Category Archives: Thoughts on a ________

July 29, 2025 · 10:14 pm

Thoughts on Wed, 7-30, 9am

This is a wonderful fruit in Thailand called, “Logan” or, locally, “Lamyai.” One of the ladies who cleans the public places in our building came running up to us recently when we were returning from our morning gym session with a sack containing a branch with a LOT of these as a gift to us!

In this picture I found, you can see the beige peeling. You press the fruit lightly and the skin splits, allowing you to peel it. This leaves a white, round pulp with a big seed. You use your thumb to pop the seed out and then eat the white pulp. It’s delicious! Messy? Yes. A bit laborious? Yes. Worth it? YES!

Last Friday my cleaning lady, Khun Nong, left these for me! I will NEVER get beyond being THRILLED to HAVE a cleaning lady. I have taken care of whatever house I’m in since 1969 and have never been able to afford having help. Having someone who leaves my place spotless each week, doing all the heavy stuff it’s getting harder for me to handle, is a true relief. Having a person who is so kind as to leave flowers to “Brian’s Mum” is priceless.

I put one of these ‘thank you’ mini-paintings each week under the payment I leave for her to show her how much I appreciate her efforts.

This is one of my latest sketchbook paintings. It shows my joy about FINALLY getting the magic “RETIREMENT” stamp in my passport on July 22, 2025. This opens doors to things I couldn’t do before, so it’s a very welcome change after 4 months of jumping through hoops. We still have 90-day reporting, and I’ll renew my visa in one year, but it’s a significant improvement!

We also got my husband’s medical visa approved. We have to continue hoop jumping every 90 days with forms to be filled out at the hospital, but we know what to do now, so it won’t be as nerve-racking next time.

Otaki Mail

July Weight Report – I have officially hit the 70-pounds off since my heaviest mark now. (I’ve lost 16 pounds since the initial visit with my doctor here) whom I see every couple of months so far. My plan is to see her every 3 months for monitoring my medications, blood work, etc. going forward if she’s pleased when we go toward the end of August. There is almost 66 inches less of me than when I was my largest.

I’m DELIGHTED to be able to post on my blog again! It’s an essential part of my day to try to find things I want to share with you. It enriches my life to find so many talented folks creating wonderful things on our planet, or recording nature with their camera expertise.

There are several things that are different now for me, now that I have changed the plan I’m using. For example, it took about 10 minutes of messing around until I found where comments were listed and I could respond.

There were several people who wrote, asking for access to the ‘private’ blog. I’m trying to figure out how to get back to them, telling them they are now free to come look any time they wish. Hopefully, I can figure out all the changes soon.

Have a wonderful day or evening.

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July 21, 2025 · 3:26 am

A Little Progress!

Tamal – Freepik

I’ve only been home a little while. We’ve been out all day trying to tie up loose ends, and it’s 3:15 in the afternoon Monday here now.

We took the paperwork for Harvey’s medical visa to the visa lady, who looked through everything carefully, approved it for submission, updated Brian’s visa, and confirmed that I have an appointment at the immigration office tomorrow afternoon. Whew! HOORAAAY!

We went to visit Harvey after that. He was fairly talkative today. He did say he missed me, but everything else was about lost phones, wanting judo lessons, and an alien visiting his room last night – none of which were true. He wasn’t in pain, though, and wasn’t upset – a good visit for now.

The next stop was to one of Brian’s banks for a simple correction on his address. It turned out to be quite laborious, but we THINK we got it accomplished.

Lastly, we stopped for chocolate. YUM!

It rained twice while we were out, but we only got a little bit wet walking home from the chocolate place to our condo building.

I got my laundry inside from the drying rack on the balcony, and then started my normal afternoon activities.

I found out my computer was dead. Brian looked at things and showed me my air purifiers were off, too. We restarted those, but this showed us we had had a power outage while we were gone. I now know where the power button is on my computer and how to restart the air purifiers, so it was a good lesson.

I’m feeling pretty exhausted now, but I wanted to touch base with you before taking a nap. I hope you’re well and having a good day.

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July 19, 2025 · 8:57 pm

Sunday, July 20, 2025

This is one of the ‘robots’ Harvey and I made when we lived on top of the ridge line in Arkansas. His body was a former propane tank. The rest was scrap metal. We decided what parts to use together. Harvey did the welding and I did the painting, plus added work gloves, fireplace tools, and his bow tie.

I was a bit ill yesterday morning, and we had to rush our walk home from the gym. By mid afternoon, though, I was fine again. I was a bit worried I might have a relapse this morning, and so got up early, but all was well. I walked my mile with no problems and feel fine today.

We will leave at 2pm to go to our appointment with one of Harvey’s doctors to get the paperwork needed to extend Harvey’s medical visa. Brian was on the phone much of the day with them yesterday, making sure they knew what we needed from this appointment. They wrote back, saying Harvey would have to be at the appointment. After several back and forths, Brian contacted the nursing home, asking for Harvey and a traveling nurse to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance to meet us and the doctor. After several MORE back and forths, the hospital wrote that Brian could act in Harvey’s behalf and that he didn’t need to be at the appointment. THEN Brian spent the rest of the evening trying to reach the nursing home to call OFF Harvey’s trip to the hospital….

