Thursday 4-16-2026

This is my newest Chiang Mai Street Scene painted sketch. I’m trying to catch the wonderful ‘flavor’ of the shops. I hope you can feel how inviting it is to walk up, see what’s cooking in the big vats and skillets, and choose what you would like, in this case taking it home. In others, you sit at a table that is part of the shop.

I had a wonderful time yesterday evening at the last of the Songkran water fights. I found my favorite server at the cafe. This time he had a long tube of a gun. I will forever admire a good choice of weapon and the expertise to use it skillfully. He soaked me from head to toe, both of us laughing like loons, him being declared clearly the winner of the battle, though I got him good several times. I found my friends from the evening before. One of them gave me a necklace that had stickers of Disney characters on it.

My necklace is now hanging on a light switch and I hung my water gun on the wall. It is now ‘hors de combat’ – its pump having died quite early in the fight last night. Thankfully, one of our friends had a bunch of guns, knowing they last a very short time, and loaned me one to use. I’m really glad I participated this year. I will have wonderful memories to make me smile for a long, long time.

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IrishTimes.com

It was back to routine as much as possible for us this morning. We went to the gym and I walked my mile on the treadmill. This afternoon I’ll do exercises with my water bottles. Brian and I may decide to get outside and go to the cafe this afternooon, as well.

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I had quite a lot of laundry to catch up on due to Songkran, and that is out on my balcony drying as I type. Things dry really quickly and thoroughly this time of the year, even though my balcony doesn’t get a lot of direct sun.

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Brian really made me proud of him this morning. When we returned from the gym, he took the time to find the lady who religiously sweeps our street every day. She may be as old as I am (I’m a very poor judge of Thai people’s ages, though.) We have said ‘hi’ to her before as we pass. She is extremely hard working. He spoke to her to get her attention, and then he told her he had a gift for her. He gave her a blank envelope with a card inside, bowing and holding it in both hands to hand it to her. She looked very surprised. Inside was some money to thank her for the hard work she does, but particularly during Songkran when people are pretty messy. She saw what was inside, her eyes teared up, and we all bowed to each other. I’m so pleased that Brian takes nothing for granted, appreciates what people do, and wants to show that many Americans are nice people. :0) One proud mama.

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Yahoo

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If It Fits, I Sits 4

BoredPanda.com – Ingrida Jasirkeviciute, Karolina Kondrataviciute, Jonas Grinevicius, Mindaugas Balciauskas

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Bored Art – Ceramic Animals

These were all displayed on BoredArt.com

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Wednesday 4-15-2026

Brian snapped this picture of me before I went to join the Songkran festivities late yesterday afternoon. I was obviously the oldest person out there; but happily, when the ‘elderly’ is armed and shoots you first, all the rules fly out the window and great fun can be had.

I saw people I knew and met lots of others. A nice lady introduced herself, lovingly poured water all over me from a small bucket, gave me a cashew, and hugged me, saying she sees Brian and me walking hand in hand and that we have such a wonderful relationship. A man insisted on helping me refill my water gun. He asked me how old I was. When I told him, he reacted quite dramatically, showing me with gestures that he would act as my ‘protector’ should I need one. He then told me he was 68. I pointed to him and said he was “still a baby.” His rusty belly laugh filled me up. I think he hadn’t had enough occasion to laugh like that lately.

I found my favorite server at the cafe. He was working on something electronic. I carefully waited for him to notice me. When he did, it was with surprise, then delight when he saw I was armed. I motioned for him to get up and stand away from his table. When I shot him full in the chest, his face was a sight to behold – a combination of surprise and delight with his grin splitting his face wide open. It turns out he’s a bit of a coniver, though. While I was shooting him, the other main server came up behind me and poured a whole bucket of water over me! SO MUCH FUN!!!!!

I played for about an hour and a half, finally making my way back to my place dripping and happy. I put on dry clothes and hung my wet ones on my drying rack on my balcony, plus my shoes, in an effort to get them as dry as possible for this afternoon, when I plan to go play again on the last of this 3-day celebration.

National Geographic

The biggest thing I get from yesterday is the change in my attitude toward Songkran. Last year Brian and I were making our way to the hospital every day, spending at least 10 hours a day there while they did surgery, tests, physical therapy, etc. Songkran really complicated our lives, making it difficult and a bit scary to get around, harder to find food with so many places closed, and quite noisy with revelers.

