Saturday, June 6, 2026
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Pudgy at old age has benefits
My BMI (Body mass index) hovers around 28 to 29.9, depending on the day and perhaps the optimism of my calculator. Officially, that puts me in the “overweight” category — not quite “Fatboy 1.” At age 81, however, a little pudge may be less a failure of discipline and more a strategic reserve.
Turns out, carrying some extra weight in old age can come with advantages. During illness, body reserves may help one recover. A bit of padding can sometimes reduce frailty, and maintaining weight is often preferable to becoming too thin and losing muscle. There may even be mobility and joint benefits for some people, depending on overall health and strength. Above all, several studies suggest that for older adults, being modestly overweight is often associated with lower mortality risk than being underweight — or even aggressively lean.
So perhaps what looks like “extra cushioning” is, in old age, exactly that: cushioning. Definitely cushions.
for the time being the rainy season continues in the Sakon Nakhon area. ☀️ El Nino ain't quite here yet
exact timing of the heaviest rain days according to GOOGLE AI
2019 – 2020 Sakon Nakhon experienced an extended dry season caused by a weak El Niño. Sakon Nakhon was officially declared a drought disaster zone.
2015 – 2016: A severe regional dry spell brought on by one of the strongest El Niño events on record. The Interior Ministry declared Sakon Nakhon and several other northeastern provinces drought-stricken disaster zones as local wells and reservoirs dried up.
2014: A historic early-year drought hit the province. Worst in decadesสกลนคร Sakon Nakhon
2015 – 2016: A severe regional dry spell brought on by one of the strongest El Niño events on record. The Interior Ministry declared Sakon Nakhon and several other northeastern provinces drought-stricken disaster zones as local wells and reservoirs dried up.
2014: A historic early-year drought hit the province. Worst in decades
Monday, June 1, 2026
El Nino expected to be unusually more dangerous one ever
Indications are that it will become very noticably in September and October
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon
Friday, May 29, 2026
Sugar Sugar 🎶🎵
Choose Wisely
@writingbymatt Little sweet หวานน้อย Thailand redefined 'normal' to cut the amount of sugar people drink every day in half. ประเทศไทยปรับเปลี่ยนนิยามคำว่า 'ปกติ' ใหม่ เพื่อลดปริมาณการบริโภคน้ำตาลในเครื่องดื่มของประชาชนลงครึ่งหนึ่ง #thailand #food #bangkok ♬ original sound - Matt Hunt
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Bun Bang Fai PhangKhon May 8 through 10
Unfortunately I saw no announcements of the event ahead of time,
Happens every year about that time.
Phang Khon 55km from Sakon City
Saturday, May 16, 2026
"Visakha Bucha Festival" of Sakon Nakhon May 31
𝗨𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 schedule in English
Some scenes from previous years
Senior over seventy, healthy diet
Surprisingly many of the foods mentioned here I use frequently, fact I am having garbazos for breakfast
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon
Friday, May 15, 2026
Animal kingdom home invasion
Rainy season has officially declared open season on my house. Despite installing screen covers over every sewer opening, the local animal kingdom keeps attempting home invasions in search of drier real estate.
The tiny snakes are almost cute. Most are no larger than oversized earthworms and are fairly easy to evict.
Cockroaches, however, are another matter entirely. These creatures appear to have survived every extinction event since the dinosaurs. Bug spray only seems to annoy them. I suspect some of them actually use it as aftershave. The only reliable solution is to squash them.
Then come the ants. For over a week they’ve marched through the house with military discipline, completely ignoring property boundaries and personal dignity. I’ve spread cinnamon powder everywhere in an attempt to stop the invasion. The good news is it helps. Even my feet now smell like a Christmas bakery.It's Official: TMD declares May 15 is the start of the rainy season
Rain is in the forecast today,
Forecasters seem to be guessing, some say scattered rain before noon, others indicate the heavy stuff will be at mid afternoon.
When they are not sure they simply say "scattered." You may get rain, or you may not.สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon
Thailand got problems
The video is way too long, unless you are sitting in a classroom
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon
Watched a bit of the beginning, then at a suggestion I scrolled to the one hour mark, then scrolled to the last few minutes.
There are some interesting points made, but I seriously doubt that much will get better soon
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Charley horse / muscle spasms 💊 🏥 ⛑️ maybe caused by medicine you take
Chatting with AI and ChatGPT recently, I started mentioning a few of my minor medical issues. “Minor” may be technically correct, but at four in the morning, with a muscle cramp twisting your upper thigh, it doesn’t feel minor at all.
The cramps usually last less than a minute, but the pain is intense. Oddly enough, I sometimes get similar cramps while masturbating, which suggests the muscle itself may already be irritated or prone to spasms when it tightens suddenly.
Living here in a hot, humid climate certainly does not help. I sweat heavily most days, and sweating means losing not only water but also important electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. As people get older, the body often becomes less forgiving about fluid and mineral balance.
Two medications I take may also play a role. I take atenolol daily for blood pressure, and Miracid (omeprazole) when needed for stomach acid. According to information I found through AI and ChatGPT, both medications have occasionally been linked to muscle cramps or electrolyte imbalance. Omeprazole, especially when used regularly over long periods, can sometimes contribute to low magnesium levels.
For now, my plan is fairly simple. I’m adding one packet of electrolytes daily to my homemade tea concoction and looking for a magnesium supplement at the local drugstore. I also need to pay more attention to hydration before bed instead of waiting until morning to replace fluids.
At my age, the body becomes a bit like an old car. Usually reliable, but every now and then a warning light comes on, reminding you that maintenance matters.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
no sign of El Niño yet
El Niño has not yet officially started.
