Tag Archives: Chiang Mai Thailand

April 11, 2026 · 4:10 am

Saturday 4-11-2026

These are my latest painted sketches.

We went to visit my husband in the nursing home this morning. This was not one of the better visits, so when we got home. we regrouped and went over to the cafe. I relaxed, drank a mocha, and did some sketching. I’m now back home, trying catch up for the day.

We have one more day before we will be in self-imposed hibernation due to the celebration of Songkran here Monday through Wednesday of next week. (More about Songkran in another post) We are finishing stockpiling supplies so that we don’t have to go out after tomorrow, except for the gym, which we’re hoping is early enough to avoid a problem.

It’s officially 100 degrees here this afternoon – due to get to 101. The Chiang Mai Air Pollution Real Time index says it’s in the unhealthy range, so the windows have remained close and my a/c off an on, with fans to get a comfortable temperature in my place.

I’m officially at 50.90 kgs this morning (112.215 lbs.) this morning, so almost to my goal of 110. I’m within the ballpark of where I want to be, so I’m just watching my portions, rather than worrying about carbs, fats, or anything else. My eyeballs are floating with all the water I’m drinking, and I’m exercising every afternoon in addition to walking at the gym each morning. Brian says he notices that I’m stronger and steadier at little things, such as being able to stand still in the hot while we’re waiting for our Grab to arrive to take us someplace.

I got a laugh yesterday out of the alternate massage therapist, Khun Sulee, after she finished getting all the kinks out of me. I showed her this picture –

I put the phone beside my face and then pointed from the phone to me and back, then pointed to my legs and back. She finally got it and we both laughed. The resemblence is pretty amazing, except I’m not as cute.

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November 7, 2025 · 9:53 pm

Catch Up

This is the latest painted sketch.

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I got my new puzzle this morning! I think I told you of my disappointment that the order of the turtle puzzle was canceled. I had to choose another one. This is the one I chose –

I’m happy with this one. I love dolphins, and this one has some turtles, and various colored fish, lots of underwater action, plus underwater plants. I’ve decided that when I get halfway finished with this one (see my new confidence?) I’m going to try to order the turtle again…

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Typhoon Kalmaegi hit the Philippines and Vietnam in the past few days, causing deaths and destruction. It’s on its way HERE in Chiang Mai, though it’s supposed to have become a tropical depression once it reaches here today and tomorrow and a bit beyond. “The Rainy Season” ended at the 1st of November, but Mother Nature is still in a snit and showing people who’s in charge. It’s raining today, but so far, I haven’t had any window leaks. I have towels and a bucket ready if that changes. We have dark clouds in the sky and the rains start here in an instant. Sadly, according to my phone weather app, the rain is supposed to continue all through next week, too. Heavy flooding could be a problem here. My window leak concerns seem really petty compared to possible damage to peoples’ homes and businesses….

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November 4, 2025 · 2:46 am

Yi (Yee) Peng and Loy Krathong Festivals

Yi (Yee) Peng Festival – Alex in Wanderland

“The Chiang Mai CAD Lantern Festival 2025, to be held on November 5–6, 2025, will be organized under the theme: “In Remembrance of the Boundless Grace and Eternal Gratitude to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother.” This year’s event will be conducted with due respect and in reflection of Her Majesty’s immeasurable benevolence, who passed away on October 24, 2025.

The two-day festival aims to promote and preserve Thai traditions and cultural heritage. Activities such as lantern releases, cultural performances, and fireworks will proceed as usual,with opportunities provided for all participants to express their remembrance and pay their respects appropriately during this national mourning period.”

Loy Krathong Festival – Khao Lak Center

  • The Thai government has confirmed that the Loy Krathong festival will proceed nationwide as scheduled.
  • Celebrations are required to maintain a solemn and respectful tone to honor Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
  • Organizers have been asked to scale back festive elements such as live music and elaborate light-and-sound shows.
  • Some events will replace traditional fireworks with drone shows and use more subdued lighting to create a dignified atmosphere.

The purpose of the Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals is to “express gratitude, seek forgiveness, make wishes for the future, and show reverence to the water goddess (Loy Krathong) and the heavens/Buddha (Yi Peng). Both festivals, celebrated simultaneously, involve releasing lights—krathongs (baskets) on water and khom loy (sky lanterns) into the air—to symbolize letting go of misfortunes and ushering in good luck and renewal.”

Since there is usually a huge crowd at the river, and I’m not good in big crowds in the dark, Brian and I will honor the festivities more quietly. I look forward to seeing the lanterns, and I’ll try to find videos of people releasing krathongs into the water.

What a beautiful way to celebrate a ‘new year’ – letting go of the past year and embracing the promise of a new one!

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July 7, 2025 · 9:13 pm

Nice Surprise!

SJ H

Brian and I walked to the gym this morning, went in when the lights went on as usual, but then the lights went off again. No power. We waited for several minutes, but it stayed dark, so we went back outside. We waited outside a few more minutes and then decided to do something else.

Brian knew about a park that was close to the gym, so we decided to walk around there. The park is called, Princess Mothers Health Garden.

“Leafy local park featuring abundant green space, shade trees & a network of walking paths.”

It is huge and quite beautiful. We only walked the paths in one area. Even though it was “Chiang Mai Cool” at 6 in the morning and quite nice for walking, the humidity is still a bit much for me. I’m hoping that in time I’ll adapt to the climate, but it looks as if it will be a slow process.

There were beautiful buildings and lots of really well taken care of paths and greenery. We walked around the area we chose at least twice, to be the equivalent of my walking on the treadmill at the gym. (without the fast and slow intervals.) Quite a good workout for me – I was using the small towel from my carrier liberally trying to keep the sweat out of my eyes. I was frustrated because that was obscuring my view of the beautiful park! It was a snail’s pace for poor Brian, but he was very patient, having accepted that his regular workout for the day wouldn’t happen.

So what could have been total disappointment about not getting our workout in the gym this morning turned into a beautiful walk and an adventure for me!

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May 17, 2025 · 4:00 am

Pimm’s Cup Roastory Lab

This is the cute resident of this coffee shop where I enjoyed an iced mocha today. She goes right to sleep in the middle of the shop and everyone walks around her, or tries to get her to wake up and come over to visit them.

There is a really beautiful straw piece that is rolled down to unfold and shade the shop.

It is my firm opinion that these stools are much too pretty to sit on. Aren’t they great?

We stopped here on the way back home from visiting Harvey. The visit started out with the physical therapy guy getting Harvey out of bed and walking all the way out to the front porch. This is a real professional with a nice manner, very strong and experienced. He walks behind Harvey, with a safety belt tight around Harvey’s middle, supporting him while Harvey concentrates on trying to stand up straight, with his head up as high as possible, putting one step in front of the other. He rested for a few minutes in the wheel chair that one of the nurses wheeled behind him, and then the PT guy was trying to get him up to walk back. Harvey wanted coffee and decided to try to “order” it then and there. The guy played along, saying he would get a cup of coffee if he walked back to his bed. Harvey refused at first, and then finally gave in – and got his cup of coffee.

Harvey’s attitude is embarrassing. Instead of being grateful that he is in a nice place, with good food, and caring, attentive people to try to help him, he acts like a greedy child. He seems to have lost the ability to think beyond what he wants, trying to order everyone around. When he tried to do it with Brian, Brian told him not to order him around, and we abruptly left. We’re not at all sure that our actions will get through to him, but we figured it was worth a shot. We’re hoping that this is a phase he’s going through and he will start acting more like himself in the coming months. It’s hard to see him this way, but we of course have no control over his hoped-for recovery.

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