I think that big corporations of one type or another are trying to drive Brian and me crazy. It all may be for the best of reasons, but it sure stacks everything against us in our efforts to get important things done. Hopefully we can get what we need for Harvey’s medical visa extension today. We will also try to see if there is a way around all this ‘stuff’ for the NEXT 90 days…

We’re having a really nice morning here in Chiang Mai. It actually felt refreshingly COOL this morning as we walked to the gym! The humidity is coming up fast and the ‘feels like’ temperature will be in the 90s this afternoon, with a thunderstorm predicted for around 6pm, but we can enjoy it now. Hopefully my laundry will get dry before any storms hit. 😛

I’m planning to tackle my owls jigsaw puzzle today, plus enjoy time in my art alcove.

I hope that your Sunday is a very pleasant one.

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July 17, 2025 · 3:44 am

Thursday, July 17th

Pinterest

We’ve had a pretty exhausting day already. We spent since 10 this morning attending to details about renewing our visas. We are closer to doing everything we need to do now, but we are having to jump through lots of hoops in order to accomplish it. I guess we can call this “good exercise” or “a character-building exercise… “

I now have an emergency call button! When my husband had his stroke in the middle of the night in April, I had to take the elevator upstairs to pound on Brian’s door, waking him up, for help. It got me thinking that I could get in trouble and not be able to get help. This button arrived today. I have one end in my pocket. The other end is with Brian in his condo. It won’t matter if he has turned off his phone or gone to bed. The call button emits a loud, obnoxious sound that will get his attention if need be. He has a key to my condo, and so can get to me. I feel more secure now, but hope I never have to use it. We’ve set it up for monthly checks to make sure it’s working properly.

Today would have been my mom’s 102nd birthday. I honor her for being an intelligent woman who could stand up in a room and say what was on her mind. She was basically self-educated, though she attended a two-year womans’ college in Missouri, leaving one class shy of graduating in one year. (Her dad didn’t think a woman’s education was important, and so gave her one year.) Most of her education came from her reading and working the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzles. She ran the office for my dad, who was a one-man advertising agency in Tulsa. She loved baby animals above anything, melting into a puddle whenever she saw one. I have so many good memories and am grateful I had such a great mom.

I’m using part of this afternoon to prepare for my cleaning lady (woo HOOO!!!!) to come tomorrow afternoon. My laundry is hanging on my drying rack (INSIDE today, since it’s rainy.) I’ve changed the sheets on my bed, put out clean towels and emptied the trash – otherwise just trying to make sure she can get to things to clean.

I’m planning to use the rest of the afternoon to play. I’m making a bit more progress on my owls puzzle, and I plan to spend time in my art alcove trying to reproduce an image I like.

I hope you’re arranging for some fun in YOUR day, too!

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July 16, 2025 · 12:51 am

Thoughts on Wednesday, July 16, 2025

This is a gazing ball that I covered in mosaic style to sit on in the middle of our birdbath in our yard in Arkansas. I loved the process, and it gave us joy for many years.

_____________

I spent an hour on the phone with our insurance company last night. We hope that we are sending what they want today and that things will be approved soon.

_____________

At dinner last night, Brian and I were discussing exercising – what we wanted to get from it. A few years ago, Brian did a bunch of weight lifting and exercising with a trainer and beefed up his muscles significantly. He gradually decided that he wanted to emphasize being healthy rather than concentrating on the muscles. When I told him I wanted to improve my stamina, particularly for walking here in Thailand; improve my flexibility, balance, etc., he showed me a couple of things he does every morning –

  1. He just stands in the middle of the room and moves his head back as far as he can, looking at the ceiling. (I will try this, but will be standing next to something for balance, as that will make me dizzy.)
  2. Another move is to reach up over his head with both arms, pointing them to the ceiling. He stretches up, up, and up again, breathing into it, then stands up on his toes, stretching even farther. He hears a pop or two. (I’m not sure what I’LL hear, but, again, I’ll probably stand beside a wall or my couch.)
  3. A third move is to stand with legs spread, balanced. Put arms over head, then bend to the left as far as you can. Straighten, then bend to the right. Repeat several times, breathing into it.
  4. Finally, stand with plenty of room around you. Straighten your arms out to the sides. Then turn one direction as far as you can, wrapping your arms around your body to increase the stretch as much as you can. Repeat on the other side.

I’m going to add these to my yoga practice each day, where I’ve already added the strengthening-my-back exercises my doctor showed me. Hopefully, these – along with my walking a mile on the treadmill at the gym each morning – will work together to help me meet my goals.

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July 15, 2025 · 2:01 am

It’s Tuesday

Phakimata – Depositphotos

We’ve had a challenging day, and it’s only half over!

We went to visit Harvey at the nursing home. He announced he had made two decisions: he was going to order a Galaxy 16 phone and I was going to pay for it. He couldn’t answer what he would do with the phone or who he wanted to call. He was convinced that Ka Pook, his male nurse, was a professional soccer player. He is apparently unable to read the paperback book Brian bought for him or use the new Kindle we got for him. He showed no real interest in the magazine I brought for him today. He wanted to go outside, but preceded to untie his trousers! We left at that point, having taken all we could.

We got another letter from our insurance company in the states. I will call them again tonight and try to make some progress in getting Brian reimbursed for all of out of pocket hospital expenses he has paid. Definitely a lesson in character-building.

Other than that, we have no complaints. We stopped for chocolate on the way home from the nursing home. We had a nice discussion before Brian left for work. I got my laundry that was drying on the rack on my balcony inside just as the rain started!😀 I have some plans for a fun 3 hours or so now here in my condo.

I hope that your day or evening has been a good one.

