December 2, 2025 · 2:47 am

Things You Deserve

Nanea Hoffman – Sweatpants & Coffee, LLC.

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Since I died twice on February 11th, my heart stopping and requiring surgeries for a temporary, then permanent pacemaker, my priorities have changed.

I always thought my husband would die before me. The statistics led me to believe that I would probably live as a widow at some point, although 56 years of marriage to my husband is definitely not enough. When the kind people at the hospital gave me a second chance at life, I decided I wouldn’t let it go to waste.

My husband and I moved to Thailand, deciding to really retire, since our health was suddenly such that we couldn’t take care of our house and 8 acres in Arkansas anymore, no matter how much we wanted to. Our son came from Thailand to help us. We had some serious discussions and made the move to be close to our son. Two weeks after that, my husband had a stroke and is now in a nursing home, bedridden and very confused. He is comfortable, though, and is receiving the best of care.

All this is to say that life suddenly got my attention. My priorities and attitude changed to embrace whatever life has to offer me now. I’m grateful that I can still make myself healthier and stronger and enjoy each day in real retirement – a thing I thought I would never have. I can be thankful that my husband’s stroke happened here, so that we can afford to get him the care he needs. My son and I go visit my husband three days each week, making sure things are going as well as possible, showing my husband that we love him, reaching out for whatever he is able to share now.

Nanea Hoffman points out that we all deserve kindness, peace, and to enjoy the little things that make life so wonderful. Without guilt. squeezing as much joy out of every day as we can, being honest about our feelings, good and bad, and just BEING.

My son has encouraged me to spend 5 minutes each day, eyes closed, sitting up with my feet on the floor, just thinking about something that brings me joy. Right now that is a mental picture of my son kissing my husband’s head, telling him he loves him. It brings tears to my eyes, a lump to my throat, and gratitude simply spills out all over the place. Taking the time to embrace the kindness in the world brings you peace.

I now believe that I can spend my days going from one thing I love to another as I want, such as working on a jigsaw puzzle, reading a book, playing in my art alcove, writing blog posts, learning something new on the computer, taking a short walk, and more.

I don’t feel guilty now that I am embracing life in a new country, meeting new people who are unbelievably kind to a stranger, trying to learn a few Thai phrases, enjoying perks like having a housekeeper for the first time ever, getting a massage every week, getting a mani/pedi every six weeks, having a good haircut at about the same frequency, sharing a chocolate drink with my son…

Life is short. We live under the illusion that we have time. The fact that I’m alive is a miracle for me. I am loving spending time with our son. I’m grateful that my husband seems to be comfortable and shows us from time to time that he is happy we come to visit him. My health is improving and I’m feeling stronger. I’m taking care of myself so that I can enjoy my second life for as long as possible.

Take Nanea’s good advice. We ALL deserve it.

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December 2, 2025 · 2:09 am

Tuesday, Dec 2nd, 2025

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.

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December 1, 2025 · 4:33 am

Bevy of Birds

John McGowan – @jmc223.bsky.social

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” ~ George Eliot

Nature Nomad – @naturecompass.bsky.social

“A heart without dreams is like a bird without feathers.” ~ Suzy Kassem

Wildlife – @worldwildlife.bsky.social

“The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.” ~ William Blake

@ChristianThiels.bsky.social

“There’s a little pond near my house, and I see two swans there all the time who are obviously in love. But they look like the same bird, so I don’t know if they’re male or female, but they’re definitely in love.” ~ Noel Fielding

@mikemelton.bsky.social

“I don’t ask for the meaning of the song of a bird or the rising of the sun on a misty morning. There they are, and they are beautiful.” ~ Pete Hamill

Alan H – @alan678.bsky.social

“I wake up every morning new, free as a bird.” ~ Ashley Cole

Lauren E – @learls.bsky.social

“A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” — Maya Angelou

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December 1, 2025 · 3:29 am

Monday, December 1st, 2025

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.

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November 30, 2025 · 3:15 am

Giggles and Grins

Sent to me by my good friend, Marsha.

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November 30, 2025 · 2:59 am

Thai Wedding

Style Me Pretty

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Brian and I were invited to the wedding of one of my adopted family’s nannies yesterday. When we got there, it was a much larger event than we thought it would be. I’m not exaggerating much when I say there were about a gazillion people there. There were at LEAST 25 tables seating 10 people each, with other tables groaning under the weight of buffet style dinner food. There were games set up, a swimming pool, and the stage where the event was to take place.

