This is one of the many things blooming in Chiang Mai now. I would really love to have one of these in my place. I have NO clue whether it could be happy indoors, whether we can find one for sale or not, or anything, but I’m drooling…
_________________
One of my two latest –
Second of my latest –
__________________
I had my windows open this morning and truly enjoyed the nice breezes. Then it seemed to get ‘stuffy,’ so I closed up, turned on my air filters and my a/c. The Air Pollution Index is now in the ‘unhealthy’ range, so I guess my own body is a good indication of when I should close up now. Thankfully, I have two really good quality air filters and my a/c is working beautifully so I’m a happy camper as I type.
____________________
My research shows that Tai people don’t celebrate Easter, as such, here. Of course, most of them are Buddist. There is a small pocket of people who do celebrate, but they are mostly expats. A few places do things like Easter eggs for the kids, but that’s it. The only real holiday coming soon is Songkran, which occurs in mid April, where people mark the beginning of the new year and the end of the ‘hot and hazy’ season with three days of water gun attacks, splashing, buckets of water poured on you, etc. No ‘cards’ are given. No one says, “Happy Songkran,” you just either participate in being hosed down, or try to avoid it and simply watch from inside, as Brian and I do. There seem to be no more “card giving” occasions, other than the “thank you’s” I do for my housekeeper weekly, and my massage ladies from time to time, until Christmas.
_______________________
Newport Daily News
Brian wanted to skip the gym this morning, so I slept more like a normal human being, rather than getting up at 4:30, and we shared breakfast as usual. I’m going to finish this post, and then do my water bottle exercises. I’m also planning to do my yoga stretches later, and later still follow those up with my new Qigong video. These and the stairs I’m using, instead of the elevator coming back from Brian’s place, should round out my exercise for the day. \
______________________
123RF
Harvey’s nurse agreed to monitor, and help, if needed, with the celebrational eating of much-missed French fries this afternoon. The last I heard, the fries were on their way out to the nursing home…
_______________________
“Happiness is a journey, not a destination.” ―Ben Sweetland
“As the morning sun rises through the nightly mist, breaking slowly into the quiet sky, one wonders who will ever win the ancient battle between light and dark.
Yet each morning the light returns, gentle but certain—reminding us that hope does not need to shout to be powerful. It only needs to rise again. 🌅”
This is just one of MANY trees and bushes blooming right now. I’m not really sure WHY they are blooming, since this is the ‘hot and hazy’ season right now, with little, if any, rain. It just makes me happy to look around and see wonderful splashes of color and lush blooms.
________________
Women’s Health
Shout-Outs to –
Linda Smith
Sheila Murrey
For introducing me to Qigong, (Chi-gong) an ancient Chinese wellness system combining slow movement, breathing techniques, and focused intention to cultivate and balance “qi” (vital energy). It integrates gentle physical postures, mental meditation, and deep breathing to reduce stress, increase energy, and enhance overall health.
I’m just getting started with this, but I am already feeling some effects of it and plan to add it to my daily schedule.
_______________
Women’s Health
Shout-Outs to –
Cathy
Nora
Michael
Linda B.
Kay
For various reasons, these wonderful people are facing challenges, needing my thoughts, prayers, and love.
_____________
123RF
Brian and I went to see Harvey at the nursing home this morning. This was one of the better visits, even though his nurse had contacted Brian last night, saying he had cut his hand and was having to wear the plastic “air gloves” because he seemed to be trying to pull his nasal feeding tube out. Today he was calm and in good spirits. He wasn’t hurting. He wasn’t wearing the awful gloves, so I guess the nurse had decided he wasn’t intending to pull out the tube anymore. He really wanted a cheeseburger and fries. Brian finally agreed to talk to the people in charge and see if his nurse could help Harvey eat fries tomorrow if Brian called in a delivery of them out there. Though a lot of what he said didn’t make sense, he wasn’t upset, so it was a good visit.
___________________
Custom Embroidered Clothing
I had fun sketching at the cafe yesterday afternoon, even though I didn’t get my favorite seat. It was good I took my sweatshirt because it was like a meat locker in the cafe, so I pulled it on after about half an hour and then was comfortable. I will try to get started painting one of the sketches this afternoon.
