Monthly Archives: September 2025

Drama

Freepik

While Brian and I were walking yesterday, I suddenly felt woozy. I held onto a pole by the side of the street and slid down to sit on the curb. When I felt better, I stood up, and Brian insisted I stand for several minutes and breathe. Turns out he was right because I got woozy again and sat back down. After a minute or two I tried it again and suddenly Brian was telling me to sit down carefully. Apparently, he saw something wonky was going on and caught me as I fainted! I wasn’t hurt and was able to continue the walk after another minute or two.

When we got over the immediate emergency of my husband’s stroke, hospital stay, and placement in the nursing home, we made an appointment for me to get a baseline on my health. It showed SUPER high blood pressure, to the point that the doctor prescribed a combination drug on the spot and got me right on it. Happily, it did the trick and my numbers have come down out of the stroke range.

Lately though, my numbers have been a bit TOO low, getting our attention. With this episode, Brian has written the doctor and included the name and dosage of my medication, plus a screen shot of my last several days of BP readings for her to look at. With my 20 lb weight loss and my daily exercising, it’s possible that we need to lessen the dose. Meanwhile, I didn’t take the med yesterday and only took a half pill today. We’re waiting to see what she advises.

Also, meanwhile, my friend Cathy suggested I get an oximeter to read and monitor the level of oxygen in my blood – also a good suggestion, since low blood oxygen was the reason the doctor in Arkansas insisted I go to the ER the day I saw him. This resulted in my ‘dying’ twice in one night and the installation of a temporary and then permanent pacemaker. Brian has just ordered an oximeter for me so I can keep track of that for the doc, too.

So, a bit of drama on the street, getting our attention. I’m fine today, not feeling woozy at all, BP in the normal range. Hopefully, this is a one-time incident.

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Filed under Health Alert

Sorry

I’m under the weather today. I’ll post tomorrow. Have a wonderful day.

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Baby Steps

Flo

Pet Control HQ

I am finally walking on the treadmill with my hands swinging as I walk rather than holding onto the handlebars tightly for fear of losing my balance. I wasn’t at all sure that my brain and body could be retrained after the anesthesia from my surgery in February caused both hearing loss and loss of balance. Now I have hearing aids (!) and I am having success on regaining my sense of balance. I’m still walking slowly and really having to concentrate, but I am improving each day. 👍

Reddit

I’m making progress in my efforts for there to be less of me. Since I moved to Thailand and saw a doctor here in April for a baseline, I’ve lost 9.8 kilos or 21.6 pounds. All told, I’ve now lost 34.48 kilos or a bit over 76 pounds since my heaviest. There are 68 fewer inches of me. I can finally see a possible goal weight. I am now in the healthy weight range on the BMI charts for the first time since I started my efforts about two years ago.

Pixnio

Since I’ve been building my strength, can now hear with hearing aids, am improving my balance and mentally pushing myself a bit, I’ve started small ventures out on my own. Today I’ll take a walk to visit the Koi fish!

Baby steps to be sure, but progress!

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Filed under getting the lard off

The World Blooms

@endlesslyyforever.bsky.social

“Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.”– John Harrigan

@oto2.bsky.social

“Flowers don’t tell, they show.”Stephanie Skeem

Pinterest – no attribution

“Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” Luther Burbank

Dave’s Photos – @davesadventures.bsky.social

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change.”– Buddha

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Chuckles

Sent to me by my friend, Marsha

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Filed under Funny Signs - Humor

Lesson From a Kind Horse

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I Love Birds

@alan678.bsky.social

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” ~ Langston Hughes

@alan678.bsky.social

“Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?” ~ David Attenborough

I’m sorry, I don’t have the source credit for this photo.

“I don’t ask for the meaning of the song of a bird or the rising of the sun on a misty morning. There they are, and they are beautiful.” ~ Pete Hamill

Stella Kim-Smith – original fine art painting

“My heart is like a singing bird.” ~ Christina Rossetti

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Filed under Amazing Animals

Sept. Mailbox Decorations

We had a 650 foot STEEP driveway when we lived in Greenwood, Arkansas. One of the joys of living outside of town on top of a ridge line was making decorations for our mailbox and yard.

