“Burning Horizonz’ – Mira – @deepgreens.bsky.social
I think this is stunningly beautiful.
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Today is Friday, our ‘out-of-pocket’ day, as far as schedules go. My throat is still sore and I was coughing much of the night, so opted out of the gym this morning. Brian was the same.
I have just come back from a beautiful massage from Khun Weaw, and am feeling really good, otherwise, now. Brian had to vacate his place because of Khun Nong’s sister cleaning, so he has been working down here. He just went to pick up a snack he ordered for us. YUM!!
After a while, we will pack up and go to the cafe to spend the afternoon so that the housekeeper’s sister can clean MY place.
I just finished this latest painted sketch. This one intimidated me because it’s a shrine, a holy place, a sacred place, but I wanted to try to capture the quiet, the calm, the reverence of the many shrines everywhere we go in the city. On many days there are flowers left, soft drinks, snacks. It is said the spirits are fond of sugary things, and people want to please them. Piles of flowers, garlands, lights – all kinds of things are left to honor the spirits. None of these things are ever touched. I guess someone finally clears things out, but that happens when people don’t see it. This is one style of shrine. The other major one is a “house,” usually meant to thank the spirits for allowing the person to build a house or open a shop on a piece of land, and the house is meant to make up for that. I’ll try to find a good image of that sometime soon.
This is another one I finished today.
“Mr. Natural” is the first in the series of Harvey’s long time favorite cartoon characters that I’m painting and will add to his “Happy Wall” tomorrow when we go visit.
This is one of the mailbox decorations we made when we lived in Arkansas. Anyway, I’m hoping that Harvey will get a kick out of putting these up on his wall and give him some happy memories.
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Brian came up to my table at the front window at the cafe early today, saying he was ready to go home. When we got home, he steered me to the pick up area where there was some type of ‘goody’ waiting. It turne out to be the to-die-for delicious cream-filled, no-name “thingie” that we love. We snarfed it down handily. Then he tuned my guitar, and we talked about the fact that it seemed a little unusual that this guitar needs to be tuned every day. He then showed me another way to do the “C” chord that might help with my finger-stretching and flesh-on-the-box problem. I’ll try it after dinner.
Today would have been my parents’ 85th wedding anniversary. My dad, who had an amazing sense of humor, wanted to get married on April Fool’s Day. My mom looked him in the eye and said, “I’m not foolin’.” They married in Chicago in 1941, had my brother and me, moved to Levittown NY. My dad had a chance to do the advertising for a company in Tulsa, Oklahoma when I was 5. We moved to Tulsa in 1952 when there was almost nothing there yet. I lived in the home they had built until Harvey and I got married in 1969. My dad had started a one-man advertising agency with my mom acting as an unpaid ‘do-everything-else-but-write-and-record-the-radio-ads’ person -ads that won The Silver Addy Award for Lifetime Achievement from the advertising community. They made a mark.
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This is my latest painted sketch.
I am now using one of the small backpacks we used to move here as my ‘Friday Pack.’ Every week I have crammed my carrier/tote full of what I needed for our afternoons at the cafe while Khun Nong cleans my place. I carried what wouldn’t fit in my carrier, trying not to drop or lose anything.
I had a “Duh!” moment when I figured out I could use the backpack, putting everything in it I wanted for Fridays at the cafe and just keep it packed. I’ve been working out of it this week and it’s working well. When we leave, I’ll just zip it up and carry it and my tote to the cafe! Sometimes it amazes me how long it takes me to figure out a solution to a ‘problem-I-didn’t-realize-I-had.’
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This is the reading of the air pollution index here now.
Yesterday it got my attention because the reading was 216 – into the ‘very unhealthy’ range. It has only been that high for that one day so far. I’ll just monitor things, keeping my windows closed and my air filters and a/c on.
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Pet Nurture
I got a massage this morning. Ahhhhhh! My regular therapist was back! With the magic of pantomime and determination, I figured out that Khun Weaw’s place was being remodeled, so she had to move EVERYTHING out, have the remodeling done, and then move EVERYTHING back in again. A lot of work!
