __ __), down in New Orleans (__ __ __ __ ), in New York City.  All we need is music, sweet music, there’ll be music everywhere….”  Hint:  It’s by a motor city ‘Girl Group’ with a string of hits.  The song is a celebration of sorts and has been covered numerous times.  

My adventure outside the wall today consisted of driving across town and back.  Our friend Cornelis needed to get one of his art pieces to the frame shop.  He lives outside of town in what used to be a beautiful ‘community’ of two-story euro type houses.  Some of the homes have been refurbished, but a lot are abandoned.  The frame shop is near the Super Highway so we had lots of time to talk about life in Chiang Rai.  He told us stories about his life and his many occupations.  His home town in Holland wants to have an exhibit in his honor.  A real homecoming.  

While we were sitting in traffic I noticed the subjects of today’s photo.  They are making a money tree for their temple.  These can be seen in different shops around town, not always collecting for the same temple.  Since many of the smaller ones are community centers, the neighborhood supports these collections.  Sometimes volunteers will walk door-to-door with silver bowls asking for donations.  

This afternoon our friend Atom came over.  She recently returned from a five day trip to India with her family.  They visited three cities that are pilgrimages for most Buddhists going to India.  They began at the birthplace of Buddha, then the location where he gave his first teaching to his disciples, and finally to his burial place.  We asked her about the Cat ’n’ a Cup’ since she had told us about it.  She’s been there and said it gets busy in the afternoon with school kids and families.  They dress the cats up in costumes for the guests.  Hmm.

Next Wednesday, November 25, is Loi Krathong.  The festival begins on the 24th and ends on the 26th, but for some, it starts tonight.  Major holidays are usually celebrated for a week and this is one of the biggest.  Cat went to her village tonight for a party in honor of the holiday.  This year we will try and find a good spot to set our ‘baskets’ into the river.  More on this next week.

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

                Peace,

                          Danny