Empathy

Hi,

It was very hot today, as we expected.  What we didn’t expect was the horrible pollution.  At 217 on the air quality index, it was rated as ‘very unhealthy’ on the higher end of the scale.  If it weren’t too hard to get a crowd together, it would be the time for a protest.  Letters, yeah, everybody write a letter, or swamp the Facebook page of the appropriate person.  See what happens when you leave a devious mind unsupervised?

The ‘Easy Monday’ song had more friends than I thought.  “Her weapons were her crystal eyes, making every man mad.  Black as the dark night she was, got what no one else had.  She’s got it, yeah baby she’s got it.  Well, I’m your __, I’m your fire, at your desire.  Well, I’m your __, I’m your fire at your desire.”  Clue:  This version we’re discussing was released in 1969.  It was later covered in 1986.  The group name includes a color.  When thinking about the one word title, think ‘love’.

The whole thing with the virus and the bad air presents a major dilemma, how does one filter out the bad air when there are no masks to be found? We have some, but now they’re rare. The real irony is that all of the hoarding of masks to fend off the virus don’t really help in that regard since it’s not air-borne.  We’ll just stay inside and wash our hands.

This morning we went to Ban Du, just north of us, to see Dr. View.  She is our alternate vet and has a nice ‘bed side manner’ with pets.  We got some toothpaste and also made arrangements for JaiDee to see her groomer.  He has fur growing between his toes and he refuses to let us trim it to a reasonable length.  When he steps on the fur, he slides on the floor, especially when he runs or wants to play.  He’s fine on the outside surfaces, but he’s like a skater inside.  Thursday morning we’ll see what happens.

Today’s photo was taken at The Wanderer last Friday.  In the woods there is a table where we had our brunch (to the left of the center tree). 

This afternoon, while Lisa was in her studio, I went downstairs to my room and shocked myself by playing two guitars (not at once) and wandering through a bunch of songs of mine.  Getting reacquainted with old friends is always nice.  

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                     Peace,

                               Danny   

“I think we all have empathy.

We may not have enough courage

to display it.”

~Maya Angelou

New

Hi,

We are officially in a heat wave.  The weekend was hot and it’s going to keep getting hotter until it reaches 100+ by the weekend.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ tune was “Do You Love Me” by The Contours.  Here’s an ‘Easy Monday’ song that should be easy:  “A goddess on a mountain top, was burning like a silver flame.  The summit of beauty and love, and __ was her name.  She’s got it, yeah baby she’s got it.  Well, I’m your __, I’m your fire at your desire…”  Hint:  There’s a whole lot of mythology in there, but the title is a name.  You know this. 

Saturday morning we went to the exhibit opening for our friend Cornelis.  We got there early and had coffee in the little shop in the building.  It was good, if not a little strong, but just the thing for an 11am event.  The time was spent talking with a woman we have known for years through her shop in the Night Bazaar.  We learned more about each other and her history in the area.  After the obligatory speeches, there were flowers and photos and then the cutting of the ribbon.  The ink drawings were amazing.  The detail was as if it had been created with a machine.  The work was well received and priced to sell.  That’s a very smart thing to do when you have an overabundance of unsold art in your house.  We now have several people who we have to contact about having coffee in the near future.  That’s the hard part about these events, you say “We must get together soon” and then nothing happens.  We’re working on it (555).

Sunday we drove up to Maw Dang’s house but the gate was closed.  Atom was with us and after reading the small writing, told us they’d be closed for this weekend and next.  We have herbs to last us for the week and we can still go for acupuncture during the week (oh joy).  

Tonight we have a very large, orange full moon.  The color comes from the smoke in the air.  The air was getting better, but I think it was just to make us look good for the Prime Minister on his visit.  Today it was back to its nasty normal (unhealthy) for this time of year.    

