I think we all feel overwhelmed by what’s happening in our own lives, to people we love, to our country and the world beyond – most of it things we can do little or nothing about.
We feel useless. I refer to this, when talking to my friends, as wanting to ‘wave my magic wand’ – ‘fixing’ them when they are sick, yelling at the companies or situations causing them pain, advising them to consult the experts, raging with them about the unfairness of it all – because all regular advice or coping mechanisms are failing.
Sometimes we feel as if we are completely inadequate to the task. We get down and depressed. We want to deaden the pain, escape from the fear of what is coming, lash out at the world at large.
The very worst time in my life was after having 3 miscarriages, finally giving to birth to Brian, another miscarriage, and then Jade – we lost her to SIDS when she was 2 months old. Both my husband and I seriously considered suicide because the pain seemed unbearable. Finally we went on to help each other through it and continued to raise Brian ( 2 at the time ) as best we could.
Nanea Hoffman is asking us to remember when we were care-free and innocent, having no idea how cruel our world can be. She wants us to remember that there is ‘something’ way, way down inside each of us that enables us to go on when our heads and hearts tell us to give up. That ‘something’ is strong enough to overcome whatever happens in life. Even though you think there is no way you can stand what is happening, that ‘something’ is always there, giving you strength and the courage to continue. And that ‘something’ is always there, ready when you need it most.
My son, who does computer work, asks me, “Mom, are you bored all alone in your place?” 🤣 I LOVE days where I can do whatever I want for as long – or as little – as I want to. No one is here to tell me I ‘should’ be doing anything in particular. The only thing I want to accomplish today is taking my clothes to the laundry. (I think I can handle that… )
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I try to limit myself to 3 posts a day, though sometimes it’s hard. I keep finding interesting things or people I want to share with you! I look at the limiting as a character-building exercise, making notes on where to find the information I want to share next time.
Latest painted sketch
I’m flattening this one face down on my shelf with some books on top to give to my adoptive grandson the next time I see him.
And this one is also flattening to go on the wall when I take it to the nursing home for my husband on Valentine’s Day.
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123RF
Today I started adding stairs to my exercise regimen. I live in the same building as my son, and I walked down from his place to mine after breakfast (4 floors) this morning. I kept my hand on the hand rail and paid close attention so I didn’t end up on my head. There were only lights on MY floor, but I could see okay and the flights were clearly marked. I had no trouble, so I’ll continue walking down several flights once a day, and then will add at least a couple of flights going UP soon.
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Earth Rangers
Since there is no “heat” as such in Thailand buildings, “The Cool Season” (Nov. 1st-Feb 15th) is a bit of a challenge. I’m a wuss, since 50 is not cold, and it gets up to the low 80s most days in the afternoon; but I’m used to having central heat set at 72 degrees F., a fireplace to burn logs if desired, an electric blanket for the bed, etc. Space heaters and electric blankets are not considered safe here, so I’m learning to dress in layers, heat up hot water to drink, sit under a towel on my couch – or, better yet, in the window where the sun is shining in – and I have the throw my son, Brian, got me on the bed, adding socks there, too. 🥶 Starting later in February through May, Brian tells me I will start griping because of the HEAT and HAZE… Right NOW, that sounds really good.
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Other than write my blog posts, I will spend time with my turtles puzzle and
KinderCare
painting in my art alcove, sitting in front of the window to warm up in-between.
Again Nanea is right on my wave length. Instead of New Year’s Resolutions and promises to myself to get more of my to do list done, prioritizing the list so I get the most important stuff done, getting another notebook so I can make a secondary list….
I have trashed my ‘to do’ list. There are still things that need to be done on or by a certain date, but I’ve cut down on those things, too.
My whole life changed in 2025 when I died twice on Feb. 11th in the ER and was given another chance at life via a pacemaker. Now I have shed my old life completely – except for people I love – and moved to Thailand to be close to our son.
The new start had quite a stutter when 2 weeks after we moved my husband had a stroke and is now in a nursing home. Our son and I have built our current lives around 3 times a week visits to make sure he is as comfortable as possible and is getting the care he needs.
