Fear

 Hi,

We seem to be in a wonderful weather loop.  Today it was 86°, tomorrow 87° and the beat goes on.  It’s a nice rut to be in I suppose.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Right Place, Wrong Time” by Dr. John.  This week’s ‘Jazzy Wednesday’ should be easy:

“It’s not the pale moon that excites me, that thrills and delights me, oh no it’s just __ __ __ __.  It isn’t your sweet conversation, that brings this sensation, oh no, it’s just __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  So, proximity comes to mind.  

 

This morning, when we got downstairs, the horse was standing on the patio looking into the house.  Very creepy at first, then we got used to him being there (555).

After our morning routine at the house, we went to The Wanderer for warm drinks and roti.  The decorations were up for Chinese New Year.  I’ll take some photos to show you how it looks.  The bright red in contrast to the natural shades of green is very dramatic.  In the meantime, here are some examples of large Bird’s nest ferns that I like.

We returned to the place that sells glasses to pick up Lisa's reading glasses.  She’s very happy with the new prescription.  Now we both have clear views of our screens and other things we’re supposed to read.  I’m getting adjusted to looking through a lens all day.  It’s weird because for so long, I used to wear ‘store bought’ readers over my contacts.  Now there’s something on my face all day and, well, at times I take the new glasses off, thinking they’re the reader.  And still, life is good.

Feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                              Peace,

                                        Danny

“Fear of something is at the root of 

hate for others, and hate within will

eventually destroy the hater.”

~George Washington Carver

Dignity

 Hi,

We have been having temps ranging from 59° to 86°, with variations from day to day.  It’s very comfortable after about 9am.  A little more water and things would be even more beautiful.  

Quite a few of you recognized the ‘Easy Monday’ song.  It’s by an artist who is a doctor, but not a doctor.

“I been in the __ __ but it must have been the __ __.  My head is in a bad place, but I’m having such a good time.  I been running trying to get hung up in my mind.  Really got to give myself a good talking to this time.  Just need a little brain salad surgery…”  Clue:  It’s about those times when time and place are out of alignment.  His last name is a first name.

This morning the dogs woke us early, and got us up too.  Just as we were getting used to the 7:15 wake up, today it was an hour early.  As a result, I was sleepy all morning.  It’s because we didn’t ‘walk’ last night as a result of our massage.  It was suggested that we take the night off.  Tonight the dogs got their exercise and are sleeping already (not quite 9pm).  Maybe we’ll get to sleep in tomorrow morning (555).

One of the cool things about the sports channels we get is the number of repeats of certain events.  Right now we’re enjoying the NFL repeats.  You never know what game it is until it starts, they just show a number, but you know it’s gonna be a football game.  We’ve managed to see all of the playoffs and now we’re ready for the Super Bowl, which we’ll see on Feb. 8, sometime in the morning.  Oh, one thing we don’t like is how they edit the games.  Someone can make a touchdown and the next thing you see is them with the ball approaching the goal again.  What? Someone got permission to broadcast what seems like the entire archive of Formula One races through the years.  Well, maybe not entire, but there are so many that it’s just too much to watch.  The Australian Open tennis tournament is coming soon.  

This afternoon we went into town and I got my new glasses.  It has been many years since I wore glasses and it’s definitely more than a notion.  I’m having to remember to move my head to get the best view of things.  I’m still learning where the different strengths start and end.  I guess I’m still a work in progress.

Today’s photo was taken from inside our car port.  It was the scene this morning, just the way Nitchanan staged her vehicles last night.  

Have a Happy Tuesday.    Don’t forget your mask when you go out.

                           Peace,

                                     Danny

“The most luxurious possession, 

the richest treasure anybody has,

is his personal dignity.”

~Jackie Robinson

Choose

 Hi,

Chiang Rai had a warm, sunny day.  Saturday we got a big wind and rain event.  Strong winds led to lots of rain but the ground was so dry around here that it just soaked in right away.  Also, there was lots to clean up.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “Glory of Love” by The Velvetones.  Now it’s time for ‘Easy Monday’, and it is.

