I have two more sketches to paint in my sketchbook. I’m taking a new sketchbook to the cafe to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans my place. This new sketchbook has about 100 pages, like the old one, so I’m hoping to see and feel some improvement in my drawing skills by the end of it.
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My Pet Nutritionist
Last week Khun Weaw, my wonderful massage therapist, went home to be with her family for part of the holidays. I’ve been feeling my body calling her name particularly the last few days, so it was wonderful to have her back. She worked miracles on me, getting rid of knots, finding lots of sore or stiff places that needed her attention. I feel wonderful right now as I type. AHHHHHH!
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If you aren’t signed up to enjoy Substack, you might consider giving it a try and see what you think. I’m just kind of on the periphery, not really having an ‘account’ where people can support you – or not, as they choose – but I’m having a good time posting my stuff on there and seeing what’s going on.
There are a lot of good articles, news, photographs, art, and more. As I connect to more people, I am very interested in the caliber of people there.
This morning I learned something new about my computer. I was charging my keypad and track pad. I’ve done this over and over and haven’t had any problem. This morning when I tried to remove the charging cable from my keypad, my computer screen suddenly went almost black. I – the most far removed from a techie – almost panicked. I contacted my son, Brian, by text and carefully explained what I was trying to do and what happened. He asked me if I could see the ‘sunshine’ icons on the F1 and F2 keys on the keypad. When I said, ‘yes,’ he told me to press the F2 button several times and see if the screen got brighter. To my intense relief, it DID! So now I know that the F1 and F2 keys make my computer screen lighter or darker, and that the F10 key mutes sound, F11 turns down the volume, and F12 turns it up. I’m empowered!!!!
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Freepik
I’m still a bit overwhelmed by my new jigsaw puzzle. I’m one piece away from having the outside edge together now, and several bunches of things put together, but my usual techniques aren’t working very well yet. I’m putting on my ‘methodical hat’ and continuing to work my way through things, trying to make sense of it. This may be my most challenging puzzle yet! 🧩
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Painting to Gogh
I’m finishing up the humongous sketchbook I started about 6 months ago. I feel that I have learned a lot by trying to draw what I see. I have 5 more pages before this one is filled up. I have a new one ready to start. Here’s hoping that when I compare the new sketches with the old, I’ll see some improvement…
This is a ‘throw-open-the-windows’ kind of day here, with lots of sunshine. My son, Brian, keeps telling me that the ‘hazy season’ where the farmers burn off the residue from their fields is coming soon; but for now I’m thoroughly enjoying opening a couple of windows in my dining area and one in my bedroom to create a wonderful cross-breeze. I’ll close up again in an hour or so, turning my air filters back on, but for now I’m grinning as I type. 🪟
I have my headphones on so I don’t bother my neighbors, and I’m enjoying some really nice music now. I don’t know of anything more transformative than music, calming you down, comforting you, making you smile and want to get up and dance, bringing wonderful memories and more. 🎧
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We went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. It was a pretty good visit. I thanked Khun Archiang (pronounced, “Coon Ah chi ahn’ “) for sending us a picture of Harvey enjoying one of the pineapple pies Brian left for him. Harvey seems pleased with her so far, which is a huge thing for us. About the only thing we can do for him at this point is try to make sure he is as comfortable as possible; gets to have his bed rolled beside the window so he can feel the sun and watch the birds flying around and the people working in the rice fields; gets a trip outside in the wheelchair to visit the doggies through the fence; gets to eat fruit-filled pastries with a cup of coffee; drink the 0 sugar grape drink Brian brings him; and see us. He mostly made sense today, even though he briefly talked about finding his jeans so he could ‘escape.’
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Freepik
I’m about to do my water bottle exercises for my arms, and today I’ll add the music to the exercises and see how that goes.
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I’ll spend much of the afternoon painting some of my sketches and working on my puzzle. The puzzle is kind of overwhelming right now, but I’ll just keep working on it a bit at a time. I love the final picture of the large turtle and colorful fish, so it’s well worth the challenge.
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Khun Nong is cleaning at Brian’s today, so he’s working elsewhere to get out of her way and will bring dinner to my place this evening.
Don’t forget to appreciate all the good things today.
Today is a beautiful day here in Chiang Mai. It’s about 11:30 in the morning and it’s 77 degrees F. with lots of sunshine. That said, it feels really cool at 60 or less with no heat. I’m learning to adapt, and I’m glad that I can now tie the arms of my hoodie around my waist so I have another layer, if needed, wherever I go.
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This image is for Donna. The beginning of the turtle puzzle. When it’s finished, it will look like this –
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This is the latest sketch painting. I also made 4 new thank you cards yesterday for my housekeeper, Khun Nong. (I leave a card with her pay each week.)
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This is Ying and Paula, who have made videos to help people learn Thai. I am making a list of the phrases that I want to learn and will ask my son, Brian, to create short clips of each one so I can play them quickly, repeating them over and over so that I can listen really carefully and try to imitate them as closely as possible. Brian says their pronunciation is very good. So far, I can say –
Hello (sounds like “sawat dee ka’-ah”)
Thank you (sounds like “cawp coon ka’-ah”)
Sorry (sounds like “caw tote ka’-ah”)
This is a slow process, but I am determined to get at least the basics down, one phrase at a time.
The gym is open again (HOORAAAAAY!) after the deep cleaning and maintenance time, so we didn’t have to walk in the relative cold in the parking lot today. We had the luxury of being INSIDE in a beautifully clean gym, and I was able to wear shorts and shed my jacket. 💪🏻
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We enjoyed sausage slices (spicy!) and chunks of chicken, plus the last of the tangerines we received recently for New Year’s from a wonderful lady in the office of our building. We also had hot mushroom tea (supposed to do wonderful things for you – with bone broth added – to do MORE wonderful things for you – and then we got on with the rest of our day. 🥣
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We went to visit, Harvey, my husband, in the nursing home. We had trouble getting a GRAB to get out there, having to cancel one order and start another before we actually got a ride. (This is the high season for tourism here, and it causes some transportation problems from time to time.) We met Harvey’s new nurse. She is a lovely, very young woman. She said her name, which went in one ear and out the other for me. Before we left, Brian had her write it down because he understands the pronunciation better if he can see it written down (vowels, in particular, are a complex thing in Thai. Unless you can see the actual Thai character, you aren’t sure which one they are talking about.) Brian said he would work with me on the pronunication of her name at dinner tonight.
Harvey didn’t seem concerned about the change in nurses, thank goodness. We were particularly glad the nurse is female, as my husband gets very agitated if a male does anything at all. (He actually wanted us to check for his gun in his room, because he said he might need it later because there was a male who came into his room. We pointed out that the man works at the nursing home and that he probably had a good reason for coming into the room. That didn’t convince my stubborn husband. (He also was saying he had killed two birds with one shot that morning. We asked what the birds had done to annoy him, and he shrugged. When I told him I thought shooting birds who hadn’t done anything wrong was a bit harsh, he just looked at me.)
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On the way home from the nursing home, we stopped at Maya, (the small mall – only 160 stores). Brian has been wanting to get another sweatshirt, and he was able to find one. He wanted me to look for more jeans and tops. I ended up with a pair of jeans, two tees, and some ankle socks. 🤗 We had trouble getting a GRAB, and so we had my first ride on a TukTuk.