__________________
Wiroj Sidhisoradej – Freepik
There is an Asian family of 3 across the building from me, with a father, mother, and little boy of about 5, I think. I don’t know where they are from, but they are very nice. When the little boy looked at me with his beautiful large eyes a week or so ago, I impulsively waved at him. Now we wave enthusiastically whenever we see each other. 👋. Today when I went up for breakfast, the mother and boy rode in the elevator with me. His mom is really pretty and she was wearing a motorcycle helmet with playing cards on both sides. They could have been an ad for anything they looked so nice! We have only said, “Hello,” because language is a barrier, but it’s so pleasant to see them.
__________________
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ―Dalai Lama XIV
I love this type of art because my husband and I spent several years creating wall decorations, mailbox decorations, and yard critters from scrap metal. We were finding it harder and harder to find material to use, due to insurance liability laws at scrap yards, junk yards, and used auto parts stores, our main sources of scrap. It was SO much fun to see a piece sitting in a pile, envision that it’s a critter’s head, or would be great as a body, or whatever, take our treasures home and try to put them together.
Alexander Kalifano
These pieces, of course, are way beyond our meager efforts, but the ‘seeing’ or ‘recognizing’ what can be used as a part of the thing you’re trying to create, the time it takes to weld things together and then finish the piece remain the same.
Brian Mock – My Modern Met
I’m in awe of the different textures this artist achieved in this piece. The delicacy of the face, the smoothness of her lips – just beautiful.
Facebook
I love the idea of miniature people and animals created from nuts, bolts, screws, and the like. SO creative!
Today is my “thoroughly-pampered” day of the week.
It started out really nicely because we met the other housekeeping lady for the building as we left for the gym. I was finally able to give her a belated St. Patrick’s Day card. She grinned a HUGE grin and hugged me. She was the last one on my list. I’m not sure if Thai people celebrate Easter or not. I’ll have to find out so I can make some cards for my core people here if they do.
__________________
BC SPCA
I’m just back from a really nice massage. Every week I still miss Lynn Moody, my wonderful massage therapist in Greenwood, Arkansas. Lynn is not only a super good massage therapist, she and I are FRIENDS. Each month we would catch up on what was happening in our lives. I was so lucky to find her.
My regular therapist was not there again this week. With our pantomiming, Khun Sulee told me (I THINK) that my regular therapist, Khun Weaw, had to move from her place, pack THAT DAY last week and move. She apparently has a new place, but is either painting it herself or having it painted before she moves in. I THINK she will be back next week.
I’m really lucky that Khun Sulee was available to do my massage this morning. I feel great now!
______________________
Altenew
I have time now to write posts for the blog and catch up on a few things before we leave for the cafe. My place is ready for Khun Nong to come and scrub my place while I am having a mocha, sketching, reading the book on my Kindle, or hopefully watching the traffic out the front window.
___________________
I tried the 10-minute video of Qigong yesterday afternoon. I found it very interesting. It usually takes me several times before I feel comfortable following a video and relax into it, so I’m planning to do it today after I return from dinner. So far, I’m impressed. I followed the lady’s instructions as best I could and DID feel tingling in my hands and arms, and DID feel more relaxed when I finished! I thank my friend Linda Smith again for letting me know about this, plus I found out my friend Sheila Murrey also does this practice. I feel a bit late to the party, but I’m delighted to add something like this to my day.
___________________
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” ―Thich Nhat Hanh
This is my latest painted sketch. I consider this almost a self-portrait of me over the past two years or so, stuffing my face while piously ordering a DIET coke, looking a bit guilty…
___________________
It’s 80 and sunny here. Windows are open, breezes are pouring in, I’m smiling as I type. I’m planning to concentrate on my puzzle today, seeing if I can finally make some good progress. I want to see that beautiful turtle emerge!
___________________
I’m doing basic stuff today to prepare for Khun Nong to come clean my place tomorrow, such as changing my sheets, gathering my trash, putting out fresh towels, etc. I will get cash today so I can pay everyone tomorrow for my massage and the cleaning.
______________
Thanks to Linda Smith (thanks, Sweet Linda ❤️) I’m going to try this today.
