Category Archives: Thoughts on a ________

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as exercise, latest painted sketches, Losing The Lard Report, post from @TracyChrest989204, practicing my guitar, smile quote, thoughts 6-29-2026, YouTube Music

June 27, 2026 · 10:22 pm

Sunday 6-28-2026

@openwings on Substack

_______________

These are my latest painted sketches.

I’m working on several right now, doing the base painting in preparation for going to the cafe this afternoon to finish the details.

I researched planting rice in Chiang Mai. The first step I kept finding was where a group of people have ‘plugs’ of rice plants that they bend down and stab into the ground in rows. The thing I’M trying to draw is one step before that – when the people are carrying sacks of rice seed. They use one hand to make a kind of “poking” motion as they let the rice go. I guess this may result in a cluster of seeds forming the ‘plugs’ they later pull up, divide, and replant in the rows. I’ll continue to research. Meanwhile, I’ll try to finish the sketch.

______________

Dogs Naturally

I did well at the gym this morning, moving my speed up a tick and staying steady. Brian and I shared a nice breakfast of two fried eggs with cooked sliced sausage and chicken slivers cooked right into the eggs. Delicious! Today is Sunday, so that means exercises with water bottles this afternoon.

______________

ru.pinterest.com

I did my first session of a new way of practicing for me this morning. I pulled up the lyrics to “Killing Me Softly” by Roberta Flack on my phone. It shows the chords that are to be played, too.

On my computer, I pulled up the diagrams of the finger positions of each of the chords I need to play the song. (I missed C sharp and F major 7, though, so I’ll need to find those. I tried to play the song, practicing changing the chords at the proper time while the sick frog croaked and my eyes moved from the phone to the computer to the neck of the guitar. I started to get a feel for when the chords change and was moving from one to the other. I lasted about 10 minutes more before my fingertips started screaming. I’ll do that once or twice more today.

______________

We found out that my “Abstract Cat” Puzzle is NOT coming. They failed to notify Brian about the problem, but he was able to look up the order. I spent a lot of time yesterday evening and chose another one. Brian ordered it for me last night.

I like chameleons. I love the colors in this one, plus the 3-D quality of the flowers and his ‘scales.’ I’m looking forward to it being delivered sometime soon.

______________

Spiritual Sundays

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as exercises with water bottles, jigsaw puzzle, latest painted sketches, practicing my guitar, rice planting in Chiang Mai, school quote, smile quote, thoughts 6-28-2026, treadmill

June 27, 2026 · 4:35 am

Soggy Saturday 6-27-2026

Substack

_______________

Latest painted sketches

______________

We visited my husband this morning. It was challenging, in that there was very little of my husband “there” today. He acknowledged us, but had nothing to say that made any sense at all. I think we brightened his day a bit, and he wasn’t upset or hurting.

_______________

Fit & Well

I went to the cafe this afternoon. It rained twice while I was there, and still looks like it could rain again. I came home between rain showers. I’ve just finished a good session of yoga stretches. Ahhhh!

I never realized before how much I clench my jaw. When I’m doing my yoga stretches, I have to consciously remind myself, “Relax your jaw. Relax your face.” It’s amazing how much that helps. I spent about 45 minutes today and feel good now.

______________

I checked on my puzzle that we ordered from Amazon this morning. It showed, “Unavailable. Not sure when or if it will come back in stock.” Brian is going to check to see if he has received any notices about the order or if we lucked out and got the last one or something. If we didn’t, I’ll need to start over on finding a new puzzle. 🧩 ☹️

I went ahead and took apart the “Cats on the Beach” puzzle this afternoon. I bagged it up carefully, included the reference picture, and put it in the original box for donation. I left it in the donation area before I left for the cafe. My puzzle area looks really empty right now. I’m looking at that as a character building exercise.

________________

I haven’t practice my guitar yet today. I’ll spend some good time on that this evening after dinner. I found diagrams of the chords needed to play the two songs I want to be able to sing one day again. I’ll start practicing all of these at least once a day until I’m able to go from one chord to another without having to check the diagram or fight with the fingers of my hand to stretch them into the proper position without messing up the sound. I AM making a slight bit of progess – not so that anyone but ME can tell, but it’s there. 🎸

________________

I’m going to look for a video that shows the steps in growing rice. I’m working on a sketch now that shows some people in the rice field outside Harvey’s window at the nursing home. I want to know more about the process and hopefully can do at least one reasonable sketch of how the process is done here. 🌾

_________________

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as growing rice, guitar, photo by Apapach-Arte - Substack, puzzle, rain, sketches, smile quote, thoughts 6-27-2026, visited my husband, yoga

June 26, 2026 · 4:05 am

Fabulous Friday 6-26-2026

John Rinaldo – The Positive Pen – Substack

________________

This is another Fabulous Friday, starting with the gym, shower, and breakfast, then great massage, then spending time with Brian in my place while the housekeeper is cleaning his, then going to the cafe to get out of the way while she cleans mine. Today she wanted to come early, so that worked out fine.

_______________

These are the latest painted sketches.

I had a nice thing happen on the way to the gym this morning. As we walked through the lobby, one of the cleaning ladies for the building greeted us. I said my usual version of a Thai ‘hello,’ and she said to Brian that my Thai sounded GOOD! Then, delighted, I turned and said my version of Thai ‘thank you,’ and she hugged me. What a beautiful, encouraging person she is!

_______________

I had fun sketching at the cafe today. I got ‘my spot’ – something that I haven’t had this week, so I was super comfortable with my picture window, a table, two chairs, and a wide window ledge where I can spread out my supplies. I had a latte with ‘less sugar,’ so the atmosphere was perfect. I can watch people come in and out of the cafe, watch people and traffic on the street, and sit there comfortably working on one of my sketches.

Today I did two simple sketches and have started one that I HOPE will give people the idea of what goes into the planting of rice here.

_________________

Brian ordered new air filters for our systems and they were delivered today. We brought them up, got the old filters out which were completely filled with ‘stuff’ from the hot and hazy season – produced by the farmers burning off the residue of their fields and getting ready to plant again. We are now able to dial the intensity of the systems back to a more regular level, making them quieter and not having to work so hard. We won’t have to change them again until the NEXT hot and hazy season.

_________________

I have my a/c on and my fan swiveling in my clean condo, so I’m sitting at my computer happily talking to you now. I hope that things are good where you are, too.

Ingenious Umbrellas

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as air filters, cafe, compliment on my Thai, housekeeper, latest painted sketches, massage, smile quote, thoughts 6-26-2026

June 24, 2026 · 10:57 pm

Thursday 6-25-2026

“Last Breath” – Beth Robertson Fiddes via @womensartbluesky.bsky.social

Water is ‘impossible’ to draw or paint – so says ME – – – this is magnificent, isn’t it?

