Adapt

Hi,

A thunder storm was scheduled for today.  We got plenty of thunder, but no significant rain.  North of us, in Chiang Kong, they got the full force of the storm.  Hmm, maybe tomorrow.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” by Stevie Wonder.  Time for a ‘Zany Day’ challenge.

“Would you like to go ridin’ in my __ __, (__ __, __ __)?  Would you like to go ridin’ in my __ __ (__ __, __ __)?  Well, I’m telling you baby that the ridin’ is mighty fine, (__ __, __ __)”  Hint:  It’s about a car.  This song was released in 1954, about a future car.  The year of the model year of the car is in the title.

The working portion of the new storm drain is finished.  All that's left are cosmetics like new lawn in the area where the trench was made.  There hasn’t been grass on one side of the house for a long time, and when it rains heavily, it gets muddy.  We’re hoping we can get a new lawn going.  It’s difficult when there are tall trees that block the sunlight.  Such a problem; the beauty of tall trees vs a grassy area to walk on.  Hmm, right now I’m goin’ for the trees.  

We went into town this morning to do a couple of errands.  I don’t mind the little trips because it’s a chance to get back into our ‘book’ (555).  It was nice to hang out at Work@Home, even though we didn’t get to see our friends.  When we go for coffee, Lisa pulls out the Thai flashcards and we work on vocabulary.  Next week we start our lessons again.

Daku is having quite a time during the construction.  He wants to go and investigate everything, but he also likes to eat the clay rocks.  He doesn’t understand why we won’t let him run free and just be a dog.  Sometimes being a dog is not in his best interest (5).

Today’s photo is in our front yard.  These baby oranges will hopefully get bigger.  They have  green skin but orange fruit inside.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“Intelligence is the ability to

adapt to change.”

~Stephen Hawking

Lonely

Hi,

Well, today’s predicted thunder storm never showed up.  It was blazing hot today, under a mostly cloudless sky.  A sprinkle would have felt nice.

I was right!  Many of you did know the ‘Easy Monday’ song.  Here’s more, just in case it’s on the tip of your tongue.

“You must have known that I was lonely, because you came to my rescue.  And I know that this must be heaven, how could so much love be inside of you?  Whoa oh oh oh,  __ __ __ __ __ __ __, yeah, that’s why I’ll always be around…”  Hint: Something about the light from that big ball of fire in the sky.  Some say he’s a natural wonder.

It’s been a very ‘cosmic’ day.  While still grieving the loss of a young friend, an old friend from the past reconnected, and another old friend passed on .  Somewhere in all that, there is balance and peace.

Getting used to the billing procedure with my cellphone carrier is an ongoing process.  Sunday, when I checked to see if I needed to pay something, I was told that I had a large balance.  Everything was OK.  This morning, while talking to a friend in the States, the call suddenly ended and I was told that I had used my allotted time.  This is on a supposed ‘unlimited’ contract.  Back to the mall and they tell me that I haven’t paid a previous bill.  You pay for last month this month or something like that.  Tried to pay everything on the invoice but was told I have to wait to pay for this month.  Breathe.

The long trench down the west side of the yard is now the home of a lot of blue tubing.  It’s about 3” in diameter and it’s quite impressive.  They did some simple, yet complicated moves to determine if there was enough slope to carry the water to the rear wall.  Here’s hoping it all gets tested before they fill in the dirt.  I’m confident that it will work just right.  Now all we need is a big storm in a few days to see if the front lawn drains.  Imagine that, me wishing for a big rain (555).

Today’s photo was taken at Makro.  You just stand there, waiting for the punchline.

Last night we had a visit from our friend Supalak and her son Pete, on their way home from their art supply store. She had a basket of mangos for us.  Half of them were green (sour) mangos and the others were the yellow (sweet) type.  I’m a yellow mango man.  The greens were gifted to Natcha and Cat.  One never knows what surprises life has to offer.  

Tonight we had dinner at The Wanderer, with Cat and Rachel.  Rachel is the president of The Freedom Story (formerly The Sold Project).  As always, we had a fun dinner with a little serious talk just for good measure.  Cat will be staying with Rachel on her trip to America this summer.  Needless to say, she’s getting very excited.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“Do not feel lonely,

the entire universe is

inside you.”

~Rumi

Compass

Hi,

The forecasters got it right this weekend.  We had rain, steady for hours and heavy at times.  Most of the daytime stuff was light, but we did manage a river in both yards before it was done.  The ditch digging for the new drain pipe began today. 

The ‘Old School Friday’ tune was “Hitch Hike” by Marvin Gaye.  Lots of friends knew this one.  Time for an ‘Easy Monday’ song that I’m sure you all remember.  “__ __ __ __ __ __ __ that’s why I’ll always be around.  You are the apple of my eye, forever you’ll be in my heart.  I feel like this is the beginning, though I’ve loved you for a million years.  And if I thought of our love ending, I’d find myself drowning in my own tears.  __ __ __ __ __ __ __, that’s why I’ll always stay around….”  Hint:  It’s from 1972, by an artist who used to be ‘Little’.  A declaration of love.