This original painting – the first in my new place here – shows a TukTuk. It’s basically a motorcyle for three, with a top and a bench seat behind the driver. No seat belts. Open all around, and this one was short on shock absorbers. 🤣. I put my purse between my knees and held on for dear life on the one place I could reach on the side of the vehicle. Brian seemed unconcerned, but I was glad when she got us to the chocolate place in one piece. It was FUN, though, and was good for this stodgy old woman…
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I just finished rolling up the jeans and tacking them so they won’t unroll. They were still a third size from the ones I got recently, so I still have no clue what size I am since my weight loss. I just hold them up to me and try on the ones that have a chance of fitting. (Of the two I took in the fitting room today, one pair fit fine and the other pair was too large!)
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My time got away from me today and I’m late getting to the computer to write to you. My hair blows as the days go past here. I’m so lucky to be in a wonderful country that is such a delight!
I hope that your Friday or Saturday is going well, and that you have a lot for which to be grateful.
We stretched, then walked up and down the long, well-lit, well-paved parking lot for 30 minutes this morning before dawn, the last day we need to do this before the gym reopens after deep-cleaning and maintenance.
Horizon Education Centers
It’s “The Cool Season” here in Chiang Mai, Thailand (my first) and I’m having a bit of difficulty adapting. The low is supposed to be 50 with the highs in the low 80s from November 1st until around February 15th. I love the afternoons, but struggle a bit to stay warm in the early mornings and evenings.
There is no heat here – 3/4 of the year is really hot, so they gear up with air conditioners for that and just weather through (pardon the pun) the cooler season. No space heaters are considered safe. Same with electric blankets. I am learning to dress in layers, heat up water to drink if needed, take warm showers (instant heaters there), and enjoy being able to sit beside my window when the sun comes up.
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Wikimedia Commons
My massage therapist has gone home to be with her family, so I won’t have my weekly massage today. Instead, I’ll do an extra-long session of “Old Lady” yoga stretches to try to make up for it.
Khun Nong, my wonderful cleaning lady, comes this afternoon, so I will vacate the premises so she can clean in peace. Brian and I will go the cafe to be out of her way. I’ll take my sketchbook and supplies, my Kindle, my earbuds so I can listen to music, and my sweatshirt, in case they have the temperature in freezer mode. 🥶
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I am starting today to try to add to the pathetic list of Thai phrases I can say. I can say, “Hello, and have a blessed day,” (sounds like ,‘sawat dee KA’-ah) and “Thank you.”(sounds like, ‘cawp coon KA’-ah)
For a while I gave myself a pass because my husband had a stroke, I was moving into a new condo, I was in a strange place trying to recover from having to have a pacemaker installed due to my heart stopping twice Feb. 11th in the ER at the hospital. After the hospitalization and surgeries, I discovered my hearing was significantly affected, plus my balance. I now have good hearing aids, and I’m working on re-training my brain on the balance and inner ear issues.
So, no more excuses. My plan is to add one new phrase each week. This week’s phrase is “sorry.”I have a really good source of YouTube videos with two ladies teaching Thai phrases. My son, Brian, says their pronunciation is good and is encouraging me to imitate them as closely as I can. (He also reminds me that I frown when I’m concentrating, so I’m trying to remember to try to keep a pleasant, smiling face while I’m trying to come up with the proper phrase…🤪)
This is part of honoring the traditions and language and customs of Thailand, my new home. I am slow, but I will really try hard to show everyone how happy I am to be here.
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Thai Bananas – Nam Wah
One of the cleaning ladies gave Brian a bunch of Thai bananas a couple of days ago!
And one of the ladies in the office came running to catch me yesterday as I was going to pick up a coffee from the delivery area. She held the elevator for me and gave me a bag of these Thai tangerines!
Both of these show how wonderful the people in our building are. Brian gave cards with a hand-written note and a bit of cash to each of the staff here for New Year’s. I had given each person a hand-painted Christmas cards earlier. The kindness of Thai people is the thing that stands out beyond all else here. They continue to ask about Brian’s dad in the nursing home, and come up and hug me, asking how I am (with Brian’s translation.) I’m simply overwhelmed.
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I hope that you are entering 2026 with a wide-open heart, hopeful that we will all enjoy a new year full of reasons to smile.
I didn’t feel well this morning, so I opted out of our walking and also skipped breakfast. I finally managed to get warm enough putting a sweatshirt over my clothes, plus the throw Brian gave me, and later, when the sun came up, sitting in the sunshine beside my window. I’m feeling functional now, so all is good. I’ll just rest and take it easy today, so I’ll be in fighting form again tomorrow. 💪🏻
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I would love to be a fly on the wall when my housekeeper, Khun Nong, comes in and sees my finished dolphins puzzle Friday. She very carefully cleans around my puzzle mess each week. I hope she smiles when she sees the finished product. 🧩. Brian came and took pics to send to the glass printer, so another treasure will go on my signature shelf in my living area. Friday after Khun Nong finishes, I’ll bag up the dolphins puzzle carefully and donate it. I’ll take out my new turtle puzzle – cleaning the table thoroughly first – and will start a NEW mess!
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Xmas 2025 – Gift from Server
My favorite server at the cafe where we spend time while Khun Nong is cleaning waved me over to show me a note written in Thai – then translated to English via his phone – apologizing that his gift was so small. I showed him I was USING the cute pouch he gave me, with the stuffed handmade Christmas tree attachment, to hold my sketching supplies. I thanked him again. What a nice young man he is!
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My son checked on me a while ago, wanting me to eat something. I asked for a tuna sandwich with avocado that we had recently. When he texted that the delivery was in the lobby, I went down, got my laundry, and the cleaning lady came over and hugged me! She then got the elevator for me, but I showed her I needed to go and pick up my ‘brunch,’ so she waited while I got it and then ushered me into the elevator. I’m am completely overwhelmed by how nice people are here!
2025 is almost over. We need to embrace 2026 with all the possibilities and opportunities it will offer.
Our gym is closed for a week for deep cleaning and maintenance. Brian and I found a well-lit, well-paved parking lot for our walking this morning. We walked to the end and back over and over for our 30 minutes. It was cool – 61 degrees F., so I wore sweatpants instead of my gym shorts and wore my jeans jacket. It was a good walk. 🚶
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My puzzle is finished! I asked Brian to come to my place this morning to take a picture that he will send to have a glass print made for my special shelf in my living area. YIPPEEEEE!
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I don’t know how much ‘weight’ the BMI Chart carries in reality, but this is what I’ve been basing my status on for a long time.
I am 5’4″ and shrinking. 😀 I began my ‘lose-the-lard’ efforts about two years ago, trying to move from morbidly obese, at 35 on the chart, to my now ‘healthy’ reading at 20. I have read that a healthy range for a female of my height is between 108-132. I am at 119 now, shooting, I think) for 115. I’ll make another decision when I get there.
This is me (on the right) in 2013.
This is me this morning.
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This is the type of day I love the most now – where I can move from one activity to the next as I choose without pressure. I want to take the waist in on a pair of fleece-type snuggly pants, I’ll do my yoga practice, write my blog posts, play on the computer, paint at least one of my sketches in my art alcove, listen to music, read my book, stand in the sun at my window, and more. AHHHHHHH!
