Great

Hi,

Last night we had a thunder storm.  A real one, where there is a lot of noise and a tiny bit of rain.  Today began with clear skies that were later fouled by local burning.  When will it end?

Two readers know the song so far.  The last time it was featured, a ton of you wrote in to tell me the title and group.  Here’s the second verse:  “I’ve taken my bows, and my curtain calls.  You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it, I thank you all.  But it’s been no bed of roses, no pleasure cruise.  I consider it a challenge before the whole human race, and I ain’t gonna lose.  __ __ __ __, my friends.  And we’ll keep on fighting till the end.  __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __.  No time for losers ‘cause __ __ __ __ of the world.”  Hint:  When you win the highest prize you are the what?  

This morning we were expecting the work crews to return to finish the drains.  Later we discovered they will come back tomorrow.  Oh well.  It just meant we’d have less people in the yard.  

We had a fairly typical visit to Big C followed by coffee at Starbuck’s.  The one thing that wasn’t typical at Big C was the heavy action around the special school uniform display.  Racks of lavender tops and dark blue shorts and skirts would have been enough, but when you add whole families trying things on over their street clothes, it gets a little busy.  We didn’t have to actually walk through this, but the looks on some of the staff told the story.

The time that is usually allocated for our after-lunch nap was booked for a visit from Natcha and Gong’s church people.  The pastor and his wife, along with a small entourage, wanted to meet us.  We couldn’t figure out why, but said OK.  Natcha made brownies and served tea and we sat around the table and visited.  Mr. Lee and his wife are from Korea and have been here for eight years.  We knew they had a church, but they also have a center for the deaf.  There was a wide range of conversation after visiting Lisa’s studio.  After they left we figured it out.  They’re building a new center and they’re looking for donors.  So far we haven’t been approached directly, but it wouldn’t be the first time.  

Our whole day got shifted and we ended up napping longer than usual.  I have to remember that in the very hot weather the energy levels can drop a bit.  The pool guy came and cleaned the water but told us the odd appearance was from the leaves.  He said it was safe to swim, but we need to keep the plumeria leaves out of the water as much as possible.  It’s blooming like crazy right now and the flowers are everywhere.  We’d be in the water right now if the air wasn’t so bad.  Note to self:  Continue fantasy involving clear dome over pool with filtered air.  

Today’s photos are from the exhibition ‘Imagine’.  Lisa posing with her dear friend Noot, creator and driving force behind The Wanderer, who presented the artist.  The second pic is a bouquet from good friend Katai.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                       Peace,

                                 Danny

“Great things are done by a 

series of small things brought

together.”

~Vincent Van Gogh

Give

Hi,

We’re in the high 90s during the day and mid 70s at night.  Later in the week it’s supposed to rain again.  The lawn drains will be done by the next round of storms.  

‘Old School Friday’ was, of course, Gladys Knight & The Pips singing “Every Beat of My Heart”.  Since responses have been rather thin lately, here’s an ‘Easy Monday’ that will let everyone be a winner:  “I’ve paid my dues time after time.  I’ve done my sentence but committed no crime.  And bad mistakes, I’ve made a few, I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face, but I’ve come through.  __ __ __ __, my friends.  And we’ll keep on fighting till the end.  __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __.  No time for losers ‘cause __ __ __ __, of the world.”  Hint:  By a group with a ‘royal’ title.  From across the pond in ’78.

The ripples from the ‘Imagine’ art exhibit are still happening.  More friends are posting photos, and more encouraging comments for our resident artist.  We have also concluded that we have some really nice friends.  The opening was like a party of people who mostly knew each other and came together to celebrate.  Cool.

This morning the crew arrived for the lawn drain project.  Khun Yee brought enough folks so they could work on the front and rear yards at the same time.  I am learning everyday that there are many things I do not know.  I have to have faith in the ones who say they know and let them do their thing.  Sometimes things don’t look the way I thought they should look, but they work anyway.  Yes, I’m talking about the lawn thing.  The concrete rings that hold the earth from collapsing in appear to be too high.  We mentioned it to Gong and he said it was like in his village, and it works.  OK, no need to get excited, just looked like logic had left the yard.  We shall see after the next storm.

Today’s photo is a guy in the front yard hole.  That’s how deep.  That’s Chopper supervising.

After things got started with the lawns, we suited up and went to the gym.  I know, how brave.  This time was a little more intense than the last visit and we felt it afterwards.  Nothing serious, just that tired feeling when one exerts oneself (555).  

