Give

Hi,

We have moved into the Very Hot portion of our weather show.  Projected temps will be in the high 90s and over 100F this week and next.  Still, no rain in sight.  A dip in the local hotel pool may be in order next week.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was The Beatles' tune that set it off:  “I Want To Hold Your Hand”.  Note that the published title is six words, but in the song lyrics it’s only 5.  Hmm.  Time to get crazy with a ‘Zany Day’ song.  This one is from 1960, sung by a blues singer.  We’ll start with the first verse:  “Got me working, __ __, working ‘round the clock.  I want me a drink of water, but you won’t let Jimmy stop.  __ __ __, can’t you hear me when I call?  Well you ain’t so big, you just tall, that’s all.”  Clue: The man in charge is very large.

My excitement for today was a visit from our dear friends Sutheera and Nukoon.  We hung out for almost an hour, talking and (painfully) laughing.  Nukoon brought up a standing joke that always breaks us up.  Years ago he took Lisa, Blue and me to dinner at a Chinese Restaurant.  Among the various things he ordered was duck feet.  It was all we could do to contain ourselves when we realized it was a real thing.  Only Nukoon ate them, but now, every time we’re together it comes up.  Near the end of their visit, Blue came upstairs and the men discussed Thai politics

and I have no idea what Lisa and Sutheera talked about.  It was a wonderfully thoughtful thing they did.  It definitely perked me up.

Remembering that I’m not sick in the normal sense of the word, but recovering from an invasion of my body, is hard to keep in perspective.  Most of the day I feel great, and then I move.  The key, like last time; don’t move.

The pool completion has been delayed because some of the new grout was applied while the surface was dry.  That’s the short explanation.  So, a whole replacement procedure has to take place before we can entertain any water.  The Rimkok Hotel is less than two minutes away and they have a big pool that we can swim in for less than $1.  With the heat coming on strong, we’ll probably go down there next week and have a swim.  I’ll just splash around, but it will feel good.

Until today, Daku had been pretty cool about asking me to take him outside.  This afternoon he got really insistent and kept bugging me.  Lisa caught this photo of him trying to plead his case.  He also hit the bed with his paw for emphasis.

I miss going down and eating with the rest of the family.  There is something special about eating and laughing together.  It’s also where information is shared about this and that.  Patience is my friend.  Yeah, I keep telling myself.  

Time for a Wacky Wednesday.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“You give but little when you give

of your possessions.  It ’s only when you 

give of yourself that you truly give.”

~Kahlil Gibran

Lift

Hi,

Even though I didn’t go outside today, I could tell it was a hot one.  It would be nice to sit in the sun, but then I’d have to climb the stairs.  Oh well, next week the sun will still be there.

So, a bunch of you know the ‘Easy Monday’ song.  I could use a little more email since I’m a ‘shut in’ (555).

“Oh please, say to me, you’ll let me be your man.  And please, say to me, you’ll let me __ __ __, __ __ __ __ __ __.  And when I touch you I feel happy inside.  It’s such a feeling that my love I can’t hide, I can’t hide, I can’t hide…"

Hint:  Terms like ‘mop top’ come to mind.

There is not a lot to tell you about sitting in one room all day.  I know that lots is probably happening outside.  The construction crew down the road is making progress on whatever it is that they’re building.  Some farmers are struggling with their crops while others have plenty of water, and a ton of kids are done with school for the year.  In fact, many are done with school for life.  That means there are more motorbikes on the streets being driven by young adults with underdeveloped frontal lobes, making poor decisions out there.  Oh my, it’s nice to be inside.

The government announced that in some parts of Thailand they will begin seeding the clouds in order to make rain.  That’s fine if you have clouds.  Chiang Rai was not on the list, and this is farming country.  Hmm, maybe it’s going to rain here (555).  

We have reached that point in the year when it’s time to make reservations for our Summer Visit to the US.  I know, it seems like we just did this, but if we don’t get our tickets now, there may not be any seats left.  It took a long time this morning, but we are booked for a July 11 departure and arrival.  While on hold with the airline, Lisa had to listen to the birthday song over the phone.  What?

Cat’s senior class is having their prom next week.  It will be just the kids in her class, 35 students.  Yes, things are different here.  We will be taking Cat and two of her closest friends, Pawn and Oum (pronounced Oom) since they decided to wear dresses and not jeans.

This afternoon Natcha came upstairs to visit me and she brought Neetchanan.  We had a very strong eye contact communication and then she started getting sleepy.  What a treat to see the little one.

Daku is happy to have his routines back in place.  This morning he had a bath and then Lisa and Cat ran him across the lawn.  He is a happy dog.

Today’s photo was taken in our back yard.  It was right before the yard crew came and relieved the trees of their heavy fruit.  The banana tree is one of the babies of the original tree.  

Have a Happy Tuesday.

              Peace,

                        Danny

“There is no exercise better for the heart

than reaching down and lifting people up.”

