“Random Funny Memes” – BoredPanda.com – Adelaide May Ross, Mantas Kacerauskas, and Rugile Zemaityte
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My latest painted sketch
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It occurred to me that I hadn’t seen any hummingbirds, and I thought of trying to hang up a feeder on my balcony. I researched and found that hummingbirds are only native to the Americas! There are, however, “Sunbirds” here. One is called an “Olive-Backed Sunbird” and the other is called a “Green-Tailed Sunbird.” They are best seen at high elevations and in local parks. So, my thoughts about a feeder on my deck are not reasonable. 🥲
Olive-Backed Sunbird -BirdGuides
Green-Tailed Sunbird – eBird
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Harvey’s nurse wrote to Brian, saying the French fries were delivered to the nursing home yesterday and that Harvey enjoyed them. We were kind of hoping for a video of him enjoying them, but that didn’t happen. We also don’t know if he connected the fries with the fact he told Brian Saturday he wanted some or thought they had magically fallen out of the sky, but his day was brightened by a kind act by Brian, and that’s priceless.
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ABC Pediatric Therapy
I will try to do some sketching this afternoon. I’m finishing the painting of my last sketch, so I need to get my pencil going. I’m also going to concentrate on trying to make progress on my puzzle. Such a nice afternoon ahead!
“If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” ―Dolly Parton
This is just one of MANY trees and bushes blooming right now. I’m not really sure WHY they are blooming, since this is the ‘hot and hazy’ season right now, with little, if any, rain. It just makes me happy to look around and see wonderful splashes of color and lush blooms.
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Women’s Health
Shout-Outs to –
Linda Smith
Sheila Murrey
For introducing me to Qigong, (Chi-gong) an ancient Chinese wellness system combining slow movement, breathing techniques, and focused intention to cultivate and balance “qi” (vital energy). It integrates gentle physical postures, mental meditation, and deep breathing to reduce stress, increase energy, and enhance overall health.
I’m just getting started with this, but I am already feeling some effects of it and plan to add it to my daily schedule.
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Women’s Health
Shout-Outs to –
Cathy
Nora
Michael
Linda B.
Kay
For various reasons, these wonderful people are facing challenges, needing my thoughts, prayers, and love.
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123RF
Brian and I went to see Harvey at the nursing home this morning. This was one of the better visits, even though his nurse had contacted Brian last night, saying he had cut his hand and was having to wear the plastic “air gloves” because he seemed to be trying to pull his nasal feeding tube out. Today he was calm and in good spirits. He wasn’t hurting. He wasn’t wearing the awful gloves, so I guess the nurse had decided he wasn’t intending to pull out the tube anymore. He really wanted a cheeseburger and fries. Brian finally agreed to talk to the people in charge and see if his nurse could help Harvey eat fries tomorrow if Brian called in a delivery of them out there. Though a lot of what he said didn’t make sense, he wasn’t upset, so it was a good visit.
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Custom Embroidered Clothing
I had fun sketching at the cafe yesterday afternoon, even though I didn’t get my favorite seat. It was good I took my sweatshirt because it was like a meat locker in the cafe, so I pulled it on after about half an hour and then was comfortable. I will try to get started painting one of the sketches this afternoon.
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Wiroj Sidhisoradej – Freepik
There is an Asian family of 3 across the building from me, with a father, mother, and little boy of about 5, I think. I don’t know where they are from, but they are very nice. When the little boy looked at me with his beautiful large eyes a week or so ago, I impulsively waved at him. Now we wave enthusiastically whenever we see each other. 👋. Today when I went up for breakfast, the mother and boy rode in the elevator with me. His mom is really pretty and she was wearing a motorcycle helmet with playing cards on both sides. They could have been an ad for anything they looked so nice! We have only said, “Hello,” because language is a barrier, but it’s so pleasant to see them.
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“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ―Dalai Lama XIV
Today is my “thoroughly-pampered” day of the week.
It started out really nicely because we met the other housekeeping lady for the building as we left for the gym. I was finally able to give her a belated St. Patrick’s Day card. She grinned a HUGE grin and hugged me. She was the last one on my list. I’m not sure if Thai people celebrate Easter or not. I’ll have to find out so I can make some cards for my core people here if they do.
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BC SPCA
I’m just back from a really nice massage. Every week I still miss Lynn Moody, my wonderful massage therapist in Greenwood, Arkansas. Lynn is not only a super good massage therapist, she and I are FRIENDS. Each month we would catch up on what was happening in our lives. I was so lucky to find her.
My regular therapist was not there again this week. With our pantomiming, Khun Sulee told me (I THINK) that my regular therapist, Khun Weaw, had to move from her place, pack THAT DAY last week and move. She apparently has a new place, but is either painting it herself or having it painted before she moves in. I THINK she will be back next week.
I’m really lucky that Khun Sulee was available to do my massage this morning. I feel great now!
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Altenew
I have time now to write posts for the blog and catch up on a few things before we leave for the cafe. My place is ready for Khun Nong to come and scrub my place while I am having a mocha, sketching, reading the book on my Kindle, or hopefully watching the traffic out the front window.
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I tried the 10-minute video of Qigong yesterday afternoon. I found it very interesting. It usually takes me several times before I feel comfortable following a video and relax into it, so I’m planning to do it today after I return from dinner. So far, I’m impressed. I followed the lady’s instructions as best I could and DID feel tingling in my hands and arms, and DID feel more relaxed when I finished! I thank my friend Linda Smith again for letting me know about this, plus I found out my friend Sheila Murrey also does this practice. I feel a bit late to the party, but I’m delighted to add something like this to my day.
