CeCe – @cece14.bsky.social
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We went to visit Harvey today. I put the Easter Bunny up on “Harvey’s Happy Wall” to remind him that we love him and think of him whether we are there with him or not.
He was a bit down today, but mostly made sense. We texted the manager after we left that Harvey was upset at all the sticking of his fingers for blood sugar tests. When we were in Arkansas we tested our blood twice a week because Harvey had diabetes (Type II) though he wouldn’t admit it, and I was pre-diabetic. He would have to stick his fingers two or three times because we couldn’t get enough blood to do the test. We had to tell the manager today that he was threatening to hurt the next person who tried to ‘torture’ him. She agreed to change the monitoring to once a week. Fingers crossed. Brian ordered French fries to be delivered this afternoon. We told him so he would have something to look forward to. Brian and I stopped for chocolate on the way home.
Update: the nursing home just sent Brian a video of Harvey enjoying his French fries. From his plate, it looks like the store sent him a note and a cookie extra. 😁
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Yesterday we spent much of the afternoon at the cafe to stay out of Khun Nong’s (my housekeeper’s ) way while she cleaned. I lucked out and got my preferred seat at the cafe by the front window. When my favorite server brought my mocha, I pointed to my art backpack – with the pouch he gave me for Christmas hanging from the clip on one side. I have used the pouch ever since he gave it to me, but he may not have noticed it lying beside the table. Anyway, his face lit up like a torch. He rushed away, then came back, wanting me to read something on is phone. It said, “I’m glad you liked the gift, Auntie!” and we smiled and bowed to each other. A really happy time for both of us.
While at the cafe, I took some photos that will help me with the new street sketch I want to try. This next one I want to emphasize the electrical system of power lines they have here. As with the first sketch, this one will take me quite a while to do…
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creativeartworksblog 
Linda, your new street sketch sounds like such a wonderful challenge—and I love that you’re focusing on the power lines! There’s something really beautiful about the way they crisscross and connect everything, almost like a hidden kind of art that most people overlook. I can’t wait to see how you bring that to life. Take all the time you need; the best sketches are the ones you pour your heart into. And what a lovely moment with your server at the cafe—that pouch clearly means the world to both of you. Sending you big smiles and encouragement for the next drawing! 🎨⚡
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Thank you for your wonderful message, Srikanth! THANK YOU! I’m fascinated at all the ingenious things the Thai people do as a normal course of business here, while I look on it awe. For the past two days, I’ve been watching a group of three agile men build and use some bamboo scaffolding to scrape and repaint a column on a building 3 stories high. It seemed effortless as they went up and down and the man at the bottom sent supplies up and down on a rope. It was almost like a dance. The job is done now, the scaffolding gone, the column a pristine white. My server at the cafe has gone out of his way to be kind to me. I gave him one of my hand painted Christmas cards. You would have thought I had given him a million dollars. The next week he brought the sweet pouch, lots of cute stickers, the stuffed happy face, and more, with a carefully hand-written note on a Christmas card. I have the card on the wall by my computer. Smiles right back at you for your encouragement. The perspective on the street scenes is above my skill level now, but I really want to show the flavor of the beautiful shops, tree preservation efforts, and the electrical system if I can. I’ll get started on the sketch soon. Thanks for writing.
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The Thai people seem so nice, and I am sure they can feel your good energy which causes them to want to give to you. Your smile shows them all they need to know to reciprocate the kindness.
Your descriptions of what you see are such that I can almost see it, as well.
I love the sketches that you share. You are so talented, and you enjoy sharing them. I look forward to seeing your next sketch. Take care and be well. (Donna)
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The Thai are really special people. I am constantly amazed at how different people are here. I’m glad you like my descriptions. Thank you for your encouragement about the sketches. I really enjoy the challenge of trying to do the sketches, and then the painting of them is sheer joy. Thank you for telling me you look forward to them. That means a lot.
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Aww, that little pouch is adorable, Linda! I can see why you wanted to keep it visible on the back pack!
I hear you about Harvey. Moods come and go. But at least he can have fries. That’s saying something (compared to feeding tubes etc.) and once a week finger prick for testing his blood sounds like a good plan.
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I fell in love with the pouch right away, putting a short pencil, a big eraser, and my sharpener on it and attaching the cute stuffed happy face to it. I have been putting iit on the window seat each week to show him that it was a wonderful choice for a gift for me, but I am glad the new art bag brought attention to it. He is such a sweet young man. The fries are a real treat and give Harvey something to look forward to, now they aren’t so worried about him choking and aspirating. I’m glad the manager agreed to the once a week finger sticks- and that we cautioned them about him possibly trying to hurt one of the nurses.
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Oh yes, indeed. If Harvey isn’t always in his right mind or think the nurses are torturing him, it’s perhaps a good thing for the staff to be alerted to his potential actions in retaliation. Hopefully, they keep a good eye on him. It’s quite the situation all the way around. I think of him often. Those fries are a good treat for him for sure. Finger sticks! I never would have thought of calling them that!
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😜
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