Learning

Hi,

The weather had that same look today, like it could rain any time.  Funny thing is, it rained this time in the afternoon.  I should say it stormed and then left.  Just the way we like it.

Our ‘Easy Monday’ song comes from the Motor City, where a little house produced monster hits.  “Mistakes, I know I’ve made a few, but I’m only human, you’ve made mistakes too.  I’m cryin’.  __ __, __ __.  __ __, __ __.”  Clue:  Title consist of two vowel sounds and a word that’s repeated.  It’s by a group.  

Last night was Jai Dee’s second night away from his original family.  He did much better than the first night.  He sleeps in a travel carrier next to Lisa and when he wakes up and cries a little, it just takes a couple of fingers in the cage to calm him down.  The real trick right now is getting him worn out enough to go to sleep.  The boy is a ball of energy and likes to stay up.  

This morning we did the shopping and Natcha stayed home with Jai Dee.  For the second day in a row, she sent us photos while we were out.  Today, it was a series of his face, while he slept with his head in her hand.  Where would we be without the ability to take a photo and send it to someone in an instant?  Hmm, that one is wide open and I won’t even get into it (555).

After Big C we went to Central Plaza for coffee at Starbuck’s.  Once again, the mall people have changed the direction of some of the traffic and blocked off certain aisles before opening the stores.  It may be time for a letter and a demonstration (555).  From Starbuck’s we went downstairs to Top’s Market for some healthy stuff and then left.  We noticed that there is a definite increase in the traffic on a few major thoroughfares.  Progress marches on, one gridlock at a time.  There is a huge building that apparently opened over the weekend, across the bridge from us.  As we passed by, we saw what looked like vendors selling produce and people eating.  We’ll have to ask Natcha if she knows what it is.  If it turns out to be a giant produce market it will be a great addition to the ‘neighborhood’.

The rest of the week is getting busy.  Busy is good sometimes, but when it’s away from the house we miss Jai Dee.  Tomorrow he will have his first visit to his/our vet to get acquainted.  He had two vet visits before he came to us, but we want our guy and his crew to meet their newest client.  

Thursday we’re having dinner with Dr. Intorn and his wife and then coming to the house so they can meet Jai Dee.  We’re taking them to Chivit Tamma Da, even though it will be getting dark, there’s plenty of atmosphere in the gardens.

It’s also time to start getting serious about the wardrobe for the Sunday affair and meeting The Princess.  Hmm, something from the closet with a Northern Thai flair would probably be alright.

Here’s Jai Dee looking serious in the kitchen.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                         Peace,

                                   Danny

“It is what we know already that 

often prevents us from learning.”

~Claude Bernard

Change

Hi,

Over the weekend we experienced all the different kinds of weather Thailand can dish out.  Traveling south to Chiang Mai we encountered scattered clouds in blue skies, a range of light to heavy rain, various winds and of course hot and humid air.  Yeah, that’s what happened.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Gentle On My Mind” by Glen Campbell.  On to a new set of tunes by a group you may have heard of and an ‘Easy Monday’ song that will loop:  “I did you wrong, my heart went out to play and in the game I lost you.  What a price to pay, I’m cryin’, __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __…”  Hint:  Lyrics don’t really provide a hint to the content of the song, but sing well.

Saturday was the beginning of the monumental weekend.  It was the weekend that we finally got to meet Jai Dee and bring him into our family.  The journey to Chiang Mai was not what we expected at all.  We knew it would take longer going north to Mae Chan and then west to Fang followed by a southern route to our destination but no one mentioned the twisty turny mountain road that went on forever.  One should never ask a motorcycle rider about the nature of a highway ride.  Better to ask a truck driver.  This road, highway 107, is probably great fun on two wheels,  but it got tired real quick.  I should say that the scenery was magnificent.  Lush jungle covered mountains, miles of rice, and the occasional forest were all refreshing.  Not counting the stops for food and coffee, it took 5 hours.  The bumpy way we normally take was only 3 hours.  That’s how we came home.

Now for the good stuff.  Saturday evening, Dr. Intorn and his wife picked us up at our hotel and we went to one of their favorite Chinese restaurants, which happened to be just a few minutes from our hotel.  They told us it was very old and is very popular among Thais and Chinese in town.  We ate dishes we’d never heard of, and had a really good time sharing aspects of our lives.  After dinner they took us to a dessert place a short walk from the restaurant.  We had a dish that consisted of fruit, crushed ice and coconut milk.  Now we know something else we like.  Next stop was a large gated community where they live.  It was very quiet and almost mysterious as we drove down the different streets on the way to their home.  When he is on call in Chiang Rai, he has a small apartment where he stays, but Chiang Mai is home.  We may have dinner with them this week here in Chiang Rai, since his wife came up for the week.

