Touch

Hi,

The weather today was a full assortment.  We had cloudy skies, clear and hot, dark and windy, and rain.  The rain came after they had finished the roof and cleaned up.  It was a good day.

This week’s ‘Zany Day’ tune has touched some of your memories.  Here’s the full chorus and part of a verse:

“You see I’ve been through the desert on __ __ __ __ __, it felt good to be out of the rain.  In the desert, you can remember your name ‘cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain.  La la la, la la la la, la la la la.  After nine days, I let the __ run free, ‘cause the desert had turned to sea….”  Clue:  Hmm, did you catch his name?

This morning Daku knew that he wasn’t going out to play.  He was right, and seeing the gate wide open was his first clue.  He never gets to run when the gate is open.  Khun Dang brought an electrician with him, based on something Lisa told him about our light sockets.  They were clearly fishing for a big job, opening up the breaker box and inspecting connections.  That’s one aspect of the house that has been right since the beginning.  The guy left without a word.  Dang gave final instructions to his guys and the day began.  

Our Thursday excursion took us to Browney’s for treats and kibble.  They have added more products and the store is becoming a ‘fun zone’.  Today Blue and I found the ‘costume’ section.  Outfits for dogs of all sizes, in every imaginable character.  I suppose someone will actually dress their dog as a football (soccer) player.  It wouldn’t be that outrageous compared to the princesses and bugs.  Little dogs are popular and if you have one, you will need a carrier for those times when you have to keep them close.  Browney’s had a whole shelf of them. I could go on, but I won’t.

At the Healthy Market there is a woman who runs an eating spot that is open to the parking lot.  Today, she earned the name ‘Sleeping Lady’, since it’s the second time this week that she has been asleep in her shop.  I guess the morning rush takes a lot out of her.  

From time to time we’ll see someone who seems a little out of their ‘element’.  There is a woman in the Healthy Market who specializes in Bok Choy, and cabbage.  Her vegetables come from one of the ‘clean farms’.  What makes me want to know her whole story is how she presents herself.  She always dresses as if she is going to meet friends at a fancy tea room.  When she’s not selling, she sits and crochets.  Today she had on a burgundy outfit with a single strand of pearls.  Hmm.

At our last stop of the morning, we divided our energies.  Lisa went to 7-11 and paid the power bill, while Blue and I went to the pharmacy for vitamins and rubbing alcohol.  Here’s the interesting part:  In Thailand, the alcohol is blue.  It’s also only 70% strength.  Now you know.

It’s too bad we couldn’t have timed the worker’s lunch break with our nap time.  They were doing everything right above our bedroom.  For two days, things were quiet until we dozed off, and then it was pounding, cutting and shouting.  Not constant, but enough to remember they were there.  On the plus side, it won’t happen tomorrow.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“If you touch one thing with deep awareness,

you touch everything.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh

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Mind

Hi,

No need for details on the day’s weather.  Hot and humid as usual.  We’re so ‘rain free’ that Khun Dang came to start repairs on the roof.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Help” by The Beatles.  ‘Zany Day’ is next and should be equally easy.  What?

“On the first part of the journey, I was looking at all the life.  There were plants and birds and rocks and things, there was sand and hills and rings…. I’ve been through the desert on  __ __ __ __ __, it felt good to be out of the rain…”  Hint:  There is a large animal involved.

This morning we were expecting Khun Dang to arrive at 9am.  Just as we were starting Daku’s morning exercise Dang called to say he would be early.  He pulled into the driveway, followed by two guys on motorbikes.  A few minutes later a truck full of bamboo and wood pulled in and they began building a super-structure on the back of the house.  This scaffolding was unusual because it started with the standard metal tubing, but then they extended it upward with bamboo poles, wire, and motorbike inner-tubes.  I just stepped away and trusted that they knew what they were doing.  

Today’s photo is the ‘jungle gym’ that Khun Dang’s guys built so they can reach the roof.  Hmm.

While the workers were building, we decided to get a long overdue van wash.  We hung out at Work@Home and had our ‘usual’.  Lisa has the coffee, I have Jasmine tea, and Blue has a beautiful fruit salad and tea.  We got a chance to visit briefly with our friends Katai and Towan, which is always fun.  He and I talked cars for a few minutes and I learned some new stuff.  They own a tractor business in another province, but Towan’s avocation is that of navigator for a rally team; the kind you see flying through the countrysides.  They just finished remodeling their home and Khun Dang did the work.  That’s how we met him.  

Daku had a hard time today.  He missed his morning workout, and every time he wanted to go out he had to be on the leash.  We knew that we had some birds that build their nests in the rain gutters, but I had no idea how many nests had been built in between the tiles over seven years.  The workers removed piles of ’stuff’ that Daku was very interested in checking out.  

 Time for a Wacky Wednesday.

            Peace,

                      Danny

“If you correct your mind

the rest of your life will

fall into place.”