This year it’s an ADDITION to our lives. A celebration that with all we’ve been through, things are okay now, many things improved. I have now particpated in the celebration, enjoying the joy and happy faces, delighted in the play associated, the shedding of tension. The joy of being in this wonderful place.

travelbud.com

Yes, we have alternated our comings and goings, but we managed to go visit Harvey at the nursing home yesterday. Yes, our regular food places are closed, but I find I love a Chinese dish that has cut up red things to avoid, but tastes wonderful otherwise, an I LOVE a Thai dish called, “Joke” – a rice porridge with egg, onions, chicken and delish spices.

So I will have my normally quiet day today – except for the occasional screaming from the streets – and then take my place in the play area to get doused and enjoy spraying as many people as possible this evening!

Happy Songkran!!!!!!!!

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Creative Ceramics

@sukistokesceramicanimals-Facebook

Bruce Etherington

James Ort – The Ceramic School

Soul Ceramics

Pinterest

Pinterest

Ceramics is such a wonderful medium. People can take clay and create something “useful” such as dinnerware, mugs, vases, etc. or sculpture, or anything in-between. The creativity of people fascinates me.

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If It Fits, I Sits 3

BoredPanda.com – Ingrida Jasirkeviciute, Karolina Kondrataviciute, Jonas Grinevicius, Mindaugas Balciauskas

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Tuesday 4-14-2026

My son, Brian, continues to be the resident curmudgeon about the Songkran New Year’s celebration. The photo below gives you a bit of the flavor of the water fights part of the celebration. Truckloads of people, plus motorcyclists, bicyclists, tuk-tuks, and pedestrians fill the streets. People on both sides of the street, plus the people in or on the vehicles are armed, as well. As people pass each other, water goes everywhere, shot out of guns, thrown by the bucketful… Laughter and screams fill the streets and wide smiles are everywhere.

Watching it from my window wasn’t enough. I just bought the water gun above and will fill it before I go down to my spot late this afternoon. I already caused a bit of a stir. The ladies in the 7-11 seemed surprised that this old lady was buying a water gun. Then, when I went to check my mail, one of the ladies in the office had a water gun in her hand (not ready to shoot it), I held up my gun and she and the man in the office stopped in their tracks and then laughed. It’ll be interesting to see if the ‘rule’ about not shooting ‘the elderly’ still applies if an old lady is shooting at YOU… 😁

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Brian and I braved the elements this morning and visited my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning without incident. He seemed down or tired, but perked up during the visit. His new signal that he’s had enough is to use the remote to laboriously turn on the TV. The nursing home staff gave Brian and me one of these beautiful real flower necklaces as a gift for Songkran!

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Newest painted sketches.

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Songkran – The Thai New Year

It’s the celebration of a brand new year in Thailand – starting today, April 13th and officially lasting through Wednesday. April 15th. It’s a time of washing away negativity in all forms: bad things that happened in the past year, negative thoughts about people, losses – by cleaning houses and shops inside and out, cleaning the streets and sidewalks, sweeping and mopping away the past and preparing for a bright, shining clean new year. Also there is the hope for the rainy season to start soon, taking away the 100 degree + temperatures, the unhealthy haze caused by the farmers burning their fields in preparation for new planting, replacing the “hot and hazy” season with nourishing water that will make all the plants say a shared, “AHHHHHH!” in relief.

People are visiting temples, giving food to the monks, spending time with their families. It’s shedding the old problems and welcoming new chances for good things. Celebrations are everywhere in the form of people blasting water at each other with water guns, pouring water over people out of buckets, laughter in every spray and counter attack.

I thought that I would combine this wonderful celebration with a piece by Nanea Hoffman of Sweatpants and Coffee LLC – ‘Gentle Goals for a New Year’ that will help people everywhere embrace new opportunities to improve their lives in the coming year –

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Animal Portraits by Peter Hogarth 2

This is Peter Hogarth. His portraits of animals simply take my breath away.

