Dreamer

Hi,

Another day, another photo-copy of the day before.  Without any rain, things are starting to get dry around town.  

So, a few correct responses to the ‘Zany Day’ song, but where’s yours?  This tune created quite a fad in it’s day.

“Mama, Mama look at Uncle Joe, he’s doin’ that __ __ with sister Flo.  Grandma gave baby sister a dime.  Said, do that __ __ one more time…”  Hint:  Some of you may be old enough to remember the artist’s radio show.  I will look for a video of the ‘action’ the song is about.  

The first part of our day was pretty routine.  This afternoon it got interesting at our Thai lesson.  We started our first steps, again, to learn how to read and write.  Don’t expect a letter in Thai anytime soon (555), but it’s exciting to see how the system works and the possibilities.  

This evening we went to an exhibit opening at 9 Art Gallery.  The artists were print makers from Australia and Chiang Mai.  We saw friends we haven’t seen in months, and met some interesting artists and enjoyed their work.  

This afternoon some vans pulled onto the empty lot next door.  As they unloaded I realized it was the ‘Lion Dancers and Drummers’ arriving for their annual performance across the road from us.  There must have been four or five teams, plus their friends.  First, they ran down the road and did a performance, complete with firecrackers.  We think they were at Bed Villa.  It’s the only possibility.  Then they went to the big house and did the complete show.  When we left for 9 Art, they were going strong.  

Today’s photos are from our Sunday visit to Wat Rong Sear Tean aka ‘The Blue Temple’.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“Every great dream begins with 

a dreamer.  Always remember, 

you have within you the strength,

the patience, and the passion to reach

for the stars to change the world.”

~Harriet Tubman

Wonderful

Hi,

The weather was the same as yesterday.  The air was different this evening though.  Somebody started a fire that covered the area north of the river with a layer of smoke that looked like a cloud.  The moon was orange.  Yuk.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Make It With You” by Bread.  ‘Zany Day’ is next.  We played this before so you know it.

“I know a cat named Way Out Willie.  He’s got a groovy little chick named Rockin’ Millie.  He can walk and stroll and Susie Q, and do that crazy __ __ too.  Papa told Willie, you’ll ruin my home, you and that __ __ have got to go.  Willie said, ‘Papa, don’t put me down.  They’re doin’ that __ __ all over town’.  __ __, __ __, __ __, doin’ that crazy __ __.”  Hint:  Kind of a dance.  

Today we had coffee, conversation and laughter with our friends Katai and Thovan at Work@Home.  We hadn’t seen them since we got back from the States.  They’ve been very busy with their tractor business.  The business is based in Nan, which is a four hour drive south of Chiang Rai.  We learned interesting things about farming and tractors and stuff.  Did you know that there is a Japanese tractor company that has a special model that was designed by the same man who designed the Ferrari Enzo?  The things we learn.  There was lots of dog talk and showing pics of Daku.  

We found out that our new tree is called an Amherstia, or Queen of Burma, or Orchid Tree.  It turns out that we know two people who have this tree in their yard.  I think we have some homework to do regarding the care of this beautiful tree.  

Cat came over this afternoon.  We talked about school and related topics.  I asked her if she knew what was going on in the States and she didn’t know.  In the course of our conversation I remembered something we learned a few years ago:  World geography is not taught in school.  I’m not an expert, but I have a general understanding of the parts of the world.  I can read a map and figure things out from there.  She finally got an update and now realizes how important it is to be aware of more than one little corner of the world.

This evening we had dinner at the home of Sandy and Ady, along with a visitor from the U.S. that they met through a mutual friend.  She has been traveling around the world, choosing to live in certain cities instead of just doing the tourist thing.  It’s a brave and enlightening thing she’s doing and it was interesting to hear some of her experiences.

Today’s photo shows Neetchanon, phone in hand, listening to music while she heads for the stairs behind me.

Feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“Do something wonderful,

people may imitate it.”

