Gratitude

Hi,

Chiang Rai is still in ‘Hot Season’ mode.  There was isolated rain yesterday, but not near us.  The forecast calls for 90s this week and no rain in sight.  There are warm jackets for sale on the road to town, but I doubt if they’ll make any sales this week.

The ‘Old School Friday’ tune was “In The Still of the Night” by The Five Satins.  Time for an ‘Easy Monday’ break:

“__ huh yeah!  What is it good for?  Absolutely nothin’.  __, yeah, what is it good for?  Absolutely nothin’.”  Clue: A three letter word.  

It’s hard to believe that the time is getting close for our Winter Visit to the states.  All of the reservations are done and we find ourselves wrestling with a new twist on travel.  When we arrive, we will require help with our suitcases.  I used to man-handle them out of the car, but that has become a forbidden move.  So, I’m sending out an S.O.S. in an effort to find a strong person to meet us in Culver City on the night of December 23, around 9:30pm for lifting duty.  Assistance will also be needed on January 11 for the same duty.  Email me if you’re up for it.

I have been outside the walls two days in a row.  Still trying to pace myself and not overdo it.  We had dinner at The Bistro Sunday night.  The fun part about going out to eat is the observations we make getting there and back.  I have the same meal every time so the thrill is gone on that count.  There is a little dog that is the mascot for the CondoTel.  He greets people and is willing to take bits of food as payment from the outside diners.  Sunday must have been a busy day for him because when we got there, he was asleep on a bench.  I should have snapped a photo.

This morning we took the van to the carwash and hung out at Work@Home.  We hadn’t seen Katai since the surgery so there was lots of talk about that and hospitals, etc.  We had a lengthy discussion about reincarnation and that got deep.  It’s always a pleasure to visit with her and get her point of view on various topics.  She thinks about things in a refreshing way.  

On the way home from our morning outing we stopped by the Clock Tower circle to get a photo of the new coffee shop.  Today’s photo is the front window of ‘Cat ’n’ a Coffee’.  There really are cats inside.  The reflections in the window are from across the circle.  Blue had us cracking up, imagining a health department inspector walking in and writing them up.  

Our Cat had a great time with the elephants on Saturday, and then on Sunday she went to her village to celebrate her nephew’s  13th birthday.  We are constantly reminded of the strong family ties here in Thailand.  

Have a Great Week.

             Peace,

                       Danny

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it

is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

~William Arthur Ward