Brian said I could take a few discreet photos if I saw others doing it, so I kept mine to a minimum..

There was the full wedding procession – honored guests went down the aisle to the stage, then criminally cute flower girls, followed by the parents of the couple, followed by bridesmaids and matrons of honor, followed by the groom, and then the bride and her father figure. The ring bearer brought the rings to the couple on the stage right before the ceremony began in earnest.

The Knot

This was not a traditional Thai wedding, though there were parts here and there honoring her background and that of her adopted family. There was a beautiful wedding ceremony, and then the more familiar first dance, first toast, cutting of the many-tiered cake (with a sword!), and beautiful tributes to the couple by various people.

Wags Down the Aisle

There was her father figure, a man who had mentored her while she was raised in an orphanage. I lost it when he started to cry. I didn’t understand a word he said, but that wasn’t necessary. The love between him and the bride was palpable.

MY adopted family came next in the tributes, since the bride wasn’t just a treasured nanny, she was a family member, having been with them during the birth of their children, helping care for them, and helping the family in all ways. She will be sorely missed.

Amazon.de

There was live music, games with prizes, and more. It was a sight to see. All was beautiful and I couldn’t be happier for the couple. I told the groom that I had been married 56 years so far, and that I wished them at LEAST 56 years of happiness together.

This was an outside event and it was chilly (50 degrees F.) Brian and I left ‘early’ after 4 hours! This was something I wouldn’t have missed. It took me a long time to wind down, though, and I’m still trying to warm up today!

Such a magnificent experience!

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November 30, 2025 · 12:50 am

Losing the Lard November Report

Sharp_Requirement803-Reddit

It’s the end of November, just after Thanksgiving with little time before Christmas, but I promised that I would report my progress each month on my efforts to lose the lard and get healthier.

The short report is that I have now lost 84 pounds – 29 of them since I moved to Thailand. There is about 77 inches less of me now. I think my goal is to lose around 6 more pounds. I want to see how I feel at that weight and then will make a decision as to whether to lose more or go to maintenance.

The thing that has helped the most since I moved to Thailand in April is that Brian and I eat two meals a day. Our heaviest meal is breakfast after working out at the gym. We treat ourselves to a chocolate drink or an iced coffee many afternoons a week. We eat pretty lightly at dinner. I’m not worrying so much about eating low carb these days. The food in Thailand is almost all full of carbs. Even if you’re trying to watch carbs it’s difficult. I’m controlling my portions. We order a meal that serves one. I eat 1/3 of that and Brian eats the rest. We may have a side of some fruit or a small portion of pistachio nuts with that.

I’m taking supplements to help my digestion. I let Chia Seeds sit in a full glass of water for at least 10 minutes in the morning and then drink it down. I take a tablespoon of olive oil. Before dinner I drink 1/3 of a bottle of probiotic liquid. Before bed I take a probiotic pill. This combination has been truly wonderful for me. This has solved digestion problems here, but it also has made me more regular than I have been in my entire life.

I’m exercising every day. I will never be an exercise enthusiast, but I realize how important it is to my health now. I walk a mile on the treadmill every morning, 7 days a week. I used to hold on to the bars on the treadmill for dear life because my sense of balance was impaired by my surgery in February. Now I can walk not holding on at all. I still have to correct at times, but basically am comfortable so that I can now increase my speed a bit as well as the incline percentage.

I do either yoga stretching or exercises for my arms with water bottles on alternate days for half an hour. I also do some daily balance exercises I found on the net, plus dance daily for several minutes to some really great music on my computer.

Problem areas:

  • My belly will be the last to go. I’m trying to include belly exercises, but I’m also reading that some of these may actually make my problem worse. Encouraging, right?
  • My sense of balance is controlled by my inner ear and my brain. My balance and hearing were both impacted by either the anesthesia or the fact that my heart stopped twice on Feb. 11th and had surgeries to install a temporary, then permanent, pacemaker. I am now wearing hearing aids. I’m adapting to wearing them, while re-training my brain and body is a slow process.

Otherwise, I’m feeling better. I have more energy. I’m feeling more sure on my feet. Brian says I’m stumbling less over the very uneven sidewalks and streets here now. My blood pressure has improved to the point I’m on half the dosage I started on back in April. I haven’t been sick in the 7 months I have been here. Soon, I hope, I can shop for jeans that fit and a few new tops.

