Live

Hi,

The weather forecast for Chiang Rai calls for a high of 86F (feels like 89), with rain likely.  Hmm, that’s a new one.  That’s why the night-time temps (62) feel so cold here, at least to me.  Oh well, it won’t be long before we’ll be running the air/con in the rain (555).

‘Zany Day’ is not a bust.  Cousin Trudye remembered.  Here’s more of the first verse, it may help you at least figure it out:  “You just show me where you want it and I’ll put it where I can.  I can put it in the bedroom, I can put it in the hall.  I can put it in the bathroom, I can hang it on the wall.  You can have it with a buzz, you can have it with a ring and if you really want it you can have a ding-a-ling.  Because, hey baby, I’m your __ __.”  Clue:  There is a specific utility involved.  

The Wednesday ‘call’ in Altadena was 8am.  The drive wasn’t as bad as I expected and we got there in good time.  The men we were waiting for didn’t show up, but we still got a lot accomplished.  

The one thing we knew was in the garage that we wanted was some of my CDs, “Gratidude Is Powerless”.  I was a little overwhelmed when I realized how many were still there.  Let’s just say there’s more than we can take back to Thailand.  I have twenty smallish boxes that are in need of a temporary home.  If you have any space please let me know.  The whole experience was like walking into a giant room of mystery.  There were so many different things to see and wonder about.  I am exercising incredible restraint (555).

After we were sure that no one was coming to the house, we visited with our friend Dianne, who lives in Altadena.  We ended up at a family-owned Thai/Korean restaurant near downtown, where we had a wonderful lunch and connected with one of the Thai daughters.  It was our first Thai meal since we’ve been here.

Today’s photo was taken during our stay with the cousins in Studio City.  It’s ‘Tina’, the lovable Chocolate Lab.  

Today’s ‘call’ is another early one so we’ll get to travel the freeway system once again.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“Have patience with everything unresolved 

in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.

It is possible to live and not know.”

~Rainer Maria Rilke

Impatience

Hi,

On this side of the world many young people are going to the beaches and enjoying the moderate weather.  On the other side it’s raining like crazy.  What’s weird is that I actually miss the rain.  What? 

The ‘Easy Monday’ tune was “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” by The Temptations.  Sometimes it takes two days for everyone to get it, but you got it.  This week’s ‘Zany Day’ song is from 1977.  “I rented my apartment on a Monday at one, singin’ doo-lolly-lolly, shakey-bum, shakey-bum.  Started movin’ in it on a Tuesday at two singin’ doo-lolly-lolly, shakey-bum, shakey-bum.  Wednesday at three I called the phone company singin’ doo-lolly-lolly, shakey-bum, shakey-bum.  Thursday at four he came a-knockin’ at my door singin’ ‘Hey baby, I’m your __ __…”  Hint:  It’s really pretty easy to figure out the two word title.  Oh yeah, it wasn’t much of a radio hit (555), but fun.

Yesterday morning we went on a little adventure.  We drove down to El Segundo to the main offices of EVA Airlines.  The mission was to transfer some of my miles to Lisa so we can upgrade to Business and sit together (hopefully).  After taking one elevator out of the parking lot, and an express elevator to the 16th floor.  We got all the business handled and now we have to wait until we get to LAX next Tuesday night to see if we get the seats we want.  We generally don’t have any reason to travel to the area south of the airport and were amazed at all the restaurants and fast-food places.  It’s the place to go if you’re looking for food and don’t know what you want.  It could drive one crazy.  Too many choices.  

It’s funny how things can just pop up when you least expect them.  Like the day last week when we got a reminder of home in a little Chinese burger joint.  In the rear of the place we found a photo op that reminded us of Chiang Rai.  

Today is going to be a full one.  We have to be at the house in Altadena at 8am for a crew that will take the rest of the furniture for donation.  Then a medical supply company will pick up some equipment, plus various other folks who will stop by to get things.  It just occurred to me that there will be no place to sit after the couches leave.  Hmm.  

The garage will be the last thing to be dealt with and it will require a big truck and some strong workers.  The only thing we’re keeping is boxes containing my CDs.  That’s right, I still have some left (555).  All kidding aside, if you have an empty corner, I have a way to fill it.  Drop me a line.  (There’s another one of those sayings whose origin I’m curious about).

We have been taking a lot of the medicine of laughter during these tense times.  There are phrases used in Thailand that come up on a daily basis that crack us up.  When asked how far something is, the reply is usually, ‘It’s not far’.  If you ask for directions it comes out:  ‘Over there’, with a wave of the hand in no specific direction.  We’ve been doing that a lot lately.  

It’s going to be a Wacky Wednesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“What good has impatience ever brought?  

It has only served as the mother of mistakes

and the father of irritation”

~Steve Maraboli

Water

Hi,

Traveling between the valley and the Westside means taking flexible clothing to deal with temperature changes.  It should be noted that we could not see the Foothills above Altadena on Monday.  Thought I was in Chiang Rai in March.  Is the bad air following us around the world or are crops being burned in the L.A. basin? 

