Diary of a farang in Isaan

[Damrongsak]

As for Thai sharpening stones, I like the natural ones like these.  They are fairly fine and hardness varies. 

 

Edited September 13, 2020 by Damrongsak

[Damrongsak]

14 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Good to hear you at least some rain I'll try and send some more.I use detergent on these stones as I learnt that detergent holds the (I know there's a word for it) stuff,sludge,slurry in suspension.I use the  Japanese wet stones for woodworking tools and Razor.Funnily enough the one I use the most is the cheap ones I get at hardware shop in Yaso the others I imported.The Yaso stone is by far the quickest at removing material fast. 

There's a farang who has (or had) a bit of a business selling Thai knives and also cutting the various natural stones:  https://aranyik.com/thaibinsui.html

 

Edited September 13, 2020 by Damrongsak

[Damrongsak]

I have a couple of the whiter stones and a small black one that was one that monks used to sharpen a strait razor to shave their heads. 40+ years ago I didn't have have Internet or TV, so I played with knives.  You ever mow a lawn with a machete?  It sucks.

 

Thailand has some amazing rocks in terms of sharpening stones.  There's gold in them thar hills, if they only knew it. 

 

Oh, the "kid" doesn't have a clue about knives in my opinion, but he seems to be better with the stones. 

Edited September 14, 2020 by Damrongsak

[FarFlungFalang]

2 hours ago, Damrongsak said:

I have a couple of the whiter stones and a small black one that was one that monks used to sharpen a strait razor to shave their heads. 40+ years ago I didn't have have Internet or TV, so I played with knives.  You ever mow a lawn with a machete?  It sucks.

 

Thailand has some amazing rocks in terms of sharpening stones.  There's gold in them thar hills, if they only knew it. 

 

Oh, the "kid" doesn't have a clue about knives in my opinion, but he seems to be better with the stones. 

I've seen the MIL doing it with a rice knife or those digging implements that looks likes like a crowbar and a spade mated.Nice looking stones.I'll try and post my collection if it stops raining.Hey Mr Owl are you getting anymore rain?

[FarFlungFalang]

4 hours ago, Damrongsak said:

You ever mow a lawn with a machete?  It sucks.

Cut a lot of things with a machete but not the lawn.I've cut sugar cane with a machete and that suck as well.

[owl sees all]

4 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I've seen the MIL doing it with a rice knife or those digging implements that looks likes like a crowbar and a spade mated.Nice looking stones.I'll try and post my collection if it stops raining.Hey Mr Owl are you getting anymore rain?

No rain here FFF. Just a shower this month. 

 

Had to let some water out of the ponds to boost the rice field level yesterday.

 

I think that's it for this year.

Edited September 14, 2020 by owl sees all

[bluesofa]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

No rain here FFF. Just a shower this month. 

 

Had to let some water out of the ponds to boost the rice field level yesterday.

 

I think that's it for this year.

Here in Udon we've had showers too, but not the amount of rain we'd usually have. I wonder if that's the end of it as well.

[faraday]

No rain in NBL either, too hot, & the living room a/c packed up last night! Last week the truck a/c, now this 'un.

Hope 'things come in threes' ain't gonna happen. ????

[FarFlungFalang]

15 minutes ago, faraday said:

No rain in NBL either, too hot, & the living room a/c packed up last night! Last week the truck a/c, now this 'un.

Hope 'things come in threes' ain't gonna happen. ????

Some people wonder why Thai's are so "hot" headed,it's the weather.Sounds like you're going native.There should be some relief in a couple of months,something I look forward to as we don't have a/c except in the truck.

[bannork]

8 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Cut a lot of things with a machete but not the lawn.I've cut sugar cane with a machete and that suck as well.

I cut about 10 sugar canes every day with a machete, supplement food for our cows, a piece of cake but then the cane is not 10 feet tall, only 6 foot.

What does FFF mean Owl, or should it be <deleted>?

The rain ain't over yet! We have had 2 downpours the last few days.

I thought you were a believer in a late rainy season. 555

[owl sees all]

Checked the water level this evening. The rice field water has risen about two inches. That should be OK til harvest in about six weeks.