~Albert Schweitzer

Vision

Hi,

We began the day with clouds.  It had that dark overcast feeling like rain was on the way.  A little late morning sun and the clouds were gone.  Hot in the sun, mellow in the shade.  Hmm.

So, a couple of readers have named the ‘Easy Monday’ song.  Surely you know this song of gentle seduction.

“Though you don’t know me well, with every little thing only time will tell.  If you believe the things that I do, then we’ll see it through.  Life can be short or long.  Love can be right or wrong, and if I chose the one I’d like to help me through.  I’d like to __ __ __ __.”   Clue:  He wants to be with her, it’s just that simple.  Easy.

Today was the big day.  This morning the tree was delivered.  For now, it’s being called ‘Blue’s Tree’.  That alone brings up so many memories.  They brought it on a big truck with a hoist.  We are very fortunate that Eric is a landscape architect and this is what he does.  He had a whole check list of things to consider when we were choosing the spot for the tree.  There was the sight-line from the Spirit House, whether it would hide the power pole, and would it grow into other trees, etc.  We are very excited about the final result.  It’s still a young tree but it’s already quite beautiful, with bright red flowers.  Blue would have enjoyed it.

After the workers were gone and the tree was watered, Eric, Brenda, Lisa and I sat down and had a long chat about making friends in Chiang Rai.  Eventually, the conversation came around to Blue and it was good.  It’s been a low-key, emotional day.  Now that it’s almost over, it’s catching up with me.  Time for some diversion.

Neetchanon has a new thing she likes to do.  Natcha plays a lively song on her phone and Neetchanon walks around holding the phone, stopping occasionally to do a little dance.  One time, she was leaning against the front window with one hand, holding the phone with the other, and doing deep knee bends to the music.  

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                       Peace,

                                 Danny  

“The only thing worse than being blind

is having sight but no vision.”

~Helen Keller

Fear

Hi,

The Chiang Rai weather is basically the same as last week.  Some evenings are a little warmer than others.  It’s all quite pleasant.  Now, if we could just do something about the smoke.

The ‘Old School Friday’ tune was “There Goes My Baby” by The Drifters.  ‘Easy Monday’ should be a snap.

“Hey, have you ever tried really reaching out for the other side?  I may be climbing on rainbows, but baby, here goes.  Dreams, they’re for those who sleep.  Life is for us to keep.  And if you’re wondering what this song is leading to, I wanna __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  This 1970 hit was by a group whose name is something you use to make toast.  Now, wasn’t that easy?

The weekend of Chinese New Year is over.  Except for the nightly music show, it was fairly quiet in our area.  Not a lot of fireworks.  Across the river, in town, there was lots of traffic.  Traditionally, people who celebrate the holiday travel to be with family.  Generations of families with Chinese ancestry converge on Chiang Rai Province to be with the senior members.  

Tatt arrived from Bangkok early Saturday morning, much to the delight of Daku.  They were good friends when Tatt lived with us and the bond is still solid.  As a result, Daku followed him around all weekend.  Tatt is in his third year of college, studying chemical oceanography.  Here’s a shot of Tatt and Daku

At The Big Brown House, it was Neetchanon’s first birthday.  Both sides of her family were well represented.  It was a big family party.  Neetchanon is now walking with confidence, answering in her own language, pointing to things she wants and sometimes just picking up what’s within her grasp.  There are now endless stories of the amazing 1 year old.  Today we discovered that she has figured out how to go up the stairs.  Time to put up a gate.  

On Sunday after my meeting, Lisa, Tatt and I went to The Wanderer for lunch.  We had a lot of fun this weekend with Tatt, his conversational English has improved, and he’s learning Italian.  That part, the Italian, was fun because he’d just burst out with something and then tell us what he said.  It was always relevant.  After lunch we went to the Blue Temple, a new ‘attraction’ in Chiang Rai.  Tatt explained that it is Lanna architecture, which is a very old style.  I’ll post some pics later this week.  

Tomorrow morning our friend Eric is having a big tree planted in our yard in memory of Blue.  All we know right now is that it will require a truck to deliver it.  Looking forward to this bittersweet event.

