Choices

Hi,

This morning it looked like it would rain all day.  The big nasty clouds went away and Chiang Rai got baked again.  It’s evening and now it’s sprinkling.  We hope for cooler air.

So, we’re gonna give this another try.  A few readers remembered this ‘Zany Day’ song.  How about you?

“__ __ __, you make my heart go giddy-up, you set my world on fire, you are my one desire.  Whoa, __ __ __, __ __ __, __ __ __.”  Clue: Really a kid’s song, nothing deep here.  You’ll feel like a sucker when you learn the title of this one (555).

Last night we went to the dentist and he was very happy with our teeth.  That sounds funny.  Actually, he was pleased that we are taking good care of them.  Me too. I really don’t like dentists climbing into my mouth to repair things (555).  We had a brief conversation, one-sided, about the need for more prevention in Thailand.  He works in a hospital during the day and has his private practice in the evenings.  This is what most doctors and dentists do here.  He went on about how medicine is dispensed, with little attention given on how to keep the problem from happening.  Efforts are being made with regard to certain persistent problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.  Time will tell.

Lisa made a solo run to Big C this morning.  I was feeling a little ‘blah’ so I stayed at home.  I think I much prefer having a symptom I can describe than feeling ‘blah’.  It says nothing yet it is the best I can do.  We think it may be that I’m fighting some kind of ‘bug’, not literally.  This is the season for things to happen.  

The Wimbledon tennis tournament is underway and we’re trying to keep up.  So much tennis, so little time.  Do you have a favorite player?  Do you even watch tennis?  This leads me to my last question:  What sports do you like to watch?

Today’s photo was taken this morning in our front yard.  Daku is getting his reward for running across the lawn.  He gets in about 20 times across, and then plays catch with his orange and blue ball.  Sometimes, he will catch the ball once and then just go home.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“May your choices reflect your hopes,

not your fears.”

~Nelson Mandela

Strong

Hi,

We had another blazing hot day in Chiang Rai.  Small rain in the morning hours didn’t make a difference to the heat factor.  

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “What the World Needs Now Is Love”, originally recorded by Jackie DeShannon, and then Dionne Warwick.  Time to get silly with a ‘Zany Day’ song.  “__ __ __, you make my heart go giddy-up.  You are as sweet as candy.  You’re my sugar dandy…”  Hint:  Key word in the title rhymes with the last word of the first line and usually comes on a stick.  There, that ought to hold you.

Just about the time we would have taken Daku out for his run, it started to rain.  He didn’t like that one bit.  We used the time to order our tickets to Singapore and the Formula One race.  

We began our outside adventures at Art Bridge, where there are two exhibits we hadn’t seen.  Both had some very interesting work and it was nice to have the galleries all to ourselves.  

At Makro there is always something unusual to see.  Today was no exception.  Strolling past the meat section I noticed two women posing for a photo, holding bags of meat.  What?  It wasn’t even pretty meat.  We did find that shopping a little later in the morning meant the lines were a lot shorter at check-out.

Today’s photo is from way back, when we lived in the rental house during our first months in Thailand.  The cows in the photo were used to keep the grass down on vacant lots.  

This evening we got our teeth cleaned.  We noticed that a lot of motorbike riders were not wearing helmets.  The police don’t have night-time check-points unless it’s a holiday and then they’re looking for drunk drivers.  The message is still not getting through that helmets save lives.  Right now they’re a bother.

Time for Wacky Wednesday.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

“You never know how strong you are

until being strong is the only choice you have.”

~Unknown

Task

Hi,

The morning sky looked like rain was coming soon.  As it turned out, the clouds blew away and we had another super hot day.  Time for more rain please.

Several readers knew the ‘Easy Monday’ song.  See if the first verse rings a bell in your memory.

“Lord, we don’t need another mountain, there are mountains and hillsides enough to climb.  There are oceans and rivers enough to cross, enough to last till the end of time.  __ __ __ __ __ __ __, __ __.  It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.  __ __ __ __ __ __ __, __ __, no, not just for some but for everyone.”  Hint:  Seriously?

