Contentment

Hi,

The forecast today was a little off again.  First, they told us it was 84F with a ‘feel like’ temp of 104F.  Really?  Then they told us to expect rain, but it didn’t.  Oh well, another day in paradise (555).

Hooray for a really ‘Easy Monday’ song.  Just in case you didn’t catch it the first time around, here’s another verse:  “I’d like to know that your love, is love I can be sure of.  So tell me now, and I won’t ask again.  __ __ __ __ __ __?”  Hint:  It’s the question of the ages.  For those cool points: A girl-group is involved.

Blue and I went to Immigration this morning for his 90 day check-in.  When we walked in, we got a rousing welcome from the staff.  The office was almost empty and he got served in just a few minutes.    It’s so nice when it’s that simple.   

The excitement for the day came when we took Daku to the vet.  Tick season is upon us, or should I say, ‘Upon Daku’.  He had what looked like a very persistent tick on his foot and we decided that we should have the vet remove it.  He has a real sense of the household routines and when he saw Lisa appear in the kitchen with his brush, he became suspicious.  Just as she began brushing him I went out to the van.  That really set him off and he knew he was going somewhere.  He hasn’t been getting away from our compound enough lately, so when we arrived at the vet’s, he had to investigate everything on the street.  Once inside, he calmed down a bit.  While we were waiting, some women brought in a pet carrier and a cage full of kittens.  We had to pass the kittens to get to the exam room and of course Daku had to check them out.  One of the little ones hissed and took a swing, Daku jumped back, but wanted to try again.  In the room, it took four people to hold him down while Dr. View, who is very gentle, inspected his foot.  It wasn’t a tick, but he got a shot to hopefully keep them off of him.  On the way home he was very calm.  It’s always like that once he knows the worst is over.  He slept a lot this afternoon.

Rain clouds lurked for most of the day, but drifted away around the time we usually swim.  The only problem was, it was so hot we didn’t feel like being in the bright, hot sun.  Oh well, another day.

Across the river we can see the school vans, looking like some kind of camp-out.  Most of them are silver and it’s a strange sight.  In the morning each one picks up anywhere from 8 to 12 kids, delivers them to their respective schools and then parks in a shaded area for most of the day.  There is another group that parks under one of the big bridges, and others have their spots.  There is a gypsy vibe to the whole thing that I find fascinating.

Today’s photo is the man of the hour, crashed out.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“There is no end of craving.

Hence, contentment alone is the

best way to happiness. 

Therefore, acquire contentment.”

~Swami Sivananda

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Friend

Hi,

What can I say?  It’s still very hot and humid.  It makes the weather forecasts sound silly after a few weeks.  ‘Today the temperature will be 94F but will feel line 105F’.  Just tell me how hot it is and be done with it. (555)

We’re having daily rain, sometimes in the afternoon, sometimes the evening.  Everything is green and blooming.

The ‘Old School Friday’ tune was “Blue Suede Shoes”, written and sung by Carl Perkins, covered by Elvis Presley. This week’s ‘Easy Monday’ song should be no stranger to your memory banks.  ‘Cool Points’ if you name the original recording artist.  “Tonight you’re mine, completely.  You give your love so sweetly.  Tonight the light of love is in your eyes, but __ __ __ __ __?”  Clue:  The title is sung in the second verse, but you should know it anyway.

The big adventure this weekend was the fundraiser for Nepal at Art Bridge.  It started at 4pm and when we arrived around 5pm, there were lots of people ’shopping’ for art.  It was a silent auction and we were given stickers to place a bid.  If there was a bid, you put your sticker over the previous bid.  Secret numbers made it more mysterious. There was some really beautiful work by Art Bridge artists.  Lisa donated a piece and there were lots of stickers on it.  Some pieces were created specifically for the occasion and showed scenes of Nepal that were breathtaking.  Cat joined us after her dance rehearsal and our friend Atom also met us there.  We hung out in the restaurant for a while and went back into the gallery for the last part of the bidding.  From what we’ve heard, a lot of money was raised for Nepal relief.  

This morning Lisa and I went to Big C.  We got there relatively early.  A shopping spree would have been easy with all the empty aisles.  I must say, we behaved, did our shopping and left.  At Central Plaza Mall the first thing we realized was that the hours had not changed, at least not for week-days.  We were able to shop a Top’s, but the mall was still closed.  That’s probably a good thing (555).  

