Mentor

Hi,

The rains came today.  It started with a pleasant, light rain and turned into a wonderful downpour.  Just enough to wash everything down and irrigate the plants.  

It’s still ‘Easy Monday’ on Tuesday and this is the chorus to the song we’re working with:  “All the lonely people, where do they all come from?  All the lonely people, where do they all belong?”  Hint:  Those pesky lads from across the pond doing something heavy back in 1966.  The title is a first and last name of a woman. 

Last night we got a call from our friend Gary.  He and Jago wanted to come over for a playdate.  Every time he drives by our house, Jago gets all excited and wants to stop.  They came over today, along with Bamboo, a little dog that Gary rescued last year.  Jago wore Daku out running around the yard.  They had fun and Daku crashed as soon as they left.  Doggie good times.

This morning Lisa and I went into town.  This was my first real daytime excursion out of the house in about a week.  After picking up a new handle for our vacuum, one that provides ’turbo boost’, we went to the bakery, Doi Chaang, and then the vet.  It took most of the morning and I think I did pretty good.  Still not up to a lot of walking or driving it turns out.  Progress is being made, slowly.

Missing a week of Chiang Rai gave some of the building projects a chance to grow.  I was surprised at some of the work that had been done.  The rice in one of the fields we pass had been partially harvested, with more getting close.  The big fence that hid a construction site near the main road through town has been removed to reveal an almost complete apartment/shophouse complex that has a very modern look.  I like to keep up (555).

While gazing out on the back yard, I noticed the farmer behind us.  My focus was drawn to the neat rows of vegetables he has planted this season.  The variations in colors were different than past plantings so I thought I’d share of photo with you.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“A mentor is someone who allows you

to see the hope inside yourself.”

~Oprah Winfrey

Common

Hi,

The sun continues to shine brightly on Chiang Rai.  Our seasons are so twisted right now it’s not funny.  Hot days, cool nights have been the pattern.  There has been a forecast (555) for several days of rain.  We’ll see.

‘Old School Friday’ was “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” by The Temptations.  Congrats to all who remembered.  ‘Easy Monday’ should be a snap.  “Ah, look at all the lonely people.  Ah, look at all the lonely people.”  __ __ picks up the rice in the church where the wedding has been, lives in a dream….”  Hint:  So easy.  The title is a name.

We had two nights of loud music from across the river this weekend.  There was the usual Friday night party, which was just a distant annoyance.  Saturday night must have been a special concert.  I could tell because there were afternoon sound checks and they were loud.  There was one group that I enjoyed, the rest was difficult to digest.  We have the benefit of several walls between us and the sound when we’re in our upstairs bedroom.  Blue, on the other hand, gets the full force of the sound waves from his downstairs room.  Sunday morning we compared notes and we all agreed that it was one of the worst ever.  From time-to-time during the evening I had to remind myself that the people at the fairgrounds were having a good time and enjoying it all.

I am still taking it easy recuperating.  Last night (Sunday) we went to Le Meridien for dinner and I drove.  Now that was a strange experience.  Oh, I still know how to drive, it just felt funny.  Some of the harsh bumps and holes in the streets were not very kind to me, so that’s something to remember.  It was good to get out; I might even say ‘liberating’.  Our dinner was special because we got to meet little Harriet, who is 4 1/2 months old.  She is the daughter of Scott and Michele.  Scott works for the hotel and has helped order my meals every time we eat there.  They announced that they will be leaving Thailand and going to Fiji, to another major resort.  They are from Australia and Fiji is closer than Thailand.  We will miss them.

The outing last night might have been a little more than I was ready for physically.  I have to pace myself and not let my brain’s enthusiasm override my body’s healing.  Lunch and dinner downstairs today were accomplished with slow, careful moves.  Baby steps.

Today’s photo was taken at Chivit Tamma Da.  I don’t know the whole story on this old bike, but the next time I see Joaqim I will be sure to ask him.

Have a Great Week.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“The things we have in common

are more important than

our differences.”

~Unknown

Friday Funnies

Hi,

We had another hot day in Chiang Rai.  The farmer behind us was very busy in the blazing sun, doing what farmers do.  The temps drop around 20 degrees at night, so we’re not getting a warming benefit in the pool.  Hmm.

The ‘Zany Day’ song was “Short Fat Fannie” by Larry Williams.  Cool Points to Trudye and Stuie.  You will note that this week’s ‘Old School Friday’ is from a more recent year than in the past.  It seems that ‘Old School’ is not as old to some of you as it is to me.  We’ll see if 1972 goes back far enough to be considered ‘Old School’ (555).

“…Mama just hung her head and said, ‘Son, __ __ __ __ __, where ever he laid his hat was his home'.  And when he died, all he left us was alone.”  Hint:  It came from the motor city, by five singers.  The story of an absentee, deadbeat dad set to a groove.

