17 May 2025

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

Half of the week we had wonderful weather and of course played our games on the terrace. It was warm and the sun shining. We played Bingo (with buttons) and had lot of fun ! Another day we played archery. No one got killed because the arrows had those sucking things in yellow,  instead of points. 

At least one of us got a yellow thing right in the middle of his forehead, and we applauded the guy who had shot so well. Not at the target, but at the forehead. I was just able to turn my head to the side, otherwise my glasses would have been hit. 

The third game was very interesting. Two people sat opposite each other, and colorful cups were placed in the middle. Then Kim shouted "red" (for example) and both had to grab the red cup, the one who took it first was the winner. Amazing that these grandmas still had so quick reactions ! Even our 100 year old managed to be quicker then her 20 years younger friend !

Chantal from our group, was here as resident, not because of her age, she was only 70, but she had a very bad car accident in which she almost died. She was nearly a year in hospital, to sew her together, but she couldn't live alone. She often tried to find her car and disappeared, twice somebody living in the street brought her back, the people are used to lost residents. 

Otherwise Chantal was completely normal you could have nice conversations with her and she also had a cheerful character. Then she fell a second time in the park. We saw the nurses running to pick her up and then she spent a week in hospital. When she came back, her daughter had bought her a plush dog, which she carried around, but her brain was still OK. But then she fell again and this time it was real bad. Now she has lost all sense of orientation, doesn't know where she is, and as she still has her old room she can go out in the middle of the night and walks around gets lost and then walks into other rooms. That happened with our 100 year old, who got a terrible shock at 3 am, reached for her cane to throw out the intruder. Then she rang for help. Poor Chantal was topless and continued her way. But then the night nurse found her and brought back into her room. Of course we teased our 100 year old and told her she would have preferred a man, but she answered that she had had enough men in her life. Of cause we all wanted to know more !

The section where the seriously ill live is undergoing renovations for a few weeks, so it's possible that someone might get lost or somehow sneaked out of the otherwise closed floor. They are suffering from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or senile dementia. We don't know them because they live on the fourth floor.On Monday they all will be moved into the renovated rooms. 

 

The flowers we planted 3 weeks ago,  have grown and look very beautiful

I wanted to make a selfie of the both of us, but my arm  is not long enough ! Rosie seems to be happy, she sleeps a lot, but she will be 19,  she has a very good appetite, and still plays a bit. But her back has become very skinny. As long as she doesn't show any disease, I don't go to the vet. At her age she would get too stressed. For me the most important is, that her fur is still shining, which is a good sign, and she has all her teeth ! 



more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.
 
 
 
 
 
 

15 May 2025

HODGEPODGE MAY 15

 1. What's something you're curious about right now ? 

Nothing special, I am just curious if our summer weather, which is far too early will last ?

 


2. If you could plan the perfect girl's weekend getaway, where would you go and what would be on the agenda? Do you have anything like this on your calendar in the next few months ? 

No I have not yet plans for a girl's weekend  getaway, but if I could go I would go to the sea, which is not far away from Brussels and it would be perfect for a weekend. I would even ignore the hideous coastline, but will just sit at the beach and observe the waves.

 

The water is far too cold for swimming. It is the North Sea, after all.

3. What's the most unique item in your refrigerator right now? 

Nothing unusual, but when we were newly married, I couldn't find my slippers. After searching the entire house without success, Rick found them in our refrigerator in the  evening!

4. In this season of your life, what do you find most challenging?

Since I had decided to live in a retirement home, it was difficult for me to deal with the severely brain-damaged people. We don't see them very often, but it takes a lot of strength to get used to see and hear them. After all, those of us who are still well also could become like that one day.

5. Do you collect anything? If so why that? 

This question would make laugh all people who know me. I collect cats in all sizes and all materials because I am a cat lover ! For me they are the most intelligent animals. You never own a cat, the cat owns you !  I think that's why I love them, they are independent, never do what you want from them. My   grandson once counted all together with his friend and they told me with proud that I had 497 cats  spread throughout the apartment. I had even more when we lived in our house !

Now here in my room I still have a shelf with a part of my collection, I like it, I think it makes my room cozy. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

With this still nice summer weather I always sit outside, I wonder why I don't like to go out, travel or visit friends. I think I have changed a lot since Rick's death. I feel home here and like to help with those who have lost a bit their mind. It's strange, one part of the day they are completely normal but then suddenly a 94 old lady tells me that she will visit her grandparents this afternoon. I have learned  never to contradict her, and would  reply, "How nice of you! They'll definitely be pleased". And then everything's fine again. If I would said the opposite, she'd start arguing which always ends in tears. One man in our group just doesn't understand that and even finds it funny when she gets upset. 

Without any hesitation when we were sitting together, I first tried to explain him what is going on in Rina's mind, but that was completely useless, so I sternly forbade him to make her cry on purpose. He looked a bit stupid, and then he quickly disappeared. So far, he behaved  good now. It always makes me angry when someone attacks a weaker person or animal,  then I show my claws.



14 May 2025

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY









These are photos from our park, which you can see from all the windows of the castle. 

I love to see the deep green grass, and the shrubs and trees when I open the curtains in the morning. 

The little flowers who came out is an invitation for bees ! And when the lawn is mowed, the air smells so good, better than the most expensive perfume.

 

 

more participants here, and Image-in-ing

11 May 2025

AWWWW - WEEKEND MAY 10





 
 
 
 
 
Linking to AWWW MONDAYS 

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