Smile

Hi,

Oh, it’s so hot here.  The air is a little better thanks to the winds, but the heat is the big topic of discussion around here.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Purple Rain” by Prince.  Nice that you knew it.  ‘Easy Monday’ should be just that:

“I guess I should’ve known by the way you parked your car sideways, that it wouldn’t last.  See you’re the kinda person that believes in makin’ out once.  Love ‘em and leave ‘em fast…. __ __ __, baby you’re much too fast.  __ __ __, you need a love that’s gonna last.”  Hint:  The title would have you think it’s about a car.  Hmm, isn’t it? (555)

Saturday we went for a swim.  It was wonderful to finally be in the water after such a long wait.  I have to take it easy for awhile, but being able to use my muscles was great.  The cool water became comfortable the longer we swam.  We went in again today.  The air is still not perfect, but acceptable.  Things are looking up.

Earlier in the day we stopped by The Wanderer for coffee and tea.  Blue and I ended up having pancakes.  They’re hard to resist.  Three little fluffy pancakes with assorted fruit makes a great mid-morning snack.  

Sunday we returned to The Wanderer for lunch.  We all ordered the grilled chicken and Blue and I requested grilled potatoes.  When the food arrived there was something else on our plates that we didn’t recognize.  Khun Noot came to our table to explain that she was out of potatoes so she picked some baby pumpkin from her garden and grilled that instead.  It was delicious.

This morning we were at The Healthy Market doing our Monday shopping.  At the fruit stand there was a Burmese monk sitting and taking with the owner.  Lisa had a conversation in Thai with him about where we were from, etc.,  

then he reached into his bag and brought out a gold plated bracelet.  We have understood since our first visit in 2001, that monks are not permitted to come in physical contact with women.  How was this monk going to put the bracelet on Lisa’s wrist without touching her?  Well he did it, and apparently there was a slight touch but no big deal was made of it.  It was a generous gift from a traveling stranger.

I found it interesting this morning, while looking at all the produce, that even though we are in a drought there is still an abundance of food.  

Cat came by the house today.  She has been staying in her village, with her sister.  She will get her passport tomorrow and then apply for a visa to the States.  After her boyfriend goes into the army on May 1, she will return to The Big Brown House.  Life goes on and we do our part.  She told me she and her nephew went swimming in the river near her village.  I asked her if it was dry like the one near us.  She said there is a dam in the river so they had a lot of water, though it was very cold.  Dams are popping up in the region and some are helping local farmers, but others are causing shortages of water downstream.  Water management is becoming a new challenge in the north.  Still hoping for rain.

Have a Great Week.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“Because of your smile, you make

life more beautiful.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh