Simplicity

Hi,

Another hot day in Chiang Rai.  That about sums it up.  The overnight temps are still very cool, meaning the pool doesn’t warm up for swimming.  

The ‘Easy Monday’ song dates back to 1965 from a label in the ‘Motor City’.  It was the first major hit for the group that sang it.  “I’ve got so much honey, the bees envy me.  I’ve got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees.  Well, I guess you’d say, what can make me feel this way?  __ __ (__ __, __ __) talkin’ ‘bout __ __ (__ __).”  

The puppy arrived and we are all thrilled.  His name is Chopper and he’s 7 weeks old.  We saw a photo of his dad and he’s quite handsome.  The little bed we got for Chopper would have been too small in a few weeks so we got a bigger one.  He met Daku and really wants to be friends.  Daku is cautiously interested.  He wanted to go outside and be with Neechanon, Gong and Chopper, so that’s a start.  We took a ton of photos and Natcha is doing the same.  Needless to say, today’s photo is Chopper.

Having a new dog that isn’t our dog is going to be an interesting experience.  We have to let them raise this little guy the way they know how.  That is not to say that we won’t step in with some advice from time to time.  Fortunately, they listen and have already asked for help on a few topics.  Chopper likes us, ‘cause he’s a puppy.  I have to remember:  he’s not our dog.  No you can’t take him home with you (555).  When he looks at you with those mysterious bright blue eyes, it’s mesmerizing.  Tatt, our former student, is mad about Huskies and will probably want to book a bus to come visit.  

This morning, after a pick-up at the post office, we dashed through Makro and went to Melt In Your Mouth for coffee and our talk with Joe.  We have learned to adjust our composure when encountering new servers at the various places we go.  Today we had what was clearly a ‘new guy’.  Twenty minutes after ordering coffee and tea, the coffee came, but there was no tea.  They were out of Earl Grey, but he didn’t think to tell us.  Instead, he brought the honey for my coffee and gave it to Lisa.  What?  It was one of those ‘Let it go’ moments.  Not everyone has the same level of minimum education here.  There are some young people who only go to the 9th grade.  There are others who are given a job but get minimal training.  This probably happens all over the world, but understanding why, takes it to a different level.  Everyone cannot go to high school.  It’s just too expensive for many families.  If there is no family business, it becomes a struggle to obtain even minimum wage work.  

Saturday we went to the ‘Expat Club’ meeting to hear a vet that we went to back in the early days when we first got BamBam.  It was billed as a talk about, among other things, the relationship between Thais and their pets.  He almost got to that part, but questions from other directions sidetracked his talk.  One remark that was of interest to me was his response to someone using the term ‘law enforcement’ when talking about strays, etc.  He said, ‘We have laws, but no enforcement’.  We have seen this with the burning every year.  'A new law….’, and the burning continues.  He did state that there seems to be a new generation of pet owners that tend to keep their pets inside and give them more care than the traditional pet ‘owners’ who supply food for their pets but little else.  Hmm.

Tomorrow we’ll get to hear the stories about Chopper’s first night away from his mother.  I wish Neechanon could tell us her thoughts on the whole change.  Right now, I think she likes him as long as he leaves her stuff alone (555).

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                        Peace,

                                  Danny

“Simplicity is the ultimate

sophistication.”

~Leonardo da Vinci