“Qigong (pronounced “chee-gong”) is a 4,000-year-old traditional Chinese practice that combines slow, gentle movements, deep breathing, and focused meditation to cultivate and balance vital life energy (Qi). It is a mind-body-spirit practice aimed at improving health, reducing stress, and enhancing vitality through dynamic movement or still meditation.”
“Being happy isn’t having everything in your life be perfect. Maybe it’s about stringing together all the little things.” ―Ann Brashares, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
“I write about the power of trying, because I want to be okay with failing. I write about generosity because I battle selfishness. I write about joy because I know sorrow. I write about faith because I almost lost mine, and I know what it is to be broken and in need of redemption. I write about gratitude because I am thankful – for all of it.” ~ Kristin Armstrong
____________
I am trying to shed my selfishness. How in the world could a now 79-year-old woman still need to TRY to shed selfishness? It’s easy. I think we ALL have a tendency to think about ourselves, what we think, what we feel, before we think of others, no matter how hard we try not to.
I have 3 recent or ongoing examples:
I recently lost a dear friend of mine to cancer. We only met once face-to-face but we met online (she placed her work on my website for sale over 20 years ago) and we recognized each other. We emailed at least once every day since we met, sharing good things, bad things, really letting it all hang out because we knew we were in safe hands – no judgment – just care. We celebrated with each other long distance and cried with each other. When I found out she was, indeed gone, my first reaction was, “What am “I” going to do without her? How will “I” handle missing her, not hearing from her every morning and later in the day? Who will “I” confide in now?
I gradually accepted that she was gone, and with that, finally let other feelings flow through, like the fact that I was SO happy that her suffering was over. That I should celebrate our friendship for the incredibly wonderful, rare thing it was, and smile remembering how much we gave each other. That her creativity, resilience, and kindness will live as her legacy.
Beauty for Ashes – Pinterest
2. My husband and I moved to Thailand to retire and live close to our grown son here. We would be out from under the growing burden of trying to keep our house, land, pets, and life running in Arkansas, be able to relax, regain our health, and begin a whole new chapter of our lives together, hand-in-hand. Instead, 2 weeks after we moved, my husband fell and had a stroke. He is now incapacitated, living in a nursing home here, my son and I visiting 3 times a week. Again, my first reaction was all about ME. What will “I” do now? How will “I” live by myself, alone, for the first time in my life? How do “I” handle the hurt when he thinks I’m his mother or a stranger? How do “I” deal with the fact that the man “I” married is no longer there? How do “I” handle my feelings of depression when we visit?
Curiano.Tumbler.com – Pinterest
This is one I continue to work on. I finally put on my big girl panties and realized this is NOT. ABOUT. ME.
I consciously try to leave my expectations at home when we go to visit. I go with the wish that we bring something to Harvey each visit. Maybe we can make our visit something that brightens his day a little. Maybe he can feel that we are on each side of the bed, holding his hands. Maybe we will ask something that ignites a spark in him. Maybe he will like what we brought him, whether a book, a photo or two on the phone, some news about what we’re doing, something that happened, something we’re hoping for. Maybe we spark a pleasant memory for him. Maybe he feels loved when we hug and kiss him when we come and when we leave. Maybe he will enjoy the pie or drink we brought. Maybe his feet are cold and we can put on his socks for him, adjust his pillows or comforter…
“Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection – or compassionate action.”
3. The last one is when we are coming home from visiting Harvey. We sit outside the nursing home waiting for our Grab ride to pick us up. My son Brian looks at me and asks if I’m all right. We get in the Grab and he holds my hand all the way home (40 minutes.) He arranges for the Grab to stop at our favorite chocolate place so we can share our feelings about how Harvey was today while we share chocolate drinks and enjoy the baby koi fish the shop just added to the outside. Again he reaches for my hands and asks if I’m all right.
Instead of quietly letting the tears roll in the Grab, I’m finally realizing that I am NOT the only one hurting here. I’m not the only one who feels depressed. And yet my son is trying to calm me down, do something nice for me to try to cheer me up, is taking care of his MOM, as well as his dad, hiding his feelings mostly.
I’m making a point of finding the good in each visit. I’m thinking of those things in the Grab, smiling at Brian and assuring him I AM doing fine. That I love going to the chocolate place with him and that he would think to do that. I hug him tight, thank him for all he is doing for both of us, and wait until I am alone in my own place before any more tears fall, if still necessary. Since I’m changing my thinking, usually this is a thing of the past.