~John Andrew Holmes

Things

Hi,

Well, we traded the hot air of Chiang Mai for the hot air of Chiang Rai.  The nights in Chiang Rai are warming up nicely.

‘Old School Friday’ was “Fever”, originally sung by Little Willie John in 1956.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y27vBA68Zyk   I should also point out that it was two years later that Peggy Lee recorded her extended version of the song.  Now you know.  ‘Easy Monday’ is up next and that means less thinking, we hope.  “Oh yeah, I’ll tell you something, I think you’ll understand.  When I’ll say that something __ __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __ __.”  Clue:  This song set off a whole wave of music from across the pond by young men with guitars and drums that changed a lot of lives forever.  Ed Sullivan saw it coming.

This morning the doctor released me to travel home.  While I was waiting at the hospital I began wondering about some of the people around me.  There were Thai people, and a lot of foreigners.  Some of them spoke a little Thai, others seemed almost fluent.  I began wondering what their ’stories’ were, how long they have lived here, and what they do in Thailand. 

The trip home took the normal 3 hours, but the time passed quickly while we watched a movie and a TV episode.  It was so nice to get back to The Big Brown House.  I slowly climbed the stairs before Daku was let into the house.  Khun Fone and her daughter Shampoo brought the bags upstairs.  Cat and her boyfriend shopped at Big C and got enough groceries so Lisa won’t have to go out tomorrow.  And so it begins, staying in the bed for ten days and letting myself heal.  The 13th of the month will be the end of the ordered rest, then I’ll have to see how it goes.  

The hardest thing about following orders is that feeling better doesn’t always mean that I am better.  In light of that, I will continue to be careful.  Fortunately for me, when I bend or reach wrong, the pain lets me know it’s time to relax.  

I have been thinking about how nice it will be to go to The Wanderer and chill.  The environment is perfect  to commune with nature and enjoy the stillness.  Today’s photo was taken there, looking up through the trees.

Have a Great Week.

            Peace,

                      Danny

“The little things are

the big things.”

~Unknown

Friday Funnies

Hi,

From my brief time outside today, I can tell you that it really is hot in Chiang Mai.  Thailand is racing into the hot season for sure.

This week’s ‘Zany Day’ song was “Poison Ivy” by The Coasters.  Time to go ‘Old School Friday’ on you.  

“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….”  Clue:  A condition of elevated temperature in the body.  Easy.  Oh, Original artist from 1956 please.

Morning in the hospital began with breakfast that I had ordered the night before.  What a relief to get food I wanted to eat.  From the stories I’ve heard, it could have been pretty bad.  Late last night my nurse came to the room for my last dose of pain medication and mentioned that she had been on duty for 16 hours and had 4 more to go.  That’s a long day on any job.  Nurses are definitely underrated and sometimes under appreciated.  This woman was cheery and helpful even after her long day.  She told us that the hospital only had two vacant rooms.  That’s a busy place.

I got the green light from my doctor to go back to the hotel.  I rode downstairs in a wheelchair.  It would have been a long and painful walk otherwise.  The staff arranged for our ride back to Chiang Rai on Monday and I also made an appointment to have an eye exam before we leave.  

The remainder of the day was spent in the hotel bed.  Following doctor’s orders can be a drag, but in this case it was not a problem.  When lunch was delivered to our room, our favorite dining room person came up to make sure everything was alright.   

Last week I neglected to tell you an interesting story.  We finally got new windshield wipers.  Big deal, right?  The place where we went was a complex of auto accessory shops.  The young man who helped us is the son of the family that runs Browney's Pet World and he remembered us.  He said his family told him we were long-time customers.  He also gave us a little discount on the wipers.  Love Chiang Rai.

Some of you may have already seen today’s photo on Facebook.  I couldn’t resist clowning around by the pain chart.  I love the hospital pajamas.  It would be cool to have something like that at home.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.    It’s time for the ‘Funnies’.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

Health

Hi,

I can’t tell you much about weather conditions today.  I’ve been ‘under the weather’ in a manner of speaking.  Now there’s a term that warrants investigation (555).

The ‘Zany Day’ song has a few friends out there.  I think this verse will give you all the clues you need to remember:

“You’re gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion.  You’ll be scratchin’ like a hound, the minute you start to mess around.  __ __, __ __.  Late at night when you’re sleepin’ __ __ comes a creepin’ around.”  Hint:  Really?

Today’s surgery went well.  It lasted 2 hours and started an hour earlier than planned.  The first half of the day was rather surreal since I was taken directly to surgery after doctor consults.  I received the ‘open-back’ gown and was told to put everything in the bag they gave me.  In a pre-op room I met Dr. Sleep and then got shaved.  I still hadn’t been given the ‘I don’t care’ meds, so I was very aware of every move.  The strangest part was when they rolled me into the surgery theater and started doing things to me.  One doctor was sticking sensors on parts of my body, another had my arms out to the side with mild restraints.  Now I’m getting nervous.  Then a voice said, “You will sleep now” and a mask was put over my nose and mouth.  Next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room and Nurse Nicky was telling me where I was, how long it had been, and that she had called Lisa.  