Have a Great Week.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“Nothing is more despicable

than respect based on fear.”

~Albert Camus

Friday Funnies

Hi,

This morning we woke up to a heavy cloud cover.  There was no forecast for rain, but it sure looked like it.  By late morning it was all but gone and we had a sunny afternoon.  Weather.  

The ‘Zany Day’ song was “Camp Granada” by Allan Sherman, from 1963.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZxmWosG2iU  Congrats to all who knew this funny song.  Time for a dose of ‘Old School Friday’.  Remember this?  “__ __ __ __, movin’ on down the line.  Wonder where, wonder where, wonder where she is bound?  I broke her heart and made her cry.  Now I’m alone, so all alone.  What can I do, what can I do?  __ __ __ __, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, __ __ __ __….”  Hint: Wave bye bye.  Maybe she’s up on the roof, or down on Broadway.  

We did a few light errands this morning and, after picking up a flower bouquet, went to the south of town to see our friend Alberto.  He and his wife have just opened a little coffee shop in the night club district.  It’s still being finished, but the coffee machine and some furniture are there and it was nice.  His assistant, Mix, brewed some great coffee and we hung out.  Bert is from the Philippines and he told us of his future plans there.  He is the manager of the Hill Tribe Museum in town and has taught us many things through the years.  There was a moment during our visit when we talked about Blue and it was both sad and refreshing.  Even though the shop is in the middle of the night life ‘action’, they plan to be closed during those hours.  As he put it, ‘There’s just too much glass here’, meaning the walls of his shop.  We all laughed about that.

The tiny little organic store we visit keeps getting interesting products.  Today we stopped by and they had a line of laundry products, and a new salad dressing flavor that I tried at lunch and liked.  There is a growing organic industry in Thailand.  On the farming side, the north is the leading region for organic vegetables.  This is good news when one considers how much big farming is being taken over by companies like Monsanto.  Now we have more choices when it comes to food. 

Right now, live music is blasting from somewhere out there.  It started out with Karaoke, and now there’s a band playing.  Not bad, if you want to hear that.  Hmm, sound like a grumpy old man.  OK, they’re working hard and they sound good.  It’s a holiday weekend. 

Tomorrow is Neetchanon’s birthday and preparations are already underway.  This afternoon, Natcha’s sister Fone and her two kids came over to help.  When Daku was outside, he went over and sniffed around Fone’s bike and when he got to her helmet, his tail started wagging like crazy.  After dinner, Gong and Natcha were in the kitchen making cookies.  They sent Shampoo and Gop, Fone’s kids, upstair to bring us samples.  Oh, so good.  The whole clan will be here tomorrow for dinner and celebration. 

Tatt, who some of you will remember, will be here tomorrow morning for an overnight visit.  He’s attending university in Bangkok and needs a new computer.  Tatt is a very hard working student and has stayed in touch with us through the years.  We’ll do some sight seeing and take him to The Wanderer, of course (555).  Cat is due back in town sometime Saturday after a trip to another province to be in a speech presentation contest.  She had to deliver a paper in English on the future of teaching.  Hmm, this weekend we’ll have all our ‘kids’ together.

Today’s photo was taken on the street in Chiang Mai.  Yes, that’s a TV monitor under that guy’s arm on the back of the motorbike.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.       On to the ‘Funnies’.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

Become

Hi,

Chiang Rai is still benefitting from the rains that came while we were in the States.  The golf course is still green, the trees are filling out, and it doesn’t have the usual brown tone that comes this time of year.  Maybe later we’ll get winter.  Hmm.

“All the counselors hate the waiters, and the lake has alligators, and the head coach wants no sissies, so he read to us from something called ‘Ulysses.'  Take me home, oh Mudda, Fadda, take me home, I hate __!  Don’t leave me in the forest where I might get eaten by a bear…”  Clue:  This reflection on childhood experience is set to the music of Ponchielli’s “Dance of the Hours”.  I’m sure that will help.

