“Sloths” – Justin Mott – “Kindred Guardians” on Substack
AWWWWWWW!
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Sorry I didn’t post yesterday. I’ve been sick, first with one thing and now a sore throat. UGH. I just went up to Brian’s to drink orange juice with extra Vitamin C to ward off whatever I’m trying to get. I’ll drink one more dose tonight and then hope for the best, with a nap in-between…
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I feel I have a lot in common with the sloths above yesterday and today.
I hope you are safe and smiling.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
MsgWords.com
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Yesterday I had fun drawing and painting “thank you” cards.
Friday I will give these two to my massage therapist and the other lady who works in the shop, and even substituted for my therapist one time when she had to be out of town. I just want to make sure that they know how much I appreciate them.
I give my housekeeper, Khun Nong, a thank you card each week for the wonderful job she does in cleaning my place. She is amazing. She even washes and dries my bar of soap! I come back and it’s the only time that everything is perfectly aligned all the way through my place. All is scrubbed within an inch of its life. Priceless. AND she leaves me flowers….
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Today we visited my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home. We had a difficult time getting transportation today and our trip took much longer than the 40 minutes each way we usually spend. Brian researched it later and thinks it might be because of the nationwide election that is going on.
It was a sad visit today. Harvey wasn’t feeling well, and was almost unresponsive. He did know we were there, but hopefully it will be better when we visit again Wednesday.
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It’s after 4pm in the afternoon here and I’m just now writing blog posts. The day has gotten away from me. I hope that you have a wonderful first day of February.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Sarah Mills in the UK – @worldwildlif.bsky.social
It’s a beautiful morning here in Chiang Mai. The sun is shining and it’s 71 degrees F. I have just thrown the windows open and am feeling kind of lazy like this sweet fox. 😀
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Otaki Mail
Since this is the last day of January here, it’s time for accountability on my efforts to lose my lard. To date I have lost 88 lbs and 81 inches. I’m 5’4″ and weigh 116 now. I want to lose 6 pounds and then hopefully go to maintenance on eating and concentrate on my exercising more.
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I did a lot of sketches at the cafe yesterday while we were waiting for Khun Nong to clean my place. I plan to do a lot of painting in my alcove today.
Besides my clean place, Khun Nong left this gorgeous display of flowers! I think I have the best housekeeper on the planet.
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As I type, the sweet birds are singing. I’m not quite sure why hearing the birds makes me so happy, but I can feel it as it starts in my stomach and just fills me up. 😊
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Make this a happy day. Take some time out of your busy day and do something fun – something that brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Gnarly Birch” – Matt Oliver – “Among Trees” – Substack
This photo takes my breath away! What a life this tree has had…
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Thai Gestures: Learning the Thai language is coming very slowly for me. I AM learning essential phrases, such as,
“Hello – may you have a blessed day,” (pronounced “sawat dee Ka’ah)
“Thank you,” (pronounced “cawp coon ka’ah”) and
“I’m sorry.” (pronounced “caw toad ka’ah”)
I’m also learning essential Thai gestures – ones to make and ones to avoid at all costs –
When you say “hello,” you perform the “Wai” (pronounced “Why“). It’s the praying hands and bowing gesture. This is many times complicated because you’re carrying things, so doing it with one hand is okay – and be sure to smile! 🙏🏻
If you gesture “Come here” with the waving toward yourself gesture common in the States, you have just performed a major insult. You have called them an animal or treated them like an animal.
When you want to gesture “come here,” in Thailand, you make a crawling or digging gesture with your fingers, palm down toward the floor.
Got that? There will be a test later…
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4 GIFs.com
I had a massage this morning. I had some really sore muscles right around my waistline on my right side. They aren’t completely fixed now, but my massage therapist, Khun Weaw. did a wonderful job. I’m so lucky that I can tell her where I’m hurting, put myself in her hands, and know that she won’t hurt me. I can completely relax and let her perform her magic. Ahhhh! (And this is all with ‘pantomime,’ since I don’t speak Thai and she doesn’t speak English – PRICELESS!)
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Facebook – traffic in Chiang Mai
In a few minutes, Brian and I will go to our cafe to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans my place. I will take my sketchbook, drawing supplies, my kindle and my sweatshirt. I will get an iced mocha. 😃
We’re lucky to have a place that encourages people to feel comfortable “whiling” away some time. I’m hoping I get my favorite spot by the front window so I can goggle at the amazing traffic that goes by. The last time I was there, an entire family (man, woman, two children, and their dog!) went by on a motorcyle…
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Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Tina Ann
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I love this. I wish I could do this during my yoga stretches. This lady looks like she could fold herself into a paper airplane and fly herself across the room. I do ‘old lady yoga stretches’ concentrating on stretching everything I have very slowly, relaxing and breathing into the stretches. Even with that, yesterday I must have overdone SOMETHING because I’m having to dose myself with Tylenol today. That said, I managed my mile walk on the treadmill at the gym this morning, and I’m hoping to do some extra QUIET stretches today, trying to undo whatever I did…
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Sensory Joy
Yesterday I received the weighted blanket I ordered. It is about the size of a throw and just perfect for my needs. I restored my purple throw that Brian bought me a while back to my living area couch. It was like the blanket we loved on the luxury long flight on the way from the states to Thailand. I had exclaimed about it, and suddenly one showed up – and it was purple! Brian is definitely a keeper! 🤗
Anyway, “The Cool Season” in Thailand is definitely chilly in the mornings and at night, with a low of 50. There is no heat in Thailand, and I’m used to being able to set a thermostat for about 68, or have the luxury of a fire in the fireplace, an electric blanket, etc. So I’m wearing snuggly long pants to the gym and a jeans jacket, a hoodie over my shirt in my place, and was moving the throw back and forth from the living area to my bed and back again.
I’ve never had a weighted blanket, but it sounded really good. It arrived yesterday and I immediately put it on the bed and tried it for the first time last night. The best way I can describe it is that it’s like being hugged. Heavy, warm, and snuggly. I slept super well last night. 🥰
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We visited my husband at the nursing home this morning. It broke my heart because he really wanted to come home with us. He has no concept of the fact that it takes 3 experienced caretakers to get him in or out of the wheelchair or the fact that we have hired 24 hour care to meet all of his needs. He doesn’t grasp the fact that our places aren’t set up to accommodate wheelchairs, special beds, any place for 24 hour care to live, bathing facilities, ambulances for transportation… Anyway, barring a miracle, him coming ‘home’ just won’t happen. He WAS comfortable, wasn’t hurting anywhere, was glad to see us, and was going to try to eat whatever the caretakers brought for him today. Fingers crossed.🤞
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As I type, the windows are open and I have a fan moving the air around even more. It’s sunny and 84 degrees now – simply beautiful. Brian says the season where the air quality is poor due to the farmers burning the crop residues in their fields is approaching, but I’ll enjoy this every day I can. I just LOVE it!
