Cass – @thesereneartist.bsky.social – synthart, aI enthusiast
Filed under paintings I love
Happy, happy Halloween, everyone! I hope you’re out Trick-or-Treating, attending some special Halloween-themed events, or handing out candy to kids dressed up and having the time of their lives.
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Since it’s the end-of-October/beginning-of-November, today is the day I do my monthly reporting on my “Losing the Lard” progress, or lack thereof.
Brian took this picture of me at breakfast this morning. To date I have gone from 205 pounds to my present 105 pounds. (I have officially reached my weight goal now. My range will be 105-110. (Lately I have gone below 105, but we’re tweaking what we’re eating some and I’m increasing my portions a bit. I’m also flirting with the idea of eating a little something mid day and keeping the other meals and portions the same.)
There is 96.2 inches less of me than there used to be. (This Shar-Pei is my twin!) I’m concentrating now on exercises to get me stronger, more flexible, have more stamina, improve my balance, increase relaxation, range of motion, etc. – all things that will allow me to continue to do what I would like to do for as long as possible. My measurements ARE still changing, so maybe I can get rid of a wrinkle or two, but I’m not worried about it.
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I’m going to try to write an article for Substack today, do my water bottle exercises (including a new one from my good friend Sheila from her Moves Methods called, “Opening the Shoulders” that I’ll try today. I’ll also go to the cafe to start some new sketches this afternoon.
Bruna Morgado
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
I love collage. There are all sorts of different ways to approach it, and I find something wonderful in the whole idea of people taking bits of paper and creating something terrific and meaningful from it.
I found this lady – Sarah – who creates what she calls, “Snippets” – small creations from layers of paper that can be enjoyed the way they are or used on a larger project. They made me smile and I wanted to share them with you.
Sarah Suplina – I found these in an article by Ann in All Things Paper
Filed under collage
The House of Hood Blog
It seems strange to celebrate Halloween without Trick or Treating, dressing up, etc., but I had a wonderful time creating and giving out the Halloween cards, so that is great. I know that a lot of you will celebrate Halloween tomorrow, and I hope you and your families have a wonderful time.
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I went to the cafe this afternoon as usual. My spot was taken, so I sat along the side window and prepared to get started. Soon after my latte arrived, the blond server came and pointed to the front, pantomiming that my spot was now free and helped me move! Is this special or what? I can’t believe they are so very nice to me. Anyway, I spent the rest of the time in “MY” spot, comfortable and sketching. A really young, very pretty lady stopped and smiled, pointing to my sketch of the otters. 😁🦦
Here are my latest sketches –
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I don’t know whether this is playable the way it is here or if you need to click on the link below, but I melted into a puddle seeing this. I’m saving it so I can watch it over and over again.
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I did well at the gym this morning, bumping the incline up to 10%. I’m going to see if I can bump it to 12 tomorrow, and then will see if I can get to 12 quickly and keep it there for my mile. I’m feeling good. I can feel the challenge, but no sore muscles, no tiredness, just feeling like I used my time well. 💪🏻🚶♀️
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Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Treasure McClain
Vecteezy
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Today is Fabulous Friday, meaning I’m even MORE spoiled than usual today. I went to the gym, had a massage, shared a “sa-nack” with Brian before going to the cafe to sketch while my housekeeper did her magic. My only complaint is that I keep running out of time to do all that I would like to do…
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I got ‘my’ spot at the cafe and did three sketches. Here are my latest finished sketches –
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My friend Heidi writes on Substack. The name of her page is Turquoise Trail and her user name is @turquoisetraveler . She wrote an article sometime back called, “Creativity and the Path of the Spiritual Learner” that really resonated with me. She said, “The truth is that creativity is not something extra you do—it is what you are.” I’ve been thinking about it ever since, making some major changes in my thinking. Her articles are well worth your time.
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It was 90 here today. I am envying those of you putting on sweaters (and more) as the weather changes. I also miss seeing the leaves change color and many other things. I’m grateful, though, that the rainy season here is finally coming to an end and that it will cool off a bit now.
