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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/books/item_id/1311011-Porthole/sort_by/entry_order DESC, entry_creation_time DESC/page/3
Rated: 13+ · Book · Personal · #1311011
A terminal for all blogs coming in or going out. A view into my life.
Started July 1st 2019 for contests, etc. as other blogs are filling up and have other purposes.

Ferry boat between Solvorn and Ornes across the Lustrafjord i Sogn og Fjordane.




I'm starting a new blog because
BOOK
L'aura del Campo  (13+)
Online journal capturing the moment and the memory of moments. A meadow meditation.
#982524 by Kåre Enga in Montana
had over 1,200 entries and that was getting close to full. I don't want to trim it by deletion. I did that once, much to my dismay. Will be used more for poetry.

BOOK
Hoarfrosts from Hell  (GC)
Anything I'm not happy about or that I don't want in my main blog!
#997339 by Kåre Enga in Montana
is still hidden from the public and will remain so. It's more personal and full of angst. Was used for 30DBC for May 2020 and now used for Blogville.

BOOK
Enga mellom fjella  (13+)
Enga mellom fjella: where from across the meadow, poems sing from mountains and molehills.
#1317094 by Kåre Enga in Montana
was full... until the number of entries was increased. A mixed blog, mostly stories.

I'll be linking to
BOOK
On The Write Path  (13+)
ON THE WRITE PATH: travel journal for Around-the-World in 2015, 16, 18.
#2032403 by Kåre Enga in Montana
as I need to post there about my travels.

 
BOOK
O Pinions!  (XGC)
May my opinions gather wind under their wings and fly, perchance to soar.
#1501776 by Kåre Enga in Montana
is for my opinions. *Laugh*

BOOK
Nurture your Nature  (13+)
Look around. Let Nature nurture your Soul. I record images I sense and share them here.
#1439094 by Kåre Enga in Montana
was set up for nature observations and musings.

 
BOOK
Watt's Gnus  (18+)
On topics and today's gnus. Definitely opinionated. Set to 18+ for a reason.
#1439092 by Kåre Enga in Montana
come out of a need to share interesting stuff I come across. When I was young I did a small newsletter named as such. (or was it column in the newsletter? Been 30 years... I think.)

 
FOLDER
Flash Fiction  (GC)
Short 300 word, more or less, "stories" .
#2190336 by Kåre Enga in Montana
is where I put my flash fictions. Maybe someday I'll figure it out and have enough good ones to publish. Ratings vary and some are hidden from view.

I've started an appendix (I no longer have one personally) to keep track of my Space Cadet journals for Space Blog. It's a work constantly under construction. Mind the mess.
STATIC
Space Cadet - the never ending journal  (18+)
Journeys of an Alien Space crew.
#2226611 by Kåre Enga in Montana


I needed to start a folder for contests as there are so many deadlines and details to remember.
 
FOLDER
Conquest ... to keep track of contests  (18+)
A place to keep track of in progress works and up-coming deadlines as well as any awards.
#2233119 by Kåre Enga in Montana
(also very messy!) *Shock2*

 
FORUM
Blogville   (XGC)
Where bloggers meet and greet to read and share. No required prompt. Alias: blogville.
#2253938 by Kåre Enga in Montana
is for posting personal blog entries in hope that folks will comment and post their blog entries there as well. I will be commenting on all blog entries posted. It's my effort to rebuild a blogging community.

BOOK
Bibimbap 비빔밥   (13+)
Left-overs piled on hot rice and mixed.
#2296648 by Kåre Enga in Montana
an E blog focusing on food and culture. Easily digestible for the Queasy and Questioning.

Previous ... 2 -3- 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ... Next
December 18, 2023 at 12:25am
December 18, 2023 at 12:25am
#1061120
On-line article:

Even in a religious society, telling someone that you’ll pray for them can come across as disingenuous. Praying is all fine and good, and some people are well-meaning and the like, but it’s not really a show of sympathy, and it’s not really particularly helpful either.


It extends to other places this statement is used, such as in online circles and beyond. Maybe instead, we can try and come up with some genuine heartfelt words that sound sincere and isn’t the same parrotted statements.

To Storm:

Time by volume... like filling up a balloon or a room or... I dunno. My morning routine was about 1 meter squared... cut in half. How many squares can I stack in a day? What's the size of my room/body/life I inhabit?

I'm filling up my time dog paddling through this experience in Thailand. I figure that swimming is better than drowning. Been there before.

My relationship... is rocky at the moment. Nice 1 minute snuggle this morning; but frankly, I want more. Regardless of his issues... I could use a therapist to help me deal with mine.

My back is doing somewhat better with daily exercise (or exorcise as I call it). I don't take good care of myself when I'm alone. I shouldn't be alone.

My chiropractor friend told me a long time ago (over 20 years) that one of my issues was my mother. She used Bio-Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T.) if I remember right. When my mother died last year at age 99 I felt a weight lifting. I was 'free'. Mind you, she'd become a sweet old lady; but, my inner child still remembered the Before Times. I find it sad in retrospect.


To Robert:

1. "I really want to _____.

2. "If you take the attitude [...] that you're only doing what you want to do [...] then all the time is yours.

3. "If there's something you think you want to do, but never seem to have the time to do it, then maybe you don't really want to do it."

I feel better when I WANT to exercise in the morning. I do it regardless because it has truly helped me. But I don't "work" and mornings were the bane of my existence when I did. After two cups of coffee and 10 a.m. you can talk to me now.

I decided in 2009 (long time ago for Gen Z) that I finally wanted to go back to Costa Rica. Took me 35 years, but I've written about that ad nauseam. That led to travel, something I remembered wanting to do when I was 11. Advice: listen to your inner child.

I wanted to come to Thailand. So, I did. I didn't "have to". Now, I'm divided. Part of me wants to leave soon, part of me wants to leave later, part of me wants to just stay. I will "have to" leave but whether I come back depends on want versus need.

I only have so much time. I can waste it or spend it. Either way the Hourglass empties. My work-life wasn't totally wasted. It just felt like that at times. Would I have been happier chasing happiness rather than showing up for a paycheck so I could eat?


The Solstice cometh. It's drier and cooler in Isan in north-east Thailand. The sun doesn't burn as much and shadows are longer. I can keep the windows open when the air pollution isn't dangerous. Folks are out and about a tad more. In Troms in Northern Norway the sun set around November 21st. It won't peek above the horizon until Soldag... around January 19th. In Montana it's just cold and snowy. Where I grew up... ditto.

(exercise) = Exor. (observations) = obsv. (s***,shave,shower) = ss&s. (read something) = read. (comment blogs) = bogs. (BoyLove series on-line) = ytBL. (Thai TV BL series on GMMTV25) = tv25. (write poetry or prose) = PorP. (take a daily walk) = walk. (buy something) = shop. (take a photo) = foto. (video) = วิดีโอ. (speak Thai/Lao) = pôod. (learn Thai) Thai. (go-into-the-water) = pool. (clothes) = wash. (cook something) = cook. (tidy up) = mess. (travel) = trip. (noon) = เที่ยง. (talking to ex-pats/travelers/strangers in European) = chat. (Thai teaching book) = book. (hand written journal) = jour. (contests) = test. (water) = agua. (National Blog Post Month) NBPM. Groan Groan smiley


24 desember *Candy1* 24 ธันวาคม

*Checkr* PorP. ""Lefty" D23 #18 40w 'demonstrate'
*Checkr* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 10:47-11:22. 70-ish. Uninterested.
*Checkr* obsv. breeze; chairs stacked; small clouds; unhappy thoughts.
*Checkr* ytBL. Last Twilight "Mee took her shadow by the hand." Watched Ep.7 with subtitles.
*Hourglass* เที่ยง. 72 degrees. AQ 51 (poor)

*Checkr* PorP. ""Nazaré" Dec24 #19 40w 'brave' This should fulfill the requirements of the challenge.
*Checkr* ss&s. Late, but better than never. Put on a short sleeve but heavy fabric shirt. Red, of course.
*Checkr* walk.
*Checkr* foto. bao.
*Checkr* shop. merit flowers, buns, coffee.

Pan seems a bit better; but, he sleeps and says little. He isn't here when he works and he isn't here when he's here. *Sad* He slept a lot but he's cooking, a good sign.

23 desember *Candy7* 23 ธันวาคม

*Checkv* bogs. Robert/Storm/Tracker
*Checkv* exor. 300/300/260/300 = 1160. Very windy. A chill 55 degrees.
*Checkv* foto. "Back to School", Nong Lek.
*Checkv* ss&s.
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 73 degrees. Noon here is midnight WDC. It means I'm now on 'today' for my posts... Today that's okay, but sometimes it's a pain.
*Checkv* blog. "Sleeping Beauty and "R U A ... article from 1941!.
*Checkv* walk. Nong Bua and Nong Lek. Nasty trash and nasty dogs.
*Checkv* tv25. "Cherry Magic" Interesting but I was also trying to take care of Pan.

It took me 1 hour to get Pan to take his meds. He's hot-and-cold (Hot-brow; frozen-hands). I'm truly upset... again. He comes home and promptly gets sick. This is not the life I signed up for. I'm distraught because I don't know what to do and I fear doing something wrong.

22 desember *Candy4* 22 ธันวาคม

*Checkb* bogs. Mighty/Crabby/Apondia/Kat
*Checkb* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. Very cold wind chill. 10:00-10:26. 66 degrees.
*Checkb* foto.
*Checkb* obsv. green and red banners, cold brisk breeze, one dove, laundry hanging fragrant, cough, warm sun.
*Checkb* ss&s. Checked off before I did it because I don't want to... Now I must. Scrubbed toes.
*Checkb* เที่ยง. 69 degrees
*Checkb* PorP. ""No Gift From Santa This Year" D22 #17 40w 'poverty'
*Checkb* walk.
*Checkb* agua. 10 liters (5 today; 5 yesterday)
*Checkb* blog. "Close family and friends... "Once Upon A Time"
*Checkb* tv25. "Last Twilight"

Pan came home earlier than I expected. He feels... distant. Thais do pleasant but distant well; so, I don't know what to think at the moment. He got up to cook, but... *sigh*

To Seven: My generation didn't move around as much. Once we did it was harder to keep in touch. My younger sister though still lives in the same house since she was born.

Pittsburgh... wonder whether we still have family there. My Aunt Verna lived her entire life in Jeannette and Uncle Jerry was in the vicinity. New York, Arizona, Washington, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, California, New Jersey... people drifted or ran away. Once my grandfather died and my uncle whisked my grandmother away, the family fell apart. It took years for me to realize that they were never close to begin with.

My father's family (centered in WNY), as grouchy as Olde Swedes can be, did much better. I even have cousins in South Carolina in the Greenville area. I should call and say hello...

I'm happy to read this entry. It contrasts to my isolation, loneliness and depression in Montana and Thailand. I didn't have a close network of friends growing up but I was looking forward to our HS class reunion. Then covid...

You are blessed. It's great to have friends around the world (there are wonderful people everywhere *Smile*), but last night there was no one to talk to. I did get good advice from an Aussie I met in Costa Rica who is relaxing in Ecuador... but it's not the same as sitting at the kitchen table (we were kitchen folks) playing cards.

And... "This entry went exactly where it needed to go. I don't drink alcohol; but, All Hail Mimosa!