We used a CNC set up in our shop. This consisted of a computer-guided torch and a table on which we could use the torch to cut out designs from 8′ x 4′ sheet metal.

We would decide what we wanted to make, looking for ideas from the net. My husband had a program that converted pictures to computer language. We would take that information from the office in the house out to our shop.

We cut out the design, then my husband would weld on a mounting bar that we would use to attach the finished design to the mailbox at the bottom of our driveway.

I would transfer the design details onto both sides of the sheet metal with a magic marker and an overhead projector, then use outdoor paint to paint both sides of the design. I protected the finished designs with polyurethane spray.

We changed the decorations twice a month. Some of the designs were geared to what month it was, holidays in that month. and others were favorite cartoon characters. Other married people ‘fight’ about money or the kids. We fought about what to make next and what colors to paint them!

In the background of these pictures, you can see part of the robot we made from scrap metal, welcoming visitors to the house and one of the two owls who stood on either side of the driveway.

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Filed under Lewis Art

Saturday Thoughts 8-6-2025

@petsfunhouse.bsky.social

I just love this painting. The more I look at it, the more I like it. I can almost hear them playing and singing. I hope it makes YOU smile, too!

This is my dad. His birthday is today. He took pride in the fact that in 1918, the year he was born, it was Labor Day. He thought that was very appropriate. He would have been 107 today. He was super creative, ahead of his time on a lot of things. He ran a one-man advertising agency in Tulsa, Oklahoma, winning advertising awards and local recognition for his radio advertisements. I miss his sarcasm and his great sense of humor.

My cleaning lady came a bit earlier than usual, and I was just getting ready to leave to be out of her way while she cleans. I thanked her for doing such a wonderful job for me, and she totally surprised me by hugging me! I hugged her hard in return. When I came back later she had left these flowers for me!!! I’m already spoiled by having her help, and hugs and flowers are simply priceless. 🤗

We went to see my husband, Harvey, in the nursing home this morning. He looked at us as if we were “invading” or something when we entered. He asked, “What are you doing here?” I replied, “We came to see YOU, of course. Is that all right?” He laid his head in my hand and said, “It’s wonderful.” Then, though we tried to talk to him, he made it clear he wanted to watch TV, so we gave up and left. He isn’t hurting, he knew who we were, and he had something he wanted to do, so that’s all good.

I have too many good things to do this afternoon, so after I finish sharing with you, I’ll get to at least one of them. Have a great day!

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Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Quiet

SweetSequels.com

I value my quiet time more and more.

Time to ourselves is a luxury few can manage for most of our lives. We have SO many demands on our time – chores to do, people to see, a house to run, children to supervise and love, spouses asking for our help and companionship, have to’s, and more. The time just whizzes past our heads and we just try to keep our heads above water, doing the best we can.

I never thought I would ‘retire.’ My lifestyle was such that even when I managed to work from home, I was so busy just doing the basics that my hair was blowing in the wind of time whizzing past again. We had a good life, but we couldn’t afford to have someone come and help with cleaning or yard work, workmen to repair things, etc. I saw myself just continuing swimming as fast as I could until I dropped. I wasn’t unhappy, just kind of resigned to my reality.

When my husband and I both got so ill we couldn’t manage, our son came from Thailand, cared for us, helped us make the decision to sell what we owned and move to Thailand to be with him, then helped us get set up here. When my husband had a stroke, we managed to find a caring nursing home so we can visit him several times each week. I’m living by myself in the condo that we thought we would share.

I have to tell you that retirement is great. I have so many wonderful things I want to do that are only limited by time and my energy. Each day I wake up, actually looking forward to going to the gym. Our son and I go interesting places or take care of errands, share meals. I now have a person who not only comes weekly to keep my place spotless, she also brings me flowers now and then! I get a massage weekly, too, and that is a luxury beyond price.

I have found a man who does a great job of keeping my hair looking civilized, and I go every couple of months to get a mani/pedi. I had never had this luxury, either, and I just love figuring out what color I’ll have each time. 😀

I have the time and quiet to read. I am downloading books onto my Kindle and can take that anywhere we’ll have to wait a long time, or just enjoy sprawling on my couch and enjoying someone else’s world for a while.

