Feeding the neighbourhood

 

I have a friend in the village who discovered a stray kitten/cat (adolescent we think – and call her she although really no idea as to its sex). Being fond of cats, he would like it to become tame enough to come in when he wants, but not become his house cat.

 

Nevertheless it looked rather hungry and I have two cats so brought up some of my food and thus began the process.

 

The original cat has a playmate, who would also like to horn in on the bounty. Mostly she stands up for herself, but sometimes the other has to be shoed off – when one realizes of course, which isn’t always. Recently the bowl with the dry cat food was to be found turned on its side – and often off the step where it had been put come morning.

 

We feed the birds as well, but they haven’t that strength.

 

It could be one of the parents (also stray) of the two kitten/cats, but normally cats aren’t that messy and they can reach easily inside so no need.

 

One night, my friend said that when he went out to put away something, he saw a hedgehog under a bush in the garden. I had already suspected that might be the culprit, but the pictures below confirm the fact.

 

He’s (why do I think that it’s a he? No reason whatsoever except that I think the kitten/cat is a she) obviously awaken early from hibernation and I am not sure how he has managed to survive over the years, but he is a good size so presume he is older.

 

Bless the animals – I’m off to buy more food.

 

 

“Just down the road”….

 

Is a hell of a long ways sometimes and proximity doesn’t always make for more contact!

 

I have a very dear friend (ok friends as her husband is also one, but her and my friendship pre-dates his arrival in her life by many, many years) who when she retired went to the studio that she had bought many years before in Southern France. But as she found she missed her friends and former colleagues from here, never mind that she is a published writer and belongs to a writing group, decided to find something here as a secondary residence.

 

To make a long story short, she ended up being my housemate for over 10 years.

She was still living here when she and her husband married, but a newly-wed couple need their own space and they eventually found even larger – and with more facilities – quarters down the road.

 

They currently spend about half a year in each place and when they are here we do try and have the odd coffee or lunch together. With Covid that has been even more challenging, also as we age, we all three have more medical appointments and it’s unbelievable how difficult it is to actually see each other.

 

I really had to laugh when they came back up at the beginning of February and she wrote “There is a difference knowing you are down the 6-8 min. road and down a 6-8 hour drive road”.

 

Don’t see it much as so far we have only managed once: are hoping for twice before they disappear again. Life is what it is and good friends need to be cherished.

Love those thoughts

 A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

 We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming. -Wernher von Braun, rocket scientist (23 Mar 1912-1977)

 

Amen, amen, amen

This is one of those perfect quotes in that it totally fits most of our lives. I am sadly behind on tax prep, on e-mails, on contacting long-standing friends: you name it, I’m behind. And drowning in paper.

 

This morning as I was searching for something I did finally file about 20 pieces of paper. Maybe I should start one of my lists again (every once in awhile I make a list of 5 items, one usually is file 20 pieces of paper, two is normally throw out 20 pieces of paper, three is throw-out x items, four is put away x items and five usually concerns whatever photo project I think is the most urgent.

 

Needless to say I am also behind in all of them and as the cold wind has finally died down, a walk in the sun is much more attractive! Resist she says to herself, swim out of some of the paper!

 

And credit where credit is due, the quote is from one of my favorite websites: wordsmith.org – a word-a-day.

clipart-library.com

 

Always leave…

Before you’re ready

 

I had the most amazing holiday last month. Enjoyed the privilege of being able to spend time in the mountains of the Valais with my older son, his wife and my grandson. It was especially great as I was allowed to use her sister’s apartment and thus was right there, no walking even yards to go up, come down and the like.

 

Just chilling: I was able to let them take a couple of walks on their own whilst I watched my grandson, we had very companionable and full of laughter evening meals together, but still all had time to do our own thing, read, write, walk or simply be.

 

I didn’t turn on the TV once, did download my newspaper every day by using my cellphone as a hot spot (no wifi in the apartment). What a break, what a family. I was not ready to come home, but thinking it through, that is so much better than staying that one day too much.

 

To be repeated!

 

Wind blowing on the peaks

Surrounding mountains

More surrounding mountains

 

One of the local birds: tiny and in the snow!

Freedom is within sight, or

 

I have finally been able to have my first vaccination!

 

Had to get a medical certificate as although I am well over retirement age I am not over 75 and although in my country we have ordered enough, but they aren’t being delivered in a timely matter! Frustrating.

 

The process itself was very well organized, and went like clock-work. Second one at the end of the month then wait another 2 weeks and I will at least be less libel to get Covid-19. No clue however as to how long that will last, nor whether or not those of us who are vaccinated can still pass it on to others. Still a first step.

 

 

Guacamole and chocolate, or…

Be still my beating heart!

Yesterday I was out and about most of the day, running minor errands, accompanying a friend, even had a short walk.

 

Imagine my surprise – and joy – to find a small package on my bed when I finally went upstairs… Auer chocolates are my all-time-favorites. I have even kept a small two-chocolate box that I fill with a chocolate, of any sort, every night: my daily dose. Worth all the pills in the world!

 

Then my younger son was in the kitchen and fixing guacamole – another favorite.

A small portion awaits my pleasure tonight (never mind that I dipped into his last night).

 

Life doesn’t get much better than this, Guacamole and chocolate. OK I could have added champagne, but wasn’t in a drinking mood.