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July 13, 2025 · 10:45 pm

Thoughts on a Monday

Freepik

We had beautiful weather here in Chiang Mai this morning. I did my 30 minutes on the treadmill with no problem, doing two minutes at a slower speed and then 3 minutes on a fast one for me, then back again, over and over until my time was up. I’m am finding this keeps my interest more than simply setting a speed and mindlessly watching the hiking videos on the screen. I don’t know if it’s really more effective at getting me more fit or not. I’ll see if I’ve lost anything more when I measure at the end of July.

I’m finally getting to the place where I can see I might actually reach my losing the lard goal set so long ago. My motivation to eat smaller portions, MANY fewer carbs, no added salt, and drink plenty of water during the day has increased as I move closer to my goal.

This is a photo of me when we were still in Arkansas. I had already lost some of my lard here, but obviously needed to get more serious.

Brian took this photo this morning after we finished breakfast. I’m wearing some new shorts and a tee that I can use for workout or lazing around in my condo. You may not be able to tell any difference, but I FEEL better now.

I’m down 68 pounds from my heaviest. I still want to lose 20 to 25 or so pounds and see how I feel then. I’m happy that I can do the workout on the treadmill so much more easily. Brian notices that I’m more agile, less apt to stumble on the uneven sidewalks and walkways than I was and I’m walking faster. I’m still having a problem with the humidity here, but I’m going to get better at that, too.

We still have a pretty large to-do list from the move to do, but we’ve had to space some things out for various reasons. Having fewer ‘have-to’s’ is bringing up our spirits. Today is a day that we can’t do anything on our list, so Brian is at work and I have the day to play in my condo.

My laundry is drying on the drying rack on my balcony. I’ve straightened the condo so all is in the right place. I’m planning to enjoy writing a couple of blog posts, spend some time trying to make progress on my puzzle. I’m into a wonderful new book by Lee Child and his younger brother Andrew Child, called, “Sentinel.”

I’m having a blast choosing drawings I find on the net and trying to reproduce them in my sketchbook. Drawing is still one of my weak spots in trying to create art, but I’m improving a bit.

Have a wonderful day or evening! Find something that brings you joy!

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June 27, 2025 · 6:11 am

Busy Friday

The Dodo

We had a very busy day. I’ve been out since 5:30 this morning and am just home with dinner coming shortly.

I walked my mile on the treadmill at the gym, showered, changed clothes, ate breakfast with Brian. I had a beautiful massage from Wey-o, who takes such wonderful care of me. I came back to the condo, changed clothes again, and Brian and I went to visit Harvey. We came back in time for me to grab my book, sketchbook and pencil supplies and my jacket – we had to vacate so that my wonderful housekeeper, Khun Nong, could come clean. (I’m still thrilled when I say this. I may never get ‘used to’ having help.) We went next door to the cafe, where Brian worked and I did a combination of drawing, reading, and catching up on my phone.

I came back to this –

This was left by Khun Nong. Aren’t they lovely? AND I have a spotless place!

I left her my usual thank you painted card. The cards are always gone when I come back,. I’m not sure she actually likes them, or just takes them so as to spare my feelings … She has also made my fake green leaves that usually live in this pot disappear once again. Do you suppose she might be trying to send me a message about them?

Brian will call me for dinner any minute now. I think we’re both tired from a really full day. Mostly a really good day. Lucky, lucky us!😁

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June 20, 2025 · 9:56 pm

Duh

IKEA 2 Drawer Table

This is being delivered here Wednesday morning, and assembled by IKEA people, since they have the tools needed and we don’t – AND the things with drawers have a gazillion pieces.

Brian got me a floor fan for the bedroom so I wouldn’t have to unplug the one from the living area and carry it to the bedroom to plug it in. Moving air is very important to your comfort level, no matter what you set a thermostat for. I was happy to HAVE the fan to carry back and forth, but I was delighted when he knocked on my door and brought another fan in.

When he set it up and showed me it had a remote, he said, “You need a bedside table.” I told him I had been doing just fine, but he wasn’t hearing any of it. He said,
“You need a table for your night light, the fan remote, your phone plugged into the charger, a bottle of water, kleenex, a book, your glasses….”

I couldn’t sleep last night because I was unable to turn my brain off. The biggest problem as my sleep-starved mind saw it, was, “What if the drawer table we ordered is too wide to go beside my bed?”

I looked up the table and found out the dimensions are 40×55 cms. Our notes didn’t specify which was the width. Since I don’t speak Thai, centimeters, kilograms, celscius or baht, and have to look each up to convert until I learn the new-to-me systems (duh), I ended up at my computer doing the conversions, opening my closet door and measuring again, then doing it over again because my brain function in the middle of the night is less impressive than during the daytime. 🤪

The table is 55 cms high (21-5/8″), by 40 cms wide (15-3/4″), by 48 cms deep (18-3/4″). The spot I have for the bedside table with the closet door open is 50.8 cms (20″). I had to go back AGAIN to make sure that the table is 15-3/4″ wide and we have 20″ available. WHEW!

This is probably the last piece of furniture we will buy for the condo, and we almost messed up. AND – if any of the measurements are wrong, we CAN scoot the bed over toward the outer wall some. WHEW again.

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June 3, 2025 · 8:48 pm

Wednesday, June 4, 8:32 a.m.

From my dear friend, Marsha.

