SB TO NTM

Prologue. I don't feel I am on a soapbox (SB). That is someone else's terms. I also don't want to change anyone about me but only share what is in my head… like other bloggers…or anyone who puts something on paper. I am not trying to convert but say where I am at and have been. I can't tell you where I will go… maybe near…maybe far. So I have renamed my non-picture entries NTM… Note to Myself. I have just found that I can have a few more people on my distribution, so if you are getting this for the first time this trip that is why. You might want to go to the blog and check out some of the pictures… I think some have matched my vision and mind's eye. Happy Bonny. On the distribution, I have a few who occasionally make a comment and a few that rarely say anything and then usually about the pictures. It is all good. I am grateful to a few who send me a note more than occasionally. I try to answer and I am grateful for brother Chris and person I do not know who subscribe. So from now on, if you see NTM and only like pictures… out with the rest of your internet trash right next to the soapbox.
NTM #1 Everything has connections and purpose. I am reminded of the man on the way to Damascus who pointed the way to the Jesus group. He changed history. I have a friend here who told me of a Christmas party which got me to a party and the meeting of the home owner who decided to move back to Canada and sell everything. I went to the sale early in the day but the gate was not open so I went back late in the day and there was very little left.. I bought a dirty dish towel, an electric plug connection since I am one short and a tin cup in case I need it all for 30bht .. less than a dollar. As I was leaving, she came down the stairs and said…. "These books are to go to a good home"… on the top were two books I own…. I have friends that would enjoy these. She had a second copy of one and insisted I take it explaining her Dharma teacher wrote the book*. I took the books. One already have two copies.. one home and a second I just bought at my Chinese Doctor's office…. And the other is a long story made short.
On the first trip to Thailand, I came with a group of folks from Rochester and for the majority of the time we stayed up north in Chiang Dao. The had a lending library, as in please return…and being the compulsive reader, I took a book and when I had a few minutes outside the jolliness we were experiencing.. I started to read it… *Karma…for today's travelers. The book was a turning point in my life and while I have read many, this book lead me to be a much more serious about Buddhism.
We spent great time laughing and drinking beer and "shopping" so the book was a slow go. When we left the Nest, I took the book with me thinking I will bring it back when I return next year. Somewhere along my travels, I put coffee or beer on the book and it looked like it had been in the trash. At home again, I began my search for a replacement. The book is published by the Chiang Mai University Press where the author teaches Buddhist studies… I spent many hours in search of a copy and finally found two which I purchased and had shipped home. The following year, I took one of the pristine copies back to the Nest and placed it on the bookshelf…. And my karma.. which is what the book is about.. is a little less bad.
Yesterday, the woman at the sale handed me two more copies of the book… I will pass one on and reread the other… since for one of the few years, I did not bring my dog eared copy from home.
This year, I am not underlining the books but writing notes.. in the next few days… I will share my notes. I am very grateful to have a newly reintroduced travelling companion… My Observer whom I call MO. So bye for now from BM… bonny and Mo