She again mentioned my weight loss. I was able to show her the numbers on the calculator on my phone and pantomime, doctor/keeping my mouth shut/ and exercising.
I hugged her, and the nice lady, Khun Sulee, who substituted for her, today, thanking them for taking such good care of me.
I’ve been getting ready for my housekeeper to come tomorrow – changing the sheets on my bed, gathering trash, getting out fresh towels…
Do you realize what i just said? “Getting ready for my housekeeper to come tomorrow.” What a joy this is. I’ll never even really get USED to it, much less take it for granted. I’ve never been able to afford to have help. All I have to do in my sweet condo now is keep things picked up. “My housekeeper” handles everything else, and she is quite thorough. I’m absolutely thrilled. 🤗
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Lingokids
I’ve been doing a bit of sketching, but I haven’t had a chance to paint any of the sketches yet. I’m hoping to make some time this afternoon.
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I am FINALLY beginning to make a bit of progress on my puzzle! You might notice a small detail – I haven’t even BEGUN to put the big turtle together who lives in the middle of this. He is hiding in a gazillion pieces and I’ll have to work my way to the center before he emerges…
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Tomorrow will be a very busy day.
We go to the gym first thing as usual
Shower and share breakfast
I go for a massage (Ahhhh!)
We go to the big mall to the immigration place to finish renewing Brian’s passport
We may do a bit of shopping at a clothing store we both like after
We will come home – but to Brian’s place – where I have stashed my stuff so we won’t bother Khun Non who will be cleaning my place
We will gather our things to go to the cafe to wait the rest of the time while Khun Nong finishes creating her miracle.
I will sketch, read, hopefully getting my favorite seat where I can watch the traffic
We will go back to Brian’s to share dinner
I will come home. (WHEW!)
I say this because I MAY be able to write a post tomorrow or may not, depending on timing.
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“There comes a day when you’re gonna look around and realize happiness is where you are.” ―Chief Tui, Moana
Freedom to fail is a beautiful, freeing thing. Then you can enjoy no pressure, just pleasure, concentrating on what you’re trying to do without inner or outer voices making you doubt.
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MrFunnyMals – YouTube
I had a really nice massage this morning. The lady who works with my therapist told me that my therapist couldn’t be there today, but that she would give me my massage. I was grateful.
I had decided to take the St. Patrick’s Day cards there this morning, since the next time I see them St. Patrick’s Day will be over. Khun Sulee, the other therapist, was delighted that the shamrock meant good luck and put it with the other cards I have given her on the wall of the shop. I also gave her the card for Khun Weaw to give her when she returns.
Every therapist has a different style, a different emphasis. I am very lucky to have two ladies who understand that I’m old and might break if moved too abruptly or they use too much pressure. I am feeling wonderful right now.
Oh, last week Khun Weaw made a motion with her hands after my massage that I didn’t understand. I asked Khun Sulee, hoping that she might be able to explain. It turned out that they had noticed I had lost weight. I got out my calculator and put in 68.3 kgs (150.5 lbs.) (what I weighed when I got my first massage there) and then a subtraction symbol, and then 52.15 kgs (114.9 lbs) (what I weigh this morning) showing a weight loss of 16.15 kgs (35.6 lbs.) She understood the word “doctor” 🩺 and I pantomimed zipping my lips 🤐 and then exaggerated walking motions , followed by 💪🏻. She smiled and gave me a big hug.
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Gleem Cleaning
I’m pretty well ready for my fabulous housekeeper, Khun Nong, to come this afternoon to scrub my place. I’m trying to be neat in my new life here, and I keep things picked up and put away for the most part. I change the sheets, gather and empty the trash, and put out fresh towels before she comes. I feel like a slob because she scrubs everything within an inch of its life and lines everything up. She even washes and dries my bars of soap!
