I love to create 'functional art' - making what we use daily more attractive, more fun, and special, such as hand painted note cards and stationery, etching and/or painting glassware, painting or decorating gourds, creating stained glass or metal 'critters' with my husband. My artwork is on Etsy HandmadeHavenByLinda at https://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeHavenByLinda?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
I have been enjoying my vicarious trip to the beach because my sister-in-law has been generous enough to send the gorgeous photos and allow me to share them with you. Yesterday I finally asked her if I could also have her permission to give her credit for these. Her name is Mary Lou Lewis and I think she has a gift for photography.
I wish I could also share the videos she has sent showing sandpipers, but WordPress has a problem with the format.
So, thank you, Mary Lou, for taking us with you on your beautiful vacation!
I want to take a walk here and play in that wonderful sunlight! What a gorgeous place!
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Today has already been a nice day. After the gym and breakfast, I did some chores and then went for my massage. I feel loose as a goose now. The only problem is that we have things to do and I could use a nap… 😁
Since our regular housekeeper, Khun Nong, is out of town, our schedules for Fridays are different, starting with Brian having to get out of the way for Khun Nong’s sister to clean his place this morning – rather than in the afternoons on Tuesdays. He was at my place working on his computer when I returned from my massage. Khun Nong’s sister is coming to clean MY place at 2:00, so we have to be out of here then. We’ll go to the cafe, as usual.
Brian said he was going to get us a snack a while ago. This is very unusual, as you know I’m still trying to lose the last of my lard. Anyway, Brian came back with two to-die-for custard pie type things and twisted my arm off as I yelled for help, finally succumbing to his superior strength and the offer of a napkin and a spoon. It was delicious. 😋
So Brian is working at my dining area table while I work at my computer table. We will have to leave in about an hour to get out of the way. I’ve brought in the laundry from the balcony and put it away, and taken out the trash, so things are ready for cleaning.
Today has been a good day, but flew past so fast my hair blew! Actually, it was 100 degrees earlier while we were at the cafe. All of a sudden the sky was a lot darker, and the app on my phone said “thunderstorm,” so I headed back home. It rained, but not enough to even test my new windows, so I still don’t know if they will actually keep the rain out and not leak, but this is the first rain we’ve had in several months now.
Brian texted me a few minutes ago, asking if it was okay if he came by with a few things. He brought some medicine we ordered, but ALSO cream-filled-something-or-others that are to die for! We sat right down and scarfed them down like we were starving. Oh! SO GOOD!!!!
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Well, this is the water gun that also shoots LED lights that Harvey wanted me to draw and paint for his wall. I will take it Saturday. I have no clue if he will like it or not, but this is the best I can do.
This is my latest otherwise.
I spent my time at the cafe today creating some thank you cards for Khun Nong’s sister, who will be cleaning both Brian’s and my places every Friday while Khun Nong is gone.
Back in 1492 Harvey had a business trip and I went along. On the way home, he wanted to detour to go to San Diego to show my Camp Pendleton where he trained for the Marine Corps. As we drove down Highway 101, I made him stop every so often because I had never seen the ocean. On the first stop I saw birds on long long legs skittering across the sand that made me laugh aloud. I just loved them! I found out later that they were sandpipers and they have been one of my favorite birds ever since.
My wonderful SIL took these pictures yesterday, I think. I just love them. I smiled the minute I saw them. I was amazed, though, at how good her photos were! The water looks fantastic!!!
The combination makes me almost feel as if I am there. What a terrific gift that we are allowed to tag along as she enjoys a much-needed vacation!
She says the weather is a bit chilly – low 60s for a high, but the sandpipers, the water, and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets make it all worthwhile.
Thanks to my good friend Sheila Murrey we now know that the gorgeous blooming tree I was talking about a couple of days ago is called “Peacock Flower,” “Pride of Barbados,” and “Dwarf Poinciana.” The only thing different out the one I was pointing out is that the center cluster in mine is yellow and the spent flowers are more orange. The tree is stunning and the spent blooms grab my attention each time we pass it. THANK YOU, Sheila.
