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

Smile

Hi,

Mom Report:  Things remain the same, or at least appear to be.  She continues to defy the odds.  

Well, I thought it was easy, but only three of you have responded.  ‘Easy Monday’ is this:  “Your love give me such a thrill, but your love don’t pay my bills.  I need __ (that’s what I want), that’s what I want (that’s what I want)…..”  Hint:  You probably held some in your hand today.  You may have reluctantly taken some out of your pocket and given it to somebody.  

The work at my mother’s house is about to move to another level.  We think we’ve gone through most of the critical paper stuff.  Now it’s on to the numerous folders full of meeting agendas, lists of people for various committees, and more thank you cards from those she helped through the years.  There is also the matter of the garage, which is currently locked and without a key in sight.  We may be in need of some bolt-cutters before the day is done.

We learned that one of the places we’ve been donating things to has some very specific rules about what they can take.  Who knew one had to sort the donations?  We will take the next group of donations to a more appreciative agency.  I’m sure that’s how my mother would want it.

This morning my brother and I will meet with the staff at the convalescent home to discuss what the next steps will be.  More will be revealed I’m sure.

Today’s photo has little to do with the beauty of Thailand.  It’s a sticker for a drum shop.  Looks like Western promotion has found a new platform: The Thai phone booth.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

             Peace,

                       Danny

“Don’t cry because it’s over,

smile because it happened.”

~Dr. Seuss

Discover

Hi,

Mom Report:  Things seem to be about the same.  While there appears to be recognition, most responses to questions are ‘yes’, meaning she’s not actually understanding.  She is comfortable and that’s what’s important right now.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King.  ‘Easy Monday’ should be a cinch:  “The best things in life are free, but you can give them to the birds and bees.  Now give me __ (that’s what I want) that’s what I want (that’s what I want).  That’s what I want, that’s what I want (that’s what I want).”  Clue:  One word, something that the singer really wants (555).

Saturday morning we had a team of eight working on my mom’s house.  It is a monumental task that we all take on with the spirit of love.  My brother and I are doing the sifting through papers, having to decide what to keep, what to throw away, and what to shred.  In the course of doing this we have discovered that our mother gave to everyone who asked for help.  We had no idea how large her circle of giving was.  My sister-in-law Sheila, Lisa, and Wendy took various parts of the house and started more ‘categories’ of stuff.  I think we overwhelmed the Goodwill.  On Sunday Cousin Eunice, and her son Albert joined the crew and we made big progress.  I realized how each family member brings a different perspective to the task and the understanding.  Over the weekend we also had lots of non-family ‘family’ who went out of their way to help the cause.  There is still a long way to go, but we have a much better idea of what to do.  

Yesterday, after spending 6 hours on the house, we drove back to Culver City and spent time with Jeff, Anna, C-Bass and August.  It’s been weird, being in town and not spending time with them.  Anna BBQ’d delicious turkey burgers and we had a family sit-down dinner.  

Today’s photo is an expanse of rice.  It brings on a feeling of peace and tranquility.

I’m not sure if Mr. Lag is still in town, or if it’s just sheer exhaustion that makes my lids feel heavy around 5pm, but it’s happening.  Wendy pointed out that sorting through papers can be very tiring.  There is a mental and physical stress involved, and in this case, some emotional stuff too.  In the course of going through the house we have uncovered many memories and treasures.  There are family photos that bring us together, along with reminders of family not with us any longer.  Whew.   

Have a Great Week.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“The turning point in the process of

growing up is when you discover the

core of strength within you that 

survives all hurt.”

~Max Lerner

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Mom Report:  Thursday’s visit with Jean was quite different from the day before.  She was more alert and ready for a longer visit.  She had received a few cards and several floral arrangements.  Each time we told her who they were from there was a big smile of recognition.  She smelled the roses and was quite pleased.  This visit lasted 25 minutes and when we left, she was just starting to fade.  She has a room-mate now, but I think she preferred having the room to herself.

