This is a beautiful photo with the background suggesting it’s a painting. Just beautiful!
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I’ve had a great morning, moving from painting some sketches to working on my Cheetah jigsaw puzzle, to working at the computer, to running a couple of errands, and more. It’s a beautiful day here.
Brian and I will probably go to the cafe. He tends to stay most of the afternoon working while I usually come back home mid afternoon to write more blog posts, catch up on email, etc. before dinner.
These are my latest painted sketches.
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123RF
Soon Brian and I will find good places to search for a used acoustic guitar for me. I’m missing playing and singing. I haven’t done it for years – and in fact sound like an ill frog when I try to sing along with YouTube right now, but this would only be for ME. I used to sing in high school and in The Student Entertainers at Oklahoma State University to help pay for my schooling. I sang folk songs then, and it was a fun, fulfilling thing to do. I don’t read music and would just work songs out that I liked by ear. Now you can find songs on the computer that show the lyrics AND chords! I’m hoping we can find something at a reasonable price. It would be a great addition of my fun things to do.
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Rover.com
Today when I get home from the cafe I’ll do a good, long session of yoga stretches. I opted out of the gym this morning, feeling that I needed another hour of sleep. When Brian and I shared breakfast, I discovered HE had not gone, either – feeling lazy, he said. The yoga stretches will loosen me up and make up for my sloth this morning.
Patty Tait sent me this photo she took of female elephant seals lying on the beach on the coast of California on a short trip last week. I have never seen anything like this. Wow. Just wow. Thank you, Patty!
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Women’s Health
A big shout-out and THANK YOU to my wonderful sister-in-law, Mary Lou Lewis, who took us with her this past week for a vicarious trip to a beach on the coast of North Carolina – and not only that – but sent terrific pictures that made us feel we were there with her. Many of you wrote nice comments about both her photos and the fact that she let us come with her. I forwarded them to her so that she could read first-hand how what she did was appreciated. :0)
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I’m just back home from spending some time at the cafe and sketching. I got my favorite spot this time and was very comfy with my pillow to sit on, my mocha to drink, and my supplies ready at hand. I did several sketches. I’m in the process of painting several of them and will probably start posting some of them tomorrow.
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Meanwhile, I’ve been working on my Cheetah puzzle. I have the border done and the cheetah is emerging!
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I got the idea of drawing some of my husband’s favorite old school cartoon characters – like some of the ones we did for our mailbox decorations – to paint and add to his ‘happy wall.’ I’ll see what I can come up with. I hope he’ll be happy to see them.
Thanks to the generosity of my sister-in-law, you and I have been able to feel like we’ve been to a beach in North Carolina this week, with stunning photos of sunrises and sunsets, plus photos of my beloved sandpipers and probably a mockingbird, plus a great photo taken looking down the underside of a really neat bridge. And don’t forget the sand and the gorgeous ocean!!!!
Mary Lou Lewis
Mary Lou Lewis
Thanks, Mary Lou, for allowing you to go along with you this week, to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at the glorious display Mother Nature was giving all of us, even though she could have been a bit more generous with higher temperatures and less wind… ⛱️ 🐚 ☀️
Here’s another place I would love to spend some time. Want to come with me?
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Two beautiful words –
We went to visit Harvey at the nursing home this morning and just got back. He was glad to see us, was comfortable, and mostly made sense. When I showed him the picture I painted of the water gun that also shoots LED lights for his wall,
he looked at it for quite a while and finally he said, “It’s good.” Those two words made my day – quite a bit more than that, actually.
This is his “Happy Wall” now. (The poster on the right is the “Reward” one Brian did for him about three of the things Harvey thinks have been ‘stolen’ since he went to the nursing home. The poster clearly states (in Thai) that these things are NOT missing, and thanking everyone at the nursing home for their patience with Harvey. (There is one on the outside of his room door, as well, at his insistence.) Today we clipped his fingernails, and then he used the fingernail file we brought recently. He wanted me to leave my fingernail clippers – and then proceeded to slide the fingernail file between his arm and the wristband on his watch, saying it will keep the people there from ‘stealing’ them. We told him we’ll bring him some clippers, and I managed to put the fingernail file back in the book – where it was as I left it last time.
He actually told us that he had read a lot of the RG Ryan book since we saw him last, and told us he would tell us when he was ready for us to order the next one in the series. We showed him a picture of the light we ordered for him, and he seemed to think it might work for him. (It was delivered this morning while we were visiting him, so we’ll take it to him Tuesday with a battery installed and a spare.) Finally, he wanted Brian to order French fries for him, so Brian checked on it while we were stopped for a chocolate after the visit, and it was being delivered as we checked.