Otherwise, we are building our daily routine together, starting with the gym at o-dark-thirty, shower, breakfast and then we review our day. If we have nothing pressing, we enjoy our activities and meet again to share dinner. Sometimes Brian orders an iced coffee for me mid afternoon. 🙂
I move from one activity I really like, such as researching and writing blog posts 🤗, to others, which currently include reading on my Kindle, working on a jigsaw puzzle, working on sketches and painting in my art alcove, taking short walks in the afternoon, doing exercise sessions, listening to music, etc., cramming as much joy as I can into each day.
Nanea’s suggestion really resonates with me. I used to be filled with excuses about why I couldn’t take the time to relax and spend time doing something I loved, trying something new, learning something new, and more. Now these things ARE my day. I’m simplifying my life in every way I can. I spend the end of each day in 5 minutes or more devoted to gratitude. I concentrate on ONE thing I’m grateful for, shut my eyes and just let it fill me up. This calms me down and lately the gratitude has been spilling out, trickling from my eyes.
So OUT with the To Do list – and IN with the TO BE list!🥳
“A 12-year-old orphan helps a ghost with an extraordinary past reunite with his long-lost love. Unless killer robots, mad bounty hunters or armies of space pirates have a say. Take the leap… (Free to read on KU!!!)”
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This is not my normal type of reading material. For some reason, I was drawn to try it –
I got the Kindle version of this book in August 2023. I think I read it cover to cover in three days, even though it’s some 500+ pages long. It was THAT good. Then I read it again, slowing down – now that I knew what happened – to enjoy the nuances. I had ‘met’ Simon on a website and wrote to him to tell him how much I enjoyed his book. He was very gracious. 😀
I am the last one in the review section on Amazon – being an “unidentified Kindle User” – I said –
“First, this is a story with non-stop action. I had to stop and REST in places! Second, there are characters you CARE about. Third, there is a real understanding of compassion and love, between spouses, between parents and children, between friends, and even between people and computers. I love the unique turn of phrases and the sense of humor. I loved experiencing the growing interaction between the characters, the change as they opened up, showing their feelings more and more. The dedication to the mission. The valiant Ellie. I highly recommend you give yourself the gift of this book. And the SASS!”
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Now it’s come out in the new ‘Deluxe Edition’ with nice artwork between the sections and a really nice cover shown above.
I still have it on my Kindle and will read it a third time when I finish the RG Ryan Jake Moriarity series I’m re-reading now.
I found the art of Catherine Rayner on Substack. @catherinerayner
Her artwork is unique and grabs you immediately, forcing you to smile, say “Awwww!” or write a comment.
Dougie
She has a website where you can shop for signed books, babywear, art and prints, original artwork, plus get commission information.
Ella
She explains how she does what she does, but of course, you can’t actually ‘catch’ the magic of it no matter how much you might want to. She gives a tour of her studio and you can even meet her cat!
Elodie
I love the way each of her creations has a name and you can almost expect them to turn their heads or sniff you for food.
Natalie
You’ll love seeing all the listings on her website. Caution: you might become addicted.
Peggy
Catherine Rayner is booked up through June on commissions , but if you’re willing to wait, feel free to contact her. (Information on what to do and what to expect is at the link above. 😁
The only reason I knew about this celebration today was because Brian and I had some trouble getting transportation to my husband’s nursing home, and the GRAB cars had to reroute going and coming to avoid as much of the crowds and celebration as possible. 🥳
Children’s Day is celebrated the 2nd Saturday in January in Chiang Mai, and I think all around Thailand. In researching this, I was overwhelmed by all of the events and activities!
There is something going on sponsored by government agencies, shopping malls, hotels and restaurants, children’s groups, and more.
Chiang Mai Kids – Ladiivploy
SOME of the activities I found are –
Dino Maze
Crafts & ice cream
Free foam party, donut decorating workshop
Bouncing Castle
World of Crazy Inventor Endoo – ‘playful town full of stories, tinkering, and adventure.
I have finally hit another milestone in my two years of efforts to lose the lard. As of this morning, I am down 90 pounds, to 115. My goal is to lose another 5, to give myself a good maintenance range to stay in the rest of my life, concentrating on exercising to continue to build muscle, stamina, flexibility, and balance.