~Lao Tzu

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Deep

Hi,

The weather for Chiang Rai was the same old story.  Very hot with some clouds.  No rain in sight for this week.  Time to water the gardens.

I know most of you probably didn’t read your mail yesterday, so here’s the ‘Easy Monday’ chorus.  You know this.

“__ me if you can, I’m feeling down, and I do appreciate you being ‘round.  __ me get my feet back on the ground.  Won’t you please, please __ me.”  Clue: Title is four letters describing the need for assistance.

Our Tuesday in town began with a trip to the Talat.  We were looking for material to make a new bedspread.  The one we have is beautiful, but it’s a dark pattern and during tick season that is not acceptable.  We don’t seem to have the power to make them go away, but at least we can know where they are (555).  The season is in full swing and we are back to the nightly ritual of searching through Daku’s fur.  We have discovered that cedar oil, which is something ticks do not like, is available in Thailand.  A friend of ours is going to help us get some.  

So, we found the material for the spread, and thread to match.  Lisa is planning to make it on her new little sewing machine.  

At the vet’s, it was time to get more thyroid for Daku.  When Lisa said ’Thyroid’ (accent on the first syllable), the vet behind the counter didn’t understand.  Then he looked up Daku’s records and saw the word and recognized ’Thyroid’ with an accent on the last syllable.  Language can be such a baffling, amazing thing sometimes.  Most words here have their accent on the last syllable, so even if it’s a non-Thai word, it’s going to get the same treatment.  It took some getting used to, hearing our names with a different pronunciation.  

The Leechy Fair is still going on, though the crowds are smaller.  We noticed that different fruits have made their way to some of the tables.  It will be interesting to see if it goes all week.  There were still a lot of leechy left.  

Today’s photo was taken next to the entrance to the Talat.  Everything on the cart was made of wood by this man and each item was approximately $15.  Some of the containers look like ice-buckets and there’s a sailing ship in the back of his cart.  

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“When love is deep,

much can be accomplished.”

~Shinichi  Suzuki

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Happy

Hi,

The weekend weather in Chiang Rai was what one might call ‘fair’.  A few times it got dark, like it was going to rain, but it never happened.  Hmm, maybe it happened ‘nearby’.  

‘Old School Friday’ was “Fever”, originally by Little Willie John, and ‘appropriated’ by Peggy Lee.  ‘Easy Monday’ is terribly easy:  “__, I need somebody.  __, not just anybody.  __, you know I need someone, __.  When I was younger, so much  younger than today.  I never needed anybody’s __ in any way.  But now these days are gone, I’m not so self-assured.  Now I find I’ve changed my mind, and opened up the doors.”  Hint:  First the song, then the movie, and now ‘Easy Monday’.

Saturday morning we did a very brave thing; we went to the mall just as it opened.  Surprisingly, it wasn’t as crowded as I imagined it would be.  We needed school and art supplies and I had to get rid of a phone number.  There was another thing that happened quite unexpectedly.  While going from one end to the other, we passed a shoe sale.  I felt a mild obligation to walk through and discovered a pair of shoes I didn’t realize I needed.  Hmm.  Cat found a pair of sandals she needed.  So amazing how that can happen (555).  I’ve never had a pair of black suede loafers.  

Sunday morning Cat went to the mall to see a movie with some friends.  With the first full week of school behind them, it was time for a little diversion.  

The Leechy Fair was one of my targets for a photo session and Sunday was a perfect time.  Here are a couple of photos that show the road side segment of the fair, and a close up of Blue picking a bunch. 

Natcha was busy in the kitchen this weekend.  She has a nephew who turned 5 years old and she wanted to make him a cake.  Not only did she make a little chocolate cake, but she made a bunch of iced mini-cupcakes.  We learned today that she and Gong are getting engaged with plans to get married next year.  The adventure continues.

Have a Great Week.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“Love is wanting others to be happy.”

~The Dalai Lama

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Friday Funnies

Hi,

This morning I didn’t bother reading the forecasts.  There were big dark clouds all around, but they kept moving.  Something was brewing.  We had light rain all afternoon and into the evening.  

The ‘Zany Day’ song was “Politician” by Cream.  You should have known.  Nobody got it, so here’s a real easy ‘Old School Friday’.  “Never know how much I love you.  Never know how much I care.  When you put your arms around me, I get a __ that’s so hard to bear.  You give me __, when you kiss me, __ when you hold me tight.  __, in the mornin’, __ all through the night.”  Clue:  Quite sick, with a high temp.

The yard crew was scheduled to come today and we wondered if they’d be able to work.  When we returned from Makro they were all over the yard, weeding, trimming and preparing to cut the grass.  During the season when it rains a lot, things grow so fast that we need them to come more often.  The first rain came not long after their lunch break and they had to stop.  As soon as it let up, they started working again.  When sprinkles came they kept working.  They had a whole range of weather to deal with, from blazing hot sun to rain.  What a day.