So, as visits go, this one was a stellar visit.
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I’m working on my new Cheetah puzzle. I have some various pieces put together in ‘clumps,’ and I can tell it’s part of the cheetah. One of the clumps shows his whiskers!
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Next we will probably go to the cafe for a while. It gives focus to the afternoon and lets us enjoy a drink. Hopefully, my favorite spot will be free. I have a problem I haven’t had for as long as I remember! With my weight loss, I don’t have nearly as much padding on which to sit as I used to, so many chairs are now uncomfortable. I tried bringing a towel to add to the chair. Yesterday I stuffed a small pillow in my art backpack and that worked really well. I think it’s funny that my new problems with my size are so different than having problems squeezing into smaller spaces without running into things or knocking things over, or sitting on a bench seat rather than a chair with arms to give me more room. Change of focus can bring a smile…
I have been enjoying my vicarious trip to the beach because my sister-in-law has been generous enough to send the gorgeous photos and allow me to share them with you. Yesterday I finally asked her if I could also have her permission to give her credit for these. Her name is Mary Lou Lewis and I think she has a gift for photography.
I wish I could also share the videos she has sent showing sandpipers, but WordPress has a problem with the format.
So, thank you, Mary Lou, for taking us with you on your beautiful vacation!
I want to take a walk here and play in that wonderful sunlight! What a gorgeous place!
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Today has already been a nice day. After the gym and breakfast, I did some chores and then went for my massage. I feel loose as a goose now. The only problem is that we have things to do and I could use a nap… 😁
Since our regular housekeeper, Khun Nong, is out of town, our schedules for Fridays are different, starting with Brian having to get out of the way for Khun Nong’s sister to clean his place this morning – rather than in the afternoons on Tuesdays. He was at my place working on his computer when I returned from my massage. Khun Nong’s sister is coming to clean MY place at 2:00, so we have to be out of here then. We’ll go to the cafe, as usual.
Brian said he was going to get us a snack a while ago. This is very unusual, as you know I’m still trying to lose the last of my lard. Anyway, Brian came back with two to-die-for custard pie type things and twisted my arm off as I yelled for help, finally succumbing to his superior strength and the offer of a napkin and a spoon. It was delicious. 😋
So Brian is working at my dining area table while I work at my computer table. We will have to leave in about an hour to get out of the way. I’ve brought in the laundry from the balcony and put it away, and taken out the trash, so things are ready for cleaning.
Today has been a good day, but flew past so fast my hair blew! Actually, it was 100 degrees earlier while we were at the cafe. All of a sudden the sky was a lot darker, and the app on my phone said “thunderstorm,” so I headed back home. It rained, but not enough to even test my new windows, so I still don’t know if they will actually keep the rain out and not leak, but this is the first rain we’ve had in several months now.
Brian texted me a few minutes ago, asking if it was okay if he came by with a few things. He brought some medicine we ordered, but ALSO cream-filled-something-or-others that are to die for! We sat right down and scarfed them down like we were starving. Oh! SO GOOD!!!!
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Well, this is the water gun that also shoots LED lights that Harvey wanted me to draw and paint for his wall. I will take it Saturday. I have no clue if he will like it or not, but this is the best I can do.
This is my latest otherwise.
I spent my time at the cafe today creating some thank you cards for Khun Nong’s sister, who will be cleaning both Brian’s and my places every Friday while Khun Nong is gone.
Back in 1492 Harvey had a business trip and I went along. On the way home, he wanted to detour to go to San Diego to show my Camp Pendleton where he trained for the Marine Corps. As we drove down Highway 101, I made him stop every so often because I had never seen the ocean. On the first stop I saw birds on long long legs skittering across the sand that made me laugh aloud. I just loved them! I found out later that they were sandpipers and they have been one of my favorite birds ever since.
My wonderful SIL took these pictures yesterday, I think. I just love them. I smiled the minute I saw them. I was amazed, though, at how good her photos were! The water looks fantastic!!!
The combination makes me almost feel as if I am there. What a terrific gift that we are allowed to tag along as she enjoys a much-needed vacation!
She says the weather is a bit chilly – low 60s for a high, but the sandpipers, the water, and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets make it all worthwhile.
Thanks to my good friend Sheila Murrey we now know that the gorgeous blooming tree I was talking about a couple of days ago is called “Peacock Flower,” “Pride of Barbados,” and “Dwarf Poinciana.” The only thing different out the one I was pointing out is that the center cluster in mine is yellow and the spent flowers are more orange. The tree is stunning and the spent blooms grab my attention each time we pass it. THANK YOU, Sheila.