The ‘Zany Day’ song was “Just dropped in (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” by Kenny Rogers & The First Edition.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfa6umSlR8A  Now it’s time for ‘Old School Friday’.  

“When the night has come, and the land is dark, and the moon is the only light we’ll see.  No I won’t be afraid, oh, I won’t be afraid, just as long as you __, __ __ __.”   Hint: This should be pretty easy.

I coming to you from Studio City today.  We spent the night with Valley Cousins Jennifer and Nowell.  A plumbing problem at the Culver City apartment gave an opportunity to drive up the San Diego Freeway in the early evening.  I haven’t had the pleasure of doing that in a long time.  Considering the number of vehicles on the road, it was a fairly orderly group (555). The idea of doing that twice a day boggles the mind.  We never see that many cars on the same road, just never.  As in Culver City, we also have the company of two dogs, Tina and Lucy.  Tina is a chocolate Lab and Tina is a tiny little Shih Tzu.   

The drive from Studio City to Pasadena will be much shorter, which means more time to spend at my mom’s house cleaning and sorting.  My mother will not be returning to the house in Altadena, so everything has to be dealt with in some kind of orderly fashion.  Let me just say, mom loves to preserve memories in random locations around the house.  This will be both challenging and revealing.  Saturday we will have a big ‘team’ working on this.  The current count is set at nine people, mostly family or close to it.

Today’s photo is from 2010.  It was taken at Koh Lanta (an island in Southern Thailand) at that special time of day.  Oh, the colors.

So, this will be a busy weekend for sports fans.  For us, there’s the French Open and the Formula One Gran Prix at Monte Carlo.  Zoom.

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

                Peace,

                          Danny

Doing

Hi,

Mom Report:  Yesterday we went to Pasadena for our first visit with my mother.  She was sleeping so we gently woke her and she greeted us with a big smile.  She whispered a few words, smiled a lot and had many different facial expressions to let us know she understood.  After about 3 or 4 minutes she went back to sleep.  We asked the staff to make sure they put some sports on her TV, like the Dodgers or Lakers since she’s a big fan.  We’ll go back again today and visit.

The ‘Zany Day’ song was familiar to a few readers.  If I told you that the lead singer went on to became a country star would it help?  “I pushed my soul in a deep dark hole and then I followed it in, I watched myself crawlin’ out as I was a-crawlin’ in.  I got up so tight I couldn’t unwind, I saw so much I broke my mind.  I __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.”  Clue:  Some say this might have been the result of psychedelics.  Hmm, the singer was checking in on himself.

Our travel adventure would not be complete without telling you what happened after we got the car on the road.  Since our favorite Polo Loco was closed, we got a snack at Del Taco, which is not the same at all, but when you’re hungry it works.  Opening the door to our little apartment in Culver City was a pure delight.  Anna had fixed the place up with lots of warm touches that made us feel most welcome.  There were things we like in the fridge, and on the shelves.  

It seems like every time we come back to the States there have been big changes in the landscape in the area where we used to live.  Turn a corner and a landmark is gone, turn another and a giant shopping complex fills the skyline.  Driving around town becomes a sight-seeing tour.

We’re getting along with the hybrid Fusion just fine.  In fact, it’s kinda fun trying to operate it to maximum efficiency.  So far I seem to be using and replacing the ‘energy’ in the battery in a way that has really kept the gas usage down.  Yea me.  There are times when you just have to step on the gas and go, and that’s when my plan fall short, but overall, it’s a cool experience.

So, you know I like cars so it should come as no surprise that today’s photo is something I could see myself traveling with, even though I’m not really a ‘kid’.  We saw these at Central Plaza Mall in Chiang Rai.  

Oh yes, our old friend Mr. Lag showed up yesterday around 3:30pm and even with a nap, we couldn’t get him to go away.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“Real generosity is doing something nice

for someone who will never find out.”

~Frank A. Clark