Sunday morning we got up early and prepared to be at the park by the river at 10am to meet the doggie broker.  We did some shopping at a market we like on the way, and arrived at 9:30am, just in case they were early.  I had a chance to talk with some friends that were there for a meeting.  At 9:45 a station wagon pulled into the lot and it was Jai Dee (not driving).  After going through the formalities of paperwork and explanations about a few things, we took our bundle of fur for his first ‘walk in the park’.  We had a harness for him, but it was too small.  We made it work for the moment and set out to walk him a bit before hitting the road.  He was attracted to all of the people.  As far as we know, this was his first time out in the world.  He tried to climb a tree, and darted around with that look of wonder that small children have.  Once we were on the road he was an easy traveling companion.  He had already been trained to hang out in his ‘crate’ so it was no problem in the car.  He and Lisa hung out in the back seat and we made a couple of stops on the way home.  

Jai Dee loves to play.  He is slowly learning how to do things like jump down single steps, which he does now when entering the bathroom.  He knows how to bring things back about 80% of the time, and loves to slide on the floor when attacking a toy.  Natcha and Nitchanan were waiting when we got home.  There is already a ‘kid’ energy between Jai Dee and Nitchanan that was quite apparent last night.  They revved each other up.  Natcha adores him and was quick to say yes when we asked her if she could ‘baby sit’ this morning.  

Here are two of Jai Dee at 8 weeks old.

Stay tuned for a whole lot more stories about the adventures of Jai Dee, The Wonder Dog (555).

Have a Great Week.

                       Peace,

                                 Danny

“You can’t look back and change

the beginning, but you can start

where you are and change the ending.”

~C.S. Lewis

Friday Funnies

Hi,

The weather in Chiang Rai is in a new pattern.  We wake up to a glorious day and watch it turn into a ‘storm watch’, only to have it blown away by the evening winds.  Poetic, yes?

The ‘Middle Song’ was “Wichita Lineman” by Mr. Campbell.  The ‘Old School Friday’ song was originally recorded by the writer, heard by Campbell, covered by him and became a signature song for many years.  “It’s knowing that your door is always open and your path is free to walk.  That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag rolled up and stashed behind your couch…. That keeps you in the backroads by the rivers of my memory, that keeps you ever __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  A soft touch.

This was a bit of a strange day.  We stayed at home all day.  The van never left the carport.  There was a sense of something pending.  Oh yeah, Jai Dee will be here soon.  The anticipation mixed with the insecurity of a thousand questions was pretty clear for me.  I started looking at all the topics of the videos and realized I didn’t really know everything, but then, who does?  We’ve done it before and we can do it again.  It’s a tiny little animal that will look to us for the answers to the questions he has.  This being a human can get confusing sometimes.  We watched a lesson during lunch, did some work on his crate to make it a bit smaller inside, and started putting together stuff for the trip.

Tomorrow morning we will stop at Bangkok Hospital for what may be the last time (we hope), and then head north to begin our trip to Chiang Mai.  We have to travel in the opposite direction initially to take advantage of a smoother ride, but it may be worth it.  There is also the fact that ‘we don’t get out much’ and have not seen a lot of the north.  

Next Sunday I will get to accompany Lisa to the home of Count Gerry and get a chance to see The Princess, Sirindhorn.  Our friend Khun Nine is presenting some Thai artists to The Princess and we get to watch the proceedings because Lisa helped her with her English.  After Jai Dee gets settled we’ll have that to be excited about (555).  

This afternoon at the end of our walk around the house, Lisa felt the water in the pool and informed me that it was a good day to swim.  After I’d been in the water for a bit, Natcha and Nitchanan came outside.  The little one was naturally drawn to the water and took charge by declaring that she was going in as well.  Natcha complied and got her floating tube, helped her with her T-shirt and she was in the water, kicking away.  She went the whole length of the pool twice, occasionally using her hands in an almost swimming fashion.  Today’s photo is us taking a break from all that work.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.   It’s time for the ‘Funnies’.  Don’t forget the U.S. Open Finals and the F1 GP from Monza Italy.  Zoom.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

Truth

Hi,

More great weather in the Land of Smiles.  Started off clear and ended with clouds.  Maybe a sprinkle tonight?