_________________

I’m getting ready for my housekeeper to come tomorrow – changing sheets on the bed, getting out fresh towels, gathering trash, straightening, etc. Soon I’ll go get cash for this and my massage tomorrow.

I had a good session walking at the gym, ate a delicious breakfast, got my laundry hung on the balcony, and then felt sleepy. So – this decadent lady took a nap! Ahhhhh! And I don’t even feel guilty. 🤭 I feel much better now.

________________

These are my latest painted sketches.

I’m doing the base painting on more so that I can work on them when I go to the cafe later today.

Speaking of the cafe, I had the NICEST thing happen yesterday. I was in the elevator and a young couple joined me. The man turned to me and said, “You’re the lady who paints in the cafe! I love watching you work.” To say I’m still walking around 3 inches above the ground is an understatement. 🎨 😁

________________

Today is Thursday. That means that I’ll do my exercises with water bottles today. I’ll also do a couple of practice sessions with my guitar.

By the way, since my fingernails are shorter, it’s easier to press my fingertips down on the frets on the neck of my guitar now. I had a better practice session yesterday. I still have a long way to go, but I’m making some progress lately. Since the two songs I would like to work on playing and singing use different chords than the basic ones I’m practicing now, I’m going to see if I can find finger placement diagrams for the other ones I need. 🎸

_________________________

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as getting ready for my housekeeper, latest painted sketches, practicing my guitar, smile quote, taking a nap, thoughts 6-25-2026, water bottle exercises

June 23, 2026 · 11:47 pm

Wednesday 6-24-2026

@drritalouise-substack

This is such an important thing to learn. However, few of us has the confidence to stand out at a young age. I remember how hard I tried to ‘be like everyone else,’ and ‘fit in’ when I was growing up. I got so upset that I got sick before school because my mother insisted that I wear an outfit that had green and yellow in it and it was a Thursday. This was a huge ‘no-no’ in my group, and the nurse sent me home when I kept throwing up.

It was, I guess, when my husband and I lived on top of a ridge line in Arkansas, seeing very few people on a daily basis that I realized that no one really cared anymore what I was doing or not doing, and that I could and should make my own decisions about what I wanted.

When I got to Thailand and my husband’s and my retirement plans went up in smoke, I really broke free and decided, since I had a second chance at life, thanks to to the good people in the ER in the hospital in AR installing a pacemaker, and then my husband suffering a stroke 2 weeks after we arrived forcing a month long hospital stay followed by residence in a nursing home, and my living alone for the first time in my life, that I should build a life where being different is a good thing, doing what I want, spending time doing what means something to me, what gives me joy, is the way I want to spend the rest of my life.

Being different still seems to be a thing to be avoided when you’re growing up. It should be celebrated, revered, encouraged, and nurtured. Maybe one day…

_______________

This morning I was treated to a mani/pedi. I found something really close to the ‘cyan’ Brian has been wanting me to get. My husband just said, “blue,” so he should like this, too. I’ve decided that getting sparkly polish is one of the things I will enjoy as long as possible. Every time I look at it, I smile.

I made a change and cut my fingernails short so that I can practice my guitar more easily and effectively, so I had the nice ladies at the salon cut them even shorter and just round them off, and then cut my toenails shorter and cut them straight across.

Instead of half grown out nails on my fingernails and toenails that snag my socks, I now look much more civilized – PLUS – I sparkle!!!

________________

Flame Tree Blog – Flame Tree Publishing

I’m working on several sketches right now. I’m doing some base painting on some so that I can finish them at the cafe this afternoon. I’ll be able to share those tomorrow. I’m having a great time working on things, plus the ideas are coming fast and furious now. I’m even dreaming about them! Do you think that’s a sign of something worrisome? 😜

_________________

http://www.tiktok.con

I’m going to start TRYING to look at the chords and lyrics for Roberta Flack’s two songs that are my personal, long-time favorites to start trying to play them. It will be a LONG time before this is something I can really do, and I’m not even talking about the singing along with the guitar, but I figure if I’m practicing with a specific goal in mind, I MIGHT be able to persuade my fingertips to last a bit longer before yelling at me.

_____________________

Luvze

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as being different, mani/pedi, practicing the guitar, sketching at the cafe, smile quote, thoughts 6-24-2026

June 23, 2026 · 4:33 am

Tuesday 6-23-2026

@TracyChrest989204 on Substack

_______________

We visited Harvey at the nursing home. He was comfortable and calm, but totally delusional about what was going on outside his window. We tried to explain that the people out there with white sacks were planting rice, seeding the fields. He wasn’t buying it, spinning wild ideas of what was going on.

____________

I’m just back from the cafe. It rained pretty hard for a few minutes and then cleared off with the sun coming out. I got a reasonable amount of work done, so I opted to come home and rest before dinner.

I felt like I had lost a whole generation when I got my wonderful necklace during Songkran, the water festival, with what were modern Disney characters that are so popular here. So I made it a point to look these up and make a record of the cute characters.

My other latest sketch.

_______________

I told you that one of the issues I had after my surgery a year ago in February was hearing loss. We got me some hearing aids and they have been wonderful. One of them stopped working and we went to the place who sold us the aids to have them look at them. It turned out with as careful as I have been to clean them, there is still a place that is almost impossible to clean that becomes blocked with ear wax. They changed out the ear wax guard and my aid worked perfectly again. We ordered some more, and changed out the wax guard in the other aid, which had since developed the same problem. Now I can change it out without having to make an appointment. Hooray!

_____________

We got my glass print of the “Rooster Runway” jigsaw puzzle a couple of days ago. It’s just a bit smaller that the personality portrait painting my dad painted of me, so I put them side by side on my statement shelf.

Brian has sent the photos of the “Cats on the Beach” puzzle for a glass print to be made, with strict orders to me to SLOW DOWN on my puzzle solving. So far, I’m complying, since my newest puzzle, “Abstract Cat” hasn’t arrived yet…. 🤣 🧩

_______________

Shout out to Michael, who was mopping his floor and slipped, falling and fracturing his wrist. He is my former hairdresser and dear friend, so he will need all of our good thoughts on helping him perform his job, slipping off and on a soft cast splint thing until further notice.

_______________

Canva

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as happiness quote, hearing aid fix, newest sketches, puzzle print, shout out to Michael, statement shelf, thoughts 6-23-2026, visit to my husband

June 20, 2026 · 10:03 pm

Sunday 6-21-2026

@oldandcranky.bsky.social

Isn’t this an amazing photo? I’m going to try to draw it.

___________

Facebook

I know it is still early to wish you a Happy Father’s Day, but the time difference makes this the best way to reach you before your celebration is over. Good fathers are beyond price and should be celebrated every day of the year.

