Choice

Hi,

We’ve been living in 100+ temps for the last few days and it’s not stopping soon.  They say ‘101F, feels like 110’ and stuff like that.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “The Book of Love” by The Monotones  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIfuNPbBaaA   Now we move on to ‘Easy Monday’.  “Hot town, __ __ __ __, back of my neck getting dirty and gritty.  Been down, isn’t it a pity, doesn’t seem to be a shadow in the city.  All around, people looking half dead, walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head.”  Hint: The weather had me singing this song all day.  Hmm.

Saturday was another hot day but we had a brief, heavy rain in the early evening.  We got all dressed up and went to Rai Mae Fah Luang Park for the special event.  It turns out it was the 20th anniversary of the death of the Princess Mother (The mother of The King).  When we arrived, our host spotted us and threw his arms up and shouted ‘Oh, how beautiful’.  He was so pleased that we came in Lanna attire.  Most of the guests wore some kind of traditional outfit and it was a sight to see.  There were a lot of familiar faces, even some whose names we remembered (555).  The evening began with a ceremony and tribute gifts for the members of the Board of Directors.  The park has many activities and events centering around the preservation of Lanna culture.  At the end, a monk gave a blessing to the audience by walking down the center aisle sprinkling water.  As he began, so did the rain.  

Inside the main gallery we were meeting and greeting, checking out the exhibit when suddenly the lights went out.  People just turned on the flashlights on their phones and it all continued.  The next phase of the evening was a buffet dinner with musical entertainment.  Most of the food was pork-based so we didn’t eat much.  We had a good time talking with our friend Chalit and his girlfriend Sin.  There was a small ensemble from Chiang Mai consisting of piano, cello, violin, various flutes and two vocalists.  They were very good.  There was also a dance performance by a couple who did what I’d call a blend of Lanna/Contemporary, accompanied by a solo Thai instrument.  There must have been 100+ guests and we were part of a handful of expats.  It was a memorable experience.

Sunday morning, when we went out with Daku, he dashed over to a tree just as a bird flew out.  I thought that was what had attracted him but on further inspection I discovered a little owl that was stuck.  It was out of Daku’s reach.  Lisa held him while I cut a piece of twine that was wrapped around his leg, and then he flew off.  We had never seen an owl here so it was a big treat.  That’s the photo for today.  His face is in the shadow of the tree.

Have a Great Week.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“Choosing to live your life by your own choice is 

the greatest freedom you will ever have.”

~Shad Helmstetter

Friday Funnies

Hi,

There is really no point in looking at any forecasts.  It just stays hot.  We are supposed to get a thunder shower Saturday afternoon.  That would be nice since it would cool things off for our evening out.  Full report on Monday.

This week’s ‘Zany Day’ song was “The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix.  Hey, here comes ‘Old School Friday’.

“I wonder wonder who, oouu who, who wrote __ __ __ __.  I, I love you darlin’, baby you know I do.  But I’ve got to see this __ __ __, find out why it’s true.  I wonder wonder who, be-dooo, who, who wrote __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  This might be found in the library, but I doubt if the author was ever revealed.

This morning we decided to leave Chiang Mai early and just come home.  There was nothing to do except hang around the hotel and then eat lunch at Central Festival.  The big mall is always attractive, but there’s always something there that will want to come home with us (555).  We had breakfast, and then packed up and left.  At the front desk the usual routine is for the attendant to call upstairs to see if we’ve taken anything from the mini-bar.  This time she just asked us and took our word for it.  Both check-in and check-out were simplified, like old friends who came to visit.  I like that.  

Once we cleared the morning traffic, the first half of our trip was very smooth.  With no stop for pie, we made excellent time back to Chiang Rai.  Along the way we saw some amazing photo opportunities that we didn’t take, but appreciated.  Imagine a drought-dry hillside with one bright green tree right in the middle, or a stoney stream winding through the landscape next to the highway.  One of these days…

On Thursday we had an encounter at the hospital that I thought I should share.  After we paid the bill, the clerk said, “Have a nice day, please”.  It sort of surprised us at first, no one ever adds ‘please’.  Hmm.

Today’s photo was taken from our hotel window.  I think what we’re seeing is an old rain collector that filled the big tank.  Someone planted a ‘garden’ in the collector, but without rain it just dried up.

Our little household was surprised to see us so early.  We called ahead and told them we’d be home for lunch, but we usually don’t come back until late afternoon.  Daku responded as if we’d been gone for weeks.  It’s always good to be back home.

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

                  Peace,

                            Danny

Progress

Hi,

I’m ‘broadcasting’ live from Chiang Mai, where it’s hotter than Chiang Rai (555).  It will be good to get back to the cool country.  Who am I kidding, it’s just a few degrees cooler.

The ‘Zany Day’ song is actually a rather sad/zany tune if there is such a thing.  Your responses tell me you still like it.  “A broom is drearily sweeping up the broken pieces of yesterday’s life.  Somewhere a queen is weeping, somewhere a king has no wife.  And __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  Something stronger than a breeze and a name.  Yeah, that’s a hint.