“I been in the __ __ but it must have been the __ __.  I’d have said the right thing, but must have used the wrong line.  I been on the right trip, but I must have used the wrong car.  Head was in a bad place, and I wonder what it’s good for…”  Hint:  The four blanks are all part of the title.  There are hints in the verse, you’ll see the pattern.

We had a pretty quiet weekend.  Our travel was limited to The Wanderer.  JaiDee got to go out several times and Sunday we had a bit of a reunion with an expat friend.  

When the covid virus first got serious, many people left Thailand to return to their home countries.  Some just left to visit, thinking it would be a short stay.  Our friends Brenda and Eric left and ended up staying in the States to be with family.  After 10 months, Eric decided to return to Thailand.  It took him 4 months of dealing with red tape, and two weeks of quarantine in Bangkok, but he’s back.  We got to hear the saga of his return on Sunday.  There were also the life highlights that one misses after all that time.  

Whenever there is a big storm we can always count on something being blown down from one of the trees.  The palms are generous contributors.  This storm was no exception.  JaiDee found the biggest palm frond and brought it from the back yard to the front, to show us.  

This morning we went to Big C and Starbuck’s.  It was quite empty in Big C, which is just the way we like it.  Not only is it safer, but it’s quicker.  It was the same at Starbuck’s.  Monday morning and the city’s starting slow.  

Today was massage day at The Big Brown House.  Jin came over at 12:30 and didn’t leave until 5:30.  Natcha and Lisa had 1.5 hour massages and I went to 2 hours.  There were parts that needed work that I didn’t know I had (555).  

Most of the covid in Thailand is down at the Gulf of Thailand.  Migrant workers that are being tested account for most of the cases.  Things may get a little tense with the military coup in Burma.  I suspect there will be refugees arriving on a regular basis.  Testing will be the key to identifying and treating those who need it.  We still have no real concrete time frame for the arrival of a vaccine.  Vigilance is what we’ve got.

Have a Great Week.

                         Peace,

                                   Danny

“An artist must be free to choose what he does,

certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do 

what he might choose."

~Langston Hughes

Friday Funnies

 Hi,

Our weather continues to be summer-like.  The evenings are definitely warmer now so the swing in temperatures doesn’t feel so dramatic.  I hope it’s not too cold, or wet where you are.

The ‘Jazzy Wednesday’ tune was “Compared to What?” by Les McCann and Eddie Harris.  

Time to go way back with a tune that came out (this version) in 1957.  “You’ve got to give a little, take a little, and let your poor heart break a little.  That’s the story of, that’s the __ __ __…I hold in my hand dear, three letters.  Three letters from the stage of your fine, fine, super-fine career.  The first began ‘Eddie, my darling, sweetheart, my wonderful one, I will always be grateful for the things that you’ve done’…. My only sin was, I loved you much to much.”  Hint:  This was one of many songs that had a ‘talking part’ in the middle.  In this one it’s a reading of her letters and his reactions.  The three word title the essence of the early lines of the song.  A few of you may know it.  Group was named after a soft fabric used for clothing and as a canvas for paintings.

This morning we went to The Wanderer with JaiDee.  It began as a routine visit until the server brought his bowl of ice.  JaiDee reached up and carefully tried to take the bowl in his mouth.  Like, ‘I’ll take that, thank you.’  I was just returning from leaving our order and saw Lisa and the server cracking up.  That was certainly a different approach.

After taking JaiDee home, we went north on the highway to MegaHome at the upper end of Ban Du.  It’s one of the giant stores with everything for home construction and outfitting.  We were hunting for N95 face masks.  Last year these masks were recommended for filtering the smoke that filled the air.  We never used them because they were preformed and stiff on the face.  This year we’ve got smoke and covid, so rather than wear two masks, we thought we’d try them.  N95 masks are the best option for protection from outside particles, while medical masks are good for keeping your germs away from others.  Mega had some that are meant to go around the head, but they can be attached around the ears with a little creativity.  From there we went to Little C.  More convenient for small needs in some departments.  While I was searching around I found a spray to make cloth masks more protective.  I haven’t used it yet, but it looks promising.  