___________

These are my latest painted sketches.

Hill Street Grocer

Food Experiment:

“Gaeng Jued Wonton” (a clear, soothing broth with pork-filled wontons and vegetables) – Brian and I ate this last night for dinner. It was good, but the broth, which was supposed to be ‘soothing’ was actually hot – to the point this wuss was breathing fire when I was finishing. It tasted good, though. In the middle of the night, though, I had super intense heartburn that woke me up and had me scurrying for the Thai equivalent of Alka-Seltzer. My throat was sore and irritated, making me cough after I took that, so I ended up sucking on one of the lozenges I got when we were sick with the cough/runny nose/sore throat thing that was going around earlier. That finally made it so I could sleep. I ended up sleeping well the rest of the night and had a good session at the gym this morning and good appetite for breakfast. We agreed that we will try the pork dumplings in another dish, but without soup. (meanwhile, I’ll try to stock up on the Alka-Seltzer type stuff.)

________________

Hope in a bowl.

This is the jackfruit seed (one of the three I kept and tried) that is showing a teeny, tiny sprout. I have no idea if this will continue to grow or not, and I’m not looking to grow an actual fruit. I would just like to enjoy the leaves of the plant, if I’m successful. It’s fun to try.

________________

Today is a quiet day. I did well at the gym, and later today I’ll do exercises with my water bottles. I’ll practice my guitar chords, too. Brian took pics of the Cats on the Beach finished jigsaw puzzle, but ‘warned’ me to slow my speed on finishing the puzzles. I see no problem, since the next one, “Abstract Cat” is labled ‘difficult to impossible.’ I’ll spend time at the cafe, seeing how I do on some new sketches. I’m also researching the Thai Zodiac, preparing to try to draw a sketch to go with “Year of the Horse” which is THIS year. It’s actually “Year of the Red Horse” – something that happens once every 60 years.

____________________

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as 6-21-2026, bird photro - @oldandcranky.bsky.social, Father's Day, latest sketches, motivational quote, pork dumplings, sprouting jackfruit, thoughts

June 20, 2026 · 1:30 am

Saturday 6-20-2026

rina – @rina2012.bsky.social

I just LOVE this! I wish I could watch it walk around. I love the long legs and the long beak. Great photo!

______________

Mercifies

I know we are celebrating early here – partly because they don’t have a celebration here, and also because we were scheduled to go see Harvey today; and even celebrating tomorrow would be early as far as people in the States – but I’m wishing those of you heading out to celebrate a Father’s Day weekend celebration together the happiest of Father’s Days.

We have just gotten back from visiting Harvey. He seemed to like the Father’s Day painting and nodded to my putting it up on his wall.

He actually thanked Brian for getting him French Fries – a first, and responded when I told him I loved him, “I love you, too,” so it was a good visit.

_______________

We finished the things required for renewal of my retirement visa yesterday – after spending much of the day at the immigration place. We will go Monday to pick up my renewed visa and Brian needs to sign a document that goes with his visa. WHEW! 🥳

_______________

I have almost everything back inside that has been drying on my drying rack on the balcony this morning. Two things left. I’m going to go to the cafe, and rain is forecast, so we’ll see what happens. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if it rains on what is still not dry.

_________________

I’m going to finish blog posts, do my yoga stretching, and practice my guitar before dinner. It’s a good, full, happy day for me.

Quotefancy

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as bird photo by rina on Blue sky, blog posts, cafe - sketching, courage quote, guitar practice, Happy Father's Day - painting and visit with my husband, laundry, renewal of retirement visa, thoughts 6-20-2026, yoga stretching

June 19, 2026 · 12:36 am

Friday 6-19-2026

@openwings – Substack

____________

These are the latest painted sketches.

I’m thinking about doing a series of sketches to represent the Thai Zodiac. I’ve done a goat awhile back, for “year of the goat.” This is the year of the horse – specifically the year of the RED horse that only comes around every 60 years. There are 12 to be done, and I could research what each one means, characteristics of people born under a certain sign, etc.

I also feel that I’m on a different planet with all the different cartoon and other popular characters here. I’m going to research that, too, educating myself on why everyone seems to absolutely love these sweet little characters. I have ideas about what I can try to draw to represent this.

__________

I had a wonderful massage this morning, so I’m sitting here at the computer all relaxed and smiley. Brian is here because his place is being cleaned. We’ll leave in awhile to go to the immigration office to finish up the renewal process on my retirement visa. I’m really grateful an agent from our visa lady’s office will meet us there to get us through the process.

______________

Gulf News

Brian got us a snack this morning, but we agreed that we would get ONE treat and cut it in half, since my blood sugar has been higher than usual lately. Of course, since the shop owner likes Brian, she included an extra goodie… So, we made the supreme sacrifice and cut that one up, too, and devoured it. I haven’t been drinking water like I should, so I will redouble my efforts to drink an extra bottle three times a day, plus I’ll make a series of adjustments to what I’m eating and drinking and test myself once a week until I have a good number again.

_____________

Imam Ali – QuoteFancy

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as cartoon characters in Thailand, completing retirement visa renewal, latest painted sketches, massage, Rumi quote from @openwinds on Substack, snack - high blood sugar, Thai Zodiac, thoughts 6-19-2026

June 17, 2026 · 9:44 pm

Thursday 6-18-2026

Petra Michaela-@petramichaela.bsky.social

This makes my mouth water! Such a happy place to spend some time!

______________

Yesterday I practiced tuning and playing chords on my guitar twice. I am GRADUALLY building some callouses on my fingertips, but still don’t last long before they are screaming at me. I’m going to try for two or three practices a day. I’m getting a BIT clearer sound, but nothing to write home about. 🎸🤭

_______________

I’m hoping to finish a sketch or two today. I’m doing some base painting and hope to spend some good time at the cafe this afternoon. Otherwise, I’m doing my chores to get ready for my housekeeper tomorrow (did you hear that? “My housekeeper.” Having never been able to enjoy having help in my life, I treasure each and every day she (or her sister right now) comes.

_______________

Yesterday we took the bank paperwork to our lady at the visa place. She had me sign a gazillion other pages ( I had already signed enough to buy a house!) Tuesday – and finally she was finished and confirmed that we now go to the immigration place tomorrow to finish.) Even though it’s a hassle, I think it’s good that the Thai people know who is in their country, pay attention, and can tell at a moment’s notice if you’re here legally or not. If you’re not – out you go!

________________

2 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as getting my visa renewed, getting ready for my housekeeper, motivational quote, photo by Petra Michaela on Blue Sky, practicing my guitar, sketching, thoughts 6-18-2026

June 16, 2026 · 7:02 am

Tuesday 6-16-2026

Borealman-“Lake of the Woods” – @borealman63.bsky.social

_______________

I have had a really packed day.

