Interrupt

Hi,

We survived an extremely hot weekend, and were rewarded with a double rain storm this afternoon.  Just as our swim was winding down, the rumblings of thunder could be heard in the distance.  Could it be?  About 30 minutes later the wind got very strong and then the rain came.  It rained those big, serious drops for a while and then stopped.  A little later a second wave came though and finished the job of watering the neighborhood.  It did little to improve the air quality, which should tell you something about how thick our smoke has been.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard, and covered by Pat Boone and Elvis.  The politics surrounding this song were very obvious to Mr. Penniman (Little Richard) as well as Mr. Boone and they both talked about it.  This was the era of ‘Race Music’ and radio was a giant factor.  If you’re interested, just type in “Tutti Frutti wiki” and read all about it.  Now, it’s time for ‘Easy Monday’.  For a while, we’re going back to the original format, one song that might be easy to remember:  “__ __ __ __ now, 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:  Could be about how things look after a rain, a virus or just a bad day.

We did some essential shopping on Saturday morning, hitting Makro and Big C.  The stores are really being conscientious about enforcing safeguards.  At Makro, a man ahead of us in line had a bandana instead of a face mask and they sent him to a special table so he could get a proper mask.  The dispensers for the alcohol gel are now foot-pedal operations, so nobody’s hands touch the bottles.  As a result of all of the little things, as well as the major things, Thailand is keeping the number of cases down and making a difference.  In Chiang Rai things are very quiet as far as the virus is concerned.  

JaiDee is 9 months old.  He weighs 57 lbs. and is still a real puppy, complete with moods to cover everything.  He loves to snuggle and be petted, as well as grab his leash and act like he’s auditioning for a monster movie.  During the isolation he’s been getting his 20 minute walks by doing laps with Lisa around the house.  Boundless energy is his  specialty.  

Have a Great Week.  Stay safe and wash those hands.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“Interrupt anxiety with

gratitude.”

~Unknown

Friday Funnies

Hi,

The week’s weather ended on a high note, as in the temp.  I guess we’ve gotten used to the high 90’s ‘cause it was just another day.  Next week we’ll see more 100+ degree weather and maybe some rain weekend after this one.  Lisa finally figured out what the percentages mean:  It’s the percentage of the province that will get wet, so 20% means that much of the land will get wet.  That way they’re covered.  “Oh, it rained, just not where you live.”

The ‘Middle Song’ was “Proud Mary”, originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival and covered by Ike & Tina Turner.  That brings us to ‘Old School Friday’.  Remember this?:  “A-wop-bop-a-loom-op- a-wop-bop-boom.  __ __ au rutti, __ __ au rutti (repeats a few times).  I’ve got a gal, named Sue, she know just what to do.  I got a gal, named Sue, she knows just what to do.  She rocks to the east, she rolls to the west, she’s the gal that I love best, __ __ au rutti…”  Hint:  This song is early Rock & Roll by one of the most outrageous artists in show biz.  There were different versions of this song for different audiences.  This was ’55/’56 and the cover was by an artist with a softer presentation.  A very interesting part of music history in the U.S.  Oh, the title is Italian.  The artist is another with the first name ‘Little’.

Today we had our first ‘Take out’ meal.  We called Sabroso and placed our order and it was ready in about 25 minutes.  We ordered their soft tacos and they came in a box with all of the ingredients.  We got to assemble them in the proportions we liked.  Nice idea.  

There are days during ‘isolation’ when the only way to spice things up is to put on a pink party dress.  Nitchanan beat the boredom.

This afternoon we tried to get JaiDee to go into the pool.  The boy wasn’t having it.  Lisa actually pulled him in, but he clung to the side.  When he got out, he raced over and picked up a towel and set it down.  He knows the routine from his baths.  After we hosed him off he got to make use of the towels.  He doesn’t mind going to the edge, but just not into the water.  What's interesting is that he will chase the water from the hose, and doesn’t mind getting wet during that game.  

After JaiDee left the pool, Lisa and I went for a swim.  It was the first swim of the season and it felt great.  Nitchanan wanted to join us so it became a swimming party.  Paddle boards and a little kiddie tube made for a lot of creative water play.  At one point, when we were being especially silly, she told Natcha that she liked playing in the pool with me.  I’m flattered, can still act like a kid.