I guess it’s no secret that Thailand has a lot of coffee shops.  A lot of coffee is grown here.  That’s why we found it odd to see a commercial on TV for ‘Caffeine Shampoo’.  Really, there is such a product.  For those mornings when you’re running late and there’s no time for a cup of coffee, wash your hair (555).  Unbelievable.

Now that we have a permanent ‘grounds keeper’ we’re realizing that there is always something to do at The Big Brown House.  Gong has things to do every day.  The Plumeria tree by the pool is enough to keep someone busy for a few hours a day.  The leaves and flowers fall into flower beds, the pool, and the little pond.  With the rainy season upon us, the front lawn grows much faster than at any other time of year.  The back one has decided to stay short and stubbly, with only a few tall tufts of grass.  If we left it alone, Daku would take care of that (55).

Lisa and I had lunch at The Wanderer.  As soon as we pulled into the lot we were greeted by Mercy, a beautiful Husky that has the run of the place.  She was very happy to see us and spoke to us as only Huskys can, and then led us to the restaurant.  It was a slow Tuesday morning so our server, Cat, had time to visit with us.  When we arrived the lot was empty.  When we left it appeared that many people were there, we just hadn’t seen them.  Because of the way the place is spread out, and the secluded location of some tables, one could be there and not be seen.  

In the afternoon our friend Nine, who is an architect and gallery owner, came over with two staff members and two students.  We had asked her to look at the pool area and give us some ideas about fencing it off in preparation for a more mobile Neetchanan.  They immediately began measuring the whole place and contemplating the possibilities.  We want to fence off the pool without losing to much of the esthetics of the scene we’ve created.  She understood and we can’t wait to see the ideas.

Today’s photo is, of course, the pool.  It’s the thing that cools us off in the afternoons these days.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our

circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures 

and the whole of nature and it’s beauty.”

~Albert Einstein

Behind

Hi,

The temps here in Chiang Rai are still staying in the 90s, but feeling like 100+.  We’re still getting occasional rain and things are incredibly green and lush.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ tune was “Silhouettes” by The Rays.  Now, on to some ‘Easy Monday’.  “__ __ __ __ __ __ __, __ __.  It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.  __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __, no not for some but for every one.”  Hint:  I know, ranks up there with the longest titles ever.  You should remember this one.  Written by B&D, sung by many.

The warm, sunny afternoons have found us in the pool every day.  Last week, Lisa gave Daku one of his treats that we’re now calling a ‘Pupsicle’, and it’s become part of our swimming ritual.  When we go downstairs to swim Daku goes into the kitchen and stands in front of the refrigerator and just stares.  He has us well trained.  It’s a simple treat consisting of water and some of his kibble frozen into it.  When he’s done he relaxes by the back door and watches us.

The river has come up a bit and we can hear the sound of the long-tailed boats again.  For a time it was very quiet on the water because the boats would hit too many sand bars.  They still need more rain to be able to do their thing without worrying about running aground.  Sometimes the drivers have to get out and walk the boat around the shallow parts.  That’s how little water is in the river.  Hmm.

It’s interesting to note that some of the fields around town have not been planted in this rainy season.  We’re not sure why, but many lots are just overgrown with grass and weeds instead of the usual corn.  The lot to the west of us was partially planted, with the plot right next to us left untouched.  Well, they did put a string and stick border around the property.  I hope they haven’t sold it.  The last time we heard their asking price it was more than our house cost to build, including the land.  In a few months we’ll probably see corn sprouting up again (555).

We have been having discussions with Cat about what will happen to her room when she goes to college.  She will be living in what they call a dorm.  It’s actually an apartment house near the campus and the new students have to stay in campus approved units during their first year.  Her room has quite a collection of stuffed animals, books and assorted acquisitions made during the last few years.  She doesn’t have to empty it out, just make room for a possible guest in the future.  We expect that she will stay with us from time to time.  

Sunday night we went to the Night Bazaar for dinner.  We met our friend Stephan and had our usual good time.  His wife Claire is working in Singapore and they have invited us to come and visit.  We are planning on going in September, which happens to be when the Formula One GP will be there.  The current plan is that Stephan and I will go to the race and Lisa and Claire will see the sights.  The hard part now is deciding where to sit so we can get the tickets.  Wow, this might actually happen.  Zoom.