I didn’t sleep well, so opted out of the gym this morning. We left early to go visit Harvey. He was especially affectionate today, leaning first one way in the bed and then the other, so we took turns hugging him. We didn’t say much, but the communication was there. Brian ordered him some French Fries to be delivered after we left.

_______________

From there, we went to the bank to get the paperwork we needed to renew my retirement visa. We were there a total of a little over two hours, with the waiting for our turn and then the service itself. We got what we needed, though, and that’s the important thing. After that, we went to the chocolate place for a much-needed boost.

_______________

I was going to catch a nap, but it’s renovation season at our building, and as soon as I closed my eyes, the loud drilling and hammering began. I gave up and went to the cafe, where I enjoyed an iced latte and did some sketching.

This one goes into the group that I’ll take to put up on Harvey’s Happy Wall. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t remember that this is one we cut out to put on the mailbox. The fact he likes it on his wall now is enough. This Saturday, though, I’m taking a painting for Father’s Day.

_______________

I finished the “Cats on the Beach” jigsaw puzzle this afternoon!

I’ll have Brian take a photo of it Friday so that he can send the photo to have a glass print made. We’re waiting for the one he already ordered of the “Rooster Runway.”

This is the new one I asked Brian to order for me. It’s called, “Abstract Cat.” He should be pleased with this one. It’s labeled, “Difficult to impossible,” so it’ll probably take me some time to complete…

_______________

This evening I changed my carrier with its inner pouches. The carrier is hand-knit and the pouches are handmade and hand-embroidered. I change this out between this one and another one, carefully hand washing the one after I change to the second one. It’ll probably take several days to dry, given our weather, but I’ll move my drying rack off and on to my balcony to speed the process as much as I can.

_________________

I hope you have a great day.

Confucius – Quotefancy

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as "Lake of the Woods" @borealman63.bsky.social, finished puzzle, immigration paperwork, jigsaw puzzles, painted sketches, quote, thoughts 6-6-2026, visit with my husband

June 15, 2026 · 4:32 am

Monday 6-15-2026

@pauljwillson.bsky.social

______________

I’ve had a really nice day today.

We went to the gym, where I managed to do my walking without touching the handlebars of the treadmill. The balance issue remains, but is improving a lot. I sometimes ‘list’ to the left or right when I walk, and still have to totally stop (after checking behind me when I’m out in public) and THEN look at things, rather than being able to look around and walk at the same time. I’m working on it, though, and things are improving.

I did half an hour of my yoga stretches where I have added leg lifts to my routine. I can’t say I look forward to my exercise, but I’m always glad I did it. I’m also routinely taking the stairs when I leave Brian’s condo and go down to mine (5 flights). I will start seeing what happens when I try walking UP soon when I don’t have a lot of things in my hands.

I practiced my guitar a bit (I’m still awful), worked on my “Cats at the Beach” jigsaw puzzle (it’s coming along really well – so I’m starting to look for what to order next), did some base painting on a sketch, and did some chores around my place.

I’ve just come home from spending time at the cafe.

This is my latest painted sketch. It doesn’t BEGIN to show the number of brooms, but I was trying to get the FEEL of the ‘shop on wheels’.

_____________

It’s coming up on when we have to do our “90-day-reporting” for our visas, plus I need to renew my one-year ‘retirement’ visa. All this is happening this week, on Wednesday for part of it and Friday for the rest of it. We have already renewed my husband’s medical visa, so when this is done, we’ll be legal for another 90 days, and MY hard-earned retirement visa will be good for another year. HOORAY!

______________

We will go see Harvey tomorrow. I will take his Father’s Day painting for his wall on Saturday.

______________

I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend.

Goi Nasu – Quotefancy

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as brooms for sale on a tricycle, clean sweep, exercising, immigration, latest finished painted sketch, medical visas, quote, retirement visa, thoughts 6-15-2026, visas - 90 day reporting -, visiting my husband

June 14, 2026 · 4:46 am

Sunday 6-14-2026

Today is Harvey and my 57th wedding anniversary. We’ve been through a lot in 57 years. All I knew was that I wanted to spend my life with him. Even though I threatened him through the years with calling the bulldozer guy to dig a hole in the back yard to throw him in, the love and commitment have remained strong. At 57 years, we have a good start now…

Shout-out to Donna, who recently celebrated her 58th anniversary!

______________

I just recently returned from the cafe. It was starting to rain, and I just got home before the rain got pretty hard. It has since rained twice. I just look out my brand new windows and grin. Not a leak anywhere!

This is one of my latest painted sketches. This sweet lizard ‘lived’ in a pot that had a big tree in it at the cafe. I don’t know what happened to him when the front porch was torn up for the redo. I hope he’ll be back. I didn’t even know he was there until Brian got a picture of him and showed him to Harvey. I had him send the picture to me so I could try to draw him.

Today I started another in my Thai street series – this time a broom seller. I hope it turns out okay.

___________________

I’m going to take a break after finishing this and do my water bottle exercises for the day. I’m also going to try to get in practicing my guitar…

11 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as latest painted sketches, my 57th wedding anniversary, quote, rain, thoughts 6-14-2026

June 13, 2026 · 4:41 am

Saturday 6-13-2026

We visited Harvey this morning. He recognized us, but didn’t make any sense, other than liking the picture (though I’m not at all sure he understood what it was about) and said I could put it up on his Happy Wall.

__________________

I spent part of the afternoon at the cafe sketching. I have a couple almost finished that I’ll post tomorrow.

I got the idea to sketch and paint the signs of the Thai Zodiac with the animals standing for each of the 12 years in the cycle. I got the idea when the owner of the cafe was so pleased that I drew her a goat, which is her birth sign. I found a list of the 12 animals and will see what I can do.

I also found a couple of photos of a man selling a gazillion brooms from his cart or bicycle that I’ll try to draw.

______________________

Tomorrow I’m going to redouble my efforts on practicing on my guitar. I’ve let it slide when I wasn’t feeling well, and I really want to get to the point that I can start strumming along to some of the songs I would love to be able to sing. I may not live long enough, but everyone needs a goal…. 😜 🎸

______________________

I hope that you will enjoy a wonderful weekend, full of joy.

10 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as 57 years of marriage celebrated tomorrow, anniversary painting, drawing plans, practicing my guitar, quote, thoughts 6-13-2026

June 12, 2026 · 8:11 am

Friday 6-12-2026

Adrian – @lead-castle.bsky.social

What a drawing!

_____________

I’m finally settled after a really nice day. We went to the gym – getting a bit wet in spite of umbrellas – but I felt good about my walking this morning. No handlebars and the time seemed to go fast. I went for my massage and came back feeling totally relaxed and happy. Brian and I worked at my place until it was time to go to the cafe.