In an effort to boost the morale of health care workers here in Thailand, Toon Bodyslam, the lead singer of the group Bodyslam has created a challenge.  Artist's are to cover a popular song for the benefit of the workers, and the artist whose song they covered has to do the same with another song.  The idea is that every day doctors and nurses will be serenaded by rock and pop stars while bringing attention to what Toon calls the ‘Real heroes’.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.  Don’t go too far and remember to wash your hands.  Time for the ‘Funnies’.

                        Peace,

                                  Danny

Decide

Hi,

We had more rain last night.  Not a storm, just a short, steady downpour that cleaned things up a little.  The trees and birds liked it, and so did the people.  Of course, it was hot, on the way to hotter so we stayed inside until late afternoon.

The ‘Middle Song’ was instantly spotted as a favorite by many readers.  First version was by a band, then a duo.

“Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis, pumped a lot of pane down in New Orleans.  But I never saw the good side of the city, ’til I hitched a ride on a river boat queen.  Big wheel keep on turnin’, __ __ keep on burnin’.  Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river.”  Clue:  

Some days just seem to fly by, and others seem to drag along.  I guess routine is the key.  Then again, some days have a way of defying routine.  They say, ‘no, we’ve done that too many times, do it different’.  Those days are cool when the choices are limited.  All this is to say that it’s not simple staying at home.  It’s not easy staying away from the people you need, and it’s definitely not easy living with uncertainty.  Then the realization comes that the whole world is living like this and it begins to be OK, and that’s good enough.

Those of us who have enough to eat and shelter from the elements are very fortunate.  There are people who don't have enough of either, and that’s just basic stuff.  There will be sad consequences as a result of this ‘thing’.  The suggestion would be that we try to help those around us if and when we can.  That may be the whole point of this, to help each other.

This afternoon Natcha and Nitchanan went into the pool.  Lisa and JaiDee joined them at poolside and I came along later.  It was nice, just hanging out, feet in the water, cooling off a bit.  Tomorrow the plan is to actually get in the water and then try and coax JaiDee in as well.  He may end up being the only dry one in the yard, but it’s worth a try.  We have heard stories about dogs who liked it so much they went for regular morning swims.  Hmm.

Today’s ‘Flashback’ is from Songkran 2015.  I love this photo of Blue and Me.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                         Peace,

                                   Danny

“All we have to decide is what to do

with the time that is given us.”

~J.R.R. Tolkien

Memories

Hi,

The air today began in the ‘good' area and slowly moved to the ‘moderate’ for the evening.  It’s still way better than it was last week.  It was so nice to walk around the yard without a mask on.  We’re being subjected to another heatwave progression, this time it’s supposed to go up to 104 next week.  We’ll see.  As for rain, I think we’ve had our allotment for the month.

This week’s ‘Easy Monday’ song was The Beatles and “We Can Work It Out”, covered by Stevie Wonder.  It’s ‘Middle Song’ time, and this one may trip you up.  “Left a good job in the city, workin’ for the man ev’ry night and day, and I never lost one minute of sleepin’, worryin’ ‘bout the way things might have been.  Big wheel keep on turnin’, __ __ keep on burnin’.  Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river.”  Hint:  Steamboats, rivers, and a woman’s name.  The original artist may surprise you.

Today I realized the age of this ‘Daily message’.  The blogspot portion began in 2007, when we were preparing to leave the U.S.  Since then I have ‘posted’ 3304 editions of the blog.  It actually began as a daily email in 2001, after  returning from our first visit to Thailand.  

This morning we went out into the street.  Our first trip was to take JaiDee to see the vet.  Now we’re treating an inflammation.  He has no infections, etc. which is good to know, but he still goes through moments of distress when he gets crazy.  Fourteen laps around the house and he was ready to go to sleep tonight.  That’s better than before.  

On our second trip out, we discovered that most of the pharmacies were closed.  I have no idea why this is happening.  Now we have a new mystery in town.  