I’ve had my mile walk at the gym, shower, and breakfast, and am ready (more or less) to tackle the world. 😄

The main thing on our schedule today is to go see Harvey at the nursing home. I’m really hoping he is glad to see us and talkative, even if he doesn’t make any sense. The last few times he looked up when we come into his room, but he didn’t react, and ignored the fact we were there, content to stare at the TV, silent, unless we proded him with questions. Then the answers were mostly one word.

It makes it even harder than it already is, when you have no clue whether coming to see him is of any benefit at all to him or not. It doesn’t really matter in the long run if he knows who we are or not. If he was happy we came, we could try to make that enough.

Our new routine, for financial and sanity reasons, is to visit him one day and not visit the next two, boiling down to three times a week. We are hoping that he will get with the program there, be more cooperative with the staff, and be comfortable with his new ‘in-the-moment-40-or-more-years-ago’ life.

Brian needs to spend a longer time at work today, so we may or may not stop for a coffee on the way home, and then I’ll entertain myself with all the wonderful things I can do in my condo.

I hope that your day has been an enjoyable one.

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May 30, 2025 · 7:17 am

My Wonderful Housekeeper!

Kuhn Nong consented to be my housekeeper when Brian asked her if she would consider it. She now cleans my condo from 2:30 – 5:30 on Fridays. We make ourselves scarce when she is working.

Today we ran some errands, then had a coffee in the shop near the condo building. I opened the door to these beautiful flowers she left for me! Aren’t they lovely?

I have never had a housekeeper before. In the states I had a couple of people give me estimates on cleaning our house. The lowest estimate was $100 for three hours, and the list of things they would not do was truly impressive. Needless to say, I never hired anyone.

Kuhn Nong leaves things spotless. I have never lived in a place so clean, mainly because we had our home filled with so much ‘stuff’ you couldn’t get to a shelf to clean it without it being a full-day’s work. I did the best I could. Leaving all the ‘stuff’ behind was hard, but one of the best things we ever did. It’s quite a come-down to find that some of your favorite things just don’t resonate with someone else.

I look forward now to having the sofa – the last large piece of furniture we bought – to be delivered on June 5th. I’ll take pics of everything to share at that point, though we’ll be looking for plants and art work to decorate.

In the meantime, I’m sure that I have never heard of a cleaning person doing such a nice thing. I’m still smiling! 😃

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May 30, 2025 · 1:45 am

Matcha Latte?

Modern Farmhouse Eats

Brian got us some “Matcha Lattes” around noon today. They are made with Japanese tea, coconut milk and sugar. I was a bit skeptical, though I have no bias against the color green. I was very pleasantly surprised by how good it was!

It’s supposed to be good for you, as well. It has been said it lowers blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, both of which I have. 👍

The fact that it tasted good, as well, made it a winner for me, and we plan to get some often.

My housecleaning person, Kuhn Nong, is due here from 2:30 till 5:30, so we will leave soon to run some errands and “become scarce” while she does her thing.

The main thing she will notice is that my place looks pretty spacious right now, since the movers came and took the old people-swallowing sofa away. The replacement sofa is not due to be delivered until June 5th, so it’s a good thing I have several chairs and a brand new bed to use until the last piece of furniture we ordered is set up. I have to admit that I was kind of fond of the sweet old sofa and will miss it.

We have some errands, plus Brian tries to find something else in the area we’re going to any given day so that we can see something interesting while we’re in the area. This can be a coffee place, an old shop he remembers, a shop new to him, but found as we walk around. I love the mom and pop type places the best, rather than the fancy modern type stores.

I’m enjoying writing reviews for these places on Google, hoping that a favorable recent review will be a further thank you and might bring them more business. I just wrote reviews for the man who cut my hair and the lady who made my new tote bag.

I hope that you’re having a happy day or evening. It gets confusing sometimes when I’m writing and am on a different day than many of you. 🤣

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May 29, 2025 · 8:27 am

Most Thoughtful Gift Ever

This was delivered today. Brian had it made for me as a housewarming present.

This painting is very special to me. It is a ‘portrait’ of me done by my dad. He said it was meant to convey my personality rather than my looks. When I would be caught doing something I shouldn’t, I smiled with my eyes shut, probably the poster girl for the ‘butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth’ saying. This was painted when I was about 5, so it’s an antique. 😋

Brian took a photo of it in our house in the states. It was too large to bring with us. He sent the photo to an online place that creates a ceramic ‘painting’ and includes an ingenious holder for it to sit in, or a frame and screw so you can hang it on the wall.

Getting this for me brings my dad right here in my condo. My eyes are welling up that Brian thought to do this for me, knowing how much it would mean to me.

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May 29, 2025 · 4:42 am

Thursday in Chiang Mai

Here is my haircut – after getting caught in two separate rain storms and one stretch of hot sun and lots of humidity after I came out of the salon. At least I have gone from “dandelion gone to seed” to “someone has a plan.” I need to learn how to use the mousse we got at a drug store a bit ago.

I looked out my window this morning at 5am and thought, ‘Good. It’s not raining.’ By the time Brian and I were going to the gym, the rain had started. Not enough for the rain suits, but enough for umbrellas.

I washed my hair, cleaned up, and had breakfast with Bri. Later we went to my hair appointment. Of course the man didn’t speak English. I showed him a picture I had gotten from the net about the basic idea I had in my mind, but had Brian tell him I wanted him to use his expertise and do whatever he thought would look best.