At the cafe, the owner came in. She came over and, after we visited a bit, I thanked her again for the glorious bouquet of miniature pink “fairy” roses and gave her the greeting card of the goat. She was surprised, having forgotten that she shared that the goat was her animal icon for the year of her birth. She teared up and hugged me. She insisted we take a selfie together and both of us felt good about the friendship we’re building.

These are my latest painted sketches.

_______________

Brian and I had a delicious dinner of cheese lasagna with chicken with a side of black beans and rice. We share one order, and I eat 1/3 while Brian eats the rest. It works out nicely.

When I got back to my place, Khun Nong’s sister, Khun Bpaum, had left these!

It’s hard to bring plants home here, with riding in a cab, the heavy pot, soil, plant, elevator, etc., so I have made do with the plants I have received as gifts. Today I now have two more wonderful plants that I hope will thrive. I also am sprouting a jackfruit seed – it’s sprouting! – just for what I hope will be some nice leaves.

And finally,

The cheetah puzzle print was delivered yesterday! I’m delighted with how it looks. The Rooster Runway puzzle print has been ordered and so should arrive in a couple of weeks or so.

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as cafe, cheetah puzzle glass print, drawing by Adrian on Blue Sky, latest painted sketches, massage, plants from my housekeeper, quote, thank you card, thoughts 6-12-2026

June 11, 2026 · 12:28 am

Thursday 6-11-2026

Rae Radford – @raeradford.bsky.social

What a gorgeous, unique cat!

________________________

We went to the gym this morning without incident. It was supposed to be raining heavily, but it didn’t rain a drop. I was feeling a bit wonky, ‘listing’ to the left and then to the right on the treadmill. When this happened, I just hung my wrists over the handlebars of the machine and that steadied me. I only had to do it a couple of times, so that was good.

__________________

I think I told you we have gone back to low carb eating for a while, trying to get my system more under c0ntrol That has settled my stomach for the most part and I’ll check my blood sugar tomorrow to see how that looks. Maybe my weight loss is catching up with me now and requiring I make some more changes in my meds. We’ll get to the bottom of this eventually. I’m like a jigsaw puzzle where the pieces suddenly don’t fit!

___________________

We are planning to go to the cafe, but the called-for rain is coming down pretty heavily now. It’s just after noon now, so I’m hoping it clears up before 1 or so. We’ll see. My windows are not leaking!!!! No bucket and towel brigade needed!!! I can simply look out my brand new, dry window-silled windows and say, “Oh, look! It’s raining outside!!! “ ☔️

____________________

Yesterday the owner of the cafe and hotel gave me this beautiful bouquet of miniature roses! She told me she had been in Paris the last 12 days helping her mom celebrate her birthday. She is so amazingly sweet to me. Anyway, her birth year icon is the goat. She noticed a painting I did of a goat in my older sketchbook. I’m trying to recreate that on a greeting card saying, “Thank you” and hope she likes it.

_________________

Brian and I went to visit Harvey yesterday. He remembered that I had been sick and asked if I was better. I thanked him for the video saying he missed me, but he didn’t remember doing that. When we left, he told me to ‘take care.’ None of the rest of what he said made sense, but that was all I needed to be sure we had brightened his day a bit.

________________

These are the paintings I finished yesterday. The first two are paintings of the sheet metal designs we cut out for our mailbox decorations. I’ll take those to him over the coming weeks.

___________________

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as finished paintings, low carb diet, quote, thoughts 6-11-2026, treadmill, unexpected gift, vist to my husband

June 9, 2026 · 8:49 pm

Wednesday 6-10-2026

“Aria Among the Trees” – AnnaB – @bvornforart.bsky.social

______________

Sorry about not posting yesterday. I was under the weather and slept most of the day, plus all night. I feel much better now. Since my digestion has been an issue, I’m going back to a mostly low carb diet for a bit and see if that does the trick.

We will leave soon to go visit my husband at the nursing home. True to “Finagle’s Law of Dynamic Negatives” (sometimes aka “Murphy’s Law”) I go to VISIT him and he either doesn’t remember me or doesn’t have anything to say to me. Yesterday the staff sent Brian a video of Harvey saying, “I already miss her” when apparently told we were having to delay our visit to today because I wasn’t feeling well.

__________________

I didn’t work on anything at all yesterday, so have no paintings to show you. Hopefully, I can finish some I’m working on and show them tomorrow.

__________________

Good to be “back” and hope all of you are feeling sassy.

10 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as "Aria Among the Trees" - Anna B, low carb diet, smile quote, thoughts 6-10-2026, under the weather yesterday, visiting my husband today

June 7, 2026 · 10:46 pm

Monday 6-8-2026

Ryosuke_art – Substack – “Eyes Within the Shadow”

Drawing totally in charcoal. This artist is fabulous, isn’t he?

______________

2nd try at the elegant lady in the white dress. It still isn’t what I had in my mind, but it’s the best I can do right now.

This is the other one I finished yesterday.

______________

Brian and I just finished taking my laundry. On the way, I stopped and visited my Koi fish! I could stay there for half the day. It’s so calm and restful there. The fish are so well taken care of. Today the aeration had been increased and I think some of the fish were larger, if that can be believed. I’m not exaggerating when I say that some of them are right at 2 feet long. We continued our walk to go around the long way. The weather was perfect for this.

_______________

One of the issues I had on leaving the hospital a year ago in February was that I had a fairly significant hearing loss. I ended up with a realing nice set of hearing aids called the Oticon Intent 3 miniRITE. They are wonderful, easy to clean, and rechargeable.

The last few days, though, the right one has been acting up – or, to be more specific, isn’t working. The battery shows it’s fully charged, so I’m not sure what the deal is. Brian is trying to get me an appointment to see the people at the place where we purchased these to see if they can help. I’m functional, but it would be nice to be able to hear out of both ears again.

_______________

When I finish my posts, I’m going to do my yoga stretches and then practice my guitar. I’ve also promised myself to do a bunch of reading in-between sessions working on my puzzle. I’m hoping our glass print of the cheetah puzzle will arrive soon. I will probably spend some time at the cafe this afternoon. Just a nice, relaxed, nice day.

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as charcoal drawing by Ryosuke_art on Substack, hearing aid difficulty, laundry and visit to see the Koi fish, newest sketches, smile quote, thoughts 6-8-2026

June 6, 2026 · 9:41 pm

Sunday 6-7-2026

Nick Mackman -Dart Gallery – Dartmouth Devon

This lady is such a talented sculptor. I’m in awe of her work.

__________

This is the newest addition to Harvey’s “Happy Wall” at the nursing home. He seemed pleased with it, though didn’t remember that we cut this out of sheet metal, making a mailbox decoration. He said once that he likes waking up to the pictures on his wall, so I’m trying to make sure that I take additions to it on a regular basis. The next one will be Saturday, when I take him our 57th wedding anniversary painting.