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My wonderful son treated me to a mani/pedi this morning. Both he and my husband were remarking that I needed work, so this morning was the morning. Now I am sparkly green! I’m still looking for sparkly ‘cyan’ to please my son, but I only saw a pale sparkly blue, not the more turquoise shade I was looking for. Anyway, I’ve never had this color before, so I’m grinning from ear to ear as I share my ‘elegance.’ We’ll show Harvey Saturday.
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We are planning to spend time at the cafe today, and I’ll try to get started on the sketch for the water gun that also shoots LED lights that Harvey expressed interest in to go on his wall. I’m REALLY out of my comfort zone on this, but I’ll just do the best I can and hope for the best. I’m supposed to take it to him Saturday.
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These are my two latest sketches.
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Can you see the Cheetah? Oh, come on, you can if you look carefully. Look on the left side of the photo toward the bottom, and you can see the tip of his foot. That’s the ONLY part of him that is anywhere on the border of the puzzle. Needs work, I know…. hahahahahahahah 🧩 😂
Bamboo Garden Yoga
Today is yoga stretches. I’m looking forward to a nice long session where I can loosen everything up.
I am having a good day. I was able to increase my speed just a tad on the treadmill this morning and didn’t notice any difference! I will do my water bottle exercises after I finish this post.
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We visited my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. Mostly it was pretty good. I got the idea of having him choose a water gun that also shoots LED lights, as he expressed interest in that the last time we were there, because I thought he might get a kick out of having a sketch and painting of it on his wall. He chose one he liked, and it will be a real challenge for me. I’ll do the best I can and hope he likes it…
The visit was heartbreaking at the end because he was asking about a pair of blue shorts and later about a wheelchair. He wanted to come home with us. The list of why that isn’t possible would fill a book, and we glossed over it as best we could, but the fact remains we simply can’t do it. He said he was comfortable and seemed glad to see us. 🥺
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Brian and I spent some time at the cafe. I did a sketch for Father’s Day that I’ll paint later, and I’ll get started on the water gun tomorrow, since he wants me to bring it on Saturday. No pressure….
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Brian took more pictures of the turtle puzzle. I took it apart today and put it out for adoption this afternoon. I opened the box and the Cheetah isn’t muffled anymore. The image of it is so good it looks like it should roar! I’ll start it soon.
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My SIL is having a much-needed, much-earned time at the beach this week. You and I are the recipients of a wonderful virtual vacation because of her generosity in sending photos. I’m sharing three with you today of the fact that she can enjoy views of the sunrise AND the sunset from this place!
These delightful photos are provided by @dailybunnies.bsky.social
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When I was 5, my parents moved our whole family from Levittown, NY to Tulsa OK where my dad had a new client who wanted him to handle his radio advertising. This would be the stepping stone to my dad starting a one-man agency that would later garner an Addy Lifetime Achievement Award for 25 years of excellence and innovation in the field.
My parents brought my brother and me plus our two pet rabbits. My parents named them “Peter” (Rabbit) and “Welsh” (Rarebit). We had the bunnies for several years, carrying them around the house, cuddling, and trying to teach them tricks – to no avail. :0)
My mom decided that she wanted to have Chihuahuas, deciding on having three at one time, and so our rabbits were given to a family down the road from us. Happily, my brother and I were best friends with one of their boys and one of their girls and we spent a LOT of time at their house, so we got to see the rabbits on a regular basis.
Another flowering tree in Chiang Mai. I have no idea what this one is. The amazing thing about this tree is even when the flowers drop spent to the ground, they are lovely. That’s how I first saw this tree! The blossoms on the ground were bright orange with streaks toward the middle of a beautiful pattern of leaves as if the bloom had opened before falling. Leaves in the center of the spent bloom were bright yellow! You miss the whole thing if you are just looking around. The clusters of blooms are way high up in the trees; so unless you’re looking UP – which I only do when Brian is holding tightly to my hand – or looking down at the ground – as I was, paying attention to places I could trip – you miss it. I’ll try to draw one of the spent blooms and show it to you.
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My glorious turtle puzzle is FINISHED!!!!!!!! 🎉 🥳 🧩. I finished him this morning. Brian has taken a picture of the finished puzzle and will order a glass print of it, the way he has done for the previous ones so that I can display his gorgeous face on my statement shelf. I’m going to leave him up for a couple of days so I can enjoy running my hands over him before taking him apart, bagging him up, and giving him to someone else who will enjoy putting him together again.