I have a routine follow up doctor’s appointment next month, and I’ll see what she has to say about where I am at that time and what goals I should set.
In the meantime, I’m doing the following –
walking on the treadmill one mile every day, trying to continue to retrain my brain and body to improve my balance. I’m now walking without holding on, concentrating on relaxing while I’m walking, increasing the speed and the incline % as I can.
On alternate days, I’m either doing a half hour or so of yoga stretches (including sit ups, a plank, and a ‘reach-up-stretch-and-then-bend-over-to-try-to-touch-my-toes’ several times). My plank is pathetic so far, but I’m working on it – OR I do half an hour or so of arm exercises with water bottles (also including the reach up and then bend over with the bottles.)
Next week I’m planning to add stairs to the mix. I’ll start by walking down 5 flights of stairs – carefully, so as not to fall on my head and break all my bones. Then I’ll mix that with trying to see how many flights I can walk UP…. (Balance, stamina, and breath control, as well as building some muscle.)
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Drawing – Bird- latest painted sketch.
This morning we visited my husband, Harvey, in the nursing home. So far, all is going well with the new nurse. Her name is Khun Archiang (pronounced, “Coon-ah-chi-ahng”) She is very sweet and seems to be doing a good job of taking care of Harvey.
He was still asking us to find his jeans and shoes so he could make a break for it, but we distracted him by talking about taking a wheel chair ride this afternoon to see the doggies and ‘take in some rays’. It is getting harder and harder for the staff to get him into the wheelchair, so the trips outside are getting fewer.
He happily ate the pineapple pie Brian brought and drank the no sugar grape drink without problem. He has an appointment later this month with the doctor. We are hoping he will be able to have the nasal feeding tube removed at that time.
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This afternoon, I’ll finish writing my blog posts, probably paint at least one of the remaining two sketches in the old sketchbook, continue working on my jigsaw puzzle, and continue reading my Kindle book. as well as put on my headphones and listen to YouTube music tonight before bed. Such a hard life I lead!
I am full of gratitude for all I have now. Life will always have it’s challenges, it’s hard spots, but ATTITUDE is ALL.
I have two more sketches to paint in my sketchbook. I’m taking a new sketchbook to the cafe to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans my place. This new sketchbook has about 100 pages, like the old one, so I’m hoping to see and feel some improvement in my drawing skills by the end of it.
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My Pet Nutritionist
Last week Khun Weaw, my wonderful massage therapist, went home to be with her family for part of the holidays. I’ve been feeling my body calling her name particularly the last few days, so it was wonderful to have her back. She worked miracles on me, getting rid of knots, finding lots of sore or stiff places that needed her attention. I feel wonderful right now as I type. AHHHHHH!
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If you aren’t signed up to enjoy Substack, you might consider giving it a try and see what you think. I’m just kind of on the periphery, not really having an ‘account’ where people can support you – or not, as they choose – but I’m having a good time posting my stuff on there and seeing what’s going on.
There are a lot of good articles, news, photographs, art, and more. As I connect to more people, I am very interested in the caliber of people there.
You may have noticed that a lot of the funny signs I’ve posted over the years have had the credit at the bottom, “Sent to me by my good friend, Marsha.”
She left us on the 6th I found out this morning.
We met over 20 years ago. She contacted me to have her pottery displayed on Creative Artworks, the website my son built for me to display and sell my art work. I ran this website for over 17 years, adding artists to the site until we numbered 100. When Marsha’s hands would not allow her to continue making pottery, she switched to making jewelry from sterling silver and listed it with me.
I only met her face to face once. I lived in Arkansas and she in The Villages, FL. Harvey, my husband, had a business meeting near there and I got to go with him. Marsha and I spent an afternoon together and a close friendship was cemented.
We emailed daily for over 20 years. One of the first things I did each morning was to check for her email. Sometimes we wrote back and forth several times during a day. We became closer than friends. More like sisters. We could tell each other anything and everything without fear of judgment. How special is that?