Attitude is all. We are all human, and it’s understandable that we think of how things will affect us. We are, after all, the center of our own universe and we need to be honest with ourselves, own our feelings and realize that we are not okay all of the time. But we can make ourselves better, and also those around us, if we stand back and change our perspective to the fact that how we think about the OTHERS around us can make us grow.
How could anyone stay down looking at this mug, even on too little sleep and too much to do for the day?
______________
Yesterday I shared Brian’s and my “Fur Real” bird (aka the “Koel” or ‘uwu’ bird). Today I want to share our “Woop Woop“ bird (aka the “Greater Coucal” bird) – we read a bit more about him and found that he will confront – and WIN against – a Cobra!!!! I’m very impressed.
We are happy that we can hear both of these birds when we’re out in the early morning.
___________________
When Brian was eating at my place last night, he teased me about how slow I’ve been putting this beautiful turtle together. THEN he ‘griped’ about how much it was going to cost when he has to order a glass print of the finished puzzle to go on my statement shelf. THEN he asked if I’ve picked out the next one I want to order… He’s definitely a keeper! ❤️
Honestly, this is the hardest one I’ve ever tried. I’m going to put in more time on it today and see if I can make a breakthrough of any kind.
___________________
I started painting another sketch yesterday. It’s also on my agenda to see if I can finish her today.
_____________________
I hope that Mother Nature has spent her last gasp on winter now and will bring some beautiful spring to everyone in the States starting today.
____________________
“It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.” ―Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People
“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t met yet.” — William Butler Yeats
__________________
We have just returned from visiting my husband at the nursing home. Today was a good visit, in that he was calm, comfortable – except for a sore throat – and made sense most of the time. He was happy to see us today, too. We told the manager about the sore throat as we left, so hopefully they have something that will bring him some relief.
An interesting thing – Harvey had a swath of talcum powder in the middle of his forehead and stripes of talcum powder on each cheek. We’re seeing if we can find out what that means, if anything –
We stopped at the chocolate place on the way home, always a nice part of our outing. Brian has hot chocolate – plus they bring him a tiny cup of hot tea. I always have a cold chocolate drink, and they bring me the tiny cup of hot tea, as well. Brian drinks my tea and we share a little cookie. We talk about our visit and then head home.
I picked up my laundry on the way back and now have it put away. SUCH a nice luxury. My laundry is a bit complicated: I do my undies and other incidentals in my bucket in the sink, then hang them on my drying rack on my balcony. I take Brian my sheets and towels on Fridays because he has a washing machine. I take my regular clothes to the laundry. It works for us. ____________________
This is my latest painted sketch.
________________
Brian found a video about the bird WE call the “Fur Real” bird! It turns out its name is a Koel bird. The people in Singapore describe its sound as “uwu” but we can’t figure out where they get that. I’m including a short video on the bird and its sound and you can decide what sound YOU hear…
NOW we’re trying to find out about a bird WE call the ‘woop woop’ bird…
____________________
I’m hoping that the people who are being buried in this March snow, as well as the people under the threat of severe weather today and tomorrow, come through it well. I’m keeping an eye on all the news I can find and wishing everyone well.
________________
“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.” ―Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
“None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an after thought. Eat the delicious food. Walk in the sunshine. Jump in the ocean. Say the truth you’re carrying in your heart like hidden treasure. Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. There’s no time for anything else.” ― Nanea Hoffman.Sweatpants and Coffee LLC
I love the wisdom of this woman. Her quotes and her drawings really resonate with me, making me nod in agreement, open my mouth in an “Ah hah!” moment, smile with recognition, identify with a kindred soul, and much more. What a wise, delightful woman she is!
This quote describes my life since shortly before we left the States to move to Thailand to be close to our son. I previously spent SO much time missing him. He was SO far away in Thailand. Too far to ask him to come home just for a visit. I was grateful that he was such a good communicator. We used a chat program he set up for us that was secure and we could reach each other quickly, with both of us being conscientious about checking for messages. If we got particularly lonely, we had another program similar to FaceTime, where we could visit in real time, seeing each other. I lived for those times, loving to see him smile, trying to make him laugh.