The afternoon was spent being entertained by our respective muses.  Lisa painted in her studio and I practiced my music in the guest room.  While I was working in the guest room I had a view of the back yard.  Neechanon and two older cousins were in the pool.  Natcha joined them later in an effort to cool off.  It was a busy place.

Have a Great Week.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“He is no fool who gives what

 he cannot keep, to gain what 

he cannot lose.”

~Jim Elliot

Friday Funnies

Hi,

The weather fairies got their act together and we had a wonderful, rainless evening.  During the day it stormed and taxed our sensibilities.  Friends were praying, I kept looking at the weather reports, it was crazy.  Then the blue sky appeared and we relaxed.  

Well, the ‘Zany Day’ song was “Trick Bag” by Robert Palmer.  Here’s an ‘Old School Friday’ tune from 1961.  “With __ __ __ __ __, there’s a beat for you.  In every toast of wine, there’s a toast for you, oh yes it is.  In all my conversation, you’re my inspiration.  And everything I do, I do for you.”  Clue: The heart beats, a pip is defined as an excellent or very attractive person or thing.    

The threat of rain did not keep anyone away from the opening of ‘Imagine’, Lisa’s art exhibition at 9 Art Gallery.  The hard work and one-on-one promotion paid off.  Everyone who said they’d come was there.  There were also guests that we hadn’t expected who showed up.  The opening ceremony went off without a hitch, short and sweet.  Khun Noot did a great job of presenting Lisa to the audience, and Lisa and Cat gave the crowd the English and Thai versions of the new process.  Khun Tawee, the Thai director of The Freedom Story talked about the project and referred to Lisa as their ‘Grandmother’ because she has given so much support and guidance through the years. 

After the ribbon cutting, the gallery was suddenly full of people trying to view the works without someone standing in front of them.  Openings in small galleries can sometimes be problematic.  Since a lot of the guests knew each other, there was lots of willingness to step aside.  By the end of the evening, four works had sold, with a few more pending.  Lisa was kept busy in conversation for most of the 2 1/2 hours.  There were lots of questions about her new process from artists and non-artists alike.  Photos were the order of the day, with people wanting pics with the artist and with their favorite artwork.  Just as we were about to leave, all of the ArtBridge artists that were there came filing into the gallery for a group photo.  On their way, Lisa was swept into the line, then they came and got me.  It’s a special moment, a tribal like of thing.

By the time we got home, photos from the event were already on Facebook.  That’s a good thing in this situation.  

In more local news, Blue’s tree has not been doing so good lately.  A friend who has one told us what to do.  He went to the elephant camp and got elephant droppings and fertilized his tree.  Today, Gong drove out to the elephant camp with a shovel and trash bag, and acquired some medicine for the tree.  We’ll see what happens.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.

                      Peace,

                                Danny

Light

Hi,

We had a beautiful day, with blue skies and puffy clouds.  It was payment for the night of rain that flooded both yards.  Tonight we have to plug the drain and get out the row boat (555).  Forecast for tomorrow is morning rain, maybe.

Looks like the ‘Zany Day’ song is a stumper.  It’s by a guy who was addicted to love because it was simply irresistible.  “We had a fight, then you got mad, got on the telephone, called your mom and dad.  Dad said, “She’s my daughter and I’m her pa, and you ain’t nothing but a son-in-law.”  I say I saw you kissing Jimmy across the fence, I heard you telling Jimmy I ain’t got no sense.  The way you’ve been acting is such a drag.  You done put me in a __ __.”  Clue:  Follow the rhyme scheme for the second word, then you may get it.  Don’t let it trick you (555).

One of the side effects of big rain is the frogs.  During the night, if the rain stops, and the morning after, there is a chorus of frogs that is unbelievable.  Today, the farm behind us was flooded, so it was like a swamp.  There were sopranos, tenors and basses croaking away.  Sometimes there would be a rhythmic groove that made me smile.  

This morning, after Big C, we went to Starbuck’s for coffee.  We got a big surprise when we saw our friend Sutheera there, working on her school papers.  She teaches at Chiang Rai University and finds the back corner at Starbuck’s to be a quiet retreat in the mornings.

The sky this morning.

We had lunch at The Wanderer and had a chance to spend some time with Khun Noot, who will be the ‘presenter’ at Lisa’s exhibition.  She’s excited and nervous about doing this because she’s never done it before.  It turns out she and her late husband have known the gallery owners, Sawanee and Sompong for 20 years.  This will be the 125th exhibition in the gallery and there are now many interesting connections.  Tomorrow night will be magic. 