We went to see my husband, Harvey, this morning. We had a hard time getting a Grab for the trip to the nursing home because it’s ‘high season’ for tourists now. He was calm, glad to see us, and followed what we were saying. All in all, a good visit.
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This is the latest painting.
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I’m almost finished with my jigsaw puzzle of the dolphins. I’m having to go through and rearrange some areas, but I WILL prevail! 😁
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liftingitalia.com
Our gym is closing starting tomorrow for a week for deep cleaning, maintenance, etc., so Brian and I will walk in a park every morning instead.
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The day got away from me today. I will try to write more tomorrow.
Today is a good day. We didn’t have anything on the schedule after going to the gym, so I’ve been able to bounce from one activity to the next without worrying about what time it is.
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Sew Fabulous
I did a bunch of sewing today. I only do rudimentary sewing, but I have a very small sewing kit and have been doing things like taking in the waist of my jeans until I got to the point where I wanted to buy more. Today I darned a sock; I rolled up the pants legs of my new jeans and tacked the rolls in place so I don’t fall on my head tripping over my too-long jeans. The style here seems to be long jeans, though, so my shortness isn’t a problem, as long as I don’t sprawl headlong into something. I also shortened and hemmed the sleeves of the 3rd blouse that needed that. I put a gold star (mentally) on the calendar today for all this. 🌟
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Reddit
I have 4 more pounds to lose to get to at least my interim weight loss goal. The end is in sight after over two years of trying to lose the lard. The new jeans were a celebration of getting to this point. Even if I decide to go for 9 more pounds, these jeans will be fine. I still can’t believe I’m almost there. You will be able to hear me cheering when I reach the final goal and begin maintenance!
Marao.ge
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Today I have done a piece of this, a little of that, and back again, varying my activity to try to stay productive. I’ve been working on my puzzle, closing in on finishing it now. My son will get to gripe when I show him the finished puzzle and ask him to take a pic to send to the glass print place.! 🤭
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Khun Nong, my wonderful housekeeper, left me a little surprise yesterday. I had received a really nice gift from one of the servers at the cafe where we go regularly to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans. There was a zippered pouch, a bunch of stickers, a stuffed Christmas tree, a stuffed cute critter, etc. I loved it. I’m using the pouch with the Christmas tree attached as a holder for my sketching supplies. I put a couple of stickers on my sketchbook. He was really happy when he saw I was using his gift yesterday😁.
If you’ll look closely, you can see a couple of additions to the corner of my art alcove – a cute stuffed critter is hanging from my plant spritzer, and there is a small thing sitting on one of the leaves of my orchid plant.
This is another of the things the server included in my gift – at first glance it looks like a frog, but it’s a cute little kid wearing a frog outfit. I never would have thought of putting it here, but it looks like just the place.
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I hope that you are enjoying your Christmas weekend, whether you’re into it, as I am, or just starting it. Have fun!
It seemed like we spent forever at the hospital today, meeting Harvey, Harvey’s nurse from the nursing home, Khun Yuwaret, and the main doctor for Harvey there for a routine visit.
Harvey was in pretty good spirits this morning. At one point I was in tears because he thanked me for being there for him. I hugged him and told him that Brian and I will always be there for him because we love him.
Then Khun Yuwaret and I were standing beside the bed while Brian talked with the doctor. I said, “We really like Khun Yuwaret.” Harvey said, “YES!” firmly. Khun Yuwaret started to cry then, saying that this is the first time he has said that.
We BOTH lost it because she told us she is leaving at the end of the year, relocating to Chiang Rai to be closer to her family. We are happy for her, but I am pretty devastated that she’s leaving. I made her this card to give her Thursday, at what might be the last time we see her –
We did, finally, get what we needed from the doctor to get Harvey’s medical visa renewal. Brian headed out again to take all the paperwork to the wonderful lady who helps us with visa stuff.
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I haven’t done much else yet today. I think my energy is hiding somewhere. Maybe I’ll discover it after I finish writing my posts for the blog….
I hope you’re having a wonderful day. If you’re traveling for the holiday, I wish you safe and smooth travels. If you’re having people to your home, I wish you a joyous celebration.
Today when we visited my husband Harvey at the nursing home, he wanted to know if I had brought him an iPhone 17, and then he wanted Brian to go out with him so he could buy Brian a certain kind of motorcycle he had seen on TV… Otherwise, we got the thumbprints we needed for the medical visa renewal, and some pictures of him. We should be able to get everything we need together for the renewal by the middle of next week.
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I’m making some progress on my puzzle. Brian is teasing me about (1) taking a long time to finish it, (2) NOT TAKING LONG ENOUGH to finish it – ‘griping’ about how much money it costs to get the finished puzzle picture printed on glass like the other two I have, and then (3) already having bought me the turtle puzzle I wanted, but couldn’t get, a while back.
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Art – First Cry
I’m splitting my time today between my puzzle and painting another of my sketches. It’s good to have the rest of the day free to do what I’d like to do, not having to rush – just enjoying.
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May this be a reminder not to stress over the holidays. They are different for each of us. Even when things are good, the details can get us overwhelmed, when we should be concentrating on just spending time with those we love; or, if we cannot do that, enjoying the memories we’ve built over the years, making us feel warm inside.
This is one of our mailbox decorations in Arkansas.
Here in Thailand, it’s 73 degrees and sunny! In my former home in Greenwood, Arkansas, it’s 13 degrees right now…
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I will be painting some of my sketches today. I’m not sure what else I’ll do, other than start getting ready for my housekeeper to come tomorrow. I have such a lovely life here!
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Rattan Chair I Covet
I discovered that this chair I want is in a hotel. At least I can enjoy looking at it from time to time. I probably couldn’t have afforded it if it were for sale in a shop anyway…. 😩. And I wanted the white cat, too!
I hope that you’re not going nuts trying to do six things at once to get ready for Christmas. I realize that if you have kids, much of it is about the presents, but I HOPE that you take time to cherish those who are with you to celebrate, more than the presents, decorations, food, and hustle, bustle. You are building memories that will serve you the rest of your life, something that can’t be taken away
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We went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. He was pretty alert, and was following the pictures we were showing him and the things we were telling him pretty well. He seemed comfortable and pretty calm, although at one point, he asked where his gun was. We explained to him that he wasn’t in Arkansas now, he was in Thailand, and that we had auctioned off all the guns before we moved. He told us there was a male nurse who came to his room yesterday. He didn’t like him and wanted to shoot him. GREAT. HUH?!
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Brian and I stopped for a chocolate drink on the way home. There are lots of Christmas decorations showing up every day. It really lifts your spirits to see all the lights and happy decorations. There is a tall Christmas tree in the lobby of our building with colored flashing lights, presents under the tree, and two tiny reindeer in front. Really nice!
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It’s a beautiful day today. It was 66 this morning, so I didn’t wear a hoodie to the gym. I did, however, wear one when we went to see Harvey. The GRAB drivers tend to keep their vehicles cold, and the room where Harvey is is cold, as well, so I was glad I had it with me. When we got home, however, I was sleepy and wanting a nap. I opened several windows, pulled the screens across, turned off my air purifiers, and created a wonderful cross breeze that was perfect for a nice nap. Ahhhh! I now have everything closed up again, but it was a really nice interlude.