 

Only expect showers from now on.

Edited September 14, 2020 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

1 minute ago, bannork said:

What does FFF mean Owl

Sorry Bannork. FFF is short for FarFlungFalang.

[FarFlungFalang]

32 minutes ago, bannork said:

I cut about 10 sugar canes every day with a machete, supplement food for our cows, a piece of cake but then the cane is not 10 feet tall, only 6 foot.

What does FFF mean Owl, or should it be <deleted>?

The rain ain't over yet! We have had 2 downpours the last few days.

I thought you were a believer in a late rainy season. 555

One bundle of ten canes gets you 3 baht on our farm most people cut 100 bundles of 10 canes a day,I start saying FTS after about fifty bundles because I don't get any money cause the missus is such a tight ar$e.

 

32 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Checked the water level this evening. The rice field water has risen about two inches. That should be OK til harvest in about six weeks.

Wow you have water in your rice paddies?We don't but the ground is wet enough and the crop of mostly grass and prickles is looking pretty good.Thankfully we can now let the harvester harvester harvest the crop.I stopped helping harvesting (not sure if helping is the correct word) when I sliced half of one of my fingernails off with those hideously sharp serrated knives again FTS came effortlessly to my lips.Oh the fingernail did grow back and no permanent damage or even scarring remains TFFT!Sorry for all the swearing.I was going to say it's my mother tongue but that wouldn't be fair on the "old lady" as she tried hard to educate me in the correct use of English rather than Australian.She's also responsible for my pedantry.

Edited September 14, 2020 by FarFlungFalang

[bannork]

2 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

One bundle of ten canes gets you 3 baht on our farm most people cut 100 bundles of 10 canes a day,I start saying FTS after about fifty bundles because I don't get any money cause the missus is such a tight ar$e.

 

Wow you have water in your rice paddies?We don't but the ground is wet enough and the crop of mostly grass and prickles is looking pretty good.Thankfully we can now let the harvester harvester harvest the crop.I stopped helping harvesting (not sure if helping is the correct word) when I sliced half of one of my fingernails off with those hideously sharp serrated knives again FTS came effortlessly to my lips.Oh the fingernail did grow back and no permanent damage or even scarring remains TFFT!Sorry for all the swearing.I was going to say it's my mother tongue but that wouldn't be fair on the "old lady" as she tried hard to educate me in the correct use of English rather than Australian.She's also responsible for my pedantry.

Australian acronyms, jeez, they're beyond me 

Now Barry McKenzie, he had some wonderful turns of phrase.

'A technicolour yawn....

[owl sees all]

Owl Log 15-09-2020

 

So pleased to see the debris at Mildred's school cleared away. Her first school was the cleanest I've seen in Thailand. Run by Italian nuns. Pleased she decided to move to the present one though. Arrived at the school a bit early this evening so had a walk around the 'Botanical Garden'. Most of the frees were named.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not a euca in sight. But found a broken swing

 

 

and someone left their computer stuff behind.

 

 

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

 

Just as I thought; cleared away the tree cropping debris.

 

 

Much better!

 

 

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

 

Back at the farm I'd been sorting out the last of the eucas earlier. I reckoned we had about 1000 or so. They were scattered all over. Yesterday, after picking up M from school, I bought ten plastic fruit cages. Today, I got to the farm early and began sorting through them.

 

Mrs Owl had not spoken to me since Saturday, due to a family dispute, over who could, and who could not, fish in our ponds. She came to the farm with me, and after seeing me rescue 50 eucas, started to do some too. By the time I had to leave to pick up M, we had got about 300.

 

 

When I got back to the farm she had finished. Only added another 100. I spent 20 minutes going over her cast-offs. I had just a few short of a tray when it was time to go home.

 

 

To be honest her workmanship was rubbish. But I didn't say anything due to the family silence. I'll probably find a few more tomorrow.

 

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

 

The little trees are doing well in farm four. 