She became ill this past year. We still wrote daily, but she wrote to me right before she went into hospice last week, saying she had had enough. We had time to tell each other how much we loved each other, would miss each other, and how wonderful it had been to share our friendship, our lives…
I’ve been writing the same message daily to the address she gave me at the hospice, hoping she would read or feel it –
“Marsha, I’m with you and I love you.” For some reason today, I also checked the obituaries, and there it was.
I’m happy she has found peace. She handled things the way she wanted to. The hospice people made it so she didn’t suffer. I hope to see her again some day.
I’m sorry for the quality of this image, but I think the message is important enough that I’m asking you to overlook it. (I’m not a subscriber to Instagram where all of the images are larger and clear.)
My son, Brian, asked me to start giving myself 5 minutes each evening to “feel gratitude.” He said to sit on something comfortable, put my feet on the floor, close my eyes and simply think of something for which I’m grateful. He suggested that thinking of a mental image or picture might help. I pictured him kissing my husband on the head at the nursing home. Nothing happened the first night, but the second I felt the emotion rise up inside me, flooding my system and grateful tears began to run down my face.
My husband and I had thought that we might not see Brian again. We were getting older and time was moving faster. He lived across the world from us in Thailand. It took 24 hours of traveling, with flights and layovers, to get from Thailand to us, so we wouldn’t ASK him to come unless we really needed it.
That time came in February of 2025, when my husband and I got really sick at the same time. Brian took care of us in Arkansas, convincing us to retire in Thailand to be close to him. Now my husband is in a nursing home here in Thailand. We are all together now, as much as we can be. When I think of Brian hugging my husband, Harvey – kissing his head and telling him how much he loves him – my heart fills up and spills over. “Grateful” is just not a strong enough word for what I feel.
My “5 minutes” now takes a half hour or more each evening before I go to bed. I feel at peace, taking the time to FEEL the gratitude for the changes we have made, getting to be close to Brian, living in a new exciting country with wonderfully kind people who have welcomed us. I find new things for which to be grateful on a daily basis.
As Nanea says here so beautifully, “FEEL IT – BREATHE IT”. If you only have one minute every day, you’ll feel yourself slowing down, calming down, filling up with appreciation and love.
This morning I learned something new about my computer. I was charging my keypad and track pad. I’ve done this over and over and haven’t had any problem. This morning when I tried to remove the charging cable from my keypad, my computer screen suddenly went almost black. I – the most far removed from a techie – almost panicked. I contacted my son, Brian, by text and carefully explained what I was trying to do and what happened. He asked me if I could see the ‘sunshine’ icons on the F1 and F2 keys on the keypad. When I said, ‘yes,’ he told me to press the F2 button several times and see if the screen got brighter. To my intense relief, it DID! So now I know that the F1 and F2 keys make my computer screen lighter or darker, and that the F10 key mutes sound, F11 turns down the volume, and F12 turns it up. I’m empowered!!!!
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Freepik
I’m still a bit overwhelmed by my new jigsaw puzzle. I’m one piece away from having the outside edge together now, and several bunches of things put together, but my usual techniques aren’t working very well yet. I’m putting on my ‘methodical hat’ and continuing to work my way through things, trying to make sense of it. This may be my most challenging puzzle yet! 🧩
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Painting to Gogh
I’m finishing up the humongous sketchbook I started about 6 months ago. I feel that I have learned a lot by trying to draw what I see. I have 5 more pages before this one is filled up. I have a new one ready to start. Here’s hoping that when I compare the new sketches with the old, I’ll see some improvement…
“Misty Morning” – Photography and Art Gallery – @u42.co on Blue Sky
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” –Sir John Lubbock
Mira – @deepgreens.bsky.social
“For a time, I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.” –Wendell Berry
“Where Fairies Live” – @martinrak.bsky.social
“Fresh air is as good for the mind as for the body. Nature always seems trying to talk to us as if she had some great secret to tell. And so she has.” –John Lubbock
It’s very satisfying to know what you want – to simplify things in your life to the point where you can just sit back and smile as it becomes more and more like what feeds your soul.