Daku took his course of antibiotics for his hotspot, but it did not improve the condition.  Tonight we went back to the vet.  During our wait, he got to be around several dogs, from a distance.  He was cool, just lying on the cool floor staring at these new people.  He had a different doctor tonight, Dr. Tom.  He seemed to like him, and Dr. Tom likes Daku.  He mentioned that he’s been seeing him around for the six years he’s worked there.  Daku has fans at all the vet offices.  We came home with a topical, herbal cream that might help.  

This afternoon Neechanon was in the kitchen with Natcha.  She quickly volunteered that Chopper was ‘nawn lap’, and put her hands to the side of her face.  Lisa said, “Yes, Chopper is sleeping.”  Neechanon corrected her, “No, Chopper ‘nawn lap'."  Gong and Lisa both laughed and left it at that.  They want us to speak to her in English, so we’ll have to approach the sleep thing from a different direction (555).  Corrected by the 2-year-old.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                       Peace,

                                 Danny

“The artist's vocation is to send light

into the human heart.”

~George Sand

Change

Hi,

We had a steady, persistent rain all night and most of the day.  Not enough to make lakes in the yard, but everything stayed wet.  Plant life is happy.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “What’s Your Name” by Don & Juan.  Here’s a ‘Zany Day’ tune you might know:  “It was 12:00 o’clock at night, you walk out the door.  You told me baby, you were going to the drug store.  Well, in my mind, I knew you were lying.  The drug store closed at a quarter to nine.  I saw you kissing Jimmy across the fence, I heard you tellin’ Jimmy I ain’t got no sense.  The way you’ve been acting is such a drag.  You done put me in a __ __.”

Hint:  Title was a commonly used term to describe being duped, hood-winked, scammed, etc.

The steady rain was kind enough to give us a window big enough to load the van and Gong’s pick-up truck and take Lisa’s exhibit to the gallery.  That was the biggest nagging thought all last night.  There were only two pieces that were too big for the van, but they did just fine wrapped in plastic.  Vocabulary alert: Looked up the word ‘plastic’ in Thai and discovered it’s pronounced ‘plasatic’.  An ’S’ followed by another consonant doesn’t happen in Thai, so words like  bridge, which is spelled ‘span’ in Thai, are pronounced ‘sapan’.  Confused?  Lesson over.

The morning and early afternoon went by very slowly for Lisa.  All of her work was at the gallery, being arranged and hung by Khun Sompong, without her presence.  As he told us, ‘This is my work’.  Basically, that meant ‘let me do my thing’.  We did and when we returned, it was brilliant.  There was a flow to the progression of the art, there were groups of ‘family members’, and special places for special pieces.  We watched him do this at Lisa’s ArtBridge exhibit and it was like watching a dance.  Tonight the mind can rest.

One mind that won’t be resting is Neechanon’s.  Today Gong brought home a little trampoline.  It’s just big enough for her to bounce around, and low enough to keep her safe.  She loves to jump and it’s a great thing for her to do during the storms. 

Today’s photo is another example of the persistence of nature.

It’s gonna be a Wacky Wednesday.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“People change and forget

to tell each other.”

~Lillian Hellman

Humor

Hi,

Chiang Rai had another day of blue skies and hot weather.  This evening, clouds moved in so maybe we’ll get some of that rain they promised.  I say, ‘Get it out of your system before Friday night.'

The Freedom Story, formerly The Sold Project, has been a part of Cat’s life for 10 years.  Here is a link to a film "Cat’s 10 Year Film”.  https://vimeo.com/260824561   

A few readers recognized the ‘Easy Monday’ song.  The title is something one might be asked on a first encounter.

“__ __ __?  Is it Mary or Sue?  __ __ __?  Do I stand a chance with you?  It’s so hard to find a personality with charms like  yours for me.  Ooh-ee, ooh-ee, ooh-ee…. __ __ __? __ __ __?  Shooby-doo-bop-bah-dah!”  Hint:  By a duo whose combined names is that of a famous gigolo.  

Today was Labor Day in Thailand.  There were lots of stores open, but if you wanted building supplies, or home appliances you might be out of luck.  One place that was open for sure was Central Plaza Mall.  We went early, now that we know they open at 10am on holidays.  It was already getting busy, but we had the last bit of printing to do for the exhibit.  We dropped off the work, had coffee and went home. 