The only big difference in our drive to Chiang Mai this morning was the state of the landscape.  The dry weather has taken its toll on a lot of the brush and many small trees.  This trip we saw brown where there used to be green. The region really needs some rain.  We stopped for pie and I was surprised at how dense the air was.  The smell of smoke made hanging out an afterthought.  

The main point of the trip was to see the doctor for my follow-up and see if things are healing properly.  Based on the guidelines, I’m doing fine. So, it’s slow progress, but progress just the same.  I am relieved.

Riding around the city and not having to drive gives me a chance to see things I would miss while concentrating on the road.  We passed an auto supply store that had a big tire in front with what looked like snow chains.  What?  We decided that they might be used for driving in the mud.  We’ll leave it at that.  

There is a coffee stand near the hotel that offers a cup of good black coffee a lot cheaper than the hotel.  On our last trip that was where Lisa would go.  She went back this afternoon and the guy apologized for not being there on the Sunday of our last trip.  He had told Lisa he’d be open but he didn’t make it.  It’s been 5 weeks and he remembered.  Amazing Thailand.  

Today’s photo is the menu at the coffee stand.  It’s interesting to see how strong the desire is to post signs in English, even without the benefit of a ‘proof reader’.

The hotel staff keeps asking me how I’m doing now, and if I’m feeling better.  It seems we have made some real connections with these young people.  I honestly think it has a healing affect.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“Never discourage anyone who continually

makes progress, no matter how slow.”

~Aristotle

Balance

Hi,

The weather started out like any other day, and then something happened.  Wind happened, lots of wind that blew away some of the smoke and brought a few drops of water.  More on this later.

‘Easy Monday’ was “You’ve Got a Friend” as sung by James Taylor.  It was also written and sung by Carole King.  Now we get busy with this week’s ‘Zany Day’ song.  It’s from 1967, by an American icon who was in England at the time, so I guess you could say it came from across the pond.  “After all the jacks are in their boxes, and the clowns have all gone to bed.  You can hear happiness staggering on down the street.  Footprints dressed in red.  And __ __ __ __.”  Clue: If you followed R&R during this era, you probably know this song.  It’s a purple hazy reflection on something that happened and there’s crying involved.

This afternoon we went into town to pick up Lisa's outfit for the dinner event on Saturday.  We made a couple of stops on the way home and then we had a weather experience like no other.  The sky had been looking darker than usual, but there were no rain clouds.  In fact, the sky was a blank gray slate.  As we made the turn onto the long road that leads to our bridge we saw tiny leaves swirling around and it seemed like a big gust of wind.  As we passed the golf course we were surprised that anyone would be out in what was more of a wind storm than a gust.  Over the bridge, in our neighborhood, it was really blowing and all of the merchants were closing their open-front shops.  The dust was flying and tree branches were being tossed around.  A few drops of water landed in the pool to let us know that it ‘rained’ briefly.  The end result of all of this was light trash in the pool and cooler, better smelling air.  The weather sites said it was a 38 mph wind from the north.  We actually opened the windows and let it in.  We haven’t done this in a long time.  

Cat spent the day with a friend and her family up in Chiang Sen, near the Golden Triangle.  When she called she told us they had a big wind storm.  Hmm, same wind working it’s way south.

Natcha has been bringing Neetchanan over for a visit every afternoon.  It’s great because we get to see the daily changes.  She is very alert and responds with little smiles and vocal sounds.  This evening Lisa got to hold her and they had a nice communication.  

Today’s photo is more wall art from the new shop downtown.  Based on the graphic, I’m guessing they’ll be serving drinks and snacks.

Time to start deciding what to take on our overnight trip to Chiang Mai.  It seems like it’s harder to pack for the short trips than it is for the long ones.  Oh well, most of the time will be spent in the car so it really doesn’t matter (555).

Feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“Life is a balance of

holding on and letting go.”

~Rumi

Nothing

Hi,

Hot and hazy drives me crazy.  That’s the rhyme for today.  The weather sites either underestimate or exaggerate in their forecasts.  In the end, the little rhyme covers it (555).

The ‘Easy Monday’ song has had many cover recordings.  Any one you pick will be fine.  I took the lyrics from a male singer who had an early hit with this song.  “You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am, I’ll come running to see you again.  Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is call and I’ll be there, yeah, yeah, __ __ __ __.”  Clue:  Everybody needs one.

In the past, we have had birds collide with our big windows upstairs, mistaking the reflection for the actual sky.  They are usually stunned and then fly away.  Yesterday two birds hit the dining room window and didn’t make it.  We had Gong clean up the mess.  When it happened there was a loud ‘boom’.  This morning we heard that sound again but didn’t see the bird when we went downstairs.  Gong had taken the pigeon out of it’s misery and his mother had plucked the feathers.  It was going to be breakfast.  Life in the ‘Village’ is certainly different.

