Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

20 minutes ago, DJ54 said:

Good on you Big Owl sounds like you were very busy this week…got rain here today… actually a bit daily the last week…. Everything is turning green again… 

Yep!

June was decent enough for rain. Not nearly enough from my stand-point. In years between 2009 and 2018 the ponds would have been virtually full by now. Each pond has an overflow pipe 'cause of the ponds overfilling. Wishful thinking in recent years.

 

Gonna fill the water bowls in the farm loo today. Need Mildred to help me with this. Was gonna do it yesterday, but she didn't go to the farm 'cause she was upset with her mum.

[sotonowl]

Geoffrey Boycott style Owl, just keep playing that straight bat. The faster they bowl just give em the straight bat back, must demoralise them, especially when it's hot.????

[owl sees all]

28 minutes ago, sotonowl said:

Geoffrey Boycott style Owl, just keep playing that straight bat. The faster they bowl just give em the straight bat back, must demoralise them, especially when it's hot.????

Indeed!

 

72 runs to win - 4 wickets and 30 overs left. Still Oz favourites but less so as it continues.

[rattlesnake]

Sorry to hear about your problems Owl, I hope everything will work out for you.

[owl sees all]

Thanks for kind words Rats. Long way to go to sort them out.

Think by the time it's all sorted there will be best part of a million baht down the drain.

 

Mildred didn't go to school yesterday. So gonna get on with my PP stuff today. And get the pack sent off this week to Key Services.

[pickettywitch]

Still the same old Mess ! I'll be over soon too see the dogs for a new vlog starting soon The misses gets no Better ! yours not mine !LOL

[owl sees all]

42 minutes ago, pickettywitch said:

Still the same old Mess ! I'll be over soon too see the dogs for a new vlog starting soon The misses gets no Better! Yours not mine !LOL

Be good to see you and Mem bro. Dogs will be happy too.

 

Dogs are fine. Oscar is a beast. Don't like anyone. Only us five. Robert is different. Wants to lick everyone. He is very popular with little kids.

 

As was said in the last Owl Log; their friend Coffee is not with them for a charge about any more. He was a smashing dog. Sad.

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - Sum Sao Wat

 

Couldn't go out, in the direction of Udon or Phen, without calling into my bestist Buddha.

 

I walked around, and went upstairs. Didn't see anyone at all. Just a couple of lovely cats.

 

The golden hand might be ready for my first visit in 2024.

 

 

Huge roof build at a standstill. No workers. No anyone.

 

 

Something might have changed downstairs. Didn't go in.

 

 

Red paint soon.

 

 

 

 

Down again. Did a vid of the main story-book. I am beginning to understand the concept behind the four faces of life. The planner, the builder, the maintainer and the destroyer.

Our bodies work on the same principles.

 

 

 

First time up the stairs.

 

 

Nice views.

 

 

And then, a nice surprise.

 

 

So this is how they spent all my donations. A giant ruby.

 

 

Looking forward to my next trip.

 

 

Edited July 4, 2023 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

On 7/2/2023 at 2:36 PM, owl sees all said:

Fist time for a couple of years I actually took an interest in the cricket. Second test is at Lords (Nth/west London). Going on at the mo. Last day today. Lived just up the road from the ground in Cricklewood many moons ago, and had a shop in Wembley. The Ozzies look to be firm favourites to take this one, as they did in Leeds. Swimming starts later this month, and the Tennis at Wimbledon too. But my enthusiasm for it all has, if not waned, then certainly diminished. Or should that be the other way round. Footy next month. Hope I've stopped feeling sorry for myself by then.

Sorry guys. don't know how I could be so silly.

 

First match was in Edgbaston, Brum. Headingley, Leeds next one.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 11-07-2023 - Tuesday morning

 

Late posting the latest Owl Log. Lots of work and plenty of domestic. That's my excuse anyway.

 

Another hole in the roof. Not big, but in the lower bit of a roof-tile; so had to be sorted.

 

 

It was gonna be a temporary fix. So cutout a piece of a plastic oil container.

 

 

Slotted it in and job sorted. Will buy a bit of sheet-metal next time in Ban Dung. Bash it into the right shape, slot it in, and that will be a permanent job.

 

 

Also did a bit of repair on another section that had a crack along the top.

 

 

Silver sticky tape did the job.

 

 

Had to take down the staircase at the farm-house. Little insects had infested the wood and it was spreading to upstairs. Me and Mildred did the biz.

 

 

It was bolted in at the top, so couldn't just rip it down.

 

 

Mildred had the job of looking after the posts. Pulling the nails and screws out.

 

 

All down.

 

 

 

Sorted out the bits that were infected and had a burn up.

 

Still have a bit more to do. BeApp is gonna spray the upstairs floor with an insect poison. I have to cut off any infected parts and burn those also.

 

 

Gonna make a light-weight ladder that can be pulled down and stored up top. No need for a big staircase now. Not much going up and down nowadays.