You can find his work at

@peterhogarthartist.bsky.social – Blue Sky

@peterhogarth55 – X

@peterhogarth.org – Facebook

@peterhogarth55 – Instagram

and more, and he is accepting limited commissions

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Monday 4-13-2026

Tina Ann

Today is the official start of Songkran, or celebration of the Thai new year. Things ACTUALLY started yesterday afternoon, with overflowing streets. a float type vehicle with people playing music and dancing, and of COURSE people lining the street hosing down everyone in sight with water guns and buckets, and having a wonderful time.

Our son is the resident fuddyduddy, not having the least interest in even watching the celebration. I’ll try to get some pictures to share with you.

Our gym is closed, so I’ll add some dancing to my yoga stetches today to make up for my not walking my mile this morning. Our cafe is closed, as well, so I’ll so my painting here today and wait for Thursday or Friday to do more sketching in my favorite spot. I did a bunch of laundry in my bucket in the sink yesterday and today because the laundries are closed, as well. All is drying on my drying rack on my cute little balcony.

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This is my latest painted sketch. I’m looking forward to spending a good amount of time in my art alcove over the next three days.

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Brian will decide tonight or tomorrow if he thinks it’s safe enough for us to try to go visit Harvey tomorrow, or if we should wait until Thursday. He says this celebration is sadly the most deadly week for the inhabitants and foreigners of the year, mainly due to the effects of drunk driving, and particularly to motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

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The lovely turtle is finally coming out of hiding! It’s still really slow going, but it’s exciting to watch his beautiful face emerge.

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Outside Surburbia

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Animal Portraits by Peter Hogarth

I think Peter Hogarth’s pet portraits are breathtaking. I expect the sweet animals to blink their eyes, turn their heads, yawn, or move. I can’t say enough.

You can find his work at

@peterhogarthartist.bsky.social – Blue Sky

@peterhogarth55 – X

@peterhogarth.org – Facebook

@peterhogarth55 – Instagram

and more, and he is accepting limited commissions

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Stunning Waterfalls 3

Salto Angel – Rich Childs

“Let the waterfall cleanse your soul and ignite your dreams.”

Zimbabwe – SafariBooking.com

“Fall in love with the journey, not just the destination.”

Enchanting-Travels-Brazil-Tours-National-park-of-Iguazu-Falls

“May you find the strength of a waterfall in your own heart.”

Pinterest

“The waterfall is my spirit animal—loud and impossible to ignore!”

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Sunday 4-12-2026

Songkran – Krabi – Nature

Yesterday I had two interactions that are still touching me and making me smile. The first was with one of the wonderful housekeeping ladies for the building. She came around the corner while I was sitting waiting for Brian to come down and us to go visit Harvey. She pointed up and I nodded that I was waiting for Brian and we were going out, but I bogged down when I couldn’t explain “husband,” “Brian’s dad,” “nursing home.” I finally got out my phone and showed her a picture of Harvey in his bed with his nasal tube. She looked at it, and then watched me hug it, and then I pointed to my wedding band. THAT got it. She smiled, hugged me, and then pointed to Harvey’s picture. She then used her hands to make her self smile. I pointed to Harvey again. She understood. She was hugging me when the elevator door opened. Brian looked surprised then showed her a big smile.

The other interaction was with my favorite server at the cafe. He brought his phone over and showed it to me. He wanted to know what I was planning to do for Songkran – I looked at him, mimed shooting a water cannon, then put my hands up in a ‘no’ gesture, then put my hands over my head and crouched down. That made him laugh. He is obviously looking forward to the festivities.

We will go to the cafe this afternoon, but probaby not again until Thursday. Lots of places will be closed for the holiday, including our gym and probably the cafe, so we have stocked up a bit and don’t plan to go out. We are still considering if we might be able to go visit Harvey Tuesday or not. There are two humongous water barrels in front of our condo which will be filled with water for people to ‘reload’.

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I’ve been enjoying trying to draw more difficult things lately. I don’t know if I will be successful or not, but I’m giving it a try. I will have lots to paint in the coming days, so I’m really looking forward to that.

Also my turtle puzzle is coming along, though his gorgeous eyes and head are still hiding.

I’m also going to enjoy a book on my Kindle, listening to music on my headphones, adding dancing to my exercises, and researching more things to show you on the blog.