I used to plan everything. I had lists that explained other lists. And I never reached the end of a to-do list in my life. I was constantly overwhelmed, feeling ‘less than’ most of the time, feeling that if I just got up earlier, tried harder, I could cram more into my day, feeling that I had really accomplished something.
I didn’t realize this, really, until my husband and I got sick in February with almost disastrous results. Our son flew in from Thailand, took care of us, convinced us to basically walk away from all the stress of what we couldn’t keep up with anymore and retire in Thailand where we could be close to him.
We moved here the first of April and we both felt the stress falling from our shoulders almost immediately. We started making plans to get healthier and build our lives around more restful pursuits. My husband had his stroke two weeks after we moved, so our lives have changed in ways we never imagined.
After making sure we were doing all we could do for him, I decided to concentrate on what my life would be like going forward. I decided to build the rest of my life around –
Lack of stress where possible
Finding and embracing joy in the little things I can do during my days and evenings
Delighting in trying to fit into a new country, trying to learn the language, learning the customs, taking advantage of opportunities to meet new people, learning new things, and more.
Letting go of anything I can that I can do without – that includes a minimalist style of living – but giving myself permission to buy something that means a lot to me; enjoying spending my time on things that give me a challenge and personal joy – such as trying to teach myself to draw and painting the sketches, working on a jigsaw puzzle, listening to music, reading wonderful books, learning things on the computer, watching favorite movies on the TV…
Staying in the moment – soaking up all the feelings, enjoying people who mean the world to me, both here, and across the world from here, reaching out to let them KNOW how much they mean to me. I have learned first-hand how quickly life can be taken from you. I just plan for the day now. I may not be given tomorrow. And that is enough.
This is a ‘throw-open-the-windows’ kind of day here, with lots of sunshine. My son, Brian, keeps telling me that the ‘hazy season’ where the farmers burn off the residue from their fields is coming soon; but for now I’m thoroughly enjoying opening a couple of windows in my dining area and one in my bedroom to create a wonderful cross-breeze. I’ll close up again in an hour or so, turning my air filters back on, but for now I’m grinning as I type. 🪟
I have my headphones on so I don’t bother my neighbors, and I’m enjoying some really nice music now. I don’t know of anything more transformative than music, calming you down, comforting you, making you smile and want to get up and dance, bringing wonderful memories and more. 🎧
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We went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. It was a pretty good visit. I thanked Khun Archiang (pronounced, “Coon Ah chi ahn’ “) for sending us a picture of Harvey enjoying one of the pineapple pies Brian left for him. Harvey seems pleased with her so far, which is a huge thing for us. About the only thing we can do for him at this point is try to make sure he is as comfortable as possible; gets to have his bed rolled beside the window so he can feel the sun and watch the birds flying around and the people working in the rice fields; gets a trip outside in the wheelchair to visit the doggies through the fence; gets to eat fruit-filled pastries with a cup of coffee; drink the 0 sugar grape drink Brian brings him; and see us. He mostly made sense today, even though he briefly talked about finding his jeans so he could ‘escape.’
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Freepik
I’m about to do my water bottle exercises for my arms, and today I’ll add the music to the exercises and see how that goes.
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I’ll spend much of the afternoon painting some of my sketches and working on my puzzle. The puzzle is kind of overwhelming right now, but I’ll just keep working on it a bit at a time. I love the final picture of the large turtle and colorful fish, so it’s well worth the challenge.
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Khun Nong is cleaning at Brian’s today, so he’s working elsewhere to get out of her way and will bring dinner to my place this evening.
Don’t forget to appreciate all the good things today.
I think this image and the sentiment with it are exquisite.
We shed tears for lots of reasons. We cry when we’re happy, the emotion we’re feeling simply spilling out of our hearts and down our faces. We cry when we’re sad, when we can’t contain the grief and need a relief valve. We cry when we are worried or scared, trying to attain calm.
Whatever the reason for the tears, this message encourages us to USE these tears to move on, building for a better year ahead.
What seeds are we planting? I’m mentally picturing seed packets with “Resilience,” “Adaptability,” “Independence,” and more, hoping that we have learned lessons from 2025, see the need for some changes in 2026.