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My wonderful son treated me to a mani/pedi this morning. Both he and my husband were remarking that I needed work, so this morning was the morning. Now I am sparkly green! I’m still looking for sparkly ‘cyan’ to please my son, but I only saw a pale sparkly blue, not the more turquoise shade I was looking for. Anyway, I’ve never had this color before, so I’m grinning from ear to ear as I share my ‘elegance.’ We’ll show Harvey Saturday.
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We are planning to spend time at the cafe today, and I’ll try to get started on the sketch for the water gun that also shoots LED lights that Harvey expressed interest in to go on his wall. I’m REALLY out of my comfort zone on this, but I’ll just do the best I can and hope for the best. I’m supposed to take it to him Saturday.
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These are my two latest sketches.
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Can you see the Cheetah? Oh, come on, you can if you look carefully. Look on the left side of the photo toward the bottom, and you can see the tip of his foot. That’s the ONLY part of him that is anywhere on the border of the puzzle. Needs work, I know…. hahahahahahahah 🧩 😂
Bamboo Garden Yoga
Today is yoga stretches. I’m looking forward to a nice long session where I can loosen everything up.
I am having a good day. I was able to increase my speed just a tad on the treadmill this morning and didn’t notice any difference! I will do my water bottle exercises after I finish this post.
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We visited my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. Mostly it was pretty good. I got the idea of having him choose a water gun that also shoots LED lights, as he expressed interest in that the last time we were there, because I thought he might get a kick out of having a sketch and painting of it on his wall. He chose one he liked, and it will be a real challenge for me. I’ll do the best I can and hope he likes it…
The visit was heartbreaking at the end because he was asking about a pair of blue shorts and later about a wheelchair. He wanted to come home with us. The list of why that isn’t possible would fill a book, and we glossed over it as best we could, but the fact remains we simply can’t do it. He said he was comfortable and seemed glad to see us. 🥺
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Brian and I spent some time at the cafe. I did a sketch for Father’s Day that I’ll paint later, and I’ll get started on the water gun tomorrow, since he wants me to bring it on Saturday. No pressure….
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Brian took more pictures of the turtle puzzle. I took it apart today and put it out for adoption this afternoon. I opened the box and the Cheetah isn’t muffled anymore. The image of it is so good it looks like it should roar! I’ll start it soon.
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My SIL is having a much-needed, much-earned time at the beach this week. You and I are the recipients of a wonderful virtual vacation because of her generosity in sending photos. I’m sharing three with you today of the fact that she can enjoy views of the sunrise AND the sunset from this place!
These delightful photos are provided by @dailybunnies.bsky.social
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When I was 5, my parents moved our whole family from Levittown, NY to Tulsa OK where my dad had a new client who wanted him to handle his radio advertising. This would be the stepping stone to my dad starting a one-man agency that would later garner an Addy Lifetime Achievement Award for 25 years of excellence and innovation in the field.
My parents brought my brother and me plus our two pet rabbits. My parents named them “Peter” (Rabbit) and “Welsh” (Rarebit). We had the bunnies for several years, carrying them around the house, cuddling, and trying to teach them tricks – to no avail. :0)
My mom decided that she wanted to have Chihuahuas, deciding on having three at one time, and so our rabbits were given to a family down the road from us. Happily, my brother and I were best friends with one of their boys and one of their girls and we spent a LOT of time at their house, so we got to see the rabbits on a regular basis.
Another flowering tree in Chiang Mai. I have no idea what this one is. The amazing thing about this tree is even when the flowers drop spent to the ground, they are lovely. That’s how I first saw this tree! The blossoms on the ground were bright orange with streaks toward the middle of a beautiful pattern of leaves as if the bloom had opened before falling. Leaves in the center of the spent bloom were bright yellow! You miss the whole thing if you are just looking around. The clusters of blooms are way high up in the trees; so unless you’re looking UP – which I only do when Brian is holding tightly to my hand – or looking down at the ground – as I was, paying attention to places I could trip – you miss it. I’ll try to draw one of the spent blooms and show it to you.
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My glorious turtle puzzle is FINISHED!!!!!!!! 🎉 🥳 🧩. I finished him this morning. Brian has taken a picture of the finished puzzle and will order a glass print of it, the way he has done for the previous ones so that I can display his gorgeous face on my statement shelf. I’m going to leave him up for a couple of days so I can enjoy running my hands over him before taking him apart, bagging him up, and giving him to someone else who will enjoy putting him together again.