Now I see him several times each day. We tease each other unmercifully about various things, having inside jokes where we both start laughing with just a look, being able to hold hands when we walk somewhere, sharing meals every day, visiting my husband in the nursing home 3 times a week, giving each other strength when we need it.
I have shed most of our possessions of the last 40 or so years. We could only bring one suitcase each and a backpack when we moved. With the shedding of ‘things,’ I also shed ideas, plans, and lifestyle in the move. Our plans for a future of shared retirement flew out the window with my husband’s stroke 2 weeks after we moved and his subsequent move from the hospital to a nursing home we found. Now our priority is to make sure he knows he is loved in every way we can, make sure he is as calm and comfortable as possible, and make sure he is getting the best care we can provide. All else fades.
I am learning to embrace my new life here in Thailand. I’m making some new friends, learning the customs of the Thai people, slowing learning a few key phrases, learning how to get around, eating new foods, and more. To move from a town of 9000 to a city of 1.2 MILLION is quite a change! New priorities for me personally are to finally get to a weight I want to maintain, be as healthy and strong as possible, and to enjoy the life I have here to the fullest. I am finally less worried about the 4 lbs I have left to lose. No one cares but ME whether I ever get to my goal or not. In the meantime, I’m watching my portions, but I’m no longer putting off drinking the cold chocolate drinks I absolutely love or my iced mochas in the afternoon. When someone wants to eat something not previously on my list, I smile and enjoy every bite, including the pastries my son brought for us to share on my birthday.
I’m trying to reach out to the people who mean something to me and TELL THEM how special they are and how rich my life is because of their presence. It doesn’t matter if they are here in Thailand, across the world in the States, on the Internet – I want them to know how I feel.
I don’t worry about looking silly, being old, looking very similar to a Shar Pei dog with all the wrinkles on top of wrinkles. I embrace the fact that there are now stores I can walk into and find things I can wear for the first time in two years or more! I fill my days with things I love, many times with a big grin across my face. I am retired. I no longer do what I don’t want to do – other than things I might end up in the slammer for…
I’m enjoying being spoiled here. I have massages, have a housekeeper, take my clothes to the laundry, my son orders meals for us delivered here and all I have to do is go up and share them. I get haircuts, mani/pedis, and Brian will take me shopping to find things I need or things that are fun to put in my place. I love my life now, living by myself for the first time EVER. Nanea’s quote describes my new life perfectly. I hope more people take her wise advice.
Windows open, breeze coming through, sun shining – what more could anyone ask? I’ve walked my mile at the gym, increasing my speed a notch this morning; shared breakfast with Brian (breakfast burrito – with scrambled eggs, bacon, and salad wrapped in a tortilla, with a side of some Thai apple slices); and now have a free day – except for taking clothes to the laundry some time this morning. AHHHHH!
_____________
Mid morning yesterday Brian peeled and cut up some of the mayong-chit we received as a gift from one of the building housekeepers. It was a delicious combination of mango/peach/plum and had a slightly sour, but mostly sweet taste. I really liked it, though it was a bit messy to peel and cut up.
Brian has cautioned me not to leave ANY food or any little drips or drops or smells of any food on the counter or elsewhere to avoid being besieged with ants. I got a HINT of that when I didn’t clean out my sink quickly enough, leaving a small drop of olive oil. It took me several days to get rid of them, and I’ve been more careful since. We have no problem at all if we are just super clean. 🧼
Anyway, the gift of the mayong-chit was super nice and we loved it. We’ll probably eat the rest of it today. YUM!
___________________
This is my latest painted sketch.
_________________
Ranger Rick
Today I will do yoga stretches mid morning. To this I have added some stretching standing up, arms together over my head, reaching for the ceiling, and then bending over and reaching toward the floor several times. I’ve also added some leg lifts (although I’m pathetic at this so far) and some abdominal crunches with legs straight and with legs bent. This makes for a good bit of exercise combined with walking the mile at the gym first thing every morning.
__________________
I will get started painting another sketch today, 🎨 and see if I can make some progress on my puzzle. 🧩 My book on my Kindle book 📖 is calling me, as well. And, of course, before any of these, I’ll do my posts ✍🏼 for the blog.
