AWWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND MARCH

 

 

 My new dress

 

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WEEKEND   

Saturday was a nice day ! In the morning I did my blogging, had my lunch and then I went with a friend to the Waterloo theater where once a month there is a play for the seniors in the afternoon to a special price. in the evening you have to pay the full price. 

This time it wasn't a play, but an impersonator who mimicked the voices of famous singers. He was quite short and very slim, but what a voice!!! Incredible. He imitated French singers, but also Pavarotti, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, etc. 

At first, he had a little trouble turning the seniors into screaming and whistling teenagers, but he managed it. People remembered their youth, threw their arms in the air despite arthritis, osteoarthritis, and back pain, and tried to sing along, and some men even managed to whistle. We rediscovered our youth, remembered how we used to dance, and the hall was packed, not a seat was free. Outside, we all talked enthusiastically about the show, met old acquaintances, and I think it did everyone good. The sun even came out for half an hour.

We would have liked to have a drink and a chat somewhere, but my friend's cat was sick and she naturally wanted to go home immediately. So I went to join my group and had coffee with them and told them about the show. They had also played a game, but it wasn't very successful; it was the new animator we didn't like her very much. She has absolutely no sense of what games are suitable for older people. She makes riddles about St. Patrick's Day, even though this generation has no idea about St. Patrick, or just English songs and has them guess the singers, forgetting that the residents who were young in their 60s and 70s don't understand English. Or she has us fill out a paper with boxes in different colors as if we were three years old. Nobody participated. I don't know where she learned her job, but she's really incompetent. 

On Sunday it was really cold and the green grass was white when I opened the window and looked outside.  I didn't feel like going out anyway. Since none of our activity leaders were there, I suggested Bingo or Uno, which everyone likes. Many had gone out or had visitors, but there were still eight of us. It was fun as always, and afterwards, while we were having coffee, a discussion broke out between two of them that had me laughing so hard I almost died. The others didn't get it all but admired the "scientists".

It started when our "know-it-all"resident, who used to be a chemistry and physics teacher, asked a former doctor if he knew which chemical formulas made up the human body. Then it started, everyone trying to be right, but how they got from a chemical formula to the atomic bomb and then to the Bible, Torah, and Quran, I don't know. In any case, they were like two fighting cocks, but they calmed down after a while. I was laughing so hard that I went back to my room, they were talking such nonsense and mixing everything up. They are not exactly the youngest once, in their 90th but they have well aged and are in good shape. 

 

So my afternoon was really amusing and after supper I watched the News and then went to bed.  

Linking to AWWW MONDAYS 

 

FRIDAY'S FAVE FIVE

 

This week I didn't do anything but suffering in silence, my Zona is still there. The swelling in my eye has gone a bit, but during the week I have developed pain I didn't have before. I'm at the end of my medication  now, I just have to be patient while everything goes away. I'm so tired and have no energy due to the 5 pills I had to swallow per day ! 

Despite this, I participated in our activities all week. On Monday, we were supposed to incorporate verbs into sentences. Here are Mr. Wikipedia (André) and André, who read the verb with a magnifying glass because they both forgot their glasses. André on the left had spent a few weeks here and loved it so much that now that he is home again he often comes to play with us. Anyway he has already booked a room and will decide when he sells his house and moves in our castle. The two girls behind are 2 internships who stay with us for a month and really love to come here because we "oldies" are so funny !!

Each Tuesday instead of activities there is a Mass. Belgium is a Catholic country; they knew nothing else, especially the generations who live here in our castle. But there are also many who no longer go to Mass since the pedophilia scandals.

For those who don't go to Mass, there is, of course, a game. I am Protestant, or at least baptized as such, and I don't go to Mass. But this Tuesday it was special because it was held in honor of our 103-year-old Gilberte, who had died peacefully in her bed.

Gilberte 103 years old

I knew her quite well; we were both born in July, just one day apart—she in 1923 and I in 1943. We had a lot of fun together, talking about our school days or other stories. She must have been quite independent for this time, even as a child.

Apart from weddings and funerals, I had never been to a Mass, and those were special occasions. I couldn't and still can't remember when, or even if, I have ever been to a regular service. But I wanted to say goodbye to Gilberte one last time. The service was held in the small castle chapel on the third floor. It used to be much larger but was reduced in size to make room for other rooms.

We sat in a circle and everyone (except me) received a sheet of paper which they later read aloud. Suddenly, an African man appeared in a checkered shirt and jeans, shook hands with all of us, and his white teeth flashed in his very dark face. Then he put on a long, old white shirt (like a nightgown) and threw a purple scarf over his shoulder, made a serious face, and the service began. It didn't last long, then everyone joined hands, a prayer was said, and then it was over. 

Of course, word got around that I, as a Protestant, had attended the service for Gilberte. But I thought that was only normal. I don't care about religions, they often have nothing to do with God anymore. Why are there still wars, and all religions pray to the poor God that they will win ?

Now that flowers came out at the end of the week it became cool ! And for the weekend even snow is announced, what a crazy weather.  

Spring had started so well !

The staff enjoying the lunch break 

 

 

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HODGEPODGE MARCH 12

 1. Are you a naturally trusting person? Is trust built on logic or 'gut instinct'? Does everyone deserve a second chance? Elaborate. 

I'm very distrustful; it stems from my youth. I don't trust anyone, especially not men. The only man I trusted 100% was Rick. Of course, my distrust can turn into trust, but that takes time or will never happen.

I think everybody deserves a second chance, except the pedophiles. They will never change, since they were born that way. Prison won't help at all, the only thing that will help is to castrate them all.

2. 'Beware the Ides of March'...March 15th on the ancient Roman calendar, these words were made famous by William Shakespeare in his play Julius Caesar.  Caesar was assassinated on March 15th 44 B.C. Have you read any Shakespeare? If so, do you have a favorite? Have you ever been to Rome? 

Yes I have read Shakespeare but long time ago. I don't have a favorite play or maybe Romeo and Juliet, it's quite difficult to read, but I have been on Juliet's balcony ! We have been everywhere in Italy, but not in Rome, we thought we would need a few days and never made it and now it is too late. Well honestly I will survive. But I have visited Stratford on Avon where Shakespeare was born and have visited the house where he was born. 

 

 Juliet's balcony in Verona

3. Do you like a Caesar salad? If given the choice between a garden/house salad or Caesar which do you order? Anchovies or no? What's your favorite salad dressing? 

I love all kind of salads, but without anchovies, I don't like the taste. I made my salad sauce myself and still do, it's only Balsamic vinegar with olive oil, very simple.

4. Where do you typically work (or blog if that's easier) at home? Do you have a dedicated home office space? Are you happy with that space? 

I work sitting on my sofa with the computer on my lap. In my castle I have a very big room, almost a little flat, and it is a cozy place, with cat Rosie by my side. It's a very sunny room (of course when the sun is shining ) 

5. Snow drops, daffodils, lenten roses, crocus, hyacinth, or early tulips...what's your favorite early Spring flower? 

 

I have no favorite flower, (except the sunflower, but that is not for spring) otherwise I take them all, especially when it is a colorful place. For the moment I saw only daisies and daffodils and a beautiful Japanese cherry tree ! Nothing else it's too early.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm still exhausted from my Zona. Plus, I read that it lasts at least four weeks! I'm often in pain especially at my right eye, and only a painkiller helps. I'm not allowed in the sun, and of course, it's shining now! So I'm feeling a bit depressed and don't feel like doing anything.