This lucky lady enjoyed getting a massage this morning, and is smiling as she types, not hurting ANYWHERE. 🤗
I do have one, teeny, tiny gripe about the obtuseness of other people – a couple came in while Khun Weaw was working her magic on me. They were loud, totally unmindful that anyone else was there, or didn’t care. There were several times when there were things banging as accommodations were apparently being made for both of them to have adjoining pallets to have massages simultaneously. The lady who has subbed for Khun Weaw was handling one and the owner of the massage place was handling the other. They wouldn’t be in a position to tell customers to be quieter or mindful of the relaxation of others, but it’s my opinion that you shouldn’t have to be ‘told’ something as simple courtesy and paying attention. – End of gripe.
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Brian and I will go to the cafe soon to get out of the way while Khun Nong makes my place shine. I’m eager to do more sketching while I’m there. I’m also in the middle of one of my Jake Moriarity series books by R. G. Ryan, so I can dive into that. ✍🏼 📕 I’m hoping I get my window seat so that I can watch the insane traffic for a while. 🤣
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Shout out to Lisa Richey, a very talented, lovely lady who is experiencing increased health challenges right now. I’m trying to send warmth, relief, and love in her direction.
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Kudos to Team USA in the Milan Cortina Olympics! I’m having real trouble actually watching the competition since I live in Thailand – but I’m following the news as much as I can. At today’s reading, the USA has won 4 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 3 bronze medals. HOORAY!
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Have a wonderful day. Don’t forget to include something FUN in your day – even if it’s just for a few minutes.
“Zooming out” allows you to see what’s going on in the world in a different light. That helps a lot.
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Thailand Hilltribe Holidays
SEASONS – it’s hard to believe we’re almost to the ‘hot’ season –
Hot
Mar – May
Rainy
Jun – Oct
Cool
Nov – Feb
It was 68 when we went to the gym this morning and it’ll soon be 92 this afternoon. It really doesn’t seem hot unless you’re out in the direct sunlight. The humidity is low.
I am enjoying a really nice breeze with a fan on in my place as I type. I will regret it when the “hazy” part of the hot season arrives, when the farmers are burning off the crop residue. I’m getting really spoiled with the “cool” season right now. 😁
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Begin Learning
I’m going to try to do some sketching this afternoon. I’ve painted the last of my sketches, so I will enjoy spending time in my art alcove, or propped up with my sketchbook on my legs on the couch.
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I just returned from getting cash for my massage and my housekeeper tomorrow. I stopped and got some stuff at the 7-11 before coming back to my place. I met two of the kind cleaning ladies while getting on the elevator. The one I know the best smiled from ear to ear and started talking a mile a minute. I couldn’t understand a word. I said, “sorry” (caw tote ka-ah) and said I didn’t understand. She said it twice more and I still was a blank. Finally, she mimicked ‘sleep,’ and I simply smiled and nodded. She did, too, so it didn’t matter what my actual plans were. She is SUCH a sweet lady. (I gave her a Christmas card and she is the one who showed up at my door later with a bamboo-filled sweet for Brian and me to share as a thank you.) I ask their names and they answer with words that are so long they boggle my mind. So far, I feel I “know” TWO of the three cleaning ladies I have seen…
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Javier Perez, Artist
I have changed the sheets on the bed, changed out the towels, gathered the trash, put out cash and her weekly thank you card, and am now pretty much ready for my housekeeper, Khun Nong, to come and make my place shine tomorrow.
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I want to write two more posts and then I’ll see what I can sketch. ✍🏼
I hope that you are having a very, very pleasant day.
I just got back from getting my “2nd-chance-at-life 1st birthday present – a mani/pedi –
I chose dark purple with sparkles in it. I hope you can see the sparkles in this photo. I’m not sure yet if I LIKE it – but I’m delighted to feel “festive” today.
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This is the sketch I painted yesterday. Today I’m working on painting the last sketch in my book. I started it yesterday, but need to put some finishing touches on it. Then I’ll need to get my pencil hot and do more sketches!
