Move

Hi,

Today was a day like yesterday.  Coolish morning, very warm afternoon.  Since we’re mostly in the house, it’s hard to tell about the late afternoon, but it feels warm to me.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song had one correct answer so far.  I’ll tell you that the group name sounds like a person whose first name sounds similar to a fruit (Mango).  “We’re no threat, people, we’re not dirty, we’re not mean.  We love everybody but we do as we please.  When the weather’s fine we go fishin’ or go swimmin’ in the sea.  We’re always happy, life’s for livin’, yeah, that’s our philosophy…__ __ __ when the weather’s hot…”  Clue:  There’s a calypso feel even though they’re from across the pond.  

Just completing the second full day of this strange diet and healing process.  We’re still in the ‘Blah’ zone and feeling like there is no fuel in the tank.  Maw Dang told us we would feel this way, and that we might have aches and pains.  This has been happening, oddly enough at points where there had been problems in the past.  I keep telling myself that this is just a giant system ‘reset’ and when it’s over I’ll feel fantastic.  That’s what we keep hearing from friends who have gone through it.  As with any form of repair, patience is required.  

This morning we were cautiously bold when we left the house for The Wanderer.  We had a short list of places we needed to go, with the understanding that at any point we could go home.  The rose tea and roti was an interesting change from coffee and roti.  We visited with Kwan and her 3 dogs.  The newest addition is named Sally and she’s getting to know the people around her.  She spent some time sniffing and licking Lisa’s hand, getting acquainted.  While we were there we talked to Joe.  We discussed the Super Bowl and how we felt about it.  He lives in Palo Alto and has been a 49ers fan for a long time.  We all concurred that it was sad that they lost, but we were happy for the Chiefs and their quarterback.  As we prepared to leave we decided to make one more stop and then go home.

Lisa has been invited to participate in an art exhibit in Bangkok, at the ‘Bangkok Art and Culture Center’.  She is one of 16 artists who will show works made with and inspired by paper.  It opens on March 17 and the work has begun.

The trip to Teppawan Art Supply was draining.  It was good to see our friends Supaluk and her son Pete, but it took a lot of effort.  When we got home, Natcha had our herbs ready and we had the third dose of the day.  She found instructions inside one of the bags and we are to have a drink before and after breakfast, and the same with lunch, with a 15 minute gap on either side of the meal.  When a whole meal cycle is done, one feels very full.  

Lisa captured this moment of Nitchanan and JaiDee cruising around the yard today.  

This evening Cat came over and helped run JaiDee across the lawn.  We didn’t go to the walking track because she would have been alone and there are sometimes dogs on the trail.  It worked out fine and JaiDee got a good workout.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                        Danny

“Let him that would move the world

first move himself.”

~Socrates

Peace

Hi,

The weather in Chiang Rai started cool, but turned into a blazing afternoon.  It’s the first time we’ve turned on the air in many days.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “What’s Your Name” by Don and Juan.  Time for another ‘Easy Monday’ (5) tune from the world of One Hit Wonders.  In honor of the L.A. heatwave:  “__ __ __ when the weather is hot, you can stretch right up and touch the sky.  When the weather’s fine you got women, you got women on your mind.  Have a drink, have a drive, got out and see what you can find.”  Hint:  One of those seasonal songs that gets a reprieve once a year.

Yesterday we had a major adventure.  A few months ago we learned about a doctor that does a procedure that apparently solves lots of physical problems.  Things like chronic headaches, low energy, allergies, digestive issues, so we went yesterday.  One thing to understand is that this doctor speaks no English, but has an M.D. from a university in China and also extensive acupuncture studies.  His son is also a doctor and the son’s wife is their assistant.  We learned all of this over lunch with our friend Edwin, who has been treated by ‘Maw Dang’, which translates to “Dr. Red."  We picked up Cat to go as our translator and it was perfect.  It turns out this is the same doctor that Blue went to many years ago and he remembered Cat. 