This afternoon we woke up and discovered we had no internet.  What?  The gremlins got us again.  Our provider thinks it might be another case of a cut wire in the area.  They won’t get out until tomorrow.  Fortunately, our phones can be used as WiFi hot spots so the show can go on (555).  I remember years ago, when this happened, I would have to write my message and then drive into town to Doi Chaang Coffee and use their WiFi to send it out.  Bittersweet memories.

Today’s photo is an update on a photo of the buds on Blue’s tree.  The flowers are appearing all over the tree.  

On our evening walks, TongTong has been joining us.  She gets encouragement in the form of treats, but she’s getting a lot more exercise and it’s fun seeing her on a little mission, instead of just lying around.  JaiDee needs no encouragement, he’s ready to run around and investigate.  Somehow, things smell different in the dark (555).  

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

                      Peace,

                                Danny

Tears

 Hi,

The weather is continuing to be wonderful.  There are forecasts of doom (colder temps), but I’m going to ignore them for now.  Nobody predicted all this smoke we’re having.  Maybe they’ll stop when it’s illegal on February 1 (555).

I was very happy to see that a number of you knew the ‘Jazzy Wednesday’ tune.  Here’s another verse:

“Church on Sunday, sleep and nod, tryin’ to duck the wrath of God.  Preacher’s fillin’ us with fright, they all tryin’ to teach us what they think is right.  They really got to be some kind of nut.  Tryin’ to make it real, __ __ __?”  Clue:

Think apples to oranges, with no oranges.  Nothing to measure against.  

This morning we took JaiDee with us to Chivit Thamma Da.  He was thrilled to be out and about.  A few of his friends stopped by the table and that made him happy.  After he finished his ice and bone he was ready for a walk.  As we were leaving, we crossed a little bridge over a koy pond.  They recently emptied and cleaned the pond and today was the first time the fish have been back in a while.  JaiDee saw them and was immediately fascinated.  One of them came up out of the water, thinking we had food and that startled JaiDee.  I’m sure that the next time we visit, he’ll want to check this feature out again.

This afternoon we were hanging out in the back patio when Nitchanan came outside.  She was wearing the little dress we got her for her birthday.  She was beaming with pride, today was her birthday and she had just had a party at school (Natcha made a big batch of cupcakes).  She had her backpack on and later she showed me everything that was inside.  It all related to her birthday.  There was a box of candles, a number 5 that was in her cake, a tube of icing, and plastic letters saying ‘Happy Birthday’.  She was ready.  A little later she had a photo shoot in the front yard and was joined by JaiDee.

This evening we had dinner at The Hungry Wolf with our friends Lisa and her dad Win, Caty and her daughter Taeyo to celebrate Lisa’s birthday last week.  Whenever we get together it's a non-stop conversation that just flows from one subject to another.  There was lots of discussion about the wonderful level of documentaries that are out now.  We saw one about Rubic’s Cubers (Netflix) that was really good.  There was also lots of dog talk.  One of the dogs on Lisa’s property had puppies and she had a video of Duke (The big Chow puppy) playing with a litter of puppies.  It was the sort of thing that makes one smile.

When we got home from dinner, Cat and Noom were at the house.  Lisa had asked Cat to stop by and check on the dogs, but we didn’t expect to see her.  Noom loves dogs and especially JaiDee, so it was another ‘love fest’ in the kitchen when we walked in.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                       Peace,

                                 Danny

“Tears come from the heart

and not from the brain.”

~Leonardo da Vinci

Tomorrow

 Hi,

We seem to be creeping up on an early summer.  The days are getting warmer and so are the evenings.  In less that one week I have gone from three layers to one on our evening walk.  Oh, I like this.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “Purple Rain” by Prince and The Revolution.  Time for ‘Jazzy Wednesday’ and a mix of jazz and social commentary:  “I love the lie and lie the love, a-hangin’ on, with push and shove.  Possession is the motivation that is hangin’ up the G-d-damn nation.  Looks like we always end up in a rut, tryin’ to make it real, __ __ __.”  Hint:  This tune was written in 1966 and had two recordings in ’69.  Bigger hit was a collaboration between two jazz artists.  