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Drawing – PenguinsDrawing – Frog 2
These are my two latest painted sketches. I have such a great time in my art alcove. It seems I barely get started and my alarm is going off that it’s time for me to exercise or go somewhere. Such a pleasure!
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My jigsaw puzzle is going very slowly, but I AM making progress and I DO love to do it.
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Enjoy the days leading up to Christmas. Try to remember to slow down and BREATHE, enjoying the process, the anticipation of the love you’ll share, the fun you’ll have, the laughs you’ll enjoy.
Today is a quiet day. I’ve been to the gym, eaten breakfast, done a couple of errands, and ended up taking a nap because I got super sleepy. This is the life of a pampered retired lady. 😁
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Men are going to paint my balcony today, so I have my drying rack inside with the fan on to dry my few things. My new door lock works like a dream now! The changes made yesterday have it so it doesn’t hurt my hands a BIT to open or close my door now. I can almost forget that I have arthritis!
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Tracy Chrest – Substack
I’m going to write more posts for the blog and then spend some happy hours painting, puzzling, and reading. I’ve also decided to move some things that I’m not using up out of my way.
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I’ll do my yoga stretches this afternoon. I’m able to stretch more lately and I feel good when I finish.
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And that’s my exciting day! I hope that you are wringing every drop of joy that you can out of the day!
Today was emotional, stressful, but ultimately we prevailed!
It was emotional because we visited my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. He ate the pineapple pie and drank the grape drink Brian brought for him, but didn’t say a word. We thought it was going to be a complete bust of a visit.
We showed him pictures and told him about what was happening in our lives, trying to include him. He nodded or shook his head, but otherwise wasn’t responsive. We weren’t sure that anything was getting through to him. Some questions we asked were totally ignored.
Just as we were leaving, he said, “Love you, Babe.” I lost it. He hasn’t said that since his stroke 9 months ago. I ran back in and hugged him again, thanking him for saying that. Totally unexpected, absolutely appreciated. I was tearful the whole way home.
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It was stressful because the new lock on my door was really hard for me to open and close. It’s a nice lock, a sturdy one, well made and fancy, but the arthritis in my hands, particularly my thumbs, was triggered each time I tried to open or close my door. It was just too much for me.
Brian came in to my place when we got back from visiting Harvey, screwdriver set in hand. He worked for over an hour on it. He would take it apart, it would work, then when it was put back together, it got tight again. He finally called the locksmith back for help.
Happily we only had to wait a little while for him to come over. He and Brian worked together. Brian was able to demonstrate the problem. The locksmith was able to see with his own eyes where the problem lay. He had to work on it another hour, but finally got it to work really, really well.
Best of all, when “I” tested it, we could all see that it was perfect. No English on his side, no Thai on my side, but we communicated that we were both really happy he had made it work so well. Best of all, he refused payment for today’s travel and work. So we prevailed to the satisfaction of all.
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Half the afternoon is gone now and I’m exhausted. I think I’m going to try to relax and take a nap in celebration.
My son’s birthday is today. I gave him this card I painted. I got a HUGE smile, TWO nice ‘thank you’s’ and TWO big hugs…. 🤗
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Yesterday was a wonderful day
My housekeeper left these flowers for me, PLUS a spotlessly clean place. I’m so lucky to have her.
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I gave my favorite server at the cafe a Christmas card a week or so ago. He came back to my table later to ask if I had painted the card. When I said, “yes,” he clutched the card to his chest and gave me the sweetest smile I think I have ever seen. Yesterday he brought me a gift –
He actually wrote me a note inside the card IN ENGLISH! He was very worried that he had made a mistake. It said, “I wish you good health and happy forever Auntie. Merry Christmas.” and he added a very small heart.
The pouch has a stuffed bear face on the front and a keychain. It was inside the sweet Christmas box. Inside the box was –
Thai people are very into stickers of all kinds, in fact that’s the main thing they do for Valentine’s Day, for example. I put two of the stickers on my sketchbook, since I bring that to the cafe every Friday. I put sketching supplies inside the pouch and will bring that next Friday. I attached the stuffed Christmas tree to the keychain on the pouch. Isn’t this amazing! 🤗
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One of the building cleaning ladies ‘thanked’ me for her card by bringing a dessert filled stick of bamboo to my door soon after. This is a traditional dessert for Thai people, made of rice, coconut milk, and various flavorings to make a really tasty treat. Brian and I had a great time devouring it.
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I’m going to make thank you cards for both of these kind people. I never expected anything in return for the cards I made. This just shows you what a wonderful place Thailand is!!!
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At about noon, the locksmith is supposed to come back to my place to install my new lock. It was too large for the hole in my door and he didn’t have the tools to make the hole larger, so hopefully today I’ll have my new lock! Brian will be able to get into my place, if needed, and vice versa, with the new locks. It’s a nice security addition. PLUS, I can quit using the lock in the doorknob that is very cranky at times! 🔑
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Edge Early Learning
I’m hoping to spend a good amount of time in my art alcove today. I want to sketch the thank you cards and I want to start painted a backlog of sketches I’ve done in my sketchbook.
I went to the gym, ate breakfast, then went for a terrific massage this morning. Ahhhhhhh!
Be Secure Locksmith
A locksmith came to add new locks to Brian’s and my doors – ones that use the same key – for security and to bypass the keyed doorknob on mine that is a pain. He got the lock installed in Brian’s, but needs to come back tomorrow to do mine, after he discovered he’ll have to modify the hole to make it larger before he can install mine. I’m happy that (1) my swollen door has been planed and repainted, and (2) that tomorrow the lock will be one that locks and unlocks my door easily. It’ll bring peace of mind that Brian will be able to get in here, should an emergency occur. 🔑 Being able to use the doorknob to simply open and close the door will be so good!
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Soon we’ll go to the cafe to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans my place. I have my sketchbook and supplies, my Kindle, and my sweatshirt ready to go. I’m looking forward to doing some sketching, and then I’m starting Book 3 of ‘The Lost Bride” trilogy by Nora Roberts, “The Seven Rings.”
I’m hoping to get ‘my’ favorite seating place by the front window where I can watch the amazing traffic go by. There are two official lanes in both directions, with vehicles steering around each other when the opportunity occurs (or they can MAKE one occur), plus a gazillion motorcycles, motor scooters, and bicycles who have brought weaving in and out between vehicles on both sides to an art form, plus the pedestrians walking up and down the street on both sides, or trying to cross the street. Good luck! 🤞
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This is ‘my’ chair. We have passed it a couple of times in our travels, and I love it more every time I see it. I can just picture it in one corner between my dining and living areas. It would look absolutely GREAT. The fact that it will take me winning the lottery in order to buy it, and then pay to have it delivered to my place are annoying ‘details.’ When we passed it recently, there was a white cat asleep on the cushion! As I looked at it, assuming it was a stuffed animal, it opened one gorgeous blue eye and yawned and stretched. I. WANT. THIS. CHAIR!!!!
We went to visit Harvey at the nursing home this morning. On the way there, Brian received a text from Harvey’s nurse. It said, “Mr. Harvey said, “I want to see my wife, and I want a pineapple pie.”
