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Blessings of the Birds

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  I've been spending a not insignificant amount of time trying to breathe deeply while watching the birds at the deck bird feeder. One might think our feathered friends would be taking refuge in their tree hidey holes during this obscenely cold weather Minnesota is experiencing, but no.  In fact, they have been emptying the feeder almost daily.  According to ChatGPT, this is why: T hey burn more energy. Birds have to keep their body temperature high, and cold air + wind drains heat fast. Shorter days = fewer feeding hours. So they pack in calories whenever they can. Food is harder to find. Insects disappear, plants go dormant, snow covers seeds—so when food is available, they don’t waste the chance. Regardless, moments spent viewing the birds visit the feeder are proving to be a source of soul soothing. I loved this from Kate Bowler's Everything Happens that landed in my email inbox today. January has been…long. Not just cold and busy and noisy (which, yes, definitely...
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Tell Your Stories

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  Yesterday I taught a Getting Ready to Downsize class and found, not to my surprise, that one consideration many 'older folk' have as they prepare to downsize is that much of their stuff--which they know their children do not want--has stories attached.  We discussed the importance of sharing those stories because the generational history carries with it significance that once it passes, cannot be retrieved.  I know many who regret not asking parents and grandparents to talk in detail about the lives they led before they came into them.  Personally I mourn the holes in my family history, on both sides, that I didn't pursue in conversation with those who came before me.  They are lost forever.   So, allow me to encourage you to peruse your 'stuff' before heading to the Thanksgiving table.  Is there one particular item that carries with it a story you feel is of critical importance to share with those following in your footsteps?  Might you br...
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Greetings From the Other Side of the World, Day 18: The Final Countdown

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  Yes, Sports Fans, this remarkable, amazing trip ends early tomorrow morning with a 12:15 a.m. Sunday flight from Chiang Mai to Seoul, where we arrive at 5 a.m., then leave Seoul for Minneapolis at 7:45 p.m. Sunday only to arrive in Minneapolis at 4:45 p.m. Sunday.  Mind boggling.  Fortunately international flights are not impacted by the flight reduction mandate so one less thing to be concerned about.   Yesterday Wanlaya was working.  Here I thought she was retired and yes, she is, retired from her position as a hospital nurse. but she runs a small clinic from in front of her home where she will see usually 20 or more patients with 'normal' medical concerns from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The medical system here in Thailand is interesting, according to a conversation I had with Art.  The government pays for your healthcare if you go to a hospital otherwise it is up to you to pay for it out of pocket or by purchasing private health insurance which, like ...
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Greetings From the Other Side of the World, Day 17: Thai food, temples, lanterns

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  Got to be quick because I overslept and need to be ready to go shortly. Yesterday morning at breakfast, Art's mom got some chicken in green curry and another in red curry.  I found the red curry too spicy but liked the green curry.  Picked up a dark piece and asked if that was something other than the chicken I could identify.  Yes, Wanlaya said, chicken blood.  Pass.  I had pad kra prow, which Art had made when he lived with us.  Ground beef with holy basil topped with a fried egg.  Delicious.  Honestly, everything we've eaten is beyond delicious. The day's adventures included two temples, the second located atop a mountain. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is one of the most important and sacred temples in northern Thailand.  What has surprised me about temples and wats is that they are not stand alone buildings, rather part of a compound of different temples located on the grounds.  In one of the temples, Wanlaya invited me to pray alon...
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Greetings From the Other Side of the World, Day 16: Chiang Mai

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  Yesterday, unfortunately, Dan was not feeling well but I forged ahead without him, which was easy to do since Art, his mom Wanlaya and his brother Ice had planned a full day for us. We began with breakfast, a delicious bowl of curry noodles with pork.  Ice maintains that Thailand has the best pork and I'll agree with him.  After that it was off for coffee at one of the many cafes throughout Chiang Mai.  This one was built in a style of a Japanese bistro, tucked back in the woods.  Very serene and zen.  We then drove through Chiang Mai University, where Art studied before going to pharmacy school in Bangkok, and where Ice is currently studying engineering.  Next stop was a wat compound, where the Buddhas are located in tunnels under a wall.  It was very different from the other Buddhas we've seen so far.  Finally, we walked through an outdoor market that specialized in art work, clothing, and food.  Art and Ice both said that Thais are ...
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