Give

Hi,

That thunderstorm that was predicted never arrived.  I could have told them that.  You gotta have a bunch of clouds to make thunder, and clear skies are usually quiet.

The ‘Zany Day’ song depicts the plight of the teenager, at least back in the day.  I remember some of the verses applying to my life, like this one:  “Don’t you give me no dirty looks.  Your father’s hip, he knows what cooks.  Just tell your hoodlum friends outside, you ain’t got time to take a ride.  __ __, don’t talk back.  __ __, __ __….”  Clue: This tune is by the zany R&B group that once caught poison ivy.

What a day.  We began with coffee at Chivit Tamma Da.  Once we got Lisa settled at a table, Ellen and I went exploring.  I didn’t know they had remodeled part of the grounds and there were many changes to absorb.  Ellen took lots of photos and eventually we sat down and relaxed with our coffee.  The place has a charm all it’s own and we enjoyed the moment.

After a quick decision, we drove north on the Super Highway to Doy Din Dang.  This proved to be the highlight of the morning.  While Ellen took photos and ‘toured’ the gift shop, we sat and talked with Tamako.  We learned that her town in Japan sustained heavy damage and loss of life in the last earthquake/tsunami.  She and Somluk are going to Japan next week to meet with family.  She also told us of an event that will take place on February 14 of next year that will be in honor of a ceramics master from Japan who is 14th in a line of master artists.  When we inquired as to where Somluk was today, she told us he was in Mae Sai, at the site of the cave rescue.  He has designed the tribute structure that will be what they’re calling a ‘museum’, in honor of the rescue.  

Yesterday I walked into the kitchen and Nitchanan was drinking something from a big cup.  I asked what it was and she gave me a big grin and said, “Vitamin C”.  She cracked me up.  Natcha has been bringing her by the room to visit and it’s been fun.  She came by this morning and again after school.  One of her new ‘jobs’ is to push Lisa in her wheelchair.  She and her dad have a new routine outside when they ride the bicycle.  She sits on a little kid seat and holds the handlebars while Gong walks the bike and gives her directions as to which way to turn.  She understands left and right and is getting pretty good at making gradual turns based on Gong’s input.  

This evening we went to Moommai restaurant and Cat joined us.  Cat met Ellen’s daughter Laurel when she visited last year, so it was a special night for her.  We had a feast while talking about the differences between Northern and Southern Thai food and people.  Cat filled us in on things we didn’t know and answered many questions.  After dinner we went to the Night Bazaar for the experience.  It is now ‘High Season’ and the aisles of the Night Bazaar were packed with tourists.  It as definitely a bigger deal than last year.  We saw lots of our friends and did a little shopping.  The timing of our shopping was perfect for getting us to the Clock Tower in time for the last show of the evening (9pm). 

Tomorrow the initial cast will be removed from Lisa's ankle and a new one will be applied.  At this point, she’s ready for it all to be over.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                           Peace,

                                     Danny

“If one desires to receive

one must first give.

This is called ‘profound understanding.”

~Lao-tzu