I am including the URLs to two YouTube videos that will give you an idea of the traffic in Chiang Mai. Actually, in the first video, the traffic seems lighter than we usually see it, but it was taken a few years ago, so many that’s the difference.
Anyway, my hat is definitely off to anyone who can negotiate the traffic here. The Grab drivers we use all the time are masters. Not only can they get where they’re going, they know short cuts, ways to detour around problems, and make it seem effortless.
The people on motorcycles and motor scooters have been driving these since they were very young. I don’t know what the driving age is for these, but they start out as passengers with their parents, so by the time they are doing the driving, it’s no big deal to them. They zip in and out, knowing exactly how much room they need to go between cars and right up to others on motorcycles and motorcycles in front of them.
Add people on bicycles, people on vehicles loaded up with all kinds of materials piled up, tied on, sticking out in all directions, and then there are the pedestrians.
I am beyond grateful that everyone seems to be taking all this in stride. Brian says there are accidents all the time, including ones between vehicles and pedestrians, but I haven’t seen anything, thank goodness, in the almost 7 months I have lived here.
Years ago I was pretty stupid about tattoos and the people who had them. For some incredibly ridiculous reason, I didn’t like them, thought less of the people who had them, would never CONSIDER ever getting one myself.
Then I discovered that guys with muscled arms and ‘sleeve’ tattoos were really wonderful. 😛 (I ain’t dead yet!) And the art for the tattoos is really well done!
And then my sister-in-law, ML, got one.
I LOVE this! Wonderful colors, love the theme…
I told Brian yesterday I was considering getting a tattoo. He looked at me a long time, then asked me to consider it for a long time. Then, if I really wanted it, he would help me get one.
This is the one I’m considering –
Maybe with a couple more flowers in colors.
This is the word to describe how I live my life now. It’s simple, and I think elegant.
Things I’m ‘considering’ are-
I hate needles
As I age and lose weight, I’m actually getting MORE wrinkles – even on my forearm, where I would want this. I want it to be legible, and I’m not sure it’s possible.
I’m a klutz – banging my parts on things as I move around. I bruise more easily (another age perk) and so might get keep getting bruises that mess up the look of the design for quite a while.
SO. I told Brian my pros and cons. I explained that it was like finally breaking from tradition and bridging out on the nail colors I’m wearing now. I see tattoos everywhere and would like to feel like I’m not completely being bypassed.
He looked at me a long time again (he does that a lot lately) and offered to take me to get my head shaved, instead. (There ARE, of course, many monks here. And lots of young men have opted to shave their heads, considering it much more comfortable in this climate. BRIAN is one of those, saying he would do it for me for free).
Getting into the spirit of the ‘game,’ I suggested that we get three houseplants for my place, instead of the head shave.
Carla (in the light green beside the sign) and her son have a race car that was T-boned last week at another race. ☹️ It was iffy if they could repair the car well enough to race in “The Spooker Factory Stock Feature. They not only fixed the car and raced – THEY WON!!!!!!! Big congratulations to all involved. 🥳🏆
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FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE DAY – My good friend Marsha and I were talking about how special our friendship is. We have known each other for years, emailing every day, sharing the good and the bad, and there are simply no words to describe how close we feel, even though we have actually met face-to-face only once. She said, “There should be a better word than ‘love’… just seems too little to me.” I will treasure this. ♥️
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Today I’m using a free day to concentrate on trying to make some progress on my jigsaw puzzle. I think I’m about half way through now. It’s quite challenging because it has not only a lot of black in several areas, but also several SHADES of black. I’m learning determination, perseverance, patience, plus an increased ability to recognize SMALL bits of progress…
I think it’s much more fun for kids and parents to decide what a child should ‘be’ and then figure out how to achieve the look together, rather than simply going to the store and choosing something. Lasting memories are made each year by figuring out ‘what you’re going as’ – figuring out what you already have or can make that can contribute to the look, and deciding what you need to add from elsewhere.
Pirate – Todays Parent
Princess – Todays Parent
Skunk – Todays Parent
I’ve always been fascinated by pumpkins and trying to create Jack-O-Lanterns. When I was a child, we didn’t carve pumpkins. My dad had a disabled arm due to a childhood accident, and so was unable to do this, and my mom simply had no interest, not wanting to get involved with something so messy.