_______________

Yesterday the workmen finished cleaning up the porch area that is being redone at the cafe we like. They then spent the day spreading cement, patiently waiting for an area to be ready for another smoothing. They were still there, finishing up, cleaning up after the cement work, at about 6:30 last night. I don’t know what happens next.

__________________

I’m working on several sketches at once. I’m doing the base painting on some, plus some more thank you cards today. I’ll post one of them later today in one of my posts.

___________________

I’m making a bit of progress – both on memorizing more chords, plus making a better sound – when I practice on the guitar the past couple of days. Still agonizingly slow, and my fingertips still complain vigorously after just a few minutes, but the progress IS there. The voice still sounds like a sick frog, but I’m the only one here to complain… 🤣🎸🎵

____________________

Etsy

2 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as headless snowman for Happy Wall, Nick Mackman Sculpture, progress on playing the guitar - not so much on singing, several sketches in the works, smile quote, thoughts 6-7-2026, visit to Harvey, workmen at the cafe

June 6, 2026 · 1:14 am

Saturday 6-6-2026

We went to visit Harvey this morning. He was almost totally unresponsive, seeming tired, though not uncomfortable. He liked the headless snowman I brought him for his wall – another one of pictures of mailbox decorations we made out of sheet metal in Arkansas.

The only other thing he said was that I ‘had thrown him into the lake off the dock at Tate’ (Tate Mountain, Georgia) one summer. I don’t remember it, but if I did, he deserved it.

Last night I woke up from dreaming that I was writing a letter to him. I continued writing it in my mind as I remained sleepless. I’ve decided to write that letter in my sketchbook.

_____________

We are indeed entering the rainy season here. It was cloudy this morning, but I went ahead and got my laundry out on the drying rack on the balcony. On the way back from the nursing home the skies opened up and it POURED to the point it was hard for our GRAB driver to see or get around. Then, as suddenly as it started, the faucet was turned off and the rain stopped. By the time we got to the chocolate place, it was as if it hadn’t rained at all. We’ve been to the gym, the nursing home and the chocolate place today and haven’t gotten wet at all.

_______________

We’ll go to the cafe after a while for Brian to work and me to sketch. Hopefully, our luck with the weather will hold.

There were workmen redoing the stones on the front porch at the cafe. They had a pry bar, a drill, and a hammer, and managed, somehow to get all the heavy stones up and moved. They continued breaking up the rocks until they could put the pieces in a gazillion sacks. They then rested and waited for a pick up truck. They loaded all the sacks into the back of the truck and then covered whatever they were going to put down with tarps to protect the material from the rain. All in one day. I only saw 3 men. Today there is a crew putting down whatever the new stuff will be. I know it will look great, but I really liked the old, worn, broken stonework…

_____________

Brian just texted me that there was a parcel outside my door. He had encouraged me to find some books at an online book store. I chose two Nora Roberts books I’ve probably read, but didn’t recognize, plus a book called, “Just Draw It!” The Dynamic Drawing Course for Anyone with a Pencil and Paper.

Wheee! I need all the help I can get, so I’m thrilled to get this one. Added bonus – the books were wrapped in bubble wrap, so guess what this old lady will enjoy doing this evening…

_______________

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as books delivered, cafe work, Calvin & Hobbes Headless Snowman, dreaming about letter to husband, Harvey's Happy wall, rainy season, smile quote, thoughts 6-6-2026, visit with Harvey

June 5, 2026 · 12:30 am

Friday 6-5-2026

Mr. Natural – @neilmathestonb66.bsky.social – Diane Leonard

I’m in awe of the person who painted this. The light here is magnificent, just glowing – through the air, bouncing off the girls’ clothing, showing in the reflection in the water!

________________

I’m just back from my massage, feeling loose as a goose and smiling. Khun Weaw, my massage therapist, is getting better and better at zeroing in on different ways to reach the areas where I tense up the most – and then fixing them for me. There is no way to thank her enough.

________________

Brian and I are at my place, doing this and that until it’s time for us to get out of the way so Khun Nong’s sister can clean my place. I’m hoping that I can write the posts I have planned before we need to vacate.

_________________

My new puzzle “Beach Cats” was delivered yesterday, so I told Brian I had finished the “Rooster Runway” puzzle. He took a picture of it and sent it off yesterday for a glass print to be made. We haven’t received the glass print of the Cheetah yet, so he’s looking down his nose at me, saying I picked a puzzle that was too easy and didn’t take me long enough. It’s true – the Rooster one went fast, but I choose based on the picture and how I’ll feel while I’m trying to put it together, so Brian will just have to “deal.” (Actually, he’s being wonderful about my new past time.)

__________________

Brian has decided that we should have a “snack” on Fridays when we’re both here at my place before going to the cafe. He usually orders it from the same place – the place that makes the to-die-for ‘creme brulee’s or whatever they are that we love and we are enjoying a lemonade with that. Today we opened the delivery bag to find this nice note and the sweet little drawstring bag as a ‘thank you.’ Isn’t that amazing?

__________________

Rebecca Verastigui

2 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as cafe, Diane Leonard Painting, housekeepers, massage, new puzzle, smile quote, snack and gift, thoughts 6-5-2026

June 3, 2026 · 10:54 pm

Thursday 6-4-2026

Tenor

Shout-Out to my SIL who is having a birthday. (I’m celebrating today because it’s the 4th here, but she won’t be celebrating until tomorrow because of the time difference. Please join me in wishing ML a very happy celebration whenever she has it!!!! 🥳

______________

Adobe Stock

I’m not really feeling THAT bad, I AM having to stick close to my place again today, drinking lots of fluids plus Gatorade, taking meds, eating very carefully with Brian, and getting lots of naps off and on. I wish we knew what it was we ate, but we don’t. We have a HINT that it MIGHT have been a chicken and rice and sauce dish that was really good…

_______________

This is the latest painted sketch I finished yesterday.

____________________

I’m working on two sketches now – one of a woman caressing a cat, and the other – hopefully – a more successful sketch of the elegant woman in the flowing dress. We’ll see. Fingers crossed. 🤞

______________________

Meanwhile, I’m using whatever energy I have to try to get ready for my housekeeper’s sister to come clean tomorrow – I’ve changed the sheets, gotten out fresh towels, gathered trash.

________________

Spiritual Sundays

5 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as getting ready for my housekeeper, latest painted sketch, my SIL's birthday, smile quote, still sick from indigestion, thoughts 6-4-2026

June 2, 2026 · 11:14 pm

Wednesday 6-3-2026

Free Vector Art & Graphics

I’m grinning as I type this. I looked up, “Broken Record” to find a picture, and found it described as a “round vehicle used for listening to music.” Do I feel old or what????