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This orchid is experiencing a rebirth of sorts, too! It was given to me as a Mother’s Day/condo-warming present last year by my adoptive family here. I have never received an orchid before, much less a PLANT. I was thrilled.
True to form though, my plant started losing its blooms, one after the other. I was following the directions for placement of the plant in the indirect sun, spritzing the leaves every other day, but I was really worried it would die. All the blooms left and I kept spritzing the two leaves that were left in the pot. A couple more leaves arrived after quite a while, so I kept up my regimen. About two weeks ago, a small shoot appeared! I got out the wire I had saved and re-inserted it into the pot carefully using the wire ties I had saved to attach the shoot to the wire as it grew. About a week ago, buds started to appear. Yesterday, the largest bud opened!!!!!! As you can see, there are 5 more buds that will hopefully open. HOOORRAAAAAAAY!
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I’m going to use the rest of the day to catch up on some things, finish my blog posts, and enjoy playing in my art alcove. I also might have time to work on my puzzle.
We’re just back from visiting my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home. I’m grateful that he was comfortable (except for a bit of a cough) and wasn’t in any pain or upset.
There is very little left of the man I married almost 57 years ago. He lives in his own world now. He can’t tell you how old he is, what country he’s in, why he’s in a nursing home, and has no interest in things he used to care about. He did recognize us, though, and that’s good. The rest of the visit was a complete bust.
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These are my latest painted sketches. I have one more in my sketchbook, and I’ll try to work on that today.
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Airswift
Khun Nong is coming to clean Brian’s place today, so he’ll bring dinner to my place this evening. We’ll also back up my phone data and my computer data while he’s here. That has become routine now, and I’m pleased I don’t even need my notes on how to do it now!💪🏻 😁 I love our visits after dinner and backups. He’s such an interesting man, with a quick mind, sharp sense of humor, and interesting world view.
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Anne Grady Group
Well, our big street event for which a large sign was posted – saying to be off the street from 5am to 9pm Feb. 8th and 9th turned out to be a non-event. Nothing happened that we could see. Brian thinks it had something to do with one of the university’s graduations, and we did see a few dressed up people, but all I could find on the computer was that the general elections were happening at the same time.
Today was Day 2 of going back to the gym after being sick for a week with a cold. Yesterday I added yoga stretches and the stairs. Today is arm exercises with water bottles and the stairs I’m officially back!!!!
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We will visit Harvey again this week. The usual “every-3-day” visit would be this Friday; but Friday is our busiest day, so we usually go a day earlier or later so we can have a good visit and ease the Friday schedule. Whether we end up going Thursday, Friday or Saturday, I will take the Valentine’s picture I made for him –
“I found this picture and it spoke of joy. It made me wonder why people forget the importance of living. Maybe we get busy surviving and miss the simple truth—that life is not meant to be endured alone, but noticed, felt, and quietly appreciated.” –
John Rinaldo– “The Positive Pen” – Substack
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It is a glorious day today here in Chiang Mai. It’s 81 degrees, F. The sun is shining. My windows are open to a wonderful breeze.
DepositPhotos
I went to the gym this morning for the first time in a week! I walked a mile on the treadmill and still felt good. No sneezing, blowing my nose, almost passing out, or any other drama. HOORAY!!!!!
I plan to do yoga stretches later and I used the stairs in my building this morning!
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I’ve started painting a sketch I did Friday, and hope to do several today. Brian and I aren’t going out any more today since there was a sign posted for all vehicles to keep the street clear yesterday and today. I do hope that something happens today on the street; otherwise, people may ignore a sign to stay off the road next time.
We just had a tremendously loud BANG here. I texted Brian and he said it was “probably a transformer explosion.” Apparently, this is quite common, though I have to admit, it will take some getting used to… 💥 I did have to restart my computer before I could continue here, but Brian seemed unconcerned, saying “there might be other weird electrical problems for a bit.”