I'm a bit like both of you. I'm warm but can be no nonsense. I'm a day dreamer who overthinks and overplans. Finding someone to compliment me has been a lifelong struggle. I want someone to be my 'home' but want to take them with me. Maybe I need a dog?"

21 desember *Candy3* 21 ธันวาคม

*Checko* exor. 400/300/400/500 = 1600. 59-61 degrees. Cold. 07:36-08:07.
*Checko* bogs. Jennifer/Joy/Tracker
*Checko* cook. Salmon steamed over rice mixed with potato/carrot/garlic/egg.
*Clock* เที่ยง. 77 degrees.
*Checko* PorP. ""Breakfast Break" D21 #16 40w 'beaker'
*Checko* ss&s.
*Checko* tv25. Faceless Love ... but not into it tonight.
*Checko* blog. "Avoidance and lying.

To?: I have realized that I shouldn't live alone. Unless it's a wee cottage in the Cotswold with a wee cat on me lap. Distance is definitely a factor in my family. In general this American notion that old folks should move to Florida to golf with other old folks hasn't helped maintain family units or communication between generations.

Thanksgiving follows harvest time and a time of plenty. Makes sense to finally rest. Winter in the North was also a time of rest.

Many customs are 'transplanted'. I grew up in an area that embraced the German traditions. Costa Rica embraced the Mediterranean customs. In Thailand the Northern European version has become plastic and commercial. The lights are nice though.

To Joey: Not the Christianity surrounding me when I was a child. And that's the problem. It would be nice if Christians would put the words of Christ at the center of their beliefs.

To Sharon: Yes. Exactly. They aren't the Words of Christ and have no right to be the center of any belief system named after Him. I'd quote Psalm 137.9 but you are quite aware of that awful verse.

20 desember *Candy5* 20 ธันวาคม

*Checkg* exor. 350/300/300/300 = 1250. Approximate. 68-75 degrees. 08:54-09:26.
*Checkg* obsv. tables, lights, bees mostly gone?, fly, sea of purple trumpets, 3 xmas trees.
*Checkg* ss&s. scrubbed toes a tad; mustache mostly gone.
*Checkg* bogs. NormaJean/MRobert/Brian
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 82 degrees.
*Checkg* blog. "Lonely Ghost And 5 comments. Thank you.
*Checkg* PorP. ""Miss Pauline Katherine Jensen" D19 #15 40w 'still'
*Checkgr* tv25. Faceless Love... but it doesn't thrill me. Pretty actors; office based; not deep.
*Checkgr* Thai. body parts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3FxhwPWVm8

Pan came home... briefly... makes me very sad.

Merit Badge in Shadows and Light
[Click For More Info]

A huge congratulations, to you! You have won an Honourable Mention in  [Link To Item #shadows] .

Beautiful writing! I look forward to reading more of your work next year *^*Wink*^*

Rachel *^*Heartv*^*
Shadows and Light


19 desember *Candy7* 19 ธันวาคม

*Checkp* Thai. Scold me! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWl6BkBghTg
*Checkp* PorP. ""Let it go" D18 #14 39w 'carrying'
*Checkp* exor. 400/400/400/500 = 1700. 75 degrees. 09:44-10:29. Slow and easy today.
*Checkp* obsv. fresh mown grass (petrichor?); noisy mower; wood bee; worker chatter; metal clatter (scaffold); heron hoot; bird twatter...
*Checkp* ss&s.
*Checkp* bogs. Beholden/Mouse/Whirls
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 82 degrees
*Checkp* blog. "Just because I'm 'silly'.

18 desember *Candy8* 18 ธันวาคม

*Checky* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. Lackadaisical. 09:59-10:24 75 degrees.
*Checky* PorP. ""TM" D17 #13 40w 'truth'
*Checky* bogs. Kitti/Carolyn/Flick and Robin.
"It takes a village" — local, regional, global. Knowledge is kept alive by those who cherish it."
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 81 degrees.
*Checky* blog. "Happy? Unhappy?
*Checky* foto. I inhale your fragrance so I'll remember long after I am gone know that you are forever loved
*Checky* pôod.
*Checky* walk.
*Checky* shop. กาแฟ (red,green,blue), ซื้อต้มข่าไก่
*Checky*

9000 views
December 11, 2023 at 7:50am
December 11, 2023 at 7:50am
#1060868
Robin Moyer Every day has an associated color. Red, yellow, pink, green-day/grey-evening, orange, sky-blue, dark-blue/purple. Older people follow the colors more than youth but most people know the day's color. Tan is worn by government officials. Police have their own color as do the military branches. Each monarch has a color associated with them as well. As do many places. Udon is orange after the flowering tree (January, February). I suspect Sisaket is yellow. Not that different from the US in some ways. Maroon was the color of my high school and also the U of Montana. Colors are not worn to funerals (black/white is appropriate) and black isn't worn to weddings (pastels are the way to go as the wedding party may be in white or red).

Kitti: I miss old friends and talking to family. I'm old... so... that's to be expected. Some will die without me ever saying goodbye because...

My family kept secrets. Found a cousin through DNA but did my sister share his address? Or that of another who lived within driving distance? The family gatekeepers have saddened me beyond Beyond. Sure... I get that they don't matter to you... but me? Do I matter?

DNA did bring up some details that don't match the family stories... but generations of 'forgetfulness' severs the Past.

(exercise) = Exor. (observations) = obsv. (s***,shave,shower) = ss&s. (read something) = read. (comment blogs) = bogs. (BoyLove series on-line) = ytBL. (Thai TV BL series on GMMTV25) = tv25. (write poetry or prose) = PorP. (take a daily walk) = walk. (buy something) = shop. (take a photo) = foto. (video) = วิดีโอ. (speak Thai/Lao) = pôod. (learn Thai) Thai. (go-into-the-water) = pool. (clothes) = wash. (cook something) = cook. (tidy up) = mess. (travel) = trip. (noon) = เที่ยง. (talking to ex-pats/travelers/strangers in European) = chat. (Thai teaching book) = book. (hand written journal) = jour. (contests) = test. (water) = agua. (National Blog Post Month) NBPM. Groan Groan smiley


17 desember *Flowerr* 17 ธันวาคม

I managed to get some sleep. And after my first coffee... I'm almost awake. Just listless. I dream of Tromso in Northern Norway and crisp fresh air in the Land of Darkness. It's 08:42 and I've even washed the dishes from yesterday. Still... *sigh*

*Checkr* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 79 degrees 10:16-10:45.
*Checkr* obsv. breeze, 'no smoking' sign at the bench, bee on my balcony, jet, yellow leaves, 'chewed' leaves, 2 women with 2 teenage girls.
*Checkr* PorP. ""Auld Liam" D16 #12 40w 'old'
*Clock* เที่ยง. 84 degrees.
*Checkr* cook. Reheated my rice/potato/carrot/shroom/onion/garlic/PaLo with an egg on top. I'll be eating this all day.
*Checkr* mess. swept a little, should do more, and "deeper", later.
*Checkr* bogs. Stik/Rhychus/Tileira
*Checkr* foto.

Finally... 9,000 views (noticed @ 12:32).

Some good points re Texas and abortion: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/letters-to-the-editor-pro-life-texas-shows-abo...

16 desember *Flowerv* 16 ธันวาคม

*Checkv* exor. 300/300/300/600 = 1500.
*Checkv* obsv. 2 last orchids fading. No yellow trumpets in bloom. Long shadows.
*Checkv* PorP. ""Pretty Awesome in Pink" D15 #11 40w 'outstanding' and "[This is not winter]
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 86 degrees.
*Checkv* foto. ปฏิเสธ (ถูกปฏิเสธ = rejected) guarding the Stollen from being stolen.
*Checkv* bogs. Jennifer/Staine/Charity
*Checkv* blog. "ปฏิเสธ ... because that's how I feel.
*Checkv* shop. carrot, eggs, shrooms, onion... pa-lo.

"I understood it to be phatic: a stranger’s way of saying I am a fellow human looking out for the youngest member of our tribe."

Phatic: denoting or relating to language used for general purposes of social interaction, rather than to convey information or ask questions. Utterances such as hello, how are you? and nice morning, isn't it? are phatic.

But... not for everyone. When I ask, in English, I often really welcome a response.

15 desember *Flowerb* 15 ธันวาคม

*Xb* exor. No time in the morning and 90 degrees after sunset.
*Checkb* trip. Bus to Nong Khai.
*Checkb* chat. with friends.
*Checkb* foto.
*Checkb* walk. to bus stations.
*Checkb* bogs. Tracker/Robert/Intuey
*Checkb* exor. 200/200/200/200/400 = 1000. 21:39-21-56 75 degrees.
*Checkb* obsv. Very quiet, calm at night. Day: very hot. Van > UD: no leg room, tuxedo cat, smiles.
*Checkb* tv25. Last Twilight.

I saw Eugene and Ype. Ate German style fried potatoes. Coke. Coffee.

14 desember *Blocko* 14 ธันวาคม

*Checko* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 79 degrees. 10:20-10:52.
*Checko* obsv. bees, flies, key, orchids, birds mating. green man shearing shrubs.
*Checko* PorP. ""Morning exercise" D13 #9 40w 'speculation'
*Checko* bogs.
*Checko* blog. "Even an old dog can paddle water... till he can't anymore.
*Checko* walk.
*Checko* tv25. Faceless Love.

13 desember *Flowert* 13 ธันวาคม

*Checkg* exor. 300/154/300/300 = 1054. Interrupted... 79 degrees. 09:46-10:14.
*Checkg* obsv. falling leaves.
*Checkg* ss&s.
*Checkg* foto. orchid, 'face', choreque.
*Checkg* chat. P'Nan, Steve, Rick, Joe. Short chats.
*Checkgr* walk.
*Checkgr* shop. toilet paper, coffee (yellow packets)
*Checkgr* bogs. Steve/Joy/Crabby/Robert.
*Checkgr* tv25. Faceless Love on 25 and 7 Days to Valentine on 31.

12 desember *Flowerp* 12 ธันวาคม

Sisaket to Udon to Mukdahan to Sakon Nakhon to Udon. 10 hours...

*Checkp* trip.
*Checkp* foto. out the window of the green bus.
*Checkp* exor. 300/200/300/300 = 1100. I finished around 20:00, after I got back.
*Checkp* obsv. New orchid, woman in black.
*Checkp* tv25. End of Wednesday Club. Not so intrigued to watch again with subtitles.
*Checkp* ytBL. Ep. 5 of "Last Twilight". Love the story, the acting, everything.

11 desember *Flowery* 11 ธันวาคม

Sisaket...

*Xy* exercise.
*Checky* walk.
*Checky* trip. Taxi to Ban Ku Sot คูซอด, where Chavala's family lives.
*Checky* foto.
*Checky* chat. All day. *Smile*

TAINAN YEAR of the DRAGON

Anping Light District @ Lin Moniang Park, the original 1661 Taiwan Boat Park along the Anping Canal and Anping Recreation Pier. 3 Feb - 10 Mar 2024 except 9 Feb.
High-speed railway light district @ Tainan Convention and Exhibition Center and its surrounding venues, Sharon Green Energy Technology Demonstration site. 24 Feb - 10 Mar 2024 except 9 Feb.