Onward and downward – I hope!

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November 29, 2025 · 12:14 am

What Do You Think?

Eclipse Digital Imaging, Inc. – PresenterMedia.com

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“If I’ve learned anything from beliefs, it’s that I could be totally wrong. And so could you… We should never be sure of anything we think.”
~ Andrew Gold

I used to listen to the “6:00 News” on the main three channels, ABC, CBS, and NBC. I felt I could trust them to deliver the news of the day, albeit they were only half-hour shows. Walter Cronkite is the anchor I remember best.

I have given up watching TV news – preferring to find the news on my computer. It seems that the three main channels, plus many, many others on television, are too blatantly biased. I either find out that the coverage was slanted to the left or the right, or not covered at all. I find this very frustrating.

News agencies behave as if they have agendas. If the story doesn’t fit the narrative they are trying to present, they either cherry-pick things to air or completely ignore the event.

We contribute to this by listening or reading passively, too lazy to think about what we are seeing, hearing, or reading. We don’t know what the source is of the item that got our attention. We don’t take the time to find out and think about whether we are getting the whole story or not. We fail to look at other sources or find sources we find more trustworthy to give the facts with as little bias as possible.

The emergence of AI complicates things. It’s harder and harder to judge if the picture you are looking at is real or not. AI generated ‘verbiage’ may or may not be true. It has no integrity to try to protect. It simply spews out ‘information’ that a lot of people read and use without thinking further.

When I substitute taught in Greenwood, Arkansas, many times there were no lesson plans left by the teacher, or it was something like, “Read Chapter One. Be ready to discuss.” I asked the high school students what they thought about the assignment. Their answer was profound disinterest. They opened their books, propped their heads up with a hand, and pretended to read.

I stopped them, asking what it was they were supposed to be able to discuss when they finished reading. No one could give me an answer. I asked them what this class was about – what was it they were supposed to ‘get’ from it. No one knew.

I then decided to teach them to really look at their textbook. In this example, it was a history book. I asked them what they already knew about the subject. Hands went up and thoughts were aired. I asked them to read with the purpose of finding out if what they thought they knew was true or not, according to this textbook, and to find out why it agreed, or why it disagreed, and to decide what they thought about that.

Many were surprised to find there was an appendix in the back that defined terms. Many hadn’t bothered to read the book’s or the chapter’s titles. No one had looked at the questions at the end of the chapter to get an idea of what the chapter covered and what they were reading to find out….

I suggested that they get on their computers after they finished their assignments and see if there were other sources about the same thing they were reading, suggesting they compare each one with their textbook, making a list of questions to ask the teacher.

Were their ideas right or wrong? What facts had they read (and where, by whom) that got them to rethink their ideas?

Thinking has gone by the wayside in our world today. It’s too easy for our eyes to glide over a headline and absorb it. We need to make it a priority to judge the information we’re getting by who is writing it, researching their backgrounds to judge whether we think we might be reading biased views. We need to get off our duffs and use our brains for something other than being somewhere we can place a hat.

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November 28, 2025 · 10:42 pm

Smirk

Sent to me by my good friend, Marsha

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November 28, 2025 · 10:37 pm

Fog, Fox, and Frost – Oh, My!

@gettoknownature.bsky.social

“When life is foggy, path is unclear and mind is dull, remember your breath. It has the power to give you the peace” – Amit Ray.

@ChristianThiels.bsky.social

“Never trust a fox. Looks like a dog, behaves like a cat.” ~ Erin Hunter

Meandering M – @pathwaymoments.bsky.social

“The frost makes a flower, the dew makes a star. It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam.“ ~ Unknown

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November 28, 2025 · 10:21 pm

Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025

stelar.pl

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.

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November 27, 2025 · 8:52 pm

Fabulous Flowers

@mitu222.bsky.social

“Happiness is to hold flowers in both hands.”

– Japanese Proverb

Zandra.Bluesky 420buddy – @zandra-b.bsky.social

“Flowers leave some of their fragrance in the hand that bestows them.”

– Chinese Proverb

@rina2012.bsky.social

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you… I could walk through my garden forever.”

– Alfred Lord Tennyson

@universalgratitude.bsky.social

“Flowers are the music of the ground. From earth’s lips spoken without sound.”

