Zero

Hi,

This morning we laughed at the forecasts, they were the same as yesterday.  What a surprise when we had a major downpour during lunch.  It didn’t last long, but served it’s purpose.  Our afternoon swim was under a bright, sunny sky.  

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “It’s Too Late” by Carole King.  I know, too easy for a lot of you.  Here’s a ‘Middle Song’ that is also an easy one:  “When you’re down and troubled, and you need some love and care, and nothing, nothing is going right.  Close your eyes and think of me, and soon I will be there, to brighten up even your darkest night.  You just call out my name and you know wherever I am, I’ll come running to see you again.  Winter, spring, summer or fall

all you have to do is call, and I’ll be there, __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  A major Carole King hit, sung by many artists.  It’s about something everyone wants/needs. 

Today’s adventures began with a Skype call with Lisa’s dad in Palo Alto, California.  He is still experimenting in his studio, trying new artistic ideas and taking chances.  Bravo.  Out in the street, we had coffee at The Wanderer and enjoyed the morning light coming through the trees.  We had a brief conversation with Noot, who was wearing a Hijab in celebration of Eid Mabarak, the end of Ramadan.  As we were leaving I spotted this beautiful flower.

We have a poster that we bought in the early 70’s and it’s hung on a wall everywhere we’ve lived.  The poster slipped inside the frame and needed repair, so we took it to a frame shop we like to use.  The owner offered to fix it right away so we waited.  Frame shops are fun places to just look around and be nosey.  A chance to peak at other peoples taste in art and framing preferences.  A familiar shape caught my eye and I had to share this photo with you.  The cultural contrast was too much to ignore.  

With our poster restored, we headed through our old, original neighborhood on the way to the Super Highway.  Our destination was ArtBridge.  Lisa had to check on a piece of artwork that will hang in the new Central Plaza ArtBridge Gallery.  It will go up this week and that’s pretty exciting.  There’s an opening of a new exhibit on Friday, and another ‘Small Works’ show for members, coming up later this month.  At the end of the month there will be the opening of the annual ‘Women’s Exhibit’.  Things are pretty busy in the Chiang Rai art world.

Just north of ArtBridge there is a new highway under construction.  Technically, it’s not open yet, but it goes from the Super Highway to Maefarluang Road, which intersects with our soi (street).  People moved the barriers some time ago and use it on a regular basis.  Today was our day to take the ‘new road’.  It is a divided highway, but there is two-way traffic on both sides.  Hmm, the ‘Wild, Wild West’ comes to mind.  Nothing says ‘Don’t drive here’ so it seems fair game.  The ride was smooth and uninterrupted.  Eventually, there will be a signal at the intersection where we turn, but even that has a free turn for us.  It’s not faster than going through town, but such an easy ride.  Zoom.

This evening we had dinner at Chivit Tamma Da with some of my friends.  There were seven of us all together, with an international flavor.  Two are from Holland, one each from South Africa, Australia, and Ireland.  We had a really great time talking, laughing and sometimes being silly.  We definitely plan to do it again.

It feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                           Peace,

                                     Danny

“When one’s expectation are

reduced to zero, one really

appreciates everything one does

have.”

~Stephen Hawking