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In my efforts to lose my lard, my son Brian and I agreed that we would eat twice a day, breakfast and dinner, and have something like an iced mocha in the afternoons, or chocolate drink after we visit my husband, Harvey. Most of the time I do quite well with this, and am now within 4 lbs of my goal. Other times, though, my stomach insists my throat has been cut, demanding food. I usually drink a glass of water, but decided that if I had a bite of beef jerky, that would tide me over on those challenging days. Part of Brian’s text about the explosion included, “Jerky at your door.” I now have a package of “Natural Smoked Pork Jerky!” I will try to only eat a bite when my stomach is really growling after a glass of water. YUM!
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I’m trying to figure out a way to repost an article on cats that made me laugh out loud. It’s being recalcitrant so far, but hopefully I can share it with you.
Have a joy-filled “noticed, felt, and appreciated” day.
Isn’t this lovely? So calming. It almost makes me like winter…
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Something is due to happen on our street today and tomorrow. A sign was posted, asking people to stay off the road, but not what was happening. Brian thinks it might have to something to do with graduation at one of the universities – a parade of the graduates and their parents? Anyway, I check out my windows from time to time. It’s a lot quieter than normal with only more “necessary” traffic.
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Pinterest
I slept in again today – my final day of healing from my sore throat and cold. I really feel fine, though I’m still bringing up a small bit of stuff. I will start back to the gym in the morning. I’ve been a true sloth this week.
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I’ll enjoy writing my posts to you and I also plan to paint a sketch or two. I have one I finished yesterday to show you –
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Facebook – our eggs were on the bottom with the chicken and sausage arrranged in a circular fashion on top.
Brian and I usually eat what I call a “Breakfast Burrito” for breakfast – scrambled eggs, bacon, and a lot of salad rolled up into a tortilla. Delicious! This morning we had 2 fried eggs with chicken slivers and sausage slices fried into them, plus a side of some watermelon. YUM!
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I’ll let you know tomorrow if we get a parade, party, or whatever in the street. Take care and make the most of your time. Fine a reason to smile!
Brian and I went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. It was a better visit than many times. He told us that he was glad to see us, and later, when I told him I loved him, he looked at me and said, “I love you, too.” May not sound like much, but it meant the WORLD to me.
It was a mixed bag, though. He can’t comprehend his changed physical condition. He is completely bedridden and it takes three nurses to get him out of the bed and into a wheelchair. He was asking today about the shower in my place, acting as though he would be able to use it. He also wanted to come home. He said he was comfortable, though.
He asked for some highlighters in two colors to mark sentences in the book he’s finally trying to read. He doesn’t realize that there is no way he’ll be able to mark a sentence. His hands shake really badly and he’ll mark up the entire page trying to highlight a sentence. We got the highlighters when we got back and will take them to him when we go back Tuesday. He does seem to be using the bookmark I took him last time.
I told him about the Jake Moriarity Series I’m reading by R. G. Ryan and he wants to read the first book in the series. He isn’t able to work a Kindle anymore, so we will see what we can do about ordering a paperback copy of “Watercolor Dreams” on Amazon, even though the shipping will cost twice as much as the book and we’re not sure how long it will take to arrive. We’re grabbing at straws to find things that interest him and getting whatever we can. The other thing we’re looking into is magazines featuring guns and/or motorcycles…
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Made for Mums
Now that I’m home and free the rest of the afternoon, I’m going to try to do some painting of my sketches. I did several from yesterday and a couple more waiting from before that, so I’m looking forward to diving into that
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HouseDigest.com
I have the windows open and the breezes are blowing all over the place. I just love it. Technically it’s 87 degrees F. outside, but it feels wonderful, particularly since I’ve spent the last month or so cold most of the time. I just walk around smiling. Brian says it won’t be long until I’m griping because the heat will become oppressive and there will be a haze orginating from the farmers burning off crop residue, so I won’t be able to open my windows, but I’m enjoying every day and hoping what he’s forecasting will be delayed somehow.
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Trademark Lawyer Magazine
I’m going to try to catch as much of the Olympic games as I can starting today. I LOVE watching the incredible athletes competing. It’s exciting that the world came come together for this, concentrating on sports, hopefully not anything else, and celebrate the dedication and long hours these people have put in to try to compete here. Celebrating excellence!
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Happiful Magazine
I hope that your weather is such that you can get outside some and enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. Breathe in – breathe out – AHHHHHHHH!