As I grew up, though, I tried to carve a really simple Jack-O-Lantern. I managed to get through this without cutting my arm off, though I did require band-aids a time or two.
As an adult, I was no better, though I continued to try each year. Then I discovered the work of Ray Villafane, a man I consider to be the master of pumpkin carving, bringing it to an art form.
I hope you’re making plans to trick-or-treat, party, or give out treats to children this holiday in the states. In Greenwood, Arkansas, adults would get together and provide a haunted house and scary path for the kids. It’s also a great idea to volunteer to help give a party to provide a safe place for parents to bring their children. Have fun!
Just one example of beauty you see everywhere in Thailand.
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After a super busy day yesterday, Brian and I are enjoying a couple of recoup days. I will do my normal stuff, enjoying the fact that I can move from one activity to another at the time of my choosing, not feeling rushed or obligated, and maybe even sneaking in a nap or two if I feel like it.
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I did well at the gym this morning. I’m trying to retrain my brain to improve my sense of balance since my surgery in February. My loss of hearing at that time also certainly affected my sense of balance.
I now wear hearing aids that are absolutely wonderful. They are so comfortable that I sometimes forget I’m wearing them. I do take them out when I’m alone, just to rest the inside of my ears a bit. So – if you come to see me and I’m not wearing them – and I don’t put them in while you watch – it’s definitely a message to you…. 🤣😂
Now that my hearing is corrected, it remains up to me to retrain my brain and body to keep my balance, whether I’m walking on rough terrain, bumpy streets and sidewalks, or on the treadmill.
When I started going to the gym every morning in May, I held on to the handlebars of the treadmill tightly. I was STILL swaying, listing to the right or left, having to slow my speed, etc., really concentrating on keeping my balance and not falling on my head.
My retraining has slowly worked! Now I am walking on the treadmill without holding on to the handlebars at all. I feel much more steady, able to look around at what is beside the path on the video without losing my balance. I can even check what’s going on outside a bit. Occasionally the video will turn abruptly and cause me to have to recorrect, or I’ll lose concentration and finding myself ‘listing’ to one side or the other, but the daily practice is definitely helping.
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Ah, the life of a retired, spoiled lady! Now that my wash is on my drying rack on my balcony outside, my biggest decision is whether to work on my jigsaw puzzle or start painting a sketch after I finish my blog posts. 😁
Sue wrote me, saying she liked ‘another’ of my cat sketches and had saved it in her favorites. What a NICE compliment!!!! So, this post is for YOU, Sue. I’m showing the cat sketches I’ve done since I’ve been in Thailand. Pick, choose, pitch, whatever you like. You made my day with your NICE comment!
Hope you find something you like, Sue. Thanks again for making my day.
To start, I had a wonderful massage this morning. I gave Khun Weaw the card I painted for her, using both hands to give it to her and bowing, as Brian instructed me to do. She smiled, bowed, then bowed again, and then CRIED. That made ME cry, so both of us were still sniffling a bit when the massage started. I think I got the message across that she is really special and that I’m grateful to have her in my life.
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I changed clothes and Brian and I went to visit Harvey at the nursing home. Instead of 40 minutes one way, it took us a full hour to get there due to traffic snarls and road construction in various places requiring lots and lots of detours. When we walked in, Harvey looked at us, frowning, like ‘who are you?’ We got him to turn off the TV so we could try to talk. He didn’t have anything to say, but seemed comfortable. He wanted the grape drink Brian usually brings, but we couldn’t give it to him because of the nasal tube. As we continued to try to talk to him, he turned the TV back on. We sat together for a time, and then finally gave up. Before we left, we told him we would be back again soon. He finally said something, “Don’t bother.” Some days are like this. After another full hour on the way back, we were home again.
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We went to the cafe to wait while Khun Nong, my terrific housekeeper, cleaned my place. I did some sketching, read a little bit, messed around on my phone, and watched the traffic, since I got my favorite spot with the front window.
When we got back home, this is what greeted me –
My housekeeper left these for me! I think these are the prettiest flowers I’ve ever seen. I just can’t wipe the grin off my face!
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I need to call the insurance company again. I talked to them a week ago to find out why they sent a letter saying they needed medical records on our claim. The lady I talked to said she didn’t see what they were missing. She would find out and email me exactly what we needed to send. SO. It’s been a week and nothing. So I call again…
As I said, a mixed bag. I feel a bit like I’ve been on a roller coaster today. I’ll be ready to go to bed soon.