As of yesterday, I’m following doctor’s instructions for bronchitis.  Coughing is not a friend of the healing abdominal muscles and it seemed to be getting more frequent so we went to our local hospital and saw a doctor.  One look at my throat and she knew what it was.  Antibiotics, cough medicine, cough suppressant are helping tone things down but it doesn’t help the energy level.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.  For someone who doesn’t like to be sick, this is the pits.

The kids took to the pool this afternoon.  Unfortunately, Champoo and Gop went in before Gong got home from work.  We had to set some ground rules for the use of the pool.  Welcome to new territory once again.  

Today’s photo was taken at The Wanderer.  This was part of the scene walking in and I had to whip out my phone and catch the beauty.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

“Nothing is permanent in this world,

not even your troubles.”

~Charlie Chaplin

See

Hi,

The weather managed to get hotter over the weekend.  This week we’re in the triple digit zone.  The pool temperature is rising accordingly and that’s nice.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Twist and Shout” by The Isley Brothers.  For those who said The Beatles, they did it 2 years later.  Actually, the Isley’s version was a cover of a very bland original.  That’s your history lesson for today.  It must be time for ‘Easy Monday’.  “When you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand, and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right.  Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there to brighten even your darkest nights.  You just call out my name…”  Hint:  I’m pretty sure you know this one.  Yep, that’s our hint.  Or is that a clue?

The Songkran ‘Village’ on the river bank is in place and people were playing in the water over the weekend.  The excitement is building.  The big question in our minds is whether it will be just one day or one week.  In Bangkok there is a water throwing curfew in certain tourist areas.  They’re trying to put an end to the night time street parties.  Here in the north, there isn’t much talk about cutting back on the water play.  One thing that will happen is the music from across the river.  Hmm,

We did some clothes shopping this weekend for a special event we’ve been invited to on Saturday.  Rai Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park is celebrating their 20th anniversary as well as the birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn and the attire is formal Lana Thai.  We get to play dress up for the evening.  

Sunday evening we went into town for our regular dinner at Sawadee Restaurant.  A few weeks ago I recorded the Thai band that plays in the Night Bazaar.  They had a great groove going and I wanted to capture it.  Blue used part of the recording in a ‘remix’ with some other music and came up with a fantastic track.  He gave the band CDs of the final mix.  Unfortunately they were on stage performing so we won’t know their reaction until we return to the Bazaar.  On our way back to the car after dinner, I noticed some wall art inside a shophouse that was under renovation.  That is the photo for today.

Today was Blue’s birthday so we took him to Central Plaza for lunch.  This evening we surprised him with a special blueberry cheesecake made by our friend Noot at The Wanderer.  As our dinner was winding down, Gong and his nephew Gop went in the pool.  They had fun together and of course, the basket of pool toys is now in rotation again (555).  

Have a Great Week.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“People see only what they are 

prepared to see.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friday Funnies

Hi,

In answer to the question: Could it get any hotter?, apparently so.  It’s 7pm and they say it’s 91F.  

So, the ‘Zany Day’ song was “Crocodile Rock” by Elton John.  Let’s go back to 1962 for an ‘Old School Friday’ tune that shouldn’t be hard to figure out.  “Well, shake it up baby, now (Shake it up, baby) __ __ __ (__ __ __).  C’mon C’mon, C’mon C’mon baby now (Come on baby).  Come on and work it on out (Work it on out).”  Hint:  If you can get past the subtle use of ‘clever’ language, you understand that it’s a dance song (555).  Think: Break off a dance move and then exclaim loudly.  Yeah, that’s it.

We found ourselves back at The Wanderer for lunch today.  Just can’t seem to stay away.  We had lunch with our friend Rachel and a new Sold Project staff member from the States who will be here for 6 months.  The staff knows how we like certain things and they put a name next to an order so the kitchen knows who it’s for.  That’s what I call being a regular.  All we need now is an after-meal lounge facing into the forest.  We’ll be going back again on Sunday for another lunch date.  Hmm.

Cat went with her boyfriend to report to the Army lottery today.  All young men have to pick a colored number from a basket.  Certain colors decide whether you spend time in the military.  He picked one that says ‘you go’, and since he finished technical high school, he has to serve one year instead of the standard two.  Now, if one has gone through the ROTC type training in high school, you don’t have to show up, just be ready in an emergency.  If you are in the monkhood you are exempt.  There also seems to be a provision for those with certain income influence.  Cat said there were about 100 guys waiting to pick a number.  Very interesting.

I’m happy to say that the pool is functioning within acceptable parameters.  The water is already looking clear and inviting.  The temperature is rising daily due to the high heat.  All we need is an air-cleaning rain to go swimming.

You know Songkran is coming when you see stacks of small buckets in shopping carts and Hawaiian print shirts are on the racks.  The official day is April 13, and since that’s a Wednesday, it will probably be going on from the Monday before to the Monday after. 

Today’s photo is from 2013.  It shows what happens when the word gets out that a bunch of fish are in the little inlet near our house.   This ‘event’ seems to spring up out of nowhere once a year.  

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.    It’s time for the ‘Funnies’, and don’t forget the Formula One GP from Bahrain.

                Peace,

                          Danny