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I’m anxious to go to the cafe this afternoon, where Brian and I go to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she’s working. I started a sketch yesterday with leaves and I want to see what I can do with it. I don’t know if it will turn out somewhat as I envision or will be a mess. It’ll be fun to work on it. PLUS, I’ll be drinking an iced mocha while I draw, or I can switch to reading my book on my Kindle, or – if I get my favorite spot – I can goggle at the incredible traffic going by. Last week a motorcycle went past with a man with his child sitting on his shoulders, 3 kids behind him, and then his wife, who was laden with packages hanging from her arms. Amazing.
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“Despite March’s windy reputation, winter isn’t really blown away; it is washed away. It flows down all the hills, goes swirling down the valleys and spills out to sea. Like so many of this earth’s elements, winter itself is soluble in water…” ― The New York Times
This little guy says he wants to watch over us and keep us safe. I think we should give him a try. What do you think?
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Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota
I am loose as a goose after my massage this morning! Ahhhhh and ahhhhhh again. I am SO relaxed I could easily just sprawl on my couch and doze off. We are leaving soon, though, to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she makes my place shine, so no sleep for me.
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Taipei Times
It’s 87 degrees F. right now and quite sunny. I had the windows open this morning but actually closed up and turned on the a/c this afternoon for the first time since “The Cool Season” started several months ago. It looks like I won’t need my hoodie, jean jacket, and sweatshirts for much soon…
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Kudos today to ML – a wonderful person, a dear friend, and my SIL! She helped Brian and me with a problem we could not solve here. THANKS, ML!
“Gnarly Birch” – Matt Oliver – “Among Trees” – Substack
This photo takes my breath away! What a life this tree has had…
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Thai Gestures: Learning the Thai language is coming very slowly for me. I AM learning essential phrases, such as,
“Hello – may you have a blessed day,” (pronounced “sawat dee Ka’ah)
“Thank you,” (pronounced “cawp coon ka’ah”) and
“I’m sorry.” (pronounced “caw toad ka’ah”)
I’m also learning essential Thai gestures – ones to make and ones to avoid at all costs –
When you say “hello,” you perform the “Wai” (pronounced “Why“). It’s the praying hands and bowing gesture. This is many times complicated because you’re carrying things, so doing it with one hand is okay – and be sure to smile! 🙏🏻
If you gesture “Come here” with the waving toward yourself gesture common in the States, you have just performed a major insult. You have called them an animal or treated them like an animal.
When you want to gesture “come here,” in Thailand, you make a crawling or digging gesture with your fingers, palm down toward the floor.
Got that? There will be a test later…
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4 GIFs.com
I had a massage this morning. I had some really sore muscles right around my waistline on my right side. They aren’t completely fixed now, but my massage therapist, Khun Weaw. did a wonderful job. I’m so lucky that I can tell her where I’m hurting, put myself in her hands, and know that she won’t hurt me. I can completely relax and let her perform her magic. Ahhhh! (And this is all with ‘pantomime,’ since I don’t speak Thai and she doesn’t speak English – PRICELESS!)
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Facebook – traffic in Chiang Mai
In a few minutes, Brian and I will go to our cafe to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans my place. I will take my sketchbook, drawing supplies, my kindle and my sweatshirt. I will get an iced mocha. 😃
We’re lucky to have a place that encourages people to feel comfortable “whiling” away some time. I’m hoping I get my favorite spot by the front window so I can goggle at the amazing traffic that goes by. The last time I was there, an entire family (man, woman, two children, and their dog!) went by on a motorcyle…
I went to the gym, ate breakfast, then went for a terrific massage this morning. Ahhhhhhh!
Be Secure Locksmith
A locksmith came to add new locks to Brian’s and my doors – ones that use the same key – for security and to bypass the keyed doorknob on mine that is a pain. He got the lock installed in Brian’s, but needs to come back tomorrow to do mine, after he discovered he’ll have to modify the hole to make it larger before he can install mine. I’m happy that (1) my swollen door has been planed and repainted, and (2) that tomorrow the lock will be one that locks and unlocks my door easily. It’ll bring peace of mind that Brian will be able to get in here, should an emergency occur. 🔑 Being able to use the doorknob to simply open and close the door will be so good!
