February 15, 2026 · 11:43 pm

Friends

“Distance doesn’t dim a strong friendship.”

Nora, one of my long time best friends from Arkansas, sent this to me yesterday. Michael, another long time friend and our hairdresser, reached out via email. A third, Sandi, caught me up on her health and her plans for the spring. Another sent me a message on chat.

  • “Time doesn’t take away from friendship, nor does separation.” —Tennessee Williams, Memoirs

I have never had a LOT of friends. I have had a lot of acquaintances, but few close friends; so I feel so lucky that I can now put effort into keeping up with these wonderful people who mean so much to me.

  • “A friend believes in you, especially when you don’t.”

Life gets in the way if you let it. You don’t MEAN to let weeks, months, and years pass without catching up, but it happens to all of us. Email and internet card places make it easier to show someone you miss them, you’re thinking of them, etc., but it’s difficult to even make time to do THAT anymore.

I lost one of my long time best ever friends last month. We emailed every day, sometimes more than once, but at least we got to tell each other how very much we meant to each other. I’m trying to make a point of checking on the people I care about, even if it’s just a quick email or chat message, to let them know how much I love them.

Friends in your life are priceless. Please join me in making them the priority that they are.

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February 15, 2026 · 10:35 pm

Monday 2-16-2026

My latest painted sketches

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123RF

Tomorrow may be a really busy day for us – making my hair blow. First, the gym. Then, instead of breakfast, we’ll go to my routine doctor appointment with labwork, followed by a visit to see Harvey at the nursing home. I will pick up my laundry. Brian goes to the cafe because Khun Nong will be cleaning his place and he will bring dinner to my place, and we’ll back up my computer and phone data while he’s here. I don’t know if we’ll have time to cram in some food before dinner or not…

So, I will make every effort to write to you, but can’t make any promises. Too much depends on timing 😳

________________

I wish you a quiet day – whether you’re finishing up Sunday evening or starting Monday morning. One step at a time.

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February 14, 2026 · 10:23 pm

Sheila Murrey’s Creative World

Sheila Murrey and Richard Murrey

“Being Wholly Vibrant” is Sheila Murrey’s blog. I’m featuring Sheila today because I am so impressed with her, and grateful that she reads my blog, comments, and has become a FRIEND.


“Vibrant and joyful mom, wife, and grandmother of three youngsters, Sheila earned two college degrees (almost three) while working full-time and raising two children (in the 80’s/90’s). She understands the value of work-life balance.” 

Her ‘resume’ is extremely impressive (almost intimidating, to be honest) in that she has experience in SO many areas. ONE THING she has done is publish several books –

  • Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection
  • Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life
  • The Energy of Receiving
  • Transform Your Life Book 2

Her passion revolves around CONNECTION and how things all work together in our world. She is into holistic healing, having healed her own problems with asthsma as one example, and is willing and eager to share her knowledge with others. She offers courses on all kinds of interesting things, available through her website and her blog.

She and her husband, Richard, create art, write and sing music, and the list goes on.

I’m proud to be on the same planet as Sheila. She is a caring person, easy to talk to, exchange ideas with, get information from, and just enjoy as the wonderful lady she is.

I’ve provided links to her blog, her website, her books on Amazon, but there will be more links you can follow to her classes, art designs by both Sheila and Richard, original songs (Richard has written over 400!) and other things they are doing. Give yourself a treat and set aside some time to bookmark and enjoy seeing some things that will change your life for the better.

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February 14, 2026 · 9:40 pm

To Brighten Your Day –

Vince, the Sign Guy – Indian Hills Community Signs

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February 14, 2026 · 9:29 pm

Sunday 2-15-2026

Catherine Rayner-Substack.

Happy Valentine’s Day! May you spend the day with your special someone swamped by love and affection!

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My orchid plant now has THREE blooms plus another three buds! (This was given to me as a condo-warming present when I moved in in May. The blooms promptly fell off and I thought I had killed it. 😢 I’ve been holding my breath, trying to continue following the directions I was given ever since and am THRILLED it finally bloomed again.)

I’m hoping for a bit more before I send the photo to my wonderful adoptive family here to show them it still lives. 😁

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I’ve been to the gym, showered, had breakfast with my son, Brian, have my laundry out drying on my balcony, and have answered emails and chat posts.

I’m starting to write blog posts and then I’m looking forward to spending some time painting some sketches. It’s the usual for this time of year – windows open to the breeze, beautiful sunshine and warm temperatures, and me grinning as I type…

Enjoy every minute of your day today!

