Category Archives: Thoughts on a ________

September 4, 2026 · 1:28 am

Friday 9-4-2026

LindenShieldARTs.bsky.social

________________________

Today is a different Friday than we normally have.

Brian and I went to the gym, as usual, and guess what! – Ugly American was there in all his glory. I’m not sure how he got in today, but he said “Good Morning” to us, which we ignored as we entered. He proceeded to go to the back, making lots of noise with the heavy equipment. Then the walking up and down behind me and loud talking on the phone started up again.

I definitely need to work on my character-building. I was so busy trying to ignore him that it had the opposite effect. I found myself straining to listen each time he passed to hear if he were speaking English or not. I couldn’t hear him but Brian told me later it was, in fact, English. Then I was mentally seeing news signs about “old American lady arrested for assault at a local gym, the victim sporting teeth marks on his calf that match the teeth in the old woman’s mouth….”

________________________

When we got back, my favorite cleaning lady met us in the lobby with a big bag of gorgeous bananas. Apparently, she has a banana tree and grows her own! We each had one as part of our breakfast this morning and they were delicious!

__________________________

Brian got a text from Khun Bpaum, our housekeeper, this morning saying that she was sick and so wouldn’t be here today.

I went to my massage as usual. Khun Weaw was back and I got a really nice massage. I am very, very lucky that both ladies there are so good and willing to give me massages.

Brian texted me soon after I got back to my place from that, asking if I wanted him to bring a “Sanak” as he calls it. Sanak (सनक) most commonly means a sudden whim, craze, obsession, or a fit of madness in Hindi and Urdu. As if he really needed to ask… We shared a really decadent treat and then had a glass of lemonade. Whoopeee!

_______________________

I will be heading to the cafe soon to enjoy some sketching.

These are my latest sketches.

An amazing thing happened at the cafe yesterday. I walked in and a young man was sitting at the front. I turned and started toward the back. He stopped me, stood up and said, “I’m in your spot.” I laughed and told him that it wasn’t ‘my spot,’ and that I could be comfortable at the back. He said, “No. I’ve seen you drawing before and you need the light. I’ll move somewhere else.” He insisted, and moved to a spot in the outside area. Can you believe that?

Heidi came and we had the nicest visit. I feel as if we could talk for hours and never run out of things to talk about. When she left, she was going first to Canada, then to the States, and finally to India. I’m in awe of her calmness telling me of her plans to see family. She is planning to be back here in the spring, so that gives us both something to look forward to. Meanwhile, we can keep up with each other via email and chat, and maybe even carrier pigeon… :0)

After she left, I finished the sketches above.

________________________

Sue Elliott

2 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

September 2, 2026 · 10:11 pm

Thursday 9-3-2026

David Salter – @Davidjsalter onX

Isn’t this magnificent?

________________________

Whole Dog Journal

I don’t know what to think. Today was the 2nd day in a ROW that Mr. Ugly didn’t come to the gym. I was braced, but it didn’t happen. I don’t know whether to simply hope his visit has ended or that he’s decided the atmosphere was a bit cold in this gym, but either one would be wonderful….

___________________

I’m doing my chores to get my place ready for the housekeeper tomorrow. I’m so lucky to have her!

__________________

Right now the sun is shining and I’ve opened the windows to air everything out. I just love being able to create a nice cross breeze, plus I turn on my fan to circulate the air even more – and then enjoy breathing it in. The Chiang Mai Pollution Index says the air quality is good today. I have some laundry out on my balcony drying rack, hoping it will get dry so I can bring it in when I go to meet Heidi at the cafe later today.

She leaves this afternoon to go first to the States and then back to India, where she has a place. I’m SO glad we’ll get to visit one more time. It’s rare to meet someone and feel you’ve known them all your life. I would really like to keep this new friendship going.

________________________

I’ve been researching and finding lots of talented people whose work I want to share with you. I’m making a list. I hope you love their work, too.

________________________

The nursing home sent us a short video of Harvey being helped to eat a piece of pizza! He gets his nutrition via a nasal tube, so any real food or drink is a real treat. We always bring him orange drinks and some kind of fruit pie, and sometimes Brian orders French fries to be delivered. It was wonderful seeing him enjoy that.

_________________________

Juanita Futch

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

September 2, 2026 · 4:30 am

Wednesday 9-2-2026

Boo – @333too3 on Substack

__________________

I’m just back from the cafe. It started pouring just before I was about to go. I decided to delay my departure and see if the rain let up. Meanwhile, Brian texted me that he would walk me over when I was ready. See what a wonderful son he is? I got ‘my’ spot at the cafe and sketched comfortably for a couple of hours, finishing one sketch and starting two more.

___________________

My latest.

____________________

I had my gym time this morning without the companionship of the Ugly American. One can HOPE he’s gone, but I won’t hold my breath.

_____________________

I made a bit of progress on the chameleon puzzle, finally getting the two sides to meet. It doesn’t even bother me that it might take forever to complete this one. It adds so much nice color to that part of the room. :0)

____________________

My friend Heidi leaves the country tomorrow 🥲 but she texted me to see if I could meet tomorrow before she leaves! I’m really looking forward to another face-to-face meeting. She will be back sometime next spring.

______________________

I found a piece of bubble wrap in my closet and I’ve been popping bubbles like a fiend since I came home. This is probably a sign of my decline, but I just LOVE popping the bubbles! 🫧 😜 🤣

_____________________

Lavonne Weathermon

6 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

September 1, 2026 · 4:41 am

Tuesday 9-1-2026

Facebook

_____________________

Today has been a mixed bag for me.

Brian and I visited Harvey at the nursing home this morning. We decided to do an experiment, since Harvey hasn’t been greeting me and it isn’t clear if he knows who I am. I entered his room first and greeted him. He said, “Hi, Babe,” so it was clear he recognized me this time – a relief. This was a better than usual visit, with him mostly making sense. He wanted to see my latest sketch, and talked about riding in his wheelchair to go to the shop (in Arkansas) to hang my paintings up on the shop walls. We adjusted his fan, put his socks on, and generally made sure he was comfortable. We each held a hand while we talked, and he squeezed ours from time to time.

I got an answer to an email I had sent, asking how my dog, Amber, was doing. I found out that she died suddenly a couple of months ago. The lady who adopted her hadn’t wanted to tell me. I realize that this email was really hard for her because we were both grieving. What I tried to tell her was that I appreciate her letting me know, giving me closure, and that I was so happy for Amber that she had TWO families who loved her with all their hearts. So now both Amber and Jet are gone – but they both had stellar families to love for the rest of their lives. Life doesn’t get better than that.

I was exhausted when we got home from visiting Harvey, so I took a quick nap. Then I went to the cafe, lucked out and got my favorite spot, and had a happy time sketching.

These are my two latest sketches –

This is one of the buildings on the University of Chiang Mai Convention Center/Park campus.