The Cheetah’s voice is getting a bit louder as he calls to me, but he’s still muffled inside his box…
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I tried out my Google Translate app on my phone at the cafe yesterday. I wrote, “You are a good water fighter. I had fun. Thank you” and showed it to my favorite server who had thoroughly drenched me in Songkran two nights running. He read it, then broke out into a HUGE smile and bowed. a few minutes he was back, asking me to read HIS phone. He said, “You are good, too, Auntie.” This again shows how NICE the Thai people are. I’m really happy the app worked!!!
This is another of the gorgeous flowering trees that are blooming profusely everywhere now, even with 101 degree temperatures and no rain. All this beauty makes my soul smile.
Shout-outs to 3 of my favorite people:
Shout-out to Cathy, who has been very ill, but is getting better now. 🙏🏻
Shout-out to Nora, who is trying to get ready to leave her long-time home.
Shout-out to Mary Lou, who will hopefully be on her way to the beach tomorrow for some much-deserved relaxation time!
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This is my latest “Thai Street Scene” painted sketch of a balcony with windows below. I love the basic design of the building, the elegance of the balcony and the windows, once pristine black and white, and now with a fascinating design of mold adding character. I love the fact that plants in all shapes and flavors are an integral part of each place I see.
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My SIL suggested that I get one of the free language translator apps on my phone to help in situations where I’m resorting to pantomimes and sign language. :0). There were so many listed, I took my phone to Brian and asked for his recommendation. He uses Google Translate, and installed that on my phone for me, setting it for translation from English to Thai. I can type in what I want to say, or say it with the use of the microphone, and it will print it out in English for me and Thai for the person with whom I’m trying to communicate – another tool in my arsenal. Sometimes a good photo is all that is needed, as in the case with the Songkran bowl ceremony and the nursing home staff honoring my husband in that way. I feel good, though, having this translator on my phone that will help me if I need it!
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We have a quiet day today. Brian and I will probably end up at the cafe at least part of the afternoon. Brian has started going over, checking to see if my spot is available, then texting me. I love it!!! I am finding lots of things I want to sketch. I’ll try to paint at least one of them today, plus work on my turtle puzzle.
This is a yellow wisteria – one of the many flowering trees in bloom right now.
Today was a pretty busy day. We went to the gym, shared breakfast, then went to see Harvey at the nursing home. It was a pretty good visit. Brian had redone the ‘reward’ poster, listing 3 things that Harvey thinks we brought here but have ‘been stolen’ at the nursing home. Brian made two copies of the poster. We put one on the outside of the door to his room and replaced the other one on his happy wall. He calmed down when we did this. Afterwards, Brian told me that the poster clearly states in Thai that these things ‘have not gone missing’ and thanks the staff for their patience. :0)
Harvey also stated that if we had gotten him the Galaxy 26 phone he wants, he would have called me Thursday when they had him up in the wheelchair for the Songkran bowl ceremony and told us to “come get him.” I am SO glad he doesn’t have a phone, although I don’t think he could enter the pin to get it to open…
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We have just come home from spending time at the cafe. I did some sketching, and I finished the latest in my series of ‘Thai Street Scenes’ that I have been trying to do, showing my take on the flavor of things I see that I find fascinating and wonderful in Chiang Mai.
This is a balcony with some windows below. It was once pristine white, but has since been pretty covered with the mold that covers a lot of things here. I love the dignity of the design, the plants that decorate everything here, and even the design of the mold that adds character…
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I’m closing in on finishing the turtle jigsaw puzzle. I’m down to the super hard part, where all the background pieces are essentially the same color with few distinguishing characteristics. I’m plodding through, though, because the turtle is truly gorgeous. I’m looking forward to showing you the finished puzzle and running my hands over it. Also, the cheetah puzzle came two days ago and I can HEAR it calling me, although its voice is muffled inside the box. :0)
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Our regular food places are still closed. We’re hoping they will reopen Monday. Brian is having a harder time finding things to be delivered, but he’s doing a fine job. By the way, I’m two pounds away now fromf my final weight goal. I may reach it this month!!!!
I had a glorious massage this morning. Khun Weaw was back from her Songkran vacation. Khun Sulee was in the shop, as well. When we finished, I got out my phone and showed them the photo of my water gun and then the one of me ready to shoot it for the Songkran Water Festival. Both ladies looked shocked, then both started laughing and talking at once, patting me on the back and pantomiming that I was ‘strong’ and a ‘thumbs up’ gesture. I was able to find out that Khun Weaw had just visited her family and hadn’t participated in the water fights, and she figured out how to ask me if this was my first time participating. Khun Sulee had gone to the temple to celebrate the New Year.