Last night we had one of the worst burning incidents in a long time.  Someone about a block away started a fire that was mixed trash, meaning paper and plastic/rubber.  We could see the thick white smoke billowing into the air.  Then it blew into our yard.  All I can say is, it was horrible.  Somebody posted on Facebook that it was against the law to burn between February 1 until sometime in April.  Of course, if there is no enforcement, it doesn’t matter.

Our morning wake time has gotten later than ever.  TongTong usually slips out in the wee hours and goes downstairs or to the landing.  JaiDee now sleeps until somewhere between 7am and 7:30am.  He’s been known to roll over and go beyond that.  As a result, our mornings on the porch are a little shorter because it all starts later.  If we’re going out, we start getting ready around 8:30, when Natcha comes into the house.  So, now you know our lazy morning routine.

Today, we began our morning ‘outside’ by returning to the optometrist office for a re-do of the eye exam.  After it was over there was a discussion about whether to use glasses or contacts.  One of the points that was raised is the increased possibility of cataracts with long-term contact wear, not to mention the fact that I could have more exact vision with glasses.  So, after all that, I picked out some chic titanium frames for my super progressive lenses.  The design is different than what I had years ago.  Gone is the skinny hourglass shape.  Now, the field of vision is wider, with more room for mid-range and reading.  I won’t have to carry reading glasses around.  I’m feeling confident.

Having two dogs presents some interesting moments.  They sense things at the same time, and do things we can’t explain.  Today’s photo is one of those instances, sleeping in the same direction on the same side.  The perspective makes it look like TongTong is bigger.  

Now, more than ever, we all have to do our part in protecting each other from Covid and it’s variations.  Mask, distance, sanitize.

It’s feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                                 Peace,

                                           Danny

“Tomorrow belongs to those

who can hear it coming.”

~David Bowie

Peace

 Hi,

Warm weather is what we’ve got in Chiang Rai.  The mornings are still cool, but not like before.  Tomorrow is supposed to be 90°F.  Did we miss winter, or was it just real short?  

This week’s ‘Easy Monday’ song was a hit record, as well as the title song of a box office hit.  Lots of you got this.

“I never wanted to be your weekend lover, I only wanted to be some kind of friend.  Baby, I could never steal you from another, it’s such a shame our friendship had to end.  __ __, __ __, __ __, __ __, __ __, __ __.  I only want to see you underneath the __ __.”  Clue:  There is a royal shade of precipitation involved.  The artist was a prolific writer who was once known as a symbol instead of his name.

Today was ‘Stay-at-home-Tuesday’.  The morning was mostly dog play and a conversation with Joe.  The afternoon was about problem solving centered around house stuff.  Our electrician guy Nung, who also fixes almost anything, came over to try and help us figure out why our power bill had gone up.  He didn’t know, but changed three lights for good measure.  As he was leaving, the water pump guys returned, but with different personnel.  They were trying to find the reason the upstairs bath tub had irregular pressure.  By the time they left, they had determined that there was a leak that kept the pump motor running, which may have bumped up the power bill and caused weak water pressure upstairs.  Now someone has to find the leak and all will be well, he said.  What a day.

Some of you may remember that back in August I had a surgical procedure on my left eye-lid.  Somewhere in that time period, or after, I took out my contact and didn’t replace it right away.  Yesterday we went to an optometrist to have our eyes examined for new prescriptions.  I took out the right lens, but had trouble removing the contact from my left eye.  I was hoping I could get some help, but what I got was a tiny suction cup.  I’ve used them before but this one just pulled my eye (not a comfortable feeling at all).  Another ‘doctor’ was called in and she tried to help.  Finally, they proclaimed that the lens was too tight and I should go to the hospital and have the ophthalmologist take it out.  We opted to drive up to Bangkok Hospital, where the doctor knows my eye (555).  He did an extensive examination of my eye with drops, dye and a fancy magnifying scope and told me there was no contact lens in my eye.  So, by now my eye was all red and inflamed, but none the worse for wear, as the saying goes.  Tomorrow I’ll go back to the optometrist and get examined again and ‘see’ what happens.

This photo series I like to call ‘A Boy and His Ball’.  What started out as his first ‘football’ has since been deflated and turned into his favorite indoor toy.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                            Peace,

                                      Danny

“Peace cannot be kept by force;

it can only be achieved by understanding.”

~Albert Einstein