Tomorrow people will be doing Halloween type things at the malls and some of the street venues. We will go see Harvey, hoping he is doing well.
Sophia Martinez
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Vince, the Sign Guy – Colorado Community Signs
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor
Jessica Mather
Ray Villafane
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I had another good session in the gym today, bumping up the incline % every few minutes. I’m hoping my legs will get stronger. I went up to a 6% incline today. I’m listening to my body, looking for signs it is unhappy with what I’m doing; but so far, all is good.
Brian continues to tease me about my “gym buddy”, aka the Ugly American, now ‘commiserating’ with me about any withdrawal symptoms and sense of loss I’m feeling because we don’t see him anymore. I did tell you that Brian has a strong sense of humor, didn’t I?
I’m beginning to see a bit of improvement on the exercises Sheila and ML suggested to help me with my balance. As with anything, results are slow and gradual, but I’ll be happy if they help.
Today is exercises with water bottles day.
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I’m taking my duvet to the laundry in a second. The Thai people use sheet sets that come with a fitted bottom sheet and lots of pillow cases. No top sheet. None. That really bothered me because I like to have a fan blowing, but encouraging me to snuggle down into the covers for sleep. Not having anything to snuggle down under was a major problem. I now have two duvets that I switch out on a regular basis to fill that need. (In the “cool season” I now also have a weighted sheet that is REALLY HEAVY and just the thing to warm me up… )
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I just had to order a new watch. The band on mine has now cracked and will soon break altogether. The band is not replaceable. I like men’s digital watches because I like to have a good-sized readout showing the day, date, and time. Brian has one that has a velcro band that has served him well, so I looked for that feature as well, rather than having yet another band fail and cause me to buy another watch. The one I ordered has a good large readout (for those visually challenged) with day, date and time. I’m also particularly happy that this one has a gauge for how many meters underwater I am. I’m sure that during the rainy season here, this feature will be especially useful. 😜🤪🤣. Meanwhile, I wrapped my current watchband with clear tape at the partial break, hoping it will last until the new one arrives.
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Amira
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Deborah Borgo
Max Bruner
Natalia
Filed under ceramics
Cass – @thesereneartist.bsky.social – synthart, aI enthusiast
I just drool when I see her work.
Filed under paintings I love
Costume Works
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This morning I had a good session at the gym. I kept bumping up the incline percentage at intervals and then decreased it back down each minute the last 5 minutes to cool down. It worked out well and felt good. I negated some of that good work, though, because I decided to stretch out on the couch for a minute and woke up quite a bit later after quite a nap!
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Yesterday I washed out my carrier and the inner pockets and put them on the balcony to dry. The inner pockets were dry after breakfast today, but the carrier still needs a bunch of time. I dry it inside out so it won’t fade so quickly, as I do the clothes I put out there.
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Here are my latest sketches –
I’m feeling lazy today. I have one base-painted sketch to take to the cafe, and I’m looking forward to starting more sketches.
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Today the nursing home sent a video of Harvey eating some eggs. He was feeding himself (!) and someone had squeezed the catsup he decided he now likes into heart-shapes around the plate. Need I say more to explain and lucky we feel to have found this nursing home?
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Elaine Herman
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Auspicious Clouds
Compassion on Oceans
Liquid Glass
Prismon the Shore
Starry Sky Over the Snow Field
Tears of the Sea
Twilight Sky
I just can’t say enough about his work. I just love it.
Sagatt – @sagattpastel on Substack
Filed under Pastels
I honestly was looking for mugs I like in order to share them with you, but ending up finding wonderful other ceramics, instead.
Chan.Gou
Deborah Borgo
Jaklin Christiner
Jennie Perttunen-Allard
Filed under ceramics
Candace Bishop
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We are back from visiting my husband at the nursing home. He was glad to see us, was more alert than last time, and wanted me to lower the railing on his bed and help him out into the field so he could shoot at the house we can see from his window. When I asked him, ‘why,’ he said, “I’ve been shooting at it for a month now.” The nursing home sent us a video of him eating some eggs in his bed when we were on the way home, and then another one with him enjoying a pie and coffee. These are quality of life issues for him and I’m so happy we can arrange for him to get them.