Today’s photo was taken in March of 2013.  It was the day everyone got the word that there were fish in the mystery inlet near our house.  

Over the weekend we went to 4 different pharmacies looking for aspirin and no one had any.  How does this happen?  Is aspirin out of season like mango?  We haven’t been able to find any sweet mango either, only the green, which is sour.  Oh well, eventually both items will return and we will forget this ever happened (555).

Have a Great Week.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“Be there for others, but 

never leave yourself behind.”

~Dodinsky

Friday Funnies

Hi,

It seemed like a cooler day today, by maybe one degree.  The pool was cooler, which means it was probably cooler last night.  No swimming today, brrr.  The late afternoon rain was pleasant.

The ‘Zany Day’ song was right on the tip of your tongue.  It was “Subterranean Homesick Blues” by Bob Dylan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGxjIBEZvx0   ‘Old School Friday’ may be familiar to many since I’ve used it before.  It’s a 1957 gem:  “Took a walk and passed your house late last night.  All the shades were pulled and drawn way down tight.  From within, a dim light cast two __ on the shade.  Oh, what a lovely couple they made.”  Hint:  These days it’s called ‘stalking’.  Turned out to be a case of mistaken location.  

The hose broke on our cool little Samsung tank vacuum so we went down to Sinthanee this morning to see about getting a replacement part.  After a few in-house phone calls, one of the young women returned to the counter with a photocopy of the part we needed, and a price.  She knew my name, which caught me off guard, but since we get a lot of our appliances serviced there, it was understandable.  A one week wait probably means it’s coming from Bangkok.  

On our way to the bakery we noticed quite a few Samlors (pedaled rickshaw type vehicles) making their way through the traffic.  It’s nice to see that they are still on the road.  They are one of the last remnants of traditional travel in Thailand and many cities ban them from the central areas because they move so slowly.  Go Chiang Rai, hangin’ onto ‘Old School’.

You may recall that I fell in love with an old abandoned street sign that was left on the side of the road.  Well, it’s still there, back in the bushes.  I guess the city really doesn’t want it.  Hmm, I’ll need a few big guys to lift it into and out of the van, but there’s hope (555).

In our travels we noticed that the ‘Cat ’n’ Coffee’ was gone.  Yesterday Atom told us that they have moved to a better location downtown.  They will get a lot more tourist business in their new location.  Then Lisa mentioned that she’d go into a place that had dogs.  Wouldn’t that be a sight, dogs running around a coffee shop, playing with the customers.  

This evening Neetchanan was in her stroller and after dinner Natcha parked her next to the table so we could visit with her.  Lisa figured out how to make her laugh and we had a delightful time.  There’s nothing like hearing a little one crack up over the silliest things.  Daku was there as well, giving little licks on her feet and face.  

Today’s photo shows Daku watching his ‘TV’, which consists of the neighborhood bicycle gang and their dog playing in the vacant field behind our house.  They come every day around the same time and now he goes to the window to watch them.  

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

                    Peace,

                              Danny

Patience

Hi,

It was another hot day in Chiang Rai.  There is thunder in the distance this evening.  Maybe it will rain again.  Hmm.

I’m sure somebody out there remembers this ‘Zany Day’ tune.  Here’s more of the first verse and then the end.

“…You better duck down the alley way lookin’ for a new friend.  The man in the coon-skin cap in the big pen wants eleven dollar bills you only got ten… Don’t wear sandals, try to avoid the scandals, don’t wanna be a bum, you better chew gum, the pump don’t work ‘cause the vandal took the handles.  Look out kid, it’s somethin’ you did…”  Clue:  The title does not appear in the lyrics.  It was written by an artist who declared that he was a poet, not a singer.  Maybe he’s just blowin’ in the wind.  Think underground blues.

This morning we paid a visit to the Talat (main marketplace) in search of material.  After we found what we wanted we went to the tailors stall.  Next week we’ll pick up two shirts and some alterations he's doing.  The sights and smells were something we hadn’t experienced in many weeks.  It was good to be back in that little world.  

