The River Emme by the village of Derendingen, Switzerland

We neither have an ocean in Switzerland, nor are we surrounded by water. It is mainly frozen in the alps, but it is there. Now and again it melts and rivers flow through Switzerland, every town and often village has its own river. That is one of the reasons why I am astonished when I realise that water is the most expensive commodity we have. Our water bills are quite high, and it has become a new age hobby to save water.

We now have a water meter built into our private water supply in my appartment, which also cost money, but everyone voted for it. One of the neighbours has a big dog, and another neighbour complained that the dog drinks too much and we are all paying for its water maintenence. Another neighbour added that she even saves on the water she uses to clean her teeth to keep the costs low, mainly because of what this dog in question is drinking.

I do not have a dog, but a feline and she also drinks water. Perhaps I am also doing something wrong, because I give her fresh water daily.

I live on the ground floor, have two gardens, one at the front and one at the back. When we have the summer days where water does not fall from above, I have to give my garden water with my hose which is attached to the water supply. Everyone used to pay for this water I was using. Now I no longer have a guilty conscience, because I only pay for the water that I am using.

At the moment there is enough water in Switzerland due to heavy rainfalls, a very wet Spring. It is now going towards summer, but the higher temperatures cause the weather gods to form black clouds which usually empty their water in the form of a storm, with the usual light show and big bangs.

I even drink water pure, not shaken, from a glass. I spray my potted plants with it as they perfer it in tiny drops as opposed to being drowned in a pot. Mosquitos love water, without it they could not breed and form families which eventually leave the water their thirst being substituted with human blood, known as a sting, which itch and cause discomfort, but this blood supplies the warmth for the offspring to breed.

We have lakes in Switzerland, which are quite big and probably are there to compensaste for the oceans which everyone else has except for the Swiss. Some humans like to swim in water. I do not because I am not a very good swimmer and do not like my head getting wet. Submerging in water is not my thing, water  gets in my ears and nose and floods my lungs eventually and I tend to get syptoms of suffocation.

Fish are quite happy in water, it is their element. They could swim all day and night with no problem. If a fish were writing this memorable piece of literature he would probably begin with “Water is my element” and tell everyone how he could not live without it. I think we agree with the fish. Fish live in water, humans live on land. If we all lived in the same place it would get quite crowded. Taking a walk in the countryside would be uncomfortable if you had to avoid the fish also taking walks having to avoid treading on a fin. Not to mention the slippery situations that could occur.

I have a feeling I am writing a composition for my school class about water. No matter how you try, you cannot get away from the fact that this H2O stuff is everywhere. I am now thirsty so now for a glass of water.

And ducks are also quite at home in water ……

Daily Prompt: Water, water everywhere