Desire

Hi,

We have been in a heat wave.  Weekend temperatures ‘felt like’ 112 to 116.  Today we got a real rain storm.  It didn’t really lower the temps, but everything got water and washed.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “The Sounds of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel.  Here’s an ‘Easy Monday’ tune from 1969.  “Sometimes I’m right and I can be wrong.  My own beliefs are in my song.  The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then, makes no difference what group I’m in.  I am __ __.”  Hint:  A family band that took us higher and made us think.

Our weekend was spent trying to stay in cool places.  For starters, we took our ‘coffee stop’ next door at our new neighbors.  We’d never gone for coffee and since their little place is air-conditioned, it was a perfect time to try it.

The iced Americanos were very good, the air was cool and so was the music.  We will definitely be returning.

We had Sunday lunch with our friends Edwin and his daughter Lisa.  She’s back in town from Bangkok, where she designs shoes.  Her business partner designs purses and bags and their brand, ‘Hexa’ is taking off.  It’s fun to eat with them because they are adventurous.  Edwin started off with a coffee and ice-cream.  Lisa had the chocolate covered pancake with bananas.  We had our usual chicken with salad.  You can always tell when you’re having fun, time becomes irrelevant.

In the afternoon, we had what one might call a consultation.  Our friend Nine, of 9 Art Gallery, had some questions about English and wasn’t sure how to approach learning.  She is going to be Mistress of Ceremonies for a gathering of Thai artists from Chiang Rai.  They will be introduced to The Princess and discuss their art in an informal way.  We threw around ideas and we’ll meet again next week for dinner.  Her older son, Tonoi, has been studying violin at a conservatory in France.  He usually comes home for the summer break, but this year he informed his mom that this was the ‘Golden Time’ for musicians to tour and perform.  He’ll stay in Europe with other musician friends.  Part of their time will be spent performing in small towns and villages in exchange for residency in a castle.  Not a bad exchange.  He is now 24 and seems to have a clear career direction.  

This morning we went downstairs with Daku, as usual, and after he went outside and returned, he stretched out on the floor and couldn’t get up.  He ignored his breakfast and it was just like last Tuesday.  Gong helped us put him in the van and we drove to the vet.  The office was closed, but he said he’d come to our house at 8am.  When he arrived with his helpers, Daku still hadn’t been active.  He spent the day at the hospital and we finally learned this evening that he has low blood pressure.  It can be corrected, so now we’re waiting to see if we can bring him home tonight.  

Last Friday we received a message from my cousin Trudye, that her sister Eunice had passed.  Needless to say, we’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster.  Eunice and Trudye are the glue of the Oakland Cousins that we visit every time we go to the States.  We’ve all been close for a very long time.  Eunice and I are 1 week apart in age and have always had a ‘connection’.  She will be missed.

Have a Great Week.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“The starting point of all achievement

is desire.”

~Napoleon Hill