To add insult to injury, I was looking up the phrase to apologize for once again having to tell you I’m having a relapse of my digestion problem from a couple of days ago, sticking to home and ‘facilities’ today. UGH. So I’m not feeling well and feeling OLD, to boot – and that makes me think probably my phrases “to add insult to injury” and “to boot” are older than dirt, as well. My reaction to all this is that I’m delighted to be alive to BE ill and to spout old-time phrases that many of you are probably too young to understand.

Vecteezy

_______________

One good (or bad) thing – depending on who’s looking at it – is that I just finished my “Rooster Runway “jigsaw puzzle. (This is one of the things that happens when I’m sick.) I know Brian will be THRILLED to have to come take another photo and order a glass print of it. (We haven’t received the print of the Cheetah yet and he’ll already be ordering another. )

This is the puzzle that is on its way. I laughed aloud when I found this one – particularly when I saw the cat upended in the bucket.

__________________

I have a sketch to paint today and another couple of ideas for more bouncing around. My guitar is calling to me, and – on a more practical note, I have some laundry to do and some jewelry to clean…

I hope your day is a fun one.

Quotefancy

15 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as broken record, happy puzzle ordered, motivational quote, old sayings, puzzle finished, thoughts 6-3-2026

June 1, 2026 · 8:32 pm

Tuesday 6-2-2026

“Autumns Past” – Paul Willson – @pauljwillson.bsky.social

I LOVE the light in this photo!

__________________

I am in the land of the living again, I think. I feel MUCH better this morning and went to the gym as usual. I even walked without holding on to the handlebars! Whee! Unless either of us have problems this morning, Brian and I are planning to go visit Harvey this morning.

__________________

These are the last painted thank you cards, and then my interpretation of an alterations lady who has her entire shop on a three-wheeled bicycle so that she can stop anywhere, and repair or alter something as you wait. (This sewing machine looks very smiliar to one my mom had when we first moved to Tulsa OK in the 50’s. Hers was pedal-powered, and she was able to do incredibly fine work on it for years before she finally replaced it with a Pfaff.) I’m not sure of all of the details on this one, except that it’s belt-driven. The creativity and can-do attitude of the Thai people really impresses me.

____________________

Two days ago a man and a young boy came into the cafe and asked if I would take a 3-minute interview to be conducted by the young man as part of an assignment for his learning-English class. The man was the instructor and the boy was in 5th grade primary somewhere local.

The questions were general, and the boy stumbled a bit over the more challenging words, but he certainly did better in English than I would have in Thai. I told him at the end that I thought he did a wonderful job, and his face simply lit up the room with his smile.

_______________________

I’ve been practicing my guitar tuning and chords daily (except when I was sick). Things are coming along slowly, but I WILL get it. I’m also making really good progess with my roosters jigsaw puzzle. I’m going to look into order the next one today.

_________________

Quotefancy

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as gym and visit with Harvey, interview at the cafe, latest thank you cards and alterations lady painting, motivational quote, practice guitar, rooster jigsaw puzzle, thoughts 6-2-2026

June 1, 2026 · 1:18 am

Monday 6-1-2026

Giphy

I started off the new month here with a bang by reacting to something we ate last night (I guess). I opted out of the gym and am just now feeling pretty good – particularly after taking a lengthy nap. We ate a Thai dish last night, and I must have been reacting to some spice they used. Brian has been really careful to shield me from too spicy food here, but we’re consciously trying to branch out a bit now, since we ARE in Thailand…

______________

This is the birthday painting I did for a friend yesterday. He was pleased, so I was relieved and happy.

______________

I will make this a super quiet day today. I’ll probably head over to the cafe in awhile – just for a break in my day – and a delicious iced mocha. I want to finish some sketches I started yesterday.

I wish you a happy month. Hopefully Mother Nature will decide to give everyone a break and give us all some weather we can wrap our arms around.

QuoteFancy

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as adapating to Thai food, Echart Tolle quote, going to the cafe, painting for a friend, thoughts

May 31, 2026 · 12:03 am

Sunday 5-31-2026

Duncan Crombie – @theartofweb.com – “Mystical Forest Series”

I love the light and whole FEEL of this painting.

_______________

Newest painted sketch and some thank you cards.

________________

GETTING THE LARD OFF PROGRESS REPORT – to date, I’m down 94 lbs and almost 92 inches from my heaviest and widest. I’m finally to my goal weight. I’m 5’4″ and shrinking and I this morning I weighed 111. I’m trying to stay in a 3 pound range of 110 now, monitoring my various ‘numbers’, watching my portions, and making changes as needed to stay here.

My biggest challenge is to undo the damage being in the hospital and dying twice a year ago did to me. It’s amazing how much that messes you up. Trust me, you don’t want to do it. I had significant hearing loss with accompanying balance issues plus I have the normal getting older issues of stamina, flexibility, strength, etc. I am working on getting back into my regimen after having the ‘cold from Hell’ for over a week.

Brian and I got to the gym this morning. I walked my mile, but I didn’t feel steady enough to do it without holding on to the handlebars of the treadmill. I will give it a better try tomorrow.

This afternoon I will do my water bottle exercises for the first time in a week. I may do a shortened version, but I WILL get back into my routine!

_________________

I had ‘firsts’ yesterday and today on my art! Yesterday I was sitting at a table on the side of the cafe. All of a sudden there was a tapping on the glass beside me. A muslim woman (I’m assuming that, as she was dressed head to toe in grey dress, head covering, etc.) Her face was not covered, however. She had a huge smile on her face and pointed to the bird I was sketching (above.) She made a thumbs up gesture and smiled again. Then she pointed to her camera. I said ‘yes’ and she took a picture. Made the thumbs up gesture again and left. I walked 3 inches off the ground the rest of the day.

Today I had a long time Internet friend ask me for a favor. He wanted me to make a birthday painting for a friend of his who is getting married. His wife to be is having a birthday on the 3rd, and he asked my friend was who did the drawings he had been shown. Long story short, I just did the base painting on a birthday painting and will finish up details at the cafe this afternoon so I can send it to my friend today. 😁

_________________

Yesterday we visited my husband. He was alert and glad we came. He was drinking the tiny bottle of good-for-the-digestion stuff we bring him. All of a sudden he stopped, looked at me and said, “You’re wonderful.” That’s it. He went back to drinking. And I sat there, having melted into a puddle for seeing my husband for a few seconds. Otherwise, he was mentally back over 40 years ago when we visited a place called Tate Mountain in North Georgia. He wanted his notebook and I gave him a pen. He wanted to try to draw a diagram of the layout of the place. He was quite engrossed. Though his hand shook, we were able to calm the tremors by merely putting our hand over his for a few seconds and he would continue. The finished drawing wasn’t meaningful, and his mumbling about dams and bedrooms didn’t make much sense, but this is the definition of a good visit now.