This week’s ‘Middle Song’ is another traveling, working man's lament that manages to be a beautiful love song.

“I know I need a small vacation, but it don’t look like rain.  And if it snows that stretch down south won’t ever stand the strain.  And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time.  And the __ __ is still on the line.”

Clue:  Somewhere in Kansas there is a man on a ladder.

We’re in ‘countdown mode’ in anticipation of the arrival of Jai Dee.  Three more days (our time) and we’ve started assembling the things he/we will need.  After quiet coffee at The Wanderer we went to Browney’s Pet World to cruise the aisles.  We found out what he’s been eating and bought some, so we could feed him that and then transition him to a healthier brand. We also got two types of harnesses, bowls for his crates, and of course, some chewy treats.  

When we got home, I went on the internet to find out how to put the harnesses on a puppy.  I discovered the whole world of pets on Youtube.  Lessons on everything one might encounter with a new family member.  Later we watched a couple of videos on how to deal when the puppy first comes home.  I’ll just say we learned a lot.  It’s been over ten years since we had a puppy.

Last Sunday, when I went to the home of Somluk and Tamako, I was treated to a behind-the-scenes peek at Somluk’s clay collection.  He has created a new medium for himself using the clays (earth) of Thailand as his paint.  A logical conclusion for a ceramic artist digging deeper into his craft.  Using the natural tones of various clays he has a broad palette to work with, in addition to occasional bits of color and black ink.  On our way back to the house after our ‘rice bath’, he commented that the Teak trees looked healthy, a sign that the clay was also healthy.  Below, in the first photo you see buckets of clay and below that, one of his abstract works.

Here’s a link to another original tune of mine on Youtube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3nN61q96xk

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                        Peace,

                                  Danny

“Truth is the property of no

individual, but is the treasure

of all men.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nights

Hi,

Today was a beautiful day in Chiang Rai.  Mostly clear blue skies and warm temps.  Clouds made a move on us, but the breeze took care of that.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” by Glen Campbell.  This week’s ‘Middle Song’:

“I am a lineman for the county, and I drive the main road.  Searchin’ in the sun for another overload.  I hear you singin’ in the wire, I can hear you through the whine.  And the __ __ is still on the line.”  Hint:  Singer works with wires.

This morning we got up at 6am.  Our mission was to be at the immigration office before they opened in order to get a good place in line.  The early wake-up was worth it. We made it early and were first at the visa renewal counter.  We had a woman who had helped us before and things went very smoothly.  We are now ‘legal’ for another year.  Lisa has become an expert in assembling all the paperwork required.  During our renewal appointment a second copy of Lisa’s passport was necessary.  The woman helping us told her to go around to the back of the building and she would see a sign.  In the end, someone directed her outside to a fence, called out and an arm appeared.  Lisa gave the person her passport and, after two tries, got all the pages copied, never seeing the person who did the work.  Standing on a pile of leaves, the deed was done.  Hmm.  Below is the scene.

We left the immigration office at 9:30am, a record, and went to Chivit Tamma Da to celebrate.  On the way, we realized we had forgotten to acknowledge our 12 year anniversary of life in Thailand.  September 1, 2007 was when we touched down with four suitcases and a lot of enthusiasm.  We now travel a lot lighter, but still have the enthusiasm.  

Since we finished so early, when Lisa got a confirmation call about her doctor’s appointment, she switched it to this morning.  On the way to Bangkok Hospital we stopped at a roadside nursery and bought flowers.  At the hospital, the doctor is feeling very confident that the healing process is almost over.  He has a home in Chiang Mai, and there is a possibility that we might get to visit with him there.  

This afternoon we heard the sound of laughter coming from the pool.  Nitchanan and her cousin Gop were in the water, with Natcha standing on the side.  Nitchanan was in a little inner tube, plus some ‘floaties’ on her arms.  She was kicking and moving herself around the pool.  This is great, she’s understanding some new principles that have drifted over from her bike-riding experiences.  

 

It feels like a Wacky Wednesday.  In keeping with that, your Wednesday quote is going to be a little wacky from now on.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“There are nights when the wolves

are silent and only the moon howls.”

~George Carlin

Impossible

Hi,

Our ‘clear sky morning’ slowly turned into a rainy evening.  It gave us a chance to get things done before the wet.