_________________________

At the gym this morning, the Ugly American came up behind us, using our door opening as his entrance. I don’t know why he doesn’t go to the gym when the staff are available and make sure he has face recognition, or a QR code to get him in the door during this time when the card reader isn’t working, but he seems to think he is above all that. Not only that, he got on the treadmill right beside me today! He proceeded to hit the buttons that make a beeping sound the whole time he was on the machine. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say he hit the buttons 100 times in the 25 minutes he was on there. He then proceeded to walk up and down the length of the gym, talking loudly into his phone as usual. We left without my having told him what I thought of his manners or biting him in the leg. Brian said the understatement of the day when he said, “You really don’t like him, do you?”

_______________________

jimmy ssi

10 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , ,

August 30, 2026 · 10:48 pm

Monday 8-31-2026

Tree P. – @tpjrm on X

I think this is SOOO cute – no matter whether day or evening or what day it is!

_____________________

August is biting the dust and hopefully Mother Nature and her summer mood will ease up on the U.S. very soon. The intense heat and then rain and back again has been challenging, to say the least. Maybe you’ll have a stellar Fall season to make up for this. (The mailbox decoration was one that caused a lot of comments from our neighbors when we lived in Arkansas.)

__________________

Shutterstock_G&G Fitness Equipment

I did my mile on the treadmill at the gym this morning. The Ugly American made another appearance. I was hoping he had moved on. He rang the doorbell imperiously and then paced the length of the gym and back again over and over talking loudly on his phone. I tried to block him out, but wasn’t strong enough. Brian really doesn’t want me to confront him, so I’m trying to comply… I’ll also do my yoga stretches before I go to the cafe.

______________________

Instagram (isn’t this a lovely sketch for the image?)

I spent the whole time at the cafe sketching the building I saw on the Chiang Mai University Convention Center park/campus yesterday. I base painted the sketch last night and will take it to the cafe this afternoon to work on the details. This has been a difficult one, but I hope I’m catching the flavor of it.

___________________

Lotuss Aluminum Drying Rack (This is similar to the one I have.)

I took my clothes to the laundry this morning, then spent time washing my carrier and its inner bags in my condo. They’re all on my drying rack on the balcony now. Carrying a crocheted or cloth bag every day results in a quite dirty bag fairly quickly, and – since I love my crocheted bags – I wash them out every so often to keep them as fresh as possible. Happily, I have two of them, with two inner pouches for each. I have everything switched to my clean bag now, so it doesn’t matter how long it takes for the other set to dry. I’ve hung them inside out, so they will fade as little as possible, and I’ll turn them over, and keep moving them to get as much air to them as I can.

______________________

Jeanne Pinkerton

Leave a comment

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , ,

August 29, 2026 · 11:19 pm

Sunday 8-30-2026

Dr. Amber Rose – @beevenomtherapyforever on Substack

______________________

I had an okay session at the gym, shared a really nice breakfast with Brian, and then started to write this post. I got sleepy and just stretched out “for a second.” My phone woke me up with a text from Brian that there was a parcel outside my door. It was a small, fat bag of beef jerky. Who knew that would make me smile like a loon? Anyway, the jerky is stored to be opened later, if I get really hungry this afternoon when it’s too early for dinner and I’m again sitting down writing this post…

_______________________

I have a couple of sketches that I’m going to try to start at the cafe today. One is of a building on the campus of the Chiang Mai University Convention Center. The other is of a photo of a frog named Bob that I fell in love with.

_________________________

Today is exercise with water bottles, guitar practice, posts for the blog, and bringing in my laundry which I hope gets dry on my balcony before the rain for the day hits.

_________________________

Man v Fat

Getting the Lard off Progress/Accountability Report for August, 2026 –

Total Poundage off – 97.4 pounds

Total Inches off – 94.2 inches

I’m still watching my portions, but we’re branching out more on what we’re eating, enjoying more things sometimes that were on the ‘no-no’ list, enjoying every bite, ready to pull back if I start gaining weight again. I’m trying to stay in a 3-pound range around 110 as my permanent weight now. (I weigh 107 this morning.). I’m trying to continue my efforts to move more, although it’s difficult right now because I’m feeling tired and sleepy. I’m hoping we will hear from my doctor in the coming week or so when she is back in town. We have asked her to revisit my thyroid hormone blood tests results to see if we can lower my medicine dosage some more. When I have more energy, I’ll add back some of my computer video exercises.

______________________________

(This wonderful drawing was done by our family friends, Hal and Mary Ellen Thomson)

A hundred years or so ago, I played the guitar and sang in order to earn money for college. This included playing at a place called, “The Dust Bowl” in Tulsa, OK. It was a small place and I loved playing and singing for a small group of kind people. Since Brian bought me another used guitar, this one smaller with a much narrower neck, I’m trying to relearn how to play and sing one of the songs I used to sing in college and at the bowl – “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” Brian worked with me some the other day, showing me a way to add drum rhythm to my strumming, and showing me the chords he uses when playing the song. This is what I’m able to practice now! I’m loving trying, even though I sound awful and my playing is graceless, at best, at this point. At least I can hear an almost clear sound from the chords now… Whoopeeeeeeeee!

______________________________

Ellen Buesgen

6 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , ,

August 29, 2026 · 4:39 am

Saturday 8-29-2026

This makes my heart sing.

_____________________

I just got back from sketching at the cafe. It rained like crazy for a while, and then, when it let up, I made my way home. Brian texted me after I got to my place, telling me to look out the window. There was a gorgeous rainbow!

_______________________

We went to visit Harvey at the nursing home this morning. I think I told you before that each visit is different. After all the glowing reports and pictures from the staff there yesterday, Harvey had forgotten all of that happened. We had to show him the pictures, and then he only looked confused. He was talking about throwing the suction machine (he calls it the torture machine) out the window again and burning it. He also talked about burning down a house he can see from his bed. When I asked him why, he said, “Because it’s there.” He also said he was going to “wreck Walmart.” when we asked him why, he never answered us. He did ask to see my sketches, so that was something good, and he WAS comfortable and calm, other than wanting to be an arsonist….

__________________________

Here are the sketches I finished today –

___________________

I did well at the gym this morning. I was able to walk my mile on the treadmill without holding on to the handlebars. It felt good, too. My energy lasted until we were on the way home from visiting Harvey, then I was like a deflated balloon, almost falling asleep in the GRAB. I took a nap when I got home before going to the cafe. I’m HOPING that my change in thyroid hormone dosage is beginning to make a difference, but it may just be my HOPING that is fooling me. Anyway, it was good to feel energetic until noon…

____________________

2 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

August 28, 2026 · 4:47 am

Friday 8-28-2026

Pamela Schifano – @pammypoo on Substack

______________________

Here are my latest painted sketches –

________________________

We just got some photos from the nursing home. Harvey was on the front porch in his wheelchair with some other patients, trying to sign his name on a big sign they put in his lap. First, he hasn’t agreed to allow them to try to get him into the wheelchair for quite a while. Second, he hasn’t wanted to meet anyone else there. Third, it looked like he was going to try to shake hands with another patient in one of the pictures. Definitely a good day for him. Brian just sent another picture and a video with Harvey having been wheeled out past the porch and outside the gate where he can see the progress in one of the rice fields. It looked like he was taking an interest. We will go visit tomorrow.