Sometimes there are little happenings in life that you are totally unprepared for.  Today, Lisa got a message from a Facebook friend saying that she and her husband were in Chiang Mai.  When she mentioned his name it was like a blast from the past.  He was the producer on the single recording that our group ‘Mosaic Tweed’ did back in 1968, I think.  What a small world it has become.  He has a different name today, and is into a different kind of music, but he’s one of two people that were at those sessions.  We are hoping to get together while they are in the country.  

Today’s photo is the corn field I showed you when it was being planted.  This photo shows the new corn in the afternoon light.

Have a Great Week.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“Hold a true friend with both hands.”

~African Proverb

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Friday Funnies

Hi,

It was another broken record day for our weather.  That T-storm from yesterday finally showed up around 2am and watered the lawn.  More weather news later.  

The ‘Zany Day’ song was “Searchin’” by The Coasters.  Congrats to all who knew it.  If you know a song, let me know.  It’s a nice way to stay in touch.  ‘Old School Friday’ is next and this should be easy as well.  

“Well, it’s one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready now go cat go, but don’t you step on my

__ __ __.  You can do anything but stay off of my __ __ __.”  Hint:  Cool footwear.  A Rockabilly hit in the 50s by two different artists.  One was the writer, the other a legend.  Extra Cool Points if you know which one wrote it.

An interesting thing happened today at Makro.  As we approached the checkout, an expat gentleman in another lane looked over, smiled and waved to me.  I couldn’t remember whether I knew him or not and it was the catalyst for revelation.  Blue mentioned a point that another expat friend made recently; that anyone who is not Thai is considered ‘different’.  That smile and wave of recognition is the same thing that African-Americans have known since the early days of so-called freedom.  When you see your brother on the street, you acknowledge him.  It goes deep to the understanding that you are not alone.  So it seems, there is a new level of ‘not alone’ as we acknowledge fellow expats, regardless of origin, with the understanding that we are all ‘different’.  The adventure continues.

This afternoon the water in the pool was almost too warm.  I had to laugh, thinking back a few weeks ago when it was not quite warm enough for swimming.  Today’s temp was perfect for hanging out and looking at the yard.  We turned on the waterfall, which adds some cool water from the underground tank and it helped a bit.  Tomorrow, I may start the cooling process earlier so we can get in some laps of real swimming.  We got out when the thunder started rolling up from the south of town.  It began to sprinkle and kept up a steady drip for over an hour.  This evening Natcha and Gong are in the pool cooling off from the day. 

Today’s photo was taken next to the big market (Talat).  This merchant doesn’t use a calculator, he’s totally old school and you just have to trust that the number he writes down is correct and fair.  There is a woman downtown who also uses an abacus, but she puts the final number into a calculator.  What? 

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.   Stay tuned for the ‘Funnies’.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

A little 10-year-old girl was walking home, alone, from school one day, when a 

big man on a black motorcycle pulls up beside her.  After following along for a 

while, he turns to her and asks,

"Hey there little girl, do you want to go for a ride?"

"NO!" says the little girl as she keeps on walking.

The motorcyclist again pulls up beside her and asks, "Hey little girl, I will give you $10 if you hop on the back.”

"NO!" says the little girl again as she hurries down the street.

The motorcyclist pulls up beside the little girl again and says,

"Okay kid, my last offer! I'll give you 20 Bucks "and" a Big Bag of Candy if you will just hop on the back of my bike and we will go for a ride.”

Finally, the little girl stops and turns towards him and Screams Out...
"Look Dad" "You're the one who bought the Honda instead of the Harley ...YOU RIDE IT!!

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Rich

Hi,

Chiang Rai had another day of humid, tropical heat.  The forecast for a thunderstorm was a joke, but we did get a minor sprinkle around 4pm that lasted 3 minutes.  

Hat’s off to the few who remembered this ‘Zany Day’ song.  Maybe another verse will be the jolt you need.

“Well, Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade got nothin’, chile, on me.  Sergaent Friday, Charlie Chan and Boston Blackie. No matter where she’s hiding she’s gonna hear me comin’.  Gonna walk right down that street like Bulldog Drummond, ‘cause I’ve been __.  Oooh, Lord, __, mm child, __ every which a-way….”  Clue:  It’s by a group that has brought us lots of zany material in the past.  They’re friends of Charlie Brown.  What do you do when you can’t find someone/something.  One word, and it’s not ‘look’ (555).  

