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.
 
 
 
 
 
 

25 Mar 2026

HODGEPODGE MARCH 26

 1. It's officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you're in the southern hemisphere it's officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn? Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why? 

This year spring arrived even before the official day. I love spring, the fresh green, the  blooming shrubs and trees. Without any hesitation I prefer spring by far !

 

 

 

2. What's your favorite thing about spring? 
 
The light and the smell 

3. Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one's feet...which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain. 

Actually, I would do everything, but unfortunately I have this chronic illness which is incurable, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).It is a progressive, long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe due to damaged airways and air sacs.It holds me back in many ways, especially in physical activities.

4. Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What's a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient? 

asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun, artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions

 I love asparagus, strawberries and green salad

5. What's one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you actually have a list? 

I don't need a spring cleaning list ! I am a lucky girl in this way, I just can sit on my sofa the whole day and twiddle my thumbs, if that wasn't too boring.

Who Drunk the Sherry, Sleeping Grandma, Sleeping Nanny, Comical Old Lady,  Comical Granny, Funny Lady, 12 jpg images 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 It's spring ! Rain or sunshine winter is over and I purr like little Rosie below !

 

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY




The Royal Palace of Brussels was originally constructed in the 18th century, and it has undergone several renovations and expansions since then. The originally building was commissioned by the Austrian Archduchess Maria Theresa in 1775 as a residence for the governor-general of the Austrian Netherlands. After Belgium gained independence in 1831, the palace became the official working residence of the Belgian monarchy. He and his family live in the castle of Laeken outside Brussels.

 

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