Islands

Hi,

I was just about to tell you how it was a typical cloudy day in Chiang Rai when the wind came up and now it’s storming.  The rolling thunder tells me this may come in waves.

I was sure this week’s ‘Easy Monday’ song was one you would get quickly.  We’ve ‘sung’ this one before.  

“Hurry, don’t be late.  I can’t hardly wait, I said to myself when we’re old.  We’ll go dancing in the dark, walking through the park and __.”  Hint:  This should be easy.  Imagine thumbing through old, happy memories.

Based on real science, I have the flu.  The science included elevated temperature, achy joints, nasty cough, etc.  There is also that wandering mind thing, but that happens even when I’m not sick (555) so I didn’t include it in the science.  

All I can tell you about life outside is that the corn field next door finally got plowed under.  Big news in the hood:  Gong went to the fruit market today and got a bunch of mangos and watermelon so we’re set for a few days.  Daku has been bugging me to take him outside and doesn’t understand why we’re not doing our boy thing.

Friday night in Singapore, after we got settled at the apartment, Claire and her two little dogs took us to the pet supply store.  Some treats were found and I ended up walking Ginger home from the store.  Rosy is the other dog and they are Dachshunds.  Feeling a little dog like that pulling on a leash is a lot different from trying to manage Daku when he wants to pull.  We all got along great for the whole weekend.

Singapore is a very clean, orderly place.  We had seen a documentary a few days before we went, but it didn’t prepare us for the feeling we got.  There was a calm, polite vibe that took a minute to get used to.  On our train ride into the center of town Saturday morning, as soon as we got on the car a young girl jumped up and gave her seat to Lisa.  It happened a few more times.  The kids are taught to do this in school.  The train system is very efficient and we rarely had to wait more than 3 minutes.  We had brunch at a little cafe that played very cool music and had good food.  

The major adventure for Saturday was the big park complex, called Gardens on the Bay, near the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino.  There is a little zoo inside the park and lots of walkways through nature.  Singapore prides itself on its green space.  Trees, gardens and little forests are everywhere you look. The hotel is an iconic structure with three tall buildings (2,561 rooms) and a large shelf-like structure going across the top of all of them.  We didn’t get to see it from up there, but there is a swimming pool that appears to flow over the side.  

 

Today’s first photo is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino.

This next photo is an overhead shot of Gardens by the Bay.  The orange structure on the bridge is made of fabric with lights inside.  We didn’t get to see it at night, but I can only imagine.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“We are life islands in the sea,

separate on the surface but 

connected in the deep.”

~William James

Beauty

Hi,

The last three nights spent in Singapore were filled with windy, thunderous storms.  The days were dry, hot and very humid.  It’s nice to be back in Chiang Rai where it’s just hot and humid.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Venus” by Frankie Avalon.  For this week’s ‘Easy Monday’ song see if you remember this:  “Friday night, it was late, I was walking you home, we got down to the gate and I was dreaming of the night.  Would it turn out right?  How to tell tell you, girl.  I wanna build my world around you.  Tell you that it’s true.  I wanna make you understand, I’m talking about a lifetime plan.”  Hint:  This one is from ’78, the title is one word.  Looking back, fondly.

There is so much to tell you about our weekend in Singapore.  Most of it will have to wait until tomorrow.  After a 10 hour travel day, and fighting off a cold, I’m a little wiped out.  I will tell you this:  We went to a bird park, ate local food, rode trains and taxis, and watched some very loud, fast cars up close.  

Today’s photos are from Singapore.  The first is a street in the center of the city that still maintains an earlier form of architecture, including mall shops, shophouses and a mosque in the distance.  The second pic is part of the ‘arrival card’ that must be filled out.  The warning is pretty specific.

Have a Great Week.

            Peace,

                      Danny

“Beauty surrounds us, 

but usually we need to be

walking in a garden to know it.”

~Rumi

Friday Funnies

Hi,

We sampled weather in three cities today.  Early morning in Chiang Rai was cloudy with a chance of sunshine.  Bangkok was hot and humid at mid-day.  Singapore was warm and humid when we arrived late this afternoon.  There is a chance of rain everywhere.  Hmm.

Well, a few of you knew the ‘Zany Day’ song.  Congrats to you.  It was “At The Zoo” by Simon & Garfunkel.  It’s ‘Old School Friday’ time and I know you know this one from 1959:  Hey, __, oh __.  __, if you will please send a little girl for me to thrill.  A girl who wants my kisses and my arms, a girl with all the charms of you.  (Bridge)  __, Goddess of love that you are.  Surely the things I ask, can’t be too great a task….”  Hint:  Too many clues in the lyrics.  Don’t want to give it away (555).

Things were going great this morning.  We got up a little early, finished packing, had breakfast, Gong packed the van and we left for the airport.  As we were standing at the ticket counter I realized I had left the F1 tickets at home.  What?  Lisa called Natcha, who went upstairs and located the package.  When Gong returned home, she sent him back to the airport with the tickets and all is well.  Whew.  The hour flight to Bangkok was the usual, except the view from the sky was blankets of green landscape.   