The Cheetah’s voice is getting a bit louder as he calls to me, but he’s still muffled inside his box…
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I tried out my Google Translate app on my phone at the cafe yesterday. I wrote, “You are a good water fighter. I had fun. Thank you” and showed it to my favorite server who had thoroughly drenched me in Songkran two nights running. He read it, then broke out into a HUGE smile and bowed. a few minutes he was back, asking me to read HIS phone. He said, “You are good, too, Auntie.” This again shows how NICE the Thai people are. I’m really happy the app worked!!!
This is another of the gorgeous flowering trees that are blooming profusely everywhere now, even with 101 degree temperatures and no rain. All this beauty makes my soul smile.
Shout-outs to 3 of my favorite people:
Shout-out to Cathy, who has been very ill, but is getting better now. 🙏🏻
Shout-out to Nora, who is trying to get ready to leave her long-time home.
Shout-out to Mary Lou, who will hopefully be on her way to the beach tomorrow for some much-deserved relaxation time!
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This is my latest “Thai Street Scene” painted sketch of a balcony with windows below. I love the basic design of the building, the elegance of the balcony and the windows, once pristine black and white, and now with a fascinating design of mold adding character. I love the fact that plants in all shapes and flavors are an integral part of each place I see.
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My SIL suggested that I get one of the free language translator apps on my phone to help in situations where I’m resorting to pantomimes and sign language. :0). There were so many listed, I took my phone to Brian and asked for his recommendation. He uses Google Translate, and installed that on my phone for me, setting it for translation from English to Thai. I can type in what I want to say, or say it with the use of the microphone, and it will print it out in English for me and Thai for the person with whom I’m trying to communicate – another tool in my arsenal. Sometimes a good photo is all that is needed, as in the case with the Songkran bowl ceremony and the nursing home staff honoring my husband in that way. I feel good, though, having this translator on my phone that will help me if I need it!
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We have a quiet day today. Brian and I will probably end up at the cafe at least part of the afternoon. Brian has started going over, checking to see if my spot is available, then texting me. I love it!!! I am finding lots of things I want to sketch. I’ll try to paint at least one of them today, plus work on my turtle puzzle.
This is a yellow wisteria – one of the many flowering trees in bloom right now.
Today was a pretty busy day. We went to the gym, shared breakfast, then went to see Harvey at the nursing home. It was a pretty good visit. Brian had redone the ‘reward’ poster, listing 3 things that Harvey thinks we brought here but have ‘been stolen’ at the nursing home. Brian made two copies of the poster. We put one on the outside of the door to his room and replaced the other one on his happy wall. He calmed down when we did this. Afterwards, Brian told me that the poster clearly states in Thai that these things ‘have not gone missing’ and thanks the staff for their patience. :0)
Harvey also stated that if we had gotten him the Galaxy 26 phone he wants, he would have called me Thursday when they had him up in the wheelchair for the Songkran bowl ceremony and told us to “come get him.” I am SO glad he doesn’t have a phone, although I don’t think he could enter the pin to get it to open…
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We have just come home from spending time at the cafe. I did some sketching, and I finished the latest in my series of ‘Thai Street Scenes’ that I have been trying to do, showing my take on the flavor of things I see that I find fascinating and wonderful in Chiang Mai.
This is a balcony with some windows below. It was once pristine white, but has since been pretty covered with the mold that covers a lot of things here. I love the dignity of the design, the plants that decorate everything here, and even the design of the mold that adds character…
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I’m closing in on finishing the turtle jigsaw puzzle. I’m down to the super hard part, where all the background pieces are essentially the same color with few distinguishing characteristics. I’m plodding through, though, because the turtle is truly gorgeous. I’m looking forward to showing you the finished puzzle and running my hands over it. Also, the cheetah puzzle came two days ago and I can HEAR it calling me, although its voice is muffled inside the box. :0)
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Our regular food places are still closed. We’re hoping they will reopen Monday. Brian is having a harder time finding things to be delivered, but he’s doing a fine job. By the way, I’m two pounds away now fromf my final weight goal. I may reach it this month!!!!