_____________________
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” ―Omar Khayyam
I can’t find the artist credit for this, but it made me laugh.
________________
This is my latest painted sketch, but it didn’t turn out as I envisioned it. I had a good time and I learned a lot.
1) trying to use a real leaf -even one that is freshly fallen – is not necessarily a good idea.
2) trying to write on a real leaf is difficult and hard to read. This one is supposed to say, “Autumn is a gentle reminder that change can be beautiful.” I will try again soon and see if it goes better.
__________________
I had a happy surprise this morning. One of the dear cleaning ladies in the building stopped us as we were headed for the elevator. She gave me this clear bag full of fruit! I gave her the St. Patrick’s Day card I made for her and she hugged me. It was a really nice thing.
Later when we were eating breakfast, Brian said, “Mayongchit.” I replied, “Bless you!” He then told me that is the name of the fruit the cleaning lady gave me.
I looked it up and found – “Its season lasts only a few weeks from around February – April each year. Small, oval-shaped fruit, small enough to fit wholly within the palm of your hand, is green when young, but will turn a deep yellow-orange when ripe. The flesh of the fruit is quite similar in texture to a mango, however, the taste is quite different! It is likened to a cross between mango and plum, with just a hint of sour flavor on the surface right under the skin which gives way to a sweet fruit beneath. Mayong-chit fruit is also high in Vitamin C, fiber and water content – all reasons to make this great little fruit a part of your diet – while supplies last!”
Brian said we might take a break around noon and have some! 😋
________________
Freepik
I have my windows open and a delicious breeze is coming through my place. My Chiang Mai Air Pollution Real-Time Index website said ‘good’ this morning, and is still saying ‘moderate’ right now, so I’m soaking it up! I absolutely love they windows in my condo. Since I have the new ones, there seems to be NO leakage when it rains. The big test will be in the rainy season, but we’ve had a couple of rains now where I think the ‘bucket and towel brigade’ would have had to go into action and there was absolutely no problem.
The big thing when I enter my condo is the feeling of light and air. There are windows all the way across my dining/living area, windows in my balcony door, windows in my art alcove, and windows in the bedroom. My spirits lift and a grin plasters itself across my face every time I come in.
________________
Today is a quiet day. No errands, and the chores are mostly already done, so I’m free to write blog posts, paint, puzzle, read, listen to music, watch a movie, take a walk outside, take a nap… YEAAAAAAAAA!
As the holidays come and go, I feel a bit nostalgic about our mailbox decorations. We changed these out twice a month – quite a laborious process. We made a hanging rack that hung near the ceiling in our shop and the decorations had hooks so that regardless of the size of the decoration, it would hang pretty neatly next to the ones on either side so we wouldn’t get clobbered trying to walk under the rack and they could hang without bashing into one another.
We would get out our tall ladder and my husband would climb up and fight to get the decoration off its hook without falling or dropping the decoration. We would have ‘discussions’ every time. I was right there ready to steady him or take the decoration, but he stubbornly wanted to do it himself.
We would put the decoration in the back of the truck and drive down our long STEEP driveway (over 650 feet) down to the road. We always carried the two wrenches needed to get the old decoration off the mailbox and attach the new one. It took two of us, one holding and the other using the wrench to loosen and then tighten nuts and bolts. This was such a fun time in our lives and I miss it now – although I’m not sorry to leave the steep driveway behind.
_________________
We visited Harvey at the nursing home this morning. We weren’t sure which days we’ll visit next week, so I went ahead and brought the two St. Patrick’s Day cards I painted – one for the manager of the nursing home and the other for Harvey’s full time nurse, plus the new addition to Harvey’s ‘Happy Wall’ to put up.
Khun A. Porn, the manager, was delighted with her card. I explained that the shamrock was supposed to bring good luck. She said she actually has a shamrock tattoo! As we were leaving, she thanked me again and gave me a big hug. It was Peem’s (Harvey’s full time nurse) day off, so I left her card propped up on a table.
This is Harvey’s “Happy Wall” in his room at the nursing home. We got the go-ahead at his birthday to put pictures up, so now I’m trying to leave him reminders that he is loved when we can’t be there to tell him ourselves.