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February 14, 2026 · 2:13 am

Pet Friendships

Aren’t these beautiful? I wish I could see the interaction between these animals. Just wonderful.

Hidre’le’y – BoredPanda.com

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February 14, 2026 · 2:05 am

You Have to Laugh 2

BoredPanda.com – Miguel Ordonez, Ingrida Jasiukeviciute, and Gabija Palsyte

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February 14, 2026 · 1:58 am

Snow Critters 2

Lexi

Luc – Peeping Snowboy

Michaela Koop – Pinterest

Pinterest

Silent Sunday-Annette Beanland-Pinterest

(C) Carl R. Sams II – The Enchanted Cove

Cristy-@cristy7475.bsky.social

These make me happy just looking at them! Isn’t the creativity of people amazing?

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February 14, 2026 · 1:43 am

Valentine’s Day in Chiang Mai

LionClima-Funimada.com

We went to see my husband at the nursing home this morning. Happily, today was one of his better days.

He actually liked the picture I made for him, and was happy when I added it to his wall.

We met his new nurse this morning. We didn’t get her name yet, but she and Brian exchanged phone information. She was very young and very quiet, but she had a new patient, her boss and several other nurses in the room when we arrived, plus meeting Brian and me. That would be overwhelming for anyone.

The staff gave me this sweet bouquet of flowers! They tried to give it to Harvey to give to me, but he wasn’t understanding. :0) When I thanked him for it, he told me he loved me. To say I will treasure the moment is a vast understatement.

On the way home I had another suprise. The GRAB driver had a valentine sticker on his cheek. I smiled and told him how cute it was. He melted into a puddle, smiling and saying, “daughter.” Then “I” melted into a puddle watching him.

Later in the drive, he handed me one of the valentine stickers. I promptly stuck it to my cheek, making him laugh. It was one of the nicest GRAB rides we’ve ever had.

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Shutterstock

It’s sunny and 91 degrees F. here. I have my windows open and a fan on, moving the nice breezes all around my place. The humidity is only 29% – that’s why it still feels so comfortable. When you’re out in the direct sunlight, you start to feel it pretty quickly, though.

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Britannica Kids

Yesterday I enjoyed my time at the cafe, making several sketches while waiting for Khun Nong to work her magic, cleaning my place. I’m planning to try to paint at least one of those today.

David Langley

I also finished “The Haunts of Cruelty: A Jake Moriarity Novel” ( book 4) by R.G. Ryan, one of my current favorite authors.

I had pre-ordered Stolen in Death” the 62nd book in the In Death series by J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts. It was delivered several days ago, so I’m itching to dive into it. I saw that “Fury in Death”, the 63rd book, will be released on September 8th, so I went ahead and pre-ordered that one just now. 🤗

When I finish “Stolen,” I’ll continue my re-read of the R.G. Ryan series,
“The Wood Between the Worlds: A Faint Reflection of Riddles Book One (Jake – book 5).

If you’re celebrating today, or your celebration is tomorrow, make it a day full of memories with your “special valentine.”

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February 13, 2026 · 12:10 am

Ethan Brooks, Age 12

This is a reprint of a blog post by Shady – “Planet Positive” on Substack that moved me so much I had to share it with you.

“Librarian”

I’m a librarian. We close at 9 PM. But I stay until midnight doing inventory. Alone in the building. Last month I found a library card on the floor. Expired. 1987. Name on it: “Ethan Brooks, Age 12.” Thirty-seven years old. I almost threw it away. Then I saw what was written on the back. In a kid’s handwriting. “Return this when I’m somebody.” Couldn’t stop thinking about it. Who was Ethan Brooks? Did he become somebody? Did he ever come back? Looked him up in our system. Last checkout: June 1987. “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton. Never returned it. I did something weird. Searched his name online. Found him. Obituary. Ethan Brooks. Died three months ago. Age 49. Never married. No kids. Worked at a factory his whole life.

The obituary mentioned donations to our library. “In memory of the place that raised me when home couldn’t.” That broke me. This kid checked out one book. Wrote a promise to himself. Return this when I’m somebody. And thirty-seven years later he died thinking he never became somebody. But he was. He donated to us. The library that raised him. I had the card laminated. Put it in a frame. Hung it at the circulation desk. With a note: “Ethan Brooks never returned this card. But he returned to us in every donation he made. He was somebody. To every kid who’ll read a book because of his generosity. That’s who he became.” Didn’t think much would happen. I was wrong. People started leaving their old library cards. Hundreds of them. From the 70s. 80s. 90s. With notes about who they became. “I’m a teacher now.” “I’m a mom of three.” “I’m still trying.” We covered an entire wall. Called it “The Somebody Wall.” Because Ethan Brooks thought he wasn’t somebody. But he started something bigger than he ever knew.