We then went to visit Harvey after two days of not going – to see what happened. Short version, he had not missed us, he had very little to say to us today, was not happy to see us. He just was concerned about food and drink, and wanted his phone so that he could email his mom and dad, both of whom have been gone 20 years or so and never had computers or email. I had brought him an old magazine, and he was happier about that than anything else. He did recognize me, but didn’t say anything in particular. Disheartening to say the least, but we did learn that he was calm, hadn’t pined for us, so our plan going forward is to visit less, hoping he’ll get with the program there more and more. We’ll plan to bring him the strawberry drink he likes, magazines, books, etc. each time we go, and will try not to agonize. He seems comfortable and is not hurting. We took coffee that you just heat up some water for and asked if he could have one cup of coffee a day. What is is what is.

Tomorrow is a busy day for us. I have the gym at 5 and then breakfast, taking sheets and towels for Brian to wash in his machine. I have my massage at 10:00. Then I get ready for Kuhn Nong to come clean from 2:30 to 5:30. Somewhere between 2:00 and 3:00, the movers are supposed to come and remove my people swallowing sofa. We’re hoping it will be closer to 2 so they’ll be gone before Nong arrives. Brian and I will ‘disappear’ while Nong is here to give her peace and quiet while she cleans.

The new sofa will be delivered sometime on June 5th, so I’ll be a bit uncomfortable for 6 days. We ordered a sofa that has the same L-shape, with a lounge part on the dining area end, and nice quality, so it will definitely be worth the wait.

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May 28, 2025 · 5:05 am

Banking In Thailand

Transacting financial business is quite different here.

Freepik

When you enter a bank, there is a security guard who opens the door for you. You then walk to a machine that asks you what type of transaction you would like to do, like make a deposit, withdraw cash, open an account, etc. You indicate your choice and a ticket comes out with your number on it.

You then sit and wait for your number to be called, telling you which station to go to. When your number is called, you go to the proper station and the transaction proceeds.

Sometimes you don’t have to wait a long time, particularly if your transaction is an easy one, like making a deposit or withdrawing money. Sometimes you have to wait a long time, such as if you’re opening an account or something else that will take some time.

Whatever transaction you are doing, be sure to have your passport! When you finish, you bow, hands together, in thank you. Same to the security guard at the door.

Most of the time you don’t need to visit the actual bank. There is an ATM machine in the lobby of our condo building, for example, where I can now use my bank debit card to get cash. There is also a phone app for each bank where you can do a lot right on your phone. 🙂

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May 27, 2025 · 10:56 pm

Trash

From my friend, Marsha. 🤣

Trash in Chiang Mai is picked up on a schedule by someone driving a huge truck with young boys hanging on the back to gather bags and throw them in, much as we had in the states before automation allowed one man in a smart truck to drive by, pick up the can provided by the company, dump the contents into the truck, put the can back where it had been, and continue down the road.

Here in the condo building the subject of handling trash is much different.

There is a trash alcove behind the stairs and the elevator on each floor. There is no “trash day.” You take whatever trash you have to the alcove whenever you would like. Trash goes in the can and is picked up several times a week. If you have other things you don’t want, but that others might be able to use, you put it carefully beside the trash can on the floor or on top of a table-like thing above the trash can. One of the ways people make money around here is recycling. You flatten cardboard from boxes for example, stand it up carefully, and someone has taken it away the next time you go. Same for plastic bottles or glass bottles, carefully rinsed out and with lids. Same for some old pillows I put there, and some kitchen stuff left by the former tenants here.

I am amazed at how well the service works. Everyone is careful to wipe grease off plates and cookware so the pipes are not clogged up. The refuse from this is bagged and kept in your freezer until you’re making a ‘trash run’, down to the end of the hall in my case. I don’t think I have ever found anything left in the alcove to still be there the next time I was there. Excellent system!

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May 27, 2025 · 12:28 am

Coffee Art

This is the hot mocha “signature coffee” at a place called, “Nine One Coffee” I enjoyed with Brian while we were out running errands this morning. I have discovered I LOVE the art associated with the hot drinks, and, surprisingly also love the cold varieties of a lot of these, given the heat and humidity here. Brian has a seemingly unending series of coffee places he likes, so I spend my days grinning like a nut as an ‘adventure’ uncovers another one! 😋

I like the art SO much that I always smile and tell the server how pretty I think the design is. Brian says that I shouldn’t do this – should just drink, THEN bow and say, “thank you” as we’re leaving. I refuse, though, and the servers seem to like what I am doing.

How could one NOT compliment the server on designs this pretty?

We snarfed down these cookies before I started my stricter low carb diet…

And shared a warm seed-covered bagel with cream cheese inside…

I think this one was when we were in Laos at the coffee bar where the stray white cat slept on a table between shops.

A beautiful ‘swan’ in your coffee cup. Almost too pretty to mess up by drinking it.

I really look forward to our ‘adventures’ that Brian works so hard to provide. One day it’s coffee – another day a lady who hand crochets tote bags – and today was talking about taking my sock with a hole in the big toe to a lady nearby who repairs things. (I told him I thought I only had ONE sock needing this, and that I could fix it with a teeny tiny sewing kit. He said I would be supporting the local economy if I brought the sock to the woman. At least I’ll check to make sure I don’t have other socks in need of repair…

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May 26, 2025 · 2:56 am

New Tote!

After we visited with Harvey this morning, we stopped at a place Brian found that might have the larger tote I needed. I’m carrying a LOT more in Thailand than I ever carried in the states. I needed more capacity plus rummaging around room, plus space to add stuff when out shopping.

I think this one will fill the bill. It’s handmade, much larger than the nice one Brian got for me. The tight stitchwork won’t allow anything to fall out, like my keys. It has double straps, so it will be comfortable on my shoulder.