The weekend was a mixture of cloudy sunshine and rain.  The nice thing about that is a lower possibility of flooding. Of course, the downside it that it gets annoying, trying to time events and trips around the rain.  We really didn’t have any problem with it.  There isn’t much that we do outside (555).  I mean, drive someplace, run inside, etc.  

Saturday while Gong was working in the yard he got stung by a bee.  He had a severe reaction.  Natcha took him to the hospital where they gave him an injection and he returned to normal.  We used to keep Benedril in the house when Boot worked for us.  She was allergic to shellfish and it helped with the symptoms.  The search is on for a local source.  

Today’s photo presents a new member of our ‘family’.  This little bird hangs out on the ginger plant right outside of our balcony window.  We don’t have Hummingbirds in Thailand, but this little creature reminds us of them.  It feeds on the ginger with that long beak.

Sunday at The Wanderer, our good friend John was there with his brother and family.  We knew some of them from a previous visit and now we know the whole family.  Life in the Land of Smiles. 

There were the usual weekend adventures, like Saturday morning at Big C, which wasn’t so bad.  We ended up at the Mall on Sunday for dinner, since it was raining.  The place was packed with shoppers, movie goers, and families out on a ‘cheap date’.  

Whenever we get in the van, we listen to more of Harry Potter and it’s great.  There are times when I’d be happy to sit in and listen.  It has replaced the music.  We’re in the middle of the second book and all caught up in the whole thing.  It makes the traffic much easier to handle.  (5)

Have a Great Week.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“Conscience is a man’s compass.”

~Vincent Van Gogh

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Another hot day with forecasts of minute percentages of rain.  Oddly, all of the reporting stations gave the same high temp for the day.  That rarely happens (5).

The ‘Zany Day’ song was “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” by The Beatles.  Time for an ‘Old School Friday’ tune from 1963.  “I’m goin’ to Chicago; that’s the last place my baby strayed (__ __) __ __ (__ __ baby).  I’m packin’ up my bags, gonna leave this old town right away.  I’ve got to find that girl if I have to __ __ ‘round the world.  (__ __) __ __.”  Hint:  This stubborn kinda fella needs a ride.  

This morning we could tell, even before going outside, that it was going to be a hot day.  No morning clouds muting the sun - it was bright.  We shortened Daku’s run and he was happy about that.  Just before dinner time it looked like a giant storm was gathering north of us, but it fell apart and the sky just looks like a big gray shelf with no definition.  Hmm.

The adventure of the day was a trip downtown to one of the many gold shops.  It was time for new wedding rings.  We had been wanting to get rings made of Thai gold for some time.  It looks different to the Western eye because, as we’ve been told, there is more gold in it.  It has a deeper gold color.  We ’struck gold’ at the first shop.  They had a simple ring in both of our sizes and well within the budget.  We walked away smiling.

Today is Natcha’s birthday so Lisa made her a card and we gave her a gift.  It’s interesting, having young people working/living with us.  They are very protective and become concerned when they think things aren’t right.  It takes a lot to run a house, and to them, it appears that everyone who comes to do jobs, wants to take advantage of us.  On the surface, some jobs don’t seem like they should cost as much as they do.  The kids hear a price and think it’s too much and fear that we’re being ripped off.  Sometimes we explain, other times we just tell them it’s OK and not to worry. 

A few weeks ago, a row of little trees were planted on the far side of the ‘new’ lot next door.  Today a couple came and did some work on them.  They turned the soil and added support stakes.  I guess there really is a plan for the dirt.  Of course, they planted trees in the dirt behind us two years ago and that’s as far as it went.  The suspense is killing me.

After dinner we hung out with Neetchanon while Natcha cleaned up the kitchen.  She still has a fascination with my hair.  Today’s photo show the apparent thrill of touching different hair.  Cool.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.

                Peace,

                          Danny

Canvas

Hi,

We’re back home in Chiang Rai, where it was a very hot day.  At 5:30pm the weather people said that it ‘felt like’ 104F.  

I’m so glad that the ‘Zany Day’ song still lives in your minds.  Here’s the last verse:  “Picture yourself on a train in a station, with plasticine porters with looking-glass ties.  Suddenly someone is there at the turnstile.  The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.  __ __ __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __ __ __, Aaaahhhh…”  Clue: Initials of the title prompted lots of speculation and controversy.  

It was with great pleasure that we slept in later than usual.  With no dog schedule to keep, it was up to us.  After breakfast we decided that it would be nice to go home.  On the road out of town we stopped so I could clean the windshield.  An attendant came to the van and when we told her what we wanted to do, she proceeded to wash the windshield herself.  Lisa handed her a tip and she was ready to wash the rear window but I waved her off.  Back on the road with clear vision and the second book of Harry Potter, it was time to boogie.