A woman came in last week. Seventy years old. Walked straight to Ethan’s card. Stared at it for twenty minutes. I finally asked if she was okay. “I knew him,” she said. “I was his elementary school teacher. He used to come to the library because his home wasn’t safe. He’d read until closing. Every single day. I always wondered what happened to him.” She started crying. “I wrote him a note once. In a book I gave him. ‘You’re already somebody, Ethan. Don’t forget.’ He must not have believed me.” She pulled out her old library card. From 1985. When she was a young teacher. Added it to the wall. Wrote on the back: “I became a teacher because of kids like Ethan. He made me somebody too. We saved each other.” The Somebody Wall has 847 cards now. From people who thought they weren’t enough. Who thought their lives didn’t matter. Who worked factory jobs and raised kids and lived quiet lives and wondered if they were somebody. They were. They all were. Because Ethan Brooks left a library card on the floor with a promise he thought he never kept. But he did. He became exactly who he needed to be. Somebody who remembered where he came from. And made sure other kids would have what he had. A place that raises you when home can’t. That’s who he became. That’s who they all became.

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February 12, 2026 · 11:57 pm

Metal Magic

Airtight Art Work

CindyChinn.com-creator Art Whitton

Imagine Metal Art

Alexander Kalifano

spoon art-Eagle-Collins

Wangstone Metal Sculpture Co., Ltd.

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February 12, 2026 · 11:45 pm

Friday 2-13-2026

Tracy Chrest – @tracychrest989204 on Substack

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This lucky lady enjoyed getting a massage this morning, and is smiling as she types, not hurting ANYWHERE. 🤗

I do have one, teeny, tiny gripe about the obtuseness of other people – a couple came in while Khun Weaw was working her magic on me. They were loud, totally unmindful that anyone else was there, or didn’t care. There were several times when there were things banging as accommodations were apparently being made for both of them to have adjoining pallets to have massages simultaneously. The lady who has subbed for Khun Weaw was handling one and the owner of the massage place was handling the other. They wouldn’t be in a position to tell customers to be quieter or mindful of the relaxation of others, but it’s my opinion that you shouldn’t have to be ‘told’ something as simple courtesy and paying attention. – End of gripe.

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Brian and I will go to the cafe soon to get out of the way while Khun Nong makes my place shine. I’m eager to do more sketching while I’m there. I’m also in the middle of one of my Jake Moriarity series books by R. G. Ryan, so I can dive into that. ✍🏼 📕 I’m hoping I get my window seat so that I can watch the insane traffic for a while. 🤣

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Shout out to Lisa Richey, a very talented, lovely lady who is experiencing increased health challenges right now. I’m trying to send warmth, relief, and love in her direction.

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Kudos to Team USA in the Milan Cortina Olympics! I’m having real trouble actually watching the competition since I live in Thailand – but I’m following the news as much as I can. At today’s reading, the USA has won 4 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 3 bronze medals. HOORAY!

___________________

Have a wonderful day. Don’t forget to include something FUN in your day – even if it’s just for a few minutes.

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February 11, 2026 · 11:04 pm

Snow Critters

Winter is my least favorite season, but I do love to see big, fluffy flakes coming down all around me, in my own private snow globe, catching the flakes on my tongue. My perfect snow is one that looks pretty, lets you say, “Awwww. How PRETTY!” and then melts. I also love to see the creativity people show when the create snow people or animals. I’m going to share some I found while playing on the computer yesterday –

Dawn Aiello-Pinterest

“Snowflakes are kisses from heaven.” ~ Unknown

Denisa Matei – Pinterest

“Cold hands, warm heart” ~ Unknown

Kul Collecive – Pinterest

“Life is better in the snow,” ~ Unknown

Lexi-Pinterest

“You’re never too old for a snowball fight”.  ~ Unknown

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February 11, 2026 · 10:49 pm

You Have to Laugh

Bored Panda – Miguel Ordonez, Ingrida Jasiukeviciute, and Gabija Palsyte

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February 11, 2026 · 10:42 pm

Thursday 2-12-2026

@wholesomememes.bsky.social

“Zooming out” allows you to see what’s going on in the world in a different light. That helps a lot.