I’ve been to the gym, showered, eaten breakfast, and will soon go to get my Friday massage. This is truly a gift that I am giving myself. Khun Weaw is a master. She knows without words where I’m sore, where my tensions have settled, how much she can do to help without breaking me me each week. I consider her time and care part of my new health regimen.
The image above is the card I painted to show her in a small way how much I appreciate being able to come to her each week. I know how to bow and SAY “Hello “(and best wishes for a blessed day for you) and “Thank You” now – in awkward Thai, and say these each time I go, but I have no idea how to WRITE “Thank You,” so just had to write that in English.
Brian told me something I hadn’t realized before. He said that when I give someone a gift, I should bow 🙏🏻 and present the gift with BOTH HANDS so that the person understands it’s a gift, so I’ll be sure and do that this morning. I hope it makes her feel special.
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When I finish my massage and get dressed again, Brian and I will go visit my husband in the nursing home. I’m hoping he’s alert and more comfortable than the last time we saw him. He’s having more trouble eating. There are various options, none of which we like. We’re taking this one visit at a time and making decisions as we go. Going to visit him is a 3-hour round trip.
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When we come back from visiting my husband, we will gather the things we need from Brian’s place and prepare to spend the rest of the afternoon at a cafe where they make you feel comfortable to sit as long as you would like. I get an iced mocha, and sometimes Brian and I get a fresh lemonade for the last bit of time we’re there.
I take my sketchbook and supplies, and sit there happily trying to draw images I find on my phone that I’ll paint later on in the week. I also take my Kindle, where I’m in the middle of a book from an author new to me.
Finally, if I’m lucky enough to get the seat at the front of the cafe, I can watch the activity on the big street outside. I’m fascinated to watch the many lanes of vehicles – cars, buses, trucks, Tuk-Tuks, a gazillion (give or take one or two) motorcycles, motor scooters, and bicycles zipping in and out of the lanes of traffic almost without slowing down or stopping. Finally, the pedestrians walking on both sides of the street, crossing the road (some carefully, using good sense – others waiting, then RUNNING full speed, hoping they make it to the other side.)
It’s intelligent chaos. Everyone is used to the flow. They know what to do and not do (except for the runners.) I’m fascinated, and VERY glad my husband and I don’t have to try to drive in this.
(Brian and I use Grabs for wherever we go. It’s amazing how fast they come and how expertly they drive, using their GPS’s to take you right where you want to go, whether they have been there personally before or not). PLUS, I get a lot of practice trying to say “Hello” and “Thank You!”
We’ll get home around dinner time, and then I’ll end the busy Friday lounging on my couch, wearing my headphones, and listening to and watching YouTube before bed.
I hope you have a fun time today. Make yourself a priority for at least a while during the day, doing something you truly enjoy. It’ll fill up your heart and have your smile spilling over onto all around you!
“Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and numbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me – I am happy.” ~ Hamlin Garland
“Elephants love reunions. They recognize one another after years and years of separation and greet each other with wild, boisterous joy. There’s bellowing and trumpeting, ear flapping and rubbing. Trunks entwine.” – Jennifer Richard Jacobson.
I got curious about whether Thai people celebrated Halloween or not; especially if the kids did the equivalent of “trick-or-treating.”
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“Phi Ta Khon Festival (Ghost Festival) 2025. The Phi Ta Khon Festival, more commonly known as the Ghost Festival of Thailand, is a colorful part in Thailand’s rich tradition of ghost and spirit folklore and bears a passing resemblance to Mexico’s Día de los Muertos or “Day of the Dead.”
Rooted in Asian culture, it is an annual event held to honor and appease restless spirits. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Buddhist and Taoist beliefs. According to ghost festival history, the gates of the underworld open during the seventh month of the lunar calendar.
The Ghost Festival, or Phi Ta Khon, is not held in Chiang Mai but in Dan Sai district, Loei province, during the rainy season, typically late June to early July. It is a colorful festival featuring participants in elaborate ghost masks and costumes, parades, and religious ceremonies to honor spirits.
Activities:
Parade: A major highlight is the main parade on the first day, featuring participants in elaborate ghost masks and costumes.
Religious ceremonies: The event includes prayers and ceremonies at local temples, such as Wat Phon Chai.