The ‘Easy Monday’ song has a few friends out there.  Is it just my imagination or have we played this one before?

“Now I’ve heard a cryin’ man is half a man, with no sense of pride.  But if I have to cry to keep you, I don’t mind weepin’ if it’ll keep you by my side.  __ __ __ __, sweet darling, please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go).  __ __ __ plead, baby, baby.  Please don’t leave me, girl (don’t you go).  Hint:  Not afraid to set his pride aside.

Yesterday was a problem-solving day.  We overcame some logistical issues and ended up with a nice day.  We have to ship our clothes back to Thailand and this time we decided to get some real professional boxes.  In the past our things arrived, but the corners were bent, the boxes were sagging, and sometimes about to fall apart.  We now have sturdy boxes that should survive the trip in good shape.  

By the time we got to my mom’s house it was already nearing lunch time.  In a monumental move, we decided to eat somewhere other than The Hat.  Everyday, while we were sorting and tossing, Denny and I would drive into town and get turkey sandwiches for everyone.  Lisa and I returned on our own and discovered their turkey burgers were good too.  Yesterday we drove across town to Hastings Ranch in East Pasadena.  In the course of our journey we passed many landmarks from my youth.  The most memorable was Longfellow elementary school where I spent 6 years.  Many places are gone now, and I can’t even remember what was there before.  We lunched at a place where we’ve had dinner with my mother several times.   

When we drove across the Santa Monica Freeway in the morning, the west bound lanes were very congested.  We thought we might encounter heavy traffic on the way home, but for the first time in many days, it was light and we got home in early afternoon.  In the late afternoon, we went to a concert/talent show put on by the private high school that August attends.  He plays keyboard in the Jazz Band.  Fortunately, they had food before the evening began and it was a chance to hang out with Jeff and Anna.  We saw presentations from different departments, although we were really only there to see August.  It was interesting.  The Jazz Band was the best musical unit of the show and not just because of the keyboard player (555).  

Today’s photo was taken from the car on the freeway as we crept through downtown Los Angeles.  The cranes have nested on the tall buildings (5).

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“Water is the softest thing,

yet it can penetrate mountains and earth.

This shows clearly the principles of softness overcoming hardness.”

~Lao Tzu

Retreat

Hi,

The weekend gave us an opportunity to have two kinds of weather.  Blazing hot temps in the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys, and cool weather in the Culver City area.  What a contrast.  From light cotton to thermal in one weekend.  Whew.  Meanwhile, in Chiang Rai, lots of rain continues to fall. 

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Be Sure My Love” by The Dubs.  Nobody got it.  You can give a listen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd1S_AESBdA&t=2m26s  So, on to ‘Easy Monday’ and an R&B hit from the 60s.

“I know you wanna leave me, but I refuse to let you go.  If I have to beg, plead for your sympathy I don’t mind ‘cause you mean that much to me.  __ __ __ __ __ and you know it, please don’t leave me girl (don’t you go)….”  Hint:  I’m tempted to give you big clues but that would give it away.  Five man vocal group from the motor city.

Saturday morning we watched as furniture and nicknacks were carried out of my mom’s house and loaded into a truck.  It was truly an exercise in ‘letting go’ to sit still as memories passed through the door, never to be seen again.  Some things are just things, but others have a story.  I can keep the stories for as long as I like.  

I suppose it is a quirk of human nature to feel the need to associate with someone’s ordeal.  In the case of the decline of a loved one, we are hearing everyone’s stories of what happened when (fill in the blank) was stricken by dramatic illness or accident.  There is a need to let us know that they have been ‘there’, as a form of comfort when actually, it seems to me that it’s a form of unfinished grieving.  Knowing that someone is about to tell their story makes it easier to deal with.  So ends today’s observation.

We stopped by the convalescent home after we finished working at the house.  It was a very uncomfortable time for both of us to witness the gaze that seemed to look right through us.  Things have definitely changed.  Even though we knew this would happen, it’s still a shock to see.  We take refuge in the memories.

On the brighter side of things, we said our goodbyes to Jennifer, Nowell and their dogs, grateful for their hospitality and the love.  We returned to Culver City and our cozy apartment.  Anna and Jeff made it look as if there had been no repair work done at all.  We remain grateful having them as a constant in our lives every time we return to the States.  

Today’s photo is one of the memories that marched out of the house this weekend.  Motorola called it a “Digital Personal Communicator”.  Today it’s an antique cellphone.

Have a Great Week.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“Ideally, the ultimate retreat is to 

retreat from the past and the future,

to always remain in the present.”

~Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

Friday Funnies

Hi,

In Chiang Rai there was big rain last night.  The Big Brown House came through with flying colors.  The yard is at it’s greenest and all is well.  Meanwhile, here in Studio City we’re in a heatwave.  Culver City will feel cool after this.