– Ediwin Curran

@mitu222.bsky.social

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”

– Audrey Hepburn

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November 27, 2025 · 8:37 pm

Snort

Sent to me by my good friend Marsha

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November 27, 2025 · 8:30 pm

Friday, Nov. 28, 2025

Giphy

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.

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I hope you are feeling happy.

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November 26, 2025 · 8:35 pm

Are You Grinning Yet?

Sent to me by my good friend, Marsha.

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November 26, 2025 · 8:28 pm

Terrific Drawings

Megan Elizabeth – Artist – @MeganArtUK on X

“My fashion philosophy
is, if you’re not
covered in dog hair,
your life is empty.”
-Elayne Booster

Sue Hewson Artist – @srh_sue on X

“Dogs’ lives are too
short. Their only
fault, really.”
-Agnes Sligh Turnbull

David Salter – @Davidjsalter on X

“The tiger teaches us to face life with courage.” – Unknown

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November 26, 2025 · 8:07 pm

Thursday Thoughts 11-27-2025

Tenor

I had a very happy surprise yesterday. I told you a while back that Harvey and I were ‘adopted’ as honorary grandparents by a family who is friends with Brian. Now they have become friends of mine, as well, and I’m grateful to them for making us feel welcome. Brian and I got an invitation to share Thanksgiving dinner with them this evening! I couldn’t be happier.

My ‘grandson’ is 4 now and his sister turned 1 recently. I’m taking him a painted sketch, since he is really into dinosaurs –

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This is one of my new windows installed yesterday. The frames on all the windows are white, so they open up the view to the outside even more. 4 of my windows are now openable, with screens! I’m going to wait until the middle of the day Saturday to have the ‘great open up’ ceremony, giving the outside seal another 48 hours – but then I’m going to open up all my “openables,” (if you’ll pardon the expression) letting lots of fresh air in! I don’t mind it at all that the ‘bucket and towel brigade’ gets to retire now, too.

I’m getting hopelessly spoiled. I now can go out my door and come in again just with a turn of the knob or insertion of my key – just like a REAL door! -AND I now have brand new windows that look great, are openable with screens, and don’t leak. Can you see me grinning from ear to ear? 😁 Talk about having a LOT for which to be thankful!

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Chicago Parent

I finished sketching my group of 25 Christmas cards yesterday, so I’m going to start painting them today. My research shows that a LOT of Christmas celebrations here start around the 19th, so I’m going to try to have these ready and in my carrier to start giving as I run into people around that time. I’ll need to get my paintbrush hot! 🎨

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If you’re traveling to be with family, I hope you have a smooth, safe trip. If you’re already there, I hope you’re giving and getting lots of hugs. Soak up the love and good memories of this holiday and hold them tightly in your heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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November 25, 2025 · 8:27 pm

Window Wednesday!

Amel Majanovic – just_amela on Unsplash

Brian just texted me that the glass team will start working on my windows TODAY at 10:00!!!!! Hooray!!!!

I’ve been moving a few things. In a small place like mine, it’s a bit difficult to find a place to move things where they’ll be safe and not in the way. Brian is coming soon to help me monitor the taking out of the old windows and frames and the installation of ALL. NEW. FRAMES. AND. WINDOWS!!!!!!

Brian will probably want to move a few more things or cover them up or something, and Khun Arm, the man who arranges and supervises all the repairs and renovations in the building, may have further suggestions.

I’m beyond thrilled. The ‘bucket and towels brigade’ may no longer be needed. I won’t really be able to tell until it rains hard, or the rainy season comes around again.

In the meantime, I’ll take some pics to share with you when I have them, and will enjoy opening the sliding glass to let some fresh air in!!!!

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November 25, 2025 · 2:23 am

Landscape Photography

“Morning Magic” – Christian Thiels- @christianthiels.bsky.social

“Morning Repose” – Paul Willson – @pauljwillson.bsky.social

“Fog” – @gettoknownature.bsky.social

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November 25, 2025 · 2:01 am

Grins Requested

Sent to me by my good friend, Marsha.

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November 25, 2025 · 1:51 am

Tuesday 11-25-2025

Newest painted sketch.

Cbeebies

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.

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November 23, 2025 · 11:41 pm

Need a Laugh-Giggle-Snort?

Sent to me by my good friend, Marsha.

