BoredPanda.com – “Amusing Photos” – Robyn Smith, Monika Pasukonyte, and Rugile Zemaityte
Sunday 10-18-2026
CostumeWorks.com
Finding Home Farms
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I just published an article on Substack called, “Beautiful Birds in Chiang Mai- “Whoop Whoop Whoop” Bird, “Fur Real” Bird, and “Sunbird” + My Sketches
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The street crew is going at it with a vengeance today, chopping up part of the street with a jackhammer. I’m really glad they weren’t doing this overnight, so I could sleep. I just remembered (quick wit that I am…) that I can turn my hearing aids off. That doesn’t stop the noise, but it sure dulls the impact of it. I just need to remember to turn them back ON again later. 🦻🏻
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I got my spot at the cafe yesterday, so sat in comfort as I drank an iced latte and finished a couple of sketches. I’ll start new ones today. Here are my latest –
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My puzzle is amusing. I seem to have LOTS more than 16 cats on this puzzle! I put a couple of pieces together and start building ‘someone’s’ ear or face or hat, and then I can’t find any more pieces that seem to go with it. I move to another – over and over. Sure isn’t boring.
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The Ugly American seems to be well and truly gone from the gym. It’s been a couple of weeks since he has been there now, and just after I figured out that I wasn’t going to let him bother me… Good riddance, though. May someone annoy HIM the next place he shows up. (I have such a kind heart). 😜
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Today is exercises with water bottles day. I’ll try to get that done before I leave for the cafe. I also don’t need to even THINK about bothering any neighbors with my guitar and singing practice, though the insulation in our building is first rate – another good thing about jackhammers… 🤣
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Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Mark Gray Photography
Birchy Cove
Fire and Ice
Love
November Storm
I just love Mark Gray’s work. It really speaks to me. You can find more of his work at
Mark Gray. You can follow him on X at @Gray Marker99
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography
Paper Arts by Nir
I was looking for wonderful paper art and discovered Paper Arts by Nir. She does quilling, so each piece she does has texture and 3D-ness, as well as style and color. I’ve never seen anything like her work before and I’m blown away.
You can find her work on Etsy in the UK using this link.
Filed under paper art
Saturday 10-17-2026
Alessia Svizzeri
All Carved Out – Facebook
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I really didn’t feel like exercising this morning, but went anyway. I just put the treadmill on 4.1 kph and walked my mile, no incline, just concentrating on the movement. I felt better afterwards – looser and glad I had started my morning well. This afternoon I’ll do yoga stretches before dinner to round things out.
We’re just back from visiting Harvey in the nursing home. This was one of the better visits. He was responsive to what we were telling him and seemed happy to see us. He made absolutely no sense when he was talking to us, but seemed engaged in an idea to build Super Carts in his dad’s shop downtown in Tulsa with a go-cart track built around it. Even though it made no sense, he was engaged in the planning and that was a good thing to see.
I showed him my latest sketches – he thought they were ‘weird.’ 🤪
He did seem interested in the pictures and videos Brian and I took of the street work going on, They are moving humongous concrete “boxes” that house some type of water ‘stuff’ as far as we can tell. They are still breaking up the street in parts, filling in parts with sand in others and then moving the concrete boxes on top of the the sand. It’s interesting to watch, even if we don’t understand what is going on.
I gave Khun Pim, Harvey’s nurse, her Halloween card today. When we were almost home, Brian got some pics on his phone. One was Pim holding up her Halloween card. The others were pics of the doctor visiting Harvey, making his weekly assessment.
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No big plans for the day. I’ll go to the cafe in about an hour.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Friday 10-16-2026
Woolworth’s
Wonderful DIY
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I had a wonderful massage this morning, though there were suddenly a lot of people talking on the other side of my curtain. When I came out, there were FIVE people all getting massages. Khun Weaw was handling my massage as usual, and Khun Sulee called in help to handle all the sudden business. Brian was telling me that the “Cool Season” has already started here (although it was 90 today) and that the tourists have begun to descend on Chiang Mai.
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While Brian and I were here in my place before heading to the cafe, and I was getting dressed for the rest of the day, I heard Brian on the phone. It turned out that Harvey got his nurse, Khun Pim, to call so that he could talk to Brian. He wanted to tell him that he was going to buy a Super Cart and that he had a new girlfriend – his nurse, Khun Pim. I’m sure this will be news to her, as well… We will see him tomorrow, taking the package of a gazillion papers that need his thumbprint in order to renew his medical visa.