8974
December 4, 2023 at 4:22am
December 4, 2023 at 4:22am
#1060515
(exercise) = Exor. (observations) = obsv. (s***,shave,shower) = ss&s. (read something) = read. (comment blogs) = bogs. (BoyLove series on-line) = ytBL. (Thai TV BL series on GMMTV25) = tv25. (write poetry or prose) = PorP. (take a daily walk) = walk. (buy something) = shop. (take a photo) = foto. (video) = วิดีโอ. (speak Thai/Lao) = pôod. (learn Thai) Thai. (go-into-the-water) = pool. (clothes) = wash. (cook something) = cook. (tidy up) = mess. (travel) = trip. (noon) = เที่ยง. (talking to ex-pats/travelers/strangers in European) = chat. (Thai teaching book) = book. (hand written journal) = jour. (contests) = test. (water) = agua. (National Blog Post Month) NBPM. Groan Groan smiley


10 desember *Pepperred* 10 ธันวาคม (ธค)

*Checkr* exor. 200/200/200/300 = 900. 70 degrees. Before 8. Short session.
*Checkr* walk. 2 long walks on a day with lots of sitting.
*Checkr* foto. วิดีโอ. out the bus window.
*Checkr* obsv. green katydid?, puddles, much greener in the south.
*Checkr* PorP. "Week Deux (2) 'motorcycle'"   " "Kipp" D10 #7 40w 'orthodox'
*Checkr* bogs. Warped/
*Checkr* blog. "Trip to Sisaket

I managed to order food at the market. Reaction to my use of "sao". It's Lao for 20 not Thai.

9 desember *Cabbagered* 9 ธันวาคม (ธค)

*Checkv* trip. First thing... get the ticket to Sisaket! Leaves 09:30 tomorrow, seat 9 (left side window).
*Checkv* walk.
*Checkv* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 10:30-11:04. 79-82 degrees.
*Checkv* obsv. last v/w orchid; last 3 white moth orchid blooms. Pride of India leaf-bare; heliconia bears witness to its nakedness.
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 86 (30c) degrees.
*Checkv* cook. Egg/garlic/rice/butter.
*Checkv* shop. bought food for the trip at the local market.
*Checkv* PorP. "Week 1 Dem Cryin' Cray'ns"  
*Checkv* tv25. Cherry...
*Checkv* trip. packed.

8 desember *Blueberries* 8 ธันวาคม (ธค)

Really bad mood as Booking and Agoda pissed me off for different reasons. I don't like misleading info and don't have time to play games. Waste of time.

*Checkb* exor. 400/300/300/500 = 1500. 10:04-10:40. 75 degrees.
*Checkb* obsv. huge colony of bees. fat guy with a basketball.
*Checkb* ss&s. yeah, yeah, but I couldn't tell you when.
*Checkb* wash. by hand. hang in balcony to dry.
*Checkb* pack. started packing.
*Checkb* tv25. Last Twilight
*Checkb* walk. Got coffee. Birdy #2 Blue.
*Checkb* bogs. Richard.

7 desember *Orange* 7 ธันวาคม (ธค)

*Checko* exor. 300/200/300/300 = 1100. 77 degrees. 10:08-10:30.
*Checko* chat. Tom. Pear. Rick/Joe.
*Checko* PorP. ""Tsunamigenic" D6 #4 40w 'wave'
*Checko* เที่ยง. 82 degrees.
*Checko* ss&s.
*Checko* bogs. Lyn/Charity/Robert
*Checko* blog. "Visits... past and future.
*Checko* walk.
*Checko* ytBL. Pit Babe.
*Checko* tv25.

6 desember *Lime* 6 ธันวาคม (ธค)

*Checkg* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 08:57-09:31.
*Checkg* ss&s.
*Checkg* trip. 60 baht to Nong Khai; 55 to return.
*Checkg* walk.
*Checkg* chat. Eugene at Mut Mee. Ray on bus.
*Checkgr* foto.
*Checkgr* tv25. Faceless Love "Veekij is a stoic young CEO with prosopagnosia or "face blindness,"
         Its reviews are 7.7... not promising for an office rom-com.
*Checkgr* cook. Since Pan's working... egg, potato, garlic, shallot, carrot... with rice.

5 desember *Raspberries* 5 ธันวาคม (ธค)

Father's Day

*Checkp* exor. 300/300/300/500 = 1400. 79 degrees. 10:10-10:42.
*Checkp* obsv. orchids still blooming but faded. bees. stretching (fear of falling).
*Checkp* PorP. ""Lure" D4 #2 40w 'allure' and in "Winter... as it is... not as I would want it.
*Checkp* blog. "Winter... as it is... not as I would want it.
*Checkp* bogs. Carolyn/Joy/Hooves
*Checkp* walk. Nong Bua.

4 desember *Lemon* 4 ธันวาคม (ธค)

I fell flat on my back in the bathroom. No damage... I think. I'll have Pan check later. I lay in bed for a while. No exercise this morning.

*Checky* เที่ยง. 86 degrees. Now 90.
*Checky* PorP. ""Skip with me" 40w D3 #1 'melody'
*Checky* walk.
*Checky* shop. Bought new shower-head 149 baht, new sink plug 49 baht. (song sao gao / ສອງຊາວເກົ້າ; koy pai / เดินช้าๆ/ gao gao / เก้าก้าว; คุณและฉัน = เรา)
*Checky* chat. Sayan.
*Checky* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 82-79 degrees.
*Checky* tv25. Wednesday Club... getting interesting.
*Checky* agua. 5 liters.
*Checky* bogs. Stik/Brian/AmyJo.

To AmyJo: "I don't believe in the Apocalypse; but, why not be spiritually present every day? That I can understand.

I think that there's a certain fear of the future and the unknown. Solution? Look around. Be present. Be joyful for all the Beauty surrounding each and everyone of us."


I started watching a TED talk about being single and happy. At this stage in my life it would be less drama; but, I really suffered being alone during covid. Which is alive and well in Thailand by-the-way.

Merit Badge in Reach For The Stars
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Congrats on successfully completing the One-Line Lyric challenge with your entry [Link to Book Entry #1060425]. Well done!
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Congrats on successfully completing the One-Line Lyric challenge with your entry "Bittersweet, for the most part bitter [180.xxx]. Well done!

December 3, 2023 at 11:25am
December 3, 2023 at 11:25am
#1060483
Confessions of a Cowardly Cryptid

I was happy, truly happy — once. The jars of humanity snapping shut as I barely escaped cured me of that. The love of my life? Not so lucky. I heard that she survived her captivity for — awhile, pining away at last. A quick painful death would've been kinder. But... humans... humans aren't kind.

I was drawn into the light. Fireflies aglow? Fairies in the snow? The cold did not daunt me. I'm nt haunted; nor do I haunt.

I hide.

And the woods on a Robert-Frosty evening enticed me.

This is where she had died. I came to face my fate, to free myself of the shame and blame, to freeze if necessary.

The cold enveloped me with its warmth. My home world had been colder, much colder.

The wind began to sing. It spoke of Spring, that mythical season of the distant past, the unseen future. The trees stood silent. When would they wake up? Surely not tonight that night that lasted years of my existence. My experience was alien to this world.

I was a mayfly in a world of eternal rocks. They were not as heartless as humans though. Humans. They knew so much about the world surrounding them, little of the other worlds, nothing of where I came from.

I needn't be too careful I reminded myself. They only would see me if they looked. They weren't curious enough to consider that the shimmer was sentient, could move, could feel, knew things that for them did not exist.

My mistake last time was trying to connect. My love and I became visible to speak to them. We soon saw their fear and I winked out; but... my love was not fast enough. They caged her as I fled. There was nothing else I could do.

And here I was, walking among tall trees, cold rocks, a landscape glistening, beckoning, like the sweetest poison I had ever touched.

SURVEY
Short Shots: Official WDC Contest  (ASR)
Use the photo to inspire your creativity. Write a short story and win big prizes!
#1221635 by Writing.Com Support


Short Shots Image Prompt (December 2023)

SS <2000words

"The Solstice Poetry Contest

The longest night lasts for two months in this Land of Twilight. It feels cold, the damp cold that enters the bones and won't leave until the sun returns for 5 minutes on Soldag.

"Merit Badge Magic

The Mole

Ron was happy to be a Hufflepuff. His flaming hair matched Hermione's carpet. Unfortunate that. Gryffindors were always a bit of a clash. He was totally out-matched but besotted.

I became the Resident Mole when Old Meagre lost a fight with a Mandrake. I was considered a wimp. Better to not let them know that I can smell danger better than they-all can see. And Hermione was dangerous. Believe me. A love potion had solved Tom's riddle in that other time-line; but Her Majesty Hermione had crossed over into ours and What-ever-is-his-name had followed. I feel no pain for HMH ... she was bored with Ron. At least her replacement was exciting. Danger usually is.

"The Prompt Me Contest

December: No more than two sentences per weekly prompt!
Please don't post ahead of time.
Click on the above image for details.

*Checkv* Week 1: Dec 3 - 9 *Crayons2* crayons Purple Mountain Majesty watched Sapphire and Ruby fight over the last white spot on the page. She sat with her friend Goldenrod under the pink-penciled banner "Can't We All Get Along" while the other Crayons sharpened their points and took sides.
*Checky* Week 2: Dec 10 - 16 *Motorcycle* motorcycle What goes around comes around. Every spoke in the wheel knew this except Avery, who hung out with the Heaven's Devils.
*Checkr* Week 3: Dec 17 - 23 *Cart* grocery cart It's what's in the cart that counts, he murmured, when the shelves are as empty as my pocketbook. Lyle loaded the '85 Oldsmobile and hoped it had enough gas to get to the pumps. It's what's in the cart that counts, Lyle muttered, when the shelves are as empty as my pocketbook. He loaded the '85 Olds Cutlass and hoped it had enough gas in the tank to get to the pumps.
Week 4: Dec 24 - 30 *Blockr* chimney Santa was too fat for the chimney. Aunt Glennys got off her high horse, hefted her corn-sack, and decided to sneak in the back door instead. Aunt Glennys was too fat for the chimney. So, Santa got off her high horse, hefted her corn-sack, and decided to sneak in the back door instead.