 

 

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

 

There is this strange thing with the wife. I don't always know what has troubled her. Now was it me saying no to her daughter (not Milly, t'other one) fishing in the ponds? Was it me going to see my mate; who's wife she doesn't like at the mo'? Was it me going behind her back to pick up a package from the local post office for Milly? Or could it have been me and Milly taking a pack of food down to widow Um, for her three cats? When we got back; and she asked M where we had been; well, it was duck the unopened Pringle tube time. Charkie's food container also hit the floor with some force; and split open. I was also threatened with death. Hadn't been threatened with death since before covid. Serious stuff indeed! The Pringles were reduced to dust. But! Got a nice cup of Rosy and a plate of chips tonight for supper. Still no chat though. Some might say that's a result.

 

Speaking of results; my team Wolves did the biz at the w/e. If they win the EPL, I'll be 5k squids better off. And what about 'No Fear Leeds'!?

 

I don't know what to make of the C-19 happenings in England. Kids are back to school; learning, playing and eating together. Now, after school there can't be seven of them together. 

 

My local 7/11 is not now insisting on face masks. Big C are though.

 

Got an email from my sister, who lives in Rockford (England). She tells me that she has not been past her garden gate for 6 months. No such problems in these pets. Don't always realise how fortunate we are.

 

Piers Corbyn has been fined 10,000 quids for speaking at a rally in Trafalgar square. He will be more famous than brother Jeremy if he carries on like this.

 

Bye y'all. 

[faraday]

Is your mate's wife attractive in any way?

 

I would reconsider not letting her daughter fish, but not carte blanche to do what she wants. I, would apologise.

 

It can be difficult, I do understand.

 

I haven't spoken to my sister in blighty for a few weeks, last time though she complained about how some people, i.e. drs receptionists, pharmacists, seem to think they have extra powers, & were quite rude. I see Covid Marshalls are being introduced. 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-54105672

 

If this pandemic was as 'they' say it is, then it would be a good move. I don't think it is. And of course, we have to be careful what we say now, don't we.

 

Boris is planning on spending £100,000,000 or some equally absurd figure on a 'moonshot'!

 

Sonia put up an interesting short video on YouTube last night about the 'gubmint covid consultation'. Not going to comment.

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, faraday said:

Is your mate's wife attractive in any way?

 

I would reconsider not letting her daughter fish, but not carte blanche to do what she wants. I, would apologise.

 

It can be difficult, I do understand.

 

I haven't spoken to my sister in blighty for a few weeks, last time though she complained about how some people, i.e. drs receptionists, pharmacists, seem to think they have extra powers, & were quite rude. I see Covid Marshalls are being introduced. 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-54105672

 

If this pandemic was as 'they' say it is, then it would be a good move. I don't think it is. And of course, we have to be careful what we say now, don't we.

 

Boris is planning on spending £100,000,000 or some equally absurd figure on a 'moonshot'!

 

Sonia put up an interesting short video on YouTube last night about the 'gubmint covid consultation'. Not going to comment.

The wife's daughter has a lot of bad history with me. When I was back in England for the Brexit vote, her pals decided to fish the ponds. Result; two busted fishing reels.

 

I have a couple of reasons why I said no. One is that I just don't trust her. There are only two ponds with fish in and the number one pond has seen its fish population gradually reduced this year. I think it's the Buddha man next door, but I've no proof. It wouldn't take her long (with hubby) to get fed up catching nothing, and move to number five pond, where all the mekongs and kois are. No one can fish in that pond; it's a pet pond. 

 

If I let her fish without me being there, it sends a message to anyone else that could be watching. If she and her hubs want to fish, they will have to wait until I'm there to keep an eye on them.

 

As for Mrs Owl throwing a strop; I can only think that me visiting the widow Um, was the tipping point. Fancy throwing Charkie's food container to the floor, not once but three times. My mate's wife is OK looking, but hard working (that could be the key), with her farm work and sewing.

 

I'll check out Sonia's vid as soon as Mildred is off safely on the bus. Been watching lots of vids on brandnewtube. Some real eye-openers, especially those on Fauci in US.

[owl sees all]

2 hours ago, faraday said:

I haven't spoken to my sister in blighty for a few weeks, last time though she complained about how some people, i.e. drs receptionists, pharmacists, seem to think they have extra powers, & were quite rude. I see Covid Marshalls are being introduced. 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-54105672

 

Sonia put up an interesting short video on YouTube last night about the 'gubmint covid consultation'. Not going to comment.