This morning we covered a lot of territory in a brief amount of time.  After a frustrating trip downtown, we left due to lack of parking.  We went north on the highway to Art Bridge to drop off a cast acrylic print that Lisa is donating to the Nepal Fundraiser that will be held on Sunday.  On our drive we noticed some of the vacant land that has become jungle-like as a result of the rains.  There is a wish that it could just stay like that.  Everywhere we go north of the river has wonderful opportunities to take in nature at it’s best.  There is building going on, and there are lots of shops and villages, but there are also pockets of ‘wild’ that are refreshing.

Some days it takes a lot of digging to find what we’re looking for.  Today it was bananas.  After striking out at the fruit lady in the Healthy Market, we headed to our neighborhood.  We knew that the Tesco Express had bananas so we stopped there.  Lisa came out with a little bag of very green fruit and we figured we’d have to wait until tomorrow.  As we drove up the road to turn around, we spotted a roadside stand with bananas.  While Blue and I were waiting in the van, I happened to look across the road and I noticed something I have missed for years.  Nestled in between some small businesses was what I would call a ‘Baby Canyon’.  Our photo for the day is a sample of the lush greenery that surrounds us.

Cat’s first day back at school seemed to go well.  So far, she likes her teachers and had lots to tell us.  All of her classes this year are on the fourth (top) floor of the building and the room is very hot.  One of the things she will be learning this semester is Ballroom Dancing.  This is in preparation for their Senior Prom.  She had us laughing about her view of this.  She told us it will be very slow and “... I won’t like that."  I suppose after the dancing in K-Dance class, it might seem boring, but good to know.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

“If you realize that 

you have enough,

you are truly rich.”

~Lao Tzu

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Logic

Hi,

If today’s message seems late it’s because it is.  We had a busy evening at The Big Brown House.  

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “With A Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles.  There is also a very good version by Joe Cocker/Leon Russell.  Now it’s on to the ‘Zany Day’ song.  I’m going to start with the first verse, since the chorus is a giveaway.  “Well, now, if I have to swim a river, you know I will.  And a-if I have to climb a mountain, you know I will.  And a-if she’s a hiding up on a-Blueberry Hill, am I gonna find her chile, you know I will ‘cause I’ve been __.  Oh yeah, __.  But I’m like the Northwest Mounties, you know I’ll bring her in some day.”

Hint:  One word title.  The act of being on the hunt, looking for ‘her’.

Today was Cat’s last vacation day before school starts.  There has been excitement and anxiety, fear and joy, silence and  chatter during these last days of perceived freedom.  I remember these feelings even though it was a long time ago.  When you’re that age, life changes in an instant and what was the end of the world one minute, is a distant memory in the next.  

This morning we all went to the mall for a veggie run at Top’s Market.  It was an uneventful trip except that we noticed that the main floors of the mall were open and it was before 11am.  This got us to speculating about why they had opened up early.  Had they changed the hours because of the heat?  That seemed to be the most likely reason so far.  More will be revealed.  

This evening we had our friend Rachel over for dinner.  She is the Director of the Sold Project, and comes to Thailand every four months to conduct meetings with The Sold Project staff.  She has known Cat since the project began and they are good friends.  We had a really nice visit, catching up on Sold news, discussing food, and a major conference that Rachel attended in Hong Kong.  After dinner Cat danced for us, showing us two of the routines they’ve been working on in her class.   Wow, dinner and a show, who knew?

After seven years here, we are still learning interesting things.  There are some people who don’t know their birthdays.  When the time comes to commit to a date, they just make it up.  Where we live is such a combination of city/rural life that it’s easy to forget that some folks have no need to know certain things.  

If you ever need chili, this is the guy to see.  He’s in the Talat (main market).  When I walk by I start sneezing.

Time for Wacky Wednesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“But logic never could convince the heart.”

~Colin Raye

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Zero

Hi,

The beat goes on, or rather, the heat goes on.  We have lived through quite a few ‘Hot seasons’ with temperatures that were probably as high, but the humidity this year makes it seem like it’s much hotter.  Hmm.