I had a glorious massage this morning. Khun Weaw was back from her Songkran vacation. Khun Sulee was in the shop, as well. When we finished, I got out my phone and showed them the photo of my water gun and then the one of me ready to shoot it for the Songkran Water Festival. Both ladies looked shocked, then both started laughing and talking at once, patting me on the back and pantomiming that I was ‘strong’ and a ‘thumbs up’ gesture. I was able to find out that Khun Weaw had just visited her family and hadn’t participated in the water fights, and she figured out how to ask me if this was my first time participating. Khun Sulee had gone to the temple to celebrate the New Year.
Eye-Able-Gebardensprache_website
Then I was trying to tell them about the wonderful Songkran bowl ceremony the nursing staff did for my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home yesterday. I got across “Songkran” and “bowl,” and they looked like they were starting to understand. Then I remembered I had a photo that showed Harvey sitting in the wheelchair with the staff sitting around him on the floor. He had on the real flower necklace and had the bowl in his lap. Then there was no question. They were pleased and said it was ‘lucky.’
They speak more English than I speak Thai, and that is to say, neither of us do well in each other’s language, but it doesn’t make any difference. If you want to communicate with someone, you will do whatever it takes to get the idea across, be it sign language, pantomime, pictures… and it will happen, breaking any language barrier.
I finally thanked Khun Weaw IN THAI!! for my massage, and then did the same to Khun Sulee, who was kind enough to take Khun Weaw’s place for the recent absences for house renovations and then Songkran. We all smiled, and bowed, and Khun Weaw even patted me on my way out of the shop.
Respect, gratefulness, and appreciation will find a way. 🙏🏻
This is a sad part of Songkran. People showing really poor judgment get out in the already challenging traffic here while intoxicated, causing trouble for everyone, injuries, and even fatalities. The last number I saw was that 154 people lost their lives.
Drunk driving accounted for 3,726 cases recorded during the 2026 Songkran Festival, with Chiang Mai reporting the highest number, according to Thailand’s Department of Probation.
As of April 16, 2026, Chiang Mai has reported among the highest, if not the top, number of drunk driving cases in Thailand during the 7-day Songkran “dangerous days” campaign. While overall national accident rates decreased, high-speed and intoxicated driving remain the primary causes of fatalities in Chiang Mai.
2026 Summary: Chiang Mai topped the national list for drunk driving cases during the 2026 Songkran Festival.
Safety Record: Despite the high incidence of drunk driving, the province generally remains among the top provinces for both total accidents and fatalities, alongside Bangkok.
Key Risks: The highest numbers of injuries and fatalities are usually reported among individuals aged 20–39, particularly on local, rural roads.
• • Main Causes: Speeding and drinking, particularly while riding motorcycles, are the leading causes of death in Chiang Mai and nationwide.
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BUT HERE IS A BEAUTIFUL THING –
Daily Sabah
The Songkran water bowl tradition for elderly, known as Rod Nam Dam Hua, is a deeply meaningful ceremony where younger generations gently pour scented water over the palms of elders’ hands to show respect, ask for blessings, and seek forgiveness. Held on April 15th, it signifies washing away misfortune and welcoming prosperity.
Key Aspects of the Tradition:
The Ritual: Participants use small bowls containing water mixed with fragrant flowers (like jasmine) and sometimes traditional perfume (Nam Ob).
Action: Younger people bow and pour the water over the palms of the elderly, often accompanied by offering garlands or new clothes.
Significance: It symbolizes cleansing, gratitude, and filial piety. It is a time for family reconciliation and honor.
Blessings: Elders, in turn, provide words of wisdom, advice, and blessings for the coming new year.
Modern Adaptation: While historically it involved washing hair and feet, it is now commonly done on the hands, often held at family gatherings, local communities, or the La Green Hotel & Residence and other community events to ensure the tradition continues, as seen in this YouTube video.
This ceremony is considered the “true” heart of the Songkran festival, setting it apart from the modern, chaotic water fights.