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I had a nice time at the cafe this afternoon. I got ‘my’ spot by the window at the front. A couple came by and were very complimentary about my efforts. I’m SO glad I have my sketchbook and supplies so I can challenge myself and give myself a fun time. AND I got to come home to a spotless condo!
I also gave out the Halloween cards to the servers at the cafe. They seemed to enjoy them. Lots of smiles. 😁 🎃 👻
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Here are my latest sketches –
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I’m making some progress on my new “cats” puzzle. I actually counted the cats on the reference picture this time, and there are SIXTEEN cats!
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Ranata Suzuki Quotes
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Thursday 10-15-2026
Woman’s Day
Wonderful DIY
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And here is my impressive “Cats” puzzle progress. I’m missing two pieces of the border, as well, but they will show up eventually. Happily, it looks like some of the cats coloring is quite distinctive, so that will make it easier.
I’m finding it harder to get anything done because I’m well and truly sucked into the J.D. Robb “Fury In Death” book now. The time just slips away, and I find myself saying, “Just one more chapter…”
Today I’m doing the prep for my housekeeper to come tomorrow. I’m finally finished with most of it, leaving just the last-minute details I’ll do tomorrow.
The street crew is doing an impressive job of making enough noise to wake the dead now. They are doing some amazing things with huge cranes, plows, backhoes, jackhammers, and a big crew all working both night AND day now. I’m trying to capture some pics and a video of the most momentous parts to show Harvey when we visit Saturday. He has always been fascinated by men working with huge equipment, so hopefully, he can see what is going on in what I bring him.
Yesterday at the cafe, the noise was really loud. The door to the cafe was open for some reason. The a/c was on inside, so I used my Google Translate to ask the lady server if it was okay if I shut the door. When I did, that helped the noise level a bit. I then remembered that I can turn OFF my hearing aids with my phone! I did that, as well, and the noise level was much more bearable then.
Here are my latest sketches –
I’m planning to do two articles for Substack in the near future – one showing the birds that have caught Brian’s and my eye, and the other some of the handmade things that show the amazing quality of workmanship here.
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Curiano Quotes
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
The Amazing Ryosuke
This artist simply amazes me. These are done with charcoal. No color, nothing else. Just the amazing talent he shows every time he puts charcoal to paper.
Ryosuke Art. – @ryosukeart on Substack
Filed under drawings
Hilarious Fails
“Hilarious Fails” – BoredPanda.com – Miguel Ordonez and Ilona Baliunaite
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor
Wednesday 10-14-2026
VinWonders
Women’s Day
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I finished my Halloween cards yesterday – unless I figure out someone I have overlooked –
Today I’m trying to get three sketches base-painted here at my place so I can take them to the cafe to add the details – – two handmade things I’ve bought here and then the Thai version of a hummingbird.
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I got my hair dryer!!!! It’s no big deal, really, to towel dry my hair and do what I can with it in the morning. It’s just so much quicker and easier to blow it in the general direction it’s supposed to go. Hopefully, this one will last a good, long time.
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I FINALLY got an email from a long-time good friend in Greenwood AR two days ago. I was beginning to think the worst because I have been trying to reach her for months via the 3 email addresses I had for her. She has moved into a building in Fort Smith built for seniors and people with mobility issues. They accepted her dog, which I know is a huge issue for her. She had only been there a week when she wrote. I wrote right back, but got the email back, saying her box was full. SIGH. At least I know she is okay…
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I opened my windows and aired out my place this morning, but it got too warm very quickly. I had to close up and turn the a/c on and point the fans in my direction. My range of temperatures at which I am comfortable narrows with age. I think my range is about 5 degrees at this point. I move the temp up or down, turn on or off the fans, then turn the a/c on again – gives me more exercise…. 🥵🥶
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Patricia Vargas
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Mike Hendley Art – 3
Filed under drawings
Tuesday 10-13-2026
The Pioneer Woman
Wallsauce
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Our visit to Harvey today was better than some. He was comfortable and knew who we were. He liked my Halloween painting. He went on in great detail about all he was having done on the house – WHICH house was a mystery… He also knew, for the first time, that we would be coming back to see him on Saturday!
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I THINK I’ve made enough Halloween cards for everyone now. I’m going to match up the cards with the recipients and see how it goes. I want to be sure I have extra in case I have forgotten someone.
Here are my latest painted sketches –
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Yesterday I posted an article on Substack called, “Admiration for the Thai People – The Ice Cream Man, a Street Cleaner, plus My Sketches.”
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I started two sketches of handmade things I’ve found here, plus a sketch of Thailand’s version of a hummingbird. I’ll do more work on them tomorrow.