Today’s visit was good and bad, as usual. He recognized us today, said, “Hi, Babe” when we came in. He liked the picture I made for his wall and he liked my earrings. Not so good was he still thinks things have disappeared – been lost or stolen – when they haven’t. He also insists there is a shelf on the wall behind his bed on which several things have been placed. Today Brian took a picture of him and the wall behind him, but he wasn’t deterred. He also told me that he ‘talked Peem (his nurse) into sleeping with him last night.’ (Who could resist an 82 year old man, bedridden, frail, with a nasal feeding tube who makes very little sense?) I congratulated him and we talked of other things…
___________________
Freepik
I had a great time sketching at the cafe yesterday. I got my favorite spot (hooraaaaay!) and sat there comfortably sketching while drinking an iced mocha, watching people come in and leave the cafe, and goggled at the insane traffic outside the window.
I’m looking forward to starting to paint at least one of the sketches this afternoon.
“Flowers and colours everywhere, I am so glad that March is here.” ― Anamika Mishra
Besides drawing or painting ON paper, artists use paper itself in so many wonderfully creative ways to create stories, 3-D effects, humor, and exquisite beauty.
This is a reblog of an article by Shady – @shady5 on Substack – “Payin It Forward” on Substack
nomadnebula282 – Freepik
“I was at the funeral of my six-month-old baby, standing at the tiny casket with empty arms and a shattered heart. My husband had left me two weeks earlier, unable to handle the grief, so I was completely alone. The funeral home was nearly empty – just me and a few distant relatives who left immediately after the service. I stood there frozen, unable to leave my baby, knowing once I walked away, it was really over. A woman I’d never seen before approached slowly. She didn’t say anything at first, just stood beside me. After a long silence, she whispered, ‘My son was three months old when he died. That was twelve years ago.’ I turned to look at her, and she continued, ‘I came because I saw the obituary and I remembered standing exactly where you are, feeling like I couldn’t survive another minute.’ She held my hand. ‘You will survive this. Not today, not tomorrow, but eventually. And on the days you can’t get out of bed, that’s surviving too.’ She stayed with me for two hours at that cemetery, this complete stranger, until I was finally ready to leave. She gave me her phone number. ‘Call me at 3 AM if you need to. I mean it. Someone did that for me, and it saved my life.’ For months, I called her in the middle of the night, sobbing, and she always answered. She never made me feel like a burden. She just understood a pain that has no words.”
—Sarah M., Kansas City, MO
_____________
We lost our daughter, Jade, when she was two month old, to SIDS. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) I can honestly say I know of no other pain like that of losing a child. It’s a wound so deep it never heals, particularly when you don’t know the cause, as in SIDS. She was ‘perfect,’ but she was gone.
We lived for each other, my husband and I, and amazingly, this made us stronger as a family. We helped each other survive and we concentrated on raising our son, who now is, ironically, taking care of us.
People who have lost children seem to recognize each other. I’m not sure what it is – an aura people carry with them, a seriousness in the eyes even when smiling, a fierce determination to keep going for the others in your family. You meet, you recognize, and whether anything is said or not, you share.
I’m so glad the woman in the story had the compassionate stranger to help her when she needed it most. I’m sorry that her bond with her husband couldn’t stand the strain and snapped. Each of us is different, reacting in our own way, finding a way to survive, and amazingly, even thrive.
Freedom to fail is a beautiful, freeing thing. Then you can enjoy no pressure, just pleasure, concentrating on what you’re trying to do without inner or outer voices making you doubt.
_________________
MrFunnyMals – YouTube
I had a really nice massage this morning. The lady who works with my therapist told me that my therapist couldn’t be there today, but that she would give me my massage. I was grateful.
I had decided to take the St. Patrick’s Day cards there this morning, since the next time I see them St. Patrick’s Day will be over. Khun Sulee, the other therapist, was delighted that the shamrock meant good luck and put it with the other cards I have given her on the wall of the shop. I also gave her the card for Khun Weaw to give her when she returns.
Every therapist has a different style, a different emphasis. I am very lucky to have two ladies who understand that I’m old and might break if moved too abruptly or they use too much pressure. I am feeling wonderful right now.