I hope that spring has finally sprung where you are and that you’re able to enjoy more time outside.

Wisdom Quotes

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If it Fits, I Sits 2

BoredPanda.com – Ingrida Jasirkeviciute, Karolina Kondrataviciute, Jonas Grinevicius, Mindaugas Balciauskas

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Songkran Celebration

travelbud.com

I have told you that my son and I are stocking up so that we don’t have to be out in the water fights that are an integral part of the Songkran celebration each year. I will watch out my window to see if I can see any of the ‘action,’ with water guns, waterproof bags and water glasses (goggles) being sold everywhere, plus humongous trash bins that will be filled and refilled with water as the festivities go on, so that people can “reload.”

What I want to tell you now is the real reason for the celebration above and beyond the fun of the water flying everywhere.


“Songkran celebrates the traditional Thai New Year from April 13-15 (sometimes stretching into the 17th) marking the sun’s passage into Aries. It symbolizes purification, renewal, and starting fresh by washing away bad luck, illness, or negative energy from the previous year. Key traditions involve cleaning homes, visiting temples, offering food to monks, and pouring water over Buddha statues and elders’ hands for blessings.” 

The simple paragraph above embodies the beauty of the Thai people. A new year in Thailand is more than dousing everyone with water (though it has been hot and dry for a while now. Thai people are washing away all the negativity of the year past – cleaning their homes and businesses, washing away the sad things that happened, the losses, and preparing with optimism for the beginning of a new, bright, shining year, full of hope for a beautiful, successful year for everyone. The feeling of celebration permeates everything with lots of smiles, laughter, fun –

Farmers are getting ready to start new crops. New businesses are opening. Buildings are being renovated or built from scratch. A time to spend three days of the year being as carefree as a child, throwing off the weight of responsibility for a short time and preparing to work hard again when the festivities end.

This is, to my eyes, a beautiful, joyful way to welcome a new year. Even though I personally choose not to take the chance of being sprayed and losing my precarious balance in the street, I celebrate the chance these wonderful people have to fully enjoy themselves.

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Saturday 4-11-2026

These are my latest painted sketches.

We went to visit my husband in the nursing home this morning. This was not one of the better visits, so when we got home. we regrouped and went over to the cafe. I relaxed, drank a mocha, and did some sketching. I’m now back home, trying catch up for the day.

We have one more day before we will be in self-imposed hibernation due to the celebration of Songkran here Monday through Wednesday of next week. (More about Songkran in another post) We are finishing stockpiling supplies so that we don’t have to go out after tomorrow, except for the gym, which we’re hoping is early enough to avoid a problem.

It’s officially 100 degrees here this afternoon – due to get to 101. The Chiang Mai Air Pollution Real Time index says it’s in the unhealthy range, so the windows have remained close and my a/c off an on, with fans to get a comfortable temperature in my place.

I’m officially at 50.90 kgs this morning (112.215 lbs.) this morning, so almost to my goal of 110. I’m within the ballpark of where I want to be, so I’m just watching my portions, rather than worrying about carbs, fats, or anything else. My eyeballs are floating with all the water I’m drinking, and I’m exercising every afternoon in addition to walking at the gym each morning. Brian says he notices that I’m stronger and steadier at little things, such as being able to stand still in the hot while we’re waiting for our Grab to arrive to take us someplace.

I got a laugh yesterday out of the alternate massage therapist, Khun Sulee, after she finished getting all the kinks out of me. I showed her this picture –

I put the phone beside my face and then pointed from the phone to me and back, then pointed to my legs and back. She finally got it and we both laughed. The resemblence is pretty amazing, except I’m not as cute.

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Stunning Waterfalls 2

Jacob Leurs

“In the fall of water, find the rise of your spirit.”

Joni F.

“Like water, be adaptable and always move forward.”

Salto_Churún_Merú-Heribert Dezeo

“Let the waterfall cleanse your soul and ignite your dreams.”

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Marvelous Mosaics 2

iMosaicArt

iMosaicArt

Instagram

Mosaics Lab

RogerPapemo@mac.com – Art and Tradition Tours

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Friday 4-10-2026

An example of the wonderful flowering bushes around here!

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The day got away from me, so I’m writing my blog posts late today.