 

The grass cutting has finished. A few days time the new growths will shoot up. But it looks good for now. Have to do something with the pipes.

 

 

We have to be careful taking Robert and Oscar to the farm. Have a window of a couple of hours when there is virtually nothing on the road. That's between 1-30 and 3-30 in the afternoon. After that, the kids come through on their motor bikes and then the farm workers go home.

 

 

There is a back way, but it's muddy after rain.

 

 

Also filled up the water holders in the farm loo.

 

Simple job of running a pipe from the water holder and letting gravity do its job.

 

 

Bella's farm, at the back, has a new arrival. Walked down the path to feed the chickens and,,,!!!.

 

 

Just a few days old I'm informed.

 

 

View from their farm to ours.

 

 

Right hip been giving me some jip. 

Loading nut-bunches into the pick-up at dusk, about five weeks ago, when I took a tumble. Got spiked on my right elbow, and bashed my hip on the ground. It was a thorn off a nut-bunch that got my elbow to the bone. Pulled it out when I got home. That's almost healed. But the hip hurts a bit. The left one was a bit iffy anyway, but the right one is the more painful right now.

 

England 1 - Ozies 2. Next test in Manchester.

 

I see Ashley Young is going to Everton. One of the most blatant divers in the game in recent years. That Arsenal player Eduardo being the worst. Ronaldo knew all the tricks too.

 

Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

 

Nice isaan skies.

 

 

 

All done.

 

Edited July 11, 2023 by owl sees all

[DJ54]

Nice pictures Big Owl… Thanks… enjoy the week…

[owl sees all]

3 hours ago, DJ54 said:

Nice pictures Big Owl… Thanks… enjoy the week…

Thanks DJ.

 

It's a bit stressful at the mo. But I'll survive.

 

Mildred asked me to do some work on her web site. What she wanted (in effect) was a complete revamp. She had been taking notice of what her friends were saying. Took me about 8 hours on and off. But all done now.

 

www.mildredart.com

 

She has written a story about dreams. It's on a Thai www. If we can somehow get it onto the computer I'll translate it and do a 'Story Section' on her site. Also, she has designed a couple of front pages for her friend's telephones. I'll try to get hold of some examples and post. The electric pen she uses is a cracker. Gives one pixel lines. So can do detail real good. She also has a colouring-in one. All that is well above my head though. Far too old to learn any new stuff. I'll stick to the html coding, and web design. That's challenging enough.

 

 

I'm so proud of her.

A real shame about the family problems. She knows most of it. We will muscle through.

 

 

Edited July 11, 2023 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

Owl Mini Log - 12-07-2023 - Wednesday morning

 

Went to Ban Dung yesterday. Most important thing was to get my PP stuff in the post to Key Services. That was no problem at all. All sorted out inside 15 minutes. Just waiting for the business to confirm that everything is in orde, and they proceed with the renewal.

 

Right now - and I think all this week - there is a big market and funfair in the town. Didn't go for a wander round, as we normally might. Just didn't have time. And anyway there is a bit of frost between me an Mrs Owl for the present.

But I had to stop the pick-up, and get a pic of just about the biggest elephant I've seen in Thailand.

 

 

Took the pic from the other side of the road. Would have got closer,,,, but,,,, with the Mrs awaiting, though it best to get back quick.

 

 

Into the hardware store, on the main drag, for some sheet metal. That was for the roof. Just over 3 metres long; 120 baht. Will come in handy for fixing the busted lounge settee.

With the roof; had to get a more robust fix in, before any big rain arrived. And where is the rain? Rain everywhere in the world (mostly) and none where we need it most; in Isaan. Especially in our area.

 

Also bought some insect killer for BeeApp's sprayer. As soon as he has time, he will get spraying on the infested wood. I have burnt a lot of the old rotten wood, but there are still some termiteee things about.

 

 

Then shopping in Big C. Cat food has jumped up from 29 baht a tin to 39 baht. Most of the staff had masks on I noticed. Bought two winning lottery tickets on the way out, and it was time to head off home.

 

I'd arranged with Seng to help fix the roof, so after I'd seen Mildred off this morning, I got to work on the roof section.

 

 

Gessimated the bit to be cut off.

 

Bent it into shape. And it was ready.

 

 

Seng arrived at 9 on the dot. Broke the ladder down into its two sections. and used one as a crawling board. Spread the weight with a length of 3x2. Kadilo would have been proud. Where is he?

 

Plastic out. Metal in.

 

 

 

Everything packed away; just 40 minutes all told. Great job.

 

 

Looks grand.

 

 

I owe Seng a drink for the help. But he does borrow the ladder. So perhaps we are even.

 

Mildred has confirmed that she is on holiday - think in England we would call it half-term - after the exam week starting Monday next.

 

Only one thing left to say; thanks for the encouragement.

 

Over and out.