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Soon we’ll go to the cafe to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she cleans my place. I have my sketchbook and supplies, my Kindle, and my sweatshirt ready to go. I’m looking forward to doing some sketching, and then I’m starting Book 3 of ‘The Lost Bride” trilogy by Nora Roberts, “The Seven Rings.”
I’m hoping to get ‘my’ favorite seating place by the front window where I can watch the amazing traffic go by. There are two official lanes in both directions, with vehicles steering around each other when the opportunity occurs (or they can MAKE one occur), plus a gazillion motorcycles, motor scooters, and bicycles who have brought weaving in and out between vehicles on both sides to an art form, plus the pedestrians walking up and down the street on both sides, or trying to cross the street. Good luck! 🤞
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This is ‘my’ chair. We have passed it a couple of times in our travels, and I love it more every time I see it. I can just picture it in one corner between my dining and living areas. It would look absolutely GREAT. The fact that it will take me winning the lottery in order to buy it, and then pay to have it delivered to my place are annoying ‘details.’ When we passed it recently, there was a white cat asleep on the cushion! As I looked at it, assuming it was a stuffed animal, it opened one gorgeous blue eye and yawned and stretched. I. WANT. THIS. CHAIR!!!!
I went for my massage. My therapist was back and I received a fabulous massage. I gave her the Christmas card I painted for her. She smiled and seemed very happy. The other massage lady was busy with a client, so I’ll check back later to see if I can give her her card then.
After my massage I went out to the garage of the building and gave the garage attendant his card. He seemed quite surprised and had tears in his eyes as we bowed to each other. I then found the lady who brings us chairs when we have to wait a while for a GRAB ride. She is also one of the housekeepers in the condo building. She took one look at her card and hugged me!
About half an hour my doorbell rang. The nice lady was there, handing me a roll of bamboo full of something I gathered was something to eat. We smiled, bowed and hugged each other again. 🙏🏻
I texted Brian and he came to my place. He thought it was some kind of a Thai desert. We ate it and found it to be wonderful. It had rice, coconut and something else – sweet and delicious. Brian looked it up and sent me this YouTube video of what is called, “Bamboo Sticky Rice” –
She speaks no English, and I speak no Thai, but we had a beautiful exchange nonetheless. I will thank her for her beautiful gift the next time I see her. 🙏🏻
We will leave to go to the cafe soon to get out of Khun Nong’s (my housekeeper’s) way while she cleans my place. I’ll take my sketchbook, drawing supplies, my Kindle, and my sweatshirt. I will give a Christmas card to one of the servers there.
So my day has been a happy one, of thank you’s, Christmas cards, happy smiles, hugs, and more. What a beautiful place this is!
Today is special for at least two reasons: we will be attending a wedding this afternoon; and I’m having the ‘great window opening.’ 😁
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I about froze my parts off going to the gym this morning. It was 50 degrees F. and there was a light wind blowing. I wore my hoodie, so it was better than it could have been. It might have actually caused me to put a bit more ‘umpf’ in my walking on the treadmill – trying to warm up!
It’s supposed to get to 77 degrees F. by 2 this afternoon – and that’s when the ‘great window opening will occur. I am now able to open 4 of my large windows – two in the living area, one in the art alcove, and the last in my bedroom. I’m going to turn off my air purifiers – not wanting to cause them any stress – and will open the windows (sliding the screens into place) and enjoy airing out my place for a few minutes (and cheering, knowing these won’t LEAK, either!) before returning things to normal. My place looks bright and airy, welcoming, and I love it. 😻
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The Knot
Later on this afternoon is the wedding of one of my adopted family’s nannies. I’ve never been to a Thai wedding, so it will be a sight for the eyes and heart. They will be moving to Germany soon after the wedding, so have requested no gifts. I will follow the lead of the other guests on whether it is okay to take some pictures or not. I couldn’t be happier for them!
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I’m working on my sketched Christmas cards. These are the ones I’ve finished so far. I’m hoping people will enjoy them.