“Pancho-The Pine Marten”–Remy Michaels – @remyscameraeye.bsky.social
I can’t say enough about Remy Michaels’ talent in photography. He gets me every time with photos that are unusual and beautiful. You can find him on BlueSky.social
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Vecteezy
I’m at about 90% this morning. I feel even better since I just came back to my place from a massage (ahhhhh!) and another of Brian’s doses of Vitamin C. My plan is to get back to the gym starting Monday morning.
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This afternoon Brian and I will go to the cafe to get out of Khun Nong’s -my housekeeper’s – way while she cleans my place. As usual, I’ll take my sketchbook and supplies, Kindle, plus sweatshirt with me. I now have some ear buds to use with my phone to listen to music on YouTube, but it’s a little much to try to use those with my hearing aids in. (One of the many perks of getting old. 😁) If I can snag the table at the front window, I’ll enjoy goggling at the insane traffic…
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I took some thank you cards to my massage therapist (Khun Weaw) and the lady who also works there who substituted for my therapist once (Khun Sulee.) I remembered how to say ‘thank you’ in Thai (sounds like, “cawp coon ka’ah!” plus bow and do the ‘wei’🙏🏻 while the cards were in both of my outstretched hands together to show they were for each of them. 🙂 I can’t WRITE ‘thank you’ in Thai, so just hope they have a translator on their phones. From their faces, I think I got it across how thankful I am for them.
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These are my two latest paintings.
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It’s a beautiful day here in Chiang Mai. It was 63 this morning and is supposed to get to 89 this afternoon. (The only reason I’m taking my sweatshirt to the cafe is that they tend to keep the temperature like a freezer for some reason, and both Brian and I tend to freeze after being there a while 🥶)
I’m better, but still ‘blowin’ and goin” as my mom used to say. I think I’ll be good in another couple of days. I have been drinking large doses of Vitamin C in orange juice since I woke up with the sore throat a couple of days ago. I have to say that it seems to have stopped the sore throat in its tracks, and lessened the severity of my cold.
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Since I was home, instead of at the gym this morning, I captured a picture of the dawn here to share.
These are my latest painted sketches.
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Today I’m doing my ‘chores’ to get ready for my housekeeper, Khun Nong, to come clean my place tomorrow – changing the sheets on my bed, changing out the towels, gathering the trash.
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We met my husband, Harvey’s, new nurse in the nursing home yesterday. Her name is pronounced, ‘la moon, la my’ and she has a very kind face and nice manner. She and Brian will be in good contact via phone, and that brings us peace of mind. Yesterday’s visit was challenging. Harvey just wanted to watch TV (the news in Thai – when he doesn’t understand a thing going on. ) He wanted to talk about investments, plus was talking about building our new ‘estate with a pool, with banana trees in the front yard and lots of dogs.’ We will go and visit again Saturday.
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I hope you’re doing well, staying safe and warm, and hopefully grinning from ear to ear sometime today.
I don’t look this good today. With the two big doses of Vitamin C my son mixed up for me in orange juice yesterday, my sore throat is relieved, but I seem to have degenerated now into an old fashioned common cold. UGH.
Brian and I went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning, and I was very careful not to touch him, hoping I wouldn’t give this to him. When we got home, Brian mixed me up another dose of Vitamin C and I took a long nap. I hate being sick…
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These are the latest painted sketches. Painting today is helping distract me from how yucky I feel 😁
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I signed up for Substack about a month ago. I am really enjoying looking at the articles on there and meeting new, interesting people.
Sheila Murrey – @sheilaspiralsister is my friend, and she writes articles for Substack. She is a multi-talented lady I am proud to know and I’m happy to recommend that you look for her there. She just included a chapter from a book she’s writing that discusses sounds and frequencies and how they affect us.
R. G. Ryan – @rgryan is an author I met through reading his Jake Moriarity books via X, and then he decided to start writing serious opinion articles on Substack. I followed him there and was happy I did. Now he has changed his focus from opinion pieces to ones such as, A Lot to Carry Pain Is Not Passive, where he is focusing on what we as ordinary people are carrying around on our shoulders that is affecting our ability to live life to the fullest and to interact with others.