Rocket festival: The second day often incorporates elements of a rocket festival (Bun Bang Fai) to ask for rain.
Symbolic rituals: A tradition involves a symbolic discarding of costumes into the river to let go of suffering. “
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This is a much more serious celebration than our Halloween, and though children are included, the masks and costumes of the adults are what have the concentration.
We had some of this as part of our breakfast the past two days. This Thai fruit is called a Pomelo. It’s much like a grapefruit, except it’s sweeter and the sections are huge compared to any grapefruit I’ve eaten in the States.
“The biggest citrus is really an improved grapefruit; a pomelo is at once both sweeter and easier to eat. For convenience, buy one that’s already been cut up (stand back and watch Thai supermarket employees wield immense cleavers).”
Thankfully, it only sprinkled this morning, so my laundry is now out on my balcony drying on my drying rack. I’ll still keep a close eye on the weather, ready to leap up and bring my rack inside, plus put a sheet under it to catch any drips. 😊
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This is my latest painted sketch.
I go for a massage tomorrow. As you age, your bones become more brittle, your muscles more prone to injury; so it’s super important to me to have a massage therapist I can trust. (I was really upset to have to leave Lynn, my wonderful therapist in the States.) I feel as if I’ve won the lottery to have had TWO experts tend to this old body, making me feel loose and wonderful again for a time. It’s beyond price to be able to put yourself in someone’s hands you KNOW won’t hurt you, knows exactly how hard to pull, push, kneed, or twist to get all the knots and sore spots to recede, if not leave altogether.
Because I’m so delighted to have found my second terrific therapist, I’m going to try to paint a thank you card for her. She speaks very little English. I speak even less Thai, but a card, my mangled attempt to say, “Thank you” in Thai, plus a huge smile and saying “yes” to another massage NEXT Friday should get my feelings across. 🙏🏻
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I have done the prep work, mostly, for Khun Nong, my housekeeper coming tomorrow. I’ve changed the sheets on my bed, I’ve gathered trash to take out, I’ve straightened things so that she will find it easy to clean.
We will go to visit Harvey at the nursing home tomorrow. Because Friday is my busiest day, when I go to breakfast at my son’s place in the morning, I’ll take my sheets and towels he washes for me, plus my sketchbook, drawing supplies, my Kindle, and my sweatshirt so that we won’t have to disturb my housekeeper while she’s working. We’ll go to Bri’s when we get back from the nursing home, grab our stuff and head for the cafe where we stay until Khun Nong is finished.
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I hope you are having a great day or evening, and that you are aware and grateful for all you have.
One of our favorite things to do up on top of our ridge line in Arkansas was create yard critters from scrap metal. We originally went to scrap yards, but insurance liability issues caused them all to close access to their yards. We ended up using used 20 gallon propane tanks and scrap tools and things we found at yard sales, plus things we had in the shop.
Our “Welcome Robot” doffed his hat at visitors, while giving the house number. We used a larger propane tank for him. He weighed about 200 lbs. A huge gust of wind would blow him over, or down the hill to the side of the driveway. We ended up putting a large chain around his neck, then attaching one end to a tree down the driveway farther and the other to the pole behind him – the stand for the owl and a driveway bar we put down when we were gone for any length of time. The wind would still make him LEAN, but we could pull him up and put something under a foot or two to stabilize him.
Our “Flying Pig” hung from a tree over the driveway, attached by a strong line to a branch. He ‘flew’ down the driveway, informing visitors that the time had come for pigs to, indeed, fly…
Our “Farmer Robot” stood to one side of our garage door. We had fun attaching tubing for arms and legs to the propane tank body, then finding the box for his head, flattening tubing for his feet, installing cat’s eyes marbles, and then adding the work gloves and his bandana.
Our “Mallard Duck” was attached to a pole in the middle of a brick planter in the back/side yard. He was up in the air, taking off. His head and beak were some kind of cutting ax type tool we got at a garage sale. Wings and tail were cut from sheet metal and attached to the propane tank. Rods were bent into shape, welding shorter parts for his feet.
Our “Patchwork Popadoo” Bird is shown here in our shop at my painting table before we put him out in the yard. He had fan parts as wings, various tool parts as his head, beak, and head ‘feathers’. He had bended metal for his legs and feet.