Thanks for that Faraday.

 

Watched both vids. Very sinister indeed. Let's hope the English people can resist.

[FarFlungFalang]

Ah the wife.Rule number one:The husband can only do what he wants to do only if it's what the wife wants him to do.You may have broken rule number one.Rule number two:refer to rule number one.

[bluesofa]

17 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Ah the wife.Rule number one:The husband can only do what he wants to do only if it's what the wife wants him to do.You may have broken rule number one.Rule number two:refer to rule number one.

Nah, you're doing it wrong. I'm a kept man. I know my place.

[FarFlungFalang]

3 hours ago, bluesofa said:

Nah, you're doing it wrong. I'm a kept man. I know my place.

When my wife is talking to me I'm also a kept man if she's not talking to me I don't know if I'll be kept for much longer.

[faraday]

Rule 3

 

We men can have an opinion, as long as it's the same as wife's.

[FarFlungFalang]

4 minutes ago, faraday said:

Rule 3

 

We men can have an opinion, as long as it's the same as wife's.

My wife's version of rule number 3:You can have an opinion but I'm not listening to it!The distant glazed switched off stare comes instantly.

Edited September 16, 2020 by FarFlungFalang

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 17-09-2020 Thursday

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 17-09-2020 - Thursday

 

That film 'The good, the bad, the ugly', comes easily to mind for this Log.

 

One good is that Mildred's school has laid the turfs. Very nice too.

 

 

 

 

Also good was Charkie eating at long last. She had a dodgy spell of a few days when she was completely off her food. It started around the time when Mrs Owl threw a chair at her. It missed but caused damage in other areas.

 

 

Another fix job for the farang. But! Charkie was not hurt. That's the main thing.

 

I'd been trying different foods for Charkie. She didn't seem to take to any until, I had a master thought; dog food. Yes! Beef-a-la-dog.

 

 

Milly said to put a bit of plastic over the pic of the dog; which I did. Don't want Charkie to get confused she intimated. Quite right too. After all it's Charkie's role to chase rats and lizards, not hunt down farangs in packs.

 

 

On with the good.

 

Got some nice pics of the VW. Went into the restaurant to ask some questions, but no one spoke English, so I just snapped away.

 

 

Couldn't find any etchings on the glass to say it's year of manufacture. And no one to ask. I'll try again another time.

 

 

Also staying with the good; sold another water tank for 2k baht. Family bought it. Didn't get any dosh; but it's early days yet!

 

 

Only two left now. And they are ear-marked for Guy. 

 

The bad!

 

 

Spent an hour yesterday afternoon sorting through the discarded eucas. Mrs Owl had simply thrown them onto the heap. Found about 25, which is 50 baht; if you had to buy them. But! I always get emotionally attached to natures' little wonders. If the euca was beyond redemption or simply not there, I emptied the soil out and put the plastic sleeves in another bag; for burning later.

 

The ponds; one, two and three had their water level dropped about 150mm due to raising the water level in the paddy.

 

 

Now Ban Dung is rewiring. Not sure if it's leccy or internet or something else, but it's on the go; big time.

 

 

The lads (or lasses) doing the work, do not tidy up after them. At 17-00 yesterday, after work, I investigated.

 

 

 

Just plain ugly! But there is beauty in the most unusual places.

 

 

 

A couple of squirrels. Lovely! Or was it the same one featured twice? Hard to tell; I think there's two.

 

Had a trio of letters delivered in the week. Milly said they were for a teacher that was to be retired off. Teaching limit in state run schools being 60. 

 

 

Not sure what to do! Put money in the envelopes! Stick them on the wall. Take them to Buddha. When Mrs Owl starts speaking to me again I might find out.

 

M's school was getting some work done. Daughter says it's for a flag pole. I think it's something grander. After all; a crane!

 

 

We will soon see!

 

 

Now, the really good news is that there is a storm brewing up off the coast of Vietnam, and it's coming our way (Isaan'a way). Not moving fast. About 3km an hour; gentle walking speed. So should be with us,,,, well soon. Can't rush these things.