A lot of you wrote me with the answer to the ‘Easy Monday’ song.  Some said it was ‘Too Easy’, but that was the point.  I’m trying to get past last week’s total shutout.  If you can’t quite put your finger on the tune, here’s more:  “What do I do when my love is away?  (Does it worry you to be alone?)  How do I feel by the end of the day?  (Are you sad because you’re on your own?)  No, I get by __ __ __ __ __ __ __.  Mmm, I get high __ __ __ __ __ __ __.  Mmm, gonna try __ __ __ __ __ __ __.”  Clue:  Track 2 on the very famous album about a not so famous band leader.  Fab four is also in the mix of clues.  You know this.

In most mechanized cultures, when school starts, there is more traffic.  And so it is in Chiang Rai.  All of the schools are not in session yet, but the few that are have brought with them some extra ‘busy’ on the streets.  There is a high school near us and the increase of motorbikes on the road is quite apparent.  I don’t know how many students attend the school, but it’s a big one.  Cat’s school has over 3,000 students, which means that just the faculty and staff create more cars on the streets.  School vans are another factor that is a little different than in other places.  All around town there will be 9 to 12 passenger vans taking kids to and from school.  It would be interesting to know just how many it takes to move all of the students of Chiang Rai.  Hmm.  In light of all this, it’s time to stay alert avoiding the teens on two wheels and the vans that make frequent stops.  Or, stay off the streets when all that is going on (555).

Since we’ve been living in Thailand we have continually been baffled by family relationships.  By that I mean, the real connections between people.  The use of brother, sister and cousin seem to have been given out by early English teachers as words to use if you want to.  A close friend might be identified as a sister, a brother might actually be a nephew.  We never actually know until we ask a few more questions.  I think most people know the correct words in Thai, but when it comes to English, it just falls to the most familiar word at the moment.  Amazing Thailand.

Today’s photo is a portion of the field across the road from our house.  Beyond that is the river, and then those beautiful orange trees in the distance.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

              Peace,

                        Danny

“When one’s expectations are reduced

to zero, one really appreciates everything

one does have.”

~Stephen Hawking

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Live

Hi,

The weekend was a mix of very hot days, stormy nights, wonderful art and new corn.  Not a bad mix actually.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “On Broadway” by The Drifters.  This week I promise to make ‘Easy Monday’ easy with this unforgettable tune from our friends from across the pond.  “What would you think if I sang out of tune, would you stand up and walk out on me?  Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song, and I’ll try not to sing out of key.  Oh, I get by __ __ __ __ __ __ __.  Mmmm, I get high __ __ __ __ __ __ __, Mmm, I’m gonna try __ __ __ __ __ __ __.”  Hint: Song about how nice it is to have friends.

Saturday afternoon I dropped Cat at the dance studio for her class and rehearsal, and then went to the language school to pick up Natcha.  The school is across the street from the ‘Prison Park’ in the center of town.  The name comes from the fact that many years ago, there was a prison at the same location, which was near the edge of town.  There is still some of the wall remaining.  While I was waiting, I heard music from the park.  I was taken by surprise when I heard the opening strains of The Eagles’ “Tequila Sunrise” blasting from behind the wall.  It was followed by a Thai favorite: “Hotel California”.  We have been to gatherings where the song was played and people sang along.  Interesting.

The art exhibit we attended in the evening was very stimulating.  The young artists were from various campuses of the equivalent of the state college system.  Most of the artists stepped out of the ‘Traditional’ box and had some very adventurous work on display.  Each artist stood by their work and it gave us a chance to meet them and ask questions.  I learned a lot about some of their motivations and what’s important to them.  The gallery was concerned that the turn-out was light, but it was a good crowd for viewing the exhibit.  Apparently, Chiang Rai United, our local football club, was playing that night.  

Saturday night we had one of those ’Storm of the Century’ encounters.  High winds and rain, plus thunder and lightning made it a night to remember.  The morning after, we discovered one of our young flowering trees had been knocked over.  It was not completely broken so we propped it up and hope it recovers.  Today we got bamboo to hopefully hold it and another young tree if the wind should return.   

The field next door has little green corn shoots coming up, and the large field across the road was planted today.  Soon, we will be surrounded by corn.  So much better than construction of any kind.  

Today’s photo is a garden bouquet that Lisa made with gifts from our yard.  

Have a Great Week.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“Live out of your imagination,

not your history.”

~Stephen R. Covey

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