___________________

Quotefancy

Tagged as friend asked me to paint a birthday card, getting the lard off progress report, lady gave me thumbs up, motivational quote, painted sketch and thank you notes, painting by Duncan Crombie - theartofweb.com, Tate Mtn Georgia, thoughts 5-31-2026, visiting my husband

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

May 29, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Saturday 5-30-2026

Helen Alexander – @bawley.bsky.social

Isn’t he magnificent? I love this photo!

_____________

Brian wasn’t feeling well this morning, so we didn’t go to the gym. Just as well – not that he wasn’t feeling well – but we had a pretty large storm just as we would have been outside trying to get to the gym. With the way it was pouring, with lots of close lightning and thunder, it would have been hard to collect ourselves to concentrate on walking on the treadmill when we got there.

The rain has stopped, so I have some laundry out drying (I hope) on my drying rack on my tiny balcony. We are planning to go visit Harvey at the nursing home this morning, if Brian’s stomach feels settled. He’ll let me know in a while if he wants to go and when.

_____________

Happily enough, my windows were wonderful! No leaks! This definitely would have been a “bucket and towel brigade” night and morning. Brian is going to check some ‘channels’ the builders installed on the outside of the building around each of the condos to make sure they are running freely and taking care of any excess water. (He used a straw on one of his, blowing some debris out of one of his channels this morning.) I will watch carefully to see where mine are.

_____________

Here is my latest painted sketch. I’m not happy with this. Because of my meager drawing skills, I have very little idea of perspective. In my mind’s eye, she is taller, quite slim, with the gauzy dress and hat billowing in the breeze as she walks past.

The thing that caught my eye in particular, other than her elegance in the middle of all the activity on the street, was that she was on her cell phone. The juxtaposition of the “Gone With the Wind” type dress and hat with the modern cell phone intrigued me.

I will probably try this again, trying to figure out a different way to do her justice.

___________________

I also sketched out 4 thank you cards. I have them base painted now, along with another larger sketch, but I need to finish the details.

____________________

10 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as elegant lady in a white dress with cell phone, going to visit my husband, latest painted sketch, no window leaks, smile quote, storm, thoughts 5-30-2026, window channels

May 29, 2026 · 12:26 am

Friday 5-29-2026

Mike Saunders – @hardwaterhacker.bsky.social

I love this place. My husband and I used to ‘judge’ whether or not we would like to live somewhere by ‘whether Fedex probably delivered or not.’ Noooo – I don’t think this would be practical, but I DO love it.

_________________

This is my latest painted sketch – “The Ice Cream Man – Thai Style.” Hearing the music played when he came down the street brought back some wonderful memories. Back in the Dark Ages when I was a kid, we would hear it and run like nuts all over the house, trying to gather enough money to buy what we loved. Then we would run out of our doors to meet him. We lived in a neighborhood in Tulsa, OK then, where there were two mile-long parallel streets, each with a house in the middle of an acre-and-a-quarter piece of land. You could see the kids running out, exactly as I was, all with happy faces in anticipation.

THIS ice cream man does not have kids running to greet him. He is traveling the super busy streets of Chiang Mai, with what to MY eyes is traffic that would challenge the most experienced driver. Kids are taught at an early age to not dart out into the street. There WERE 6 to 10 ladies who worked at a nail salon across the way who did rush out to meet him, money in hand. He stopped, apparently knowing this was a good stop on his regular route. All looked happy.

My son says the people who come by selling veggies (I haven’t seen one of these yet) have a “squawking-rubber-duckie-or-chicken” noise that is equally distinctive…

I will try to finish the elegant lady sketch when we go to the cafe in a few minutes. I’ll share that probably tomorrow.

_________________

On Fridays now, with Khun Nong’s sister taking her place as our housekeeper, our timetable is different than it used to be. When I come back from massage, Brian is here working, because the housekeeper is at his place.

He surprised me with ordering a to-die-for cream brulee treat and some lemonade for us. They surprised HIM with an extra one as a thank you for being a good customer! It is so wonderful to be able to splurge like this every once in a while without blowing my whole diet. My numbers are still good and my weight is holding steady, so I can indulge without guilt. Hooray!

__________________

The “Bucket and Towel Brigade” seems to be pretty much retired! We had some hard rain last night that would have triggered a much of the night vigil with towel wringing into the bucket and rolling the towels back up to catch as much water as possible as it leaked in onto the the window sills, down the walls and onto the floor. Last night I got up, checked, and then went back to bed. I checked again first thing this morning, saw there was not a drop of water anywhere, and texted Brian. Maybe THIS rainy season we’ll be able to see that it’s raining, smile, and enjoy the fact we’re inside and dry. :0)

__________________

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as bucket and towel brigade, cafe, housekeeper, latest painted sketch, massage, smile quote, the ice cream man - Thai style, thoughts 5-29-2026

May 27, 2026 · 10:02 pm

Thursday 5-28-2026

Figures in Light Photography – @figuresinlight.bsky.social

______________

I did MUCH better at the gym this morning. I’m feeling much stronger and steadier today. Hooray!! Brian and I shared a really nice breakfast of our breakfast burrito plus a small bowl of assorted fruit (canteloupe, watermelon, and the same yellow roundish fruit with a big seed in the middle that we ate yesterday.)

Brian figured out what the fruit is and sent me a video on the processing of what is called, “Jackfruit.”

I showed you a picture recently of some humongous things hanging from a tree at the nursing home.

This is Jackfruit

I hope this plays for you. I think it’s amazing.

______________________

I have been changing my sheets, putting out fresh towels, gathering trash, etc. to get ready for Khun Nong’s sister to come clean tomorrow. We are going with the flow on timing – just making sure we are out of her way – as we are very grateful that we are not just ‘having to do without’ while Khun Nong is on extended holiday. I am almost ready now.

_______________________

I had a great time at the cafe yesterday, starting out at a side table and then moving up to ‘my’ spot when the other people left, so I had the best of both worlds. I spent much of the time I was there yesterday finishing up the sketches I showed you yesterday and doing the sketch of “The Ice Cream Man” – Thai Style. I have the base painting done and will see if I can finish up the details at the cafe this afternoon.

I also dreamed about the lady in the big hat and dress that I would like to try to draw next. This is totally in my head. I don’t have a reference picture. I don’t have anything but my awe of her elegance bouncing around in my head. I’ll see what I can do.

_______________________

I’ve been having fun discovering things for the blog I think you’ll enjoy. I appreciate your feedback on what you like and would rather not see much more of, please.

________________________