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I wrote an article about Halloween for Substack yesterday. If you’d like to see it, it’s called, “Halloween “Old Style” vs Halloween Chiang Mai – Memories – Costumes While Working – Celebrating in Chiang Mai” + My Sketches”
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Yesterday I gave a Halloween card to the tuk-tuk driver that speaks to me every day outside the cafe, plus the head handyman at the cafe. Today I gave the last one to the lady who is so kind at the chocolate place we go to on the way home from visiting with Harvey. (I got a cookie in return from her!)
At the cafe, I saw Cartoon, who remembered to use her sling this time. She is in a lot of pain and was reacting to the pain meds the past couple of days. I had left a ‘get well soon’ card with her husband, who was having a meeting in “MY” spot at the front of the cafe 😃. When she came in, he called her to the front and gave her the card. She really liked it, and it seemed to give her the boost I was hoping it would. We chatted a bit, hugged, and hopefully she went back to the hotel to rest.
I’m heading to the cafe as soon as I finish this post. I’m working on a couple of new sketches (the first in Book #5!) and hopefully can show you tomorrow.
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ez
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Filed under drawings
I would love to be sitting and swinging in the hanging swing at the corner of the porch, enjoying all the plants, and maybe even dosing off…
I can hear the rain outside as I snuggle into that gorgeous bed!
This is a plant lover’s dream! And I LOVE the dappled shadows on the carpet. I’m afraid I wouldn’t get anything ‘done’ here –
A place to relax and have something cold to drink after walking around in this gorgeous countryside. The windows and skylight bring the outside right in, don’t they?
Getaways by Nature – @nature007 on Substack
I just love spending time looking at each of these, imagining myself there, comfortably sprawled out, enjoying the gorgeous combination of beautiful room and nature all around, making my world perfect.
Filed under Dreams
The Willower
Inspire Uplift
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I was waiting for Brian to text me to come up for breakfast when it started raining suddenly! Just a shower, not a full-blown rain, but it still surprised me. There was no sign it would rain earlier. Now there are clouds and some sun, so I’ll need to pay attention and get my stuff off the drying rack and inside, if needed. ☔️
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Brian supports one person at an orphanage. The boy is 16 now and his dad is serving life in prison for some drug related offense. The orphanage contacted Brian yesterday, saying the boy was asking for a photo he could use to try to draw Brian a picture as a thank you for his support. Isn’t that wonderful?
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Yesterday was card sketching day for me at the cafe. I did 4 more Halloween cards (I’ve already given out two of them), 2 get well and encouragement cards for Cartoon at the cafe, and 3 thank you cards. Today I’ll do the first sketch in Sketchbook # 5!
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I took my regular clothes to the laundry this morning. I felt really good because the man in line ahead of me didn’t speak Thai (join the club!) and was confused about the money here. I was able to help him! He thanked me profusely, and I felt that at least I have learned SOMETHING. 🤑
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The street crew is jackhammering another part of the road up today. They certainly are persistent! I wish we had some idea of how long the project will last, but no clue.
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I spent a while yesterday going through my sketchbooks, trying to find appropriate sketches for the Substack articles I would like to write. I THINK I’m pretty well organized now. We’ll see….
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penSamento!
This is the way I feel when I give the cards I have made. It is such a gift to me. :0)
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Cass – @thesereneartist.bsky.social
I just love her work. Her use of lights and shadows, reflections on the water, the whole FEEL of each painting.
Filed under paintings I love
Mating Mandarin Fish – Luc Rooman
Sleeping Beauty – Felix Belloin
The Sporologist – Benjamin Pawlica
Under Water Garden – Ysabela Coll
Under water life-shark portal – Linda Ness
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography
Martha Stewart
The NY Times
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It’s a beautiful day here in Chiang Mai. The ‘feels like’ high is already more than is comfortable for me, so I have the a/c on and two fans blowing. I’m ready for the ‘cool season’ (November – February) where the ‘feels like’ temperature is more in the 80’s than the mid 90’s as it is now. (I’ve admitted that my personal comfort zone has narrowed ridiculously as I get older. The 57 degree low during the ‘cool season’ without central heat, electric blanket, or space heater is difficult for me, as well.)