Our “Penguin Cleaning Robot” was made with a propane tank, oil funnel for his hat, farm disk of some type for his head, metal cone for his nose and other welded parts for his feet. We put fireplace tools in his gloved hands and spruced him up with his bright red bowtie. bowtie.
Our “Thanksgiving Turkey” received a permanent reprieve from becoming someone’s dinner. He’s made of a propane tank body, cut out feathers from sheet metal, a farm tool part for his head and beak, rolled up metal for his headpiece and wattle and ‘wings,’ and rods for his feet. He lived at the base of a tree at the top of the driveway.
And, finally, we didn’t create anything with this one – I just painted it. We had a 1,000 gallon propane tank between the house and the shop. It was white and really stood out. I tried to make it look like a watermelon. The propane fill-up guy laughed his head off when he came up to fill it, took a picture, and left laughing. It made my day. :0)
This is a bit of exaggeration, but it was really pouring outside when I woke this morning to get ready to go to the gym. My windows started leaking, so the ‘bucket brigade’ started.
I ended up texting my son that I would be opting out of the workout this morning, having to monitor my leaks. I have rolled up towels all the way across the windows in my main living area, plus in my bedroom right now. I’m seeing which towels need to be wrung out into my bucket every few minutes.
It’s supposed to be nearing the end of the rainy season now. Apparently, Mother Nature hasn’t received the memo yet. It’s really coming down hard. Brian said he wouldn’t go to the gym, either, if the rain continued this hard. So far, he wasn’t having leaks in his place, thank goodness.
When the rainy season is definitely over (sometime in November, I think) work will begin on the exterior of our building. Repairs and repainting will happen then. Resealing my windows from the outside is on that list of things that are due to happen.
I’m hopeful that the NEXT “rainy season” I can just look out and think, “Wow, it’s raining hard,” rather than having to participate in it quite so much…
Isn’t this the cutest thing ever? I laughed when I saw it and had to share.
One nice thing that happened when we were at the visa place this morning was that the lady who always helps us said a bunch to Brian in Thai. Of course, I didn’t understand, and just smiled at her when she smiled at me.
Later, when we were outside waiting for our ride, I asked Brian what she had said. He told me she said that I looked good. She saw that I had lost weight. She liked my haircut and said I looked happy. 😊
Later still, when we were at the nursing home, the manager of the place spoke to Brian. I assumed that she was telling him something about Harvey, but it turned out she had noticed I had lost weight and said I looked good.
Two people there asked if I was feeling better, showing you how NICE Thai people are.
Makes me want to redouble my efforts to lose the last of my extra lard and continue exercising! 💪🏻
The Puente de la Mujer is a rotating footbridge for Dock 3 of the Puerto Madero commercial district of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is of the cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge type and is also a swing bridge, but somewhat unusual in its asymmetrical arrangement.
One of the wonderful videos I get to watch while I walk my mile on the treadmill in the mornings is of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
There is a really impressive waterway for ships that we walk along, getting closer and closer to this amazing bridge. The whole thing swivels out of the way when a ship needs to go through!
There are paved trails and naturals trails through wooded areas, sandy beaches, mountains, and more in this video. I traveled across the Plaza de Mayo with its beautiful buildings. Buenos Aires is a stunning city, even when you’re only ‘traveling’ on hiking paths!
Getting visas renewed in Thailand is a master class in understanding the laws and gathering what is needed and submitting it before the deadlines pass.
Thank goodness we have access to a company who handles this for us. It doesn’t cut out a lot of hassle, but it makes it possible to get it done without tearing out ALL of your hair.
We went this morning, taking our 90-day reporting paperwork, plus the papers from the hospital and Harvey’s doctor in hand. Brian’s and my paperwork still requires an expert, but it’s very straightforward compared to what is necessary for Harvey medical visa renewal. We got an appointment for Harvey to be evaluated at the hospital and the main doctor to fill out the two sheets of paper required. Today the lady gave us about 20 sheets of paper (I don’t think I’m exaggerating) that she needed to have thumbprinted by Harvey. We already had pictures of Harvey at the nursing home to prove he was there.