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I’m going to start painting the last sketch in my sketchbook this afternoon, unless I run out of time. I find it so relaxing to concentrate on colors and techniques, putting all other concerns out of my head for a while. :0)
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I hope that you are warm and safe wherever you are right now, and that Mother Nature decides to give you a break.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Sunset Color Burst” – @Dreamcatcher01.bsky.social
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It’s a beautiful day here in Chiang Mai, Thailand today. It’s now Wednesday, Jan. 28th, 10:25 a.m. The sun is shining brightly. Though it was chilly this morning, it’s supposed to get to 85 this afternoon. I’m TRYING to send warm to all the people in the deep freeze in the U.S. melting the snow and ice so they can get back to their normal lives. Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to throwing open my windows and enjoying a warm, wonderful breeze through my place this afternoon.
If we were “home” in Arkansas, we would have put up this mailbox decoration. We had such fun using our CNC set-up in the shop to cut the designs out of 4×8 sheet metal on the special table we made. We could capture an image from our computer, my husband would apply a program that changed the image to computer coded instructions, and then we would take the thumb drive to the shop, plug it into the computer there, and the ‘system’ would guide the torch to cut out the design.
In this case, there were two pieces. We welded the head to the body of the snow person with rod. We then welded the design to the mounting bracket we needed to attach the design to the mailbox pole. I painted the piece on both sides with weather resistant paint and then we would spray the whole thing with polyurethane for as much protection from the elements as possible.
We had SUCH fun deciding what we would make, then ‘discussing’ details of mounting, painting, colors, etc. It would make our day when someone would start to drive by as we were getting our mail or changing the decoration and they would stop, telling us how much they enjoyed the changing designs and would drive past just to see if there were a new one up. 😁
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My day will be a happy one. I enjoy writing posts to you that I hope will make you smile or add joy to your life in some way. I love finding talented artists, writers, photographers, and more and sharing their fine work with you. It makes my day when you take the time to like or comment on what you see here.
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When I finish writing my posts, I am planning to tackle my jigsaw puzzle. I haven’t been making much progress on it at all lately. I’m starting to DREAM about working on it, so I know I need to spend some time so I can feel I’m making progress.
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I’m starting this book on my Kindle today. I stayed up late finishing the last one in the series. If you haven’t tried the Jake Moriarity series by R.G. Ryan, you’re missing a real treat.
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I painted this sketch yesterday.
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Here’s hoping you are somewhere where you can stay warm and have a joy-filled day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Bryan Hansel – Substack
I want to go wherever this is!!!!
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We just got back from meeting my husband, his nurse, and his main doctor at the hospital for a routine visit. The doctor was happy that Harvey was alert and seemed happier. We talked about the possibility of removing the nasal feeding tube. His nurse said that, though he was able to eat and drink without choking, he wasn’t eating enough. We asked Harvey was HE wanted to do, since this isn’t about US. He said the tube wasn’t bothering him a lot, so we decided to leave it in for now. I encouraged him to eat small bowls of whatever the rest of the people at the nursing home were being served and he agreed to try. I also talked to the nurse, asking her to keep the amount small at first, so he wasn’t overwhelmed. We’ll see how it goes.
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This is the latest painted sketch.
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Kinship-Pexels-Rodnae-Productions
I’m planning to do an extra long session with the exercises with the water bottles for my arms today, along with some other extraneous exercises, to make up for the fact that we opted out of going to the gym this morning so as to be able to eat breakfast and get to the hospital on time. I’ll also make a point of climbing up the stairs to my place at least once.
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I hope that those of you in the path of the winter storm still have power, and are staying dry and warm. I’m thinking of you
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Tracy Chrest – Substack
This photo is gorgeous, isn’t it? I would love if one day I could try to paint something that resembled it.
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CBS News
Today has been a quiet, nice day for me. I have my windows open again, enjoying a nice breeze. I’ve been checking on my friends to find out how they are weathering the winter storm so far. I’ve reached a bunch, and so far, they are fine, but I haven’t reached everyone, and the weather is still causing havoc.
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I’ve started a painting. Hopefully, I can finish it soon and can share it with you. I’ve been grinning the whole time I’ve been painting! 😁
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My turtle puzzle is super challenging. This is definitely the hardest puzzle I have ever tried to work. I may die of old age before this one is finished….
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I will do a session of yoga as soon as I finish writing blog posts. On my yoga days, I’m also doing an exercise where I’m standing up straight, reach up for the ceiling as high as possible, then bend over and try to touch my toes – doing it several times slowly, putting as much stretch into it as I can. I’m also doing mini sit-ups, with legs straight and then with legs bent, plus trying to hold a plank position. My plank is pathetic. It hurts my TOES to get into this position. I tried wearing my slippers, and that helped a bit, but not enough to really try to concentrate on my core. Today I’ll try wearing my tennis shoes and see if that changes my focus…
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123RF
Tomorrow we’re leaving early to meet my husband and his nurse at the hospital for his routine blood work and exam with his main doctor there. We want them to okay removal of my husband’s nasal feeding tube, since he is now able to eat and drink without choking or aspirating anything into his lungs. We want him to be able to eat and drink normally when he’s hungry or thirsty, not to be force-fed nutrition. Fingers crossed that we are all in agreement tomorrow. 🤞
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Stay safe and warm!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Serenity You
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I’m trying to check on my friends and relatives as quickly as I can today to find out how they are doing in the awful weather that is sweeping across the U.S.
I think it was 2020 when we were iced and snowed in on top of our ridge line in Arkansas. We stood on our front porch, listening as the branches of trees snapped off, sounding like gun shots. Our trees never did recover.
We lost public power and public water for 14 days that year. We had a Chinese diesel-powered generator in the well house that blew a gasket during the storm, causing my husband and son to go out every half hour and cool it down with water to keep it going and from melting down completely. We had a well, so we switched to that when we lost the public water.