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Silvia de Waard
Filed under Uncategorized
Wooden Sculpture – 2
Kigaku – Colossal
My Modern Met
Novica – The Embrace
Stockcake
Wikipedia
Wood Art Works
Filed under When Wood Comes Alive
Monday 10-12-2026
The Good Web Guide
The Spruce
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I have had a wonderful morning.
I didn’t feel up to par this morning, so I opted out of the gym. Brian and I shared a good breakfast at our usual time. Brian suggested that I have a mani/pedi this morning, and after thinking about 30 seconds, said an enthusiastic, “Yes, please!”
We left my clothes at the laundry on the way to the manicure place. We get there about 9:15 or so, which gives them time to open, but usually not time to get busy yet. I had two young women working on me immediately. They are so kind, helping me to my chair, making sure I am comfortable, getting Brian and me bottles of water, and getting to work. Both of the women really knew what they were doing. They worked steadily and were very gentle, one working on my toenails and the other working on my fingernails. Today I opted for purple, but a shade lighter than the previous time I got that color. They used some different tools today, one a metal tool with a ball on the end, the other cylindrical and seeming to emit heat at the point when they were putting on the color and then the first layer of top coat over the color. I have no clue what they did, but I think my nails look really elegant for this old lady.
We stopped for a chocolate drink on the way back to our place, so my morning has been super special.
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I have two sketches to work on at the cafe this afternoon, plus I’ll try to finish the last 5 cards I need to make for the people on my list. I’m taking this Halloween painting for Harvey’s Happy Wall tomorrow. I tried to feature the ghost as we made him for our mailbox, plus the jack-o-lantern we made for another mailbox decoration.
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For my fellow jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts, here is my progress on the new ‘cats’ puzzle –
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I’m going to practice my guitar before I go to the cafe today, plus try to get in a session of yoga stretches – if not before I go, then after I return – and before dinner.
And that’s my day. The other thing rattling around in my brain is an article for Substack.
Curiano Quotes
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Never Enough Dave Mottram Art
Filed under drawings
More Beautiful Blown Glass
Filed under Glass Art
Sunday 10-11-2026
The Seasons Apartments Tucson
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Things are quiet around here today. I enjoyed having my windows open early this morning, breezes going through my little place, but it got oppressively humid pretty fast and I closed up and turned on the a/c. Once I finally cooled off, I fell asleep! Such a productive morning!!! 🤣
I did do one good thing – I’ve been writing articles about what I love about Thailand on Substack and including my painted sketches. I’ll be writing one today or tomorrow if I can get my act together. I started going through my Thai sketches, and then realized that they really needed to be organized better so I can easily see which I have already included and what subjects I would like to cover there. I spent a good hour going through things, then labeling the images on my phone so that I can find things more quickly. THAT led to getting rid of some of the images on my phone…
So here I sit. I still haven’t really DONE anything today, but I’m organized for it. 🤪
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I finished 10 Halloween cards yesterday. I’ll try to get more sketched today. I have 15 people on my list. And then I worked on Harvey’s Halloween painting for his Happy Wall. I’ll try to finish that today so we can take it when we visit on Tuesday.
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And the big news of the day happened about an hour ago.
Brian texted me that there was a parcel outside my door. It was my new jigsaw puzzle!
I have JUST finished taking my beautiful chameleon apart and carefully putting him and the reference picture in the original box for donation as I leave to go to the cafe. I have the new cat reference picture on the wall, the table scrubbed off, and things ready for me to dive in when I can make the time.
Filed under Uncategorized
Beautiful Blown Art Glass – 3
Moanaglass.com – Ryan Staub
Neil Duman – Linda Matney Gallery
Nichols Art Glass
Paul Stankard – Blue Morning Glory Orb – Museum of Glass
redmanxstudio.com
Filed under Glass Art
Saturday 10-10-2026
Redbook
SkipToMyLou.org
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We’re back from visiting my husband. He was not upset today (except he wants us to get him a phone.) We pointed out that Khun Pim (his nurse) helps him when he wants to call Brian. These are quite enough, because he has trouble getting his words and thoughts out and the calls make no sense.
Otherwise, he was a bit distant today. Brian had called and asked Khun Pim to arrange for him to have a cup of coffee in the special cup we brought him. They had stopped a lot of things when he got sick and went to the hospital last time. Coffee was one of them, so we’re trying to get them to arrange for this on a regular basis again now. Brian had the coffee Harvey likes delivered to the nursing home.
The only positive was that he liked my vest. This is not a super recent picture, but you can get the ideas of the jeans vest with embroidered spirals on it. I wore it with a white shirt and a necklace with gold leaves.