___________________________

I posted an article on Substack called, “Moving to Thailand – How Do You Pack 56 years into ONE Suitcase and a Backpack?”

___________________________

I had my massage this morning. Khun Weaw, my regular therapist, wasn’t there. Khun Sulee took her place. She is more aggressive than Khun Weaw, and did a fine job of folding me into a paper airplane in some cases, JUST on the edge of being too much. I drank a bottle of water when I got back to my place, hoping to prevent any soreness. I really feel good right now. I’m am very lucky to have TWO therapists that do a great job for me.

_______________________

Brian and I shared a treat at my place and then we went to the cafe to get of Khun Bpaum’s way while she was cleaning my place. I had a good time with sketching, avoided a hard rain shower, and we will eat dinner soon.

____________________________

Annette Tomplait

8 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

August 26, 2026 · 10:01 pm

Thursday 8-27-2026

@shannonguerra on Substack

I’m sitting here wondering why the sign makes me want to do just that – 😜

__________________

Here are my latest painted sketches –

_________________________

Brian texted me yesterday afternoon, asking me to unlock my door. When I did, he came in with a guitar! Somehow he decided that I had shown enough determination and had tried to fight with the fact that the guitar was large for me and the neck was so wide I was really having to work to get my fingers into position on the frets that he had chosen wrong before and had brought me a replacement!

It’s smaller, the neck is narrower, it FEELS better when I hold it. I was able to show him that I could move from one chord to another – not with grace – but showed I had been working hard to re-memorize finger positions and with the smaller neck, I was indeed, able to ‘keep my flesh off the box, dahlin” and make a pretty clear sound. To say I’m thrilled is such an understatement.

We will either sell or give away the other guitar, and I’ll start trying to actually PLAY something today!!!! There is still a LOT of work to do so I know what I’m doing again, and the sick frog voice is alive and well, but I will be grinning when I’m trying to work on an actual song today. 🎸😜

__________________

When we were sharing breakfast, I mentioned that the next completely frivolous thing I would like to look for was a Thai broom. I’ve done a post where I showed you some of the wonderful brooms they make (and USE!) here. He got up, went to a closet, and pulled out this broom –

I have it hanging on my wall next to my little kitchen now, considering it a work of art. The workmanship is amazing. Brian says it was made by the ‘mountain people’ above Chiang Mai.

_______________________

Small Town Girl – @donna855789 – on Substack

12 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , ,

August 25, 2026 · 10:40 pm

Wednesday 8-26-2026

This is particularly for Sheila, though I hope you all enjoy it, as I did. Spirals are a big part of her life, as she explains on her website.

___________________

I had a laugh and a lesson at the gym this morning.

While I was walking on the treadmill, we were joined by our nice Thai guy who brought us the Rambutan fruit yesterday plus our Ugly American, complete with doorbell, walking, and loud talking on the phone again. As my irritation grew, I seriously thought about the fact that my hearing aids can be controlled by my phone and can mute the sound around me. (I have only used that once since I’ve had them.) While I was thinking, I realized that I don’t WEAR my hearing aids to the gym, so I COULDN’T mute him. My ditziness and the whole situation struck me as funny and I started to laugh.

It reminded me of when I was taking a course in speed reading as a part of my Master’s degree program. I was super irritated because while I was trying to do the lesson, or more important, complete one of the tests, people were coming in and out of the classroom, talking to each other, moving desks around, etc. making it REALLY hard for me to do my work. THEN it finally occurred to me that “I” was the problem and that THIS was a huge part of what we were supposed to be learning – to concentrate and function well in the midst of distractions and irritation!

So I’ve equated the two character-building exercises and declared it the same type of exercise. “I” am the problem at the gym. I will work on tuning out distractions and concentrating on the job at hand, keeping my balance while walking on the treadmill, hopefully without having to hold onto the handlebars…

_________________________

Brian has gotten us two new salad meals lately and both of them are completely yummy. The first is a salad with chicken, regular salad stuff, plus FRUIT, like pineapple and grapes. I never would have thought about putting those together, but it’s really good.

The second is a salmon salad. This one, in addition to the salmon and regular salad stuff, includes rice and edamame. I have no clue what the dressing for either salad is, but they’re different from each other, made at the place that sells the salads, and really, really good.

__________________________

I didn’t finish any sketches at the cafe yesterday, but should today.

___________________________

Christina

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , ,

August 25, 2026 · 4:16 am

Tuesday 8-25-2026

Mind Shift Musings on Substack

______________________

We went to see Harvey at the nursing home this morning. He was ‘with us’ part of the time, following things we were telling or asking him. The important thing was that he was calm, comfortable, and was NOT upset about the physical therapy session yesterday. The therapist is just moving his arms and legs, trying to prevent them from freezing up from being immobile in bed. We were afraid Harvey would strongly object, but he hasn’t, and said the man is NOT hurting him. Big relief. He DID tell us he opened the window, paid someone to come and get the suction machine and throw it out the window and burn it.😜. He said he worried all day yesterday because we didn’t come. I told him I was sorry, but that today was Tuesday and we were here now.

When we got home I had a text from Heidi, my new friend who made the butterfly collage for me, saying she was at the cafe. I immediately went to join her and we enjoyed coffees and some good conversation. I will miss her when she has to leave soon.

_______________________

These are my latest sketches.

_____________________

I’ve told you we’ve had some challenges from the card reader that gives us access to the gym. One day a Thai man was checking in before us and used a facial recognition feature to get the door to open. He then let us in. We saw him again today. He went in, and then Brian used the QR code to get us in. The man was waiting for us with some Rambutan that he gave to Brian.

Credit: Getty / Karl Tapales

Rambutan is a fruit aka “Cow’s or Dragon’s Eyes” a really sweet fruit that’s delicious. We enjoyed some with our breakfast today.

Contrast this with an American who got there after we did yesterday. I was on the treadmill and Brian had finished his and was doing other exercises. The man rang the doorbell repeatedly until Brian stopped his exercises and let him in. (This is a big “no-no” in gym etiquette. If you can’t get in, you go do something else. You don’t bother people in the middle of their workouts. He didn’t even bother to thank Brian for letting him in. Brian went back to his exercises and the man proceeded to walk the length of the gym talking loudly on his phone – another no-no and highly distracting. I had to grab my handlebars as he kept going back and forth and I couldn’t keep my concentration. This is the example of why we are called “Ugly Americans” in so much of the world. An attitude that the rules don’t apply to you, that common courtesy is not important, and that you’re the only one that matters. It’s embarrassing. I thought about biting him in the leg and then telling him I hadn’t had my rabies shot…

__________________________

Ellen Buesgen

10 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , ,

August 23, 2026 · 11:09 pm

Monday 8-24-2026

TinaAnn

From May to October is Chiang Mai’s “Rainy Season.” While this doesn’t cause people to have to curtail activities, it does take some adaptation and a deep appreciation for water.