Western genre? Dialogue? 1/teens-poverty 2/horror-romance 3/food-starvation 4/disaster-history

"Invalid Item

The prompts for the following dates:-
12/01/2023- 'encouraging'
12/02/2023-'sweet'
12/03/2023-'melody' Encourage me to sing. Applaud the sweetness of my voice. Provide the harmony as you sing along. The melody rambles through the years of life lived fully. Join this session, skipping over the depths of depression.
12/04/2023- 'Allure' You drew me in. Deep voice resonating in my bones, eyes beckoning me to dive in and swim. You stood on firm ground, soared through clouds, washed away my anxiety and fears. You smelled of the storm... and the regrowth to follow. 41
12/05/2023-'blood' It turned everything black. Stickier than tar it clung to their past, present and future. Thicker than water it defined their ingrown insanity. The spilled blood of generations had spoiled the land. Kindness could not grow there. 37

12/06/2023-'wave' Smile and think kind thoughts. Show me your hand, now move it back and forth. Let the ripples of air go forth to enter the thoughts of others. The soothing caress calms their nerves. Never underestimate the power of a wave. 40

12/07/2023-'expectation'
12/08/2023-'corner' Canceled. I sat in the corner contemplating my options. Quitting never entered my mind but the way forward was blocked by my soon-to-be-missing brother. 26
12/09/2023-'accuracy' It's like lobbing granades. Throw in the general direction and duck back down in the trench. Accuracy mattered less than an ill-timed surprise.
12/10/2023-'Orthodox' Kipp rode a horse to work and told everyone he was an Orthodox Cowboy. Folks weren't sure whether he was joking; but, his concealed weapon didn't suffer fools. He'd left Brooklyn behind years ago.
12/11/2023-'incredible'
12/12/2023-'popular' 23:23... the poplar tree sang a lullaby with the flutter of its leaves. They were turning yellow and dropping. Too dry to sing in the key of green. Nighttime, almost midnight, a popular hour for shenanigans. For me? I listen to the lullaby and hope to sleep.
12/13/2023-'speculation' Watching the bees be — pleased me. Finding my lost keys pleased me more. The sparrows mating in the trees reminded me that I'm alone today. I could speculate "why them, why not me". I Better to focus on my exercise.
12/14/2023-'Aura' She shone like Venus unoccluded, undiminished. Mars was jealous when she Walked-in-Beauty. She always veiled herself in beauty, kept her heart open yet pure. We named her Aura, Her Radiance Aura.
12/15/2023-'outstanding' He stood out. A broad rugby player in a glittering gown usually does. Brad didn't care. His sister had cancer and he wore this for her. Pink ribbons and bows earned him an award, "outstanding".
12/16/2023-'old' Auld Liam ""Auld Liam" D16 #12 40w 'old'
12/17/2023-'truth' "TM stands for Truth Matters." Maybelle was convinced of that as she said it. The classmates shook their heads. "Trademark" someone shouted. Maybelle scowled. "And what good is a trademark if you're selling lies? What you sell must be true — or it doesn't matter."
12/18/2023-' carrying' You should set it down. Now. Set it down. And stand up straight. You been carryin' that load for fifty years. Let it go. It ain't yours to carry. Truth is... It never was. So stand up. Set your eyes towards tomorrow. Now. Let's go.
12/19/2023-'still' She wasn't finished, wouldn't be finished on time; but, at age 93, she no longer cared. They called her the doll-lady, didn't even know her name. She wondered whether any of them would show up at her wake. This doll. This doll would be buried with her.
12/20/2023-'tremendous '
12/21/2023-'beaker' A pint would do if you don't have a quart. You don't... do you have a cup to spare? Thank you. I left the beaker in the lab. Sorry. I'm just making do. I'll bring you a pancake later and the beaker tomorrow.
12/22/2023-'poverty' What did not go up in smoke was lost to air, earth and water. None-the-less, he kept breathing, eating, and even sleeping — when exhausted. Homelessness was a label beyond poor. It was poverty on steroids.
12/23/2023-demonstrate' I could show you how. The directions aren't easy to follow for a lefty. Learn by doing, my father always said. Hold it like this... see? But he was right-handed. Only a lefty can demonstrate properly to another.
12/24/2023-'brave' "Nazare" We brave the wind and rains because we must. Our families depend on us. No fish, no food. Every year some of us don't return; but, the widows in black can attest that we did our best and our children will remember a full belly.
12/25/2023-superstitious'
12/26/2023-mechanical Tin soldiers marched to and fro. Their wind-up hearts would last an hour or two. Long enough for the mechanical morons to distract the Boss from what was really important. This place would explode in 20 minutes. Even the dolls knew it was Doomsday.
12/27/2023-sensessensus'
12/28/2023-'different'
12/29/2023- 'Assistant'
12/30/2023- 'resultant'bles throu
12/31/2023-'numerous'
November 27, 2023 at 6:28am
November 27, 2023 at 6:28am
#1060193
(exercise) = Exor. (observations) = obsv. (s***,shave,shower) = ss&s. (read something) = read. (comment blogs) = bogs. (BoyLove series on-line) = ytBL. (Thai TV BL series on GMMTV25) = tv25. (write poetry or prose) = PorP. (take a daily walk) = walk. (buy something) = shop. (take a photo) = foto. (video) = วิดีโอ. (speak Thai/Lao) = pôod. (learn Thai) Thai. (go-into-the-water) = pool. (clothes) = wash. (cook something) = cook. (tidy up) = mess. (travel) = trip. (noon) = เที่ยง. (talking to ex-pats/travelers/strangers in European) = chat. (Thai teaching book) = book. (hand written journal) = jour. (contests) = test. (water) = agua. (National Blog Post Month) NBPM. Groan Groan smiley


3 desember - 3 ธันวาคม (ธค)

My computer is acting up. Until it settles down... calm cloudy morning. Pan came home around 10 am. I really do not feel well.

*Checkr* blog. "Trauma and ramblings
*Checkr* exor. 200/200/200/300 = 900. Not well. 77 degrees.
*Checkr* obsv. Swarm of hundreds of bees by work-out stations. I put cones to block the path.
*Checkr* ss&s.
*Checkr* chat. Rick and John.
*Checkr* walk.
*Checkr* foto. วิดีโอ.

2 desember - 2 ธันวาคม (ธค)

*Checkv* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200.
*Checkv* rent. Paid for six months.
*Checkv* ss&s.

1 desember - 1 ธันวาคม (ธค)

I switched my blog to "Hoarfrosts from Hell as basically no one was reading or commenting on this blog... for years. I continue it for random thoughts and my blah blah list of my boring life and daily goals.

Pan came home this morning with his luggage and made breakfast and did the wash. I was too busy to help. *Sad*

*Checkb* PorP. "Thorns and "Normality
*Checkb* wash. Pan scores again.
*Checkb* ss&s.
*Checkb* chat. John, Rick, P'Nan.
*Xb* cash. ATM was nice today.
*Checkb* exor. 300/300/300/500 = 1400. 18:52-19:23. 81 degrees. Banged my shin.
*Checkb* cook. Chicken, grilled chicken, fish, (PaLo = pork, egg, broth), carrot, greens, shallot. Yummy. Made at 20:00. I wanted something for Pan. 22:30... he's still not home.
*Checkb* tv25 & tv31. Last Twilight, Pit Babe, Middleman.

30 november - 30 พฤศจิกายน

*Checko* ytBL. Last Twilight ep.3
*Checko* วิดีโอ. Saw the dawn on the train.
*Checko* ss&s.
*Checko* chat. Saw P'Nan briefly.
*Checko* walk.
*Checko* rose. red
*Checko* tv25. I'm Tee, me too (finale?)
*Checko* exor. 200/200/200/300 = 900. 21:44-22:00 81 degrees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8 Pogues: Shane MacGowan dies, age 65.

Miserable train trip. "Cold", bright lights, couldn't get comfortable. And then... Pan wasn't home. I was upset. Later, he did cook supper but left again. I'm probably over-reacting. Why do I bother?

I was the wounded fox quivering in the dark forest waiting for the fog of oblivion, the seed wedged in a crack in the parched pavement waiting for the rain. And I was the golden child who knew he was fake gold waiting for a hug he never received.

So there I was, waiting for the end of winter, hoping I would die come spring.

My lips savored the bittersweet chocolate. I wasn't hungry, hadn't been for a long long time; but, the memory of chocolate-past soothed my nerves. I wanted to die quick. This wasting away was tedious and unnecessary. The end was known. Why, oh why, the delay?

I watched the icicle drip. It was slowly dying too.

In "Normality 547 words

29 november - 29 พฤศจิกายน Malaysia to Thailand

chat. Lunch with Tamil, duck rice; he brought my umbrella. Starbucks. Small gift = a gnome?
foto. from plane.

Goodbyes to Mr. Lim, Boon, Ken, Zul, Pauline.
Flight on Air Asia. Seat 6A. Turbulance... not even water.
Problem at Immigration. New stamp for 28 December.
3rd class on the train, car 8 (9 may be better). 202 baht. Very little rest.

28 november - 28 พฤศจิกายน Georgetown, Malaysia

Chat. Pauline, Will, Zul Iskandar... went out to dinner; liked oyster omelette.
Foto.

Pauline showed me her treasure... and gave me some old money.

27 november - 27 พฤศจิกายน Georgetown, Malaysia

*Xy* exor.
*Checky* cash. Managed to change 1.000 baht = 130 renggit
*Checky* chat. Coffee w/ Boon; drive w/ Ken.
*Checky* foto. วิดีโอ. call to prayer.

Adjusting. Managed to eat chicken rice 7.5RM. Too distracted to be sad over missing Loy Kratong in Thailand.

8809
November 20, 2023 at 10:04am
November 20, 2023 at 10:04am
#1059818
(exercise) = Exor. (observations) = obsv. (s***,shave,shower) = ss&s. (read something) = read. (comment blogs) = bogs. (BoyLove series on-line) = ytBL. (Thai TV BL series on GMMTV25) = tv25. (write poetry or prose) = PorP. (take a daily walk) = walk. (buy something) = shop. (take a photo) = foto. (video) = วิดีโอ. (speak Thai/Lao) = pôod. (learn Thai) Thai. (go-into-the-water) = pool. (clothes) = wash. (cook something) = cook. (tidy up) = mess. (travel) = trip. (noon) = เที่ยง. (talking to ex-pats/travelers/strangers in European) = chat. (Thai teaching book) = book. (hand written journal) = jour. (contests) = test. (water) = agua. (National Blog Post Month) NBPM. Groan Groan smiley


26 november - 26 พฤศจิกายน

*Xr* exor.
*Checkr* walk.
*Checkr* chat. Faiz at Color Port. Ate fish satay.
*Checkr* foto. Gtown at night.

25 november - 25 พฤศจิกายน

*Xv* exor.
*Checkv* walk.
*Checkv* obsv. I didn't write everything down, but puddled green fields, rain, getting wet, limestone butte, green mountains, smooth train/rails.
*Checkv* chat. Zul, Ken, Lim; Tamil, Bop; woman on train; man on ferry 2RM; man at restaurant; man/woman who gave me map.
*Checkv* trip. Train Hat Yai to Pedang Besar; train to Butterworth, ferry to Georgetown; CAT (free bus).

24 november - 24 พฤศจิกายน

Flight at 16:00. UTH - HDY. Will stay at Cat House in Hat Yai tonight.

*Checkb* exor. 300/200/300/300 = 1100.
*Checkb* obsv. flags waving, refracted light, furtive fallen leaves scurry then lie there still in wait.
*Checkb* ss&s.
*Checkb* trip. 2 hour flight. Taxi... At Cat House.
*Checkb* chat. Tamil. Woman from Warsaw. Owner. Sang karaoke.
*Checkb* walk. Night stalls with Tamil. Saw cats.

Sang karaoke. Polish lady, owner, Tamil who is Tamil.

23 november - 23 พฤศจิกายน

*Checko* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 64 degrees. 08:17-08:44.
*Checko* flags, scent of a pink rose, 08:30 alarm, jet, the train already gone south.
*Checko* ss&s. skipped. I was fragrant before I took a shower to go to bed.
*Checko* trip. Flights and hostels booked. Computer was ditsy like me and I didn't finish until 3 a.m.