I love finding and sharing things with my friends who find my blog interesting.

I’m enjoying trying to learn to draw. The challenge of trying to draw what I see and then the fun of painting the sketches grounds me. I’m challenged and having fun like a kid at the same time.

I’m working on a jigsaw puzzle that is the best kind of frustration. 😜 I have headphones so I can listen to music, or even take an afternoon and watch a movie! I’m gearing up to start taking walks in my neighborhood.

I can choose to do whatever I would like (within reason – I AM in a new country and am learning every day about how things are done here.)

I relish having time to myself – whether it’s an afternoon, or most of a day and evening. I just grin like a nut and choose what I want to do next…

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Filed under RETIREMENT IN THAILAND

Wonderful Water!

“Brook in the Woods” – @crystal-photo.bsky.social

“Sweet are the little brooks that run O’er pebbles glancing in the sun, Singing in soothing tones.” ~ Thomas Hood

@saraflacci.bsky.social

“A waterfall is nature’s way of sharing the beautiful music of the world.” ~ Unknown

@gelena.bsky.social

“Water knows how to make a breathtaking splash.” ~ Unknown

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Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography

Are You Ready for This? 2

Funny Signs – Bored Panda – Mantas Kacerauskas and Robyn Smith

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Filed under Funny Signs - Humor

Incredible Woodworking

Provided by Aleena206408 on X.

Artist’s name and information not given. I think this is incredible.

Provided by Fiona Clerk on Pinterest – Artist’s name and information not given. I WANT THIS! 😀

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Filed under When Wood Comes Alive

Are You Ready for These?

Funny Signs – Mantas Kacerauskas and Robyn Smith – Bored Panda

3 Comments

Filed under Funny Signs - Humor

Squirrels Barking Zone

@lazlouzala123.bsky.social

“A squirrel’s curiosity is its key to survival; always ready to explore the unknown branches of life.” ~ Unknown

Peter Lewis – @peterlewis55.bsky.social

“A squirrel’s playfulness reminds us that joy can be found in the simple things.” ~ Unknown

Michelle Banks – @artologica.net

“The playful squirrel inspires us to find humor even when life is a balancing act.” ~ Unknown

@rwlatstetter.bsky.social

“Squirrels leap through life with a resilience that turns challenges into opportunities.” ~ Unknown

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Filed under Amazing Animals

Dinner

StockCake

We enjoyed dinner with my adoptive family and other friends last night. Lots of good food, people with their kids, conversation and laughter, and even some hugs.

My adoptive grandson is starting to warm up to me now. I gave him another of the dinosaur pics I drew and painted for him and he was happy. Brian played with all the children there during the evening. Everyone made me feel very welcome, feeling like a warm, smiling group hug.

My hearing aids are wonderful. The first time I met these people I couldn’t understand much of was said in the group, and only understood when it was one on one with me straining to read lips. This time I could hear most everything, so my pleasure ballooned. 🤗

I enjoyed several foods I hadn’t tried before – even some that were a bit spicy – and they ALL were really tasty.

I’m still smiling.

4 Comments

Filed under Family

Funny Definitions 2

Provided by R. G. Ryan – @RGRyan777 on X

4 Comments

Filed under Funny Signs - Humor, punny

Sit! Stay! Woof!

Paul Miller – @PaulMillerArt on X

“A dog wags its tail with its heart” – Martin Buxbaum 

Megan Elizabeth – Artist – @MeganArtUK on X

“Dogs have boundless enthusiasm but no sense of shame. I should have a dog as a life coach.”―Moby

David J. Salter – @Davidjsalter on X

“No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you feel rich.”―Louis Sabin

Paul Miller – @PaulMillerArt on X

“A dog has one aim in life…to bestow his heart.”―J.R. Ackerley

Pinterest – No artist listed

“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn’t ever know we had.”―Thom Jones

4 Comments

Filed under drawings

Funny Definitions

I’m still grinning. These are brought to us by R. G. Ryan @RGRyan777 on X

5 Comments

Filed under Funny Signs - Humor, punny

Photos by Mark D. Alexander

Mark D. Alexander – @mad7500.bsky.social

“Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field.” – Peter Adams

    Mark D. Alexander – @mad7500.bsky.social

    “Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” – Dorothea Lange

    These are all photos by Mark D. Alexander – @mad7500.bsky.social

    “Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.” – Marc Riboud

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    Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography

    Tuesday, Sept. 2nd, 2025

    Massimo – @rainmaker1973 on X

    I think he/she is beautiful.