 

Edited July 12, 2023 by owl sees all

[Andrew Dwyer]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Owl Mini Log - 12-07-2023 - Wednesday morning

 

Bought two winning lottery tickets on the way out, and it was time to head off home.

 

 

Get me a couple next time you go please Owl , they only sell losing tickets where i live.

[owl sees all]

10 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Get me a couple next time you go please Owl , they only sell losing tickets where i live.

Yer! Well!! If you just choose any old number you can't expect to win. You have to have a system. A theme. Could be curvy numbers or numbers with only two;;; like 299929. or 5 on the trot. Last draw there was a winner 488888.

 

But, Between me and you Andy, the way to riches for the next few draws is Palindromia. Yup! If you want the 6 million, look out for those numbers that are commonly called palindromic.

 

On my way into Big C yesterday, i glanced at the numbers and one caught my eye immediately. 125521. A palindromic number!!! A winner if ever there was one. I thought that I would get it on the way out. But to my horror, after the shopping, when I went to get the ticket,,, it had gone!

 

I searched the dozens of others and fortunately found another palindrome ticket.

 

 

 

[Fat is a type of crazy]

7 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Took the pic from the other side of the road. Would have got closer,,,, but,,,, with the Mrs awaiting, though it best to get back quick.

It's good that you care what your wife thinks in such situations and look to please her. Not. 

[pickettywitch]

2 hours ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

It's good that you care what your wife thinks in such situations and look to please her. Not. 

Yes! but ummm no comment!

[owl sees all]

3 hours ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

It's good that you care what your wife thinks in such situations and look to please her. Not. 

Thanks for that bro'. Definitely don't want a 'yak yak' driving in Ban Dung.

 

At least back in the village I can drift off to the farm and relax.

[owl sees all]

10 minutes ago, pickettywitch said:

Yes! but ummm no comment!

Reading between the lines are we?

 

Think you are on the money there PW.

[sotonowl]

How's the supply of the old Rosie these days Owl? Are you getting your fair share?

[owl sees all]

11 hours ago, sotonowl said:

How's the supply of the old Rosie these days Owl? Are you getting your fair share?

I've been up since 5-45. It's now 10-30. Not had a cup of Rosie yet.

[sotonowl]

7 hours ago, owl sees all said:

I've been up since 5-45. It's now 10-30. Not had a cup of Rosie yet.

Disgraceful.

[Andrew Dwyer]

7 hours ago, owl sees all said:

I've been up since 5-45. It's now 10-30. Not had a cup of Rosie yet.

Maybe she has misplaced the arsenic ??

 

Sorry Owl, only jesting ????

[owl sees all]

On 7/13/2023 at 6:29 PM, Andrew Dwyer said:

Maybe she has misplaced the arsenic ??

 

Sorry Owl, only jesting ????

Don't think arsenic is in the frame at the mo. But you never know!

 

I am trying to change the little saying at the bottom of each post. At the mo' mine reads:

 

'''If you can keep your head,,,,etc.'''

 

Anyone know how to go about it? I have managed to change my little pic', but cannot fathom out the quip.

 

.

 

 

 

Edited July 15, 2023 by owl sees all

[HighPriority]

5 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Don't think arsenic is in the frame at the mo. But you never know!

 

I am trying to change the little saying at the bottom of each post. At the mo' mine reads:

 

'''If you can keep your head,,,,etc.'''

 

Anyone know how to go about it? I have managed to change my little pic', but cannot fathom out the quip.

 

.

 

 

 

Signature 

[HighPriority]

11 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Don't think arsenic is in the frame at the mo. But you never know!

 

I am trying to change the little saying at the bottom of each post. At the mo' mine reads:

 

'''If you can keep your head,,,,etc.'''

 

Anyone know how to go about it? I have managed to change my little pic', but cannot fathom out the quip.

 

.

 

 

 

Click “owl sees all” at the top right of this page.

Click “account settings”

on the left there will be a menu with the option of “signature”

Edited July 15, 2023 by HighPriority

[owl sees all]

4 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Signature 

Thanks HP.

 

Step me thought it, if you would. How can I access 'signature'?

[jwest10]

On 11/18/2019 at 10:39 AM, colinneil said:

Fully agree mate, amazing Issan, never stops amazing me.

Yet there will be no leg over for you, not bowing to the monks, tut, tut, that is a serious offence, you naughty farang you.

I think you mean diary of a farang though, not dairy.

ha ha ha 2 legs over 

 

[owl sees all]

5 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Click “owl sees all” at the top right of this page.

Click “account settings”

on the left there will be a menu with the option of “signature”

Got it. Thanks HP.

 

A bitter and twisted - but still alive (at the mo') - Owl has arrived.

[Andrew Dwyer]

3 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Got it. Thanks HP.

 

A bitter and twisted - but still alive (at the mo') - Owl has arrived.

There’s also a switch to “ view signature “ on and off which I didn’t realise existed, now see a few posters have a signature !