In other news, the virus numbers in the north, where we are, are still low compared to the rest of the country.  It doesn’t mean that things will change as far as the isolation boogie, but at least people are not getting seriously ill.

The question of the day is:  What do people do if they usually take their clothes to a laundromat to wash them?  

Today’s photo is a recent memory.  Khun Noot, from The Wanderer is stacking rocks.  She looks like she knows what she’s doing.

I feel a Wacky Wednesday coming.

                              Peace,

                                        Danny

“Whenever I think of the past,

it brings back so many memories.”

~Steven Wright

Gratitude

Hi,

We woke up this morning to cleaner air than we’ve seen in a long time.  As the morning progressed, it got even better.  Our air was actually in the ‘Very Good’ range.  Sadly, tonight it’s back up to Moderate. 

This week’s ‘Easy Monday’ song has lots of friends.  See if this ‘bridge’ section rings a bell:  “Life is very short, and there’s no time for fussing and fighting, my friend.  I have always thought that it’s a crime so I will ask you once again.  Try to see it my way, only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong.  While you see it your way, there’s a chance that we may fall apart before too long.  __ __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __ __…”  Clue:  Making it clear that a solution must be found.

The rain last night was wonderful.  It wasn’t a long storm-like downpour, just a steady watering of sky and land.  It also cooled the air last night.  Today it was hot, but not as hot as before.  Tomorrow, back to hot (96°).

This morning we talked with Joe, Lisa’s dad.  I only got to enjoy half of the conversation because I went to an online meeting in the guest room.  That sounds funny when I say it like that, but I think you know what I mean.  It’s pretty amazing that I was sitting here in the morning in Chiang Rai, listening to a friend sharing in California the night before (555).

We had more morning adventures with Nitchanan.  Today she pulled out two large mixing bowls she likes and used them to identify the profession she was portraying.  The big green bowl, when worn like a hat, meant she was a fire-fighter.  The smaller red bowl was for the doctor.  As the doctor she would feel for a heartbeat, make a very convincing sound and then give an injection that would be covered with a bandage.  The colors started changing and we could even request our favorite if we wanted.  She also did the same thing JaiDee does, ‘Zoomies’.  She ran around the island in the kitchen at least a dozen times without stopping.  Whew.

This evening we were at a loss as to what to do to exercise JaiDee.  When we take him out to the front yard for a little running back and forth, he decides to rip a branch from a tree or bush as entertainment.  Then he goes into wild boy mode and it’s no fun any more.  Tonight we walked him around the house using his ‘gentle leader’ and it worked.  I almost lasted as long as Lisa and JaiDee, but 12 laps calmed him down and he was set for the evening.  Yea!

Today’s photo was taken in 2017, when we wondered if the rain was coming.  Big C had this display that left no doubt.  Hoping to see something like this again, soon.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                        Peace,

                                  Danny

“Gratitude makes sense of 

our past, brings peace for today,

and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

~Melody Beattie

Hope

Hi,

After a couple of false starts over the weekend, late this afternoon we got rain.  Enough to water the lawns and gardens, cool the air and wash away a bit of the smoke.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Louie Louie” by Richard Berry & The Pharaohs.  It was released in 1957, and the cover by The Kingsmen came out in 1963.  You can easily find stories about all the controversy and stuff.  Right now, it’s time for another dose of ‘Easy Monday’.  “Try to see it my way, do I have to keep on talking till I can’t go on?  While you see it your way, run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone.  __ __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  This should be a snap.  Those four lads again, with an attempt at diplomacy.  The cover is by a musical master who made the song his own.

We had a relatively quiet weekend at The Big Brown House.  There were audio and video calls with family and friends in different parts of the world, as well as here in Thailand.  We spent a good deal of time babysitting JaiDee.  Sunday morning we took the hoodie off as planned.  It didn’t go as we’d hoped, and he got a little overzealous and slightly injured himself again, meaning the hoodie is back on his head.  This whole ordeal is taking a toll on all of us.  His bed time has gone from 7:30pm to after 9pm.  He can’t be left alone, except when he’s asleep, because sometimes he can reach around the cone.  Constant watching is not relaxing.  We’re contemplating coaxing him into the pool in hopes that the water will distract him and the salt will help promote healing.  That means we’ll have to go into the cold water too.  Hey, wait a minute.