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The chameleon puzzle is finished!!!!! Brian just took a picture (better than this one) to send to the place that makes prints on glass so we can add this one to my special statement shelf. Even though this puzzle was the most difficult one I’ve ever done, I enjoyed this one. I love the colors and the guy covered in beautiful flowers. I’ll leave him intact until the new puzzle arrives.
Here is the new puzzle that should arrive sometime next week –
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I had an interesting start to my day this morning. I was starting to dry my hair with my blow dryer when it said, “POP!!” and spewed smoke and 2 inches of FLAME from the end closest to my head! I got it unplugged quickly, then checked to make sure my hair wasn’t on fire and I wasn’t burned. The bathroom was fine, too, so I lucked out. I have another hair dryer ordered now (thanks to Brian). I found a Panasonic with a 2 year warranty, so I’m fairly sure that will be a good one. WHEW!
Speaking of appliances, I take my blood sugar reading every Friday for monitoring purposes, since I’m borderline high. My readings have been all over the place lately even though we have been eating carefully, as usual. Brian decided – after changing the battery and that not affecting the problem – to order another one. It arrived today. We got things out, looked it all over, and I’ll take my first reading Friday. Fingers crossed that my blood sugar meter was simply old and wonky (as am I) and that we can at least be sure we’re getting an accurate reading and can tweak things, if needed.
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It’s almost time for me to head for the cafe. Yesterday I sketched a bunch of Halloween cards that I’ll finish while I’m there. I’m also going to sketch a Halloween painting for Harvey’s wall.
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Pic Collage – Shoub Koh
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Mike Hendley Art – 2
Filed under drawings
Becorns by David M. Bird
Filed under David M. Bird "Becorns"
Friday 10-9-2026
Pottery Barn Kids
Shelterness
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I’m still laughing from this morning. At breakfast, I was telling Brian I no longer cared whether the Ugly American showed up at the gym or not. AND, because of that, in sync with Finagle’s Law of Dynamic Negatives, he hasn’t been there since I made that decision.
Brian pointed out that since I mentioned it, and pronounced I no longer cared, that the UA would probably show up tomorrow. We talked about the fact that I was going for a massage this morning. I said I felt so lucky that, even if Khun Weaw wasn’t there, I had Khun Sulee who would give me a really good massage. Brian looked at me a second and said, “You heard that the massage place is under new ownership and management, right?” When I looked stunned, he said, “The Ugly American bought the place last week and he’ll be giving you your massage this morning.” My mouth dropped open and Brian couldn’t keep his face straight any longer. We laughed, with him adding details, until my stomach hurt. I’m still smiling…
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I had a good time at the cafe this afternoon. A man stopped and looked at what I was finishing and laughed out loud. He said, “That’s really cute!” And so, my day was made.
Here are the latest painted sketches –
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The gym was decorated for Halloween this morning. I didn’t realize that Thai people celebrated Halloween, so I spent the time after finishing these two sketches, drawing some Halloween cards. I should be able to finish them tomorrow.
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I’m finally closing in on seeing a finish to the chameleon puzzle. I’m down to only having green left. This is the hardest part of the puzzle, though, so I’m not holding my breath.
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Maria Viviani
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Creating Your Sanctuary
Montano Homes
Progress Wellness LLC
Tiktok
Whether it’s making sure you create one when you’re building a new place, converting a room or nook in an existing place, or simply adding some things to an area to make you able to stretch out, relax, and rest, read a book, drink a cup of coffee, listen to music, or sketch, like I do – it’s important to your quality of life to MAKE this spot and then take the time to USE it. We get overwhelmed by our to-do lists, responsibilities, ‘have-to’s’, ‘should’s’ – and we are the very last thing on the list, if we make it on to the list at all!
I had YEARS where I was so busy that I took no time for myself, except for when I was asleep. Somehow I felt I had to ‘earn’ some time to do something creative, fun, or NOTHING if that’s what I needed. It took a real health scare for both me and my husband, a huge decision to sell everything and move to Thailand to retire and live close to our son, and my husband’s stroke 2 weeks after we got here for me to FINALLY figure out that I needed to make myself a priority.
In my small condo in Thailand, I move from one ‘sanctuary’ to another – everything set up to enjoy something I love, from my computer area, to my L-shaped couch where I read, practice my guitar, watch and listen to YouTube on my TV, (with my yoga mat and water bottles right behind it) to my art alcove, and more. I have everything arranged so that it’s either ready for me to enjoy, or can be within a minute or two – for the first time in my life.
Take the time to figure out what you can do wherever you are to create a space for YOU.
Filed under Dreams