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One additional reason I’m talking about this beautiful tradition is that the nursing home sent us pictures of my husband, Harvey, receiving this gift from the staff! They had gotten him up in a wheelchair (it takes 3 now to do this) and brought him to a common room. He was wearing a different real flower necklace and had the bowl in his lap. The staff was on the floor around him, pouring the scented water over his hands. He looked quite calm and almost touched in a couple of the photos. I can’t say enough about the loving and caring atmosphere here. Harvey is receiving the best of care and SO MUCH MORE from these wonderful people. Happy Songkran!!!!
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Things have not returned to normal for us yet. Khun Nong, our housekeeper, is away for an extended vacation. Her sister, Khun Bpawm, will clean for us until Khun Nong returns. That starts today. Brian’s usual day is Tuesday and mine Friday. Until Khun Nong returns, both of our places will be cleaned today. Brian will come to my place to work while I get my massage this morning, and then we will get out of the way, but earlier than usual, and go to the cafe this afternoon so my place can be cleaned. Our food is still different, but we ate another Chinese dish last night and an all meat breakfast this morning.
This is my newest Chiang Mai Street Scene painted sketch. I’m trying to catch the wonderful ‘flavor’ of the shops. I hope you can feel how inviting it is to walk up, see what’s cooking in the big vats and skillets, and choose what you would like, in this case taking it home. In others, you sit at a table that is part of the shop.
I had a wonderful time yesterday evening at the last of the Songkran water fights. I found my favorite server at the cafe. This time he had a long tube of a gun. I will forever admire a good choice of weapon and the expertise to use it skillfully. He soaked me from head to toe, both of us laughing like loons, him being declared clearly the winner of the battle, though I got him good several times. I found my friends from the evening before. One of them gave me a necklace that had stickers of Disney characters on it.
My necklace is now hanging on a light switch and I hung my water gun on the wall. It is now ‘hors de combat’ – its pump having died quite early in the fight last night. Thankfully, one of our friends had a bunch of guns, knowing they last a very short time, and loaned me one to use. I’m really glad I participated this year. I will have wonderful memories to make me smile for a long, long time.
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IrishTimes.com
It was back to routine as much as possible for us this morning. We went to the gym and I walked my mile on the treadmill. This afternoon I’ll do exercises with my water bottles. Brian and I may decide to get outside and go to the cafe this afternooon, as well.
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I had quite a lot of laundry to catch up on due to Songkran, and that is out on my balcony drying as I type. Things dry really quickly and thoroughly this time of the year, even though my balcony doesn’t get a lot of direct sun.
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Brian really made me proud of him this morning. When we returned from the gym, he took the time to find the lady who religiously sweeps our street every day. She may be as old as I am (I’m a very poor judge of Thai people’s ages, though.) We have said ‘hi’ to her before as we pass. She is extremely hard working. He spoke to her to get her attention, and then he told her he had a gift for her. He gave her a blank envelope with a card inside, bowing and holding it in both hands to hand it to her. She looked very surprised. Inside was some money to thank her for the hard work she does, but particularly during Songkran when people are pretty messy. She saw what was inside, her eyes teared up, and we all bowed to each other. I’m so pleased that Brian takes nothing for granted, appreciates what people do, and wants to show that many Americans are nice people. :0) One proud mama.
Brian snapped this picture of me before I went to join the Songkran festivities late yesterday afternoon. I was obviously the oldest person out there; but happily, when the ‘elderly’ is armed and shoots you first, all the rules fly out the window and great fun can be had.
I saw people I knew and met lots of others. A nice lady introduced herself, lovingly poured water all over me from a small bucket, gave me a cashew, and hugged me, saying she sees Brian and me walking hand in hand and that we have such a wonderful relationship. A man insisted on helping me refill my water gun. He asked me how old I was. When I told him, he reacted quite dramatically, showing me with gestures that he would act as my ‘protector’ should I need one. He then told me he was 68. I pointed to him and said he was “still a baby.” His rusty belly laugh filled me up. I think he hadn’t had enough occasion to laugh like that lately.