 

Mrs Owl has mumbled a few words in my direction. Sounded something like; "you have to give me money." Or similar. This is the real testing time for the silence. Didn't win on the lottery yesterday, so it's back to old faithful; Owl the farang. But as he is the most despicable person in the whole of Isaan; there-in lies a problem for teerak. Where to get substantial amounts of dosh! Watch this space!

 

M is continuing with her testing at school. Scored 60% in her written math's test at the beginning of the week. Today Science!

 

Made a batch of reishi yesterday. Now there is something of a dilemma here. How can I justify buying Lao Khao, if I insist I have no money? Perhaps have to drink it neat. 0% alcohol. Very bitter without the Lao Khao though.

 

Getting ready for the cyclone/typhoon/huricane/storm Noul'. Coming this way; soon.

 

Bye y'all.

Edited September 17, 2020 by owl sees all

[GarryP]

10 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

 

Had a trio of letters delivered in the week. Milly said they were for a teacher that was to be retired off. Teaching limit in state run schools being 60. 

 

 

Not sure what to do. Put money in the envelopes! Stick them on the wall. Take them to Buddha. When Mrs Owl starts speaking to me again I might find out.

 

M's school was getting some work done. Daughter says it's for a flag pole. I think it's something grander. After all; a crane!

 

 

They are invitations to join in the celebrations on Friday, 25 September for teacher Tiranan Racha. I honestly don't know whether it is custom to put money in the envelopes, which is actually quite good as you could plead ignorance.

[owl sees all]

1 minute ago, GarryP said:

They are invitations to join in the celebrations on Friday, 25 September for teacher Tiranan Racha. I honestly don't know whether it is custom to put money in the envelopes, which is actually quite good as you could plead ignorance.

Good you say that Gary. Mildred said something about it on the way to the bus this morning. I didn't know what she was on about. Who is this Tiranan Racha? 

 

I'm learning so much here.

[GarryP]

1 minute ago, owl sees all said:

Good you say that Gary. Mildred said something about it on the way to the bus this morning. I didn't know what she was on about. Who is this Tiranan Racha? 

 

I'm learning so much here.

That is the name of the teacher, the one who is retiring. They want to get people to come and say thank you and goodbye. That sort of thing. Not a bad idea but not all teachers deserve it. I'll assume she is one of the good ones though. You should ask Mildred.  

[Fat is a type of crazy]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - 17-09-2020 - Thursday

 

That film 'The good, the bad, the ugly', comes easily to mind for this Log.

 

One good is that Mildred's school has laid the turfs. Very nice too.

 

 

 

 

Also good was Charkie eating at long last. She had a dodgy spell of a few days when she was completely off her food. It started around the time when Mrs Owl threw a chair at her. It missed but caused damage in other areas.

 

 

Another fix job for the farang. But! Charkie was not hurt. That's the main thing.

 

I'd been trying different foods for Charkie. She didn't seem to take to any until, I had a master thought; dog food. Yes! Beef-a-la-dog.

 

 

Milly said to put a bit of plastic over the pic of the dog; which I did. Don't want Charkie to get confused she intimated. Quite right too. After all it's Charkie's role to chase rats and lizards, not hunt down farangs in packs.

 

 

On with the good.

 

Got some nice pics of the VW. Went into the restaurant to ask some questions, but no one spoke English, so I just snapped away.

 

 

Couldn't find any etchings on the glass to say it's year of manufacture. And no one to ask. I'll try again another time.

 

 

Also staying with the good; sold another water tank for 2k baht. Family bought it. Didn't get any dosh; but it's early days yet!

 

 

Only two left now. And they are ear-marked for Guy. 

 

The bad!

 

 

Spent an hour yesterday afternoon sorting through the discarded eucas. Mrs Owl had simply thrown them onto the heap. Found about 25, which is 50 baht; if you had to buy them. But! I always get emotionally attached to natures' little wonders. If the euca was beyond redemption or simply not there, I emptied the soil out and put the plastic sleeves in another bag; for burning later.