Oh, last week Khun Weaw made a motion with her hands after my massage that I didn’t understand. I asked Khun Sulee, hoping that she might be able to explain. It turned out that they had noticed I had lost weight. I got out my calculator and put in 68.3 kgs (150.5 lbs.) (what I weighed when I got my first massage there) and then a subtraction symbol, and then 52.15 kgs (114.9 lbs) (what I weigh this morning) showing a weight loss of 16.15 kgs (35.6 lbs.) She understood the word “doctor” 🩺 and I pantomimed zipping my lips 🤐 and then exaggerated walking motions , followed by 💪🏻. She smiled and gave me a big hug.
_________________
Gleem Cleaning
I’m pretty well ready for my fabulous housekeeper, Khun Nong, to come this afternoon to scrub my place. I’m trying to be neat in my new life here, and I keep things picked up and put away for the most part. I change the sheets, gather and empty the trash, and put out fresh towels before she comes. I feel like a slob because she scrubs everything within an inch of its life and lines everything up. She even washes and dries my bars of soap!
________________
I’m anxious to go to the cafe this afternoon, where Brian and I go to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she’s working. I started a sketch yesterday with leaves and I want to see what I can do with it. I don’t know if it will turn out somewhat as I envision or will be a mess. It’ll be fun to work on it. PLUS, I’ll be drinking an iced mocha while I draw, or I can switch to reading my book on my Kindle, or – if I get my favorite spot – I can goggle at the incredible traffic going by. Last week a motorcycle went past with a man with his child sitting on his shoulders, 3 kids behind him, and then his wife, who was laden with packages hanging from her arms. Amazing.
___________________
“Despite March’s windy reputation, winter isn’t really blown away; it is washed away. It flows down all the hills, goes swirling down the valleys and spills out to sea. Like so many of this earth’s elements, winter itself is soluble in water…” ― The New York Times
My sister-in-law and friend, ML, sent this to me recently. It’s only one example of how she is there for me.
If we are lucky, we may be able to call a very few people friends in our lives. I’m not talking of the many very pleasant people that we may enjoy particular activities or situations with for an amount of time. I’m talking about long term real friends that you love even though you don’t agree on everything, even though a lot of miles may be between you, even though you might not see each other very often – sometimes you might have even ‘met’ on the Internet and have NEVER actually met face to face. The bond is real, strong, and priceless.
It is comforting to realize that you are never really alone. You try to solve day to day problems, annoyances, issues, by yourself. But there are times when you reach out, needing to vent, needing to explain how you feel without having to worry about judgment, needing suggestions for how to deal with something, or even just someone to actually listen and ‘be there’ holding your hand or virtually hugging you to help you.
These friendships are priceless because they go both ways. You are there to listen, to be there for your friends, as well. Knowing this is something you carry with you, that you know you have if you need it.
This quote by Ram Dass reminds us in another way that we are not alone. That we all need help or can give help as needed. That “We are all just walking each other home.”
I love the light in this photo. I think this is stunning.
__________________
I painted 8 cards like this in a St. Patrick’s Day theme to give to people in the coming days who have been especially kind to me.
This is the card I’m leaving for my wonderful housekeeper tomorrow.
___________________
It rained a bit overnight, so the air pollution is back down in the “moderate” range. I’m enjoying a really nice breeze as I type this. 😁 🪟
IB Times India
I was a ‘good girl’ today, doing my yoga stretches this morning instead of waiting until this afternoon, when I might make excuses and not do them. Changing my routine to exercising when I am the most alert is working for me, so I’m going to continue it. (Full Disclosure: I am NOT – I repeat NOT even THINKING about doing THIS pose… ) 🤣
_____________________
Women’s Health
Shout out to Cathy, who has undergone surgery this week. She is very dear to me and I’m hoping she will recover soon and be able to go back home to continue her recovery. My prayers are traveling to her as I type.
____________________
Shutterstock
My head is exploding from all the ideas I have for what I would like to try in my art alcove lately. I want to play with leaf designs. I found a beautiful real leaf on the ground and brought it home to see what I could do. I’m also getting ready to try to draw one of the shadow images I talked about earlier. I’m thinking of doing images that relate to words or quotes or parts of songs I like….
______________________
I hope that you are feeling full of energy, full of ideas you’d like to try, full of things you’re learning…
creativeartworksblog 