I guess that set my expectations up too high because once we got there, although he enjoyed the pineapple pie Brian had brought for him, he only talked about a couple of things – something biting his foot and his wanting to take a picture of whatever it was, and then his wanting to go ‘home’ with us, though he wasn’t at all sure where ‘home’ was. The fact that we have explained that the help he needs is at the nursing home where they have the equipment and the expertise it takes to give him 24 hour care, just doesn’t stick. In his mind, we can simply pack him up, stuff him into a car, and take him to my place. It breaks my heart when he does this. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen often. Most of the time he is content and comfortable, though communication varies all over the place. I was pretty depressed when we left.
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I had given Christmas cards to the manager of the nursing home and Harvey’s nurse. We stopped at the chocolate place and I gave the lady who is so sweet to us a card. You would have thought I gave her a million dollars. Her smile filled the room and my heart. Somehow, two little exquisite chocolate cookies showed up as an extra on our order today…. ❤️
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When we got home I took a card to the lady who runs the laundry, and another to one of the ladies in the office – the one who greets us with a smile every day whenever we leave the building. I will pass out more tomorrow. It really brings up my spirits to surprise people this way.
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Brian told me that it’s a Chinese custom to drink hot water. My research showed – “The Chinese custom of drinking hot water stems from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and historical sanitation practices. It is believed to promote health by balancing the body’s energy, aiding digestion, and expelling humidity, while historically, boiling water was the safest way to make it potable. Today, the tradition persists, with many Chinese people continuing to prefer hot or warm water, often served with a meal. “ I am drinking a cup of hot water as I type this, trying to warm up. 🍵
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The Healthy @Readers Digest
I will do my exercises for my arms with water bottles this afternoon. That will warm me up, as well. I find that doing this one day and doing yoga stretches on alternate days gives me a good balance in addition to my walking on the treadmill.
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I have now tried out my new chair in my art alcove. It really makes a difference. I also worked on my puzzle a bit using the old alcove chair with the cushions, and it’s much more comfortable. My son, Brian, is no longer worried that the older wooden chair won’t last, so I am a happy camper.
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Yesterday I made a card for my son’s birthday. I will give it to him on the 13th. He wants to just forget about his birthday, so I’m determined to celebrate it. I will see if I can get a cake and a candle at the shop near here, and I will give him the card. I will also sing to him, making his excruciating experience complete. 🥳
This is the last group of Christmas cards (unless I think of someone else I should have remembered.) I’m going to go through the 25 cards and make the final decision on which card is for which person on my list. I will probably start giving them to people Friday. It’s fun to say ‘thank you’ this way. 😁
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BBC Science Focus – Getty Images
It wasn’t as cold this morning going to the gym. I am not as bundled up now as I was yesterday, though I’m still really enjoying pulling up the shades and letting sunlight flood my place in the mornings. My son, Brian, is telling me to remember I said this when I’m having to leave the shades down until noon to give the a/c a chance to work… I told him that I’m living one day at a time and am LOVING ways I’m coming up with to get warm!
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Brian has been mentioning my “puzzle chair” (above) each time he comes to my place. He is afraid the wooden chair might not be safe, though he did get me some cushions to make it more comfortable. He told me last week he had ordered another chair .
This is my computer chair and he ordered another one like this. It is supposed to be delivered today. If it is, he will come up and put it together for me.
This is my art alcove chair.
The “great chair switch” will happen when the new chair is put together. The new chair will take the place of the “art alcove chair” because I spend a lot of time sketching and painting. The “art alcove chair” will become the new “puzzle chair.” I will add the cushions Brian bought to the new puzzle chair for added comfort. We will put the old wooden chair out in the foyer and Brian will tell the office people it is available. They come pick up things people aren’t using and find good place for them. Did you pay attention? There will be a test later…😜
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Montgomery Child Care Association – Adobe Stock
I have a quiet day today, other than the chair switch. I’m looking forward to finishing 4 thank you cards for Khun Nong, my housekeeper. (I put one out each week) I’ll get the Christmas cards organized so I can carry them in a folder in my carrier to give them to people as I see them. I may take some time to paint one of the sketches in my sketchbook today. FUN!
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I’ve been neglecting my puzzle the last few days, so I’ll try to see if I can make some progress on that today, too. The dolphins and one good sized turtle are waiting to come to life!
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I’ve been reading about some bad winter weather happening across the United States. I hope you are not in the middle of it. Stay warm and stay safe.
This is another of the mailbox decorations my husband and I made for the holidays.
I’ve had a good day.
I worked out at the gym. Then I went for a mani/pedi since my husband, Harvey, noticed I needed a redo. I’m still surprised. He never noticed if my fingernails were polished before his stroke. Yesterday he looked at my hands for a long time and then said, “You need to have new polish.” So, when we visit on Thursday, I can show him I listened and fixed the problem. 😁
I am trying to learn how to deal with the problem of no heat during Thailand’s “Cool Season.” Granted, the lowest temperature here is around 50 degrees F., but unless I’m sitting in the sunshine, I’m cold. Right now, for example, I have a sweatshirt on, but my nose and hands are still cold, so I put on my husband’s lined flannel shirt/jacket over the sweatshirt.
I WILL adapt to this. I just need to get more inventive. I’m already layering my clothes. This morning while I was waiting to go work out at the gym, I solved the problem of my cold leather sofa by sitting on the end of a towel and wrapping the rest of it around my legs. I’m raising the shades on my windows when we get back from the gym, letting the sunshine in, warming my place up. I put an extra throw on my bed at night. I wear slippers in my house with socks. (You don’t wear shoes in the house in Thailand.) When we got here, I scrubbed the soles of my slippers with soap and a brush so that they were as clean as I could get them. I only wear them inside, so they don’t bother my floors. They are saving my life. I’m adopting the Chinese idea of heating water and drinking it like tea. I’m doing that whenever I get too chilled. I take warmer showers, since I have an instant on water heater.
I know I sound like a wuss. I think I’m adapting to the culture, the people, the traditions, and such, better than I am the climate. Brian and I were laughing that in February I will be griping about being too hot, melting into a puddle, unable to find a way to keep cool….
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I’ve been painting Christmas cards today, as well as making more thank you cards for Khun Nong, my housekeeper. I’m having so much fun picturing people as I make another card. I’m mentally deciding which card should go to which person I want to thank, hoping they will be pleased. I’m also trying to figure out the best time to catch each person so that I can give them out in good time for the holiday.
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Brian is coming to my place for dinner tonight, since Khun Nong is cleaning his place this afternoon and evening. We’ve made a routine of backing up the data on my phone, plus the data on my computer while he is here. Earlier he checked the numbers on my air purifiers to make sure they are doing their jobs, deciding to bump them up a notch to deal with the ‘haze’ that is coming as farmers start to burn off the residue from their harvested crops.
I read that a lot of the United States is having early winter weather. Even my state of Arkansas was in for some ice. Selfishly, I am SO glad I don’t have to worry about getting iced in on top of our ridge line there, with trees falling down into the 650+ foot steep driveway from both sides, making us get out the chain saw to cut them and haul them to one side or the other when the ice will allow us to stand without falling on our heads…
I hope you are safe and sound wherever you are when you’re reading this.
It’s hard to believe it’s already December! I’m busily working on sketching and painting Christmas cards. I think I have 6 more to do, and then I’ll figure out who gets which card and carry them with me so I can give them to people as I see them, starting around the 15th.