This gives you an idea of the capacity of this bag.

This shows you the basics of what I need to carry every day. (phone was used take the photos, so doesn’t show here.) I now routinely carry a bottle of water, an umbrella, now the Thai raincoat, as well as trashbags to carry wet stuff, etc. Brian is going to look for something to attach my keychain to the tote, like a snap, a hook, so that I won’t be at my door having to rummage around for the keychain that will ALWAYS be at the very bottom of the bag.

This will make my life easier. Brian won’t have to be patient, waiting so long for me to retrieve sunglasses, reading glasses, the recharged Kindle we took to Harvey this morning, etc. It will hold all the new gear, plus all the regular stuff I’ve always carried. 🤗

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May 25, 2025 · 2:16 am

Sunday, May 25, 1:32 pm

Alcohol Inks by MuttPaint

I’m having a good, though weird day.

It started out with pouring rain when we got ready to go to the gym. I was actually carrying my umbrella in my tote! Brian, of course, had his. We started out, immediately hit by gusting winds that turned both of our umbrellas inside out. We got that straightened out, but not before we were thoroughly soaked. I also had trouble getting it closed at the gym, making water spatter on the floor. Brian and I got out our gym towels and wiped up the water before anyone could slip on it. We may opt for “Thailand Raincoats” essentially pulling a trashbag over over our heads next time. 😋

Everything I had on was soaked, so I washed everything and hung it all on my drying rack with an old sheet under it, protecting the floor. I then took pics and wiped up the latest water leak – but this time it was only affecting the center dining area window.

Harvey was scheduled by the hospital for tests this morning primarily on his kidney function this time. A female nurse was going and would be with him the entire time. We elected not to go this time, since we weren’t needed or consulted last time. Brian just asked the nurse to have the hospital send the bill via phone and he would pay it right away. The results showed no further problems.

We decided to NOT visit Harvey today. He slept the rest of the afternoon the last time he went for tests, plus we decided to see if he noticed we didn’t come today. It’s hard to know if you’re doing something good or bad. Harvey is being awful to the male staff and complaining about everything. We need him to get with the program and cooperate with the people doing their best to provide everything he needs. Changing our visits will be a gradual decision. So far, we get maybe 5 lucid minutes out of the 3 hour round trip.

Brian needed to work today, so I’ve put the day to fun use! I drew and water colored a silly looking bird in my sketch book, chosen from wonderful pictures on Pinterest.

I’m trying to clean up the files on my computer, plus passwords, so I worked a long time on that. I have started a new book, so I read a while. I borrowed a phillips screwdriver and tightened the screws on my closet doors, something that has been needing attention for a long time. I actually took a nap!

Brian got me an appointment to get my hair cut on Thursday. HOORAY! We are trying to get an appointment to look at hearing aids at the second major place in Chiang Mai, but haven’t gotten one yet. Brian will try to get the local handyman to install a new door with lock on my place, plus do the resealing of the windows ASAP. The IKEA people are coming Wednesday afternoon to put my chest of drawers together.

Brian texted me awhile ago, asking if I was okay, and if I minded if he and Christian took a walk and caught up for awhile. DUH. This wonderful person put his life on hold, few 24 hours to rescue his parents when they were both really sick (me ending up in the hospital), made arrangements and paid for flying both of us to Thailand to hopefully live in the same building he does, bought the condo, dealt with his dad having a stroke, being hospitalized, finding a nursing home for him when it was clear he needed more help than we could give, moved me into the condo and is helping fix it up and make me comfortable, orders meals for us, does workouts with his mom – so what do you think I answered his question if it was “all right” if he took a bit of time with his friend?

I am again looking around, enjoying my new place, new country, new life, grateful to have a second chance at life.

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May 23, 2025 · 11:28 pm

Rainy Day in Chiang Mai

I don’t know if you can tell or not, but it’s raining now. So much so, that I started checking for leaks. I’ve spent the last half hour or so defending myself against not-so-welcome water.

First, I rescued my small amount of laundry from the balcony. That is water on the OUTSIDE and it’s expected from time to time.

The part I’ve been dealing with since then is water on the INSIDE. Apparently, we are going to need to hire someone to reseal the windows, particularly in the dining area, but also in the art alcove and the bedroom.

This is not a new condo, and we will be dealing with things that don’t work, repairs, etc. As we will be going into “the rainy season,” from June through October, resealing the windows will become a priority soon.

I took pictures as best I could and marked the places water was streaming down the walls so I have something that may help the experts figure out how to attack the problem.

Brian is helping his friend deal with a computer problem this morning. Then we’ll go visit Harvey. Good thing we have umbrellas!

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May 22, 2025 · 5:50 am

Lovely Flowering Trees in Chiang Mai

There is one of these – a Red Frangipangi – though the one we see beside the gym is actually white with a yellow center. It’s simply gorgeous. Even the spent flowers on the ground are pretty, and I try not to step on them.

This is called a Cannonball tree. So far, it’s only dropping gorgeous orange petals, but supposedly it grows large fruit that it can drop on your head as you walk under. (Just what I’d need, walking to the gym to try to get healthier….) 😜

Speaking of trying to get healthier, I had an appointment at a local clinic today to be assessed for how I am since the move from the states March 31st. We wanted to see where I am on blood pressure, blood sugar, thyroid, and pacemaker, see what their recommendations were, and then plan to follow up every 3 months.