Last year, due to really leaky windows all around my condo, I created the “Towel and Bucket Brigade” – a one-person effort to sop up the water before it rain down the walls and soaked the floor. I used every towel I had in every size to roll up and put on the window sills around my place, then carry the bucket around, wringing out each towel and putting it back up until the leaking stopped. Then I would wring them out a final time and hang them on my drying rack on my little balcony, trying to dry them out before the next rain…

Now I am sitting in the lap of luxury. The Brigade has been dissolved, no longer needed since we replaced all of my windows, sealing them well, and installing some extras that channel the water away from my windows in the first place. I can now look and enjoy the rain – never taking for granted that I’m no longer leaping around with buckets and towels.

I do, however, carry my umbrella in my carrier, as well as my rain suit. One minute the sun is shining The next minute it’s POURING. Some of the places we go have flooding problems, too, so we need to be mindful of that during this time of the year.

_________________________

This is my latest painted sketch – the first in my “butterfly” series. I’m trying to be as careful as I can to get the butterfly details correct, but sometimes artistic license is necessary (meaning it didn’t go as well as I would have liked.) 🤭

__________________________

I told you a couple of days ago that our former hairstylist (and good friend) Michael had a stroke. He seems to be okay. He is, of course, supposed to rest and not work, but reality rears its ugly head. He HAS to work. He is self-employed and can’t afford to take any time off. Fortunately, the majority of his clients are willing to work with him on scheduling. I have sent him some unsolicited advice, plus the URL to an exercise for seniors website that I use myself that I hope he can work into his evenings, as well as a daily walk with his doggies. Prayers and good thoughts are very appreciated.

__________________________

I also told you that I was a bit disappointed that my doctor didn’t lower the dosage on my thyroid hormone prescription when we saw the latest lab work results. We wrote to her, asking her to revisit our question, but just this morning were notified that she is out of the office until early September. We have decided to experiment a bit and see what happens. We will be careful, but the symptoms I’m having are the same I used to have when I had Graves Disease (out of control hyperactive thyroid) before it was radiated.

__________________________

Pinterest

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

August 23, 2026 · 12:09 am

Sunday 8-23-2026

I just wrote an article for Substack about dealing with the loss of a friend.

I found out this morning that I lost a good, long-time friend, and I just finished posting an article about trying to handle that. Please check it out if you are interested.

_________________________

I’m having a normal day today – mostly because I don’t want to sit here and wallow in my MY feelings of loss, so I’ve been to the gym, showered, dressed and eaten breakfast with Brian, answered emails and blog comments, written the Substack article, and will write my blog posts. Today is exercise with water bottles, and I’ll practice my guitar before heading to the cafe this afternoon. If I have time, I’ll rest a bit, but staying busy is the best thing for me right now and honoring Cathy’s friendship.

________________________

I’m working on my first in the series of butterfly sketches. I don’t know if the idea will work or not. I’ll be interested to hear your comments when I post it tomorrow.

__________________________

@AzikeProsper on Substack

8 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , ,

August 22, 2026 · 4:31 am

Saturday 8-22-2026

Alison Ellis – @maggiemoomooart on Substack

___________________

We had the best visit in a long, long time with my husband this morning. I saw the man I married for a brief glimpse and it was truly wonderful. He liked my blouse. He liked my haircut. He said his favorite painting on his happy wall was the one I painted for our 57th anniversary. (The one to the left of the Calvin & Hobbes painting.) He said a lot of other stuff that didn’t make sense, but I can live on this for quite a while.

___________________

This is the painted sketch I finished today, plus 4 more Christmas cards.

Because of Heidi’s and my conversation yesterday which included how wonderful all the butterflies were in Chiang Mai, plus Sheila’s comment about butterflies, I’m starting a new series, where I do a regular sketch, but then add one of the butterflies of Chiang Mai to the drawing. We’ll see how it goes and what you think.

____________________

Women’s Health

Please say a prayer or have a good thought for my former hair stylist, Michael, who had a stroke a few days ago. We hope he recovers quickly and well and can return to work sometime soon.

______________________

Pamela Schifano – @pammypoo on Substack

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

August 21, 2026 · 7:42 am

Friday 8-21-2026

Sue Hewson Artist – @srh_sue on X

___________________

The night crew was busy and noisy last night. (1-4am). They had a truck with a really long, heavy trailer that was carrying humongous coils of wire or pipe or “something.” They used two hoe-digger vehicles to get the coils off the truck and onto the road. One coil covered half of the road. The road was narrowed down to one lane while they did this with people directing traffic. The workers tied one end of the coil to one of the vehicles and the other to the 2nd vehicle. The first drove down the road pulling the coil straight and running it along the edge of the street. (When one man stood inside the coil, he disappeared, the coil was so big.) They did this procedure for each of the 4 coils. I don’t know what happened after that. I got 3 hours of sleep last night and wasn’t the brightest bulb in the light socket today.

I went to the gym and then shared breakfast with Brian. Then I came and took a nap until it was time for my massage. I got a great massage! Brian and I spent some time at my place and then we went to the cafe to get out of my housekeeper’s way while did performed miracles on my place.

While we were at the cafe, my friend Heidi came! We had a great time together, getting to know each other better (although she is someone I feel like I’ve known for years.) We had a wonderful conversation, then moved to creating some art together. I worked on one of my sketches and Heidi had brought her collage materials and proceeded to make two collage pieces – giving one to me and keeping the other companion piece as mementos of our afternoon.

It’s on my wall beside my computer where I can see it every day. She wrote a nice note on the back, too. A really lovely woman.

We came back home and had some dinner, and now I’m just betting to writing blog posts.

_____________________

I should have some artwork to show you tomorrow. We’re going to see Harvey at the nursing home in the morning and then I’ll be at the cafe in the afternoon.

_______________________

Tracy Chrest On Substack

2 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

August 20, 2026 · 4:26 am

Thursday 8-20-2026

Sent to me by my SIL, ML. Love it!

_________________

I just came back from sketching at the cafe. It had started sprinkling just as I was finishing a sketch, so I packed everything up and came home. Just as I opened the door to my condo, the sky went dark and it POURED. Things are easing up now, but I got home in time to get my laundry off my balcony and stay dry. Hooraaaay!

___________________

Here is my latest painted sketch.

________________

I got my hair cut today. I don’t look like the woman in the picture I showed my stylist, but that wasn’t going to happen in any way, shape, or form. He DID get rid of all the excess hair in the back and on the sides, leaving the top long. This is me without any kind of styling ‘stuff.’ I can use mousse if I want to to try to make it a bit more edgy (I think), but it FEELS really good now. 💇

__________________

I wrote an article on Substack yesterday, seeing my grandparents as a child and now as an adult. It’s called, “Seeing My Grandparents – Then and Now – POV’s at 12 and 79.”