Today we did our gym session, I had a glorious massage, and then we did some stocking up for the Festival that starts Monday (more on that tomorrow) and spent the afternoon at the cafe – with me sketching and reading, and watching the traffic. We just finished sharing dinner.

We will visit Harvey tomorrow. I hope that we can brighten his day.

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Starting next week, Khun Nong, my wonderful housekeeper, will go home for a visit. She contacted Brian this past week, asking if it were okay if her sister took her place on cleaning until she returns. Brian answered that if she trusts her sister, we will, too.

I already shared with you that Brian insisted I take the flowers she left for Brian Tuesday to my place.

This is what she left today –

She saved the flowers that were still good from Brian’s bouquet.

She started a new plant and left it in my art alcove.

And this was on my dining area table.

Needless to say, my place was also spotless. The woman is absolutely amazing. I am SO, SO spoiled now. I have never had help in the house before and to have this be my introduction to what a truly first class housekeeper does is beyond words. I’m simply speechless and so grateful.

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I mainly did sketching today, but I hope to be able to share a new painted sketch with you tomorrow.

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Never Regret

Nanea Hoffman gets it. She knows what is important in life and is trying to spread the word. The fact that she does it artistically and with humor is an added benefit to the wisdom of her ideas.

I have essentially run from one thing to another nonstop for years, I kept a calendar to mark off the days until something happened, ignoring the days that came before or after. That started when Harvey and I started dating, back in 1492 when I was 14 and he was 17 – having just joined the Marines. I was in 9th grade and all I wanted to do was spend time with Harvey and share his life. I lived from one leave to another, holding my breath in-between, only stopping to watch the mailman at the end of the driveway. If there was a letter from Harvey, the kind man would raise the red flag on the mailbox. He would have gotten in trouble for doing that, but I STILL think of him fondly. If the flag went up, I would dash down to the end of the driveway to get the mail. If the flag wasn’t raised, the mail was ignored by me.

I ignored or wished away junior high, high school and college. We finally married when I was 22.

I took too much for granted, assuming people would always be there, not realizing how fragile life is. I thought people knew how I felt, and I was embarrassed to tell them how much they meant to me, how happy I was to know them, how much I admired them, and more. And then I began to finally wake up when the first was suddenly gone. No time to SAY or DO anything. JUST HURT. And there it was, even in their passing, I was reacting to how MY life would be changed, how much “I” would miss them…

It has taken me dying and having the blessing to have a second chance at life to try to fully implement what Nanea is telling us – Live in the PRESENT. Take the time to LISTEN and SEE what is going on around you. RECOGNIZE when someone is hurting or down and might appreciate a boost, a kind word, a gentle hug, a smile. a squeezed hand, a meeting of the eyes telling them you appreciate them NOW.

I notice how wonderful the bird song is in the mornings on the way to the gym. How another bush has burst into bloom. How wonderful the breeze feels before it gets hot. How NICE it is to be able to walk on the treadmill without losing my balance. How much better my body feels when I’m walking.

How it only takes a SECOND to thank my son for all he is doing for me. How happy I am that we took his advice, sold or gave away everything in Arkansas and joined him here in Thailand. How grateful I am that my husband’s stroke was HERE, rather than in AR where we would have been hard pressed to pay for any of what has happened or get him the care he needs.

We all have the chance to slow down and start noticing. It really doesn’t take that long. Just take the opportunity to NOTICE and BE. One change leads to another. Being grateful and happy is contagious. Will you join Nanea and me?

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If It Fits, I Sits…

BoredPanda.com – Ingrida Jasirkeviciute, Karolina Kondrataviciute, Jonas Grinevicius, Mindaugas Balciauskas

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Thursday 4-9-2026

Two new painted sketches from yesterday.

We’re planning to spend some time at the cafe today, so this afternoon will be nice, as well.

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Brian just ordered this new puzzle for me today! I think this Cheetah is stunning and I love the way he stands out from the background.

I’m finally making enough progress now that I’ve decided I WILL live long enough to finish the gorgeous turtle puzzle, though he’s still being coy about emerging, and would like to have another puzzle I’m excited about waiting in the wings.