I found my favorite server at the cafe. He was working on something electronic. I carefully waited for him to notice me. When he did, it was with surprise, then delight when he saw I was armed. I motioned for him to get up and stand away from his table. When I shot him full in the chest, his face was a sight to behold – a combination of surprise and delight with his grin splitting his face wide open. It turns out he’s a bit of a coniver, though. While I was shooting him, the other main server came up behind me and poured a whole bucket of water over me! SO MUCH FUN!!!!!
I played for about an hour and a half, finally making my way back to my place dripping and happy. I put on dry clothes and hung my wet ones on my drying rack on my balcony, plus my shoes, in an effort to get them as dry as possible for this afternoon, when I plan to go play again on the last of this 3-day celebration.
National Geographic
The biggest thing I get from yesterday is the change in my attitude toward Songkran. Last year Brian and I were making our way to the hospital every day, spending at least 10 hours a day there while they did surgery, tests, physical therapy, etc. Songkran really complicated our lives, making it difficult and a bit scary to get around, harder to find food with so many places closed, and quite noisy with revelers.
This year it’s an ADDITION to our lives. A celebration that with all we’ve been through, things are okay now, many things improved. I have now particpated in the celebration, enjoying the joy and happy faces, delighted in the play associated, the shedding of tension. The joy of being in this wonderful place.
travelbud.com
Yes, we have alternated our comings and goings, but we managed to go visit Harvey at the nursing home yesterday. Yes, our regular food places are closed, but I find I love a Chinese dish that has cut up red things to avoid, but tastes wonderful otherwise, an I LOVE a Thai dish called, “Joke” – a rice porridge with egg, onions, chicken and delish spices.
So I will have my normally quiet day today – except for the occasional screaming from the streets – and then take my place in the play area to get doused and enjoy spraying as many people as possible this evening!
Ceramics is such a wonderful medium. People can take clay and create something “useful” such as dinnerware, mugs, vases, etc. or sculpture, or anything in-between. The creativity of people fascinates me.
My son, Brian, continues to be the resident curmudgeon about the Songkran New Year’s celebration. The photo below gives you a bit of the flavor of the water fights part of the celebration. Truckloads of people, plus motorcyclists, bicyclists, tuk-tuks, and pedestrians fill the streets. People on both sides of the street, plus the people in or on the vehicles are armed, as well. As people pass each other, water goes everywhere, shot out of guns, thrown by the bucketful… Laughter and screams fill the streets and wide smiles are everywhere.
Watching it from my window wasn’t enough. I just bought the water gun above and will fill it before I go down to my spot late this afternoon. I already caused a bit of a stir. The ladies in the 7-11 seemed surprised that this old lady was buying a water gun. Then, when I went to check my mail, one of the ladies in the office had a water gun in her hand (not ready to shoot it), I held up my gun and she and the man in the office stopped in their tracks and then laughed. It’ll be interesting to see if the ‘rule’ about not shooting ‘the elderly’ still applies if an old lady is shooting at YOU… 😁
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Brian and I braved the elements this morning and visited my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning without incident. He seemed down or tired, but perked up during the visit. His new signal that he’s had enough is to use the remote to laboriously turn on the TV. The nursing home staff gave Brian and me one of these beautiful real flower necklaces as a gift for Songkran!
It’s the celebration of a brand new year in Thailand – starting today, April 13th and officially lasting through Wednesday. April 15th. It’s a time of washing away negativity in all forms: bad things that happened in the past year, negative thoughts about people, losses – by cleaning houses and shops inside and out, cleaning the streets and sidewalks, sweeping and mopping away the past and preparing for a bright, shining clean new year. Also there is the hope for the rainy season to start soon, taking away the 100 degree + temperatures, the unhealthy haze caused by the farmers burning their fields in preparation for new planting, replacing the “hot and hazy” season with nourishing water that will make all the plants say a shared, “AHHHHHH!” in relief.
People are visiting temples, giving food to the monks, spending time with their families. It’s shedding the old problems and welcoming new chances for good things. Celebrations are everywhere in the form of people blasting water at each other with water guns, pouring water over people out of buckets, laughter in every spray and counter attack.
I thought that I would combine this wonderful celebration with a piece by Nanea Hoffman of Sweatpants and Coffee LLC – ‘Gentle Goals for a New Year’ that will help people everywhere embrace new opportunities to improve their lives in the coming year –
creativeartworksblog 