After lunch Khun Yee, who has done a lot of work for us, came over to discuss ways to drain the yards after heavy rain.  We decided, with a little outside help, to install concrete tanks normally used for shower and sink water.  They have a hole in the bottom so the water can seep out into the earth.  It’s much simpler than our other plans.  We may have to go with plastic in the rear, since a truck can’t get into the back yard.  Work begins Monday, with photos to make this all clear as a bell (555).

The mall was absolutely crazy this afternoon when we went back to pick up the printing.  Cars and trucks were double parked on all the lanes, traffic was stop-and-go as drivers looked for that one parking place.  I dropped Lisa at the elevator and made one lap around the indoor lot and it worked.  We were able to handle our business without a parking space.  Part of the crowd was probably for the Major Theater Complex, which has 5 screens showing Avengers 3.  Cat has friends who have gone more than once to see it.  

After dinner we could hear Neechanon’s voice outside.  She and Natcha were in the ‘little pool’ while Chopper walked along the edge, contemplating the water.  Natcha said the water was nice so we went in.  It felt good to swim, and after a few laps Neechanon wanted Lisa to hold her in the big pool.  They cruised around in the water, Neechanon talking away, and smelling the water and laughing a lot.  Her vocabulary is growing rapidly.  She saw an airplane flying over and knew exactly what it was.  

Photos today are from two different adventures.  In Perth, Australia we saw this Spoonbill and Black Swan at the animal sanctuary.  In Bangkok I spotted this space-saving bike rack.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny  

“Like a welcome summer rain,

humor may suddenly cleanse 

and cool the earth, the air,

and you.”

~Langston Hughes

Walking

Hi,

The weekend weather was nice, for the most part.  The air is much better lately, and temps are still hot.  Sunday morning we had a surprise storm that was about 45 minutes of fierce downpour.  As I sit here typing, I can see smoke from a fire rising just north of us.  Where are the ‘air police’ when you need them?

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Come Go With Me”, by the Del Vikings.  Hmm.  ‘Easy Monday’ is a giveaway:

“__ __ __?  I have seen you before.  __ __ __?  May I walk you to your door?  It’s so hard to find a personality with charms like yours for me, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh wee..”  Hint:  A better opener than ‘What’s your sign?’  (555).

Sunday’s storm was long gone by the time we had lunch at The Wanderer.  Cat, Lisa and I had just arrived when our friend Lisa and her Dad, Edwin, showed up.  We had another fun, informative, laugh filled lunch.  The topic of language came up and Lisa mentioned a time when she was studying Thai and she was looking for the word for ‘microwave’.  She ask her teacher and she laughed and told her it was ‘microwabe’ (the letter ‘V’ is not pronounced).  Than Cat added a few, like ‘hamburger’ with the accent on the last syllable.  And so it went, realizing how modern words are often just assimilated into the language, with different accents.  Computer is computer, and blah, blah, blah.  

We got word after getting home from lunch, that our drain pipe to the rear of the house must be closed.  The lot next to the farm was finally filled with dirt and the water from our drain is creating a rut.  Gong checked with the farmer and it seems that there is nowhere for us to drain our rain water.  Now we have to dig the deep hole that was suggested months ago.  There is a method, we just have to get someone to dig the hole and bring in the assorted rock sizes to finish the job.  I will print out photos, make drawings, etc. and eventually communicate with a contractor about what we need.  Not the week for this to be happening.  Friday we have to close the drain.

Neechanon is now saying things in four languages: Thai, Akha, English and ‘Baby-talk’.  She has a very good ‘ear’ and when we say a new word to her, she repeats it and usually gets it perfect.  This is the time for her to learn as much language as possible, while she can still hear the subtle sounds.  As humans, we lose the ability to hear certain sounds outside our first language, by pre-school age.  Imagine the relief at learning that it was not unusual for words beginning with Ng to be difficult.  Conversely, there are sounds that Thais have difficulty making in common English words.  It is hard to hear the difference between ‘sh’ and ‘ch’, and translate it to the mouth.  So, rest easy and keep trying.

This will be a busy week at The Big Brown House.  Wednesday is move-in day at the gallery.  Khun Sompong will hang the exhibit in the morning.  In the afternoon, house guests will arrive from Chiang Mai for a stay through the opening.  There are still things to be printed for the night of the exhibit.  There will also be daily Sun dances to make sure that Friday evening has clear skies.

Today’s photo shows the Saturday sky.  We hadn’t seen this in quite a few weeks.

The Jasmine tree in the foreground has been blooming all weekend and the yard smells incredible.  We just wanted to sit outside and smell the air (555).

Have a Great Week.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“Walking with a friend in the dark

is better than walking alone in the light.”

~Helen Keller