It took us 3 days with a chainsaw to saw and haul our way down our 650+ STEEP driveway when the rest of the area had been able to return to normal. (The driveway was on the north side of the property, so it was the last thing to thaw.)
From the weather maps, it looks like we may be having a repeat of that awful storm all the way across the U.S. It will take people quite a while to get back to normal even after the storm has passed. I’m hoping that power is restored as quickly as possible and that people have stocked up on what they needed to weather this.
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Anti-tension Squeeze Ball – We got one of these to encourage my husband to gain strength in his fingers and fists. (We got one for me, too, just for giggles. ) He was kind of intrigued for a while, was able to squeeze it a bit with his right hand, but not at all with his left. (I kept my ball on my computer table, just picking it up and giving it a quick squeeze or two when my fingers give me twinges or lock up after typing too long at a time..)
The balls that come out when you squeeze are small gel-filled balls that come out in quite satisfying colorful displays.
I have just added to my exercises for today because my quick squeeze today resulted in a complete ERUPTION of the ball, sending small gel-filled balls all over the computer table, my keyboard, the floor under the table, all the way to my front windows, and some even under the couch! WHAT A MESS!
I’ve checked a couple of times now, finding a ball or two hiding from me. I THINK I have them all picked up now and discarded…😳
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It’s 82 degrees F. right now. (I know. I’m hanging my head in a bit of shame telling you this when so many of you are in the deep freeze) but I’m having a throw-open-the-windows-afternoon to celebrate my finally being warm enough to shed my hoodie in my too-chilly place. I really never realized how spoiled I was to be able to set the thermostat in our home to a comfortable level, and then lower it a few degrees in the winter to save on the electric bill. We also had a wood burning fireplace that we usually burned just for the creature comfort aspect, rather than really needing the extra heat. We had a nice hearth you could sit on to warm your back…
I’m trying to adapt to the fact that there is no heat in Thailand. They simply endure being chilly for “The Cool Season” (Nov. 1st-Feb 15th or so – 50 degrees F. for a low and low 80’s for highs), concentrating on spending money on a/c for the 3/4 of the year when it’s hot, hotter, and hottest. I’m constantly wearing a sweatshirt, my hoodie, or a jean jacket, and then covering up with a throw while sitting on the couch. My nose and fingers stay cold. I have finally had my son order a “weighted blanket” for my bed. I had put the throw on the bed because wearing pajamas, socks, and sometimes my robe under the duvet were needed. That left me in the living room under a towel. 🥶. When I get the new blanket, I’ll put that on the bed and bring the throw back into the living room. It’s hard to imagine being too cold in Thailand. Brian is telling me it won’t be long before I’ll be griping because I’m too hot – Right now, that sounds really good…
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Stay safe and warm the next few days. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. ❤️
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Steve is trying his best to not eat cake. Will he succeed? Unlikely.” ~ “In Otter News” – Substack
I know JUST how he feels…. :0)
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Tenor
Laughing is Great Exercise –
Brian and I were at the chocolate place after visiting Harvey at the nursing home. When we finish our drinks, Brian got out his sugar-free gum packs, and we each took one out of each of two different flavor packs. (He says chewing this after eating sugar of any kind gets rid of it in your mouth. )
He gave me a pack after taking a piece of gum. I saw I was getting the last piece in the pack. In the past I have put the two pieces together and fooled him into putting the package back in his carrier. (a running joke)
I started to do that, but he caught me. I just put the two pieces of the package on the table tray. He frowned at me, picked up the pieces, put them together and put the package back on the tray. I then got what turned out to be the last piece in the 2nd package. I just looked at him ‘defiantly’ and put the two pieces of the package on the tray.
The look on his face was priceless and I started to laugh. He frowned even more and I laughed harder. I finally pressed my hands to my stomach – I was laughing so hard my stomach and cheeks were hurting! The server lady I like so much there was laughing, too, just watching and listening to us.
I woke up in the middle of the night laughing. I was still smiling when I joined Brian for the gym and then breakfast. I brought it up – he frowned and started me off again. What a joy it is to completely lose it like that!!
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This is the latest painted sketch.
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Cinderblock – Metro News
Making Progress –
Today while I was walking on the treadmill, I actually FELT my stomach muscles working! That may not sound like much, but when you are obese like I was, it’s kind of like your abdomen is a whole different entity from the rest of your body, not moving in relation to the exercise you’re doing – if that makes any sense. Anyway, I could really feel a difference this morning! I felt ‘looser’ and was able to actually hold my stomach in a bit, feeling the muscles move as I walked. Hooray!
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Pexels
I just looked at the U.S. National Weather map for tomorrow and it looks pretty awful for much of the country, with sleet, ice, snow, and super low temperatures through Monday. I hope you get stocked up today so you can just stay where you are until this passes. I hope your power stays on and that you have water. I’m trying to send warm in your direction. You’ll be in my thoughts. Take care.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Elephant and Bird” – Shaaz Jung
This is one of the most wonderful photos I have ever seen. I just love it.
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BC – SPCA
I had my massage this morning so I’m feeling wonderfully loose and comfortable right now. Ahhhh!
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Yesterday right at 4pm it got very quiet outside. This is really unusual because there is always a lot of activity on the street. I got up to see what was happening – or not. There were lots and lots of policemen on foot, stopping the traffic and even the pedestrian traffic on the road. Everything was at a complete standstill. The road was empty!
Suddenly, a police car came speeding down the street, lights flashing. It was followed by at LEAST 20 more, one after the other. Then a white van passed, followed by three more. When they were out of sight, the policemen on the street motioned that activity could resume. Immediately, the street was full in both directions with cars, buses, tuk-tuks, motorcycles, motor bikes, scooters, bicycles and people walking as if nothing had occurred. A truck came by with a man who was grabbing cones and putting them in the back of the truck. Another came out in the opposite direction.
I tried to find out what had happened, who was in the motorcade, but Google showed nothing scheduled for that time, and the general explanation was that it was probably a governmental official.