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November 23, 2025 · 11:09 pm

Monday Thoughts 11-24-2025

Sent to me by my good friend, Marsha.

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.

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November 23, 2025 · 10:44 pm

Happy Thanksgiving 2025

Many of you will be traveling this holiday, so you won’t be home. I didn’t want to miss the chance to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

This was one of our mailbox decorations we made using the CNC set up in the shop with its computer-guided torch we could use to cut out the design, attach it to the bar that we used to attach it to the mailbox.

I hope that you will be surrounded with relatives, friends, food, laughter and lots of love this holiday, remembering how special it is that you can arrange to be together like this. I wish you safe travel.

This is a sketch and painting I did yesterday. He would like to be invited to the festivities, but as a GUEST, not the main part of the MEAL….

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” ~ Marcel Proust

Be safe. Be happy. Be thankful. Be joyful.

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November 22, 2025 · 11:58 pm

Oh, the Beautiful Birds

@Chas986.bsky.social

“The bird dares to break the shell, then the shell breaks open and the bird can fly openly. This is the simplest principle of success. You dream, you dare and and you fly.” ― Israelmore Ayivor

Nature Nomad – @naturecompass.bsky.social

“Some birds are not meant to be caged, that’s all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild.” ― Stephen King

Nicole – @nb23.bsky.social

“Birds are the eyes of Heaven.” ― Suzy Kassem

Ponzini Photography – @ponzphoto.bsky.social

“Birds can sleep with one eye open, resting one half of their brain at a time. Some birds spend the entire winter in the air, and even sleeping while flying.” ― David Allen Sibley

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November 22, 2025 · 11:38 pm

Sunday, 11-23-2025

WholesomeMeme.bsky.social

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The Humane Society of Greenwood

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.

I hope you’re having a fun day or evening.

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November 22, 2025 · 11:17 pm

Window

Anthony Tran – Unsplash

“If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.”

~ Tom Peters

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I have always opted for the comfortable; security over risks; avoided sticking my neck out to try something new. I guess it was getting older that finally ‘got to me,’ urging me to not worry about things so much. I admitted to myself that I couldn’t change the worrisome things, and that most of the time what I was worrying about didn’t happen.

I decided to start trying new things. If I could determine what would happen if I failed – and could HANDLE that – I went ahead. I don’t like to offend people, but in this case, if they didn’t like what I was doing, it was their problem, not mine.

I started trying new things in my art room, realizing that if I were a complete failure at what I was trying, I could simply throw it away. No one had to know I had tried – and failed. All I would be ‘out’ was the money I spent for materials and my time. That decision led to some of my most enjoyable time ever. I LOVE learning new techniques, learning to use new tools, watching videos from people who know what they’re doing, and licking my lips in anticipation for another trial. (admission – I still prefer to do my experimentation alone, rather than in public.)

In Thailand I’m trying to learn to draw what I see. I’m trying to really ‘see’ things – a challenge. You THINK you’re looking, but when you try to get it down on paper, you realize how much you’re missing. I’m trying to take my time, really pay attention, and then try to recreate what I’m seeing. I’ll probably die of old age before I can actually sketch something, but I’m learning slowly and getting a bit better. I have patience with myself and have given myself the freedom to ‘use the eraser a lot’ and be satisfied when I have done my best for the moment.

This idea works the same whatever window you’re trying to open. I’ve never been what I call a good traveler. I’m afraid I’ll end up in Lower Slabovia or somewhere lost. It scares me that I might miss a connection and be stranded. My sense of direction is laughable, so I even worry here that even trying to use the GPS feature on my phone, I’ll end up having to call Brian to come find me. Pathetic, right? I’m going to take this slowly, too, BUT. I. WILL. DO. IT.

I, the wuss of the ages, challenge you to take something that scares you, opening the window to trying something new. I now know how GOOD it feels when you actually do this. As you feel the breeze on your face and enjoy the sights and sounds outside, you’ll feel better about yourself, more confident, happier in your own skin, and eager to open another.

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November 21, 2025 · 8:56 pm

This Was Us – Kind Of

“Too many people spend money they earned to buy things they don’t want to impress people that they don’t like.” ~ Will Rogers

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“Things” meant many things to us when we lived on top of a ridge line in Greenwood, Arkansas.