Day 2 of our ‘Zany Day’ adventure really got you going.  Many responses to “Love Potion Number Nine” by The Coasters.  ‘Old School Friday’ is from 1957 and may be a little harder.  The group had a big hit wondering about magic (that’s a hint).  This record begins with a solo by the bass singer.  “__ __ __ __, __ __ you love me before you tell me your love is mine.  __ __ __ __, __ __ there’s no other, for I’ll have no other to take the place in my heart.”  Hint: The singer is looking for reassurance.  The first two words of the title are very important to him.  

Back in the day this was a ‘Slow Jam’ that was always played at house parties.

Just as we thought we had finished with all the paper sorting at my mother’s house, we found two boxes in the garage.  Hmm, other than that, things are going great.  We got a lot done today and now it’s a matter of having the furniture hauled away.  That begins early Saturday morning.  Much of our busy work will be canceling things, and making sure all the loose ends are tied (555).  We have learned a lot about trucks, labor and dump fees in the last 24 hours.  It’s different than in Thailand.  You ask if it can be done, they say yes, you get a price, you haggle, the job gets done.  This is our 9th day at this and we’re beginning to feel it, but the end is in sight, he said.

Since we’ve been here, I have put in more traffic miles than at any other time in the 8 years that we’ve been coming back to the States. Usually, we time the trips that require freeway driving to hours when congestion is light.  This trip we are in the thick of it every day.  It does move, so that’s something to be grateful for.  The sheer number of vehicles covering all the lanes seems impossible.  Take me back to the country (555).

Today’s photo was taken while eating pie at Charon Gardens on the road to Chiang Mai.  Another tranquil scene for reflection.

It’s so weird to have that Jet Lag feeling over a week later in the middle of the evening.  Then again, a week without naps can do that to you.  

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

                         Peace,

                                   Danny  

Quality

Hi,

Mom Report:  Among the many visitors yesterday was Jean’s sister Sara.  She told me that people at the facility wanted to know why Jean had so many visitors.  If they only knew who she was and, as Sara put it, how she lived.  

The ‘Zany Day’ tune has apparently triggered some memories.  That’s the goal here.  The last verse is next:

“I didn’t know if it was day or night.  I started kissing everything in sight.  But when I kissed the cop down at Thirty-Fourth and Vine, he broke my little bottles of __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  The substance in the bottles would sell big on Valentine’s Day.

It never fails, make plans and watch them change.  Our ‘Day Off’ was cut in half by an appointment at the house.  We still managed to have a fairly lazy morning before jumping back into the work thing.  I think yesterday was the last day of discoveries.  Now it’s a matter of getting things out of the house.  Things like dishes, furniture, and kitchen appliances need a good home.  We’re trying to do it in a way that my mother would want.  

Today’s photo is a piece of furniture in Chiang Rai that has been very hard to get rid of.  The guy who made it has been trying to sell it for at least two years, and he’s still parking it at Big C a few days a week.  It’s still beautiful.

We’ve been in the States for one week and I’m not done taking in all of the wonderful sights on the road.  There is such a much broader collection of cars to experience.  I’ve seen a few I’d love to take home (555).  We’re still enjoying our Ford Fusion, with it’s incredible milage factor.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“Associate yourself with people of good quality,

for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

~Booker T. Washington

Love

Hi,

Mom Report:  While there is no change in her status, she still greets you with a smile, has been getting lots of visitors, and is not in any pain.  

Many people got the ‘Easy Monday’ song.  It was “Money” by Barrett Strong.  ‘Zany Day’ is next - you know this one.

“I took my troubles down to Madame Ruth.  You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth.  She’s got a storefront at Thirty-Four and Vine, selling little bottles of __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  So easy it hurts.  

Yesterday we made great progress.  The little trash bin arrived and was immediately filled with the help of a neighbor, and that led to the hiring of a guy with a truck.  He filled his truck and there was still another load left.  Denny and I had a meeting with key staff members at The Californian, and we were happy to find ourselves on the same page regarding mom.  Understanding the terminology in situations like this is very important.  ‘End stage’ seems pretty obvious and they explained what it meant to them.  Although it’s like having a cold glass of water thrown in your face, we knew this a week ago.  The details bring a new reality.

The big, scary aspects of the ‘house clearing’ have been tackled with the help of caring friends.  Cousin Jenny came over in her pick-up and packed it full of items for a thrift store she knowns.  That felt better than taking them to a place that didn’t care.  Now we have a big pile of photos, a table full of crystal dishes, etc., all waiting for the various groups that would be interested.  Denny and I had a bit of a reunion with our friend Frank, who lives nearby.  He had the bolt cutter we needed for the garage door.  He and Denny hadn’t seen each other in decades.  This weekend someone will come and empty the garage into a big truck and we will be a lot closer to finishing.

Today we are taking a much needed day off.  Denny and Sheila returned to Colorado and all of our minds and bodies are exhausted.  The many trips into town yesterday gave Denny and me a chance to spend some quality time together.  

Today’s photo was taken from the restaurant at Art Bridge.  It’s a scene that helps me relax and contemplate.

It’s going to be a Wacky Wednesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“Not all of us can do great things,

but we can do small things with great love.”

~Mother Teresa