We had to go to the nursing home after seeing her to get the sheets thumbprinted. It took Brian, me, and the nurse to get it done. Harvey kept trying to rub the blue ink from the stamp on his face in-between thumbprints. We managed to avoid that, but not by much. We got it all done, visited with Harvey briefly, and then had to leave to get the stuff back to the visa place. (I was glad to see Harvey, apologize for not being able to come see him yesterday. I got two kisses from him. 😊
Just after we walked into the door of the visa place there was an explosion nearby and the power went out in the office. We were able to complete what we had to do with our phones and were good to go. She will call us when we can pick up Harvey’s visa and get the stamps for ours.
We left at 10 and didn’t get home again until 1:30. Whew!
That was our big thing for the day, so I’m relieved we got it accomplished. When we get things back, we’ll be legal for another 90 days!
This is David M. Bird. He is the creator of “Becorns” his whole series of characters created by natural materials and then photographed in natural settings with animals to create an entire “world.”
I can’t say enough about his creativity in creating the characters, or his expertise in the photography of the characters in all kinds of different settings.
He offers Prints on paper, canvas, and metal. He also offers calendars and note cards. I love them and wish I could buy the whole collection. They really speak to me!
“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” — Leonard Cohen
I have read so many things about people ‘looking for happiness.’ If they just have _______________ (fill in the blank), they’ll be happy. They look to someone else to provide it for them. They look everywhere and unfortunately don’t find it. Their lives end with them still reaching for it.
One thing I have learned is that – as Leonard Cohen has said – a crack lets the light in.
As we all know, life is not perfect. We are all surrounded by life’s ‘cracks,’ things that might even bring us to our knees, thinking there is no way we’ll have light in our lives again. The thing I’ve learned is that the light comes from within you – as your strength does to live with life’s cracks. I can always see or sense people who have learned this. There is a deeper, more knowledgeable, more forgiving look in their eyes. We communicate immediately, acknowledging that knowledge and strength with no words needed.
When we discover we have ‘something’ inside that helped us so much, we must do several things: one – recognize the light; two – do everything we can to make that light shine brighter and brighter within us, making us grateful for all we have; and three – share that light with others. Offering it is the important thing. They may not be ready for it, but the fact that you’re there, and you care, IS the important thing.
My former mother-in-law was the role model for me.
When she and my father-n-law were in the process of moving to an assisted living facility, we were driving there together. I asked her how she felt about the move. She immediately answered, “I’m going to love it.” My surprise must have shown on my face, because she went on to say, “This will be my new home. I will make it mine. I will meet people, join activities, make it a wonderful place to be.” AND. SHE. DID.
She brought the light within her to all she met at the assisted living place. People were drawn to her because of her loving nature, her wide smile, her enjoyment of each day. She embraced her light, made it burn brightly, and passed it on to others.
Goodman Family Dentistry
“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou
I hope you’re enjoying these Halloween posts. Finding the really creative children’s costumes parents are making, plus gathering the wonderful Jack-O-Lanterns people are creating – and sharing them with you – is going a long way in not being able to participate this year.
I had to opt out of going to see Harvey with Brian this morning. My system was backed up. I had a bad bout and texted Brian I wouldn’t be able to go. I went back to sleep after all was over and slept until about 2pm. I still feel a bit weak, but MUCH better after the extra sleep.
Brian’s report on Harvey was pretty good. Harvey still had the nasal tube in (plus a bag on his right hand to keep him from pulling it out). The nurse brought cake for him to eat, and he was able to eat that. Brian said he looked better. He ‘responded’ when Brian talked, but didn’t ‘answer’ much at all. He was concerned that I wasn’t there, but calmed down when Brian explained it wasn’t anything serious. So. Good visit today. 😁
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Our ‘grandson’ (we were adopted by Brian’s friends and have been named honorary ‘grandparents’ as they welcome us to Thailand) had a 4th birthday. We were in the ER with Harvey, so couldn’t go to the festivities. Brian sent him a big picture book about spiders. Our grandson LOVED it. His parents were kind and sent Brian a picture plus a video showing him opening and then looking at the book with great interest!
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This is my latest painted sketch
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I hope you have a happy day. I hope some of you have Columbus Day off from work.
“Rest is an art that should be practiced, for all the good it can bring us.” – Unknown
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With my husband’s sudden trip to the ER this week, we’ve had a stressful couple of days. Both Brian and I have really needed days where we didn’t have to get out – where we could try to breathe, relax, and rest.