Certainly was dramatic! 😳
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We’re going to the cafe soon to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans my place. I will bring my sketchbook and supplies, my Kindle, my earbuds, and my sweatshirt, because sometimes they keep the temperature in there like a freezer…
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I’ve read that a LOT of the U.S. will get really nasty weather starting tomorrow and lasting through Monday or so. UGH. My former home, Arkansas, has declared an emergency, as well as several other states. I hope you can all stay safe and warm. ‘Hole in’ if you can, getting all you need before it hits, and then staying home. I hope your power stays on and that you ‘weather’ this storm well.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Be Yourself. Everyone else is already taken. “ Oscar Wilde
Tracy Chrest – Substack
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We went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. The visit was good and bad. It was bad because he was mostly unresponsive and we had to play “20 Questions” to try to tell us what he wanted, and then, when I told him I loved him toward the end of the visit, he said, “Well, you would HAVE to, to put up with a half-dead, f_ _ ked up man.” My heart just shredded. It was good because as my son, Brian, and I were waiting for the Grab to come pick us up, the nurses had gotten together and gotten Harvey into a wheelchair, wheeling him on on the porch to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. We visited a bit more and he actually said the sunshine felt good.
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Okinja ELC
I’m going to rest a bit now. I feel exhausted by the nursing home trip. But then I plan to try to paint at least one of my sketches this afternoon.
I hope you have a really nice day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Hug – Giphy.gif
Did you know that today is National Hugging Day? Neither did I, but I think this should be celebrated at least once every DAY…
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It’s a really lovely day here in Thailand – sunny and 77 degrees F. right now. I just turned off the air purifiers and threw open the windows to bring the warm air in. I’ve been standing in my window in the sunshine from time to time while the temperature warmed up. Really nice! 🌞
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This is the jigsaw puzzle that is stumping me now. I love the colors, though, and some of the fish on either side are emerging. I have two of the smaller turtles ready, but not attached to anything – the last thing will be the main attraction – the big turtle in the middle. I have only found some pieces of his stomach so far…
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Picklebums
Today I’m going to concentrate on sketching. I only did one yesterday and didn’t paint anything, so my art alcove is calling to me.
Tenor
This is Wednesday, so I’ll do a session of my old lady yoga stretches this afternoon.
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And that’s my exciting day! I can’t tell you how much I enjoy finally being retired, pampered, able to choose an activity that gives me joy to do with few interruptions!
Do something FUN today. It’s good for your health!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Someday perhaps the inner light will shine forth from us
And then we’ll need no other light.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
@TracyChrest989204 on Substack
I think this post from Tracy is stunning.
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We went to visit my husband at the nursing home this morning. It was a disappointing visit because it wasn’t a good day for him. He was fixated on me lowering the railing on his bed and finding his shoes so he could “get out of there.” He has no concept of his condition or situation, so it’s challenging to get around this when it happens. He was comfortable, though, and had no major complaints. He was happy we came. When I described working on the turtle jigsaw puzzle, he said, “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
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I took a bag of clothes to the laundry this afternoon, taking a nice walk in the sunshine. I visited the koi fish while I was out –
and continued my walk after visiting with them for a few minutes. They are huge and beautiful. I could watch them for hours. The sun felt good and I finally warmed up after being too chilly all morning. I stayed on my side of the street, not attempting to cross any major streets. Doing that here is a major skill involving lots of judgment and experience, so I wait to do that when Brian is with me.
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Today is yoga stretching. I’m pairing that with stretches Brian showed me, plus some mini-sit-ups.
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When I finish my blog posts and yoga, I’m going to try to concentrate on sketching today. I have my windows open and a delicious breeze is going through my place. Opening the windows adds a lot of traffic noise, but I’m learning to embrace that as part of living in a city of 1.2 MILLION people…
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I hope you have a satisfying day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Latest painted sketch
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I had a really nice, busy afternoon yesterday. My son came to my place 3 different times – once to bring me an iced mocha – YUM! – and twice more to bring packages. It was like Christmas here! 🎄
The first package was the glass print of my dolphins jigsaw puzzle. It’s now sitting on my ‘statement shelf’ in my living area, where I keep things that mean the world to me now.
I have 2 other glass prints of finished jigsaw puzzles –
I call this puzzle, “Fantasy.”
“Owls”
The glass print of the painting my dad painted of me when I was about 6, saying it captured my “personality.” – (Brian had this made as a condo-warming present for me when I first moved in – making me feel my dad is here, too.)
And this is a framed print of a painting in a Christmas card sent to me by Jon Alston from the States.
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The third time Brian came to my place yesterday afternoon was to bring me the door wreath and holder we ordered when I took down my Christmas wreath.
This will stay up all the time the Christmas wreath is stored. I haven’t seen any other door decorations in the condo building. I wanted something welcoming, that made me happy each time I came back. This colorful basket of flowers does that for me. The holder makes it a bit harder to work the lock on my door, but I don’t care. The extra ‘oomph’ it takes to lock or unlock it is well overcome by the joy the wreath brings me. 😁
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Being the pampered retired lady I am, I’m looking forward to writing a couple more blog posts and then spending the rest of the afternoon bouncing between doing more sketches, working on my turtle jigsaw puzzle, reading, listening to music, doing a session of water bottle exercises for my arms, and maybe even watching a movie…
I’m going to throw open my windows because it’s up to 75 now. I LOVE how light and airy my place is with the sunshine coming in all the windows!
MAKE this a happy day!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Nature Nomad – @naturecompass.bsky.social
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Today we were gone essentially all day. It’s now after dinner and I’m preparing for tomorrow – getting up at 4:30 a.m. to go to the gym.
I went to the gym, showered, had breakfast with Brian. I had a massage soon after that. It was absolutely what I needed. For some reason, I was tied in knots that Khun Weaw patiently kneaded out. I changed clothes quickly and we traveled to visit my husband at the nursing home. One bright spot on the trip over was they were getting ready to have a parade for the Bo Sang Umbrella Festival that started today and will run through Sunday, with ladies in traditional Thai dresses carrying handmade bamboo umbrellas. There will be classes in how to make the umbrellas, contests on painted umbrellas, the parade, a talent contest, and more during the three days. It was nice to catch a glimpse of the finery.
My husband wasn’t having a good day today. He was constantly routing around on the sides of the bed ‘looking for his gun.’ He insisted that he needed to be ‘ready.’ He insisted that he could get up and walk – which hasn’t been true for several months now and was frustrated with us that we were discouraging that. (It takes 3 people now to get him up into a wheelchair… ) He was also complaining that some ‘crazy’ lady came every day to hug him. When we talked to him about it some more, he agreed to give her some slack, that she was trying to be nice to him, and that just because he felt he didn’t know her, he should give her the benefit of the doubt and accept the fact that she was trying to make his day more pleasant.