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Thailand Hilltribe Holidays

SEASONS – it’s hard to believe we’re almost to the ‘hot’ season –

HotMar – May
RainyJun – Oct
CoolNov – Feb

It was 68 when we went to the gym this morning and it’ll soon be 92 this afternoon. It really doesn’t seem hot unless you’re out in the direct sunlight. The humidity is low.

I am enjoying a really nice breeze with a fan on in my place as I type. I will regret it when the “hazy” part of the hot season arrives, when the farmers are burning off the crop residue. I’m getting really spoiled with the “cool” season right now. 😁

_________________

Begin Learning

I’m going to try to do some sketching this afternoon. I’ve painted the last of my sketches, so I will enjoy spending time in my art alcove, or propped up with my sketchbook on my legs on the couch.

___________________

I just returned from getting cash for my massage and my housekeeper tomorrow. I stopped and got some stuff at the 7-11 before coming back to my place. I met two of the kind cleaning ladies while getting on the elevator. The one I know the best smiled from ear to ear and started talking a mile a minute. I couldn’t understand a word. I said, “sorry” (caw tote ka-ah) and said I didn’t understand. She said it twice more and I still was a blank. Finally, she mimicked ‘sleep,’ and I simply smiled and nodded. She did, too, so it didn’t matter what my actual plans were. She is SUCH a sweet lady. (I gave her a Christmas card and she is the one who showed up at my door later with a bamboo-filled sweet for Brian and me to share as a thank you.) I ask their names and they answer with words that are so long they boggle my mind. So far, I feel I “know” TWO of the three cleaning ladies I have seen…

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Javier Perez, Artist

I have changed the sheets on the bed, changed out the towels, gathered the trash, put out cash and her weekly thank you card, and am now pretty much ready for my housekeeper, Khun Nong, to come and make my place shine tomorrow.

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I want to write two more posts and then I’ll see what I can sketch. ✍🏼

I hope that you are having a very, very pleasant day.

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February 10, 2026 · 11:02 pm

Eunice Miller Art

My good friend Sheila mentioned an idea new to me a couple of days ago – that of taking the time to really look at the wonderful people who take the time to read my blog posts, and – even more – comment on them. I’m really excited about getting to know you better.

Today we celebrate the fascinating life and art of Eunice Miller.

Eunice’s background includes being a trucker, jewelry maker, artist, photographer, gardener, and more. She brings this rich life experience and talent to create the watercolors I’m going to share with you.

She writes a blog that I’ve only begun to explore. I subscribed yesterday and read a few articles. I’m going to take my time and enjoy and comment. Her website is called “FolsomMillsStudio.com” and she offers original paintings in a variety of frames and styles, prints, totes, greeting cards, phone cases, tees, notebooks…. You’ll love seeing all she offers!

I fell in love with her watercolors right away, though. You’ll see why here –

“Autumn Leaves”

“Blue Place”

“Family Walk”

“Mist Rises”

“Water’s Edge”

“When Doves Cry”

“Wild Flowers at the Edge of the Field”

“Wildlife Viewing Area”

I can’t say enough about Eunice’s talent. I’m thrilled that she takes the time to read my blog and comment. Please give yourself the gift of seeing more of what Eunice Miller has to offer. Get some for yourself or for others at gift-giving times coming up!

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February 10, 2026 · 10:31 pm

Wednesday 2-11-2026

Tina Ann

I just got back from getting my “2nd-chance-at-life 1st birthday present – a mani/pedi –

I chose dark purple with sparkles in it. I hope you can see the sparkles in this photo. I’m not sure yet if I LIKE it – but I’m delighted to feel “festive” today.

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This is the sketch I painted yesterday. Today I’m working on painting the last sketch in my book. I started it yesterday, but need to put some finishing touches on it. Then I’ll need to get my pencil hot and do more sketches!

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This orchid is experiencing a rebirth of sorts, too! It was given to me as a Mother’s Day/condo-warming present last year by my adoptive family here. I have never received an orchid before, much less a PLANT. I was thrilled.

True to form though, my plant started losing its blooms, one after the other. I was following the directions for placement of the plant in the indirect sun, spritzing the leaves every other day, but I was really worried it would die. All the blooms left and I kept spritzing the two leaves that were left in the pot. A couple more leaves arrived after quite a while, so I kept up my regimen. About two weeks ago, a small shoot appeared! I got out the wire I had saved and re-inserted it into the pot carefully using the wire ties I had saved to attach the shoot to the wire as it grew. About a week ago, buds started to appear. Yesterday, the largest bud opened!!!!!! As you can see, there are 5 more buds that will hopefully open. HOOORRAAAAAAAY!