We’ll get the results of the lab work via my email. Blood pressure was really high, so I am on a new combination medication that is supposed to bring that down. I’m starting today with half a pill, then going to a full pill after 6 days, taking that until my followup appointment in one month. I’m supposed to take and record my blood pressure twice a day from tonight until my next appointment.

Hopefully that will show a big improvement. I’m already doing the low carb diet, though we have been splurging too much. We’ll reign in that and be stricter on our adherence to that. We’re already exercising, with my walking a mile every morning on the treadmill, doing yoga stretches in the afternoon or evening, and walking doing errands in-between. Hopefully, losing some of my lard will be the result of this, as well.

We’ll take whatever recommendations they have after looking at my bloodwork. Hopefully, all this will result in a good improvement in a month’s time, so I’m glad we got to the clinic, found a problem and are working to improve it, and have a baseline now from which we hope to show good improvement, moving to once every 3 month appointments, once they find the medications and dosages are good.

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May 17, 2025 · 4:00 am

Pimm’s Cup Roastory Lab

This is the cute resident of this coffee shop where I enjoyed an iced mocha today. She goes right to sleep in the middle of the shop and everyone walks around her, or tries to get her to wake up and come over to visit them.

There is a really beautiful straw piece that is rolled down to unfold and shade the shop.

It is my firm opinion that these stools are much too pretty to sit on. Aren’t they great?

We stopped here on the way back home from visiting Harvey. The visit started out with the physical therapy guy getting Harvey out of bed and walking all the way out to the front porch. This is a real professional with a nice manner, very strong and experienced. He walks behind Harvey, with a safety belt tight around Harvey’s middle, supporting him while Harvey concentrates on trying to stand up straight, with his head up as high as possible, putting one step in front of the other. He rested for a few minutes in the wheel chair that one of the nurses wheeled behind him, and then the PT guy was trying to get him up to walk back. Harvey wanted coffee and decided to try to “order” it then and there. The guy played along, saying he would get a cup of coffee if he walked back to his bed. Harvey refused at first, and then finally gave in – and got his cup of coffee.

Harvey’s attitude is embarrassing. Instead of being grateful that he is in a nice place, with good food, and caring, attentive people to try to help him, he acts like a greedy child. He seems to have lost the ability to think beyond what he wants, trying to order everyone around. When he tried to do it with Brian, Brian told him not to order him around, and we abruptly left. We’re not at all sure that our actions will get through to him, but we figured it was worth a shot. We’re hoping that this is a phase he’s going through and he will start acting more like himself in the coming months. It’s hard to see him this way, but we of course have no control over his hoped-for recovery.

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May 16, 2025 · 9:18 pm

Changes

The old, rickety, crunchy bed was removed yesterday morning. I left for my massage 😊 when they guys were still taking it apart. Brian was there for supervision.

When I came back the bedroom was empty and Brian had put the computer table together! He proceeded to get the TV working AND get my computer up and running while we waited for the new bed to be delivered and set up PLUS my new cleaning person to arrive! (The bed was supposed to be delivered at 1pm so we would have plenty of time to get the new sheets on the. bed and things cleaned up, but you know how THAT goes…) They both arrived at about 2:30.

Nong, my cleaning person, is little bitty and cute as a button. She took charge immediately, getting organized while the men put the bed together. She would not allow me to help put the sheets on, and, very politely asked us to get lost and go elsewhere while while she worked. The place was spotless when when we returned 3 hours later. 🤗

We had so many things to get accomplished yesterday that we just couldn’t get out to visit Harvey. We will leave in a few minutes to go see him today. I feel bad that we missed, but the round trip and visit take 3 hours. He was griping because he didn’t have strawberry pop, so I’m taking him a bottle today. (While we were still in the air bnb, Brian found a brand that has 0 sugar, so he can enjoy it as he likes.)

When the day was almost at an end, I played on my computer for several minutes😊, then turned on the TV and watched YouTube for about half an hour, wearing my newly charged headphones so I could listen without bothering anyone, and then had the best sleep I’ve had since we moved to Thailand on my new firm bed with satiny sheets and light duvet.

Is this one spoiled lady, or what!!!

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May 16, 2025 · 5:27 am

10,158 Steps

Freepik

I can see my SIL sneering a bit over this, since I think she said she routinely walks 5 miles a day, but this is the very FIRST time I have logged this many steps, and I am pleased to be able to toot my own horn to tell you,

Brian also told me while we were walking home from the gym that I am “more agile” than I was. 😊

SO – two indications I am improving. I will try to keep this up, improving on it as I can.

I’m also loosening up with my yoga stretches. When I first get down on the floor, I am really stiff and sore, but I feel pretty good by the time I finish.

On another note, the movers came and got the old bed this morning. I cleaned the room out the best I could, putting the old pillows in the closet for the moment. They came right on time and the old bed was gone.

I went to get my massage while the movers were taking that bed apart. By the time I returned, the bed was gone and the computer table had been put together!

Brian got the computer up and running and we plugged all in to recharge while the computer did an update. When we get the right cable, I will be able to make a backup of the system once a week AND a backup of everything on my phone, too!

He got the TV going, as well! I’m looking forward to listening to music on YouTube with my headphones on tonight. 😛

I’m planning to take some pictures soon to share them with you. I hope this will be a wonderful day for you.

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May 16, 2025 · 1:36 am

New Pet

Red-eyed tree frog sitting on the branch and smiling

This is just the frog I WISH were my new pet. Isn’t he cute!

