Now in Season

Seed pods from water lilly. Seeds are quite tasty



Yam bean.
Referred to locally as the Thai Potato, man kae .
Has a slight potato/apple flavor.
With plenty of moisture they make a great addition to any salad.
The plant is native to Central America.
Source of protein and starch

Preparations under way

Checking three local temples,
construction of Wax Castles is nearing completion.
There's still plenty to do. The artists skills are impressive.

The Party has started: Boat Races

Something for everyone

Storm Alert

Meteological Department Warning No. 2 (353/2551) September 29, 2008

"Tropical Storm “Mekkhala”."


The storm which hit central Vietnam with 70 km winds has it's eye on us.
Flooding conditions may exist for the next three days.

Chance of local Thunder showers is 80% for the next three days.

It's a dogs life

I bought a powerful floor fan.
It stands to reason, the air on the tiled floor is cooler than at the ceiling.
I aimed it at my desk, not just to help keep me cool, but also to keep flying insects away.

At least that was my intent.
Things don't always work out the way you want them to.
Someone else decided there's a better use for the floor fan.

Drive Safely

You Think English is Easy ??

I received this in an e-mail, printed it out and made it a lesson in my classes

Can you read these right the first time?

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row .

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Heaviest rains in decades

North and North-East Thailand experienced some of the heaviest rainfall in decades according to media reports.

It was three days if the heaviest rains I have ever seen


Local canals were above capacity, causing some lowlands to flood




As soon as the rains eased fishing nets came out in droves to take advantage of the situation.



Streets near the city administrative complex and night market suffered some street flooding visible a day after the rains. Both vehicle and foot traffic proceeded with caution.






Observing locals it was apparent that this was not their first experience.





Slight sewer Smell was noticeable in the area




Nearby village roads were passable a day after the heavy rains ended



An abundance of small fish made fishing by catching possible.



A moat around Phra That Dum was also at full capacity for a first time in many years

Coco nuts

My favorite refreshment, fresh coconut juice and Thai rum.

Planted some coconut trees three years ago. Not a difficult act.
Just throw a coconut on the ground and be patient.

Wondered when I would see some fruit.
They are starting to show, but I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer for that 'homegrown' cocktail.