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon
For the moment rainy season is still a go
Rainy season most often begins mid May or as late as June.
Thursday or Friday of this week may be the beginning of more frequent rainy days.
One forecaster seems to predict rain earlier in the week.
Unfortunately feels like temperatures remain high. Forty or above.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
22 Years Battling Ants in Humid Climate Cinnamon is a top contender
Over the years, I’ve settled into a simple, low-toxicity approach to ant control.
Living in a humid climate forced a few refinements—and those made all the difference.
Dish Soap: Still the Fastest Knockdown
Diluted dish soap remains the most reliable way to deal with nests and heavy activity. It breaks down the ants’ outer layer and wipes out their scent trails on contact.
Best use:
Direct application where ants are concentrated.
Vinegar: Quiet, Long-Lasting Deterrent
A spray bottle of vinegar has become part of regular cleaning—and it does more than just clean.
What I’ve observed:
- After wiping surfaces with vinegar, ants tend to stay away for days.
- It likely works by disrupting the pheromone trails they depend on.
Best use:
- Countertops, entry points, and along known trails.
- Especially useful as a preventative step after cleaning.
Talc (Baby Powder): Works—But Needs Maintenance
Talc is effective when dry and loose, but humidity changes its behavior.
Limitation:
- It absorbs moisture (hydrophilic), hardens, and becomes ineffective.
- Once compacted, ants walk over it without hesitation.
Fix:
- Loosen it with a bristle broom to restore its fine texture.
- Reapply if needed, but often a quick break-up is enough.
Cinnamon Powder: The Upgrade
Cinnamon powder has proven to be a better long-term trail deterrent, particularly in humid conditions.
Why it stands out:
- It irritates ants and disrupts their behavior—likely affecting their sensory system.
- It’s non-toxic and kitchen-safe.
- It repels water (hydrophobic), so it stays effective even in damp air.
How I use it:
- Lightly sprinkle along ant trails, cracks, and entry points.
- Works well where talc would normally fail due to moisture.
Practical Comparison
- Dish soap: Immediate elimination at the source
- Vinegar: Residual trail disruption after cleaning
- Talc: Effective but humidity-sensitive (needs upkeep)
- Cinnamon: Humidity-resistant, low-toxicity, strong deterrent
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon, in particular, has earned its place as a reliable upgrade in my toolkit.
 |
| before cinnamon |
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Hydrate
Let’s start with a common misconception: beer is not an effective way to hydrate.
While it does contain water, alcohol has a diuretic effect, meaning it increases fluid loss. In practical terms, drinking beer can leave you more dehydrated than you were before—especially in larger amounts.
So how do you know if you’re not drinking enough?
One of the earliest signs is lightheadedness, particularly when standing up quickly. This happens because dehydration reduces blood volume, which can lower blood pressure.
A more obvious indicator is dark urine. Ideally, urine should be pale in color—darker shades suggest your body needs more fluids.
Muscle cramps are another warning sign. They can be brief but very painful, especially in areas like the neck or legs. While cramps can have multiple causes, dehydration and low electrolyte levels are common contributors.
Other symptoms include irritability, dry mouth, headaches, and fatigue. These are easy to overlook but often improve quickly with proper hydration.
How much water do you actually need? Recommendations vary, but a general guideline is around 2 to 3 liters per day, depending on climate, activity level, and individual needs.
I have trouble downing 3 to 4 bottles of water per day so I brew a healthy tea instead.
Star anise, cinnamon sticks, homegrown mint, homegrown hibiscus tea, ginger powder and honey.
This not only makes hydration more enjoyable but can also provide additional health benefits.
The key is consistency. Your body performs best when it is properly hydrated—and even mild dehydration can affect how you feel throughout the day.
Monday, April 20, 2026
Melioidosis wet weather disease
Melioidosis is predominantly a wet season problem in tropical regions, with cases spiking during periods of heavy rainfall, high humidity, and flooding.
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon
If you get your feet wet outdoors in wet puddles or mud
WASH YOUR FEET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
In worst cases it has resulted in deaths, other cases resulted in expensive medical treatment
 |
wet weekend a likelihood 🌦️ ⚡️ 🌧️ 🌦️ ⚡️ 🌧️ drought conditions coming
Most forecasters agree: rain thunderstorms Friday through the weekend. Light and heavy alternate
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Rain is on the way, just when and how much is debated
TMD is advising : Summer storms in upper Thailand (affecting the period from April 16-20, 2026)
☀️ Sunny, scattered clouds
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon
Nothing to see on weather maps as of now. Local forecasts indicate we may see some rain and some extreme feels like temperatures next week.
| Th16 | Fr17 | Sa18 | Su19 | Mo20 | Tu21 | We22 | Th23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accuweather | ☀️ 42 | ☀️ 43 |
☀️ 43 | ☀️ 40 |
⚡️ 41 | 🌧️ 41 |
☀️ 43 | ⚡️ 45 |
| BBC | ☀️ 44 | ☀️ 44 |
⚡️ 45 | ☀️ 45 |
⚡️ 45 | 🌦️ 45 |
🌦️ 46 | 🌦️ 45 |
| Wunderground | ☀️ 42 | ☀️ 43 |
☀️ 39 | ⚡️ 38 |
⚡️ 38 | ☀️ 40 |
☀️ 42 | ☀️ 41 |
🌦️ Light or scattered Rain
🌧️ Rain
⚡️ Scattered to heavy Thunder Storms
Extended forecasts indicate possible months of drought conditions through the year of 2026, for which El Nino is blamed. Global warming is making the situation much worse
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