You may not believe it, but we didn’t even stop for pie.  We did, however, stop for a ‘road break’ and coffee at a Doi Chaang that we have watched go through quite an evolution since we’ve been here.  The current incarnation is a beautiful, open-air structure with a very tranquil ambiance even though it’s just off the highway.  As you enter the property there is a very attractive water feature.  That is today’s photo.

I didn’t realize that Lisa was taking my pic while I was shooting the waterfall.  

It seems like whenever we go out of town, we return in the late afternoon or evening.  Today it was 1pm.  What?  Lisa called ahead and there was a tuna salad lunch waiting when we arrived.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

             Peace,

                       Danny

“Love is a canvas furnished by 

nature and embroidered  by

imagination.”

~Voltaire

Reality

Hi,

Broadcasting from downtown Chiang Mai, where the evening temps are in the mid-80s.  There was a brief rain during our nap.  

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Girl from Ipanema” as recorded by Astrid Gilberto and Stan Getz.  If you’d like more info on this tune let me know.  The ‘Zany Day’ song is one we’ve visited before.  It’s the 50th anniversary of the release of the album it was on and I thought it would be fitting to get zany with this:  “Picture yourself on a boat on a river with tangerine trees and marmalade skies.  Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly, a girl with kaleidoscope eyes.  Cellophane flowers of yellow and green towering over your head.  Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes and she’s gone.  __ __ __ __ __ __ (x 2), aaaahhh.”  Hint:  Hmm, another song about a girl near water.  A pattern?  

This morning’s drive to Chiang Mai was pleasant.  We listened to more of Harry Potter and the time just flew by.  The countryside is back to it’s beautiful green lush self.  Nothing like a little rain to bring things back to life.  We got to town earlier than we predicted, which gave us time to lunch and browse at Central Festival.  Malls here have bank branches in them, which is very convenient.  At Festival, they are all on one floor at one end of the mall.  It’s like the banking district.  There is a big grocery store on the garage level that we didn’t know about, with lots of things we didn’t know were available in Thailand.  Rice milk is something we hadn’t seen in any of the stores we frequent, but they had it.  We saw many interesting products, but without our resident label translator, Cat, we couldn’t tell what the ingredients were.  The big stores have this nasty habit of putting the Thai ingredient label over the English ingredients.  Why would you do this in a store that is appealing to an international audience?  

When we checked into the D2 after the follow-up appointment, we were greeted with big smiles and eager staff.  We got the same room we were in last week.  

We are not in what would be considered the ‘High Season’ yet, but since it’s summertime in the Northern Hemisphere, there are lots of visitors.  The streets of the Night Bazaar were really busy this evening.  Good for the local merchants.  

Today’s photo was taken by Lisa.  This is a sight not usually seen in the States, but very common here.  Zoom.

Must be Wednesday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“Reality leaves a lot to 

the imagination.”

~John Lennon

Patience

Hi,

A little sun, a lot of rain, and a whole bunch of heat is how I would describe our weather today.  It’s just that time of year.

A few readers got this one right away.  This tune was the Grammy ‘Record of the Year’ in 1965 and introduced the world to a whole new style of jazz.  It is said that it’s the second most recorded song in history after ‘Yesterday’.

“When she walks, she’s like a samba that swings so cool and sways so gently that when she passes, each one she passes goes aah.  Oh, but he watches so sadly, how can he tell her he loves her.  Yes, he would give his heart gladly, but instead when she walks to the sea, she looks straight ahead not at he….”  Clue:  Unrequited love at the beach?

There is a ‘Girl’ involved.

We stayed behind the wall today.  Khun Yee came over and we solidified the plan for a drain pipe from the front yard to the back wall.  It’s going to be a very long trench but it will be worth it to move the water from the yard.  Work begins on Monday, if it’s not raining (5).  

The rain we are getting is nothing like what’s been happening in Bangkok and the surrounding areas.  The Bangkok Post listed 29 locations in the city where there was flooding.  Most of it was what could be called ‘hubcap’ height and there was no real loss of property, but it’s something that’s been happening every year.  

Here’s a bit of news you might not know about:  Harley/Davidson Motorcycles is going to have an assembly plant in Thailand.  It turns out that the import duty on the bikes can be up to 60% of the value, which really inhibits sales.  If parts are assembled it isn’t taxed the same way.  As the region becomes more and more affluent, there is more market for the legendary machines.  Some Thai ‘collectors’ think it may devalue their bikes.  Now you have something to talk about the next time you find your self at a loss for words.

Tomorrow we drive back to Chiang Mai and return on Thursday.  I’m hoping the weather stays dry for the driving portion.   

Today’s photo was taken at ‘White Cup’ coffee shop, the half-way point on the highway.  The Koy fish thought I was going to feed them.

This evening, as we sat down for dinner, Neetchanon was given a potato chip.  She then offered it to Daku.  Lisa stepped in before he realized what was going on.  If he had seen the offering and gone for it, Neetchanon might have been very startled.  It was a sweet gesture anyway.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“Adopt the pace of nature:

her secret is patience.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson