“A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.” – Neil Gaiman
Love Art USA Outfit
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King
“Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift.” – Kate DiCamillo
“Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” – Malorie Blackman
Wooden Wonders – Pinterest.com
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,” said Jojen. “The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin
In Design Live
“I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.” – Malcolm X
Filed under Reading is FUNdamental
Once upon a time many years ago, I dreamed of living in a lighthouse. I loved the curling stairways in them and dreamed of living where the waves crashed around me.
When I got older I dreamed of stairways in my dream homes that would make a statement. These photos illustrate what I consider dream stairways.
Now that I’m proud to be older than dirt, I appreciate either NO stairways or elevators, but that doesn’t change my drooling over the creativity and artistry of these gorgeous creations.
Nicole B – Pinterest
J and L Artistic Creations
Fernanda Esteves – Pinterest
Digital Art – Etsy
Filed under Dreams
@mitu222.bsky.social
Mira @deepgreens.bsky.social
@linda2.bsky.social
@rina2012.bsky.social
@cusszinvinny.bsky.social
MichaelRphotography@msriffle.bsky.social
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography
Carol Saylor – Pinterest
Getting older is quite a mixed bag.
In the past I cringed when celebrating another birthday. It depressed me that I still weighed much more than I wanted to, but couldn’t seem to find the motivation to stuff less into my mouth, pay closer attention to what I was eating, or get off my duff to do some honest exercise. My main focus was escape.
I hurt. I fixated on what was hurting and tried to find quick fixes that would make me feel better, the latest nostrums proving you would feel younger, sexier, have more energy, would lose that stubborn fat, would make me look like Julia Roberts..😃.
There were still things I loved, of course. I lived in a nice house, could escape into my art room and try to learn another technique or skill. Right before we moved, I had taken up wood burning. It was loads of fun, and I could spend hours figuring out what I wanted to create and then lose myself in the process. It was especially gratifying when someone liked what I had listed in my Etsy shop enough to want to give it a home.
I escaped into Nora Roberts books – her regular romance books plus the JD Robb collection. She would grab my interest and take me away from my problems, allowing me some peace.
I worked out in the yard. I tended my flowers, weeded my square foot veggie garden, edged, weed-whacked, trying to tame the small area around the house we tried to keep civilized.
My husband and I were getting older, though, and couldn’t really take care of the house and yard the way we wanted to. It was simply too much and we hadn’t admitted it yet. And then we both got sick at the same time. We were SO ill that we could barely drive to the clinic. We both had Flu A. My husband also had pneumonia. I also had bronchitis and low blood oxygen for which the doctor insisted I go to the ER. My friend Carla drove me, leaving my husband to fend for himself the best way he could.
I was in the hospital a week. I died twice on February 11th. My heart simply stopped. I had a temporary pacemaker installed, and then a permanent one. We were still too sick to take care of each other, so I wrote our son Brian, who lived in Thailand, and asked him to come home.
We ended up selling everything we owned and flying to Thailand to live near Brian. Two weeks after we got here, my husband had a stroke and fell in the shower. He underwent two surgeries, stayed in the hospital for a month, and is now living in a nursing home.
Dying, moving to Thailand, trying to help my husband, settling a new living space in a country where I don’t speak the language, am trying to set up finances, etc., makes one rethink.
I have been given a second chance. I have resolved to finally finish getting the extra lard off, exercise every day, eat mindfully, and embrace all that is wonderful around me.
My main feeling these days is gratitude. I am trying to absorb the customs of the people of this beautiful country and show in every way I am able how HAPPY I am to be alive. I am trying to make each day count, trying to show my husband how much I still love him, even though his future is very uncertain. I am trying to do all I can not to be a burden on our son, who has taken everything onto his shoulders, trying to do all he can to make the rest of our lives the best that they can be.
I am feeling so lucky to have such a caring son, a person to share with, do things with, listen to, and trying to make him laugh at least once a day.
Second chances come rarely. I’m trying to use mine wisely.
Filed under Attitude
The Town Square, Greenwood AR USA
At the very end of March I moved from Greenwood, Arkansas, USA, a lovely little rural town with a population of about 9,730. We lived outside of town on top of a ridge line on 8 acres. It was a beautiful existence, with lots of privacy, lots of room to raise our son, do gardening (though the land was quite rocky), grow flowers, create ‘critters’ from scrap metal in our shop to decorate our yard and long, steep driveway. I created artwork I sold online on my own website and then on Etsy, and started my blog the last several years we lived there.
Now I live in the second largest city in Thailand, Chiang Mai, a city with a population of approximately 1.2 MILLION. Even though we are living in a condo building, there is lots of greenery inside the building, plus everywhere we go!
Chiang Mai Citylife
Not only do Thai people love nature and growing things, they work hard to build AROUND things already growing rather than always scraping off an area so something can be built. This is only one of countless examples. Trees on walkways are carefully supported so they aren’t damaged in any way. Nature comes first and the people live with and around it – cherishing it – rather than the using the popular bulldozers Americans do.
I love looking at things here. Anywhere we go we see beautiful trees. I especially like the flowering trees that bring so much color and warmth to the city. I’ve tried to gather some examples for you here, but I’m barely scratching the surface.
The Flame Tree – Tim’s Thailand.com
Yellow Cotton Flower – Pinterest
Sakura Cherry Blossom
Frangipani – Yates New Zealand
Spring Sakura Flower – Freepik
Cherry Blossom – Nation
I can’t say enough about how beautiful it is. People with small shops make sure to have thriving plants in front or as a focus of the decorations, bringing the outside in.
If we’re in a Grab, my head seems to be on a swivel, turning, turning, trying to see everything I can during the trip, although Brian has told me that it’s rude to talk while we are being driven somewhere, unless the Grab driver initiates the conversation. I just sit in awe and admire.
Filed under Wonderful Things about Thailand
Indian Hills – Vince, the Sign Guy
Indian Hills – Vince, the Sign Guy
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor, Indian Hills Signs
My wonderful friend, Carla, who adopted Jet for me when we moved to Thailand, sent me this great photo this morning she labeled, “Trying to pack the cooler.” Looks like Jet is demanding she be included on the trip!
And here is our Amber playing with her new boy, Remington, in their pool. Amber was adopted by Lisa and Tim, and I’m forever grateful to Carla and them for making sure our animals continue to have wonderful lives.
This is a drawing I did a while back.
This is the thank you card I will leave for Khun Nong next Friday.
Today I’m enjoying a quiet day. I’ve been able to bring in about half my laundry from the balcony so far. The rain is supposed to start about 1PM, but I’m keeping an eye out in case the clouds don’t read the weather report on my phone.
I’m planning to do some painting of the sketches I’ve done lately, do more thank you notes for Khun Nong, and work on my owl puzzle, among other things.
I’m researching foldable or collapsible walking canes, since I’m still having short waves of dizziness. Since I’m planning to start taking short walks where I don’t have to cross busy streets, this would add steadiness and I could carry the cane in my carrier when I’m not needing it. There is also one with a “seat” that might come in handy, but that one wouldn’t fit in my bag.
Yesterday I found an art gallery, a craft shop, a stationery and art supply shop, and a basket shop, all of which seem to be places I would love. I would like to visit each when the timing works out with trips to visit Harvey. I texted Brian the list and he said they looked good. I LOVE Google Maps!
Tenor
I’m on a plateau as far as losing my lard. Brian and I eat breakfast and dinner. We enjoy a coffee or a chocolate drink sometimes mid-day. Dinner is the meal we are going to zero in on, trying for smarter choices or my simply eating less in the evening. After dinner, the only physical thing I’m doing, other than getting things ready for the next morning, is doing a session of yoga stretches. (I’m doing my water bottle weight exercises and bopping to dance music in the afternoons.) Hopefully this new focus will cause my scales to stop looking bored with me.
Bored Panda
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
kaylishop.com
I have inherited the new, simplified-design Kindle that Brian bought for my husband. Harvey has always been a voracious reader, but this is one of the many ways he has changed since his stroke. He can’t handle the simplified Kindle, and he seems to be unable to dive into a book anymore. He has two paperbacks by his favorite authors on the table beside him, but he isn’t reading.
I’m enjoying the new design. It doesn’t have any bells and whistles, just larger, clearer type and ease of use. I can throw it in my carrier when we vacate my place for my housekeeper. I really enjoy being able to do that. I am enjoying “Inheritance” by Nora Roberts right now, the first of a trilogy.
We went to visit Harvey today. He announced he had taken a new wife. He said her name is Amaterasu. He said that she is the daughter of Ka Pook, Harvey’s former 24 hour nurse, who has taken a new position in Bangkok. She is 18, tall and beautiful. Harvey said they had a quick ceremony since the marriage was a business arrangement, since she could go to the States if she married a citizen. He didn’t seem to worry about bigamy, or my reaction to the marriage. He was concerned about making arrangements at the airport.
I asked him if, since women seemed to be throwing themselves at his feet, finding him irresistible, if he planned to marry wife #3. He looked at me and said, “I’ll take it as it comes.”
Later we Googled the name, discovering that she is the Japanese sun goddess, a central figure in Shinto mythology. Apparently, he ‘met’ her on TV.
At home, I’m watching the skies, trying to get my laundry dry on the balcony. I brought in several dry things earlier, then rescued some other stuff a few minutes ago from a sudden rain, only to put the them out again about 10 minutes later. Doing laundry during the rainy season in Thailand teaches one to be alert and fast moving. 😁
I sketched several things while we were at the cafe staying out of my housekeeper’s way yesterday. I plan to draw some more thank you cards to leave for her plus start painting some of the sketches.
I hope you’re having a good day and finding reasons to smile.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
This was published this morning on X by @Enezator. I just love it and wanted to share. 🤗
Filed under Amazing Animals, Videos
Pixabay
Yesterday Brian and I found a craft shop where I wasn’t excited until I turned around and saw an embroidered piece on the wall that looked like stained glass. It was really stunning. Colorful, with silky type material used. Just wonderful.
I thought about it the rest of the afternoon. I told Brian I wanted to see how much it cost. We went back today. I was afraid it would be gone, but it was still up on the wall. When I asked her how much she wanted for it, she said it was not for sale.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I could “SEE” the piece on the wall above my computer, making me smile each time I saw it.
We went for a chocolate – our go-to place when we’re needing a pick-me-up, so the trip wasn’t completely wasted. Brian said he will look for other similar shops that we can visit. (Sigh)
On the good side, I had a wonderful massage this morning. We will vacate my place in about an hour to let Khun Nong perform her miracle while I’m gone.
Susy suggested that I install some apps on my phone that will help in my efforts to eventually become more independent here. I already had Google Maps, but Brian also installed “Friends and Family” so he can see where I am if I take a walk. We also talked about the fact we have a chat program on which we communicate all day long if I need him, plus I have his phone number. He basically said that the Google Translate app is not as good as one would hope. He is always available, and he pointed out that people have stopped and helped us when I had a problem before and probably would again, if needed.
He again talked about crossing streets, and I assured him I wasn’t planning to throw myself under a bus or get creamed by the 4 lanes of traffic plus motorcycles all moving like bats out of Hell in the busy street. I promised him that if I fell, I would arrange to fall INTO the buildings, NOT into the street…
I don’t feel pressured to go out by myself. I just don’t want to let my natural cautiousness curb my ability to enjoy going a few places on my own.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
This is a gazing ball that I refurbished when the metallic surface had deteriorated from years of sitting in the sun and weather in our birdbath. I just tried for a free-form autumn theme. When I finished and put it out in the birdbath, the birds made me smile, flocking around it as if they were giving me their approval. 😊
We didn’t have any have-to errands today, but Brian texted me awhile ago, asking if I wanted to go for cash and chocolate. I get cash each week so I can pay for my massage and my housekeeper on Fridays. We enjoyed our chocolate ‘fix’ and then stopped in at a craft store I saw out of the corner of my eye a few days ago. The lady was really talented. I particularly liked one piece that looked like stained glass. There was another craft store right next door to this one, but it was closed. We’ll check that one out another time.
I’m flirting with the idea of taking some time one afternoon when we don’t have anything scheduled and going out by myself and taking a walk. This is a bit daunting since 1) this is still a very foreign country where I don’t speak the language, 2) my hearing is impaired and I have to be especially careful about traffic, and 3) I am geographically challenged, able to get lost in a box in the middle of my living room if you turn me around three times fast. (That’s a BIT of an exaggeration, but not much. I’m pathetic.
I don’t want to be afraid to go out by myself, particularly if I don’t go far from home and don’t have to cross busy streets. I talked to Brian about the idea today while we were out. I can see that the idea makes him really nervous, so I’ll move into this slowly. I’ll keep my outings at first where I don’t have to cross any streets (streets here are a challenge because there are at LEAST 4 lanes of cars plus more motorcycles than you can imagine darting in and out of the lanes. People go to the hospital all the time because they make mistakes trying to cross, or actually lose their lives.) I have promised Brian I’ll text him when I leave, tell him where I’m going, and text him when I get back to my condo. Baby steps.
I hope that you are having a happy day, too!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
I am so impressed with Marina Gallagher’s talent. She is on bluesky.social, and you can reach her there @Theweeowl.bsky.social. You can also find her work via The Wee Owl Art.
Filed under drawings
As we were out walking this morning, Brian pointed up into this tree. At first I was distracted by all the incredibly lush leaves. Then I noticed the beautiful pink blossom. And THEN I noticed the bunch of bananas! I guess I never thought about bananas. I knew they grew in bunches, of course, but I hadn’t gone beyond that. These are the small bananas grown here, rather than the giant ones we had in the states. Sad to say, for many reasons I don’t eat bananas anymore, but I can sure appreciate seeing them grow!
Our gym was without power today so we found a park to wander around in. There were lots of people walking, jogging, or just strolling, so we had a lot of company. It was getting ready to rain, so it was cooling off some, a thing I really appreciated. The last time we visited this pretty place, I had to stop and rest several times. This time, I didn’t need to stop at all, so I must be making progress in my exercise efforts.😁
We just got home from visiting my husband at the nursing home. He was more alert than last time, but was spouting a bunch of stuff about needing to get to the airport to go back to Tulsa. (This is from around 50 years ago.) He DID look at me and say he was grateful we came to visit and that he loved me. He also said “I’m sorry I’m a mess,” and I almost lost it right there.
We brought him this wooden cube toy today. He showed some interest in it at first and we thought it might give him something fun to do with his hands. We said our goodbyes and were waiting for our Grab ride when his nurse came out and said he was calling for us. We hurried back to his room. Apparently he wanted us to take the cube home with us. We almost missed our ride, and we’re not sure what was going on there. I have it back on my shelf and we’ll try it again later. We have more toys on the way we hope he’ll like.
We had 3 minutes or so of real communication in the over an hour we spent there, but I live for those moments now.
Two of my latest drawings/paintings. I’m having a lot of fun trying to draw fun pictures I see on the net.
I’m slow, but I’m having fun trying to work this jigsaw puzzle. I am determined that before I croak I will finish it and post it on the blog. My son has said I won’t finish it, in effect daring me to give up. 🤪😜
It has been raining off and on all day. I didn’t have a lot of laundry this morning, so I’m just trying to finish a few things up, moving them back and forth between my rack on the balcony and hanging from various places inside. I must be adapting at least a little to the weather here. I fell asleep this morning before we were due to leave to go visit Harvey. I woke as if someone had nudged me, went out to the balcony, brought my few things inside, and then the rain started as soon as I shut the balcony door.
I hope that you are finding some fun things to do today.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Freepik
Last night I added more exercises with bottles of water as weights. I did enough that I had some sore muscles, so that was good.
Today after looking at a couple of videos (thank you, Sheila) of a lady dancing, I looked up music videos labeled, “dance music,” to encourage me to bop around the room with my headphones on. I lasted three songs on the first video before pooping out, and I had a good time, a smile on my face as the years fell away in my mind.
Pinterest – Free Clipart
Just a minute ago, I was truly ‘amazing’ though, as I sprinted toward my balcony to rescue my laundry drying on the rack when it started to pour suddenly. And I mean POUR!!!!! Not just a turning-the-faucet-on rain, but someone using spray attachments!
I had forgotten how quickly this old lady can move, if needed. I managed to get the dry stuff off the rack and onto a chair, and then proceeded to open the balcony folding door fully so I could move the rack of still damp clothes inside. I managed to do that without injury or dumping the clothes and then got the door shut without pinching fingers or causing any other problems.
True to Thailand, while I’m still breathing a bit heavily from all the exertion, the rain has quieted to a calm rain, instead of all the slashing, blowing rain. Thankfully, this rain was slanted differently, so my windows didn’t leak. 😁
Bored Panda
Now that I’m up and my heart is ‘awake’ and functioning, I think I’ll do my session of yoga stretches for the day…
Filed under exercise
Gloria Masse’
“A man might befriend a wolf, even break a wolf, but no man could truly tame a wolf.”― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons
Great Big Canvas
“We are never alone
We are all wolves
Howling to the same moon.”― Atticus Poetry, Atticus
Moonlight Wolf Mates – Collin Bogle – iCanvas
“Have you seen what wolves do to their prey? But they do mate for life.”― Donna Lynn Hope
Leslie Kirchner
“That night the wind was howling almost like a wolf and there were some real wolves off to the west giving it lessons.”― George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords
Collin Bogle – Etsy UK
“A howl is as infectious to a wolf as a yawn is to a human.”― Kevin Ansbro
Kromschroeder – Moondancers – Brians Gallery
“There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.” ~ Unknown
Pinterest – no attribution
“One beast and only one howls in the woods by night.” ― Angela Carter, Burning Your Boats: The Collected Short Stories
Lone Wolf – Collin Bogle Nature Art
“Show me a wolf that would want a collar.” ― Masahiko Takajo, Riki-Oh, Vol. 1
Filed under Amazing Animals
David Rippen – @dmrippen.bsky.social
Keith Boone Photography – @keithboone.bsky.social
Paul Willson – @paulwillson.bsky.social
Ray Bilcliff – @raybilcliff.bsky.social
Richard Bernabe – @bernabephoto.bsky.social
Filed under Uncategorized
This is my new haircut. It feels good and is super easy to care for, with my just having to blow it dry when I shower each morning.
I’m having a quiet day today. I walked a little over a mile on the treadmill using my new ‘slow-then-fast-for-me’ walking method. (Japanese Walking). I’ve been doing this for a couple of weeks now. The video says that this method is much more effective for health than the ‘set-the-speed-and-walk-for-30-minutes’ method I was using before. It sure keeps me more ‘engaged’. I’m walking for a slow speed for 2 minutes, then fast-for-me for 3 minutes in 5 minute increments over and over for the 30 minutes, so I have a slow speed to warm up and one to cool down at the end.
Today is a quiet day for us, with nothing we HAVE to do, so Brian and I ate breakfast and talked a bit, and will meet again for dinner this evening. Otherwise, we are free to do what we want. Brian will work and I will play. I feel a bit guilty about that – but, having worked all my life starting with summer jobs at 14, I feel I that embracing my fun and sloth is a wonderful thing.
I’m working on painting some sketches I started recently. I’m also making progress (in fits and starts) on my owls puzzle. Sometimes I think I won’t live long enough to finish this one, which is truly challenging. You can’t tell what part you’re working on, even after studying the picture. I’m looking forward to the day when I can display the finished puzzle for you!😋
I’m exercising with Mike, from More Life Health on my computer. He gears his workouts on various parts of the body so that you can choose what you feel you’re missing from your other exercising, geared to seniors. I do one of his workouts several times each week. No special equipment needed and the site is free.
I’m reading a good book on my Kindle; enjoying finding things I think are great on the computer; writing blog posts I hope you’ll enjoy; doing my yoga stretches and other new exercises; and more. The biggest problem is deciding what I want to do when!
I hope you are finding things that give you joy in your day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
SharonWelby.bsky.social
gelena.bsky.social
stuartmcglennon.bsky.social
stephenpowersphoto.bsky.social
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography
It wasn’t raining when Brian and I made our way to the gym this morning! Later the sun came out, and it’s a lovely day here.
We went to see my husband at the nursing home. He has a new full time caregiver who is very nice. She suggested we get him toys to give him something to do with his hands, so we’re looking into that. We stopped for a chocolate drink on the way home, having a nice conversation.
I have the afternoon to myself. I’m going to paint some of the drawings I did recently after I finish writing my blog posts. Such a great way to spend the afternoon! 😃
I am learning gradually to eat Thai food. Brian supplies me with a glass of water, plus I am learning to combine bites to include something that makes the ‘hot and spicy’ easier on my mouth.
Also, we’re drinking some mushroom tea in the mornings with breakfast. It’s Brian’s idea that the worse the tea tastes, the better it is for us. 🤣 He got us two teas – one container each from two different mushrooms. We also add bone broth to it for added health benefits. Both have long lists of all the wonderful stuff they provide. One doesn’t taste like much of anything except hot water. The other tastes truly awful. Of course, Brian thinks the latter is ‘better for us.’ We trade off on which one we drink each morning. There is no telling if either one really are that great health-wise, but it’s worth a shot. Plus, it gives us something to laugh about every other day…
Have a wonderful day!
Filed under Attitude
Freepik
I had a lovely day yesterday with a massage in the morning, time in a cafe sipping an iced cappucino while drawing in my sketch book or reading a book on my new Kindle while my housekeeper (woo HOOO!) made my place spotless. These were topped off by a trip to a street market and beautiful dinner.
Brian had bought the new Kindle for Harvey to use in the nursing home. My husband has always been a voracious reader, reading paperbacks plus books downloaded on to his Kindle at the rate sometimes of a book in one day. Since his stroke, the old Kindle was too much for him to handle, so Brian ordered a new, simpler one which only had the reader without any other bells and whistles. It turned out that the simpler one was too much for him, as well, so we brought it home with us last time. Brian wiped the books off, downloaded all of MY books onto it, listed it on Amazon so I can continue to download books from Kindle Unlimited, and synced it to the Wifi in my place, as well as an alternate if needed. Is my son a keeper or what! 🙂
And the pampering continues today! Two months ago we found a hair stylist who looked at a picture I brought in on my phone and tried his best to emulate it – taking into account that my hair won’t do ANYTHING on its own. It’s thin, fine, and totally uncooperative. I came out looking as if ‘someone had a plan,’ rather than an exploded mushroom. I’m hoping he can work a miracle again today.
After my haircut, fingers are crossed that Brian will be able to find some tennis shoes to replace the ones he is using now which have the tread totally worn off. I hope he finds something he is happy with today at the big mall.
I hope that YOU are being pampered, too, or that you figure out things you can do for yourself that make your face explode into a wide, wide grin today.
Filed under Pampering
Brian and I went to a street market yesterday evening. I had not been to one before and had to work at closing my mouth instead of leaving it hanging open!
It seemed like everything in the world was for sale, but primarily it was all types of food, clothes, and jewelry, with places where you could get a foot massage or manicure and more.
There was stall after stall of wonderful food that looked and smelled wonderful. My mouth was watering the whole time we walked around.
The weather was perfect. Apparently, there are street markets all over Chiang Mai. You could spend hours in each one, never seeing everything that was offered. I thoroughly enjoyed walking around at this one.
We got some roasted chicken, a big sausage, and some fresh orange juice to share for dinner. YUM!
Filed under THAI FOOD!, Wonderful Things about Thailand
@Oto2.bsky.social
I was lucky enough to find some of his work on Bluesky.social lately, and I just can’t say enough about his talent.
@Oto2.bsky.social
@Oto2.bsky.social
@Oto2.bsky.social
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography
Janie Hale-Stanley – Pinterest
I have tried trying to create art with gourds. It’s quite challenging. I lucked out and got some gourds from a friend who grew and dried them. I washed the outside and just painted the first one. It was okay, but was obviously the work of a complete beginner.
I found videos on YouTube about how to work with gourds and they helped tremendously. I used a drill and cut out a space so that a bird could use it for a nest. I glued a ‘perch’ on it. It took quite awhile to clean out the inside. I put some straw in the bottom and hung it up in a tree. I was beyond delighted when a bird actually used it one year!
Karey Pederson – Pinterest
I used a saw to cut the top off one, cleaned it out and then drilled holes all the way around the top so that I could put pretty strings all the way around it, after painting it bright colors.
NaMaAlonzo -Pinterest
If I were still in Arkansas, I would have tried to do wood-burning on one. I think that might turn out really nicely.
The people who created these gourds are obviously experts who know what they’re doing. I love how each of these is so different from the others in colors, style, and techniques.
No attribution
I would love to decorate my place here in Thailand with gourds. I haven’t found any yet, but I’ll continuing researching. The people here are so talented, I know if they have access to them, they are making beautiful things.
Susan Burton
I love the 3-D-ness of this one. How rich the colors are!
Filed under Gorgeous Gourd Art, Gorgeous Gourds
Very few of us get a ‘second chance’ in life. Usually, it’s ‘one and done,’ before we get a chance to feel we got all we wanted, did all we wanted to do.
“There is always a second chance. It’s called today.”
I’m definitely one of the lucky ones. I died twice on February 11th in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the hospital where I was being treated for Flu A and bronchitis, plus low blood oxygen. My local clinic insisted I go to the ER and get checked out. My friend, Carla, drove me there. That night my heart stopped twice. I woke up to my bed surrounded by nurses, all asking if I was okay. They transferred me to the ICU and the heart people took over. I ended up with two surgeries – a temporary and then a permanent pacemaker.
Dying got my attention. My priorities changed in an instant. We contacted our son in Thailand and asked that he come home to help us, since my husband and I were both really sick and unable to care for each other. We ended up selling all we owned and moving to Thailand to be with our son.
Beginning a new life in a new country is overwhelming, particularly since our retirement plans were upended when my husband had a stroke April 8th and is now in a nursing home. I have a wonderful place that our son found for us in the same condo building where he lives.
I am determined to make the most of my 2nd chance at life, filling every day with joy. I am thoroughly enjoying my retirement, spending as much of each day as possible doing things I love.
I am embracing my second chance at life, trying to wring every drop of joy out of each day that I can. No one is promised tomorrow, so I will make today count.
Filed under Attitude
@weskrntz.bsky.social
When we left to go visit my husband this morning, there was a cat sleeping on some of the packages on the pick-up table in the condo building. He isn’t as cute as the one here in the picture, but his coloring is similar. Apparently he comes and takes a nap here often.
Today’s visit with Harvey was sad, as my husband is quite frail and was essentially non-communicative today. The only thing he said was we needed to buy a hospital bed. After many questions, we finally figured out that his bed squeaks when they crank it up or down.
Two concerning issues – 1) we bring him a no sugar grape drink he likes. He would sip some, then just hold it in his mouth. We told him to swallow, and eventually he would, but only partially. His mouth was still full of liquid. After a lot of coaxing, he finally swallowed it all, taking about 5 minutes per sip. We did this several times before deciding he/we had had enough.
2) He needed to spit soon after we got there. We found that he had been holding a pill – or maybe more than one – in his mouth. He spit it out. We have spent lots of time getting more affordable pills, and we have seen him do this once before. Brian wrote to the management when we got home. They said they would now crush the pills. Less pleasant for him, but at least the meds will get down his throat. We’re also worried about him choking with the pills, since he isn’t being cooperative.
One nice thing – he did pat Brian’s arm at one point, almost making me fall apart.
Tomorrow will be a better day for me, with a trip to the gym, a massage, then my place getting a thorough cleaning. I’m almost ready for her to come. I’ve changed the sheets, changed the towels, gathered the trash, and straightened up a few things. Her money and thank you card are out and ready.
Saturday I’m getting a haircut! I’ve ‘gone to seed’, it having been two months since the new person I found cut my hair. Another really pampering thing coming up is a mani/pedi. It’s been two months there, too, and my nails have grown out. Amazingly, the gel polish they use still looks good, though there is about 1/4″ bare nail between my cuticle and the polish.
If things work out right, we’ll get Brian some new sneakers. He has worn all the tread off the pair he wears to the gym daily. He’s doing some research, reading reviews, etc., before he decides what he wants.
We’re going to try to take advantage of a promotion that the hearing aid group we like are starting tomorrow. I’ve had a hearing problem ever since my hospitalization in February, and hearing better will be a very welcome thing. I hate that the hearing aids are all so expensive, but I’m hoping they will essentially last me the rest of my life. I won’t wear them all the time, though – basically wearing them when I’m out with Brian. I’ll leave them off when I’m at the gym, and at home alone, especially in the evenings when I wear my headphones to listen to YouTube on TV and not bother my neighbors.
Brian and I are making a gradual switch to eating more Thai food. We’ve been eating “Western” type stuff because I’ve been trying to avoid carbs in an effort to lose my lard. The Thai meals also have a lot of hot and spicy ingredients that are a bit difficult for me to handle. This switch is a good move for us, though, allowing me to learn to love the cuisine here, improve my tolerance for the hotter stuff, and also save money. We had a bad experience earlier in the week and both suffered through digestive problems, but we’re over that now and ready to experiment again.
Filed under Wonderful Things about Thailand
This is a wonderful fruit in Thailand called, “Logan” or, locally, “Lamyai.” One of the ladies who cleans the public places in our building came running up to us recently when we were returning from our morning gym session with a sack containing a branch with a LOT of these as a gift to us!
In this picture I found, you can see the beige peeling. You press the fruit lightly and the skin splits, allowing you to peel it. This leaves a white, round pulp with a big seed. You use your thumb to pop the seed out and then eat the white pulp. It’s delicious! Messy? Yes. A bit laborious? Yes. Worth it? YES!
Last Friday my cleaning lady, Khun Nong, left these for me! I will NEVER get beyond being THRILLED to HAVE a cleaning lady. I have taken care of whatever house I’m in since 1969 and have never been able to afford having help. Having someone who leaves my place spotless each week, doing all the heavy stuff it’s getting harder for me to handle, is a true relief. Having a person who is so kind as to leave flowers to “Brian’s Mum” is priceless.
I put one of these ‘thank you’ mini-paintings each week under the payment I leave for her to show her how much I appreciate her efforts.
This is one of my latest sketchbook paintings. It shows my joy about FINALLY getting the magic “RETIREMENT” stamp in my passport on July 22, 2025. This opens doors to things I couldn’t do before, so it’s a very welcome change after 4 months of jumping through hoops. We still have 90-day reporting, and I’ll renew my visa in one year, but it’s a significant improvement!
We also got my husband’s medical visa approved. We have to continue hoop jumping every 90 days with forms to be filled out at the hospital, but we know what to do now, so it won’t be as nerve-racking next time.
Otaki Mail
July Weight Report – I have officially hit the 70-pounds off since my heaviest mark now. (I’ve lost 16 pounds since the initial visit with my doctor here) whom I see every couple of months so far. My plan is to see her every 3 months for monitoring my medications, blood work, etc. going forward if she’s pleased when we go toward the end of August. There is almost 66 inches less of me than when I was my largest.
I’m DELIGHTED to be able to post on my blog again! It’s an essential part of my day to try to find things I want to share with you. It enriches my life to find so many talented folks creating wonderful things on our planet, or recording nature with their camera expertise.
There are several things that are different now for me, now that I have changed the plan I’m using. For example, it took about 10 minutes of messing around until I found where comments were listed and I could respond.
There were several people who wrote, asking for access to the ‘private’ blog. I’m trying to figure out how to get back to them, telling them they are now free to come look any time they wish. Hopefully, I can figure out all the changes soon.
Have a wonderful day or evening.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Freepik
First of all, hello. I apologize for not posting for several days. I couldn’t even tell you what was going on. For those of you who came to my site, all it said was, “Private” or something to that effect.
What was happening was a good thing. My son figured out a way to compress images already used on the site so that they took a LOT less storage. This qualified me for a much cheaper fee to the host, saving me 2/3 of the amount I have been paying. He handled the correspondence to WordPress and the changes began.
They finished this morning and now we are ‘public’ again!!!! HOOORAAAAAY! Writing posts for the blog is such an important thing to me. I’ve been so frustrated not being able to share anything with you – PLUS having been forced to be rude in not being able to communicate!
I will post more later today, but wanted to celebrate by FINALLY being able to say, ‘HELLO!’
Flaticon
Filed under communication
Years ago I thought tattoos were only for a small slice of the population, like bikers, biker chicks, former prison residents – I know, really narrow thinking on my part – stupid, even. Opinions are many times formed on the basis of snap reaction, rather than knowledge, and many times are wrong.
Vivid Ink Tatoos
DarrenGowand74 on X
I have totally changed my opinion. One of my favorite forms of eye candy these days is men with muscular arms and sleeve tattoos. I really think they are sexy and I’m fascinated with them. If I see one in reality, I have to force myself not to stare and blush!
Magic Art World
I think women look great with tattoos, also. My SIL got one, and I’m still impressed and envious. (I used to have a photo of hers, but I don’t have it now.)
POPxo- Flami Art
popxo.com
It’s almost getting to the point where you’re in the minority if you DON’T have a tattoo.
Tatto by Rghav
NA Tattoo Studio
Tattoo artists are really talented these days, too. This art form has evolved over the years, and I think some of the designs are truly amazing.
Cathy Artwork
The ship has sailed for me to get a tattoo, but “I ain’t dead yet,” and thankfully, there is no age limit on appreciation!
Filed under Changes
creativeartworksblog 