We got back from the visit in time to grab our stuff from Brian’s place and head to the cafe to be out of the way while Khun Nong cleaned my place. I had a good time sketching, reading, and then watching the traffic outside my favorite spot at the front window. A man came over and introduced himself. He was an ex-pat, also from Arkansas, if you can believe it. He was a former teacher, like I am, showed interest in my sketches – telling me he had seen me in the cafe before and ‘stole’ a look at my sketch as I worked. He showed me a painted sketch he had done of a building near here somewhere. He was a much better artist than I. He goes back and forth from Chiang Mai to Vietnam, but has pretty much decided to stay here. It was an enjoyable visit.
We went back to Brian’s for dinner and now I’m finally back in my place. Whew! A nice, busy day. Tomorrow is a free day after the gym, so I can do some catching up, including writing blog posts.
Sorry I’m shorting you today. I’m too sleepy to do more. I hope your day is wonderful.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
This is my latest painted sketch.
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Water is Life 🦅
“Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth.
This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness.”
Lao Tzu
Tracy Chrest – @tracychrest989204 on Substack
I love both the quote and the glorious photo Tracy chose to illustrate it.
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Freepik
I’m having a free day today. I have my laundry drying out on the balcony, have changed the sheets on my bed and gathered trash to get ready for my housekeeper tomorrow. I’m doing exercises for my arms and back with water bottles today, plus walking down the stairs in the building. Not sure about ‘up’ yet. Isn’t it wonderful that I have a choice? 😋
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I hope that your day is full of smiles and maybe a giggle or two…🤭
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Sunlight through a leaf
Reveals the heart of nature
Interconnections”
Aj d’Wit (Audrey @audjde.bsky.social
Audrey posts the most beautiful photos – like the one above – paired with her original poems – on BlueSky. I just love them! 😀
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Rose Apple – http://www.thai-best.com
“Rose apple in Thailand, known as Chompoo (ชมพู่), is a popular, crisp, watery, bell-shaped fruit with a mild, sweet, floral taste, eaten fresh with salt/sugar or in salads, and comes in green, red, or pink varieties, available almost year-round, distinct from Western apples in taste and texture but equally refreshing. “
We have enjoyed slices of this the past couple of days with our breakfast. It’s texture is softer than an apple and it’s sweeter. We had the red variety.
One of the things we have with a fruit is what “I” call a “breakfast burrito” – a tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, bacon and salad.
Breakfast of Champions!!! 😁
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Freepik
I walked a mile at the gym, had breakfast, walked down the stairs (4 flights) between my son’s condo and mine, hung my laundry on the drying rack on my balcony, and am set to enjoy a quiet day smiling while choosing the activity I want to do next. Today is yoga stretches day. 💪🏻
“Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all.” —Robert Louis Stevenson
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
This is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. “Little Dude” was created by Victoria Maderna of Substack. Here is a link to her website.
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We went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home today. It was not one of our better visits. He wasn’t feeling very well and seemed down, though he was glad to see us. He drank the grape drink our son, Brian, brought him, but didn’t want the pineapple pie. I showed him some photos on my phone, and he seemed to be interested in those. He thanked us for bringing an electric razor (we didn’t and couldn’t find one). He wanted us to bring him some jeans so that he could ‘get out of there,’ though he said he was being treated well. When I was telling him I loved him, he raised my hand and kissed it. I almost lost it. That made the whole visit worth it.
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I’m continuing my new exercise of negotiating the stairs in the condo building. Yesterday I went down 4 flights from Brian’s place to mine – twice. Today I have come down once so far. I will go down 5 flights to pick up my laundry in a few minutes – and then see what success I have in coming back UP! It’s comforting to know that if it becomes too much, I can just go around the bend and get into the elevator…
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I have just bookmarked a url that shows a calendar listing the holidays in Thailand for 2026. Brian doesn’t pay attention to holidays, but I want to know what is happening each month – whether I want to actually go to participate or not – and if the celebrations may affect our ability to get a GRAB for transportation of not.
I have found it’s already not showing some things – like Children’s Day we just celebrated….My work is cut out for me.
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Make this a terrific day!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
In Otter News – Substack
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My son, who does computer work, asks me, “Mom, are you bored all alone in your place?” 🤣 I LOVE days where I can do whatever I want for as long – or as little – as I want to. No one is here to tell me I ‘should’ be doing anything in particular. The only thing I want to accomplish today is taking my clothes to the laundry. (I think I can handle that… )
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I try to limit myself to 3 posts a day, though sometimes it’s hard. I keep finding interesting things or people I want to share with you! I look at the limiting as a character-building exercise, making notes on where to find the information I want to share next time.
I’m flattening this one face down on my shelf with some books on top to give to my adoptive grandson the next time I see him.
And this one is also flattening to go on the wall when I take it to the nursing home for my husband on Valentine’s Day.
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123RF
Today I started adding stairs to my exercise regimen. I live in the same building as my son, and I walked down from his place to mine after breakfast (4 floors) this morning. I kept my hand on the hand rail and paid close attention so I didn’t end up on my head. There were only lights on MY floor, but I could see okay and the flights were clearly marked. I had no trouble, so I’ll continue walking down several flights once a day, and then will add at least a couple of flights going UP soon.
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Earth Rangers
Since there is no “heat” as such in Thailand buildings, “The Cool Season” (Nov. 1st-Feb 15th) is a bit of a challenge. I’m a wuss, since 50 is not cold, and it gets up to the low 80s most days in the afternoon; but I’m used to having central heat set at 72 degrees F., a fireplace to burn logs if desired, an electric blanket for the bed, etc. Space heaters and electric blankets are not considered safe here, so I’m learning to dress in layers, heat up hot water to drink, sit under a towel on my couch – or, better yet, in the window where the sun is shining in – and I have the throw my son, Brian, got me on the bed, adding socks there, too. 🥶 Starting later in February through May, Brian tells me I will start griping because of the HEAT and HAZE… Right NOW, that sounds really good.
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Other than write my blog posts, I will spend time with my turtles puzzle and
KinderCare
painting in my art alcove, sitting in front of the window to warm up in-between.