Flying to Singapore requires going through Thai immigration in order to exit the country.  We go through this every time we fly to the States.  Today, for some reason, there were tons of people leaving and the lines were incredibly long.  The two hour flight to Singapore felt short for an international flight.  We watched a documentary on the island nation on the way there so we were ready.  Another round of immigration on arrival and we connected with our friend Claire.  She has been here few about 3 months so she knows the routine and how things work.  We got SIM cards for our phones, some Singapore dollars and took a cab to her condo.  

I will have much more to tell you about our adventure next week.  We lost an hour in the traveling and had no nap, so sleepy time has arrived.  

Today’s photo was taken at Chivit Tamma Da last week.  It’s called a Butterfly Plant.

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

                Peace,

                          Danny

Family

Hi,

We had another rain-less day in Chiang Rai.  Reports of a big storm system heading our way were apparently misguided, or the winds changed.  We are headed for hot and muggy this weekend in Singapore.

I’m a little surprised that no one knew the ‘Zany Day’ song.  It’s from 1968, 

“Something tells me it’s all happening __ __ __.  I do believe it, I do believe it’s true.  The monkeys stand for honesty, giraffes are insincere, and the elephants are kindly but they’re dumb.  Orangutan are skeptical of changes in their cages, and the zoo keeper is very fond of rum…. What a gas, you got to come and see __ __ __.”  Clue:  It’s in there.

Today we both felt drained.  Yesterday was both emotionally and physically taxing.  I was ready for a nap after breakfast, and again after the afternoon nap.  What?  Even so, we pressed on and took care of things like grown-ups.  Nothing like an early visit to Big C to start your day.  We went to Work@Home and had coffee and a visit with Katai’s sister, who was very fond of Blue.  It seems like everywhere we frequented, there is a sense of loss.  Sometimes we don’t realize the ripples we create.  Blue obviously created some good ones.

Tomorrow morning we are off on an adventure that was planned weeks ago.  Now it seems to have an added purpose.  A diversion is just what we need right now and Singapore will fill the bill.  Our friends Claire and Stephen are there and we will stay with them.  Claire already has activities planned for Saturday and Sunday.  On Sunday afternoon Stephen and I will go to the Formula One Grand Prix, which is quite a spectacular event in Singapore, with the race being run on a street course.  It’s mostly at night, so there will be some dazzling light shows in addition to the race itself.  This is what you might call a ‘Bucket List’ item for me.  I’ll be sending you the Friday message from the tiny island.

The photos today are some of the flowers from yesterday.  

Last night we had a visit from Nurse Pay, her husband and son.  It was a perfect way to spend time with them.  The house was peaceful and quiet and we could just be together, mostly focused on the little one and some apple pie.  She was a big part of Blue’s hospital visits and always made sure he was taken care of in the best way possible.  She became part of our family.  

Well, the suitcases are on the floor and the lids are open.  Daku is still rather calm.  Tomorrow morning when we close the cases, that’s when he’ll get upset.  Cat is going to stay at the house at night while we’re gone, so Daku won’t have to be alone.  How sweet is that? 

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

            Peace,

                      Danny

“Family isn’t always blood.  

It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs.

The ones who accept you for who you are.

The ones who would do anything to see you smile,

and who love you no matter what.”

~Unknown

Love

Hi,

The weather in Chiang Rai started out drippy, but turned into a beautiful, cloudy day.  A perfect day for a gathering of friends.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “I Can See Clearly Now”, by Johnny Nash.  ‘Zany Day’ is up next.  What could it be?

“Someone told me it’s all happening __ __ __.  I do believe it, I do believe it’s true.  It’s a light and a tumble journey from the East side to the park.  Just a fine and fancy ramble __ __ __.  But you can take the cross-town bus, if it’s raining or it’s cold.  And the animals will love it if you do.”  Hint:  It’s by a duo from NYC about animals and stuff.

Today was the day we paid tribute to our friend Blue.  Everything worked out perfectly.  People and things arrived on schedule and you could feel the love in the room.  Five monks performed the ceremony.  I didn’t realize that, as the head of the house, I would be asked to participate in the service.  Most of what I had to do was explained in English, in advance.  The most awkward part of it was having to sit in the front row next to the lay person who started some of the prayers.  He was my only reference as to what to do.  It actually wasn’t much, just sit with my hands in a low wai position.  Some of the chants were rather interesting in terms of rhythm and variations in tone.  Blue’s son Ming got to watch some of the service from New York via Facetime on his phone.  That was cool.

There were 30+ guests in total and more food than we could eat.  Everyone there had some connection to Blue.  There were artists from Art Bridge who came because of their connection to us, and the fact that an artist had passed.  There were people there who hadn’t ever met Blue, but had heard his music and spoken to friends that had met him.  And then there were those who had frequent interaction with him over the two years he lived here with us.  I think he would have liked the mix, the diversity of friends, and the genuine nature of it all. 

Natcha, Gong, and various friends and relatives pitched in to make sure things ran smoothly.  Daku spent the morning upstairs, but had lots of visitors.   