Today’s photo is JaiDee sitting in the ‘little kitchen’.  Notice where the top of his head is, and he’s not sitting up straight.  Things have to be pushed back from the edge, or put on a shelf.  He can grab whatever he wants.  This is one of the ‘Please come and pet me’ poses.  Almost forgot, we went to the vet on Saturday and he now weighs 52 pounds/23.6 kilos, and he’s not quite 8 months old.

Have a Great Week.

                         Peace,

                                   Danny

“With the new day comes

new strength and new thoughts.”

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Friday Funnies

Hi,

The weather was the same hot stuff as usual, but the air took a turn for the better.  Maybe it was the winds that came and blew away some of the smoke.  Today we moved into the low part of the ‘Moderate’ range, almost ‘Good'.  Wow.

The ‘Zany Day’ song was “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin.  ‘Old School Friday’ is next.  Remember?:

“(Spoken: You broke my heart ‘cause I couldn’t dance.  You didn’t even want me around.  And now I’m back, to let you know, I can really shake’em down.)  __ __ __ __ I can really move.  __ __ __ __ I’m in the groove.  Ah __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __?  Now that I can dance (dance).”  Hint:  This one is from 1962, by a group that was an early member of a famous Detroit stable of artists.  They are asking a musical question about the status of a relationship.  The group name has to do with shape.

We had what could best be called ‘Brunch’ at The Wanderer with our friends Edwin, his daughter Lisa, and her boyfriend, Jeroen.  The last time we saw them was Thanksgiving dinner so it’s been a while.  A lot of the conversation was about the ‘thing’ we’re doing with Maw Dang.  Edwin and Lisa are the ones who told us about him.  We also discussed the virus, dogs, and working out.  That last one is currently not on our agenda (555).  Lisa works in Bangkok and told us that she can really see a difference in the lack of traffic on the street and on the trains.  People are staying off the streets as far as mass transit is concerned.  We also learned from Jeroen, that in Holland, where he’s from, there are mostly electric cars on the streets and the government is subsidizing the power refueling stations.  In China, where Lisa lived for a while, some cities are completely electric when it comes to cars and buses.  

The remainder of our day was spent at The Big Brown House.  Lisa is working on a new technique and JaiDee is receiving a new approach from his handler (Lisa).  The positive reinforcement method is working, with a lot of patience.  

It turns out that some countries are not permitting travelers from Thailand to return home.  What?  Crazy things are happening all over the world.  Panic is not going to help anything or anybody.  The herd mentality has taken over in places I never would have suspected.  So far, there has been one cancellation we know of here in Chiang Rai.  There was going to be a ‘Hot Season’ festival by the river across the field from us, but it would have been a big gathering of people in close proximity.  Hmm.  

Today’s photo of Mr. JaiDee was taken in the back yard.  The caption could read:  “This is MY stick”.

Tomorrow morning we’re going to another art opening, this time for our friend Cornelis Hoek.  The title is pretty cool, “The Old Man and His Art”.  Considering that he’s 80 years old, he can call it what he wants.  

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

                          Peace,

                                    Danny

Yes

Hi,

We didn’t get rain today, but lots of clouds and moderate breezes.  The air is still a major issue in Thailand and the Prime Minister is making a trip to Chiang Rai on Saturday to follow up on measures that were put in place to clean up the air.  Since the air is still bad, something didn’t work.  At least we’re getting some attention.

This week’s ‘Zany Day’ song could have worked as an ‘Easy’ song.  A lot of readers got it on the first day. 

“Ain’t got no place to lay your head?  Somebody came and took your bed?  __ __, __ __.  The landlord say your rent is late, he may have to litigate?  __ __, __ __ (then there’s a lot of oo-ing and whistling)…”  Clue:  It’s from 1988, the artist is involved in some very serious musical adventures, and this song paid a lot of bills (555).  

The first half of today was massage morning.  Khun Jin came over and began working at 9am.  I went in first and she found lots of things to work on, some pleasant, some not.  Overall, it was a good session and it needs to be regular to make a difference.  Lisa was next, for a longer session, and Natcha got her massage while we ate lunch. 