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I’m going to use the rest of the day to catch up on some things, finish my blog posts, and enjoy playing in my art alcove. I also might have time to work on my puzzle.

Make this a happy day!

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February 10, 2026 · 8:14 pm

A Special Day for Me –

Unknown

One year ago I died twice in the ER in Arkansas. I had gone there at the insistance of one of the clinic doctors who was checking my husband and me for the flu. It turned out that my husband had Flu A and pneumonia. I had Flu A, bronchitis, and low blood oxygen. It was for the latter that the doc insisted I go to the ER. My husband was too sick to take me, so my good friend Carla took me.

That night my heart stopped twice. I woke up to see nurses standing around my bed asking if I was all right. I didn’t know what they were talking about, so they filled me in that I had to be brought back to life twice, and that the heart doctors were going to install a temporary pacemaker. They did, and then 3 days later, they installed a permanent one.

I have decided to start celebrating an “extra” birthday on February 11th each year, celebrating my 2nd chance at life. Today I’m celebrating by getting a mani/pedi. My son, Brian, wants me to color my nails ‘blue’ or ‘cyan’ again, but I think I’m going to go for purple. I’m enjoying getting to experiment and having something different each time!

Brian is making an appointment to get my pacemaker checked, and I have a routine appointment with my regular doctor on the 17th, so I’ll be all ready for a brand new year!

iStock

Dying changes your perspective on things. It makes you so very grateful for all you have. It also allows you to shed a lot of things that you didn’t need to be carrying around with you. You look at life differently – forgiving yourself for not being perfect. You begin to accept a lot of things you used to get upset about, realizing that there are many things you can’t change, and that the world will go on with or without you. You learn to cherish all the beautiful things and people around you and hold them close. You make a commitment to enjoy yourself more, to concentrate on all that brings you joy. You shed whatever you can, simplifying your life down to the essentials. You change your priorities and learn not to be pressured. You smile more. You FEEL the happiness flow through you. You take the time to rest and breathe, drinking in the wonder of it all.

It has made ME more aware of my health and more committed to treating my body the very best way I can. That means paying more attention to what and how much I’m eating. I’m actually allowing myself some things I had given up in my quest to lose weight. Oddly, enough, that change – particularly going to twice a day eating and portion control – has made the difference on almost reaching goal on which I have been working for over two years now. I am exercising every day – at the gym and again at home – to improve my strength, balance, flexibility and more.

I am committed to joy, for myself and others. I realize how the happiness just spills out of me since I began making time for the things I love. Not just allowing myself a taste now and then, but embracing it and making it the priority of whatever life remains. My cheeks hurt at the end of the day from grinning from ear to ear.

I want you to know (the wisdom of a one-year-old) that you need not die in order to learn and practice this. You learn to practice it in little steps at first – maybe 15 minutes on your lunch break or one of the last things you do at night before bed, and then expand on it.

Give yourself this gift. Maybe even declare a 2nd birthday on the day you start!

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February 10, 2026 · 12:26 am

One Bird – Two Glorious Photos

@harryfoster.bsky.social

“Birds chirping around you is a beautiful realization that life is incredibly good. Let this sound be a gentle break in your routine.” ― Hiral Nagda

@harryfoster.bsky.social

“Every bird, every tree, every flower reminds me what a blessing and privilege it is just to be alive.” — Marty Rubin

I think these are just stunning.

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February 10, 2026 · 12:18 am

We Need These

BoredPanda.com – Miguel Ordonez, Ingrida Masiukeviciute, and Gabija Palsyte

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February 10, 2026 · 12:06 am

Tuesday, 2-10-2026

@spiritualrefuel.bsky.social

We’re just back from visiting my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home. I’m grateful that he was comfortable (except for a bit of a cough) and wasn’t in any pain or upset.

There is very little left of the man I married almost 57 years ago. He lives in his own world now. He can’t tell you how old he is, what country he’s in, why he’s in a nursing home, and has no interest in things he used to care about. He did recognize us, though, and that’s good. The rest of the visit was a complete bust.

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These are my latest painted sketches. I have one more in my sketchbook, and I’ll try to work on that today.

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Airswift

Khun Nong is coming to clean Brian’s place today, so he’ll bring dinner to my place this evening. We’ll also back up my phone data and my computer data while he’s here. That has become routine now, and I’m pleased I don’t even need my notes on how to do it now!💪🏻 😁 I love our visits after dinner and backups. He’s such an interesting man, with a quick mind, sharp sense of humor, and interesting world view.