We are now into “The Cool Season.” COOL SEASON – (November- mid-February) – highs 30 degrees C. (85 degrees F) & cooler mornings and evenings. Lows 10 degrees C. (50 degrees F.) This doesn’t sound impressive as ‘winter,’ I know, but we don’t have heat here. I can get hot water in my shower, and I can make hot water in my teapot, but there is no heating unit. There is just sunshine – and thank goodness for that.
I sat in beside my window this morning with the sunshine streaming in. It felt SO GOOD on my back! I’m learning that I need to have more sweatshirts, sweat pants and hoodies to be comfortable for this season. I have a wonderful throw that Brian gave me as a housewarming present that I am using over my duvet on the bed. I sat at the computer today with a towel over my legs as I waited to go to the gym. It’s quite an abrupt change from the hot temperatures needing a/c and my bucket and towels brigade due to my leaking windows!
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I am LOVING the fact that my door works well now, and I can go out and come back in all by myself! It acts like a real door! Added to that, we ordered and put up a Christmas wreath a couple of days ago. I smile every time I go out or come back in. 🎄
Add to that my new window frames, windows, and sealing from the outside! I should no longer have any leaks. They even put up ‘rain roofs’ that should keep part of stormy weather from pelting against the top edges of my windows. I’m thrilled. I have enjoyed a couple of days now of “the great window opening” when the temperature is 79 degrees F, as it is now. I open at least a couple of windows to get a nice cross breeze, pulling the screens across to keep any intrusive bugs out, grinning like a nut. I LOVE IT!
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We went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home today. We took him a pineapple ‘pie’ – a packaged dessert that we would have steered him away from while he was better, but that now we encourage. He has a nasal tube, and gets his main nutrition through that, but he is again able to eat and swallow without choking. We are all still being very cautious, but he enjoyed the pie and a cup of coffee while we were there. 🥧
He noticed that I need a manicure and new polish today! The fact that he looked and realized that, instead of previously not knowing who I was, who HE was, or anything about our situation, almost made me cry today. He did ask about the scheduling of his first ever massage. He thought it was this Friday. (It was actually scheduled for the 2nd week in April, after we first moved here, before he had his stroke.) It’s challenging to see him bedridden, a shell of the former Marine Corp veteran and sharpshooter he once was, but he IS ‘in there’ showing up every once in a while. He wasn’t hurting today and I thanked his nurse and hugged her for taking such good care of him.
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I have newly discovered ‘Substack’ a place where I’m finding delightfully talented people, people who think, who can write intelligently, artists, photographers, and more. I’m very new, only having followed a few people so far, but it’s like a treasure chest to be opened with care, taking time to examine and ‘ooh and ahh’ at what is found.
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For some reason I was awake at 3am today. I tossed and turned, finally getting up and getting ready to go to the gym. I sat at the computer in my gym clothes, my husband’s lined flannel shirt/jacket and a towel over my legs to feel warm. Now it’s just after 4pm and I’m beginning to feel a bit zombie-like. I foresee an early evening for me.
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Here is one of the mailbox decorations my husband and I made for the Christmas season. I miss getting to change the decorations each month, celebrating holidays, honoring favorite cartoon characters, etc.
A thing I’ll never forget is when we would be changing one out and someone would start to drive by, stop, and tell us how much they enjoyed seeing what we were displaying. Some actually said they drove by JUST to see if we had changed the display!
What a joy to be able to work together to make the decoration, choose the one we would display and drive down to put it up, and then have someone kind enough to make our day with such kind words. I’m so glad my husband and I shared this time together.
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Make this a special month for you and the ones you love.
Today is special for at least two reasons: we will be attending a wedding this afternoon; and I’m having the ‘great window opening.’ 😁
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I about froze my parts off going to the gym this morning. It was 50 degrees F. and there was a light wind blowing. I wore my hoodie, so it was better than it could have been. It might have actually caused me to put a bit more ‘umpf’ in my walking on the treadmill – trying to warm up!
It’s supposed to get to 77 degrees F. by 2 this afternoon – and that’s when the ‘great window opening will occur. I am now able to open 4 of my large windows – two in the living area, one in the art alcove, and the last in my bedroom. I’m going to turn off my air purifiers – not wanting to cause them any stress – and will open the windows (sliding the screens into place) and enjoy airing out my place for a few minutes (and cheering, knowing these won’t LEAK, either!) before returning things to normal. My place looks bright and airy, welcoming, and I love it. 😻
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The Knot
Later on this afternoon is the wedding of one of my adopted family’s nannies. I’ve never been to a Thai wedding, so it will be a sight for the eyes and heart. They will be moving to Germany soon after the wedding, so have requested no gifts. I will follow the lead of the other guests on whether it is okay to take some pictures or not. I couldn’t be happier for them!
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I’m working on my sketched Christmas cards. These are the ones I’ve finished so far. I’m hoping people will enjoy them.
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Dogs in Motion Canine Rehabilitation
I had my massage yesterday morning by the different massage therapist. It turned out to be the older lady who is there each time I come, so I immediately relaxed and told her I was grateful she was giving me a massage. Her touch and techniques were different, of course, from Khun Weaw’s, but I had a really great massage nonetheless. I discovered that there was death in the family, and that was the reason Weaw was out of town. I’m trying to see if I can bring a small bouquet of flowers to each of them next week.
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We went to the cafe to get out of my housekeeper’s (Khun Nong’s) way while she cleaned my place. I did several sketches and finished the first book (“The Inheritance”) of a trilogy by Nora Roberts, called “The Lost Brides.” I’ll start Book 2 (“The Mirror”) today. I wish I could have seen Khun Nong’s face when she saw all the new windows! (The above pics show some of the decorations at the cafe.)
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I’ve been neglecting my jigsaw puzzle lately, due to errands, our having to be out of my place, and work being done ON my place, so I’m looking forward to putting in some time on it today.
I hope your Thanksgiving (if you celebrate it) was good, and that you’re either still there enjoying the love, or have a safe trip back home.
Happy Thanksgiving to my friends and relatives in the States! I hope you’re stuffed full of good food, with a big smile on your face as you try to find a comfortable position in which to relax.
We celebrated last night with my adopted family. There was a house full of noisy celebrational activity – lots of people, some I met for the first time, others I knew, and of course my new family. My new grandson really seemed to like the dinosaur/dragon I painted for him and hung it on the wall in his room. Both he and his little sister, who just turned 1 recently, are warming up to me more each time we see them. My grandson took delight in making me a ‘sandwich’ of a small slice of round crusty bread and a pickle. He smiled as I thanked him. We ate our sandwiches together. He then made me another with a humongous pat of butter on top. I managed to cut the pat WAAAAAY down – and his, as well – before we enjoyed the rest of the ‘meal’ he had prepared. We had a truly wonderful time. (New fact: you cannot import uncooked turkeys into Thailand. You CAN import COOKED ones. So our turkey was delivered so it could be re-heated in the oven for an hour and a half before our dinner.)
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Today I’m having a massage with a new therapist. MY therapist is out of town. A man stopped us yesterday to tell us that and ask us if it were all right if another therapist handled my massage today. I thanked him and said, “yes.” I think it’s amazing that they didn’t simply cancel the appointment. Instead they found someone else who agreed to handle it. I have confidence that although I can fully relax with Khun Weaw, my therapist, I will get a good massage with this other therapist. I’m thankful that they hurried around to try to make me happy.