We are now in what can best be described as ‘Leechy Season’.  Leechy are a smallish round fruit in various shades of red.  Inside there is a translucent, spongy meat with a seed in the center.  When they ripen, they seem to do it big time.  All over town there are tables of the fruit for sale.  At the big yard where we go for the Farmer’s Market on Fridays, they dedicated the whole place, plus part of the road solely for the sale of leechy along with tons of pineapple.  We went over after dinner and bought a bag of both fruits.  I’m not a big fan, but Blue, Cat and Natcha will take care of the leechy in no time.

All of our reservations and bookings have been made for the ‘Summer Visit’ to the states.  We will leave Thailand on June 24 and leave L.A. on July 7.   

Today’s photo begs the question:  Do you think it will rain?  (555)  It was taken at 8:30am this morning.  

We will have an uneventful weekend so far, except for the Formula One race from Monte Carlo.  

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.       Time for the ‘Funnies’.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

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Hero

Hi,

There was talk of thunderstorms, etc. and it looked like it could happen anytime.  We had a brief rain in the late afternoon and now it’s just cloudy.  As a special treat, I’m going to give you a ‘Friday Funnies’ extra on Thursday.  One of the forecast sights stated:  ‘Today’s high: 84F, feels like 81F’  What?

Well, so far this ‘Zany Day’ song seems to be a stumper.  That’s OK, there’s still time to figure it out.

“I support the left, though I’m leaning, leaning to the right.  I support the left, though I’m leaning, leaning to the right.  But I’m not there when it’s coming to a fight.  Hey now baby, get into my big black car…."

Clue:  What do you call the people you’re asked to vote for?  Easy.

For the first time in a long time, we stayed home all day.  Before lunch we took delivery on a large evaporative cooler for the living room.  This one can use water or water and ice.  So far, we’re very happy with the change in temperature.  Having a large room that’s next to a staircase makes it difficult to cool, but we’re getting there.  

Today’s photo was taken by Blue yesterday, down by the riverside.  

Evenings in Chiang Rai take on a festive atmosphere that has a charm of it’s own.  The outdoor and semi-outdoor restaurants begin filling up, the curbside carts offering a variety of meals are all in place, and the evening markets are bustling with shoppers.  Families on motorbikes are a common sight on warm evenings.  Sometimes they’re just out for a cool ride.  Watching all these scenarios the imagination runs wild, at least for me.  It’s one of the things that keeps the adventure alive.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“A real hero is always a hero

by mistake; he dreams of being

an honest coward like everybody else.”

~Umberto Eco

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Moment

Hi,

Today we got a forecast that was just as vague as any other day.  It was cloudy off and on all day, with wind and light rain around dinner time.  Fortunately, our young trees are still standing.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”, written by Carole King, but originally sung by The Shirelles.  That brings us to our ‘Zany Day’ song.  Many of you will probably encounter the subject of this song in the coming months.  “Hey now baby, get into my big black car.  Hey now baby, get into my big black car.  I just want to show you what my politics are.  I’m a political man, and I practice what I preach.  I’m a political man, and I practice what I preach.  So don’t deny me baby, not while you’re in my reach.”  Hint:  Title is one word.  

Our ‘in town’ adventures began at Big C.  The highlight of the visit is our photo for the day.  The orchids are on sale in the produce department at a cost of 29 Baht per bunch.  That comes to around $.85 US.  Not a bad price to brighten up a room.  

If you recall, I mentioned that there was a fortune-telling machine at Big C.  Today, as we were leaving, I splurged and spent 5 Baht to know my fortune.  Of course, it was all in Thai, so I asked Cat to translate for me. She explained that it was written in ‘Old Thai’, which meant she had to translate that into ‘New Thai’, and then to English.  The resulting message was that whatever I want to do will be good, that I will have enough money, and that any health problems will get better.  I’d say that’s a pretty cool fortune (555).  Now we wait and see.

Down in the Talat, while Lisa and Blue were looking at material, I got stuck looking at an Indian soap on the big TV on the wall.  The owner, who is from India, asked me in Thai where I was from.  We’ve had this conversation before, but I just answered and we went back to watching.  The program was Indian, but dubbed in Thai.  There are many programs from this part of the world with Thai replacing the original language and I suppose some of them have big followings.  

Because of overcast skies and cooler nights, the pool had a chilly feel when we entered today.  Once in the water, it felt great.  After our swim we discovered we were out of coconut milk so we had to make a local run.  On the main road there is a Tesco Express that is like a mini-market.  At 5pm, the road was hectic.  School was out, the outdoor market was full of shoppers getting dinner supplies, and commuters were making their way to the villages north of us.  Slow and steady were the watch-words as we avoided wrong-way drivers, bikes pulling out, and people crossing the road at will.  We survived and made it home.  Another reason we don’t usually go out after about 4pm (555).

It’s time for Wacky Wednesday.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“Don’t wait for the perfect moment.

take the moment and make it perfect.”

~Unknown

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