    We lucked out on the rain today again. At the time we were planning to leave to go visit my husband, it was raining HARD. We decided to wait awhile and see if things got better, or at least more definitive.

    It turned out the rain stopped, so we were on our way only a half hour later than usual. My husband was more alert and feeling better today. He wasn’t hurting and wanted to talk! What he SAID was complete drivel – like a woman with horns visited his room and critters came in and bit his feet – but it turned out that was some show on TV. He has real trouble telling what’s real and what isn’t these days. He also couldn’t remember what we were doing in this country.

    Other than that the visit was a good one. He knew who we were and seemed happy to see us. Tomorrow we’re meeting him and his main caregiver at the hospital for tests in followup to his pneumonia and low blood oxygen of last week. Hopefully, the tests won’t take long. We’ll also speak to his main doctor and see what he thinks and what he recommends.

    We’ve been invited to dinner with friends tomorrow, so even thoug

    h the day will be long, the ending will be pleasant.

    I hope that you in the USA are enjoying the Labor Day holiday today and have had a fun weekend.

    3 Comments

    Filed under Thoughts on a ________

    Enjoying the Morning

    Lori Maloy

    I love this. Not only do I love the art work, I love the FEELING that surrounds me when I look at it. Peace, quiet, serenity, calm. Happy thoughts, good coffee, gathering pretty flowers, taking time to be thankful for it all….

    ____________________

    I am getting more used to “The Rainy Season” here in Chiang Mai.

    “The rainy season in Chiang Mai generally lasts from May to October, with the heaviest rainfall typically occurring in August and September. While it is called the “rainy season,” the weather is not constantly wet; rather, it consists of short, heavy bursts of rain, often in the afternoon or evening.”

    This rainy season has meant, many times, that if it doesn’t rain on us when we go out, it rains on us when we come back. I’m used to always carrying my umbrella and rain suit to be as prepared as possible.

    THIS particular rainy season has meant the challenge of staying at the ready in my condo with bucket and towels to sop up water coming inside my leaking windows when the rain storm is very hard. This has happened only twice badly since I’ve been here, but the season has two more months to go before I can breathe a sigh of relief.

    My son contacted the handyman who said that LOTS of work other than painting will happen soon, like resealing leaky windows! We’re are looking into the possibility of being able to add some type of canopies above our windows to be installed along with the resealing. This combination would make the NEXT rainy season a lot easier. 😁

    You might question my sanity, in that I check the weather app on my phone sometimes more than once a day in order to find out what to expect. Like the U.S., the weather forecasts sometimes seem a suggestion or wish, rather than something on which you can rely. For example, the ‘heavy rain all day’ forecast here for today (causing me to hang my laundry INSIDE) was correct part of the morning, but the sun is shining brightly now, with no sign that will change any time soon…

    8 Comments

    Filed under Wonderful Things about Thailand

    Labor Day 2025

    Patrick Byrne

    Labor Day “honors the contributions of labor movements that fought for better working conditions, fair wages, and reasonable hours. The holiday was born out of a time of immense industrial change and often-harsh working environments in the late 19th century.”

    As with a lot of holidays in the United States, people lose sight of the meaning of the holiday – just enjoy having the day off from work, a day to play, have a gathering with good food, games, and more. Children who have started school for the year cheer about a day off.

    Labor Day weekend has become larger and larger over the years, with parades, craft fairs, organized sports games, concerts, and more.

    Whatever your form of celebration, I hope that you have enjoyed a fabulous weekend and that you will enjoy your Monday off.

    ___________

    A personal memory – My dad loved to say that he thought it was quite ‘appropriate’ that he was actually born on Labor Day, September 6th, 1918.

    6 Comments

    Filed under holidays