This is deeper than the common New Year’s Resolutions of losing weight, exercising more, eating right, cleaning out closets, etc. that we make and either keep or not as the year presses on.
When you plant a seed, you’re planning to harvest at some point, in the near future, as with lettuce, or for the long term, as in a willow tree. Choose carefully what you want from this. You’ll be cultivating the land, planting the seed, fertilizing it, weeding around it, watering it with your tears, nurturing it for a good amount of time.
Tears are more than just water. They are your heart and soul, plans and dreams, hope for the future.
We all cried in 2025. Choose carefully and bring new seeds to vibrant life!
This is held annually for 3 days the 3rd week in January; so in 2026 it will be Friday, Jan. 16-Sunday, Jan. 18th
“To keep its distinctive folk arts & craft alive, Bo Sang Umbrella Cooperative hangs the paper parasols as street decorations on Bo Sang Road, organizes community learning activities, demonstrations, workshops, and painting competitions.
Just Wravel
The festival also features handicrafts from villages of the Sankampaeng District, from the handmade paper of the Ton Pao Village to the woodworking of the Tawai Village. Once part of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, the town proudly presents craftsmanship that has passed down from generation to generation.” ~ Thailand Now
During the day, from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm, Visitors can enjoy the women’s parade cycling down Bo Sang-Doi Saket Road in traditional Thai clothing and holding onto the iconic parasols. This year, there are also the Thailand-Indonesia Sister Cities Cultural Activities from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. In the evenings, the Miss Bo Sang Umbrella Contest will be held from 7:00pm onwards.
Thai 23
On top of that, the festival features vibrant performances that recall the town’s Lanna heritage, such as the Sabad Chai drums.
Suriyun – Shutterstock
Suriyun – Shutterstock
Today, Bo Sang artisans specialize in various phases of the process:
1. Forming the structure – each individual bamboo strip is precisely carved out and woven into the wooden axles and finished with delicate threadwork. 2. Making saa paper – mulberry bark is dried and then pulverized into pulp. The pulp is then placed into water, dyed, and spread thinly onto a screen. 3. Attaching the paper – the panels are then glued to the ribs of the parasol, with embellishments added as decoration. 4. Painting the umbrella – After sealing with white gesso, the panels are colored with acrylic paints. The final design is then coated with a natural varnish for some protection.
Today is a beautiful day here in Chiang Mai. It’s about 11:30 in the morning and it’s 77 degrees F. with lots of sunshine. That said, it feels really cool at 60 or less with no heat. I’m learning to adapt, and I’m glad that I can now tie the arms of my hoodie around my waist so I have another layer, if needed, wherever I go.
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This image is for Donna. The beginning of the turtle puzzle. When it’s finished, it will look like this –
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This is the latest sketch painting. I also made 4 new thank you cards yesterday for my housekeeper, Khun Nong. (I leave a card with her pay each week.)
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This is Ying and Paula, who have made videos to help people learn Thai. I am making a list of the phrases that I want to learn and will ask my son, Brian, to create short clips of each one so I can play them quickly, repeating them over and over so that I can listen really carefully and try to imitate them as closely as possible. Brian says their pronunciation is very good. So far, I can say –
Hello (sounds like “sawat dee ka’-ah”)
Thank you (sounds like “cawp coon ka’-ah”)
Sorry (sounds like “caw tote ka’-ah”)
This is a slow process, but I am determined to get at least the basics down, one phrase at a time.
I feel so attuned to this lady. She expresses what I want to say so well, and I love her illustrations.
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Instead of health, wealth, and success – which I also wish you –
I want to emphasize your reaction to the world around you. Your personal world of your family or other loved ones, plus your neighborhood, city, state, and country. Your reaction to what’s happening in the country in which you live, plus all that is happening around the world.
I say this because we are in charge of so little. So little that we can control. All we can really do is reach inside and work on how we are reacting to all the changes around us, the uncertainty, the concern, and more.
