My Day Off

Since arriving in Calgary I have been working six days a week. So here's how my day off went. I woke up at 8am and walked out into the backyard to see about cutting the lawn. This is a beautiful Garden, as you can see.

I met my landlady and friend, Lillian. She asked if I could help her with a couple of things so I went inside and moved two mattresses and adjusted her computer for her.

Then I went back down to my computer and caught up on my emails. This is my room here in Calgary. It's very simple and I really do keep it this neat every day.

While I was on the computer, my Friend Jookie from Thailand popped onto MSN and we had a wonderful talk using our Web cams. I told Jook I was going to cut the lawn and she asked what a 'lawn' was. I hope this Blog helps my friends in Thailand to see how we live in Canada.

When I was finished on the computer, my room mate and new partner in Construction, Teddy, asked if I would like to join him at Smitty's for breakfast. I love the Eggs Benedict.
As soon as we got back, the phone rang and a new customer asked us to do an estimate for him. We got that job, installing doors and baseboards for later in the week.

Then we noticed that one of Ted's tires was low so we changed it. Then I came home and designed a Website for selling Thai amulets and silk; a business I am pursuing with several friends around the world.

I finally took a bit of time to read before going to bed early. While I was reading, my cellophane rang and I had a wonderful talk with my dear friend Kitty, from Cape Cod. She was driving home in a terrible storm so her cell phone kept cutting out. I said to her: "Kitty, if you don't want to talk to me just say so." She is a joy to talk to.
I find I have tremendous energy these days because my life is so simple and focused. But most of all I have wonderful friends around the world.

Paradise In Waterloo

I have been struggling to write a screenplay of my life and adventures in Thailand. My dear friend Kitty from Cape Cod suggested that when she wants to clear her head and get the creative juices flowing, she goes walking in nature. I just wanted you to know I'm following your example Kitty. I run in the morning and here's what I see.

There is a beautiful winding path between the houses. It's very quiet. The scent of the trees and the lush vegetation is invigorating.

I weave my way around wild flowers growing beside the path.

this is the trillium, which is the Provincial flower of Ontario. I see them growing all around me here.

The neighbors take great pride in their yards, growing tulips around their trees. I find the colors are incredible this time of year.

My Mom has a beautiful front garden where she has daffodils blooming right now. This doesn't do it justice though. I'll give you a proper view of it soon.

I pass this sign every day when I run. Paradise really is right on the end of my street. Thanks Kitty! for your suggestion. And thank you to the many people who write with encouragement as I share my journey with you. Khop khun krup!

Spring Therapy

My Mom is impressive. She just returned from eight days in one of the busiest Cities in the World; London England; and the next day she was up shopping, making lists and working on her garden.

We went to Home Depot where she picked up a lilac bush for her back yard which I dug in for her.

Here is Mom, resting for a moment by her two pals, Phyl and Bob. And between the two geese is one of my favorite symbols; a hummingbird. That's right Hummingbird. I'm not in England. I'm right here in Waterloo.

Then I installed the brackets for a Canadian Flag at the front of the house.

I enjoy working with my Mom in this beautiful Spring weather. It's good therapy for me while I decide what I want to do next. I will probably just go back to carpentry for now. But I got such encouraging feedback from my Blog that I am looking seriously at doing some professional writing. I especially want to thank Somsoc in Ohio and Kitty in Cape Cod for your kind suggestions.