22 november - 22 พฤศจิกายน

*Checkg* exor. 200/200/300/300 = 1000
*Checkg* ss&s.
*Checkg* chat. At Lumphini... may have straightened out rent. P'Nan. Rick, Joe. David is moving.
*Checkgr* bogs. JoeyC/Beholden/JohnnyO
*Checkgr* walk. Bought banana cupcakes.
*Checkgr* trip. Working on traveling.

To huser:stevengepp in "20231122 NaNo XXV I concur. When I did a booklet of poems I had 4 readers rate them. They chose the best. I was 'too close'.

A beta reader seems special.

An analogy: because I don't speak Thai I use google translate... a lot. The two languages do not translate well back and forth. Thai to English is especially problematic (no tense, no articles). I'm constantly stating that I don't understand. 3 hours of miscommunication today... exhausting. 30 minutes with someone who is fluent in both languages and cultures cleared it up.

If the reader doesn't understand something then clarification is essential and a good beta reader will point that out.


To huser:neuron in "Remembrance "We forget. WW1 is forgotten. WW2 is almost forgotten. Numerous wars in the US lead to a numbness with every death. And once numbed we forget.

We barely embrace our fellow humans. We wage war on all other life-forms. In the end... inhumane humanity will be forgotten. Not all creation-stories have happy endings."


To huser:beholden in "On the Tip of my Tongue "If I don't write it down it's gone with the wind.

I just put it out there if I remember and edit if I remember and ________ (if I remember).

If a story doesn't come I might just write a poem. Since story-telling isn't my strength I just accept that. Regardless, those flashes of brilliance are to be cherished."


To huser:iamjoeyc in ""The Question of the Day" was a good one for me "I looked forward to Thanksgiving growing up. Unfortunately, I grew up in the Great Lakes with a snow-belt between me and my cousins... and it always snowed in November. I planned to see my uncle Thanksgiving 2000 but a storm hit and he died that Sunday. I got to the funeral.

Usually Aunt Alice would visit on Thanksgiving. We were her only close relatives nearby.

Other holidays like July 4th (my uncle's birthday) were spent with the other side of the family. Good memories if I could just remember.

I served smoked turkey once in Kansas; but, unbeknownst to me, my guests were vegetarians."


To Kevin&Cindy at YCC: I trust that there are climate cycles. But like bi-polar disorder if the cycles are too rapid, too extreme, too frequent... an intervention may be advisable. Not all life forms are flexible and adaptive. Humans can be both but massive movements of humans test the limits of a peaceful society.

21 november - 21 พฤศจิกายน

*Checkp* exor. 400/300/350/500 = 1550 08:46-09:17 68 degrees, pleasant.
*Checkp* obsv. The child running, counting numbers; 3 youth on the playground; sun-sear and shade; jet roar; one yellow trumpet in bloom.
*Checkp* ss&s.
*Checkp* mess. Cleaned and defrosted the refrigerator. Pan and I worked well together.
*Checkp* chat. with Hoon and friends at Mill Place. Popcorn!
*Checkp* bogs. Sesheta/Robert/Sandy

I suggested to Pan that we eat out rather than cook tonight. He didn't complain. Cleaning the kitchen was a bit of work. No TV... still on the fritz.

65 degrees at midnight. *Smile*

I need to check on flights before going to bed. So tired... *Yawn*

To Sue Clemenger (FB): “All values in this world are more or less questionable, but the most important thing in life is human kindness.” ― Yevgeny Yevtushenko. Thanks for introducing me to this poet.

To sesheta in "Invalid Entry

I think I have to thank May, Michigan and Keith. T'was 1999 and I became a poet. My Muse broke out of its chains. Come to think of it... it was a crossroads.

I don't market. Could I? Should I... *shudder*. I'm fortunate to get out of bed everyday. There were times in the past when that wasn't guaranteed.

80k is impressive. I have focused on blogs this November but even that's just 14k.

I think you're right about creating and sharing. Focusing on the process will get results... in time.


To cathartes02 in "Revisited: "On Merit" No, I'm questioning the idea that people get rewarded in accordance to their contribution to society. Because they obviously don't.

This. *Up* But even if they did it still wouldn't reflect their true value. A Math teacher can be both brilliant and a serial killer. A brute of a football player with scrambled brains... can be a great father. Assigning a social credit value sounds a tad like what China has experimented with (we already do that in the USA... as you noted). I'm sure each individual contributes in their own way (even if I don't understand).

My value system has little to do with money. But that's me.


To nannamom in "Almost Winter "Growing up I liked November. I was a gloomy kid. However, December was just cold rain. The snows of January/February were much brighter and therefore better.

Here in Thailand... it's 'winter' when the lows go below 23C degrees. It's midnight as I type and 18 and dropping ever-so-slowly.

November here is bright, crisp, breezy and hopeful. The sun doesn't seem to burn and certain trees and orchids begin to flower. It's mostly a lovely time of year. And December and January are nice.

Western holidays are marketed here in Thailand. Thais are good at marketing... but there isn't the food and shopping frenzy I grew up with. Neither seasons nor days-of-the-week are marked here like in Northern Euro-American climes.


20 november - 20 พฤศจิกายน

*Checky* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 68-ish
*Checky* obsv.
*Checky* foto. I took some but Pan took photos of me after he did a 'make-over'.
*Xy* tv25. snowy screen...
*Checky* rent? stay? go? Went to Kangaroo and Aek Udon with Pan. Still no resolution.

To {huser:elusive4lyn in "Nov. 19th toilet fun and quotes

I liked the food mentioned. Different foods here. I do add squash, carrots, potatoes and green papaya to my rice.

I like sweets but my go-to is anything chocolate.

I have a couple rubber duckies but no yellow-ducky stories. I grew up using an outhouse every August; but, again, no stories.

Pan just got out of the shower and "attacked" me while I was writing this comment; but, nothing to share (wish I did *Blush*).

To {huser:4provinces in "Mini Review of The Crown and Gilded Age (Spoilers)

Not all seasons/episodes/chapters/books are equal. I really like Harry Potter Book 4 but the movie was a disaster, imho. I detested Book 5 but the movie was much better. Staunton may have been better cast as Umbridge than Queen Elizabeth.

Casting and writing can make it or break it.

The ghost device in a docudrama would bother me.

I don't have Netflick/HBO/Max/etc. so I probably will never see either.

To {huser:jim-d in "Los Angeles, Sixth Time This Year! I know that flexibility is a 'virtue'... I'm trying to practice that but it's hard when I'm on my own dime. Must straighten out lodging for December/January should I decide to stay here in Udon Thani. To renew my visa I may have to go to Cambodia or Malaysia... bad timing. Too bad we can't meet in LA.

Staying put is an option but it may come with a one-year lease... not what I want.

Having a home to come to is nice.

My health is iffy but no surgery in sight. I'd like to keep it that way. Neuropathy, blood pressure and liver need to be checked. I don't want meds either, but may have to face that choice.

Carpal tunnel would limit my writing... some folks would rejoice in that! Of course... there are voice programs. *Smirk2*

To Silent Majority (YCC): "These land-canes and hybrid storms and who-knows-what storms need to be tracked and garner serious warnings. Too much focus on hurricanes allows the not-so-sexy storms to get away with murder. Naming them might help because that's what people expect. Plus... the debate on what to call a storm doesn't make it any less lethal."


8787
November 13, 2023 at 1:18am
November 13, 2023 at 1:18am
#1059406
35th seven day period of the Year 180

(exercise) = Exor. (observations) = obsv. (s***,shave,shower) = ss&s. (read something) = read. (comment blogs) = bogs. (BoyLove series on-line) = ytBL. (Thai TV BL series on GMMTV25) = tv25. (write poetry or prose) = PorP. (take a daily walk) = walk. (buy something) = shop. (take a photo) = foto. (video) = วิดีโอ. (speak Thai/Lao) = pôod. (learn Thai) Thai. (go-into-the-water) = pool. (clothes) = wash. (cook something) = cook. (tidy up) = mess. (travel) = trip. (noon) = เที่ยง. (talking to ex-pats/travelers/strangers in European) = chat. (Thai teaching book) = book. (hand written journal) = jour. (contests) = test. (water) = agua. (National Blog Post Month) NBPM. Groan Groan smiley

20 november - 20 พฤศจิกายน

*Checky* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 68-ish
*Checky* obsv.
*Checky* foto. I took some but Pan took photos of me after he did a 'make-over'.
*Xy* tv25. snowy screen...
*Checky* rent? stay? go? Went to Kangaroo and Aek Udon with Pan. Still no resolution.

To {huser:4provinces in "Mini Review of The Crown and Gilded Age (Spoilers)

Not all seasons/episodes/chapters/books are equal. I really like Harry Potter Book 4 but the movie was a disaster, imho. I detested Book 5 but the movie was much better. Staunton may have been better cast as Umbridge than Queen Elizabeth.

Casting and writing can make it or break it.

The ghost device in a docudrama would bother me.

I don't have Netflick/HBO/Max/etc. so I probably will never see either.

To {huser:jim-d in "Los Angeles, Sixth Time This Year! I know that flexibility is a 'virtue'... I'm trying to practice that but it's hard when I'm on my own dime. Must straighten out lodging for December/January should I decide to stay here in Udon Thani. To renew my visa I may have to go to Cambodia or Malaysia... bad timing. Too bad we can't meet in LA.

Staying put is an option but it may come with a one-year lease... not what I want.

Having a home to come to is nice.

My health is iffy but no surgery in sight. I'd like to keep it that way. Neuropathy, blood pressure and liver need to be checked. I don't want meds either, but may have to face that choice.

Carpal tunnel would limit my writing... some folks would rejoice in that! Of course... there are voice programs. *Smirk2*

To Silent Majority (YCC): "These land-canes and hybrid storms and who-knows-what storms need to be tracked and garner serious warnings. Too much focus on hurricanes allows the not-so-sexy storms to get away with murder. Naming them might help because that's what people expect. Plus... the debate on what to call a storm doesn't make it any less lethal."

19 november - 19 พฤศจิกายน

*Checkr* exor. 500/300/300/500+ = 1500+. I get distracted and lose count. 72 degrees. 09:57-10:32. Good time (for the next two months) as I was able to work in the shadows of the towers.
*Checkr* obsv. cool shade, a three-year old on a bike with training wheels (very respectful), breeze and leaf scurry.
*Checkr* agua. 9 liters = 9 baht. I didn't use much when Pan was gone for a week.
*Checkr* ss&s. broken shower-head is annoying but we cope.
*Checkr* gnus. #1 Nicaragua = Raul is ecstatic. #2 Thailand = Pan is disappointed.
*Clock* เที่ยง. 77 degrees
*Checkr* foto. I took a couple of Pan with make-up on. He needs to make a portfolio... My phone and the poor lighting and his reluctance make it difficult.
*Checkr* shop. local market for eggs, pork, and a few other things.
*Checkr* chat. David+
*Checkr* bogs. Rhychus/Whirls/Harlow
*Checkr* MBPM. "NaBloPoMo#19

To anon: "When I first joined I felt connected here; but that was 2005 (before bookface), and society has changed since then. Much more divided, unwilling to engage, less civil. WDC isn't immune.