I LOVE having the day to NOT have to plan!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Best Friends Animal Society
I have finally hit another milestone in my two years of efforts to lose the lard. As of this morning, I am down 90 pounds, to 115. My goal is to lose another 5, to give myself a good maintenance range to stay in the rest of my life, concentrating on exercising to continue to build muscle, stamina, flexibility, and balance.
I have a routine follow up doctor’s appointment next month, and I’ll see what she has to say about where I am at that time and what goals I should set.
In the meantime, I’m doing the following –
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This morning we visited my husband, Harvey, in the nursing home. So far, all is going well with the new nurse. Her name is Khun Archiang (pronounced, “Coon-ah-chi-ahng”) She is very sweet and seems to be doing a good job of taking care of Harvey.
He was still asking us to find his jeans and shoes so he could make a break for it, but we distracted him by talking about taking a wheel chair ride this afternoon to see the doggies and ‘take in some rays’. It is getting harder and harder for the staff to get him into the wheelchair, so the trips outside are getting fewer.
He happily ate the pineapple pie Brian brought and drank the no sugar grape drink without problem. He has an appointment later this month with the doctor. We are hoping he will be able to have the nasal feeding tube removed at that time.
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This afternoon, I’ll finish writing my blog posts, probably paint at least one of the remaining two sketches in the old sketchbook, continue working on my jigsaw puzzle, and continue reading my Kindle book. as well as put on my headphones and listen to YouTube music tonight before bed. Such a hard life I lead!
I am full of gratitude for all I have now. Life will always have it’s challenges, it’s hard spots, but ATTITUDE is ALL.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Tracy Chrest – Substack
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Newest painted sketch.
I have two more sketches to paint in my sketchbook. I’m taking a new sketchbook to the cafe to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans my place. This new sketchbook has about 100 pages, like the old one, so I’m hoping to see and feel some improvement in my drawing skills by the end of it.
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My Pet Nutritionist
Last week Khun Weaw, my wonderful massage therapist, went home to be with her family for part of the holidays. I’ve been feeling my body calling her name particularly the last few days, so it was wonderful to have her back. She worked miracles on me, getting rid of knots, finding lots of sore or stiff places that needed her attention. I feel wonderful right now as I type. AHHHHHH!
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If you aren’t signed up to enjoy Substack, you might consider giving it a try and see what you think. I’m just kind of on the periphery, not really having an ‘account’ where people can support you – or not, as they choose – but I’m having a good time posting my stuff on there and seeing what’s going on.
There are a lot of good articles, news, photographs, art, and more. As I connect to more people, I am very interested in the caliber of people there.
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MAKE this is a great day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Javier Lazaro – @lazaroillustrations.bsky.social
Isn’t the movement in this wonderful?
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Latest painted sketch.
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Tenor
This morning I learned something new about my computer. I was charging my keypad and track pad. I’ve done this over and over and haven’t had any problem. This morning when I tried to remove the charging cable from my keypad, my computer screen suddenly went almost black. I – the most far removed from a techie – almost panicked. I contacted my son, Brian, by text and carefully explained what I was trying to do and what happened. He asked me if I could see the ‘sunshine’ icons on the F1 and F2 keys on the keypad. When I said, ‘yes,’ he told me to press the F2 button several times and see if the screen got brighter. To my intense relief, it DID! So now I know that the F1 and F2 keys make my computer screen lighter or darker, and that the F10 key mutes sound, F11 turns down the volume, and F12 turns it up. I’m empowered!!!!
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Freepik
I’m still a bit overwhelmed by my new jigsaw puzzle. I’m one piece away from having the outside edge together now, and several bunches of things put together, but my usual techniques aren’t working very well yet. I’m putting on my ‘methodical hat’ and continuing to work my way through things, trying to make sense of it. This may be my most challenging puzzle yet! 🧩
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Painting to Gogh
I’m finishing up the humongous sketchbook I started about 6 months ago. I feel that I have learned a lot by trying to draw what I see. I have 5 more pages before this one is filled up. I have a new one ready to start. Here’s hoping that when I compare the new sketches with the old, I’ll see some improvement…
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I hope 2026 has had a peaceful start for you.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
@likecatsanddogs – Substack
This is a ‘throw-open-the-windows’ kind of day here, with lots of sunshine. My son, Brian, keeps telling me that the ‘hazy season’ where the farmers burn off the residue from their fields is coming soon; but for now I’m thoroughly enjoying opening a couple of windows in my dining area and one in my bedroom to create a wonderful cross-breeze. I’ll close up again in an hour or so, turning my air filters back on, but for now I’m grinning as I type. 🪟
I have my headphones on so I don’t bother my neighbors, and I’m enjoying some really nice music now. I don’t know of anything more transformative than music, calming you down, comforting you, making you smile and want to get up and dance, bringing wonderful memories and more. 🎧
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We went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. It was a pretty good visit. I thanked Khun Archiang (pronounced, “Coon Ah chi ahn’ “) for sending us a picture of Harvey enjoying one of the pineapple pies Brian left for him. Harvey seems pleased with her so far, which is a huge thing for us. About the only thing we can do for him at this point is try to make sure he is as comfortable as possible; gets to have his bed rolled beside the window so he can feel the sun and watch the birds flying around and the people working in the rice fields; gets a trip outside in the wheelchair to visit the doggies through the fence; gets to eat fruit-filled pastries with a cup of coffee; drink the 0 sugar grape drink Brian brings him; and see us. He mostly made sense today, even though he briefly talked about finding his jeans so he could ‘escape.’
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Freepik
I’m about to do my water bottle exercises for my arms, and today I’ll add the music to the exercises and see how that goes.
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I’ll spend much of the afternoon painting some of my sketches and working on my puzzle. The puzzle is kind of overwhelming right now, but I’ll just keep working on it a bit at a time. I love the final picture of the large turtle and colorful fish, so it’s well worth the challenge.
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Khun Nong is cleaning at Brian’s today, so he’s working elsewhere to get out of her way and will bring dinner to my place this evening.
Don’t forget to appreciate all the good things today.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Sent to me by my good friend, Nora.
Today is a beautiful day here in Chiang Mai. It’s about 11:30 in the morning and it’s 77 degrees F. with lots of sunshine. That said, it feels really cool at 60 or less with no heat. I’m learning to adapt, and I’m glad that I can now tie the arms of my hoodie around my waist so I have another layer, if needed, wherever I go.