___________________

Brian met the heart doctor and Harvey’s nurse at the hospital yesterday to analyze a new blood sample the nurse brought and see if Harvey’s blood pressure medicine needed changing. Somehow, the bill for this was over $450! We will get with the docs at the hospital and the new owner of the nursing home and make sure we’re on the same page on what meds are necessary, and where we can get them for the lowest prices. We will see Harvey Saturday at the nursing home.

____________________

Today I did the prep stuff for my housekeeper coming tomorrow – changing the sheets, changing towels, gathering trash, general straightening. Tomorrow I have my massage (Ahhhhh!) and then Brian and I will go to the cafe to get out of the way until Khun Bpaum is finished cleaning.

____________________

11 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

August 18, 2026 · 10:04 pm

Wednesday 8-19-2026

I love what Christy is trying to do here. Talk about ‘mixed media!” I hope she’ll post the finished product. I just discovered her on Substack today. I’ll go back to her page and see what I can find.

____________________

This weird little guy is what I finished at the cafe yesterday, along with some thank you cards.

_____________________

I have found several more talented people on Substack whose work I’ll share with you. I’m writing blog posts this morning and will at least start on a new article for Substack. I’ll do yoga stretches, hopefully get my clothes dry on the balcony before the rains come (the app says 80% chance of rain all day today) and then I’ll spend time at the cafe sketching.

_______________________

Sanjay Mahamine

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , ,

August 18, 2026 · 1:49 am

Tuesday 8-18-2026

I added Yosemite Sam to Harvey’s “Happy Wall” this morning when we visited. He liked it and wanted it on his wall, but he wanted to put it on the “next” wall, whatever that meant, and he didn’t remember that we made this one out of sheet metal for our mailbox in Arkansas.

He knew who we were today, was calm and comfortable, and was NOT upset at the physical therapy he got yesterday morning or the man who worked with him on it. Hooray! He also liked my nail polish, and said I needed a haircut (Thursday!) So this was one of the better visits.

____________________

I got the test results back on my latest bloodwork at the routine doctor’s visit recently. It was all showing good, with improvement in all areas. We are writing the doctor back, though, asking her to revisit the dosage for my thyroid hormone. I’m tired much of the time, (just got up from a nap) – a sure sign to ME that my dosage is too high. I’ve lost 44 pounds since I first started seeing this doctor, and my dosage has been the same since before we moved to Thailand. I’m hoping that she will think that trying a lower dosage would be a good idea. We’ll see. Fingers crossed.

_____________________

This is my newest painted sketch

_____________________

I’m heading for the cafe now to relax and do some sketching.

Sahvannah Nargi

3 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , ,

August 17, 2026 · 1:05 am

Monday 8-17-2026

@azikeprosper on Substack

___________________

I’ve had a good morning. The card reader on the gym door was working today, so we exercised as usual. I liked walking in the park, but I like to work myself a bit harder without worrying about tripping on something as I did in in the park, with all the mossy steps, bumps, breaks in the concrete, etc. It was good to be back.

___________________

We had a good breakfast of 1/2 of a breakfast burrito (ham, scrambled eggs, salad and dressing rolled up in a burrito) with a slice of cantaloupe and two slices of Thai apples on the side, plus mushroom tea with bone broth added.

___________________

I am looking like a woman in need of a bit of attention lately, having my nails grown out or the polish peeled off entirely in places, plus my hair is an exploded dandelion. We’ve had lots of other priorities, but we’re trying to get me so I’m not an embarrassment to my son. I went for a mani/pedi this morning and Brian is trying to get me an appointment with the hair stylist.

I love the sparkly colors! There were nail samples done in silver and gold, but they made my hands look ‘dead,’ so I went for the color here. I feel like I’m much better groomed now. Maybe my guitar practice will go better with my hands looking better….. 😂 😜 🎸

I’m going to show this pic to my hair stylist when I go. I know I won’t look like this, but I really like the tousled look, the short sides and back, and the longer bangs and top. I’ll be able to wash it in my daily shower after the gym and blow it dry quickly. However it turns out, it’ll look like “someone had a plan” – a distinct improvement.

_____________________

I published my 2nd article on Substack – a synopsis of my losing my lard and things that worked for me.

_______________________

These are my latest painted sketches.

I’m going to head over to the cafe soon to work on a sketch I started yesterday. I also plan to do a few thank you cards, plus I have ideas for more sketches. Yesterday I felt a ‘presence’ while I was working. I looked up to find an Asian man with white hair with his family behind him. He smiled at me, gave me a thumbs up, and said, “Nice!” Isn’t it amazing how NICE people are?

Susan Henke

8 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

August 15, 2026 · 9:37 pm

Sunday 8-16-2026

hahahahahahahaha. LOVE this!

______________________

Yesterday there were monks at the nursing home! One came into Harvey’s room, and blessed us by sprinkling water in his direction and then in ours. It was surprising and quite lovely. We did the ‘wei’ when we left to a whole room full of monks. I guess they were blessing the whole facility for the new owner, who also introduced us to the man who will be trying to help Harvey with some modified physical therapy starting Monday. (You are not supposed to touch or photograph monks)

_____________________

I have my windows open and am enjoying a nice breeze and intermittent sunshine pouring through my place. This is the time of year that you keep an eye on the skies, leaping up to bring laundry in from the balcony, or hurrying to use facilities or get home before the rain starts. When it rains while I’m at the cafe, I simply wait it out, because usually it doesn’t last long.

_______________________

The card reader at the gym was still not working this morning, so Brian and I enjoyed another walk in the park. It was a beautiful day for that walk. I saw a humongous tree that was was truly lovely while we were there. There was a group of people exercising together in one part, too. The birds were singing, the sun emerging, a nice breeze blowing…

_______________________

I have a free day today, so I plan to move from one fun thing to another today. I’ll enjoy finding things to share for the blog, getting lost in the incredible talent I find.

_______________________

I’ll spend time at the cafe this afternoon. I’m hoping that a new friend will join me, bringing her collage supplies, so we can sit and chat while each works on creating something. It’s such a gift finding someone you feel comfortable with, clicking immediately, enjoying chatting or each working on something – someone you would have never had the chance to meet, otherwise. Priceless!

______________________

I hope to finish a couple of sketches at the cafe today. Instead of finished sketches, I’m including a picture of me wearing the pins that two of the cleaning ladies from the building gave me for Mother’s Day. I’m hoping I run into them today so that they can see how much I appreciate their kindness.

