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Hi,

It goes without saying that it was hot over the weekend.  What needs saying is that the air quality numbers went up higher than we’ve ever seen, into the 300s. This was up at least 100 points a couple of days ago.  Today our area was the worst in Thailand.  Ouch. 

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Rhythm of the Rain” by The Cascades.  It was said that this song made them famous for 50 years.  In the mid 60’s I lived in San Diego, where the group was from.  Every time it rained this song flooded the radio.  Now it’s time for a new song adventure.  It’s still ‘Easy Monday’, but after you name the title and original artist, tell me who sang the hit cover recording.  “The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup, __ __ __ __ __ for you.  While combing my hair now, and wonder what dress to wear now, __ __ __ __ __ for you.”  Hint:  There is devotion involved.

Saturday morning we had a visit from our friends Bruce and Raymond.  They are leaving the country in April and wanted to see more of Lisa's artwork, so we invited them for coffee and a tour.  It was nice to hear some intelligent observations of the work we have loved for years.  Bruce has been developing a large area of land in Chiang Rai as a forest.  He has planted a variety of trees with the sole purpose of providing beauty.  Next week we’re going to the ‘farm’, as he calls it.  I’ll take photos for sure.

We went to the mall for some artistic supplies as well as specialty foods.  There were not as many people there as we had imagined.  Most of the shoppers were wearing masks, even though not really necessary.  I think that sometimes it’s a way of feeling like you're doing something to help yourself.  

Sunday morning I stayed at home, basically staying out of harms way.  The reality of the virus became much clearer after listening to an expert discuss the ways these things move and circulate.  We had lunch at The Wanderer, a nice open space with plenty of room between us and the next humans.  Today’s photo is me in a mask to protect me from the polluted air.

Cat got her grades for the last (4th) year of classroom work.  She has a 3.55 GPS for the year.  There is still a year of ‘practice teaching’ to be done before she will actually graduate, but we’re very proud of what she has accomplished.  

Today we had a busy morning.  It started with coffee at The Wanderer and a conversation with Kwan about dogs.

Our next stop was Makro.  As you enter the store there is a guard with a thermometer waiting to take your temperature.  He scans your head, shows you the readout and invites you to use some hand sanitizer on a table at the door.  Cat told us the same thing is being done at ‘Little C’.  I think it’s great that they’re doing this.  Adds a bit of comfort to the shopping experience, knowing that at least for the moment, nobody is walking around with a fever.

After taking the groceries home, we took JaiDee to Work@Home to see one of his biggest fans, Katai.  She has just finished a self-quarantine for two weeks, after returning from Europe.  She and JaiDee had a cute reunion.  They even took some photos together.  

The latest here in Thailand is the official cancelation of the Songkran Festival.  The government has taken the dates off the calendar (those days are still there 555), but will not be observed as holidays.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the villages, on the street where the water is thrown.  I’ll bet they still do it.

Have a Great Week.

                        Peace,

                                  Danny

“You cannot create

experience.  You must

undergo it.”

~Albert Camus