If you’ll look carefully, the part in the low center that looks like someone lost their dinner is actually the stomach of the beautiful turtle – anchored by his foot between the red fish and the blue fish. His beautiful head will probably be the last thing to show itself…

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pattaya.holidayinn.com

Brian and I are stocking up on supplies a bit for the Songkran Celebration next week. It’s the 13-15th (this coming Monday through Wednesday) and is Thailand’s largest celebration of the year, proclaiming a new year, washing away of bad luck, bringing new luck for the coming year. They are selling machine gun looking water guns and the young people are all gearing up to hose anything that moves outside if they haven’t already dumped a bucket of water on the people below.

There are 4 classes of humans who are NOT supposed to get hosed: monks, old people, babies, and pregnant women. Tourists, just out to have fun, routinely ignore rules, and some who DO know the rules simply get caught up and ‘forget.’ We plan to keep a very low profile, going out as little as possible through the middle of the week, although we will try to get to the gym and we will plan to visit Harvey at the nursing home on Tuesday. Maybe I can see something out my window…

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Freepik

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Stunning Waterfalls

Alvaro Torres Bazaga

“Let the flow of the waterfall remind you to keep moving forward.”

Croatia – Plitvice Lakes National Park 

“Just like a waterfall, let your dreams flow freely and fearlessly.”

Gluggafoss-David Sears- Iceland

“Be like the waterfall: unstoppable, bold, and full of grace.”

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Marvelous Mosaics

Class Bento

“We are mosaics. Pieces of light, love, history, stars… Glued together with magic and music and words.”
― Anita Krizzan

Facebook

“Life is a mosaic of moments—each piece, whether bright or dark, forms the intricate and beautiful tapestry that is uniquely yours. Cherish the dark hues as much as the vibrant ones, for they give depth and meaning to your journey.”
― Shivanshu K. Srivastava

Gibraltar – Piece by Piece Los Angeles

“Everyone breathing is broken. Keep breathing light into them until the stained glass collage takes your breath away.”
― Ryan Lilly, Write like no one is reading

“Fall” – Linda Lewis. (This one is actually mine – a gazing ball that had faded. The mosaic work gave it new life. 🙂)

“Success is a mosaic made of shattered doubts.”
― Marion Bekoe

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Wednesday 4-8-2026

Khun Nong cleaned Brian’s place yesterday and left him these flowers. He showed them to me this morning, said, “You like flowers more than I do,” and insisted I take these home with me. He didn’t have to twist my arm. They are sitting in splendor on my dining area table now. 🤗

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We went to the gym this morning with no repeat of the biting treadmill handlebars. Brian is truly enjoying every minute of teasing me about it, saying things like, “Wow. It’s been 5 minutes and you haven’t punched anyone or anything,” or “It’s good to know you have now renounced violence.” 💪🏻

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Freepik

I’ve been painting one of my sketches this morning. I should be able to finish it sometime day. I am hoping Brian will invite me to go to the cafe with him this afternoon. On Fridays we have to stay until Khun Nong finishes. The other days I go I can leave after a couple of hours and finish up things at my place, take a nap if I want to before dinner, or whatever else occurs to me. This adds a nice touch to my day and I love it.

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Yogalishes Ana

I’m going to finish this post and then do my yoga stretches for the day before they get lost in the shuffle.

MsgWords.com

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Award Winning Wildlife Shots

British Wildlife Awards – BoredPanda.com – Community

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Tuesday 4-7-2026

This is my latest painted sketch. I tried to get the ‘flavor’ of the concrete power pole plus all the power and Internet lines. I’m so in awe of the ingenuity of the Thai people for figuring out a system that would work for them in this huge, growing city with constantly changing needs, repairs, new lines or additions needed, etc. I o got to watch a power crew working one day. Some men were on the ground. Others were in the back of a pickup truck, climbing a bamboo ladder from the bed. They had minimal tool belts, passing equipment and tools from man to man up and down while they CAREFULLY did whatever they were doing. To say it’s a dangerous job is an understatement. To do it routinely in the middle of heavy traffic with people walking all over the place is simply mind boggling.

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training/smashrun.com

We had an amazing sight last night. I had just gotten to my place after sharing dinner with Brian and he texted me to “look out the window.’ I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say there were 75 to 100 runners in black and white running gear running down the street. Bri thinks they were doing it to advertise something, but we don’t really know. I watched the group run past for at least 5 minutes before the incredible sight finished.

