Survive

Hi,

Our weather is still hot.  The temps were supposed to drop over the weekend, but if they did we couldn’t tell.  The humidity is high so it feel warmer than the numbers.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barrett Strong.  Looks like we need an ‘Easy Monday’ tune.  Here’s an easy one from 1975:  “It this the real life?  Is this just fantasy?  Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.  Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see, I’m just a poor boy, I need no sympathy, because I’m easy come, easy go, little high little low.  Any way the wind blows doesn’t really matter to me, to me…”  Hint:  Welcome to the opera.  The title is not sung in the lyrics on this one.  The group is named after a royal title.

The big event of the weekend was the play-date with Duke on Saturday.  The boys picked up where they left off, taking only a few minutes to remember each other and begin the ritual of play.  After a bit of bumping and nudging they started nipping at each other, then some wrestling, and then a rest.  Round two began with a shouting match (actually, barking) that went on for a long time.  They clearly had things to say.  More wrestling with lots of teeth showing and then another rest.  We all went to the back yard and they played under the shade of a big tree.  Walking around like pals, they let us know that everything was cool.  Below are a couple of photos.

After the doggie date we met our friend Sutheera for lunch at Chivit Tamma Da.  She told us she’s learning how to record her lectures in preparation for online teaching at Rajabhat University next term.  It was interesting to know that not only does she have to record her lectures in business, but also edit them.  She and her husband Nukoon have a big pond at their house.  Months ago, a wild duck landed in the pond and decided to make it her home.  Now they have two cute little ducklings as well.  

This morning we went to Bangkok Hospital for consultations with a couple of doctors and an ultrasound for me.  When I got my last blood test results, it showed issues with one or more of my kidneys.  The short story is that I saw my insides on a big screen while the doctor explained what we were seeing.  My kidneys are not as efficient as they used to be, but not in a dangerous way.  I have what is called ‘Chronic Kidney Disease’.  We can keep it from progressing through diet.  We met with a dietitian and got some input, and will meet with a nephrologist (a kidney specialist) for more guidance.  To say that my mind is now preoccupied would be an understatement.  Now we have all these doctor appointments, blah blah, tests, etc.  The biggest challenge will be eating salt-free and liking it (555).  Life goes on.

Have a Great Week

                      Peace,

                                Danny

“If civilization is to survive, we must

cultivate the science of human relationships,

the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live

together in the same world at peace.”

~Franklin D. Roosevelt