 

The ponds; one, two and three had their water level dropped about 150mm due to raising the water level in the paddy.

 

 

Now Ban Dung is rewiring. Not sure if it's leccy or internet or something else, but it's on the go; big time.

 

 

The lads (or lasses) doing the work, do not tidy up after them. At 17-00 yesterday, after work, I investigated.

 

 

 

Just plain ugly! But there is beauty in the most unusual places.

 

 

 

A couple of squirrels. Lovely! Or was it the same one featured twice? Hard to tell; I think there's two.

 

Had a trio of letters delivered in the week. Milly said they were for a teacher that was to be retired off. Teaching limit in state run schools being 60. 

 

 

Not sure what to do! Put money in the envelopes! Stick them on the wall. Take them to Buddha. When Mrs Owl starts speaking to me again I might find out.

 

M's school was getting some work done. Daughter says it's for a flag pole. I think it's something grander. After all; a crane!

 

 

We will soon see!

 

 

Now, the really good news is that there is a storm brewing up off the coast of Vietnam, and it's coming our way (Isaan'a way). Not moving fast. About 3km an hour; gentle walking speed. So should be with us,,,, well soon. Can't rush these things.

 

Mrs Owl has mumbled a few words in my direction. Sounded something like; "you have to give me money." Or similar. This is the real testing time for the silence. Didn't win on the lottery yesterday, so it's back to old faithful; Owl the farang. But as he is the most despicable person in the whole of Isaan; there-in lies a problem for teerak. Where to get substantial amounts of dosh! Watch this space!

 

M is continuing with her testing at school. Scored 60% in her written math's test at the beginning of the week. Today Science!

 

Made a batch of reishi yesterday. Now there is something of a dilemma here. How can I justify buying Lao Khao, if I insist I have no money? Perhaps have to drink it neat. 0% alcohol. Very bitter without the Lao Khao though.

 

Getting ready for the cyclone/typhoon/huricane/storm Noul'. Coming this way; soon.

 

Bye y'all.

Love your posts. Best thing on Thaivisa. Been reading for a bit less than a year. It's a respite from covid and politics and such.

Your story  just reminds me of my Thai partner. Love her and that but she can get bratty and tempestuous sometimes. One time I just asked if we could please not plant a lemon tree at a certain spot as it would get too big and too close to the front door. Got 2 days of grief and silence culminating in throwing things and pushing over a chair that put a small whole in the wall. That's when I drew the line and said I look after you, let you do your thing, and if you do this again it is over. Seemed to the trick. Well, somewhat.

Most Thai husbands don't look after the kids and the farm like you so what's her problem. She has to be reminded that throwing a chair at the cat and breaking a window is not funny or cute. It's harder with the kids.  

Interested in the eucalypts.. I am surrounded by big gum trees here. Didn't know you could farm them - I suppose it's for the oil.   

I'll go back to being a reader now and leave this post to the expat farmers. 

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

Love your posts. Best thing on Thaivisa. Been reading for a bit less than a year. It's a respite from covid and politics and such.

Your story  just reminds me of my Thai partner. Love her and that but she can get bratty and tempestuous sometimes. One time I just asked if we could please not plant a lemon tree at a certain spot as it would get too big and too close to the front door. Got 2 days of grief and silence culminating in throwing things and pushing over a chair that put a small whole in the wall. That's when I drew the line and said I look after you, let you do your thing, and if you do this again it is over. Seemed to the trick. Well, somewhat.

Most Thai husbands don't look after the kids and the farm like you so what's her problem. She has to be reminded that throwing a chair at the cat and breaking a window is not funny or cute. It's harder with the kids.  

Interested in the eucalypts.. I am surrounded by big gum trees here. Didn't know you could farm them - I suppose it's for the oil.   

I'll go back to being a reader now and leave this post to the expat farmers. 

Thanks for the support Fat is a type of crazy.

 

Sorry to hear that your partner is similar to mine; emotionally that is.

 

The eucas are doing well. In the future we might see them turned into paper, building materials and,,,, who knows?

 

Good to see you post. Post again. Not too much footy comments though, or we will never get TBL back.