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This is one part of the Koi Pond that I visit on a regular basis to talk to ‘my’ fish. I think they are spectacular. The ‘pond’ is in an out-of-the-way strip or center. It is covered and there are chairs and tables. Someone takes meticulous care of the fish, the pond, and the surroundings. Brian and I think the largest fish are about 24 inches long by 5 or 6 inches across. There are babies in there, as well. It seems to ME that each one of the fish is different. It’s shady and quiet there. A perfect spot to drink in the beauty of Chiang Mai and relax.

This is one of the several real mosaic tables here. Isn’t it wonderful!

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We visited my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home today. He was more coherent than he is many times. He looked at my painting of the power lines and said they should sag more. I told him I loved him and he said, “I want a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra phone.” I mumbled something and we went on. He can’t control the remote on the TV. He can’t use a phone, has bad Parkinson’s Disease, doesn’t know where he is, doesn’t know our phone number. He wants it so that when he thinks of something, he can call or text me. He wants to order things from Amazon. OH GOOOOOOD!!!!!!! Other than that, we had a pretty good visit today.

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Today our wonderful housekeeper cleans at Brian’s place, so he will head to the cafe. We’ve started a new thing the past few days. He texts me when he gets to the cafe and then I usually join him, grabbing my art bag so I can sketch. I like this better than him ordering me a mocha and me going downstairs to retrieve it, bringing it back to my place. It gives me a chance to get out more, have the joy of sketching at the cafe – in my favorite spot or not – and a break in my day. We’ll do this today, then bring an ordered dinner up to my place this evening. We use Tuesdays as a day to back up the data on my phone and my computer after we have eaten, and then to just enjoy some good conversation

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My other name should be “Ms. Clutz.” Today at the gym, one of Brian’s friends passed by the window as we were walking on our treadmills. I reached up to wave, and hit the back of my hand on the underside of the treadmill handle bars. I thought when I did it, I would have a bruise. What I didn’t realize at first was the treadmill ‘bit’ me. There was something sharp under there that opened my skin enough to bleed quite a bit. We were almost finished with our walk, so I just covered it with a kleenex until we got home. Now Brian is having a field day kidding me about punching out inanimate objects….

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Paintings I Love

Timothy Adam Matthews – “A Closer Look” – via Gary Buckley -@garybuckley.bsky.social

Vera Kober –“Avera” – kober-art.bsky.social

Victor Elford-“April Sunshine” – Mr. Natural -@neilmatheson66.bsky.social

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Daily Dose of “Cute”

BoredPanda.com – Hidre’le’y

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Monday 4-6-2026

pngtree

HAPPY EASTER! I hope you had a beautiful celebration.

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It’s Monday here, so Brian and I have been to the gym, 💪🏻 shared breakfast 🍳 and taken my clothes 🧺 to an alternate laundry because our regular place is closed.

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Pond5

We have a quiet day. I’m going to TRY to get over my intimidation about starting the 2nd Thai street sketch today. The focus is going to be the power poles and power lines that make everything work here. If I can get the pole halfway right, then I think I can do the sketch….

Yesterday I joined Brian at the cafe when he texted me he was working there. Being the incredibly nice man that he is, he put his backpack in my spot to ‘reserve’ it while he met me and made sure I got there all right. So I got to watch the traffic that simply awes me, saw lots of pretty women in big hats to ward off the sun, and galked at the amazing traffic that everyone takes for granted here while drinking a delicious iced mocha and sketching.

He mentioned he might work there again some this afternoon. I’m hoping he texts me and invites me to join him again. ✍🏼

Animal Wellness Magazine

I have my yoga mat set up so that when I finish this first post, I’ll do my stretching like a good girl 👍 👏🏻

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Bird Beauty

Eloise Powers-@elnopower.bsky.social

“The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.”
― Eric Berne

“Plover”- Amila K Madige – @worldwildlife.bsky.social

“He imagines a necessary joy in things that must fly to eat.”
― Wendell Berry

Betsy Cooley – @betsycooley.bsky.social

“She decided to free herself, dance into the wind, create a new language. And birds fluttered around her, writing “yes” in the sky.”
― Monique Duval

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