There are many societal taboos I no longer let silence me. I'm highly opinionated (not always right) and have been blocked by a few people, but I don't think I've blocked anyone. However, on FB I put a few people on pause during US election time.

I've given a few 2.5 reviews... and many years ago received a hate-rate in return. Some writing isn't salvageable. I'm not a freebie-five reviewer.

I rarely give reviews and rarely respond. Blogs are my preference.

Hope that this can be resolved to your satisfaction."

To {huser:tgifisher77 in "Playing Cards "Impossible hands... I have watched pinochle and lots of bridge at the Senior Center. I won't play. I do like mahjong and love versions of rummy.

I have seen younger people playing cards but smart phones have blunted any need to connect to people face-to-face. It's quite sad.

I haven't played anything in a long time."

To Sarah Aswell on boozface: Thank you for reminding me that there was a football game. In Kansas we always said, "Win or lose we will booze." I forget because I'm in Thailand with a 10 hour difference. That said, Miss Universe was important here today with Miss Thailand as #2 (some disappointment) while my Nicaraguan friend Raul is ecstatic.

To {huser:vafann on fb re fibromyalgia groups: "Hmm... the stoic Swede? Practical, seeking info, sharing details. Americans? Drama kings and queens. Is this a common stereotype or just me?"

To Togldeblox (YCC): "I've never heard of the QOP; but, if the shoe pinches the toes... Yeah, but there always are those who are greedy and still try to screw the poor at every opportunity. Not always the QOP... but it does feel that way most of the time this past century."

To huser:wofgang in "Invalid Entry "Pan makes sure that I smell sweet before I go out. When I live alone in a dry-cold climate like Montana I don't care so much. But here in hot sweaty Thailand it's essential to take more than one shower every day. I don't just sit in public though like I should. I could.

It's great to just sit and observe. There are stories everywhere (most of them hidden from public view).

Ah. That man in the gabardine suit..."

embed:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFAoWwUwknc

18 november - 18 พฤศจิกายน

Moved into Lumphini with Pannya one year ago.

*Checkv* exor. 400/300/300/500 = 1500. 62-70 degrees. 08:21-0:8-54.
*Checkv* obsv. Orchid by the work-out stations starts to bloom. 8:20 train; 8:30 jet; hoot of the herons; human chatter above.
*Checkv* ss&s.
*Checkv* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#17 Adding rainbows to dreary days.
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 26°C 79°F breezy, pleasant.
*Checkv* wash. Pan washed clothes.
*Checkv* bogs. Sonali/Jack/Seven/Lilli
*Checkv* walk. white rose (from blind guy) and food.
*Checkv* tv25. Gear&Gown.

Stressful day figuring out what to do next. Not resolved but at least I know Pan's schedule.

We celebrated our anniversary with shabu at Nan's place nearby. Pan seemed happy. That's important. I was tired after our miscommunication. I'm not hungry, not happy and not healthy. But I'm glad we ate out.

19°C 67°F at midnight. Coooool.

To sonali in "Freedom "Is "DEWDROP" the new/old name for the "House of Hufflepuff" in Bengaluru? Or is that "Dewdrop Inn" or "Do drop in". Inquiring minds want to know. *Delight*

In all seriousness... it'll take time to adjust. My mom died in 2022 at age 99. That made me an "orphan" with hair and teeth falling out. I talked to a friend my age who had a similar experience. It's a bit of a shock at first. "Walk don't run" is my only advice."


To {huser:lilli_in_fl in QotD "QOTD: Friday, 11/17"  

"I prefer board games like Clue and Scrabble, card games like rummy or canasta... and mahjong.

I played D&D in the 70s.

I won't play Monopoly or Risk. I don't care for on-line games."


To {huser:missbusta07 in "better, but tired. "To understand this post I started to read the last post "a darkness ... heavy. I'll comment there after I've digested it.

I've felt totally adrift this past fortnight. Makes my anxiety go up.

Glad you've "seen the light" if only a glimmer."


To {huser:hammer48}: My energy level ebbs and flows. I have time but it's in a leaky hourglass. A long confusing discussion today sapped me like a maple in March.

To Susan Anderson (YCC): "The "side" of Compassion has ofttimes been derided as weak by those who believe one must choose a side and fight to the finish. Those of us who say 'no' and walk away from the game just shake our heads as neither side listens to us."

To Shira (YCC): "Has anyone mentioned that they should have closed I55 except for the fast and local trains? No? Why? "Because there aren't any trains" is a silly answer to a silly question. So... why aren't there trains?"

17 november - 17 พฤศจิกายน

*Checkb* exor. 300/300/300/400 = 1300. 72 degrees at 9-ish. 78 at 10:00.
*Checkb* obsv. "cold", windy, leaves blowing around, dead worms/slugs.
*Checkb* PorP.
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 27°C 80°F *Sun**Clouds*
*Checkb* mess. Cleaned before Pan comes home.
*Checkb* bogs. Tracker/Jeff/Neva
*Checkb* shop. We are out of food.
*Checkb* tv25. Last Twilight

68 degrees at midnight. Pannya did not come home.

5 things I see.
4 voices I hear.
3 scents to smell.
2 tastes to savor life.
1 touch to bind them all
on my way to hell.

Something you desired for me.
Nothing I wanted to be.

Suicide could be the call,
would end it all.

As leaves fall in November's rain,
the ground absorbs all pain.

[180.153]

I'm not doing well.

Ant Wars

So many children hatch in vain; 8
they're never trained before the war. 8
Do they know how they will die? 7
Does it matter? 4

They flee as if they could escape, 8
scurry then bite me one by one. 8
In the end they die in vain, 7
squished and shattered. 4

[180.154]

8/8/7/4

To nfdarbe in entry:1059578 Travelers learn tolerance... or stop traveling. It's more than patience. The language and cultural differences can be surprising. Book-learning ill prepares one for the journey. It's the face-to-face attempts to connect, the kindness of strangers, and understanding that barriers can be overcome.

It needn't be done abroad. Most communities have outcasts. That's a good place to start.

It requires leaving one's comfort zone. It can also mean 'letting go'."


To jeff in entry:1059620 A short driving distance *Laugh*

I laugh because I don't have a car. But there's a Swensen's, McD, BK, and KFC all within walking distance. Central Udon Thani is very livable in that way.

We are supposed to go out someplace special tomorrow. We'll see. It won't be American fast food! Possibly Shabu-shabu (ชาบู ชาบู), other Japanese or Korean. Pannya will choose. I'm just as happy with basic fried rice with pork, duck or chicken.

I do like Wendy's (been awhile) and Subway is fine at the Seattle airport; but, I'd rather eat at a local mom-and-pop place in Montana or elsewhere. Udon Thani has a great Swiss-run pizza place (Da Sofia) and Koala has an incredible Philly cheese-steak. I've met the owners.

I have eaten at the local McD's because they are open 24/7 and have good a/c. Mostly I just eat at the street markets (dumplings, roti, chicken-liver...).


To tracker48 in entry:1059623 I've submitted 'great' poems and... nothing. Not a peep; not even a review. But, I've won a few contests as well. I have a fistful of Second Places *Ribbonr*.

I've read other writers' laments over contests. It does come down to what the judges like. You could write a poem worthy of the New Yorker and still get snubbed here and elsewhere.

I try to read 3 blogs/day. More than that is exhausting for some reason. *Sad*


16 november - 16 พฤศจิกายน

Ant War News: I think I won yesterday's skirmish... they attacked my peanuts. Pan texted that he will come home tomorrow; but, will the ants hold the mangoes hostage and take off with the bed?

*Checko* exor. 400/300/300/500 = 1500 08:35-09:09 73~79 degrees.
*Checko* PorP.
*Checko* ss&s.
*Checko* cook. Just rice but added an egg and used weak ginger tea.
*Clock* เที่ยง. 30C degrees
*Checko* walk. Got baht (4th attempt). Ate at Koala.
*Checko* ytBL. IFYLITA... with Tita Josie.
*Checko* tv25. I'm Tee. Me too.
*Checko* bogs. Sara/Sonali/Evelyn/Tina
*Checko* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#16

aloft
cloudlets gather
gossip about the gods
and their futile quests — they laugh
then cry

below,
tethered, a green
spider hangs by silk threads
threatens the world by brandishing
its swords

aloof
I exorcise
my nightdreams and nightmares
banish them with groans, grunts, banter
and sweat

[152]

Huge, massive, aloof from the world, their temples and tombs and ruins remain.
—Furnishing the Home of Good Taste A Brief… by Lucy Abbot Throop

THiNKiNG of using this as a prompt... a villanelle?

tour guides, in passing, repeat the refrain 10
egos — huge, massive, aloof from the world, 10+ (could remove emdash or 'huge' or add 'crushed egos' and remove both)
their temples and tombs and ruins remain. 10

15 november - 15 พฤศจิกายน

A question I need to answer.

Margaret Adamski: From your travels so far, what is one place you would recommend to retire and stay there longer term?

1. Age and health. Dreams vs reality.
2. Climate.
3. Transportation.
4. Finances. Puts limitations.
5. Safety and happiness.

*Checkg* exor. 300/200/300/400 = 1200.
*Checkg* obsv. fresh mown grass, dappled shade
*Checkg* test. Entered Shadow & Light... barely on time. Almost 20 entries.
*Checkg* cook. Rice. I can survive on rice until Pan makes his plans clear.
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 85°F 29°C pleasant.
*Checkg* chat. P'Nan
*Checkgr* tv25. I'm Tee...

Grey towers
descend from the heavens,
kiss scorched ground, leaving wet dimples
that will dry before nightfall —
but the dirt will remember,
frogs will sing of it,
parched roots will rejoice,
and a bird will spread its wings
in joy — tomorrow,
one yellow trumpet will admonish the sun —
I too have survived.
-- 13 oktober 2023
11 lines

Edited and posted in "I too have survived

14 november - 14 พฤศจิกายน

*Checkp* exor. 300/300/300/500 = 1400. 75 degrees. Finished 09:18. Saw Tom. Misplaced key.
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 29 degrees and clear.
*Checkp* ss&s.
*Checkp* walk.
*Checkp* shop. I have to renew, find a new place or leave. I went to Aek Udon and Kangaroo.
*Checkp* chat. Nik (Nichole, Nikorn) at Kangaroo. Hoon at Surada. P'Nan.

I was very tired last night and lay down at midnight. Pan is still at his mother's. I tried sleeping with the windows open but a tad too warm. I may try again later this week as night temperatures will drop.

I made a slight mistake cooking. Used a packet that had some chili in it. Hopefully I eat it small portion at a time. I don't waste food. Pan isn't back and that creates other problems for me.

I need to find a place to move to and I need to get truthful advice regarding my visa. I'm stressed out and there are few people who would understand my options if I explained to them. Thailand has quirky visa rules that change with little notice.

And lodging (friend warned about electric bills), personal relationships, cultural expectations, et cetera... would take too much of my precious time to explain to willing-to-listen but utterly-ignorant friends in Montana or on-line on bookspace or writingdotcom. You-all just don't know! So, I have to figure this out by myself. Good intentions don't matter in a crisis. I have 14 days to figure this out... or else.

It's after midnight and I'm overwrought. Too much on my mind and the War of the Ants isn't going well. At least it's in the low 70s.