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This image is for Donna. The beginning of the turtle puzzle. When it’s finished, it will look like this –
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This is the latest sketch painting. I also made 4 new thank you cards yesterday for my housekeeper, Khun Nong. (I leave a card with her pay each week.)
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This is Ying and Paula, who have made videos to help people learn Thai. I am making a list of the phrases that I want to learn and will ask my son, Brian, to create short clips of each one so I can play them quickly, repeating them over and over so that I can listen really carefully and try to imitate them as closely as possible. Brian says their pronunciation is very good. So far, I can say –
This is a slow process, but I am determined to get at least the basics down, one phrase at a time.
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I hope you have a happy day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
My Info – Pinterest
Today has been a busy, good day.
The gym is open again (HOORAAAAAY!) after the deep cleaning and maintenance time, so we didn’t have to walk in the relative cold in the parking lot today. We had the luxury of being INSIDE in a beautifully clean gym, and I was able to wear shorts and shed my jacket. 💪🏻
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We enjoyed sausage slices (spicy!) and chunks of chicken, plus the last of the tangerines we received recently for New Year’s from a wonderful lady in the office of our building. We also had hot mushroom tea (supposed to do wonderful things for you – with bone broth added – to do MORE wonderful things for you – and then we got on with the rest of our day. 🥣
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We went to visit, Harvey, my husband, in the nursing home. We had trouble getting a GRAB to get out there, having to cancel one order and start another before we actually got a ride. (This is the high season for tourism here, and it causes some transportation problems from time to time.) We met Harvey’s new nurse. She is a lovely, very young woman. She said her name, which went in one ear and out the other for me. Before we left, Brian had her write it down because he understands the pronunciation better if he can see it written down (vowels, in particular, are a complex thing in Thai. Unless you can see the actual Thai character, you aren’t sure which one they are talking about.) Brian said he would work with me on the pronunication of her name at dinner tonight.
Harvey didn’t seem concerned about the change in nurses, thank goodness. We were particularly glad the nurse is female, as my husband gets very agitated if a male does anything at all. (He actually wanted us to check for his gun in his room, because he said he might need it later because there was a male who came into his room. We pointed out that the man works at the nursing home and that he probably had a good reason for coming into the room. That didn’t convince my stubborn husband. (He also was saying he had killed two birds with one shot that morning. We asked what the birds had done to annoy him, and he shrugged. When I told him I thought shooting birds who hadn’t done anything wrong was a bit harsh, he just looked at me.)
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On the way home from the nursing home, we stopped at Maya, (the small mall – only 160 stores). Brian has been wanting to get another sweatshirt, and he was able to find one. He wanted me to look for more jeans and tops. I ended up with a pair of jeans, two tees, and some ankle socks. 🤗 We had trouble getting a GRAB, and so we had my first ride on a TukTuk.
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I just finished rolling up the jeans and tacking them so they won’t unroll. They were still a third size from the ones I got recently, so I still have no clue what size I am since my weight loss. I just hold them up to me and try on the ones that have a chance of fitting. (Of the two I took in the fitting room today, one pair fit fine and the other pair was too large!)
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My time got away from me today and I’m late getting to the computer to write to you. My hair blows as the days go past here. I’m so lucky to be in a wonderful country that is such a delight!
I hope that your Friday or Saturday is going well, and that you have a lot for which to be grateful.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
This is my latest painted sketch.
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The Kavanaugh Report
We stretched, then walked up and down the long, well-lit, well-paved parking lot for 30 minutes this morning before dawn, the last day we need to do this before the gym reopens after deep-cleaning and maintenance.
Horizon Education Centers
It’s “The Cool Season” here in Chiang Mai, Thailand (my first) and I’m having a bit of difficulty adapting. The low is supposed to be 50 with the highs in the low 80s from November 1st until around February 15th. I love the afternoons, but struggle a bit to stay warm in the early mornings and evenings.
There is no heat here – 3/4 of the year is really hot, so they gear up with air conditioners for that and just weather through (pardon the pun) the cooler season. No space heaters are considered safe. Same with electric blankets. I am learning to dress in layers, heat up water to drink if needed, take warm showers (instant heaters there), and enjoy being able to sit beside my window when the sun comes up.
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Wikimedia Commons
My massage therapist has gone home to be with her family, so I won’t have my weekly massage today. Instead, I’ll do an extra-long session of “Old Lady” yoga stretches to try to make up for it.
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Khun Nong, my wonderful cleaning lady, comes this afternoon, so I will vacate the premises so she can clean in peace. Brian and I will go the cafe to be out of her way. I’ll take my sketchbook and supplies, my Kindle, my earbuds so I can listen to music, and my sweatshirt, in case they have the temperature in freezer mode. 🥶
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I am starting today to try to add to the pathetic list of Thai phrases I can say. I can say, “Hello, and have a blessed day,” (sounds like ,‘sawat dee KA’-ah) and “Thank you.” (sounds like, ‘cawp coon KA’-ah)
For a while I gave myself a pass because my husband had a stroke, I was moving into a new condo, I was in a strange place trying to recover from having to have a pacemaker installed due to my heart stopping twice Feb. 11th in the ER at the hospital. After the hospitalization and surgeries, I discovered my hearing was significantly affected, plus my balance. I now have good hearing aids, and I’m working on re-training my brain on the balance and inner ear issues.
So, no more excuses. My plan is to add one new phrase each week. This week’s phrase is “sorry.” I have a really good source of YouTube videos with two ladies teaching Thai phrases. My son, Brian, says their pronunciation is good and is encouraging me to imitate them as closely as I can. (He also reminds me that I frown when I’m concentrating, so I’m trying to remember to try to keep a pleasant, smiling face while I’m trying to come up with the proper phrase…🤪)
This is part of honoring the traditions and language and customs of Thailand, my new home. I am slow, but I will really try hard to show everyone how happy I am to be here.
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Thai Bananas – Nam Wah
One of the cleaning ladies gave Brian a bunch of Thai bananas a couple of days ago!
And one of the ladies in the office came running to catch me yesterday as I was going to pick up a coffee from the delivery area. She held the elevator for me and gave me a bag of these Thai tangerines!
Both of these show how wonderful the people in our building are. Brian gave cards with a hand-written note and a bit of cash to each of the staff here for New Year’s. I had given each person a hand-painted Christmas cards earlier. The kindness of Thai people is the thing that stands out beyond all else here. They continue to ask about Brian’s dad in the nursing home, and come up and hug me, asking how I am (with Brian’s translation.) I’m simply overwhelmed.