This morning Lisa made a solo run to Big C and Top’s Market at the mall.  I’m seriously impressed.  Next thing you know, I’ll be asking if I can borrow the van.  

I think my sentence upstairs may be coming to an end.  The area of pain has been shrinking on a daily basis.  Today was the last day the doctor said I should stay put.  I can move around, slowly, with very little discomfort.  This evening I dressed for dinner and went downstairs.  Whoa!  It’s nice down there (555).  Having a conversation with a meal is really nice, and missed.  I will continue to take it easy until the pain is completely gone.  I don’t want to mess anything up thinking I’m done with all this.

The Friday Night thing is happening across the river and they started at a high volume this week.  I guess there’s nothing like a weekly carnival.   

Since I haven’t been out and about, my collection of recent photos has grown small.  Today’s photo is from a few years ago.  Daku is jumping to catch the ball.

I’m looking forward to getting out in the world.  There are things happening out there that I know you’d like to know about.  I would too.  We may be going to Le Meridien Resort on Sunday for dinner with our friends Stephen and Claire.  If my endurance is back, it’s on.  Now that Lisa is driving, I can be a passenger if it’s too much.  I have not been behind the wheel since October 27.  Hmm.

Have a Wonderfull WeekEnd.    On to the ‘Funnies’.

               Peace,

                         Danny

Art

Hi,

From what I could tell by looking out of the windows, it was a beautiful day in Chiang Rai.  It was hot, with no sign of rain.  

This week’s ‘Zany Day’ song has two fans so far.  Let’s see if anyone else remembers this crazy oldie. 

“One day while I was visiting at Heart Break Hotel, that's where I met __ and she sure looked swell.  I told her that I loved her and I’d never leave.  She put her arms around me, gave me fever.”  Hint:  Remember, the title is three words, the first two are descriptive and the last is a name.

Day three living upstairs on bed rest seems a little more comfortable.  At least it is when I’m in a static, reclining position.  One good thing that has come from this is the option of catching up on American football.  They show a lot more of it here than in the past.  It’s a game I kind of understand.  I’ll say this, it’s a lot easier to follow than cricket or rugby, although I’m getting vaguely familiar with rugby.  I also know who won the World Series and the World Rugby Championship.  

This evening Natcha presented Blue, Lisa and me with beautiful, ultra-soft scarves that she crocheted.  She knows we will go to the states in December and her memory is that it’s a cold place in winter.  She visited years ago with an American couple she worked for and they were in the Mid-West.  A warm scarf just might come in handy in the Los Angeles area if past winters are any indication.

The fridge saga got a jolt of energy today when we received a call telling us they would come and remove the motor, presumably for replacement.  We’ll know more in about 3 days.  The ice brigade continues (555).  One of Lisa’s friends wrote to say that nothing unites people like customer dissatisfaction.  Oh yeah.  

Flowers always seem to brighten a mood.  The orchids are back.

Daku now seems to understand that I’m not leaving the bed.  When he comes over to bother me I scratch his throat and he stands there and enjoys it.  That’s become our play time.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“Hearing is a gift,

listening is an art.”

~Unknown

Stand

Hi,

Morning drizzle is always welcome as long as it doesn’t get in the way of Daku’s play time.  We had a cloudy day that looked like rain, but the early morning was all that got wet.  There could be more ‘nearby’.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers.  It’s time for a ‘Zany Day’ song and this is it:

“I was slipping and sliding with a long tall Sally, peeking and a hiding, duck back in the alley.  Don’t want to rip it up, don’t want to dance with Annie.  I’ve got a brand new lover, name is __ __ __.”  Hint:  The last dash is a name that rhymes with another name in the song.  Extra Cool Points if you know who Annie was, and if you know the other song references.

The big news today is that Lisa took the van for a solo adventure.  She drove herself to Art Bridge, then Makro, and down the highway to Browney’s.  After eight years of not driving in Thailand, she’s doing it just fine.  There are still a few mountains to climb, like downtown, and the loop around the Healthy Market, but they should be a piece of cake.  She was nice enough to check in from time to time, probably realizing I was sitting here like a worried parent or something.  I knew she’d be alright.  So ends the era of me being the only ‘driver’ for the Big Brown House.

Day Two of living upstairs found me wondering what it looked like downstairs.  The pool guy came and I didn’t get to greet him.  I get updates, but it’s not the same as being there, seeing stuff.  I can tell that I’m improving a little bit each day.  Last night it didn’t hurt to carefully turn over while sleeping.  The pain has changed in it’s intensity for the most part, to a milder ache.  I still have a ways to go so I’ll just have to exercise patience and give myself a break.  The mind sometimes wants to move quicker than the body will allow.  Oh, that sounds so pitiful.

Our friend Sutheera is helping with our refrigerator saga.  We may hear something from the manufacturer in a few days.  Meanwhile, we, or should I say ‘they’, are managing the food and keeping things cool.  It means shopping more often for things like vegetables and chicken and fish, but it’s working.