___________________________

Wisdom Quotes & Stories

2 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

August 15, 2026 · 3:36 am

Saturday 8-15-2026

Pamela Schifano – @pammypoo on Substack

_____________________

Today has been a different day than most of our Saturdays. We went to the gym as usual, only to find that the scanner on the door wasn’t working. We couldn’t get in, so we walked in the park instead. It was a lovely walk. The weather was nice, and the scenery was beautiful.

We had breakfast as usual and then went to visit Harvey in the nursing home. We met a person who will give him modified physical therapy, basically just moving arms and legs. The first actual session is supposed to be Monday, so we’ll see how Harvey reacts. He reacted in such a hostile manner toward the first physical therapist he had that we finally carried out his wishes to stop it. We tried to explain the consequences of the decision, but he was so agitated that we decided his calmness was more important. We’ll see how the modified PT goes.

Harvey greeted me as “Mama” today. He told us he was getting married – again – to a lady named, “Cat.” This makes the 8th or 9th wife he has taken since he went to the nursing home. He has fathered several children on Mars. I teased him about his ‘harem.’ His lips twitched a little. I told him that that what he has to expect since he is irresistible. He also talked about using a 50 caliber rifle to shoot stuff in the rice field and burning down something. I told him that the cleaning ladies gave me Mother’s Day pins, making me feel special. He said, “You ARE.” A small hint of the man I married. And he did ask us to come back soon.

We got home and immediately went to the cafe to get out of the way of my housekeeper, who was doing her usual beautiful job of making my place shine. It rained hard while we were at the cafe, but quit and allowed us to come back home without problem. I’m now writing blog posts and resting until dinner.

_________________________

This is a sketch of an actual critter Harvey and I made out of scrap metal while we still lived in Arkansas. He stood at one side of our garage door. He was about 3 feet tall and made people smile.

This is the other sketch I finished today.

____________________

This gives you an idea of the street work going on nightly in front of my place. They pry up the red and white place that they jack hammered several nights ago, do something that will make it so wiring can go under the street, cover it up and clean up the street before the next day. Today they seem to be starting early. Traffic is down to one lane each way, plus motorcycle traffic. I’m not sure what they’re doing today.

_______________________________

C. k. Tice – www.bykateelford.com

2 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , ,

August 14, 2026 · 12:23 am

Friday 8-14-2026

I think this is stunning!

____________________________

Brian opted out of the gym this morning (I was afraid he was sick, but it turned out he messed up on his alarm and slept too late. I was relieved.) I’m just back from a glorious massage and feeling really good.

Since we’ve played upside down cake with our schedule this week, I keep having to check to see what day it is, what time it is, and what I’m supposed to be doing. Usually Brian is here when I get back from massage. We spend some time here, then go to the cafe to get out of the housekeeper’s way. That’s not happening, since she needed to do something else today. (She’s coming tomorrow, instead.) So today is a free day now for me. I took sheets and towels to Brian at breakfast this morning. I usually take them tomorrow, but our housekeeper will be here… We’ll go to visit Harvey tomorrow, but then have to grab our stuff and get out of here. See what I mean?

_____________________________

This is what I finished yesterday. I will hopefully finish another, plus 4 more Christmas cards at the cafe today, before starting new sketches. Yesterday I met a lady I’ve seen several times before. I don’t know her name, but she lives in the building. She has told me how lucky I am to have such a wonderful son and I enthusiastically agree with her. She has been very nice each time we see each other. Yesterday she asked me where I had been, and I told her about sketching at the cafe. It turns out she is a painter! I told her that I am at the cafe sketching most afternoons. She indicated she may bring her stuff and sketch with me! I hope she brings some of her work. I’m anxious to see her art.

_________________________

Baylor Scott and White Health

I’m looking forward to seeing the test results from my doctor visit yesterday. I’m HOPING that she changes the dosage on my thyroid hormone (my thyroid was radiated years ago, due to Grave’s Disease (hyperthyroidism) so this is a lifeline for me.) The hormone controls an amazing amount of what goes on in your body, how you look, how you feel, how your body works, and more.

“Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) control the body’s basal metabolic rate, converting food into energy. They regulate vital functions including heart rate, body temperature, digestion, brain development, muscle control, and bone maintenance.

Key Body Systems Controlled

  • Metabolism: Dictates how fast or slow your body burns calories and uses energy.
  • Heart and Circulation: Influences how fast your heart beats and the strength of its contractions.
  • Body Temperature: Generates internal heat by managing cellular energy consumption.
  • Growth and Development: Supports brain maturation in infants and bone growth in children.
  • Digestion and Muscles: Regulates how quickly food moves through the digestive tract and how muscles contract.”

We’ll see what she recommends. 🤞

__________________________

I’m making a bit of progress on my jigsaw puzzle, though it’s a slow slog. As you can see, his head is attached to the border now, and all the flowers are his back. If you look closely the orange in the center is his elbow…

_______________________

Roos Peters

____________________

I wrote my very first article for Substack and published it this morning. Please click on the link if you’re interested. 😁

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , ,

August 13, 2026 · 1:31 am

Thursday 8-13-2026

PeopleImages

I’m having to make lots of notes – even checking what day we’re having when starting this post. Our week has been turned upside down on regular scheduling, and I’m trying really hard to keep my head on straight and not mess up too badly.

I had my routine doctor appointment today, so we went there – with me fasting – instead of getting ready for breakfast after the gym as usual. I should know the test results in a couple of days. I’m hoping that one of my medications – my Levothyroxin (thyroid hormone) dosage will be changed, since I’m not feeling the energy I usually do and am having to rest more. I also hope that I won’t have to go back for another 6 months. The only other thing on my medical list is seeing that my pacemaker is doing what it should. Fingers crossed! I really just don’t want to think about medical stuff and just want to keep on keepin’ on.

Usually I’m prepping today for my housekeeper to come clean Friday. I’m doing most of that stuff, because she told us she will come Saturday this week instead of Friday. This means I take sheets and towels to be laundered by Brian TOMORROW instead of Saturday. I still have my massage tomorrow, but that’s it for the day….

___________________________

I had a great day yesterday. First of all, I met my new honorary grandson in the lobby of the building yesterday. It was only for a couple of minutes, but he’s beautiful, mom is looking and and feeling fine, and proud papa is grinning and supportive. That makes me honorary grandma to two boys and a girl now, thanks to the great kindness of this family adopting my husband and me. (Brian is honorary uncle.)

____________________

At the cafe yesterday a Chinese lady plopped down in the chair at my table and pointed to my sketchbook. She gestured that she wanted to see my artwork. Thanks to Google Translate on my phone, we were able to communicate a bit. She was visiting, and she and her granddaughter, whom I met a bit later, are going to Bangkok today. They couldn’t have been nicer.

_____________________

On our travels yesterday, Brian and I saw a sign that said a shop was opening soon selling what they called, “Nose Tea.” Nose Tea (widely known in Thailand as “ชาจมูกเขียว” or the green nose tea) is a popular Thai beverage brand specializing in fruit and milk teas topped with a signature, highly smooth and creamy-salty cheese foam. Founded in 2023, it went viral on social media for its imported New Zealand cream cheese and refreshing fruit tea blends.