The only New Year’s Resolution I’m making is to continue to try to live in the moment. We are all in different stages of life. Once you have done what you personally can do to protect the ones you love, your possessions, etc., I hope that you can give yourself permission to let it go. Worrying over things you can’t control just bunches you up inside and makes you tense, irritable, nervous, and stressed out. Does it do anything else? NO.
I’m concentrating on finding joy. Delight in the little things around me, like a new bird song as we enter the gym. Something intriguing I see on the treadmill video that I missed the first time. A new singer on YouTube who sings their heart out and receives a standing ovation from the crowd of appreciative listeners. White flowers blooming in the middle of a planter full of pink blooms. A cold chocolate drink – with maybe a cookie given to me by the nice server with a smile. The inquiry from an office worker about how my husband is. A sketch that turns out better than I had hoped, or one that is hugely fun to paint. Making real progress on a jigsaw puzzle. Diving into a new book on my Kindle. Finding an article on Substack that brings me to tears it is so beautiful.
If you change your focus, you change your life. Focusing on the good things calms you inside. Smiling at people brings a smile in return. This is something that will improve your health. Positive focus is a survival skill – a habit that will bring so much joy you won’t know where to put it all…
The gym is open again (HOORAAAAAY!) after the deep cleaning and maintenance time, so we didn’t have to walk in the relative cold in the parking lot today. We had the luxury of being INSIDE in a beautifully clean gym, and I was able to wear shorts and shed my jacket. 💪🏻
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We enjoyed sausage slices (spicy!) and chunks of chicken, plus the last of the tangerines we received recently for New Year’s from a wonderful lady in the office of our building. We also had hot mushroom tea (supposed to do wonderful things for you – with bone broth added – to do MORE wonderful things for you – and then we got on with the rest of our day. 🥣
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We went to visit, Harvey, my husband, in the nursing home. We had trouble getting a GRAB to get out there, having to cancel one order and start another before we actually got a ride. (This is the high season for tourism here, and it causes some transportation problems from time to time.) We met Harvey’s new nurse. She is a lovely, very young woman. She said her name, which went in one ear and out the other for me. Before we left, Brian had her write it down because he understands the pronunciation better if he can see it written down (vowels, in particular, are a complex thing in Thai. Unless you can see the actual Thai character, you aren’t sure which one they are talking about.) Brian said he would work with me on the pronunication of her name at dinner tonight.
Harvey didn’t seem concerned about the change in nurses, thank goodness. We were particularly glad the nurse is female, as my husband gets very agitated if a male does anything at all. (He actually wanted us to check for his gun in his room, because he said he might need it later because there was a male who came into his room. We pointed out that the man works at the nursing home and that he probably had a good reason for coming into the room. That didn’t convince my stubborn husband. (He also was saying he had killed two birds with one shot that morning. We asked what the birds had done to annoy him, and he shrugged. When I told him I thought shooting birds who hadn’t done anything wrong was a bit harsh, he just looked at me.)
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On the way home from the nursing home, we stopped at Maya, (the small mall – only 160 stores). Brian has been wanting to get another sweatshirt, and he was able to find one. He wanted me to look for more jeans and tops. I ended up with a pair of jeans, two tees, and some ankle socks. 🤗 We had trouble getting a GRAB, and so we had my first ride on a TukTuk.
This original painting – the first in my new place here – shows a TukTuk. It’s basically a motorcyle for three, with a top and a bench seat behind the driver. No seat belts. Open all around, and this one was short on shock absorbers. 🤣. I put my purse between my knees and held on for dear life on the one place I could reach on the side of the vehicle. Brian seemed unconcerned, but I was glad when she got us to the chocolate place in one piece. It was FUN, though, and was good for this stodgy old woman…
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I just finished rolling up the jeans and tacking them so they won’t unroll. They were still a third size from the ones I got recently, so I still have no clue what size I am since my weight loss. I just hold them up to me and try on the ones that have a chance of fitting. (Of the two I took in the fitting room today, one pair fit fine and the other pair was too large!)
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My time got away from me today and I’m late getting to the computer to write to you. My hair blows as the days go past here. I’m so lucky to be in a wonderful country that is such a delight!
I hope that your Friday or Saturday is going well, and that you have a lot for which to be grateful.
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