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Anne Grady Group

Well, our big street event for which a large sign was posted – saying to be off the street from 5am to 9pm Feb. 8th and 9th turned out to be a non-event. Nothing happened that we could see. Brian thinks it had something to do with one of the university’s graduations, and we did see a few dressed up people, but all I could find on the computer was that the general elections were happening at the same time.

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https://hoaxes.org

Today was Day 2 of going back to the gym after being sick for a week with a cold. Yesterday I added yoga stretches and the stairs. Today is arm exercises with water bottles and the stairs I’m officially back!!!!

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We will visit Harvey again this week. The usual “every-3-day” visit would be this Friday; but Friday is our busiest day, so we usually go a day earlier or later so we can have a good visit and ease the Friday schedule. Whether we end up going Thursday, Friday or Saturday, I will take the Valentine’s picture I made for him –

_________________

Put some fun into your day or evening!

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February 9, 2026 · 1:10 am

A Wish for the Week Ahead

Nanea Hoffman – Coffee and Sweatpants LLC

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February 9, 2026 · 12:59 am

Stunning Sculpture 2

http://www.marblesculpture.com

“Within every block of wood and stone, there dwells a spirit, waiting to be released. Direct carving is a way of freeing the spirit – my own and that of the stone or wood.”
— Hap Hagood

Phillipe Faraut-PCF Studios

“Metal is somewhat forgiving, stone is not. With stone, my exploration is done through drawings and time, lots of time studying the rock. Even with that, the rock will often reveal its hidden self, exert its will, change my direction, sometimes in a surprising discovery. These are “ah ha” moments.”
— A. Wayne Hooker

Phillipe Faraut-PCF Studios

“Where did I learn to understand sculpture? In the woods by looking at the trees, along roads by observing the formation of clouds, in the studio by studying the model, everywhere except in the schools.”
— Auguste Rodin

Phillipe Faraut-PCF Studios

“A sculptor is a person obsessed with the form and shape of things.”
Henry Moore
1898-1986

Phillipe Faraut-PCF Studios

“The best artist has that thought alone Which is contained within the marble shell; The sculptor’s hand can only break the spell To free the figures slumbering in the stone.”
Michelangelo

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February 8, 2026 · 10:52 pm

Monday, 2-9-2026


“I found this picture and it spoke of joy. It made me wonder why people forget the importance of living. Maybe we get busy surviving and miss the simple truth—that life is not meant to be endured alone, but noticed, felt, and quietly appreciated.” –

John Rinaldo– “The Positive Pen” – Substack

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It is a glorious day today here in Chiang Mai. It’s 81 degrees, F. The sun is shining. My windows are open to a wonderful breeze.

DepositPhotos

I went to the gym this morning for the first time in a week! I walked a mile on the treadmill and still felt good. No sneezing, blowing my nose, almost passing out, or any other drama. HOORAY!!!!!

I plan to do yoga stretches later and I used the stairs in my building this morning!

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I’ve started painting a sketch I did Friday, and hope to do several today. Brian and I aren’t going out any more today since there was a sign posted for all vehicles to keep the street clear yesterday and today. I do hope that something happens today on the street; otherwise, people may ignore a sign to stay off the road next time.

We just had a tremendously loud BANG here. I texted Brian and he said it was “probably a transformer explosion.” Apparently, this is quite common, though I have to admit, it will take some getting used to… 💥 I did have to restart my computer before I could continue here, but Brian seemed unconcerned, saying “there might be other weird electrical problems for a bit.”

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In my efforts to lose my lard, my son Brian and I agreed that we would eat twice a day, breakfast and dinner, and have something like an iced mocha in the afternoons, or chocolate drink after we visit my husband, Harvey. Most of the time I do quite well with this, and am now within 4 lbs of my goal. Other times, though, my stomach insists my throat has been cut, demanding food. I usually drink a glass of water, but decided that if I had a bite of beef jerky, that would tide me over on those challenging days. Part of Brian’s text about the explosion included, “Jerky at your door.” I now have a package of “Natural Smoked Pork Jerky!” I will try to only eat a bite when my stomach is really growling after a glass of water. YUM!

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I’m trying to figure out a way to repost an article on cats that made me laugh out loud. It’s being recalcitrant so far, but hopefully I can share it with you.

Have a joy-filled “noticed, felt, and appreciated” day.

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February 8, 2026 · 12:36 am

On a Smilier Note…

Indian Hills Community Signs – Vince, the Sign Guy

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February 7, 2026 · 11:35 pm

Joy

I have been lucky to meet Bill, a fellow enjoyer of Substack lately. His writing and the photos he chooses to illustrate his thoughts really resonate with me. He gave me his permission to share one of his pieces with you!