A few of you knew the ‘Easy Monday’ song and responded quickly.  Maybe this second verse will make it clearer:

“By the time I make Albuquerque, she’ll be working.  She’ll probably stop at lunch, and give me a call.  But she’ll just hear that phone keep on ringing, off the wall, that’s all…”  Clue:  A cross-country song of sadness.  I’ll leave the last verse for you to find and read on your own.

This morning we went visiting.  We stopped by Teppawan Art Supply for a brief time with Supaluk, who was just getting over another bout of chemo-therapy.  It’s inspiring to watch people continue with their lives, fighting through discomfort, to do what they always did.  She could have been at home, but her business and her family were at the shop, and so was she.  

We had coffee at Work@Home.  Just as we got out of the van, Katai arrived.  She had been at her morning Yoga class.  We sat and talked about Jai Dee, showed her a little video the breeder sent, and learned that she goes to Yoga 5 days a week.  We mentioned that we’re taking a different route to get to Chiang Mai, going through Fang.  In order to get to Fang, we drive through Mae Chan.  It turns out that Mae Chan is the rice capitol of Thailand.  Because of the way the mountains are situated, the rains send lots of nutrients into the valley and into the flooded rice fields.  We also learned that Fang is a very special place for vegetables.  Looks like we’ll be making some road trips in the future.

In the early afternoon we went out to find a couple of ‘crates’ for Jai Dee.  These are small cages that are used to get the puppy used to his surroundings and also to let us know when he’s ready to go outside.  It’s not big enough to be a play pen or ‘yard’ so he has to leave it to relieve himself.  Here’s hoping his mom taught him a thing or two (555).

Today’s photo shows the approaching storm in the afternoon.  We just got the edge of this front.  The rest went south.  There is another storm moving from Viet Nam, but is not likely to reach us.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                       Peace,

                                 Danny

“It always seems impossible 

until it’s done.”

~Nelson Mandela

Possible

Hi,

This weekend we had a variety of weather.  You name it, we had it, except the things caused by cold temperatures (555).  No snow yet, but it happened here a long time ago.  We’re having the opposite: hot rain.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Up On The Roof” by The Drifters (1963).  It’s ‘Easy Monday’ time and I just know you remember this one:  “__ __ __ __ __ __ __, she’ll be rising.  She’ll find the note I left hanging on her door.  She’ll laugh, when she reads the part that says I’m leaving, ‘cause I’ve left that girl, so many times before."

Hint:  It’s easy, but I will tell you there is a city involved.

Saturday morning we said a quiet goodbye to Daku.  Gong had prepared a hole in the front yard on a little hill near the spot where he liked to sunbathe.  Our dear friends from The Wanderer gave us a beautiful bush that will have large white flowers.  Right now it’s still very difficult, but in time we will look over and smile.  In less than a week, we will be so distracted with Jai Dee that we’ll all be laughing.  We got a couple of videos today showing him running around with some other puppies.  He is a bundle of energy. 

Sunday morning the little family rode north to Mae Sai to visit Gong’s family and take Chopper for his monthly injection to ward off parasites.  Natcha sent photos of him and he has really grown.  He’s a very large Husky these days.  They returned today (a day early), to our surprise.  We’re all happy that they are back.

On Sunday afternoon, I drove to the home of Somluk and Tamako for my first adventure in the ‘hot rice enzyme’ bath.  When we arrived at the property out in the country, the first thing I saw was a very large pond full of Lotus flowers in various states of bloom.  There is a little house beyond that and that is where it all happens.  I was still a little unsure about what would happen until we sat down to drink water and relax.  A brochure showed photos of people buried up to their necks in what looked like a black substance.  It was the rice husks.  There is a very old science to all of this, but basically, because of it’s organic nature, it heats up and stays hot.  They make a trough and you lie down in it and they cover you with the rice husks.  They provided shorts and a hair covering and you climb in.  Once I got a good angle for my head and knees, I was ready for them to start covering me.  Gotta tell you, it felt very strange.  One has to resist the urge to panic.  Brings back memories of those Tarzan movies where someone gets caught in the quicksand.  We only stayed in the ‘pit’ for 20 minutes and then slowly began to emerge.  First the arms, then the legs and then we sat up.  It was very relaxing and I definitely want to do it again.  They list all kinds of health benefits, but I’m just looking forward to a more relaxed back.  Below are the little house and a partial view of the Lotus pond.

Today we rode the highway, did some banking and rode the highway again.  Some days you gotta do what you gotta do.  Takin’ care of business in paradise.

Have a Great Week.

                           Peace,

                                     Danny

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself

says, ‘I’m possible’.”

~Audrey Hepburn