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.

HODGEPODGE MAY 16

1. What impresses you? 

I really don't know for the moment what impresses me.

In my life I have witnessed so many new inventions, even the first flight to the moon, from electric lawnmowers to robots and the same with vacuum cleaners. Central heating, bathrooms, inside restrooms, the huge American cars, I experienced the hippie era, Woodstock, Elvis, the Beatles,the laws for women changed, so really what else is supposed to impress me? Everything seems like "déjà vu" to me. 

2.  Where are you in your family birth order? Do you fit the stereotype of that particular slot? In what way?

Easy, the queen or the president just as you like, I am an only child !

3. What motivates you more-a reward or a consequence? Elaborate. 

I think consequences, rewards wouldn't motivate me

4. May 14th is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day. Who thinks biscuits deserve their own day? Do you like biscuits? Make your own? Grab one for breakfast at a drive-through now and then? Which drive-through makes the one you like best? What do you like to put on a biscuit? What's your favorite food or dish that calls for buttermilk? 

In Belgium Buttermilk is not known very much, I like to drink it cold when it is hot, but that's coming from Germany, there Buttermilk is well known. Nobody to my knowledge goes through a drive through for breakfast, there is not even a understandable word for that in French. I think here it is called "Take away". The English expression of "take away" moved into the French language and other languages too. 

At Mac Donald's you can "take away" "or home delivery" and compose a breakfast. Usually it would be a coffee and a croissant. In my family Breakfast was mostly ignored, nobody was hungry early mornings when we had to get up to work. Often a hot coffee was sufficient. For tourists maybe it's different, I have met some here in Waterloo, they arrived at 6 am and nothing was open for breakfast ! They had to wait until Mac Donald opened at 7 am to get a little breakfast. Of course I am talking only about the region I live,  I don't know if in Brussels a "Take away" is open during night or early mornings.

Classical Breakfast "Take Away"

5. Are there any weddings on your summer calendar? What's your favorite part of a wedding/wedding reception? 

On my calendar, there are no weddings anymore, no christening, but many funerals, which is normal for me at my age, because most of my friends are widows and  would never marry again, or passed away.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm feeling a bit down at the moment. It's raining again and I'm having breathing difficulties. I would love to travel, but I don't dare because I don't know whether I can walk properly or whether I have to sit down all the time to get back my breath.

 

Fortunately I'm here, I have company to distract me and also medical care. Luckily I haven't needed it yet. It looks like permanent holidays !