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Dogs in Motion Canine Rehabilitation
I had my massage yesterday morning by the different massage therapist. It turned out to be the older lady who is there each time I come, so I immediately relaxed and told her I was grateful she was giving me a massage. Her touch and techniques were different, of course, from Khun Weaw’s, but I had a really great massage nonetheless. I discovered that there was death in the family, and that was the reason Weaw was out of town. I’m trying to see if I can bring a small bouquet of flowers to each of them next week.
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We went to the cafe to get out of my housekeeper’s (Khun Nong’s) way while she cleaned my place. I did several sketches and finished the first book (“The Inheritance”) of a trilogy by Nora Roberts, called “The Lost Brides.” I’ll start Book 2 (“The Mirror”) today. I wish I could have seen Khun Nong’s face when she saw all the new windows! (The above pics show some of the decorations at the cafe.)
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I’ve been neglecting my jigsaw puzzle lately, due to errands, our having to be out of my place, and work being done ON my place, so I’m looking forward to putting in some time on it today.
I hope your Thanksgiving (if you celebrate it) was good, and that you’re either still there enjoying the love, or have a safe trip back home.
I asked Brian if I could leave another review for each of the two shops from which we bought the crocheted carriers and smaller, zippered bags. He said he thought that Google Reviews only allowed one review per customer.
Happily, I discovered that, though he was right, I COULD ‘edit’ my original review. I did that, adding a paragraph about the second purchase and the fact that the carrier and pouches washed just beautifully. 😃
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We got a good report from Harvey’s nurse this morning. They had to suction him again to clear his lungs (and hopefully avert pneumonia). That, and the supplemental oxygen allowed him to sleep well last night. Although he is still using a nasal tube for most of his nutrition, they are starting to give him small bites of fruit and crackers in addition. He was in a good mood and talking. HOORAY!!!
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I had a fabulous massage this morning. For some reason, I was really stiff and sore when I got up today, even after I walked my mile at the gym. Now I feel absolutely GREAT. Thanks to Khun Weaw for her caring expertise in making me functional again.
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Since it looks like I may actually finish my current jigsaw puzzle in the near future 😋, I’ve started looking for another puzzle to order. As I’m finding each, I’m bookmarking the page with the puzzle I’ve chosen and putting it into a folder on my computer. It’ll be fun to choose my next challenge.
I’m going to have Brian take a picture of the finished puzzle -when it’s finished and being shown off in all its glory on my puzzle table – so that we can order a glass print of it, as we did with the owls puzzle, so I can keep it on my special treasures shelf in my living area.
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Later today we’ll go to the cafe to spend time while we wait for Khun Nong, my cherished housekeeper, to do her thing to make my place shine. I’m taking my sketchbook and drawing supplies, my Kindle, and my sweatshirt, because it tends to be cold in there.
About half of the blossoms are gone from the spectacular bouquet she left for me last Friday, but I think it still looks great, and I smile every time I see it!
I hope that this day is a fun one for you, full of family and friends.
We had a very busy day. I’ve been out since 5:30 this morning and am just home with dinner coming shortly.
I walked my mile on the treadmill at the gym, showered, changed clothes, ate breakfast with Brian. I had a beautiful massage from Wey-o, who takes such wonderful care of me. I came back to the condo, changed clothes again, and Brian and I went to visit Harvey. We came back in time for me to grab my book, sketchbook and pencil supplies and my jacket – we had to vacate so that my wonderful housekeeper, Khun Nong, could come clean. (I’m still thrilled when I say this. I may never get ‘used to’ having help.) We went next door to the cafe, where Brian worked and I did a combination of drawing, reading, and catching up on my phone.
I came back to this –
This was left by Khun Nong. Aren’t they lovely? AND I have a spotless place!
I left her my usual thank you painted card. The cards are always gone when I come back,. I’m not sure she actually likes them, or just takes them so as to spare my feelings … She has also made my fake green leaves that usually live in this pot disappear once again. Do you suppose she might be trying to send me a message about them?
Brian will call me for dinner any minute now. I think we’re both tired from a really full day. Mostly a really good day. Lucky, lucky us!😁
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