Eye-Able-Gebardensprache_website
Then I was trying to tell them about the wonderful Songkran bowl ceremony the nursing staff did for my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home yesterday. I got across “Songkran” and “bowl,” and they looked like they were starting to understand. Then I remembered I had a photo that showed Harvey sitting in the wheelchair with the staff sitting around him on the floor. He had on the real flower necklace and had the bowl in his lap. Then there was no question. They were pleased and said it was ‘lucky.’
They speak more English than I speak Thai, and that is to say, neither of us do well in each other’s language, but it doesn’t make any difference. If you want to communicate with someone, you will do whatever it takes to get the idea across, be it sign language, pantomime, pictures… and it will happen, breaking any language barrier.
I finally thanked Khun Weaw IN THAI!! for my massage, and then did the same to Khun Sulee, who was kind enough to take Khun Weaw’s place for the recent absences for house renovations and then Songkran. We all smiled, and bowed, and Khun Weaw even patted me on my way out of the shop.
Respect, gratefulness, and appreciation will find a way. 🙏🏻
This is a sad part of Songkran. People showing really poor judgment get out in the already challenging traffic here while intoxicated, causing trouble for everyone, injuries, and even fatalities. The last number I saw was that 154 people lost their lives.
Drunk driving accounted for 3,726 cases recorded during the 2026 Songkran Festival, with Chiang Mai reporting the highest number, according to Thailand’s Department of Probation.
As of April 16, 2026, Chiang Mai has reported among the highest, if not the top, number of drunk driving cases in Thailand during the 7-day Songkran “dangerous days” campaign. While overall national accident rates decreased, high-speed and intoxicated driving remain the primary causes of fatalities in Chiang Mai.
2026 Summary: Chiang Mai topped the national list for drunk driving cases during the 2026 Songkran Festival.
Safety Record: Despite the high incidence of drunk driving, the province generally remains among the top provinces for both total accidents and fatalities, alongside Bangkok.
Key Risks: The highest numbers of injuries and fatalities are usually reported among individuals aged 20–39, particularly on local, rural roads.
• • Main Causes: Speeding and drinking, particularly while riding motorcycles, are the leading causes of death in Chiang Mai and nationwide.
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BUT HERE IS A BEAUTIFUL THING –
Daily Sabah
The Songkran water bowl tradition for elderly, known as Rod Nam Dam Hua, is a deeply meaningful ceremony where younger generations gently pour scented water over the palms of elders’ hands to show respect, ask for blessings, and seek forgiveness. Held on April 15th, it signifies washing away misfortune and welcoming prosperity.
Key Aspects of the Tradition:
The Ritual: Participants use small bowls containing water mixed with fragrant flowers (like jasmine) and sometimes traditional perfume (Nam Ob).
Action: Younger people bow and pour the water over the palms of the elderly, often accompanied by offering garlands or new clothes.
Significance: It symbolizes cleansing, gratitude, and filial piety. It is a time for family reconciliation and honor.
Blessings: Elders, in turn, provide words of wisdom, advice, and blessings for the coming new year.
Modern Adaptation: While historically it involved washing hair and feet, it is now commonly done on the hands, often held at family gatherings, local communities, or the La Green Hotel & Residence and other community events to ensure the tradition continues, as seen in this YouTube video.
This ceremony is considered the “true” heart of the Songkran festival, setting it apart from the modern, chaotic water fights.
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One additional reason I’m talking about this beautiful tradition is that the nursing home sent us pictures of my husband, Harvey, receiving this gift from the staff! They had gotten him up in a wheelchair (it takes 3 now to do this) and brought him to a common room. He was wearing a different real flower necklace and had the bowl in his lap. The staff was on the floor around him, pouring the scented water over his hands. He looked quite calm and almost touched in a couple of the photos. I can’t say enough about the loving and caring atmosphere here. Harvey is receiving the best of care and SO MUCH MORE from these wonderful people. Happy Songkran!!!!
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Things have not returned to normal for us yet. Khun Nong, our housekeeper, is away for an extended vacation. Her sister, Khun Bpawm, will clean for us until Khun Nong returns. That starts today. Brian’s usual day is Tuesday and mine Friday. Until Khun Nong returns, both of our places will be cleaned today. Brian will come to my place to work while I get my massage this morning, and then we will get out of the way, but earlier than usual, and go to the cafe this afternoon so my place can be cleaned. Our food is still different, but we ate another Chinese dish last night and an all meat breakfast this morning.
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