My/our room was upgraded because all of the standard ones were booked.  Our ‘Superior’ room is like an apartment.  There are two rooms, two bathrooms, two kitchens, two big screen TV sets, my bed and a bed for Lisa. She will stay the night with me.  One side has a dining room table.  Quite awesome.  Like before, the staff is very good at what they do and they’re taking great care of me.  Not to gloss over this part, but, there is pain.  It might be a little different than last time, but it’s there.  On the wall there is a chart that leaves a little to be desired, but it's your photo for the day.  

Tomorrow we’ll go back to the D2 hotel.  In the meantime, I’ll just try to stay awake until bedtime.  Hmm.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“Cheerfulness, sir, is the principle ingredient

in the composition of health.”

~Arthur Murphy

Sit

Hi,

The weather in Chiang Mai is very hot.  The weather folks list the daytime temps as being close to Chiang Rai, but being in the concrete and asphalt of this city makes it seem much hotter.  The nights are definitely warmer.  

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Girl” by The Beatles.  That means it’s time for another ‘Zany Day’ song.  “She comes on like a rose, but everybody knows.  She’ll get you in Dutch, you can look but you better not touch.  __ __, __ __, late at night when you’re sleepin’ __ __ comes a creepin’ around.”  Hint: ‘She’ can be a botanical nightmare.

Our morning routine began a little earlier today since we had to do our last minute stuff for the trip.  Daku is now tuned in and when the suitcase gets zipped up he becomes tense.  It’s really nice to have the whole household bidding us goodbye when we leave on trips.  Our little family was there to see us off, including Neetchanan.  

The bus ride was fairly normal.  We did encounter some road work, but we couldn’t see what was going on, just that the bus had to slow down and share a lane with oncoming traffic.  We stayed occupied/distracted watching Stargate Atlantis.  That will make you forget you’re on the bus.  

When we arrived at our hotel we got a greeting we didn’t expect.  My taxi door was opened and a smiling face said, “Welcome Back”, all of the bellman greeted us like we were cousins or something.  Later in the afternoon we saw one of our favorite waiters from the dining room and she gave us a big greeting as well.  They have no idea how comforting that is.

Today’s photo was taken on the way to our hotel.  There is an area in front of the Governor’s mansion that always has a special sculpture on display.  This trip it was giant tulips.

The Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai begins to take shape in the early afternoon.  At about 1pm workers start assembling the stalls that vendors turn into mini stores.  A lot of work goes into creating this sidewalk market-place.  Late at night it all comes apart and the next day the cycle starts all over again.  On our way back from dinner the whole street was in full swing.  Amazing Thailand.

Now it’s time to assemble what I’ll need for my overnight stay at the hospital and go to bed.  Who ever heard of going out of town, staying in a hotel and getting up at 6:15 in the morning unless it was for sightseeing?  

See you tomorrow with all the latest news from ‘hospitaland'.

It really is a Wacky Wednesday.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“All of humanity’s problems stem

from man’s inability to sit quietly 

in a room alone.”

~Pascal

Care

Hi,

We had a gorgeous day in Chiang Rai today.  The weather in Chiang Mai - tomorrow’s destination - will be 90 degrees.  

So, ‘Easy Monday’ didn’t look so easy to a lot of you.  There are some who remember this song from 1965.

“When I think of all the times I’ve tried so hard to leave her she will turn to me and start to cry.  And she promises the earth to me and I believe her, after all this time I don’t know why.  Ah, __ __”  Clue:  The title can be used as an indicator for the gender of a friend.  

After a busy, but productive day we had a chance to wind down at the opening of The Wanderer this evening.  When we arrived there were already a lot of people there enjoying the ambience.  The main seating area was almost full, the chamber orchestra was setting up, and the kitchen was buzzing.  We took a fruit basket we had made and added it to the large number of floral gifts inside the coffee shop.  Before we found a table, one of our hosts asked us if we wanted coffee.  We sat down and a few minutes later coffee appeared.  There was a buffet with many options that satisfied our hunger several times over.  As the sun went down some of the trees were illuminated with color-changing lights.  Looking past the main patio it was totally dark.  The whole thing was a little magical.  

Today’s photos are of our fruit basket and a shot from the upstairs area looking down over the part of the patio.

Tomorrow morning we catch the bus for Chiang Mai.  In the afternoon Lisa will meet with a gallery owner who showed her work in the past.  Thursday morning I will check in at Bangkok Hospital for pre-surgery tests and basically put myself in their hands.  I’ll be in touch, of course.  I have been trying to figure out why my attention span has been erratic lately and I’ve pinned it down to the upcoming event.  

Time to pack the bags for the stay at the Dusit D2.  We’ll be there from Wednesday until Monday morning.  I won’t be taking much, just stuff to wear while hanging out in bed.  Hmm, I suppose a backpack would probably be enough (555).  

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“I feel the capacity to care 

is the thing which gives life

its deepest significance.”

~Pablo Casals