Part of this may be due to my weight loss. I feel so much better that it’s hard to complain about being a bit uncomfortable. I just weighed and measured for the month. I’ve reached my weight loss goal now of 100 pounds off (205 lbs before vs 105 lbs now) and there are 96.2 inches less of me than there used to be. I will concentrate on maintenance now, plus exercising.
Women’s Health
SHOUT-OUT to Sheila, who suggested that I stand on one foot, holding it as long as possible (standing near something I can grab, if needed – then switching to the other side – to improve my balance. Her sweet husband, Richard, is also doing this one – so shout-out to HIM, too. (so far my balance on my left side is pathetic. I will do this several times a day. This really shows I NEED to do this!) Thank you, Sheila!
Women’s Health
SHOUT-OUT to ML, my sister-in-law, who sent me a video with explanation on an exercise called, “Tandem Stance Balance Exercise – Heel-to-Toe Standing Balance for Older Adults” from MoreLifeHealth.com (I do several exercises from Mike at this source already, so have now tapped into the section on balance, thanks to ML. Thank you, ML!
Between these two exercises suggested by Sheila and ML, hopefully I will see improvement in my balance more quickly.
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The cats are beginning to come out to play a bit in my jigsaw puzzle. Some eyes, some ears….
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The Creativity Project
I showed you my latest finished sketches yesterday. Today I start Sketchbook 5. I’m also bringing some blank cards because I found at least two people I would like to give a Halloween card to, and would like to have a couple extra just in case. I’m also getting low on “Thank You” cards, so I’ll do some sketches there, too, before I start the new sketchbook.
Almost every day lately ‘someone’ has been sitting in MY spot at the cafe. 😞 Usually, it’s the owner of the cafe, having meeting with staff, making plans for improvements to the cafe and their hotel, and interviewing people for positions. Many times, though, it has NOT been the owner. I’m very thankful that there is a good spot along the side of the cafe where I can get comfortable and there is enough light for me to see what I’m doing. I just LOVE getting settled, ordering my iced latte with less sugar, and sitting there working, dreaming, catching up with people on my phone, finding more images that I find appealing to try to emulate, and more. A real pleasure I look forward to every day.
I’m going to start reviewing my finished sketchbooks to see if I can see any improvement from when I first started trying to teach myself to draw. I know I am trying to draw things now that I never would have attempted a year ago. I still have real trouble with perspective, particularly in buildings, and trying to draw portraits may be something that remains beyond me, though I would love to be able to do that. I would also love to be able to sketch (on the go) like many artists I admire.
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Annie – Lovethispic.com
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Amusing Photos” – BoredPanda.com – Robyn Smith, Monika Pasukonyte, and Rugile Zemaityte
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor
This one is already sold.
Anna Hultin Embroidery – @annahultin on Substack
Anna also sells patterns for embroidery. You can see them at the link above.
Filed under embroidery-sewing art
Lovely Indeed
The Honeycomb Home
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The visit with Harvey this morning was challenging. He was obviously feeling despondent and listless. He did tell me he was happy to see me when we first went in, then followed that up soon after, asking if I was “really his wife.” He was unhappy his nurse wouldn’t let down the guardrail on his bed, and had tried to grab her phone out of her hand. We explained to him that she was trying to keep him from falling out of the bed and breaking bones. He was quiet for a bit and then demanded that “I” let the guardrail down. He did enjoy the orange drink Brian brought him, but had little to say.