My husband collected guns and ammo. We had two ranges on our 8 acres. One was right beside the shop. It was bermed so shots were contained. We shot handguns at targets that spun when we hit them. We had another, longer range half way down to the road. That was bermed, as well. We could shoot rifles there at targets. My husband was a former Marine and security was a big thing for him. One memory was the me-sized rifle he got me as an engagement present. We didn’t have ranges then, so we got on his motorcyle and rode down the highway in search of a safe place to shoot. My hair was in pigtails, I had the rifle strapped on my back. People were whipping around in their cars trying to decide if we were Hell’s Angels or not. 😜

We both collected books. We had wall to ceiling bookshelves in the living area on either side of an entertainment area. We had books in every room – my art room, the guest room, floor to ceiling shelves in our bedroom, books out in the shop, and more. 📚

I collected art supplies. I had a website where I displayed my own art plus that of up to 100 others for some 17 years. I also had an Etsy site where I sold my artwork after I shut down Creative Artworks. I had supplies for all the things I made, plus supplies for things I wanted to learn to do. The art room was overflowing. 🎨

We collected food – just in case. We lived up a steep driveway that we couldn’t negotiate much of the winter. Trees would fall down into the driveway covered with snow and ice and we would have to cut our way to the bottom of the driveway ourselves – as we could. So we tried to stay stocked up on supplies and food for ourselves and our pets in case we were stuck up there. Once in a bad storm we lost power and public water for 14 days. We used our generator for heat. We had enough for ourselves plus the rest of the neighborhood…🍳

We collected tools for the shop. My husband was a fix it person. He was the son of a man who also believed in doing things himself rather than getting help. Because of that, we had huge tools, like the mill and lathe. We had tools like the sand blaster and the CNC table and computer so we could cut out decorations for our mailbox and create yard critters for the yard. I had painting stuff out there to paint the things we made. ⚒️

The point of all this – and these were just examples, is that we had a lot of ‘stuff.’ We didn’t get it to impress other people, though. We justified our purchases in lots of different ways, but the end result was that our large home was full-to-overflowing with STUFF.

MinnPost

When we moved to Thailand, we had to arrange an auction of all the STUFF so we would have money for the move and living in a new country. Some things we gave to friends. Some things friends insisted they buy from us. We packed one suitcase and one backpack for each of us and walked away from everything else.

This was 7 months ago. My husband is now in a nursing home. The things we brought for him are stored in a series of closed cabinets on the wall of my living area. Most of the STUFF we had is not even missed. It’s a relief to be rid of so many things we had bought, but didn’t really NEED.

I now have a small condo in Thailand. I have everything I need. (Well, I have a list of things I would LIKE to add) but mainly I already have everything I NEED. It’s amazing what we can do without.

Our money now goes for priority things, like the nursing home, AND several really nice luxuries, such as getting massages, my housekeeper, getting mani/pedis and haircuts, and chocolate drinks or iced coffee in the afternoon, and jigsaw puzzles…

Funny how quickly things change when your life is turned upside down. Priorities shift, heads get straight for the first time in years, and you adapt to a new lifestyle embracing a new chance to value important things.

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November 21, 2025 · 8:19 pm

Doors 2

“Be an opener of doors.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Knock Knock” – Robert Fawcett – Fine Art America

“But…books are so much more. Some of them are webs; you can feel your way along their threads, but just barely, into strange and dark corners. Some of them are balloons bobbing up through the sky: totally self-contained, and unreachable, but beautiful to watch. And some of them―the best ones―are doors.” ~ Lauren Oliver

photoprint – LaPortell – Erin Berzel – Art.com

“When you close the door of your mind to negative thoughts, the door of opportunity opens to you.” ~ Napoleon Hill

Door – Pinterest – Unknown

“Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realising you were the prisoner!” ~ Max Lucado

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November 21, 2025 · 8:05 pm

Thoughts – Sat., Nov. 22nd – 2025

Tina Ann

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.

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I hope that you will enjoy a wonderful weekend.

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November 20, 2025 · 11:49 pm

Doors

AliExpress

“We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” ~ Walt Disney

Color Harmony Palettes

“The door of the human heart, can only be opened from the inside.” ~ William Holman Hunt

ET Woodcrafts

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” ~ Milton Berle

ET Woodcrafts

“Don’t give up. Normally it is the last key on the ring which opens the door.” ~ Paulo Coelho

ET Woodcrafts

“The door to happiness opens outward.” ~ Soren Kierkegaard

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