“When you rest, you catch your breath and it holds you up, like water wings…” — Anne Lamott
I’ve used the time to myself to work on my new puzzle, paint a little, talk to friends, and do mindless chores around my place. I’m beginning to unwind enough that I may be able to rest better tonight.
“Sometimes you need to give yourself a break when you’ve had a lot of life change.” — Barbara Freethy
Harvey is not doing well. He’s hanging on, but barely. We are treasuring every moment that we can actually communicate with him now. It is becoming more and more rare. We will go see him in the morning.
I hope that YOU are getting the rest you need – whatever life is throwing at you. We are all in this world together. Virtual hugs to you. 🤗
“Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself.” –Henry David Thoreau
@elkep.bsky.social
“There is no Wi-Fi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection.” – Ralph Smart
Anschi – @anschiro.bsky.social
“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting—over and over announcing your place in the family of things.” – Mary Oliver
Photography and Art Gallery – @U42-Steve C.co
“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” – Vincent van Gogh
These are some new thank you cards I’ll leave for Khun Nong when she cleans my place.
PNGEgg
The last few days have been stressful. My husband spent the last two days in the ER at the hospital for double pneumonia, high blood pressure, high fever, and low blood oxygen.
I have trouble looking at this objectively for lots of reasons – low blood oxygen was what I died of TWICE in the hospital in Arkansas in February. It scares me. I’m seeing a definite pattern of symptoms in my husband. He was in the emergency room for the same symptoms in August.
He isn’t eating enough. The doctor wanted to put in a permanent stomach tube. Harvey and I have always been against things like this when our time comes, so we have said no. They ARE using a nasal tube right now, though, to supplement what he is able to eat normally. I’m trying to prepare myself, but it’s difficult. We’ll go see him tomorrow.
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Yesterday we had a quiet day, so we were able to decompress a bit. I worked on my jigsaw puzzle, painted the thank you cards, wrote posts for the blog, read a bit, did my laundry, etc. It was nice to move from one activity to the next with no particular time frame. I almost took a nap, but my brain was too busy to allow me. Maybe today…
I hope that the weather is calming down wherever you are and that you are able to get outside and enjoy fresh air, sunshine, wonderful temperatures, and glorious sights provided by Mother Nature.
As I walk on the treadmill each morning, I’m in awe of the videos on the treadmill screen. Someone I guess has a business of traveling to different locations and filming paths one can walk in each location. They do it with great expertise. You feel as if you are actually there, walking on the path, turning when they turn, walking up steps, over rocks, down slopes, across bridges – even off the edge of cliffs when the camera plays with your mind, giving you a gorgeous view before changing to another path.
I’m enjoying virtual vacations as I try to improve my balance, my steadiness, and my stamina.
There is a nice video about Hawaii. I usually have to research, using my memory of what I’ve seen, to figure out the location because it isn’t given on the video. Certain places like Hawaii are easy to figure out, though I can’t tell you where each location was.
This image was taken by Tasha Marie of Unsplash. (I’m trying to give you the FLAVOR of the images on the video, since I can’t give credit to the actual image makers.)
There is a gorgeous stretch of sandy beach, where you walk along, admiring the nice waves coming in on your left. The video moves you closer to the water as you walk, getting your feet wet, then finally walking in the waves a bit. It’s glorious. The only thing missing for me is sandpipers skittering across the sand on their long, long legs, making me laugh.
Mike Sirotin Photography
There is a lava field in one part of the video similar to this one. There are white markers along a ‘path’ considered safe to hike on. The lava field covers part of a road in one area of the video. It’s awe-inspiring to see what power nature has to change the landscape of our world.
This image is similar to a section of the video where you hike through heavily wooded jungle-type areas with sometimes very narrow paths. You can almost hear the call of birds as you walk.
Photo by 1234Kidswilltravel
Waterfalls large and small spill into creeks rushing beside your path as you walk, or off in the distance a bit, making you goggle at the majesty of nature.
I hope I’ve given you an idea of the expertise of the people who create and sell videos to gyms – and I guess they are available if you purchase your own treadmill to use at home.
They provide a distraction from the fact you’re exercising, if you’re a lazy person like me; they provide focus so that I can let go of the handlebars and concentrate on changing my balance as needed to stay on the paths; they show you places in the world you probably won’t ever get the chance to actual visit – led by someone who won’t let you get lost!
creativeartworksblog 