The doctor’s office is a house.  He works there on Saturday and Sunday only, so this was our big chance.  After a little wait, we were ushered into the ‘treatment’ room.  It was the size of a medium sized bedroom with two beds that were occupied.  We sat and watched as a woman was treated with acupuncture needles and a man was being diagnosed by the doc on the other bed.  The man on the bed was put in a chair and it was Lisa's turn.  Maw Dang is a very energetic guy who knows what he’s doing and wants to teach you things.  He would ask questions and Cat would answer in Thai.  At one point he told Lisa, ‘You don’t have migraines, it’s something different’.  He got this from holding her hand.  A few more exchanges and he explained that he could fix it all.  Here’s the catch, there is a minor surgical procedure that they do behind each ear that is the key to this healing process.  We knew about it, and were told that it was painless, except for the shot to numb the area.  Fine, do it.  I went through the Q and A and he told me several things about myself that I knew to a certain extent.  He said my system was ‘off’, meaning my digestion, and that he could help me.  If this works, my life will change radically.  There was also the cat allergies, the back pain, sleep stuff, and on and on.  His response:  Can fix.  OK.  Oh, two more things: we cannot wash our hair for seven days and we have to drink the brew from a bag of herbs that looks like yard waste.  The smell isn’t so bad, but the taste is horrible.  We’ve gone through day one and survived.  Natcha is being a dream, preparing the herbs for us and altering our menu.  We have a huge list of foods we cannot eat, including no coffee or tea for 3 months.  A lot of food restrictions that will either see us get dramatically better, or waste away in the process (555).  There was also a caution not to do anything too strenuous this week.  Today we know why, the word ‘Blah’ comes to mind.  More on this adventure as it unfolds.  

Today’s photo is the herbs that get boiled and the pot they cook in.

Hopefully, things will settle down tomorrow, or at least normalize a bit.  We figured out that there are two places we can go for meals outside of the house, The Wanderer and Sawadee in the Night Bazaar.  Both places will cook for us.  Morning outings will be at The Wanderer where we can have rose tea (not actually tea but made from rose petals) and roti.  Oh joy.  

Time to wander off to another quick nap. 

Have a Great Week.

                      Peace,

                                Danny

“Everything that has a 

beginning has an ending.

Make your peace with that

and all will be well.”

~Buddha

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Today the forecast went from 10 to 20% possibility of rain based on some thin clouds overhead.  We just laughed in the face of the ‘storm threat’ and went on with our day.

The ‘Middle Song’ this week was “98.6” by Keith.  Here’s an ‘Old School Friday’ from 1962 that you may remember:

“__ __ __?  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-ohh, ooh-ee…”  Hint:  It’s by a duo and it’s probably the oldest line in the book (5).

This morning we left the house with a short list (555).  Coffee and roti and dog training talk at The Wanderer followed by a trip to Top’s Market at Central Plaza Mall.  The mall was still closed and that’s probably just as well.  Picked up a few things that were missing from the kitchen and headed home.  There seems to be more possibilities for eating ‘clean’ these days.  Top’s is at the top of the ‘food chain’ when is comes to finding things with fewer additives and/or little or no processing.  I guess the store is getting the message that some folks care about the details in their food.  For what used to be a small town, Chiang Rai is really growing up fast.  Still slow for many, but that’s OK.  

This afternoon we made another run up to Mae Chan to see Dr. Mark.  I needed some help with a strained muscle/ligament issue.  We had an interesting conversation about the whole virus thing.  I won’t go into details, but it was good to get a doctor’s perspective.  There are so many questions that may never be answered.  

JaiDee continues to have access to the bed.  He seems to be doing better about relaxing, as long as he has something to do, or rather, chew.  Sometimes he’ll drop his toy over the side, not want to get it so he chews the bedspread.  Not cool, but he’s learning.  In the evening, after his exercise, he can get rowdy.  That usually means he’s getting sleepy.  As soon as he gets downstairs he crashes.  

JaiDee and me, chillin’ on the bed.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.         Time for the ‘Funnies’

                    Peace,

                              Danny

Art

Hi,

This morning was cold again, but the day warmed up.  It’s supposed to be 83°F with a low in the high 50’s.  That looks like the forecast for at least a week.  

The ‘Middle Song’ has been identified, so it is possible.  Oh, these pesky One Hit Wonders, but we love them.

“Hey, everybody on the street I see you smilin’.  Must be because I found my baby.  You know she’s got me on another kind of highway.  I want to go to where it takes me.  Hey __ __ __ it’s good to have you back again, oh hey __ __ __ her lovin’ is the medicine that saved me….”  Clue:  The title is the number a nurse looks for when you first go to the doctor.  