Right before lunch I was reading about how people are hoarding toilet tissue in Melbourne, Australia.  Someone wrote back and said the same thing was happening in Hawaii.  It seems that the virus is creating a big scare in some 

parts of the world.  This ‘stocking up’ thing is just in case people are told to stay at home.  Hmm, it hasn’t happened here, yet, but we went to Big C after lunch and picked up a few things.  Not mass quantities, mind you, but things we will need in the not so distant future.  That could all change.  Stay calm and wash your hands, a lot.

Today’s photo was taken yesterday from upstairs, looking down on the pool.  Yes, it’s rain.  That’s my best rain pic yet.

There are days when there is just not enough ‘fire’ to do it all.  We were supposed to have another round of acupuncture this afternoon, but after the Big C adventure, which took a bite out of nap time, we just didn’t have the energy.  Things happen.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“The big question is whether

you are going to be able to say

a hearty ‘yes’ to your adventure.”

~Joseph Campbell

Daydream

Hi,

Today it finally happened: rain!  Around 2:40pm we heard a sound that could only mean one thing, water was falling from the sky.  There were actually two separate downpours that were like extra large cloud bursts.  It changed the numbers on the pollution website and it made the air smell funny, that’s how long it’s been.  We need a lot more, but it’s a start.  More has been predicted.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield.  It was written by Stephen Stills, who later became a part of Crosby, Stills and Nash.  Here’s what some might call a ‘Zany Day’ tune:  “Here’s a little song I wrote, you might want to sing it note for note, __ __, __ __.  In every life we have some trouble, when you worry you make it double.  __ __, __ __.  Ooh oo-ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh (__ __, __ __)…”  Hint: An optimistic outlook in it’s simplest form.   

This morning we went to The Wanderer to meet Cat and two women she met who were recruiting for Arizona State University.  We weren’t sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a fun and informative morning.  They are Americans living in China, and had come to Thailand on a holiday break when the virus outbreak started.  Their university, where they’re studying Chinese, told them they shouldn’t return until at least April.  Cat met them at a seminar given by an official recruiter who also lives in China and works for ASU.  We had no idea such things happened.  After getting to know them better, we started asking questions and discussing options.  Apparently there are many scholarships for foreign students in certain fields.  More will be revealed after more conversation and research.  

This is what a bowl of granola looks like at The Wanderer.  Sitting with it is a cup of hot chocolate.

JaiDee woke up this morning with intent to terrorize the household.  It’s like someone flipped a switch and he went into wild child mode.  Lisa finally changed tactics and began rewarding him for good behavior instead of saying “no”, and he got it.  He’s smart, so things that lead to something make sense to him.  We live in hope.  None of this is unusual, just frustrating.  Patience, they said.

It feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                           Peace,

                                     Danny

“I was trying to daydream,

but my mind kept wandering.”

~Steven Wright

Time

Hi,

This was freaky weather day.  It began with the usual hazy, overcast sky, but then clouds appeared in the early afternoon.  Then the wind came and blew the clouds away.  Then more clouds came and there was a tiny sprinkle.  The end.

A bunch of you got the ‘Middle Song’ this week.  There is still some confusion about who sang the song.  There was a clue yesterday.  “There’s battle lines being drawn.  Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong.  Young people speaking their minds, getting so much resistance from behind.  It’s time we stop, hey, what’s that sound?…..”  Clue:  The song was written by an artist who later became part of a famous, successful trio, that became a quartet.  

The truth about face masks and germs is finally getting out.  They are designed to contain the potential spread of germs.  They don’t keep anything from getting in.  Really, if you’re sneezing and coughing, wear a mask.  If you are afraid, avoid crowds, wash your hands often and don’t touch your face.  Just a little public service announcement.