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I had a good session at the cafe. Here are the latest sketches –
Today I finished sketchbook #4 since I’ve been in Thailand. That means 400 sketches (actually 399, since I threw one away before deciding I would keep them all to keep a record of how I was doing.) I say this because I really think that sketching every day, trying my best to get down on paper what I’m seeing or what I’m thinking is helping me draw better. I know it brings me joy, and that’s the most important part. 😁 🎨
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It’s time for dinner now. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Ellen Buesgen
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Hilarious Fails” – Miguel Ordanez and Ilona Baliunaite – BoredPanda.com
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor
A Carpet of Shimmering Light in the Forest – Shirley Wung
A Powerful Onset – Marco DiMarco
Barrelled – Ben Thouard
Expectant Parents – Mark Chang
Guardian of the Cattle – Alessandro Bergamini
“70 Best Photos 2026 Siena International Photo Awards” – Gabriela Zagorska – BoredPanda.com
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography
Kelly Mindell – Studio DIY
Sue P – PumpkinImages – Substack
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I’m just home from sketching at the cafe. My place is sparkling and I’m feeling thoroughly spoiled with my massage this morning, Brian ordering us a “san-ack” at my place, then going to the cafe while my housekeeper did her thing.
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The owner of the cafe came in just before I left. She has been gone, helping her mom who was having cataracts removed. All of that went well, but Cartoon (pronounced Kah-toon’) had her arm in a cast! When she got home from helping her mom, she had some elective surgery done on her arm. Apparently surgery was done in three places and recovery time will be approximately 10 weeks with physical therapy following. Today was Day 3 since the surgery. I hugged her carefully, and then gave her the Halloween card I made for her. She lit up like a torch when she saw it. She is SUCH a beautiful person, so full of joy with a huge smile on her face. Her mom is worried about HER now, and so will be traveling to Chiang Mai to take care of her. Since Cartoon was SUPPOSED to be wearing a sling – and wasn’t – it sounds like a good idea to me. I hope I get to meet her.
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I only have one blank sheet in my sketchbook now. I will start the next one for drawing, but will base paint several sketches I did today and so will have TWO sketchbooks in my art backpack for at least a day or two. Here are my latest sketches –
Halloween Mask
Kookaburra
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LotusBeacon
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
These stunningly beautiful photos that fill our dreams are provided by Nature – @nature007 on Substack
Filed under Dreams
Barley and Birch
Halloween Decor – Reddit
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People.com
I did careful walking on the treadmill at the gym this morning. Taking the extra magnesium tab helped, but when I stretched in bed this morning, the back of my right calf seized up in a cramp. Not as bad as the ones I was having, thank goodness, and didn’t last nearly as long. I’m drinking lots of water, too, so this should be better soon.
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Joyful Healthy Treats
Brian and I shared a wonderful breakfast of half a breakfast burrito (scrambled eggs, salad, ham, and dressing wrapped up in a taco) with a big slice of papaya and some yogurt.
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Vecteezy
I’ve been doing my chores to get ready for my housekeeper to come tomorrow. (Did you READ that? I have a housekeeper for the first time in my life. I will NEVER take this luxury for granted.) I have changed the sheets on my bed, gathered the trash, put out fresh towels, and generally straightened things up.
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Metro Matters
The street crew is doing serious work with the powered jackhammer and two backhoes that are moving sand. They’re installing tubing of some kind (we think for running power and Internet lines under the street. Even though they are noisy, it’s fascinating to watch the expertise of the machinery operators and the trained men who work with them to get the work done.
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My puzzle is showing miscellaneous fur patterns, but no more faces as yet.
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Redbubble
The ‘sick frog’ continues to croak out words to songs. It’s a good thing the insulation is good here or someone would be calling the paramedics to respond to the person in my condo who obviously is yelling for help – it’s funny, though – I’m not sure they could explain the weird, slow, guitar chords trying to accompany her…
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I enjoyed giving out three more Halloween cards this morning when I was doing my errands. It’s so much fun when they realize the card is for them, and then like the design. Happy faces all around. MY face was happy when I saw the people in the office put up their Halloween card on the bulletin board in the hallway outside the office!
I’ll see if I can finish up some sketches I base-painted. Here is my latest finished sketch –
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C.k.Tice
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