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I hope that you are entering 2026 with a wide-open heart, hopeful that we will all enjoy a new year full of reasons to smile.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
These are my two latest sketch paintings.
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Tina Ann
I didn’t feel well this morning, so I opted out of our walking and also skipped breakfast. I finally managed to get warm enough putting a sweatshirt over my clothes, plus the throw Brian gave me, and later, when the sun came up, sitting in the sunshine beside my window. I’m feeling functional now, so all is good. I’ll just rest and take it easy today, so I’ll be in fighting form again tomorrow. 💪🏻
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I would love to be a fly on the wall when my housekeeper, Khun Nong, comes in and sees my finished dolphins puzzle Friday. She very carefully cleans around my puzzle mess each week. I hope she smiles when she sees the finished product. 🧩. Brian came and took pics to send to the glass printer, so another treasure will go on my signature shelf in my living area. Friday after Khun Nong finishes, I’ll bag up the dolphins puzzle carefully and donate it. I’ll take out my new turtle puzzle – cleaning the table thoroughly first – and will start a NEW mess!
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My favorite server at the cafe where we spend time while Khun Nong is cleaning waved me over to show me a note written in Thai – then translated to English via his phone – apologizing that his gift was so small. I showed him I was USING the cute pouch he gave me, with the stuffed handmade Christmas tree attachment, to hold my sketching supplies. I thanked him again. What a nice young man he is!
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My son checked on me a while ago, wanting me to eat something. I asked for a tuna sandwich with avocado that we had recently. When he texted that the delivery was in the lobby, I went down, got my laundry, and the cleaning lady came over and hugged me! She then got the elevator for me, but I showed her I needed to go and pick up my ‘brunch,’ so she waited while I got it and then ushered me into the elevator. I’m am completely overwhelmed by how nice people are here!
2025 is almost over. We need to embrace 2026 with all the possibilities and opportunities it will offer.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Peter Hogarth – @peterhogarthartist.bsky.social
I want to PET this doggo!
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George Dagerotip – Unsplash
Our gym is closed for a week for deep cleaning and maintenance. Brian and I found a well-lit, well-paved parking lot for our walking this morning. We walked to the end and back over and over for our 30 minutes. It was cool – 61 degrees F., so I wore sweatpants instead of my gym shorts and wore my jeans jacket. It was a good walk. 🚶
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My puzzle is finished! I asked Brian to come to my place this morning to take a picture that he will send to have a glass print made for my special shelf in my living area. YIPPEEEEE!
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I don’t know how much ‘weight’ the BMI Chart carries in reality, but this is what I’ve been basing my status on for a long time.
I am 5’4″ and shrinking. 😀 I began my ‘lose-the-lard’ efforts about two years ago, trying to move from morbidly obese, at 35 on the chart, to my now ‘healthy’ reading at 20. I have read that a healthy range for a female of my height is between 108-132. I am at 119 now, shooting, I think) for 115. I’ll make another decision when I get there.
This is me (on the right) in 2013.
This is me this morning.
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This is the type of day I love the most now – where I can move from one activity to the next as I choose without pressure. I want to take the waist in on a pair of fleece-type snuggly pants, I’ll do my yoga practice, write my blog posts, play on the computer, paint at least one of my sketches in my art alcove, listen to music, read my book, stand in the sun at my window, and more. AHHHHHHH!
I hope that your day has moments of joy, too.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
@dailybunnies.bsky.social
We went to see my husband, Harvey, this morning. We had a hard time getting a Grab for the trip to the nursing home because it’s ‘high season’ for tourists now. He was calm, glad to see us, and followed what we were saying. All in all, a good visit.
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This is the latest painting.
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I’m almost finished with my jigsaw puzzle of the dolphins. I’m having to go through and rearrange some areas, but I WILL prevail! 😁
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liftingitalia.com
Our gym is closing starting tomorrow for a week for deep cleaning, maintenance, etc., so Brian and I will walk in a park every morning instead.
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The day got away from me today. I will try to write more tomorrow.
I hope you are doing well.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
These are the last two sketches I painted.
Today is a good day. We didn’t have anything on the schedule after going to the gym, so I’ve been able to bounce from one activity to the next without worrying about what time it is.
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Sew Fabulous
I did a bunch of sewing today. I only do rudimentary sewing, but I have a very small sewing kit and have been doing things like taking in the waist of my jeans until I got to the point where I wanted to buy more. Today I darned a sock; I rolled up the pants legs of my new jeans and tacked the rolls in place so I don’t fall on my head tripping over my too-long jeans. The style here seems to be long jeans, though, so my shortness isn’t a problem, as long as I don’t sprawl headlong into something. I also shortened and hemmed the sleeves of the 3rd blouse that needed that. I put a gold star (mentally) on the calendar today for all this. 🌟
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I have 4 more pounds to lose to get to at least my interim weight loss goal. The end is in sight after over two years of trying to lose the lard. The new jeans were a celebration of getting to this point. Even if I decide to go for 9 more pounds, these jeans will be fine. I still can’t believe I’m almost there. You will be able to hear me cheering when I reach the final goal and begin maintenance!
Marao.ge
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Today I have done a piece of this, a little of that, and back again, varying my activity to try to stay productive. I’ve been working on my puzzle, closing in on finishing it now. My son will get to gripe when I show him the finished puzzle and ask him to take a pic to send to the glass print place.! 🤭
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Khun Nong, my wonderful housekeeper, left me a little surprise yesterday. I had received a really nice gift from one of the servers at the cafe where we go regularly to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans. There was a zippered pouch, a bunch of stickers, a stuffed Christmas tree, a stuffed cute critter, etc. I loved it. I’m using the pouch with the Christmas tree attached as a holder for my sketching supplies. I put a couple of stickers on my sketchbook. He was really happy when he saw I was using his gift yesterday😁.
If you’ll look closely, you can see a couple of additions to the corner of my art alcove – a cute stuffed critter is hanging from my plant spritzer, and there is a small thing sitting on one of the leaves of my orchid plant.
This is another of the things the server included in my gift – at first glance it looks like a frog, but it’s a cute little kid wearing a frog outfit. I never would have thought of putting it here, but it looks like just the place.
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I hope that you are enjoying your Christmas weekend, whether you’re into it, as I am, or just starting it. Have fun!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
creativeartworksblog 