“Be the one who adds more joy to the world than you take from it.

The one who notices—who offers warmth in small, quiet ways that ripple outward.

Joy doesn’t have to be loud or grand; sometimes it’s a gentle presence, a listening heart, a kindness given without an audience.

Be the one who chooses light even when the day is heavy.

Who understands that happiness can be planted—word by word, gesture by gesture—like seeds scattered along an ordinary path.

You may never see every bloom, but they will grow because you passed that way.

In a world that often rushes, be the pause that softens it.

Be the laughter that reminds others they are alive.

Be the reason a moment feels a little less lonely, a little more possible.

That is how joy survives—

because someone, somewhere, decided to be its keeper. 🌱”

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@billlogan75 on Substack

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February 7, 2026 · 10:52 pm

Sunday 2-8-2026

Nature Nomad-@naturecompass.bsky.social

Isn’t this lovely? So calming. It almost makes me like winter…

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Something is due to happen on our street today and tomorrow. A sign was posted, asking people to stay off the road, but not what was happening. Brian thinks it might have to something to do with graduation at one of the universities – a parade of the graduates and their parents? Anyway, I check out my windows from time to time. It’s a lot quieter than normal with only more “necessary” traffic.

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Pinterest

I slept in again today – my final day of healing from my sore throat and cold. I really feel fine, though I’m still bringing up a small bit of stuff. I will start back to the gym in the morning. I’ve been a true sloth this week.

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I’ll enjoy writing my posts to you and I also plan to paint a sketch or two. I have one I finished yesterday to show you –

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Facebook – our eggs were on the bottom with the chicken and sausage arrranged in a circular fashion on top.

Brian and I usually eat what I call a “Breakfast Burrito” for breakfast – scrambled eggs, bacon, and a lot of salad rolled up into a tortilla. Delicious! This morning we had 2 fried eggs with chicken slivers and sausage slices fried into them, plus a side of some watermelon. YUM!

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I’ll let you know tomorrow if we get a parade, party, or whatever in the street. Take care and make the most of your time. Fine a reason to smile!

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February 7, 2026 · 1:49 am

Dream Craft Rooms 2

Lina Marie Liscano

I love a craft room that feels like an escape, first of all. A place where you leave other concerns at the door and treat yourself to a place that feeds all your senses, makes you smile, and starts your creative juices flowing.

This room does all that. I love the design of the room, the fact that it looks like you can open windows and sky lights and get fresh air flowing, or feel wonderful as you feel dry and safe when it’s raining, or snowing, or…

The plants let the outside in. I even love the shadows created by the sun on the floor!

Pirjo Haqpalahti

This dream craft room is more workmanlike, but it seems like a good design to me. The drafting table is wonderful. The light is good. The table with storage right beside the drafting table would make it easy to draw, paint, or do do anything else you wanted to. I had a drafting table in my bedroom-turned-art-room in Arkansas, and I loved it for doing my woodburning, painting, etching designing, etc.

Shanie Kuphal

Another good design with the large table, especially for projects that require many stages. I like the windows in here, too.

Unknown

This is another of my favorites because of all the plants and the beauty of the design. A greenhouse type escape area, where hours would pass while you dreamed of what you wanted to do, or began work. It’s not clear from this picture whether the lighting is good if it’s not daytime or it’s a cloudy or rainy day, but I could sure figure out solutions to that…

Maureen Abell

A more workmanlike design here. It doesn’t look like there are screens on the windows, which in Arkansas would need to be addressed because open windows without screens are an irresistible invitation to all the wasps and mosquitoes on the planet..

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February 7, 2026 · 1:29 am

Stunning Sculpture

Amazon UK

“Sculpture is an art of the open air. Daylight, sunlight, is necessary to it, and for me, its best setting and complement is nature.” ~ Henry Moore

Andrew Cullen QLD_Rustle_SxS Bondi 2025_Charlotte Curd-3-1.

“Authors can write stories without people assuming that they are autobiographies, but songwriters and poets are often considered to be the characters in their works. I like Michelangelo’s vision, ‘I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”
― Criss Jami, Salomé: In Every Inch In Every Mile

Art Digest

“The key to understanding any people is in its art: its writing, painting, sculpture.”
― Louis L’Amour, Education of a Wandering Man: A Memoir

Blue Thumb

“Bleed me of art, and there won’t be enough liquid left in me to spit.” – Michelangelo”
― Irving Stone

Mora Taara

“Just like a sculptor takes time to mould a sculpture, take your time to hone your skills too.”
― Mitta Xinindlu

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February 7, 2026 · 1:05 am

Saturday, 2-7-2026

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Brian and I went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. It was a better visit than many times. He told us that he was glad to see us, and later, when I told him I loved him, he looked at me and said, “I love you, too.” May not sound like much, but it meant the WORLD to me.