So JaiDee is now allowed on the bed, as long as he doesn’t bite us or the bed.  He gets thrown off a lot (555).  This morning we took lots of pics of him being really cute and big puppy like.  He did this thing that lots of dogs do, gathering two toys in his mouth.  He managed to get two of his loudest squeaky toys up on the bed.

After the dog play we went into the streets with a list.  We began at Chivit Thamma Da with a little morning refreshment.  Then on to the north, and the community of Ban Du and a brief visit to Dr. View, our alternate vet, for supplements.  The post office was next, and then a quick run through Makro.  It was a zoo in there and luckily we got a fast checker.  Across the river and into town for a stop at Khun Orn’s shop.  She is a seamstress that does great work.  JaiDee had managed to tear part of his kitchen bed when he was throwing it around the room.  We made a quick stop at the plastic store, dropped of a dog carrier for Atom’s little dog, got a new leash for JaiDee at the original Browney’s and went home.  All before lunch time.  It was a good morning.

Late this afternoon the Chinese Lion Dancer Drum Corp made their annual stop at the home of our neighbor across the road.  Every Chinese New Year he invites several of these big groups to come and perform in his yard and then he feeds them.  Before the coffee shop was built next door, we could see them before they went into the yard.  Now we just hear them.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                         Peace,

                                   Danny

“If art is to nourish the roots of our

culture, society must set the artist

free to follow his vision wherever it

takes him.”

~John F. Kennedy

Win

Hi,

We’re still in the chilly morning, almost warm afternoon phase.  I don’t know what season this really is.  Some of the plants also seem confused.  As usual, the forecast promises warmer nights in a few days (555).

The first ‘One Hit Wonder’ group was The Five Stairsteps and their hit song “O-o-h Child”.  I know, I didn’t ‘spell’ it like that, but you would have known if you knew (555).  The ‘Middle Song’ is from ’67.  See if you remember this:

“Good mornin’ sun I say it’s good to see you shinin’.  I know my baby brought you to me.  She kissed me yesterday, hello your silver linin’.  Got spring and summer runnin’ through me.  Hey __ __ __ it’s good to have you back again, oh hey, __ __ __ her lovin’ is the medicine that saved me, oh I love my baby.”  Hint:  The title is actually a number that is vital to good health.  The singer went by his first name only. 

The coronavirus has been getting a lot of press lately.  I want to set your minds at ease and let you know that we are not in any danger.  We have been staying away from densely crowded areas and doing the basics for staying healthy during times like these.  There is plenty of reading on that topic so it should be no mystery.  

Today was a very productive day.  The stuff on the list got done.  At the bank we signed up for accident insurance. We learned from friends, that accident insurance was something they provided for their staff.  Policies were set up for our ‘staff’ and today we got insurance for ourselves through our bank.  The cool thing about these policies is, you only have to present the insurance card to be treated.  From what we’re being told there is very little red tape.  Hmm.

There is a spot on the side of the house that has been a magnet for JaiDee.  Dogs can smell good stuff in underbrush and it becomes a challenge to find it.  This morning Lisa discovered the source: French fries.  Once Gong was made aware of it he realized that Nitchanan and her cousin Gop were the likely suspects.  Ah, life in the little village.

Today’s photo is one of my favorites of our two ‘little ones’.

The Chinese New Year celebration goes on for 11 days after ‘The Day’.  Tonight is the first night we haven’t heard live music in the area.  There is something happening, but it’s very faint, off in the distance.  Last night’s band was pretty good and that makes the intrusion easier to handle.  

It feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                         Peace,

                                   Danny

“Win as if you were used to it,

lose as if you enjoyed it for a 

change.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Humility

Hi,

 

The weather in Chiang Rai is still cold, at least by our understanding of the word.  Most people we encountered today felt the same way.  We just dress in layers and keep on going.

The ‘Easy Monday’ one hit wonder (OHW) was identified by three readers.  Here’s more:  “Some day, yeah, we’ll get it together and we’ll get it all done.  Some day when your head is much lighter.  Some day, yeah, we’ll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun.  Some day when the world is much brighter.  __-__ __, things are gonna be easier, __-__ __, things'll get brighter…”  Clue:  It’s by a group that was a family affair, named for the graduation in height when standing together.  There is a term in the title for a young person.