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We will then go to visit my husband in the nursing home. I’m hopeful we’ll get a glimpse of the man I married over 56 years ago. Maybe a special look, maybe a smile, a squeezing of my hand, a question, a memory… Each visit is different, so we never know what to expect. I’m hoping he is comfortable, not hurting, able to eat and drink a little in addition to having the nasal tube. I’m thankful he has such good, loving care.
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We will spend time at the cafe when we come back from the visit, to be out of the way while Khun Nong cleans my place. I wish I could see her face as the door now opens easily and there are all new windows and frames since the last time she was here!
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I have started painting the group of Christmas cards I have sketched. I will try to get some painted each day, trying to finish the 25 cards by the middle of December. I’ll then carry them with me so that when I meet people who have gone out of their way to be nice to me, I can give them a small token of my gratitude and hopefully brighten their day a bit.
I’m having a good time trying to sketch 25 different Christmas card designs to paint for the people here who have been so kind to me. I’m also really enjoying my time in my art alcove – a place where any worries I have fade as I concentrate on trying to draw what I see and then paint it. I don’t have a lot of supplies here, but I’m having a blast finding images I like and trying to reproduce them in my sketchbook. 🎨
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GIPS Hospital
I’m still trying to adapt to being away from ‘home’ and away from anyone who celebrates Thanksgiving for the first time ever, particularly since I have so MUCH for which to be thankful. My son, Brian, is encouraging me to spend 5 minutes each evening embracing the idea of “kindness.” Just sitting there with my feet on the floor thinking about something that fills me up. What I’m picturing currently is Brian kissing Harvey’s head and hugging him before we leave after we visit. The feelings simply overwhelm me, happy tears flowing, making me so grateful we are here and have our son. 🧘
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We went to visit Harvey at the nursing home today. It was the best visit we’ve had in quite a while. He thanked us for bringing pictures of the painting going on on the exterior of our building, plus said he was “happy I loved him enough to make the picture on his wall.” (his birthday picture – this really surprised me because he didn’t react at all at the time.) Each visit is different, but ones like today, when he shows ‘he is really IN there,’ are worth everything.
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hampr
We’re having a bit of a challenge today on my laundry. It was supposed to be ready for pickup at 10:30 this morning. We decided to wait until we got home from visiting Harvey, when we could get my duvet from my place, take it down to give to the lady and pick up my finished clothes. The door was closed and no one was there, so we decided to wait and try later. (She is a very busy lady and probably just stepped out.) An hour later we went down, only to find the same situation. This time Brian kept the duvet and the laundry ticket and will try again later…
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I will finish posts for the blog and then switch to my art alcove. Khun Nong cleans Brian’s place this afternoon, so he will vacate his place and then bring dinner to my place later.
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I hope you’re having a super happy day today, looking forward to being with family and friends for the holiday.
This is my first time celebrating Thanksgiving in a totally new way. The Thai people, of course, don’t celebrate the holiday. My husband is in the nursing home getting sustenance from a nasal tube. My son and I will be hopefully celebrating by watching the installation of my new windows and window frames – either Wednesday or Thursday, we are told.
I’m celebrating by talking to you, sharing things I hope you’ll enjoy, sending some e cards to friends and family in the states. It’s different. It’s enough. I’m more than grateful to be with our son, planning for the future, making sure my husband is as well taken care of and comfortable as possible.
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We have already had a busy day today. We went to the gym as usual and shared breakfast. Then we went down to leave clothes at the laundry. While we were there, we met Khun Arm, the building maintenance man, who took us to a condo where there are windows very similar to what I will be getting. They had white frames instead of the black I have now. The windows I can open will be fixed with the new installation. They are small windows on either side of two much larger picture windows. In place of the picture windows will be two sliding glass and screens windows. This way, I’ll retain the wonderful access to my view AND be able to open my windows if I would like to! They will also be slightly tinted to cut the sun’s glare and heat. I will have the slideable windows in my bedroom and in the art alcove. I’m THRILLED!
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After we met with Khun Arm, we went back down to get a jug of water for my place.
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I will finish writing posts for the blog, and then I plan to spend a good time in my art alcove. I’m trying to sketch 25 different Christmas cards to give to people here. I’m also painting a larger sketch from my sketch book every day. It’s a lot of fun.
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The dolphins jigsaw puzzle is coming along, though slowly. I move from working on that, to reading on my Kindle, to doing another stage of my painting or sketching, to checking on the wash out on the balcony, and back again. Sometimes I take a walk, still being careful to just stay close to my place, not trying to cross the super busy streets by myself yet. I’m slowly making judgments about when is a good time to cross. Sometimes Brian agrees. Sometimes not. He explains why when we get across the street. An example, it was MOSTLY safe to cross the other day. The street was pretty clear on one side. Traffic was really slowing on the other side, soon to be at a standstill. We didn’t see any motorcycles darting around the cars. We walked between two cars that were stopped. Then I started to go ahead. Brian stopped me, pointing to a motorcycle that had suddenly darted around the stopped cards. We waited for him to pass, and then got across the street. Whew!
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The weather here is stellar. It’s 62 in the mornings now – a bit cool – but then warms up to the mid 80s in the afternoons. Cools down again in the evenings. Little or no rain!!!! Bright sunshine – but not boil-you-in-oil bright – yet. Couldn’t ask for more. I’m actually wearing layers at times now!
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I hope the coming week is a wonderful, wonderful week for you. Have fun, get and give lots of hugs, laugh a lot, make memories.
It was 62 this morning. I’m beginning to acclimate, in that I got chilled at that temperature. Things are warming up now (‘winter – or the cold season’ here is 50 degrees F. for a low and 85 or so for a high.) but this morning I put on a sweatshirt and wore my slippers in my place because my feet were cold!
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We saw and heard two men arguing on the way to the gym this morning. By the time we got back, one of the men had been arrested. He was yelling at the other man, refused to move for a lady who was trying to clean the area – her job – and other things we don’t know. It’s nice to know that the police responded quickly to the situation, avoiding possibly worse problems. That’s the first time I’ve even heard about anything like this here in Thailand.
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I’ve had a good morning, working on a sketch of a turkey. I’ll post it when it’s finished.
Friends – they make our lives so rich. They help us celebrate the wonderful things that happen. They sit with us when things comes crashing down. They laugh and cry and hope and dread with us. They are the special chosen people who make our lives doable. If we’re lucky we have a few we can tell everything, knowing they will listen without judgment, only wanting to support us. They will carefully tell us when they think we are wrong, hoping to share some insights that may make us rethink a situation or belief. They will scoff when we’re being silly and tell us in no uncertain terms how funny they think we are when we deserve ridicule. They are precious and priceless.
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Today we go to visit my husband at the nursing home. I am hopeful that he will show us in some way he is glad we’re there. It would be great if he responds to what we’re telling him. I would love it if he would talk, even if what he says doesn’t make sense. Every once in a while there are glimmers of the man I married. I live for those.
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This isn’t just ANY door. It’s MY door to my place! A man came a few days ago, took it off its hinges and planed the inside edge until it opened and closed like a real door! To a person who has felt a bit trapped by the fact I was unable to open the door to get out or open it to get back in by myself, needing my son to force the poor, swollen door one way or the other, this is a miracle. I will probably one day take it for granted that I can put my key in the door, turn it, and the door opens – but not any time soon.