A coffee stop at Work@Home gave us a chance to have a ‘catch up’ visit with our friend Katai.  She and her husband Towan have a tractor business and the rainy season is good for them.  It means the farmers can get to work and that means machinery.  Their main business interest is in the city of Pan, a long way from Chiang Rai.  It’s real farm land there.  Towan is also involved in car rallies; the kind that race along tiny roads through the countryside.  He is a navigator and he and his driver just returned from China where they got a new car.  They will take the car back to China in September for a big rally.  It’s fun knowing a car guy here in Chiang Rai.

We met our friend Atom for lunch at The Wanderer.  We always have fun visits whenever we get together and this was no exception.  There has been a larger turnover in the staff since university classes began.  Cat is now an old-timer there.  When her school starts she will work part-time on weekends.  

Since we didn’t have a big storm last night the water in the pool was warmer than the day before.  It’s so nice to be able to swim in the afternoons.  Besides the exercise, the time in the water makes the heat seem like a distant memory.  When we built the pool we didn’t think about the trees that we planted around it.  The Plumeria drops flowers and some of them land in the pool.  It’s beautiful when they are fresh and just floating on the surface.  We have to take them out, but it’s not that much work.  The smell of the tree is great this time of year.  If the breeze is just right, the Plumeria gets blended with the Gardenia and Jasmine and we want to stay in the water forever.

Today’s photo is from way back (Thai time).  On a trip to Chiang Mai we ate at a burger place that had this wall dedicated to Jimi Hendrix.  Our minds were duly blown.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“Patience is the calm acceptance

that things can happen in a different

order than the one you have in mind.”

~David G. Allen

Learn

Hi,

We look at the forecasts for Chiang Rai and just laugh.  We know what’s going to happen.  The day will be hot with cloudy skies and the rain will come at night while we sleep.  

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “It’s Too Late” by Carole King.  For ‘Zany Day’ we’re going to the ‘60s.  Do you remember?  “Johnny’s in the basement mixing up the medicine.  I’m on the pavement thinking about the government.  The man in the trench coat, badge out, laid off, says he’s got a bad cough, wants to get paid off.  Look out kid it’s somethin’ you did, God knows when but you’re doin’ it again…”  Hint:  This tune from ‘RZ’ (real initials) will have you scratching your head.  Clues won’t help.  If you know it, you know it.

Last night we heard distant thunder before going to bed.  A sure sign of what was to come.  There was a steady rain for many hours and this morning we had a little lake in the back yard.  When the rain is not monsoonal, the yards tend not to flood.  Steady, medium rain will sometimes overwhelm the one drain in the back.  If the property behind us and to the west ever get developed, we will have to figure out a new way to drain the rain.  Hmm.

This morning it was still raining when we got up.  It kept Daku from getting his morning exercise.  I took Cat to work and she was happy about not having to ride in the rain, even though it’s a short distance.  We love the rain, just don’t like having to do stuff in it (555).

My adventure for the day was a trip to Suzuki for the regular service on the van.  The waiting area is a very sharp contrast to that of Toyota, back when we had the Vios.  At Toyota there was instant coffee in ceramic cups and saucers, at Suzuki it’s instant in foam cups.  The extensive magazine rack is now a few local newspapers.  The great thing about it is that the service begins as soon as they write the order.  I could see my vehicle at all times, and now they have two people who sort of speak English.  

Neetchanan has been spending more time in the kitchen with her mom and we’re enjoying that.  I finally captured a little smile and that’s the photo for today.

I seem to be doing a lot of early morning reflecting these days.  Around 4am I’ll wake up and start thinking about my mom.  Sometimes it’s a memory and other times it’s a collection of things.  Like today I went back in time and remembered all the musical instruments she bought me, and the trips to the piano teacher way back when.  I’m almost looking forward to whatever memories will come next.  

Time for a Wacky Wednesday.

                   Peace, 

                             Danny

“Learn from yesterday, live for today,

hope for tomorrow.  The important thing

is to not stop questioning.”

~Albert Einstein