My responses to social media comments:

Joseph Tramelli: Not everyone is from your culture... and that goes for everyone who comments on social media. I've traveled the world and I've been in Thailand for one year. Masculinity isn't defined in the same way as White Euro-American Christians. And even here... attitudes and customs change.

Taylor Swan: Or from a different culture. Gender is defined differently in Thailand; and amazingly, most people just accept other people as they are without faux-outraged angst.

Tiffiny Lawrie: Star Trek ruined a generation because they included an interracial kiss and lovable aliens. These were not acceptable in segregated Amerikkka during a war on the non-humans of Viet Nam. *sarcasm* ... dripping. I'm in my 70s.

Carly Kay: It may mean that you are a tolerant decent human being (of any age). One of the lessons of a Buddhist culture like Thailand is learning to 'let go'. I struggle with that here in Udon Thani.

13 november - 13 พฤศจิกายน

*Clock2* เที่ยง. 33 degrees and cloudy with some sprinkles at 1 p.m.
*Checky* bogs. TJ/Pete/Eric/Brian
*Checky* MBPM. "NaBloPoMo#13
*Checky* ss&s.
*Checky* chat. Rick (beware of electric bill). Pear and Korean visitor at Surada.
*Checky* walk.
*Checky* shop. bread.
*Checky* tvBL. Maybe not BL. Wednesday Club. Young people acting out. *Meh*
*Checky* exor. 300/200/300/300 = 1100. 79 degrees 20:35-20:59

Didn't get much done and now too tired. 77 degrees at midnight. Temperature will drop a bit by morning. Breezy cleared out the heat and ennui.

8724
November 6, 2023 at 1:39am
November 6, 2023 at 1:39am
#1059005
(exercise) = Exor. (observations) = obsv. (s***,shave,shower) = ss&s. (read something) = read. (comment blogs) = bogs. (BoyLove series on-line) = ytBL. (Thai TV BL series on GMMTV25) = tv25. (write poetry or prose) = PorP. (take a daily walk) = walk. (buy something) = shop. (take a photo) = foto. (video) = วิดีโอ. (speak Thai/Lao) = pôod. (learn Thai) Thai. (go-into-the-water) = pool. (clothes) = wash. (cook something) = cook. (tidy up) = mess. (travel) = trip. (noon) = เที่ยง. (talking to ex-pats/travelers/strangers in European) = chat. (Thai teaching book) = book. (hand written journal) = jour. (contests) = test. (water) = agua. (National Blog Post Month) NBPM. Groan smiley

12 november - 12 พฤศจิกายน


Took Pan out to dinner at MK one year ago today. Today he was in Khon Kaen. I went to Nong Khai.

*Checkr* ss&s.
*Checkr* trip. Nong Khai. Saw people I've met before.
*Checkr* chat. at Mut Mee.
*Checkr* walk.
*Checkr* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 84 degrees. 20:28-20:54.
*Checkr* obsv. cockroach, orange bettle, cat, ants, mosquito biting me, new orchids, clang at temple (renovation)
*Checkr* cook. pork, carrot, onions and rice.
*Checkr* ytBL. Watched Javi's reaction to "Last Twilight".

11 november - 11 พฤศจิกายน


*Checkv* bogs. Tracker/Mouse/Patricia
*cehckv* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#11 Drowning, gasping for air
*Checkv* cook. fish stew (carrot, onion, garlic, vermicelli)
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 90 degrees.
*Checkv* chat. David.
*Checkv* walk.
*Checkv* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 82 degrees. 20:05-20:29
*Checkv* tv25. เกียร์สีขาวกับกาวน์สีฝุ่น (2020)

10 november - 10 พฤศจิกายน


Got up late again. Stressed, trying to work things out with Pannya. He goes to Khon Kaen tonight.

*Checkb* bogs. Johnny/Sonali/Adherrenium
*Checkb* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#10 What's left behind
*Checkb* ss&s.
*Checkb* exor. 300/300/400/500 = 1500 19:50- 20:18 81 degrees.
*Checkb* tv25. "Last Twilight"

9 november - 9 พฤศจิกายน


Today was "Extermination Day" for our tower; so, I left just in case they mistook me for a bug. Didn't get up till 09:44... very late. Pan said he'd come back today... at 6 pm. He arrived around 2. He brought papaya home from Khun Han. I gave 4 to P'Nan as he requested.

*Checko* ss&s.
*Checko* chat. David and Rick.
*Clock* เที่ยง. 90 degrees.
*Checko* walk.
*Checko* shop. rose, merit bouquet, spray, mouthwash, cup (to replace the one I dropped).
*Checko* agua. 10 liters.
*Checko* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200. 84-82 degrees. 19:35-20:04. Tired and stiff.
*Checko* obsv. 5 orchid flowers; 2 stars; quiet until the train roared past; swinging beads.
*Checko* bogs. Joy/Harlow/Sara.
*Checko* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#9 Leaves turn brown...
*Checko* tv25. I'm Tee, me too.

8 november - 8 พฤศจิกายน


Look...Loki... it's like this... I got up. I went out. I came back. I lay down. You want what?

*Checkg* exor. 400/300/300/500 = 1500. 77 degrees. 07:58-08:27.
*Checkg* obsv. finches making a nest; fly; ants; long-legged spider; honey-ginger tea.
*Checkg* ss&s.
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 90 degrees
*Checkg* mess.
*Checkg* bogs. Dianne/Robert/Charity/TJ
*Checkg* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#8 Bear with me
*Checkg* shop. Ant-killer!
*Checkg* walk.
*Checkgr* chat. Obi.
*Checkgr* tv25. "I'm Tee Me Too" (คนละทีเดียวกัน) Fairly good [from 2020; 8.2 rating at mdl].

Obi goes to Laos tomorrow; Pan comes home. Exterminators at 10 a.m. I put 5 kilos of rice into sealed containers. I ate left-over rice. I have little appetite.

7 november - 7 พฤศจิกายน


*Checkp* exor. 300/300/300/500 = 1400. 81 degrees. 09:56-09:29.
*Checkp* toddler counting to ten to me in English; distractions while working out; green spider; pesky flies; saw a jet roar. Later: petted a calico and another cat.
*Checkp* ss&s.
*Checkp* bogs. Neva/Eric/SarahRae/Phyllis.
*Checkp* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#7 Short flight
*Checkp* walk. To Big C to buy coffee#2, bread, ginger-honey tea. Bought rice for 145 baht at 7/11.
*Checkp* book.
*Checkp* mess. Bleaching and cleaning the last two days. A little bit at a time as I don't trust bleach.
*Checkp* tv25. Wednesday Club ep.2. not impressed.

Dropped and broke my coffee cup. We only have two. Pan sent a lovely photo by the water.

Merit Badge in Special Appreciation
[Click For More Info]

Just because. *^*Heart*^*
Special Appreciation


6 november - 6 พฤศจิกายน


*Checky* exor. 200/200/200/300 = 900. New parameters are 900-1500 with a goal of 1200. 08:52-09:10. 77-81 degrees. 2 women exercising also.
*Checky* obsv. myna hopping; hesitant spider; water splashing; croaking; quiet; spongy playground surface; hard bench.
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 90 degrees.
*Checky* cook. Rice with carrot, squash, potato, onion, garlic, greens, bologna. Pan not home.
*Checky* ss&s. With Pan not here it doesn't matter until I go out. I only went to the market.
*Checky* bogs. Amy/Jim/Pumpkin/Lyn
*Checky* tv25. Wednesday Club (middle child angst)
*Checky* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#6 "I will survive"

8.690 views
October 30, 2023 at 9:56pm
October 30, 2023 at 9:56pm
#1058326
November Realities "Welcome To My Reality Forum

Prompts for November 2023:

1. What kind of day are you having, and why?

2. What's your favorite color, place, food, book, song, or movie, and why?

Orange, garden, kao pad, "Cry, the Beloved Country", Ombra Mai Fu, "Babette's Feast"

3. What do you like to do? How does it make you feel?

4. Where are you happiest? Describe that place.

5. What's something you're good at? What makes you good at it?

Traveling. Preparation and a Plan B.

6. What do you consider to be your culture, and how do you feel about it?

Global. It's a bigger box.

7. What would you change about yourself or your life? Is there a way for you to change it?

8. What is your relationship like with various members of your family?

Not very close. No problems... just distance.

9. If you have brothers or sisters, how are you similar to them or different from them? What about with your friends?

I'm more like my older than my younger sister. My friends are eclectic.

10. What are your views on religion?

More inclusive, peaceful, equitable. Like DEI.

11. What keeps you up at night worrying? Are your worries realistic? Is there anything you can do about them?

12. Do you have a philosophy of life? If so, what is it? If not, what is your method for making important decisions?

13. In what areas are you optimistic, and in what areas are you pessimistic?

14. What are your most prized possessions?

15. Who is someone you miss?

Gary. Kevin. All the lost loves of my life.

16. What is something someone else has that you envy? Describe it and your feelings about it.

17. What is a book, movie, song, or television program that has influenced you, and how?

18. What is a mistake people often make about you?

My name. My gender.

19. What's something you disagree with about the way you were raised?

I was smothered and not taught the family secrets and how to handle common situations.

20. What's your favorite: season, color, place, or food? Describe it.

Spring and Autumn. Kansas.

Journal prompts - daydreams

21. Describe your dream: job, man/woman, house. Whatever your dream is that you wanna share.

22. How would you like your life to be when you're older?

I am older. I didn't foresee any of this.

23. What would be the guest list at your dream party? What would the various guests talk about?

24. What magic power would you like to have? How would you use it? What would it feel like?

As a child my power was invisibility.

25. If you won the lottery, what would you do?

No idea other than to set most aside for a year. At this age? No longer.

26. What's a country you'd like to visit? How do you imagine your time there?

Been to 45. Rwanda, Malawi, Senegal, Burkina Faso. Colombia, Cuba. Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan. Timor Leste, Kiribati, Vanuatu. Kentucky...

27. A dream in a tear

28. Under a star near the sea

29. Warped and wrinkled

30. Curly fries and plastic bow ties

31. Attention! Attention! Read all about it…

32. The truth often hurts

33. Blowing kisses in the storm

34. She grew and then he knew

35. Pages of perfection

36. Damp dangling tresses

37. Was it a laugh or a cry?

38. Dull knives and feisty fellas

39. Molten kisses

40. To the moon and back

Honeymooners!

41. A tale of turbulence

While flying or daily drama?

42. Disappointing disasters

43. Lipstick secrets

44. Grandma’s medicine

45. Something lost, something given

46. Evening hush

When the night blooms and the moths gather.

47. Slices of life

48. Voyage views

49. Peculiar happenings

50. Crumpled sheets and tousled hair

Morning.

51. Shoved into a closet

My childhood dreams.

53. The best part

54. Food stamps fortunes

55. Finding rainbows between the clouds

On a soft day. The sun burns in Isan.

56. What does your character do all day? Does he or she have a job or go to school?

57. What type of job does your character have—or what school subject does he or she enjoy most?

58. What is your character’s favorite holiday? Why?

59. What is your character’s favorite type of music? Why?

60. How does your character sound when he or she laughs?

61. Write a story using all the fall colors.

62. Write about doing Halloween when you were a kid.

63. Do you love it when the time falls back?

No. I think the clock-time should never change. It's needlessly disruptive.

