SMALL CHANGE – When I went shopping for the mattress topper or an air mattress it was after a night of feeling I had been dragged behind a chariot in a B movie.   Everything hurt and particularly the hard less fat covered places that hit the Thai mattress when I roll to a side. I got up saying the old poem – there was a crooked man that walked a crooked mile.  I caught the C-shape Bonny in the and thought what are you doing in Asia and can you even get on the scooter.   I was desperate. So off I went to the Thai version of Bed and Beyond and found a fancy Topper for 4990 bhat ($145) which is only $9 less than the cost of the room.  Amazingly I was able to say there must be another answer and moved to the sporting goods store only to find they don’t carry air mattress but a 20 mil foam fold up.   This is hardly the thing you would take to climb a mountain.  I unfolded it and rested my head on the partially opened mat that I had placed on a stack of sneaker boxes.  For 620 ($18) it was worth a try.  Now every day I get up and say, no home, but I just slept 8 hrs with only one bathroom trip.   Amazing what a small change can make. 

The bed softener

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SHELTER FOR THE SPIRIT – I am a card carrying member of BBA Book Buyers Anonymous.  There are many good bookstores in the area – used, very used, new, and to swap.  I can’t leave home without having a few books in my bag.  When you have a 50 pound limit for all your essentials for 100 days, you have to think about packing paper.  I sat in my library and held each book and said… would I read this.  Would this give me joy to have with me, etc.  I selected Toni Packer’s The Work of this Moment, Joan Tollifson’s Awake in the Heartland (last year is was her Bare to the Bones), Dynamic Way of Meditation -a Vipassana book by Dhiravamsa (Thai), and Shelter for the Spirit by Victoria Moran.  I purchased this book several years ago and read it to a dog-eared level with many different shades of ink as underlines and notes.  In preparing to leave my house, I looked at the rugs rolled up and what felt like a lack of joy.  It has become that has accommodated four animals with issues and has created a lack of spirited shelter for the mortgage payer.  I love this book and what it does to my head as I go through each room, nook and corner and picking up items and saying.. does this give me joy.   I am sure by the time I get home I will have a list of things to change and cherish.   I also decided that this would be my shelter for the next many days… what would give my spirit joy… a teapot, a comfortable mug, a reading lamp and as in the last snipit.. a non-uncomfortable bed.

The Road Less Traveled

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DAY OFF Yesterday, except for Hannah’s birthday dinner with Nel and Henry and Harry, I was free just to do things.   I joined the gym across the street from my lodging for 2000 bhat ($57) for 3 months. Trainer Doug would be pleased, there are steps and kettle balls, and places for me to my walk and use the flex cords I brought with me.  [Note: my legs feel better than they did the first year I came to Thailand], I had a slow breakfast at Better than Butter, checked out the bus schedule for Sukothai and enjoyed a leisurely cup of tea.  Jasmena introduced me to the Monsoon Teahouse which is featured in this month’s City Life.  The Spaniard, who was in the tea business in Madrid discovered large tea trees in the area around DoiSutep and started this lovely tea shop.  Not cheap tea, but the flavor is bright and crisp.   When the water is added, you don’t have old leaves in the water, you have a refreshing treat for your nose and palate.  I am happy that the tea will find a home in my handmade teapot to sparkle my morning.  Today is the first day of the new crown and tomorrow my deep cleaning with some bone repair.  Not a day off.