AND there are several people who post pictures and videos that make me laugh or bring me to tears, or both. Very talented artists and photographers post there, as well. I find this platform well worth my time. I thoroughly recommend it. Substack.com
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I hope that Mother Nature has decided to give you a break now, and will let the ice and snow melt, raise the temperatures, and allow you to enjoy your days more.
“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.
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.
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.
“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…
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.
“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.
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
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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Deposit Photos – Kiddipedia
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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Pinterest
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. 🤞
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. ❤️
“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.
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.
“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.
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!
“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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Pinterest
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…
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!
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.
“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…🤭
“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
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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Latest painted sketches
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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.
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.
Latest painted sketch
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 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 –
walking on the treadmill one mile every day, trying to continue to retrain my brain and body to improve my balance. I’m now walking without holding on, concentrating on relaxing while I’m walking, increasing the speed and the incline % as I can.
On alternate days, I’m either doing a half hour or so of yoga stretches (including sit ups, a plank, and a ‘reach-up-stretch-and-then-bend-over-to-try-to-touch-my-toes’ several times). My plank is pathetic so far, but I’m working on it – OR I do half an hour or so of arm exercises with water bottles (also including the reach up and then bend over with the bottles.)
Next week I’m planning to add stairs to the mix. I’ll start by walking down 5 flights of stairs – carefully, so as not to fall on my head and break all my bones. Then I’ll mix that with trying to see how many flights I can walk UP…. (Balance, stamina, and breath control, as well as building some muscle.)
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Drawing – Bird- latest painted sketch.
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.
creativeartworksblog 
Monday, 2-9-2026
“I found this picture and it spoke of joy. It made me wonder why people forget the importance of living. Maybe we get busy surviving and miss the simple truth—that life is not meant to be endured alone, but noticed, felt, and quietly appreciated.” –
John Rinaldo– “The Positive Pen” – Substack
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It is a glorious day today here in Chiang Mai. It’s 81 degrees, F. The sun is shining. My windows are open to a wonderful breeze.
DepositPhotos
I went to the gym this morning for the first time in a week! I walked a mile on the treadmill and still felt good. No sneezing, blowing my nose, almost passing out, or any other drama. HOORAY!!!!!
I plan to do yoga stretches later and I used the stairs in my building this morning!
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I’ve started painting a sketch I did Friday, and hope to do several today. Brian and I aren’t going out any more today since there was a sign posted for all vehicles to keep the street clear yesterday and today. I do hope that something happens today on the street; otherwise, people may ignore a sign to stay off the road next time.
We just had a tremendously loud BANG here. I texted Brian and he said it was “probably a transformer explosion.” Apparently, this is quite common, though I have to admit, it will take some getting used to… 💥 I did have to restart my computer before I could continue here, but Brian seemed unconcerned, saying “there might be other weird electrical problems for a bit.”
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In my efforts to lose my lard, my son Brian and I agreed that we would eat twice a day, breakfast and dinner, and have something like an iced mocha in the afternoons, or chocolate drink after we visit my husband, Harvey. Most of the time I do quite well with this, and am now within 4 lbs of my goal. Other times, though, my stomach insists my throat has been cut, demanding food. I usually drink a glass of water, but decided that if I had a bite of beef jerky, that would tide me over on those challenging days. Part of Brian’s text about the explosion included, “Jerky at your door.” I now have a package of “Natural Smoked Pork Jerky!” I will try to only eat a bite when my stomach is really growling after a glass of water. YUM!
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I’m trying to figure out a way to repost an article on cats that made me laugh out loud. It’s being recalcitrant so far, but hopefully I can share it with you.
Have a joy-filled “noticed, felt, and appreciated” day.
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Tagged as beautiful weather, Daddy & Sons Pork Jerky, first day back at the gym - yoga stretches - stairs, John Rinaldo - The Positive Pen - Substack - repost of Joy comments and photo, Monday Thoughts 2-9-2026, mysterious road closing, painting sketches, transformer explosion?