FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

This week was a bit strange. There was something in the air that made people, usually so peaceful, suddenly moody and even aggressive. It was warm, quite humid, and windy. We were playing a game on the terrace, a quiz about world capitals. Suddenly, two men got into a heated argument about which capital belonged to which country. Things calmed down once the correct answer was given. But then, a real storm brewed between two women in wheelchairs. And something happened that had never occurred since I’ve been here! I heard shouting and then a smack, one lady had actually slapped the other on her cheek. 

( I made this picture wiI made this picture with AI) 

After the initial shock was off, some people started laughing, which was understandable, given that both ladies were over eighty. I was more shocked, because one of them suffered from dementia and didn't really belong in our group, while the other was usually a quiet person who had suddenly exploded ! Fortunately, the coffee arrived, and calm was restored. 

Next, my neighbor,"the Skunk"had an angry outburst because he refused to let anyone wash him; then, out of spite, he peed all over the room after he had finally been cleaned up ! Poor caregivers and cleaning staff. Unfortunately, he can't move to another room yet because the renovations aren't finished. It’s particularly awkward when we have visitors and they complain about the smell in the hallway.

Today the last day of the week, I woke up in the middle of the night  and I sneezed several times. I felt a cold moving in. So, I took some nasal drops and a flu pill and tried to get back to sleep. I still  felt pretty bad the next morning. That’s why I don’t have much else to report; fortunately, everything is quiet and pleasant, as always.

Nadia, my Tunisian cleaning maid, brought me a bag of "karkade". It’s a red tea made from hibiscus leaves that can be drunk hot or cold. I had actually looked for *karkade* (or *bissap*) here in shops before, but I didn't find some, they hadn't the right leaves, and it had another taste. I had mentioned this to her once, and she hadn't forgotten! I thought that this was really sweet of her. She’s bringing it for me on Monday.

 

Dried leaves of the karkade plant

 

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HODGEPODGE OCTOBER 1

 1. When you think of autumn what sounds come to mind? 

First I don't try to think of autumn I don't like this season, and as song I would think of "Ave Maria" which is a typical funeral song.  

2.  Is a trip to the mountains something you enjoy? What's your favorite mountain?

I love mountains and I have seen so many and so different. Rick's home was surrounded of mountains at the Garda Lake  

 

Garda lake, Italy

3. What's something that once felt like a mountain, but is now just a molehill? 

Before my parents moved to Brussels, we lived in Bonn which was the Capital of Germany until the fall of the wall and the capital became Berlin again. We lived just under a huge mountain, that's what I thought, I had never been in the mountains so for me these "mountains" along the Rhine were huge ! Today I must smile because they are rather hills.  

  

4. Let's play this or that-fall foods edition. Yes you have to choose. 

• pumpkin spice latte or chai latte 
• apple cider or hot chocolate  
• stew or chili
• sweet potato casserole or green bean casserole 
• butternut squash soup or creamy mushroom soup 
• cranberry sauce or gravy 

From all these "fall foods"  I would choose chili, and cranberry sauce ! I hate gravy, in the UK they put it over nearly all dishes ! 

5. Sum up your September in a sentence or two. 

 

First half of September was cool and rainy, second half sunny and very cheerful.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

 

 

 

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Sometimes in August there is a scarecrow exhibition on the Grand'Place in Brussels. It's interesting to see the creativity of the people.

 

 This is the Grand'Place in Brussels (Belgium)

 

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