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“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” ―Thich Nhat Hanh
This is my latest painted sketch. I consider this almost a self-portrait of me over the past two years or so, stuffing my face while piously ordering a DIET coke, looking a bit guilty…
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It’s 80 and sunny here. Windows are open, breezes are pouring in, I’m smiling as I type. I’m planning to concentrate on my puzzle today, seeing if I can finally make some good progress. I want to see that beautiful turtle emerge!
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I’m doing basic stuff today to prepare for Khun Nong to come clean my place tomorrow, such as changing my sheets, gathering my trash, putting out fresh towels, etc. I will get cash today so I can pay everyone tomorrow for my massage and the cleaning.
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Thanks to Linda Smith (thanks, Sweet Linda ❤️) I’m going to try this today.
“Qigong (pronounced “chee-gong”) is a 4,000-year-old traditional Chinese practice that combines slow, gentle movements, deep breathing, and focused meditation to cultivate and balance vital life energy (Qi). It is a mind-body-spirit practice aimed at improving health, reducing stress, and enhancing vitality through dynamic movement or still meditation.”
“Being happy isn’t having everything in your life be perfect. Maybe it’s about stringing together all the little things.” ―Ann Brashares, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Windows open, breeze coming through, sun shining – what more could anyone ask? I’ve walked my mile at the gym, increasing my speed a notch this morning; shared breakfast with Brian (breakfast burrito – with scrambled eggs, bacon, and salad wrapped in a tortilla, with a side of some Thai apple slices); and now have a free day – except for taking clothes to the laundry some time this morning. AHHHHH!
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Mid morning yesterday Brian peeled and cut up some of the mayong-chit we received as a gift from one of the building housekeepers. It was a delicious combination of mango/peach/plum and had a slightly sour, but mostly sweet taste. I really liked it, though it was a bit messy to peel and cut up.
Brian has cautioned me not to leave ANY food or any little drips or drops or smells of any food on the counter or elsewhere to avoid being besieged with ants. I got a HINT of that when I didn’t clean out my sink quickly enough, leaving a small drop of olive oil. It took me several days to get rid of them, and I’ve been more careful since. We have no problem at all if we are just super clean. 🧼
Anyway, the gift of the mayong-chit was super nice and we loved it. We’ll probably eat the rest of it today. YUM!
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This is my latest painted sketch.
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Ranger Rick
Today I will do yoga stretches mid morning. To this I have added some stretching standing up, arms together over my head, reaching for the ceiling, and then bending over and reaching toward the floor several times. I’ve also added some leg lifts (although I’m pathetic at this so far) and some abdominal crunches with legs straight and with legs bent. This makes for a good bit of exercise combined with walking the mile at the gym first thing every morning.
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I will get started painting another sketch today, 🎨 and see if I can make some progress on my puzzle. 🧩 My book on my Kindle book 📖 is calling me, as well. And, of course, before any of these, I’ll do my posts ✍🏼 for the blog.
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“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” ―Omar Khayyam
I can’t find the artist credit for this, but it made me laugh.
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This is my latest painted sketch, but it didn’t turn out as I envisioned it. I had a good time and I learned a lot.
1) trying to use a real leaf -even one that is freshly fallen – is not necessarily a good idea.
2) trying to write on a real leaf is difficult and hard to read. This one is supposed to say, “Autumn is a gentle reminder that change can be beautiful.” I will try again soon and see if it goes better.
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I had a happy surprise this morning. One of the dear cleaning ladies in the building stopped us as we were headed for the elevator. She gave me this clear bag full of fruit! I gave her the St. Patrick’s Day card I made for her and she hugged me. It was a really nice thing.
Later when we were eating breakfast, Brian said, “Mayongchit.” I replied, “Bless you!” He then told me that is the name of the fruit the cleaning lady gave me.
I looked it up and found – “Its season lasts only a few weeks from around February – April each year. Small, oval-shaped fruit, small enough to fit wholly within the palm of your hand, is green when young, but will turn a deep yellow-orange when ripe. The flesh of the fruit is quite similar in texture to a mango, however, the taste is quite different! It is likened to a cross between mango and plum, with just a hint of sour flavor on the surface right under the skin which gives way to a sweet fruit beneath. Mayong-chit fruit is also high in Vitamin C, fiber and water content – all reasons to make this great little fruit a part of your diet – while supplies last!”
Brian said we might take a break around noon and have some! 😋
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Freepik
I have my windows open and a delicious breeze is coming through my place. My Chiang Mai Air Pollution Real-Time Index website said ‘good’ this morning, and is still saying ‘moderate’ right now, so I’m soaking it up! I absolutely love they windows in my condo. Since I have the new ones, there seems to be NO leakage when it rains. The big test will be in the rainy season, but we’ve had a couple of rains now where I think the ‘bucket and towel brigade’ would have had to go into action and there was absolutely no problem.
The big thing when I enter my condo is the feeling of light and air. There are windows all the way across my dining/living area, windows in my balcony door, windows in my art alcove, and windows in the bedroom. My spirits lift and a grin plasters itself across my face every time I come in.
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Today is a quiet day. No errands, and the chores are mostly already done, so I’m free to write blog posts, paint, puzzle, read, listen to music, watch a movie, take a walk outside, take a nap… YEAAAAAAAAA!
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