Today would have been the first day of the Songkran celebrations.  The government has postponed the water throwing and partying until safer times.  Now it’s up to the citizens to do their part and stay home and be cool.  There have been many posts on Facebook about how people are ‘making merit’ at home and not trying to travel to their family homes.  

On the virus front, things seem to be going well in our province here in the north.  People testing positive are being treated at the hospital and most are recovering and going home.  There have been no deaths this month.  The government hospital seems to be the destination of most patients, mainly because it’s free and there is a lot of great equipment.  Our two hospital contacts said they hadn’t had any cases as of early last week.  Clamping down on travel is a real key to containing this virus.  More will certainly be revealed.

Today Nitchanan spent some time in the kitchen drawing.  She did some letters and numbers and then drew Lisa and me, in that wonderful, childlike, 4-year-old way.  We didn’t have noses, but she thought that was funny.  When she was writing alphabet letters, she would sing a phrase of the song and then draw the letters.  She’s very smart.  She also took pleasure in showing me how quickly she could unlock Natcha’s phone.  Once she did, she showed me some of her favorite videos.  One is called ‘Baby Shark’.  It must be some kind of sophisticated robotic shark that acts like a puppy.  She loves it and had me cracking up.  Not a bad way to spend part of the day.

Have a Great Week and don’t forget to wash your hands, and other stuff too.

                      Peace,

                                Danny

“Hope is important because it can

make the present moment less

difficult to bear.  If we believe that

tomorrow will be better, we can bear

the hardship of today.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Friday Funnies

Hi,

The rain never showed up, because it was less than a 60% chance.  Now we’re looking to Sunday and Monday with high percentage forecasts.  I noticed lots of discussion about the big Pink Moon that was showing this month.  Ours was orange, due to the smoke.  We have another hot weekend coming up, but that’s old news.

The ‘Middle Song’ was “On Broadway” by The Drifters, and covered by George Benson.  For ‘Old School Friday’ we’re goin’ way back: “__ __, oh, oh, me gotta go.  __ __, oh, oh, me gotta go.  Fine little girl, she waits for me.  Me catch the ship, for cross the sea.  Me sail the ship, all alone.  Me never think, me make it home.  __ __, oh, oh, me gotta go…”  Hint:  This R&B classic came out in 1957, title is a name repeated.  The cover in ’63 was an augmented version of the original that created heavy controversy.  

The cone we bought last night didn’t last long on the head of JaiDee the destroyer.  This morning we went to our vet and got what a better quality cone that is still in one piece.  Even with his plastic accessory, he’s still getting lots of exercise.  Sunday we will remove the cone and, based on his response, get our dog back (555).

Last night we took the little gekko out to the balcony in a small box and set him/her free.  This morning it was gone.  Off on an adventure, running the roof-tops of The Big Brown House, or dining on tiny bugs that can’t take the heat.  We’re gonna miss our little friend.  Maybe we’ll meet again.

I’m happy to tell you that in the entire province of Chiang Rai there were no new reported cases of the virus since April 1.  That’s the good news.  The ‘other’ news is that there isn’t a lot of testing going on.  We shall see.  At least the powers that be are tightening the possibility of it spreading by taking more and more precautions.  The biggest holiday of the year, Songkran, has been cancelled. It would have started on Monday. The sale of alcohol has been banned from April 12 to April 16 and no more than 5 people may congregate at a time.  This is a good thing.  Now the question is:  Will the little kids be out on the street trying to throw water on the van on Monday morning?

This afternoon we ran a few errands.  One of them was to The Wanderer to pick up more tasty chicken curry puffs.

We went to the kitchen entrance for our puffs, but on the way down the road I took this parting shot.  That gate was always opened in the past.  So sad.

A close friend related his visit to Bangkok Hospital in Chiang Mai, to see his specialist.  Not only did they take his temperature, they interviewed him about his travels and actions over the last few days.  Now that’s what I call security.  

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd and “Happy" whatever you celebrate.     Time for the ‘Funnies’.

                           Peace,

                                     Danny