This is the inside of my door! A man came yesterday and painted not only the planed edge, but the entire door, inside and out. So now it LOOKS fresh and neat, too! I think it’s BEAUTIFUL!
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We stayed at my place yesterday until my housekeeper came, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable to find a man painting the door when she arrived. She gave me a hug and did her normal job of making my place spotless while Brian and I went to the cafe.
I sketched more Christmas cards and visited with a friend and her little girl for a bit while we waited for Khun Nong to finish cleaning. When I got back, this is what I found –
She left me TWO bottles of flowers! She displayed them on my dining table along with the plant she gave me several weeks ago. Don’t they look lovely?
This morning I decided I wanted to ‘spread the wealth,’ so I left the tall bottle on the dining table, moved the shorter one to my computer table, and the plant to my art alcove. Now I have pretty things all around!
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I started my day yesterday with a trip to the gym, then later went for my Friday massage. I took two ‘thank you’ cards to give to the two ladies there. They seemed to like them. When I was finished with my massage (AHHHHHH! – thank you, Khun Weaw!) I came out to the other lady pointing to the wall where she put up my card to her! I took out my phone and showed them that I had left a review of the shop on Google Maps. Both were thrilled with that. I was happy that there is no doubt now how much I think of both of these wonderful people, how I think they take good care of me, and how I hope to bring more business to them.
I just returned from a truly wonderful massage, so I feel relaxed and smiley now. I took the two ladies there thank you cards I had painted. They seemed to be happy with them. When my massage had finished and I came out to drink my little bowl of tea, the older lady pointed to the wall where she had hung up my card to her! I showed her where I had left a review of the shop on Google Maps. This was in answer to her asking if I would ‘tell all my friends’ about the shop. She doesn’t know I don’t know many people here. I found out that Google Map reviews are read by many, many people, and that they can help people grow their businesses, so I left a review for them. It was a happy time for all of us this morning.
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The workmen were supposed to come and paint my door this morning between 10 and noon. Brian came to sit in my place waiting for them since I needed to leave for my massage. It’s now 12:20 and no sign of them yet. The door paint is cosmetic, so I’m not standing on one foot and the other waiting, but ‘Thai time’ is something to which I need to adapt.
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Khun Nong comes to clean my place this afternoon, so we will go to the cafe to get out of her way. I’m going to sketch more Christmas cards plus do some sketches in my sketchbook. I have the latest three book trilogy by Nora Roberts, “The Lost Brides” on my Kindle. I decided to start over and re-read the first two before diving into the book 3 conclusion.
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Next week my new windows and frames are due to be installed. We’ll need to move a bunch of stuff away from the current windows, into the middle of the floor from the living area, the art alcove and the bedroom. I’m thrilled that we are on the schedule to be ‘healed’ and not need the ‘bucket and towels brigade’ any longer.
I hope you’re having an enjoyable day. Please remember to inject kindness into your day wherever you can.
It is NOT raining! The last of my towels is on the drying rack out on my tiny balcony and should be dry by afternoon. The sun is actually shining!
And my DOOR is still opening and shutting with a turn of the doorknob just like a real door! It’s a miracle. The workmen didn’t come yesterday to paint. I’m hoping they come today, but the paint is just cosmetic. The important thing has already been done. 🎉 🥳
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I’m enjoying sketching Christmas cards for my local people here. I’ll get them all sketched and then I’ll start painting them. Meanwhile, I’m going to paint some of the sketches I did recently at the cafe.
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The dolphins jigsaw puzzle is coming together slowly. I have learned that it really makes a difference how much you pay for a puzzle. The two I’ve finished were both wood pieces. The dolphin puzzle is cardboard. The pieces don’t hold together well and they ‘travel’ on the table. I think I told you that we tried to order my turtle puzzle from Lazada. They canceled the first order and I chose the dolphins puzzle. Then Brian tried again to order it. They canceled again, so now he went to Amazon and ordered it. We’ll pay through the nose for shipping, but I think this is the first thing we’ve ordered from Amazon since I moved here 7 months ago, so I don’t feel as guilty about the cost as I might. I am SO looking forward to that puzzle!
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I received the third book in the Lost Brides trilogy by Nora Roberts a couple of days ago. I have now started reading Book 1 again, now that I can read all 3 back to back. I’m in Heaven!
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The only errand we have today is to get cash for me to pay for my massage and leave money for my housekeeper tomorrow. I’m taking some thank you cards I made for my massage therapist and the other kind lady in the shop,
and I’ll leave the money with the thank you card I make every week for my housekeeper.
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Brian brought us a smoothie we shared yesterday mid afternoon. It was made with avocado, banana, and strawberries and it was absolutely delicious. It has a zillion calories, though, so I really have to watch how often we get this. I really want to get to my goal weight. I am trying to expand my horizons a bit on iced coffees. So far I like mocha, latte, and cappuccino. Brian is researching what other things are available that he thinks I might enjoy.
Jatayu – “King of Vultures- bird sculpture – James Lucas – Substack
“The Jatayu Earth’s Center features the world’s largest bird sculpture, created by sculptor Rajiv Anchal. “According to local lore of Kerala, it is believed that Jatayu fell on the rocks in Chadayamangalam in the Kollam district of Kerala after his wings were clipped off by Ravana. The name “Chadayamangalam” is said to be derived from “Jatayu-mangalam”.[citation needed]Jatayu Earth’s Center Nature Park in Chadayamangalam features a 61 metres (200 ft) wide statue of Jatayu, which is credited as the world’s largest bird sculpture.[6]“ – Wikipedia
I thought this was amazing and huge – until I noticed the MAN standing on his wing. My jaw dropped.
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Today was a ‘bucket and towels brigade morning. Before we went to the gym, I put rolled up towels on the sills of all my windows. When we returned, about half of the towels were damp, but none needed to be wrung out. I’m trying to dry the towels now on my drying rack that I dragged inside. The rain has stopped now.
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I haven’t heard from the repair people yet today, but I’m still hopeful they can make the time to come and do whatever painting they plan to do on my miraculous door. I’m speaking of the door to my condo that now opens and closes at the touch of the doorknob! I’m thrilled at my regained independence and freedom. The paint is only cosmetic. It will be nice, but I can wait, if needed.
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I have started the sketches for the Christmas cards I’m going to paint for the people here in Chiang Mai. They have made me feel so welcome. Some go out of their way to inquire how my husband is (through Brian, of course.) Some cross the room when they are working to say ‘hello,’ or smile and bow. Some even give me a much needed hug, something that almost makes me cry. The cards are such a little thing, but I’m hoping that when I give them, each person will know how much they mean to me. It’s fun to think of particular people as I choose the theme of their Christmas card. I’m going to sketch all of them first, and then start painting.
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I may be becoming a little bit acclimated to the higher temperatures and higher humidity here. Part of that may be due to my finally being able to lose another 27 pounds since I moved to Thailand. Right now my phone says it’s 72 and it’s started to rain again. I shut off the a/c because I felt cold. I then changed my regular shirt for a sweatshirt…. This will all probably change when “The Hot (and Smokey) Season” starts. Brian says he’s comfortable at 92. Yeah, right.
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Brian just texted me, asking if I want a drink. He’s going to bring me an iced mocha as soon as it’s delivered. Am I a totally spoiled rotten lady or what! 😜
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