1 Apr 2026

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY




These are Belgian mussels, commonly served as moules-frites (mussels with fries), are a cornerstone of Belgian cuisine and a defining culinary tradition of Brussels. Despite their close association with the capital, the mussels traditionally used are largely sourced from the nearby Zeeland region in the Netherlands. 

When I was young, there were chip stalls on almost every corner, and I often bought a paper cone of chips. Unfortunately, they gradually disappeared, and now you really have to search for one. In Brussels dialect, they are called "Frittekot." In Waterloo we had one at the station, one in the center, one at the Lion. I think most of them disappeared during the Corona lock in !


Fritkot Bompa friterie - IXELLES | Friteries

Le match fritkot-frites maison : est-il plus économique de se rendre à la  friterie pour manger des frites ? - La DH/Les Sports+


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30 Mar 2026

AWWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND MARCH 28





 

Linking to AWWW MONDAYS 

 

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WEEKEND 

Saturday it was rainy, windy and cold ! A real nice Monday weather. Fortunately it's warm everywhere and company I have too. I didn't like the activity this day, it was "artistic painting" ! I have participated once and that was enough for my whole life ! It was what Kindergarten kids paint, little lady bugs, flowers, bunnies etc. I stayed with Jeanine in her room and we chatted until coffee was served, from all participants only 5 had not stopped their "work" ! One said that she is too old to return to primary school. I think that was the last time we had a painting activity !

Nobody went outside, it was again a lousy weather. My neighbors had celebrated I don't know what, they are a couple, he in a wheelchair and she walking, They only leave their room for lunch. Never together, they fight all the time. She kicks with her foot in the wheelchair to push him. The rest of the day they lay in bed and fight, I learn a lot of words which were not in my vocabulary. They drink the whole day and I see the bottles the next day standing on the floor outside their door. Usually 4 bottles of red wine and 4 bottle of a very strong beer. I couldn't find out why they are here, they are very unfriendly with the staff too. I have noticed that couples in one room doesn't work, they fight all the time and avoid each other whenever they can, even in the restaurant. From the 5 couples we have here,  two fight all the time, two are well together and the third have found the ideal solution, they have one room each,live far apart, each going their own way, only eating or going out together on weekends. They both seem quite content with this arrangement. It's certainly better than lying in bed arguing all day, and get drunk !

Drunk Cartoon Images – Browse 1,165,077 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video |  Adobe Stock


28 Mar 2026

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

The week started real nice ! A theater group came to perform a funny play for us. It was a private group of older actors, but they were really very good. The play was hilarious, and we laughed a lot. Unfortunately, a few deaf residents had forgotten their hearing aids and, of course, couldn't understand a word. Somehow, it seems to be normal for hard-of-hearing people to always claim they hear perfectly well and that the hearing aid is just for "decoration." Rick actually did that too, I remembered, because I kept yelling, "Put your ears on!"

 

I also heard that a new female manager had been hired, the one we had and whom I liked, was only there as a replacement until they found the right one ! I wonder how many are to come because this lady is the 4th manager in the 2 1/2 years I am here. It doesn't bother me as long as it doesn't disturb my and the others comfort. 

The new one is a head taller then our little "old" one, I saw them from far, our "old" one just reaches the shoulder from the "new"one. They look like a slat and a pom-pom.. I have heard the new one is very nice. 

The next day the monthly birthdays were celebrated. This time the singer at least had a voice and sang French chansons from our youth. I had taken my tablet with me and while he sang I did a scrabble. So it was not so boring, French chansons are nice to dance, but only to listen .... not so much for me.  

But the best was the birthday cake, it was delicious. Not one slice was left !

With the new manager I noticed that also new staff had been hired. Of course, none of us knew about the new arrivals, so I had the pleasure of being asked by three different caregivers if I'd taken my medication. Each time I had to explain why I was here, and that I don't need any care yet !  I felt like I was living in a central station. And to top it all off, in the evening someone was scratching at my door and I heard strange noises in the corridor. I opened my door and saw a little hippie (her hair was all standing up) sitting in a leather armchair on wheels, almost disappearing into it. I had never seen this woman before, and she couldn't speak. Nobody was on my floor, and I certainly couldn't push that heavy chair. The woman was hitting her feet against the wall with all her strength (and she had plenty of it), which had made this noise.

Cartoon old woman a wheelchair Images - Free Download on Freepik 

I called a caregiver to have her wheeled back to her room. I have no idea how she got here with that heavy chair; someone who also suffered from dementia must have pushed her. Usually these residents with severe diseases are all on the 4th floor and locked in, because some of them always try to escape. That was enough for me, so I locked my door. Hopefully, things will calm down soon, once the new residents have settled in.

Ever since I had the Zona, my right eye felt not normal, I couldn't describe it, sometimes it hurt a little bit and sometimes it just had a strange feeling. As Zona can be dangerous for eyes, I called my ophthalmologist and when he heard the word Zona, he gave me an appointment for the very next day; otherwise, I would have had to wait a month! 

It was just lunchtime, when I arrived, there were still five people ahead of me. Then his assistant had me look through various machines, printed out the results, and brought them to my doctor. I've known him for at least 20 years; back then, he was just starting, without an assistant and without so many machines. Now he has worked his way up to become one of the best ophthalmologists, and his office is always full. I was really glad that my eyes were in good condition, that absolutely nothing was wrong with them. 

 He gave me eye drops in case my eye was too dry, now I'll see. I was so relieved!

 

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.