Core Ingredients

  • Tea Base: Premium imported green tea or jasmine green tea, or a blend of specific tea leaves depending on the order.
  • Cream Cheese Cap: 100% real imported cream cheese whipped fresh daily without powdered mixes or artificial raising agents.
  • Toppings & Mix-ins: Small tapioca pearls for the signature drink, or coarsely mashed fresh fruits (like mandarin orange, mango, lychee, peach, or grapes) for fruit tea options.
  • Liquid & Sweetener: Milk/creamer base for milk teas and customizable liquid sugar syrup levels

Thanks, but I think I’ll pass for now.

___________________________

Yesterday Brian texted me to “open the door.” When I did, he presented me with an armload of flowers! I learned that it was the Thai Mother’s Day ( I didn’t know they HAD one). The flowers – and the prize-worth hugs that went with them – really made me feel special.

Today when we were coming back from the gym, my favorite cleaning lady stopped us and started digging in her purse. She came out with this – a pin to wear on Mother’s Day! We hugged and smiled.

I’m going to wear the pin to the cafe when I leave in a few minutes. I really can’t believe how nice people are here.

I will happily share my flowers and my pin with you. Happy Thai Mother’s Day!!!!

This is my sketch that the Chinese lady liked yesterday.

Dr. Amber Rose – @beevenomtherapyforever on Substack

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

August 11, 2026 · 9:00 pm

Wednesday 8-12-2026

John Rinaldo – “The Positive Pen” on Substack

______________________

I have been to the gym, showered, eaten breakfast, and gotten my wash out on the drying rack on my balcony. I should have a quiet day today. I’m looking forward to finishing at least one sketch and starting another.

_________________________

Tomorrow I have a routine doctor appointment, fasting, as soon as I get cleaned up from the gym, so I will be late posting. I’m hopeful that the report will say my numbers have improved a lot. We’ll see. All appendages crossed, including my eyes…

______________________

http://www.dreamstime.com

Yesterday when we were visiting Harvey, there were a gazillion white water birds in one of the rice fields. I just love these birds! They look kind of like egrets or herons or the like with long beaks, long necks, sleek bodies, and very long legs. They also have a bit of black on their wings. They follow in groups behind the workers who driving along, tilling the rice field with an ancient tractor with water wheel type wheels, churning up the soil and bringing the bugs out in the open. Maybe this is the source of the phrase, “Having a field day?” To be a bit more accurate, the bird count was probably around 75, but the sight was really impressive. The GRAB driver told Brian that when they were born, they were completely black!

@quietwisdom on Substack

2 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , ,

August 11, 2026 · 4:15 am

Tuesday 8-11-2026

This was posted by Catherine on Substack, and I immediately thought of Sheila Murrey, who shows us the importance of spirals and that we are all connected.

_____________________

We went to see Harvey this morning. He was feeling a little better, so maybe the new meds are helping some. His cough was better. He was still on oxygen, but he did know who we were this morning, and greeted me when I hugged him, saying, “I love you.” To say that meant the world is the understatement of the century. He was worried, though, about someone coming and taking his pictures down off the wall. We assured him that no one was planning to do that. He then started demanding his shoes because he wanted to go out to the shop and put the tractor away…

_____________________

I told you about cutting the back pockets off my old, too-large jeans and sewing them on a sweatshirt. I finished it this morning.

__________________________

My latest painted sketches.

____________________

I just came home from sketching at the cafe, and I timed it perfectly. I got home, got my clothes off the drying rack on my balcony, and the rain started. It’s pouring now, and I’m comfortable and dry. 😁

_____________________

A. H.

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , ,

August 9, 2026 · 10:56 pm

Monday 8-10-2026

Pamela Schifano – @pammypoo on Substack

______________________

The street crew was busy again last night, but either they didn’t make as much noise, or I was so tired it didn’t matter, because I slept pretty well in spite of the trucks and activity. I awoke at 4 and looked out my window. The crew was still at work, but they were cleaning up, spraying the section of the street with water and sweeping. It would be interesting to know what they are doing, but….

______________________

I got what is probably a hair-brained weird idea yesterday, but I started work on it yesterday and will try to finish the first part today. You know that I have lost a pretty good amount of weight. As the end of that ended here in Thailand, I kept ‘modifying’ the waist of my jeans and cut-offs so that I could still wear them. It finally got to the point where I couldn’t take them in anymore and I bought a couple of pair of jeans that fit a lot better. (These are now getting loose, but that’s a story for another time.)

I put the old ones on a shelf in my closet. Yesterday I got the idea to cut the back pockets off a pair and sew them onto the front of a sweatshirt. Weird, right? Particularly in November through February, the weather is much cooler. We feel this because there is no central heat, no reliable space heaters, no electric blankets you can trust, etc. So you learn to dress in layers. (A sweatshirt is also good at the cafe, where they keep the a/c on ‘kill’ most of the time. ) If I don’t get ‘my’ spot by the window in the front, I get cold after a while and either put on the hoodie I’ve brought or a sweatshirt to stay comfortable.

The bathroom is in another part of the building. You walk outside from the cafe to the other part of the building to use the facilities. I have trained myself to take my phone with me in case of emergencies and it would be nice to have a pocket – the idea for transferring the pockets from my jeans to my sweatshirt. These pockets are large enough to hold my phone securely, plus Kleenex and whatnot in the other.

So I’m busily sewing them on the sweatshirt today. I have never been a fashion icon and appreciate ease, comfort, and practicality above all else these days, so I look forward to wearing the sweatshirt with the weird-looking added pockets.

_______________________________

this is my latest painted sketch

______________________

I read about a new exercise to help control blood sugar. At the end of the article, the “boat” pose was discussed as a good thing, too. (It also builds core muscles and helps with balance.)

“Boat pose, or Navasana, is a seated core-strengthening posture where you balance on your sit bones and lift your chest and legs to form a “V” shape. It targets the abdominals, hip flexors, and spine while building focus and stability.”

Best of all, the article said if you couldn’t do the exact boat pose, you can start in a seated position, knees up, feet flat on the floor. Then lift your feet up so your calves are parallel to the floor, and accomplish the same thing. This sounds doable to me. I plan to try it today, as Monday is yoga stretches afternoon.

_______________________

Cecy

6 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , ,

August 8, 2026 · 4:56 am

Saturday 8-8-2026

Pamela Schifano – @pammypoo on Substack

__________________

I am just home from the cafe because it looked like we were in for a heavy rain. Brian just texted me to make sure my windows and balcony door were secure because it looked like we might be in for a squall.

“A squall is a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed that lasts for several minutes, usually accompanied by rain, snow, or thunderstorms. It can also mean a loud, harsh cry, like a screaming baby.”

The sky has a line of really dark clouds now. I have brought in my drying rack off my balcony and secured things as well as possible. We haven’t had one of these since I’ve been here, so I’ll be interested to see what happens.