This photo gives you a good idea of how our living room was transformed this morning.  I think Blue is happy.

It’s feeling like a Wacky Wednesday.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“In every religion there's love,

yet love has no religion.”

~Rumi

Looking

Hi,

Chiang Rai had a day without rain.  Not even a little sprinkle.  It made it easier to be out in the streets running errands.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song has got to be more popular than for just a few people.  Maybe you didn’t read your Monday mail (5).  "I think I can make it now, the pain is gone.  All of the bad feelings have disappeared.  Here is the rainbow I’ve been praying for, it’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shiny day.”  Clue:  Seeing is believing or something like that.

Cat came over this morning and the three of us went into town.  Our first stop was a photo studio that was making a large print of a photo of Blue.  When we got there the place was closed.  A phone call to the photographer was all in Thai so Cat handled the call.  It was good that she was with us because we discovered that the prints were at the Coffee shop across the gas station from the studio.  How would we know that?  The woman at the coffee shop was expecting us, so I guess this happens from time-to-time.  

On Fruit Street we had an interesting encounter.  Lisa told the couple where we buy fruit about Blue.  Cat explained in Thai and the woman started crying.  This, of course, got me all emotional.  They can’t come to the service, but she gave us an envelope with some money.  This is a tradition, giving money to help pay for the monks at the service.  Down the street, we ordered a wreath that we will pick up early tomorrow.  Cat helped write out the inscription in Thai for the banner on the wreath.  Our last stop was to get little gifts to give to those who attend.  They look like little coin purses with a little fan attached.  Hmm.

Gong and Natcha got the yards cleaned up while Cat’s sister Toy was cleaning inside the house.  Daku was supervising.  We had lunch at Chivit Tamma Da with a bunch of new friends.  It was a fun time, a good distraction, and there’s a menu item I can eat and it’s really good:  Pineapple fried rice with prawns, yum.

Today’s photo is the lunch from today.  The whole thing is inside of a pineapple.  

This afternoon we hung more of Blue’s Hill Tribe photos and moved furniture around.  I smiled when I realized we still call Blue’s room ‘Blue’s room’ and Cat’s the same, as if they are still here, which they are. 

Have a Happy Tuesday.

             Peace,

                       Danny

“Sometimes what you’re looking for,

comes when you aren’t looking at all.”

~Unknown

Care

Hi,

The weekend weather was a combination of scattered showers, steady drizzles, and light rain.  So much fun, I just can’t begin to tell you (555).  We haven’t bothered with a forecast in days.  We just look outside and guess.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “The Glory Of Love” by The Velvetones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-prFT-eLxY  The third letter always knocks me out.  OK, it’s time for something that’s ‘Easy Monday’ material.  

“__ __ __ __ __, the rain is gone.  I can see all obstacles in my way.  Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sun-shiny day.”  Hint:  Really?  A hint?  It’s easy.

Emotions are still fragile here at The Big Brown House.  We got the call at 2:45am Saturday that Blue had passed.  There are so many reminders and routines that keep Blue’s presence at the front of our minds.  Daku is still adjusting to the fact that there is no ‘Breakfast Club’ anymore.  Around the house it is tough and we’re all feeling it.  Saturday we went for coffee at The Wanderer and the server asked, “Only two?”.  It’s times like that it seems to smack me in the face.  There were so many daily things we did together.  Here in Chiang Rai, the places we frequent take note of who is who.  It’s a Thai thing that we like.  So, there will be little dramas from time to time until everyone ‘gets it’.  

Wednesday morning we’re having a memorial service at the house.  Sutheera, who is a dear friend of Blue’s, has arranged for three monks to come and do a ceremony, then we will serve a lunch and have an open house for the rest of the day for anyone who wants to stop by.  The response to this has been incredible.  As soon as we mention it, we are asked where and what time.  I don’t know how many people will actually come, but people have expressed a desire to pay their respects.  I don’t think he realized what an impression he made on folks in Chiang Rai.  

As we have observed in the past, there are many customs and traditions in this part of the world that differ from where we came from (understatement).  This weekend we learned that many people take their loved ones home so people can come and see them.  Then they go to the temple for various nights of prayers and chanting.  This is followed by cremation and a party.  When we were confronted with the many questions, we just followed what Blue told us to do and they had to honor that.  It’s complicated enough when a foreigner dies outside of their country of origin.  We’re dealing with it as it comes and things are working out.  

Life goes on and we’re living it.  We visited Art Bridge so Lisa could submit a small painting for a group exhibition, went to Makro at the height of Saturday shopping, basically kept the ball rolling.  Today we went out to the country to pick up Lisa's cast acrylic prints that will be in the Chiang Mai show.  What a relief to be among the rice fields and just take in the green.  On the way home we tried out the new highway going south.  So much fun, even with light rain, just straight, rolling road.  

Today’s photo was taken at Work@Home.  It’s another one of Katai’s playful rings.

Have a Great Week.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“Self-care is not selfish.

You cannot serve from 

an empty vessel.”

~Unknown