“Elephant and Bird” – Shaaz Jung
This is one of the most wonderful photos I have ever seen. I just love it.
______________________
BC – SPCA
I had my massage this morning so I’m feeling wonderfully loose and comfortable right now. Ahhhh!
______________________
Yesterday right at 4pm it got very quiet outside. This is really unusual because there is always a lot of activity on the street. I got up to see what was happening – or not. There were lots and lots of policemen on foot, stopping the traffic and even the pedestrian traffic on the road. Everything was at a complete standstill. The road was empty!
Suddenly, a police car came speeding down the street, lights flashing. It was followed by at LEAST 20 more, one after the other. Then a white van passed, followed by three more. When they were out of sight, the policemen on the street motioned that activity could resume. Immediately, the street was full in both directions with cars, buses, tuk-tuks, motorcycles, motor bikes, scooters, bicycles and people walking as if nothing had occurred. A truck came by with a man who was grabbing cones and putting them in the back of the truck. Another came out in the opposite direction.
I tried to find out what had happened, who was in the motorcade, but Google showed nothing scheduled for that time, and the general explanation was that it was probably a governmental official.
Certainly was dramatic! 😳
_________________________________
We’re going to the cafe soon to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans my place. I will bring my sketchbook and supplies, my Kindle, my earbuds, and my sweatshirt, because sometimes they keep the temperature in there like a freezer…
_________________________
I’ve read that a LOT of the U.S. will get really nasty weather starting tomorrow and lasting through Monday or so. UGH. My former home, Arkansas, has declared an emergency, as well as several other states. I hope you can all stay safe and warm. ‘Hole in’ if you can, getting all you need before it hits, and then staying home. I hope your power stays on and that you ‘weather’ this storm well.
creativeartworksblog 
What an incredible contrast between your two scenes—from that surreal, suspended moment of the motorcade to the cozy, familiar planning of a cafe afternoon. It really highlights the strange rhythms of life abroad, where the extraordinary can halt daily life in an instant before it all floods back in.
Your description of the sudden silence, the police, the speeding procession of vehicles, and then the immediate return of chaotic normalcy was so vivid. It felt like watching a film clip. The mystery of it—the white vans, the lack of information—adds that layer of intrigue that makes for a perfect “you had to be there” story. Definitely dramatic! And then the mental pivot to preparing for Khun Nong’s cleaning, the careful packing of sketchbook and Kindle (and that essential freezer-defense sweatshirt!), is so relatable. It’s the life of an observer and a creator, nestled right in the middle of everyday mysteries.
Thank you for the kind thoughts and warnings about the weather here. It’s a sobering time for many. The pre-storm advice to “hole in” is so apt—that quiet, purposeful preparation before hunkering down. It’s heartening to think of your care spanning all the way from your cafe in Thailand to friends in Arkansas and beyond. I will certainly pass your warm comment along to Linda. It’s the perfect sentiment.
I hope your cafe afternoon is perfectly productive or perfectly peaceful, whichever you need most. And may the cleaning at your place go smoothly! Stay warm in that freezer-cafe
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t say enough about your kind reply, Srikanth. I’m so glad you liked the post. You certainly lifted my spirits with your comments – can you see me grinning and walking around 3 inches off the ground right now? 😁 Stay safe, Srikkanth. I remember one winter when we were completely snowed and iced in for 14 days, having to manually keep a generator going and having no public water. I don’t miss that at all, but I care about the people in the middle of the coming mess. Take care, and THANK YOU for taking the time to write such a beautiful message.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes indeed, we are in for it! -9 low predicted for one night, -3 for another, etc. ugh!
happy about your massage!
i love that elephant and bird pic too!
LikeLike
Wow. Please take care, stay ‘holed in’ and stay warm. I hope you keep power and water, etc. You’ll be in my thoughts. My massage was simply wonderful. I can really trust her, so I can fully relax. 😁 I’m glad you liked the photo. It really spoke to me.
LikeLike