______________________

This is the sketch I finished at the cafe today. I also finished some thank you cards and started a sketch of a squirrel holding an acorn.

___________________

We went to visit Harvey this morning. When we walked in, both hands were tied up in big blown up bags. It turns out he was trying to remove his oxygen cannula again, and this was the only way to keep him from doing that. We took one off in order to get the thumb prints we needed for the renewal of his 90-day medical visa, and also to give him an orange drink. When he finished that, I blinked and he was removing the cannula, so we tied his hand back up. I explained to him AGAIN how important it is that he stay on the oxygen. (The low blood oxygen was what caused MY heart to stop twice in February of 2025). I’m not sure if it got through or not, but the bags will make SURE the cannula stays in. Otherwise, he seemed comfortable and was cooperative about doing the thumb prints, so I guess we can call it a good visit, though I felt exhausted and sad when I got home.

___________________

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , ,

August 7, 2026 · 6:54 am

Friday 8-7-2026

_____________________

I’m getting a really late start on writing my posts today. I had a wonderful massage this morning, and then we left almost immediately (2 hours early) to go to the cafe. That meant that I spent until 5 there, staying out of the way of my housekeeper while Brian went back to his place to check for leaks that might be caused by some construction on the floor above him. Thankfully, he had no problems.

____________________

This is the Thai Street scene I finished today. The people built the buildings AROUND the existing tree and it is protected, propped up, if needed, and more. Just amazing to me. This was the sight from roof level.

I found another photo of this sweet Axolotl and just HAD to try to draw him.

This monkey is very relaxed.

______________________

We will go visit Harvey at the nursing home tomorrow, carrying the 20-some pages of forms that we need to get his thumb print on and take back, along with the forms the doctor filled out for us, to the visa lady to renew Harvey’s 90-day medical visa. We have to take pics, as well.

_________________________

Tonya Wilkinson

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , ,

August 5, 2026 · 9:12 pm

Thursday 8-6-2026

Azike Prosper – @azikeprosper– @azikesubstack

______________________________

My session at the cafe yesterday really helped me get past the emotional exhaustion of being at the hospital most of the day, not knowing who we were going to see, when we were supposed to see them, and how many we were going to see – all while trying to keep my husband from taking out his oxygen cannula.

I have a new Thai scene in mind to start today. As usual lately, it’s totally out of my comfort zone in drawing. I’ll take it slow, doing the best I can, and hope for the best. :0)

___________________________

Today I’m getting ready for my housekeeper and then enjoying all my usual pasttimes. Brian and I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of one of our favorites – a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, ham, salad and dressing wrapped in a flour tortilla. Usually I bite into it a couple of times and then it’s so messy I put the rest on my plate and use my knife and fork for the rest. Today I was actually able to eat the whole thing like a burrito! With this, we each had half of a small dragon fruit.

This is a beautiful fruit, tastes really sweet and delicious (whether it’s black and white like this one or an incredible shade of bright fuchsia). Quite a fun and elegant breakfast!

_______________________

The Chiang Mai Pollution Index online shows

so I have my shades up and my windows open to a really nice (relatively cool breeze. I have my fan on, so the fresh air is swirling around, airing things out and making me smile. Whoopie!!!! The temperature will soon warm up, with accompanying humidity, and we’re supposed to get rain starting about 11 this morning, so I’ll have to close everything up and turn on the air filters again, but right now it’s fabulous.

_____________________________________

It occurred to me that I am giving you a very limited mental picture of Chiang Mai with my focusing on the old style way of doing business, decorating styles, etc. I will start a series showing you other aspects of Chiang Mai, including the touristy side, so it will flesh out your understanding of this fascinating place.

_________________________

I had a good walking session at the gym this morning, managing to walk without holding on to the handlebars again without “listing” to the left or right and feeling good. This afternoon I’ll do my water bottle exercises. I’ll also have at least one practice session on my guitar and see if I can make progress on my chameleon puzzle.

___________________________

Pinterest

4 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

August 5, 2026 · 4:55 am

Wednesday 8-5-2026

Dave Mottram – @dmott70 on Substack

_____________________

I have just gotten back from the cafe. I needed the time there after the day we had at the hospital. We got there at 9 and didn’t leave until 2, waiting to see a total of 3 different doctors – only one of which gave us a time (and then was over an hour late.) We didn’t know who we were waiting for or when to hope they would arrive. My husband kept trying to pull out his oxygen cannula, so it was pretty constant that first one of us and then the other held his hand, trying to calm him. They took blood, mainly for the appointment with the heart doctor. The end result of all this was the addition of another medicine for his high blood pressure. The new med will be monitored. His nurse at the nursing home will get a blood sample in two weeks and take it to the hospital. Harvey won’t have to go then, thank goodness. We will see the heart doc in 3 months, in conjunction with the neurologist we see in order to get the paperwork for the medical visa.

By the time we got back home after 2, I was completely exhausted emotionally. Not knowing who you’re waiting for, what they will do, when they will come, waiting endlessly while trying to calm someone who has been fasting since last night really takes it out of you.

I didn’t care that it was raining a bit. I headed for the cafe to wind down and get my self moving in another direction. It could have been so much worse. I’m grateful that we came out pretty well. I’m hopeful the new med will do its job for Harvey. He was still coughing and still on oxygen.

_________________

These are the latest painted sketches.

_____________________

We will share dinner soon, and then I plan to relax listening/watching YouTube and hitting the hay early.

LibroWorld.com

8 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , ,

August 3, 2026 · 9:05 pm

Tuesday 8-4-2026

Rina – @rina2013.bsky.social

_______________________

Here’s the sketch I finished yesterday at the cafe.

___________________

I concentrated on my balance today at the gym, slowing down the speed a bit and not adding incline, and just concentrated on my walking as a normal human would. :0). (I still tend to ‘list’ to the left or right from time to time as I walk, even though my balance has improved a lot since I left the hospital. ) I use my treadmill time as my physical therapy session each morning, trying to improve my balance, stamina, and concentration.

______________________

I’m going to try to watch a movie on YouTube today. I saw mention of the movie in a music video and immediately wanted to see it. I’m hoping that the channel will allow it. I haven’t taken the time to watch a movie in at least a couple of months now, if not longer, and I would really enjoy it. Fingers crossed.

______________________

I’m looking forward to spending time at the cafe this afternoon. I’m hoping to finish details on the sketch I drew yesterday and base painted. There are a bunch of things rattling around in my brain that I want to try. Since I gave myself permission to leave my comfort zone, I feel like I’m learning a lot and expanding my capabilities some. It’s challenging and fun.

_______________________

I’m having a great time finding wonderfully talented people to share with you. It seems that there are more of them right now than usual, and I feel as though I hit a treasure trove. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Annette Tomplait

2 Comments

Filed under Thoughts on a ________

Tagged as , , , , , , ,