I’ve told you that Brian and I clock into the gym right at 6am when it opens. T

I kept hearing a small sneezing sound. I just wondered about it the first few times, and then I finally asked Brian if he heard it. He listened for a second and said it was a frog!

I have no idea why a frog would make the sound that really sounds like a sneeze. As I’m stepping over him, he sneezes and I say, “Good morning, Sweet Frog!” (as you can tell, I’m getting hard up for pets since I came to Thailand.) He immediately gets quiet, I guess because he isn’t really friendly.

I don’t care. I’m determined to make friends with him. I think it’s just a matter of time when he believes I won’t hurt him.

(There are also a couple of cats that lie down and go to sleep on the table off the office where packages and deliveries of all kinds are placed for people. They aren’t friendly, either, but I speak to them nonetheless.

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May 15, 2025 · 8:46 am

Scattered Thoughts

We had a big storm last night that knocked the power out several times. New condo, strange noises, I was unable to sleep. Thank goodness my phone and my night light were charged. I managed to sleep a bit on the couch.

Tomorrow will be a big day. I’ll strip the old bed when I get up at 5 to go to the gym. Movers will come to take it away at 9:30. After the bed is gone I am prepping the place for my first ever cleaning lady to come. I will also do my laundry and hang it on my clothes rack on my little terrace. The new bed comes at 1pm. We have sheets, a pillow, and a very light comforter for it.

We have a bunch of errands to do, and we are trying to put together the computer table and get my computer up and running tomorrow.
I have a massage in the middle of all this.

We will probably have to miss visiting Harvey tomorrow. We just don’t have 3 hours tomorrow. Today he was awful – full of vague complaints he couldn’t detail when pressed, and saying ugly things about the people who are trying to help him.

He insisted he wanted to get out of the bed. We tried to explain he’s not strong enough, but he wouldn’t listen. We warned the staff about it when we left. They were aware of this. It’s upsetting to have him act so unlike himself.

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May 14, 2025 · 5:04 am

Grabbing a Grab

A Grab is like an Uber in the states. Brian has a Grab app on his phone. He calls it, tells it where he is, where he wants to go, and in a minute or two one comes and picks us up. He has an app for paying directly from his bank account as well, so there is no fumbling for money, waiting for change, etc.

The drivers are truly amazing as well. They use GPS on their phone to plot the best route, but know shortcuts, too, if needed. Many times we are on highways or main streets where there are 3 lanes of cars in both directions plus a gazillion motorcycles darting in and out. Just when you think you’re bogged down, they pull out and drive past 20 or 30 cars in a lane. It’s breathtaking and impressive at the same time.

Grab also runs a motorcycle delivery service. We use it to order food for breakfast and dinner. Brian orders, then gets a notification that it is downstairs. He goes down and brings it up.

To say this service is vital to our quality of life is an understatement. I am amazed and in awe of the system.

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May 12, 2025 · 3:46 am

Belated Good Wishes

Sorry that my Happy Mother’s Day wishes are late. For some reason, I couldn’t get to my blog.

I had a delightful surprise – Brian’s friend and coworker and his whole family wanted to come by and leave something with me.

It was this gorgeous orchid as a Happy Mother’s Day present. This wonderful family lives in the same building that Brian and I do.
We had been invited to dinner at their condo but we had to cancel due to Harvey’s stroke. I had met the woman and her 9 month old (I think) daughter, but hadn’t met the rest of the family. They have a 3 year old son, too. They brought one of their Nannie’s and another friend.

I gave her a choice of a pair of earrings that I had wood burned. She seemed pleased. They have adopted Harvey and me as honorary grandparents! I about lost it when they asked if they could call me, “Nana.” 🙏

She is an artist and will invite me to see some of her work in her studio. I can’t wait AND they are going to invite me to dinner soon!

To say I am thrilled is the understatement of the century. I will try to earn my new name each time I see them.

I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day or showed yours how special she is.

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May 11, 2025 · 4:05 am

Fohhide

These 3 pictures give you an idea of the view from the Fohhide Coffee shop.

Brian took me there after a depressing visit with Harvey, who didn’t really know us or any of his family. He thought Brian was his brother Bill. He knew I was his wife, but didn’t know my name. He told us the people there were trying to drown him.

SO – we really enjoyed the absolutely stunning view from the 5th floor of this building. The elevator was really old style, completely glass, and would only hold 2 people. I have to admit it gave me pause. That was until I saw the view. What a special place to show me! 😊

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May 10, 2025 · 8:38 am

The Cat’s Meow

We stopped today at what instantly became my favorite coffee place yet.

There was not only ONE sweet cat – there were FOUR! 🤗

Two were black. One of these had an elegant gold chain with a bell as a collar. The other black cat had a string of pearls as her collar. One cat was what I can best describe as a cocoa siamese. The last one was a black, gray, and orange cat with hair in a kind of checkerboard pattern.

Their cat cage was in one corner of the shop. It was huge, several levels with beds and toys.

In another spot was a food dish, water dish, and something else the cats kept checking, but I couldn’t figure out.

There was a table with toys on a string or stick that the patrons could use to try to engage the cats in play. A couple tried but had no luck. Then a young woman and her boyfriend sat down. The cats were immediately intrigued. She really got them going, leaping over each other trying to get the toys. Finally, the black cat with the gold collar grabbed the toy end while the woman wasn’t paying attention, and leaped down, causing a parade of cats to follow.

I do want you to know that the cold chocolate drink I had was delicious, but the reason I want to go there again is to see the kitties again🤣

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