We began our day at The Wanderer, with the usual (coffee and roti), minus JaiDee.  Our weekly call with Joe, Lisa’s dad, was made in the woods (555).  After our Skype call, we had a long conversation with Kwan, recapping the party and discussing our dogs.   

This afternoon Atom came over for a visit.  She and Lisa didn’t get a chance to visit at the party, and she hadn’t seen JaiDee since before our trip.  We had a very nice visit, also recapping the party and identifying guests she didn’t know.  One interesting thing we talked about was medical care in Thailand.  Atom has lived in the States, New Zealand, Japan and China and had opportunities to experience the state of medical care in all places.  We all agreed that we like the style of most of the doctors here, and the ability to get the service you need without a lot of red tape and long waits.  There are drugs that can be bought ‘over the counter’ here that might take a doctor’s appointment with a two week wait in other places.  There are obvious flaws in a system like this, but if you’re doing right and need some medicine, it works great.  

Today is Nitchanan’s 4th birthday.  As I type, there’s a party going on downstairs on the patio.  It’s close family, which means several aunts and cousins.  Natcha made cakes and cupcakes and the potluck table was full.  Nitchanan led the ‘Happy Birthday’ song in case anyone didn’t know what was suppose to happen.  

Meanwhile, upstairs at the Big Brown House, JaiDee received ‘Bed privileges' this morning.  I was the one to cave in and let him hang out with us.  My thinking was that maybe he’d want to sleep in the room with us if he felt like part of the gang.  Right now, he prefers to sleep in the kitchen.  We’d like to have the puppy with us.  This morning he was so happy to be on the bed, until he started pulling on the covers and digging.  That got him thrown off for a few minutes.  Someone’s going to learn a lesson in all of this (555).

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“Humility is the solid foundation

of all virtues.”

~Confucius

Shouting

Hi,

We have been assaulted by a proverbial ‘cold snap’.  The swing ‘snapped’ us back to a low of 49°F.  It was all anybody could talk about this morning.  It’s going to gradually warm up again, that’s the good news.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear”, by Elvis Presley.  I’m going to give you all a break from the same artist for a week.  We’re moving on to the world of ‘One Hit Wonders’.  I think you’ll find this may stimulate your memories and maybe cause you to have fits of ‘Oh, oh, I know that’.  Here’s your ‘Easy Monday’ song that should be familiar:  “__-__ __, things are gonna get easier.  __-__ __ Things’ll get brighter….”  Hint:  Two syllables of sound and one word, how hard can it be?  

The big happening this weekend was the 70th birthday party for Lisa.  Almost everyone that was invited came to The Wanderer.  We had a great time seeing friends and it turned out that many of our invitees knew each other.  It’s a small town and you just never know.  The really cool thing was the cross-section of friends from different parts of our lives here in Chiang Rai.  Common interests seemed to gravitate and we had an artist table, a Recovery corner, extended family, and so on.  The staff members at The Wanderer were wonderful, bringing drinks to the private room.  All we had to do was send an order list periodically, and the drinks eventually arrived.  Cat did a great job of coordinating that part.  It was a busy Sunday, but it all worked out.  There was a long table with cake, pie, cookies and other goodies.  I can’t believe I didn’t sample anything.  Hmm.  The guest of honor got flowers and gifts that were not expected.  By the time evening came, we were totally exhausted, but smiling.

We returned to the scene of the fun this morning for coffee, roti and ice.  JaiDee was spoiled by a group of travelers from Taiwan who loved dogs.  He got lots of petting and had his picture taken a bunch.  

After taking JaiDee home, we went to Art Bridge to see the 8th annual member’s exhibition.  We always miss the opening due to our travel to the States.  There was a video playing in the lobby that gave a beautiful overview of what happened.  The finale included fireworks and laser lights.  Some of it was filmed from a drone above the gallery.  Quite impressive.

This evening Cat and her boyfriend Noom went with us to walk JaiDee.  After they walked, Noom took JaiDee for a run and he loved it.  He kept wanting to go faster and faster.  That’s our boy, Mr. Energy.

Tomorrow our friend Atom is coming over in the afternoon with her tiny little dog, for a visit.  It should be interesting.

Have a Great Week.

                          Peace,

                                    Danny

“Where there is shouting, 

there is no true knowledge.”

~Leonardo da Vinci