This was another ‘stay-at-home’ day for us.  I had a meeting this morning with our friend Johan, to discuss various plans for the pool modification that seems inevitable.  There is a slow leak that has been going on for years, since the earthquake.  We patch the cracks and it lasts for about a year.  The latest solution to solve many little problems would be to build a pool within the pool.  We’ll lose a little of the area size, but the whole thing would be sound.  We spent an hour going over the two proposals, and then brainstorming with a new idea that came to Johan as we looked at the pool.  Now we wait for the cost estimates and the timing of all of this.  

We learned a lot of interesting things about Thai culture during our language lesson today.  It’s the first session after the holidays, but we remembered many things and learned even more.  Khun Awe shared some things that are passed down through generations and it helped us see aspects of Thailand from a different perspective.  We also got our introduction (again) to the Thai alphabet.  We began by going over the Thai consonants.  There are 44 of them, so this may take awhile.  Then there are the vowels and the tone markers, etc.  It’s a good thing we’re studying with someone who is patient and willing to go at our pace.  The goal is to learn how to read and write, which apparently makes verbal communication much easier.  Everything in the language is prescribed by letters and symbols for tone.  When you learn the ‘system’ you can articulate the sounds.  Sounds easy, right?

Today’s photo was taken at The Wanderer.  The pink tips caught our eye.  There’s always something new to see in the woods.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“When I let go of what I am,

I become what I might be.”

~Lao Tzu

Meanings

Hi,

We’re in that phase of weather when the temps have a range of about 30 degrees.  Waiting for the firecrackers to begin piercing the quiet evenings.  

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “It’s Too Late” by Carole King, with notable covers by The Isley Brothers and Gloria Estefan.  Now it’s time for another ’Zany Day’ song.  “Hello Mudda, hello Fadda, here I am at __ __.  Camp is very entertaining.  And they say we’ll have some fun if it stops raining.  I went hiking with Joe Spivy, he developed poison ivy.  You remember Leonard Skinner, he got ptomaine poisoning last night after dinner.”  Hint:  It’s the name of a place.  

Here in Chiang Rai, the celebration of Chinese New Year began today and will continue until Sunday.  I had seen the dates on a poster, but it wasn’t until we set out to run some errands that we realized what all the traffic was about.   On some streets it felt like we were in Chiang Mai.  We skipped several stops because it was just too congested.  

This is the year of the Fire Rooster.  The actual day is January 28.  About 14 % of Thais are of Chinese heritage so it’s a big deal in Thailand.  In the north, the percentage may be even higher due to this region being where the first Chinese settlements were formed.  It will be interesting to see just how many people abandon the black clothes they’ve been wearing and put on red this Saturday.  Apparently red clothing is important because it scares off the mythical monster Nian.  Now you know.  

We had lunch at The Wanderer today.  While we were waiting for our meal we saw the owner of Chivit Tamma Da.  She said she liked to come over for a ‘break’ from her busy place.  

Today I got to spend time with Neetchanon.  Natcha has a very stiff neck after a fall, and while Lisa applied hot compresses, I entertained the little one.  Or should I say, she entertained me.  She is really interested in practicing her walking.  When she’s in our house there are big areas for her to stretch out and she loves it.  There were many new sights in our bedroom.  The bookcase was one of her targets, along with the bathroom.  At one point she figured out how to climb out of the bathroom, which is about 6 inches lower than the bedroom, and then proceeded to find a way to get back down and do it again.  In the kitchen, she picked up one of Daku’s toys and was walking around with it.  He jumped up, walked over and proceeded to take it from her.  Hmm, hasn’t learned to share yet.  We like the fact that Natcha and Gong let her try things on her own, with a watchful eye close by.  

Later, she was outside with her little shoes on walking around.  When Daku and I went out on the lawn, she followed us, like a pro.  She’ll be running soon.

Today’s photo is Neetchanon in the kitchen.  It’s hard to get a photo of this one when she’s constantly on the move.

It feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“The language of friendship 

is not words but meanings.”

~Henry David Thoreau