This was a Big C morning.  A little run for some essentials.  We got there right before the store opened and there was light ‘attendance’.  I won’t make any guesses as to why, but the parking lot and the shopping lanes were all wide open.  We got home with time to spare before our talk with Joe, Lisa’s Dad.  

Today’s photo is a memory from 2016.  It’s a butterfly plant that was growing at Chivit Thamma Da.

JaiDee will eat almost anything, which can be a problem sometimes.  Today, Natcha was working at the sink, doing many things at once.  There was half a pear sitting there, waiting to be sliced.  JaiDee took that opportunity to jump up and take the whole thing in his mouth.  When he grabs with his whole mouth, there is no getting it back.  In an effort to keep it, he tried to swallow it and it got stuck.  Natcha massaged his throat and he coughed it up.  I wonder if he will learn from that experience.  Hmm, doubtful.  He also has very interesting tastes when it comes to water.  We give him the cleanest possible water a dog in Thailand could get, yet when upstairs, he prefers to drink from the toilet.  He might take a couple of licks from his bowl, but the real drinking is the ‘other’ bowl.  Dogs.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“Time you enjoy wasting 

was not wasted.”

~John Lennon

Soar

Hi,

The temps are still hot (in the 90’s), the air is still bad (unhealthy), along with high winds.  Oh boy.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “1-2-3” by Len Barry.  Here’s an ‘Easy Monday’ I’m sure you’ll remember:  “There’s something happening here, but what it is ain’t exactly clear.  There’s a man with a gun over there, telling me I got to beware.  I think it’s time we stop children, what’s that sound?  Everybody look - what’s going down?”  Hint:  The four word title is not in the lyric.  The band is named after a steam roller.  

The weekend was interesting.  The little family went north to Mae Sai to be with Gong's family.  Natcha set us up so we could function with no hassles.  There was plenty of herb juice (yea), lots of food, and the knowledge that they would return in a few days.  We had to get the help of ‘dog sitters’ on Sunday afternoon, but everything worked out.

Saturday night we went to ArtBridge for the opening of an exhibit by Martin Doyle.  We’ve known Martin and his wife Kay a long time.  There was a nice sized crowd for the opening, and it was a mix of Thai artists and expats.  Martin is originally from England, which brought out some ‘homies’, but also folks from an assortment of other countries.  We weren’t familiar with some of his recent work so it was nice to be surprised by style changes.  One of our artist friends said it felt like being at a group show, with so many variations.  There were many promises made to get together soon, and a few real commitments.  Events like this remind me just how much we are part of a community.  

Sunday we had lunch at The Wanderer.  It was interesting to see how many people were out and about.  Many restaurants and venues are seeing a drop in numbers due to the bad air and the virus scare.  This was a graduation weekend and that may have accounted for some of the traffic.  We met with Bob and Noni and had a really fun time.  

Speaking of the virus, the exhibition that Lisa was to appear in, in Bangkok, has been postponed until June or July.  We were fortunate to get full refunds on all of our various reservations.  As people are being cautioned not to be around large crowds, and especially in close quarters, I guess the promoter of the show was anticipating a small turnout.  No one really knows where this is going, or how long it will last, but the ripples are widespread.  Consider that the airline lost two round-trip fares, and the hotel lost a two-night booking.  Tourism is a major industry in Thailand, so this whole thing will have an effect.  Apparently, there are some good prices on hotels at the southern beach cities.  Hmm, it’s March, it’s time to get away, who wants to go?

It has been one month since we began our adventure with Maw Dang.  There have been changes that I have noticed, and more things with time.  Sunday’s acupuncture session was a little rough.  Maw Dang was more aggressive than last week when he worked on Lisa’s head.  He also attacked me with a different force.  We’re going to discuss it on Thursday when we take Cat with us.  

Today’s photo is the pot of herbs after they’ve been boiled.  Yum.

Have a Great Week.

                       Peace,

                                 Danny

“One can never consent to creep

when one feels an impulse to soar.”

~Helen Keller