The big elephant has left Art Bridge, presumably on it’s way to Bangkok for the big opening of “999 Elephants” at the Central World mall.  

Today’s photo was taken in our front yard.  I love the way the second plant is growing on the trunk of the palm.

This evening Blue came upstairs to visit.  We had a really good time talking about lots of different stuff.  A few times I was abruptly reminded why I am not to laugh.  It’s hard not to laugh when hanging out with Blue.  That’s what friends are for.

Time for Wacky Wednesday.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

“In matters of style,

swim with the current;

in matters of principle,

stand like a rock.”

~Thomas Jefferson

Apathy

Hi,

This morning an amazing thing happened.  It rained.  We had light rain off and on all day.  Quite refreshing.

This week’s ‘Easy Monday’ song stirred up a few memories, and I just know that more of you remember this:

“Wonder this time where she’s gone.  Wonder if she’s gone to stay.  __ __ __ when she’s gone, and this house just ain’t no home anytime she goes away.  And I know, I know, I know, I know (there’s 24 more of that phrase).  Hey, I oughtta leave the young thing alone, but __ __ __ when she’s gone.”  Hint:  Hmm, I think you’ve had enough hints.

Day one of living upstairs is almost over.  It’s very odd to be at home, but not be a part of the ‘action’.  It began last night when Daku came to me when it was time to go out for his final trip to the yard.  This morning he looked at me like I had lost my mind.  We always go downstairs together.  When it was time for him to go for his morning run I didn’t go.  And so it went... all day I stayed on the bed, following directions, missing the little things that happen downstairs during the course of the day.  Lisa drove the van last week and got a feel for how it handles.  This morning she wanted to take it to Big C but I didn’t think it was a good idea to go out into town in the rain.  She and Blue took a taxi and took care of business.  Tomorrow she will do some shopping in the van.  Meals are weird since I’m upstairs and, well, you get it.  

We’ve been in refrigerator hell for 3 days.  We got a call in Chiang Mai that the machine was making noise.  Then it stopped keeping things cold, then more noise and heat, and then it died.  It’s less than a year old and has been ‘fixed’ about 5 times.  Now we find out that the store only has a 14 day warranty, even though they wave a one year warranty in your face when you buy it.  That one is from the maker, whose distribution is based in Bangkok.  What?  It will unravel itself somehow, but right now there is food stuffed into Natcha and Gong’s fridge and pots of ice in the ‘new’ one. The wonders of the modern age.  Anyone remember when a truck used to come through the neighborhood and the man would put a block of ice in your ‘ice-box’?  (5)

Today’s photo was taken from the bus to Chiang Mai.  Just one of many jungle scenes that make the trip so interesting.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

“Apathy is a glove

in which evil slips it’s hand.”

~Bodie Thoene

Sky

Hi,

It’s so good to be home.  Seeing our little family filled my heart with joy.  Vacations are one thing, but returning from the hospital brought a completely different feeling.  Of course, when Daku came upstairs to see me he wanted to play.  I think he’ll figure it out that I can only pet his head for now.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Uptight (Everything is Alright)” by Stevie Wonder.  I didn’t hear from many of you so you get a genuine ‘Easy Monday’ song to start the week.  “__ __ __ when she’s gone.  It’s not warm when she’s away.  __ __ __ when she’s gone, and she’s always gone too long anytime she goes away.”  Hint:  I know we’ve done it before, but I know you need a ‘win’.  (555)

The Chiang Mai saga is over.  After a weekend in the hotel bed, I actually got up and got dressed this morning.  We went back to Bangkok Hospital for a final followup with the surgeon.  He changed my bandage and told me to go home and stay in bed for a week.  Oh boy.  A taxi driver with a van brought us home and we passed the time watching episodes of Eureka on my laptop.  

I would love to tell you that everything medical is finished, but I have to go back for another operation in late February.  This time it’s a repair on the right side.  Now that I know what to expect and how I’ll be treated, I’m not as worried about it.  I know I can rise to the occasion and it will be just as successful. 

While we were in Chiang Mai, the staff at the Dusit D2 became our support crew.  They made meals that I could eat, and every time they brought food or coffee to the room they’d ask me how I was doing.  Anything we needed, they were quick to provide.  Even the doormen and the parking guys were all concerned about my condition.  I think it’s one of the first times I’ve been in Chiang Mai and not gone to the Night Bazaar.  Hmm.

Aside from the hospital photos, I managed to get one at the hotel that was fun.  They decorated the lobby with lots of typical Halloween images and some of the staff made up their faces.  Today’s photo is the lobby scene.

Have a Great Week.

             Peace,

                       Danny

“We all live under the same sky,

but we don’t all have the same

horizon.”

~Konrad Adenauer