It was a mixed bag, though. He can’t comprehend his changed physical condition. He is completely bedridden and it takes three nurses to get him out of the bed and into a wheelchair. He was asking today about the shower in my place, acting as though he would be able to use it. He also wanted to come home. He said he was comfortable, though.

He asked for some highlighters in two colors to mark sentences in the book he’s finally trying to read. He doesn’t realize that there is no way he’ll be able to mark a sentence. His hands shake really badly and he’ll mark up the entire page trying to highlight a sentence. We got the highlighters when we got back and will take them to him when we go back Tuesday. He does seem to be using the bookmark I took him last time.

I told him about the Jake Moriarity Series I’m reading by R. G. Ryan and he wants to read the first book in the series. He isn’t able to work a Kindle anymore, so we will see what we can do about ordering a paperback copy of “Watercolor Dreams” on Amazon, even though the shipping will cost twice as much as the book and we’re not sure how long it will take to arrive. We’re grabbing at straws to find things that interest him and getting whatever we can. The other thing we’re looking into is magazines featuring guns and/or motorcycles…

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Made for Mums

Now that I’m home and free the rest of the afternoon, I’m going to try to do some painting of my sketches. I did several from yesterday and a couple more waiting from before that, so I’m looking forward to diving into that

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HouseDigest.com

I have the windows open and the breezes are blowing all over the place. I just love it. Technically it’s 87 degrees F. outside, but it feels wonderful, particularly since I’ve spent the last month or so cold most of the time. I just walk around smiling. Brian says it won’t be long until I’m griping because the heat will become oppressive and there will be a haze orginating from the farmers burning off crop residue, so I won’t be able to open my windows, but I’m enjoying every day and hoping what he’s forecasting will be delayed somehow.

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Trademark Lawyer Magazine

I’m going to try to catch as much of the Olympic games as I can starting today. I LOVE watching the incredible athletes competing. It’s exciting that the world came come together for this, concentrating on sports, hopefully not anything else, and celebrate the dedication and long hours these people have put in to try to compete here. Celebrating excellence!

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Happiful Magazine

I hope that your weather is such that you can get outside some and enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. Breathe in – breathe out – AHHHHHHHH!

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February 6, 2026 · 12:24 am

Jade

I spent much of yesterday in quiet contemplation of what kind of person our dear Jade might have become.

I didn’t do child bearing well. My husband and I married in 1969. We waited for a couple of years to try to have children until both of us had steady jobs and we had purchased a home. I lost two babies before we finally had our son Brian in 1978. (RH negative negative for me and positive for our babies was the main problem). We lost another baby after Brian and finally had our beautiful daughter, Jade. Our family was complete. My husband decided to have a vasectomy so I wouldn’t have to carry the burden of birth control – though that was a bit ironic with our history.

I came home from a community college night class to see all the lights on in my home and my in-laws’ car in the driveway. When I entered the house my in-laws stood up and said, “She’s gone.” In a panic I ran all over the house, not only not finding Jade, but all of her things were gone. The Lewises had decided that while waiting for me, they would gather up her stuff so I wouldn’t have to. My husband was gone, too. He had been taken to the police station because Jade had died under his care.

While we sat in silence, our then 2-year-old son Brian came out dragging Jade’s blanket. He had been crying and his sweet eyes were swollen. He walked to the trash can and threw the blanket in, saying, “Broken.” My husband returned home. The coroner had determined she died of SIDS. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.) He simply crumpled when he came to me, buried his face in my lap and sobbed.

We both seriously contemplated suicide the pain was so great. Finally, we realized that we had others to think of. We talked and decided we would live for each other, help each other through this, and raise Brian with all the love we had. I learned that night that nothing could ever hurt me like that again.

I got to share two months with her. Each year I sit and think of her particularly on February 5th, the day she left us. Some people said it was God’s Will. I didn’t accept that then and still don’t. I just can’t. What I do believe is that we will meet again some day, recognize each other, and spend eternity together.

I hope that the experts will one day solve the mystery of what causes SIDS and what, if anything, can be done to prevent it, so that others won’t have to go through this. I’m thankful that it caused us to be stronger as a family, to cherish Brian even more, and actually be able to find joy in life again.

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