64. Do you love it when the time springs forward?

65. Are you glad that they are talking about doing away with daylight savings?

Yes.

66. What does "one day at a time" mean to you?

67. Share something about you, that no one knows.

I keep my secrets close. My family taught me to trust no one.

68. November Rain

In the north... yes. Here... I wish.

69. What are the rules you live by?

70. What do you love most about Thanksgiving?

71. When do you start your Thanksgiving gatherings?

72. Do you watch Christmas Movies in November?

No. I watch them whenever if at all.

73. Write about what is bothering you sometimes writing it out helps if there is more than one thing you can write all of it out. Don't worry this is a safe space.

My journal is over 5 thousand pages.

74. Do you celebrate any holidays where you work? If you are in School do you all celebrate holidays?

I tried. Forced to mostly celebrate the holidays of others.

75. Write 20 things that you have completed so far this year.

76. Tell me about your anger.

Better to not share.

"Welcome To My Reality Forum
October 29, 2023 at 9:39pm
October 29, 2023 at 9:39pm
#1058268
(exercise) = Exor. (observations) = obsv. (s***,shave,shower) = ss&s. (read something) = read. (comment blogs) = bogs. (BoyLove series on-line) = ytBL. (Thai TV BL series on GMMTV25) = tv25. (write poetry or prose) = PorP. (take a daily walk) = walk. (buy something) = shop. (take a photo) = foto. (video) = วิดีโอ. (speak Thai/Lao) = pôod. (learn Thai) Thai. (go-into-the-water) = pool. (clothes) = wash. (cook something) = cook. (tidy up) = mess. (travel) = trip. (noon) = เที่ยง. (talking to ex-pats/travelers/strangers in European) = chat. (Thai teaching book) = book. (hand written journal) = jour. (contests) = test. (water) = agua. (National Blog Post Month) NBPM. Groan smiley

5 november - 5 พฤศจิกายน


*Checkr* exor. 300/300/300/600 = 1500. 81 degrees. 08:25-08:55
*Checkr* obsv.
*Checkr* ss&s.
*Clock* เที่ยง. 91°F 33°C Humidity: 59% Wind: 3 mph
*Checkr* chat.
*Checkr* walk.
*Checkr* shop. coffee.
*Checkr* PorP.
*Checkr* bogs. NormaJean/Jeff/Steven/SpiritWriter
*Checkr* NBpM. "NaBloPoMo#5
*Checkr* ytBL. "I feel you linger in the air" ep. 12 finale.
It's based on the novel "Violet Rain". https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=0xKba-76atg

4 november - 4 พฤศจิกายน


*Checkv* เที่ยง. 90 degrees.

Pannya left for SiSaket today to attend to family business.

*Checkv* bogs. Evelyn/DLSpirit/Sox
*Checkv* PorP.
*Checkv* ss&s.
*Checkv* chat. P'Rube... went out to eat; ate fish.
*Checkv* foto.
*Checkv* exor. 200/200/250/400 = 1050. 82 degrees. 20:10-20:32
*Checkv* tv25. เกียร์สีขาวกับกาวน์สีฝุ่น Not impressed so far. HS silliness.
*Checkv* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#4

3 november - 3 พฤศจิกายน


*Checkb* exor. 300/300/300/300 = 1200; zigzagging twixt stations. 81-84 degrees. 09:20-09:50
*Checkb* obsv. haze blocking the horizon; pants falling down; fallen palm frond (not heavy); white (moth?) orchid; Tom in pink with something pink covering her head (hot); new orchid racemes; lichen.
*Checkb* ss&s.
*Checkb* mess. Pan really cleaned the kitchen.
*Checkb* wash. Pan washing 1. clothes and 2. blankets.
*Clock2* 87 degrees. Now 91 at 1:11 pm. Hot day.
*Checkb* Porp. "Nong Prajak (Yellow ducky)
*Checkb* foto. New image here "Pannya and his yellow ducky.
*Checkb* bogs. TJ/Mouse/Elizabeth/Jack
*Checkb* chat. P'Rube, and guy from Korea.
*Check* walk. Kinda.
*Checkb* shop. noodles, soap, bananas...
*Checkb* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#3
*Checkb* tv31. Last episode of "I feel you linger in the air" *Cry*

2 november - 2 พฤศจิกายน


*Checko* exor. 300/50/150/300 = 800. 81 degrees. 10:09-10:29.
*Checko* ss&s.
*Checko* obsv. leaflets, puddle reflection, sun baking my shoulders, man watering, ladder, man working on transformer.
*Checko* Porp. [147] [148]
*Checko* bogs. Sonali/Judith/Dianne/Lani.
*Checko* chat. P'Rube, young Korean, guy from Dijon.
*Checko* walk. also, walking down 8 flights as electricity was off.
*Checko* rose. red.
*Checko* mrkt. bread, pork, greens.
*Checko* NBPM. "NaBloPoMo#2

1 november - 1 พฤศจิกายน


*Checkg* exor. 150/300/300/250 = 1000. 82 degrees, sunny. Late, 09:43-10:09.
*Checkg* ss&s.
*Checkg* obsv. stiff breeze; blowing leaves; birds on a wire (drongos?); bird carrying long blade (to nest?); sun on my arms.
*Checkg* PorP. ""Apples and Walnuts" O31 40w [134] 'combat'
*Clock2* เที่ยง. 88 degrees at 12:34. Pan got up, took meds, back to bed... *Worry*
*Checkg* walk. ...and then Pan got up and wanted to go to Oshine... so we did. But it's very expensive and I wasn't hungry and he doesn't like it if I sit and don't eat so I left and walked back. Mosque, buns, flowers... Long but very calming walk.
*Checkgr* chat. with P'Rube. We went out to eat. I had fried fish, 79 baht. *Fishg*
*Checkgr* bogs. Mike/Sandra/Richard
*Checkgr* NBPM. "November ... I'll try to remember. NaBloPoMo#1

To YCC: "It always bothers me that nationalistic maps don't understand that weather doesn't care about human constructs. I grew up in a border town. The other side had the same weather. Plus, most of the weather hit them before it hit us... Myopia isn't a virtue."

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31 oktober - 31 ตุลาคม


*Checkp* exor. 300/300/300/500 = 1400. 75 degrees. Early? 07:49-08:22.
*Checkp* obsv. sound of whisk brooms, bird-chirp; puddles; fairly calm... then a breeze. Overcast.
*Checkp* ss&s.
*Clock* เที่ยง. 84 degrees, partly cloudy.
*Checkp* chat. P'Rube.
*Checkp* foto. Chinese center.

Commented at YCC: "Unfortunately, this is how White Christian Nationalism is being marketed. And Americans are gullible. Personally, I find nothing funny about mockery. Those of us on the "pest-extermination" check-list need to be concerned." and "He had someone read them to him? En serio... he can read; but, like many Americans, he [DJT] chooses not to. I worry more about his warped view of the world that he sees in a mirror."
and "Multi-party works well in Switzerland. In other places it's a constant shuffle of alliances; but, even that is better than the two-party gladiator system Americans are so fondly attached to."

30 oktober - 30 ตุลาคม


*Checky* exor. 200/200/300/300 = 1000. 82 degrees 09:08-09:30 sunny
*Checky* obsv. A flittery of flutterbys dancing in the sunbeams; breeze; loud jet, distant mumbling; loud a/c.
*Checky* ss&s.
*Checky* wash. Pan came home around 8 am. He's not 100% but took the wash down. Unfortunately, not everything got clean. *Sad*
*Clock* เที่ยง. 12:34 90 degrees. 14:50 rain at a slant.
*Checky* bogs. Flick/Stik/Dave
*Checky* walk.
*Checky* shop. cupcakes, bananas, fish, vegetables at Lotus. 2 croissants at Bellinee.
*Checky* PorP. "The Cleansing Will need edit and submission. ""Death comes soon enough" O30 [133] 38w 'courage'
*Checky* ytBL. Feel you linger in the air.

Idea ... Liver-stench: Stacy was a blood-sucker — and proud of it! She could latch on to someone; and, if she was careful... they wouldn't even know it! She'd nibble with her fangs and paw with her needle-like claws. Out with the old and in with the new. She loved the sweetness, the saltiness, the umami of it all. The bitterness didn't bother her. She'd just let it flow through her. She'd draw out blood and ichor let her body take what it wanted. What she injected back would be better by far.

She smelled her prey a mile away. She stifled the urge to spread her wings and hopped on her Vespa instead, dreadlocks flying. The stench was intoxicating. Whatever was wrong was very very wrong. It reeked this side of three-day-old carrion. Holy Helena, she hoped it wasn't halitosis. She wasn't up to badbreath and liplock today. Oh... she'd been there and done that and didn't want to do it again — even knowing that she could, should and would.

She was wearing her red and black checkered frock just in case. She was proud of her profession; she didn't like stains. The laundromat didn't ask questions but they were expensive and pre-soaking and scrubbing by hand was tedious and time-consuming and – she had a party to go to tonight.

She sashayed through town and there... There stood a Man. Buff, tan and beautiful. She smiled. Can I buy you lunch? Direct was always best. Give them no chance to think overly much or mis-construe her intentions. Her mouth had earned the title Miss Understood in 10th grade.

They sat in conversation. His name was Karloff. Stacy always knew how to draw people out and always wore perfume that calmed. She had nicknamed it "Before the Bite" as a private joke. When she told people that some laughed. Some groaned. Some faked shock ... before she sunk her fangs into them.

He opened up about how folks teased him to get a girlfriend. Stacy read the tell-tale signs of the self-imposed closet. Karloff would be tasty. But, he was shy and into guys. Hmm. Not a problem. She offered to give him a hickey in public so the town bullies would back off.

A burly guy gave her the come-on eye. She gave him a stink eye. He started to snicker. Stacy just embraced Karloff in a head-lock and chowed down. A waitress laughed. Someone shouted "get a room". Karloff was bug eyed as she guided him to a back table where she could take her time. She would need time. This case was serious and complicated.

Hepatitus never tasted good. Type A, type B, type C... never good... Karloff's liver was struggling. She sucked harder as her claws dug deeper into his thigh. Good. He did have nice thighs... She sent his blood into her body, told her liver to do its job, and quick. The waitress had a worried look on her face. Karloff was a special shade of pale. But... better than yellow, Stacy thought.

Bad blood removed, good blood transfused, she sighed and gently let Karloff go. The look on his face was serene. He smelled better too.

He shyly smiled. Got a brother? Stacy roared. Heads turned their way. But, Stacy didn't care. She'd done her good deed for the day. She'd be able to report this to the Grand Council. In a hundred more years they might even accept her penance.

To huser:vivacious (Andra): "Social media has become tribal. I often feel the need to add "in my opinion" to make it clear that what I write is my "opinion" and nothing more. I renewed at WdC but I find folks more prickly than previous. Bunnies and unicorns are still the go-to for many. And on TikTok? Outrage and name-calling without any pause to think."

Tried to post to Susan A on YCC: "The American people are divided. Congress is divided. The military has been denied proper reassurance that they matter (Tommy T...). Political games and the naivete and nativism of the last few years... But... this is why people admire autocratic leaders like _____ (five letters). Autocrats act and answer to no one. And the apocalyptic crowd just brings popcorn to the party."


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