Tag Archives: RDP Monday

RDP Monday: Wait

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Dogs waiting at supermarket entrance

The owner had to go into the supermarket where dogs are not allowed. They were patiently waiting at the entrance, although one of them fell asleep.

We all play the waiting game. I love the telephone calls that you make for help and advice. “Our telephones are all occupied at the moment, please be patient” and in the background you hear the same monotonous music being played continuously. Hope arises when it all stops, only to hear the voice again telling you to be patient. This can continue for half an hour.

The Skeleton
This guy is still waiting.

RDP Monday: Wait

RDP Monday: Dazzle

Posted in Ragtag Daily Prompt, Uncategorized by

Tulip 08.04 (2)

I decided to dazzle everyone with my tulip that opened this morning. I was off shopping this afternoon and wanted to make a few more better photos of this tulip when I returned home. My tulip went on strike. It had been teasing me with its buds since a week. It was closed this morning, but just before lunch it opened, with its colleagues.

When I returned from my shopping trip I equipped myself with my mobile phone and camera and decided to take a few more better photos. My tulip had closed its buds. How could it be so mean? There I was ready to take my Pulitzer prize award winning photo and the tulip refused to pose. The sun had also disappeared, so perhaps tulips only open when the sun shines or they only open for a few hours during the day.

My dazzling tulip photo is not as good as I wanted. Our hawthorn bush is also flowering, so here it is as a compensation. I nearly killed the neighbour this morning. The hawthorn bush separates her garden territory to mine and it only began to flower yesterday. There she was out in the garden with her garden shears cutting off twigs of the hawthorn. I really did not want an argument, called Mr. Swiss and we both got rather loud. She heard us (which was intended). She asked if we meant her. We said yes and now was not the time to cut twigs off a flowering hawthorn. “But they are dry” was her weak answer. Of course they were not dry, they had not yet produced the flowers, but leaves were there. She was also thinking about attacking another bush, but realised that it would not be such a good idea and eventually disappeared. This was not the first time. I was dazzled by her actions.

So here is the hawthorn, and there are still some berries on the twigs from last year.

Hawthorn 08.04 (1)

RDP Monday: Dazzle

RDP Monday: Fool

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Crickets

I was offered free samples today in the supermarket. They were on a tray, covered by a plastic protection. Perhaps they might want to escape. Usually something like this lives in my garden, perhaps sheltered under a leaf or amongst the stones and earth.  I read somewhere that the insect population exceeds that of humans in the world, they are the true inhabitants of our planet. I decided eating them was not so bad and I am sure that even the vegetarians and vegan would agree. What harm are you doing to eat the meat of insects that outnumber humans. They might even be planning to take over.

I was tempted, I like to try anything new.  I even put some in my bag. I was alone in the supermarket and I really did not want to withhold the pleasure of a tasty insect for Mr. Swiss. I cannot say they are tasty, actually they have no taste and no body juices: quite dry, dehydrated for human consumption.  So what do you think? Was I an April fool? Were they just ornaments or the real thing. Will I be saving my insects in future for a tasty aperitif before my meals?

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For the price of SFr. 4.90 for a 20 gramme packet you can enjoy this new experience. The new line in the local supermarket is known as Mi Bugs and they are available regularly in the supermarket – so I was not such a fool.

Crickets

The description translated on the packet says “Edible Insects, Crickets, without spice”. I suppose you can choose your own additions. A little garlic, perhaps some paprika and I would recommend salt and pepper otherwise they are really tasteless. I can imagine in a salad sauce they would be perfect, especially mixed with your salad leaves. Imagine the surprised expressions of your guests when they find dead insects amongst the green leaves.

RDP Monday: Fool

RDP Monday: Jet

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My Plane to Switzerland from London Citiy

I used to jet around once a year
Zürich to London and had no fear
I would pass over villages look down on a town
I knew where I was, I recognised the ground
We flew over the Jura, I saw my home
In front of the Weissenstein, our mountain known
But soon we were further crossing over France
A very long stretch, turbulence made the plane dance

Demonstration

We had entertainment on board demonstrating a seat belt
And what to do if the plane decided to pelt
Suddenly a voice said we are now in descent
I saw the River Thames and I was then content
I had arrived at my destination, London again
Now more Swiss sun, just English rain
I did this journey for 20 years, but was not sad
Because when I arrived in London I saw again my dad

View of plane

RDP Monday: Jet

RDP Monday: Bold

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Glass and metal for recycling

It is not the boldness of it, it is doing the job. I someone had told me a year ago that I would be the only person in the family now driving a car, I would have had a shock. Driving a car was more a duty than a necessity for me. Today the world looks different. Just driving the car is only a part of the deal. What about the duties that come with the job.

“I think you should take the glass and metal to the recycling dump. It is piling up.”

“No problem” said I. Of course it is no problem, someone has to do it. It never used to be me, but just one of my new chores. I go with No. 1 son as he knows the routine.

Recycling depot with Patrick

So we both climb into the car and I drive off to the depot. It is not far, just around the corner. The two bags of unwanted material were stowed away in the car boot. When I arrive I stay in the car and No. 1 son take the bags and empties them in the correct place. It was a ten minute job and afterwards we drove home again. Just a new job that came with the car and at the beginning I did not even know the exact route.

I have also been booked for a trip to Mr. Swiss doc this week. Today I went shopping to the store, in the car of course. This has now become part of daily life. Me that never really enjoyed driving and prefer to sit in the seat next to the driver taking photos.

Otherwise I am on my way in my wheelchair to go places and see things. Even that needed some overcoming. My first trip in the chair was just around the village. Could I do it, up and down kerbstones? I progressed to a trip along the river bank and the local castle and I survived. It was all new to me handling this new method of transport. A visit to town was pushed on one side and it was almost a year of having the chair before I dared to do it.

Baselstrasse 02.07 (7)

This was the part of the journey that gave me food for thought. The church jutted out on the pavement and I was sure my chair did not have enough room to circle around it. Silly me, on my first venture to overcome the obstacle I realised that it looked more difficult than it was and there was plenty of space. Afterwards there was no stopping me and my excursions to town became weekly, visiting all the various events that occurred in town. I even became a regular visitor to the annual trade fair, not to mention the “cheese days” where there were cows on one of the town squares competing for various honours. I was circling amongst them and taking photos everywhere.

I now even read the town programme to see what the next event will be. My next project is perhaps to get one of those transport vehicles for the handicapped. It is a sort of scooter with four wheels and you are even allowed to drive it on the road. It is very similar to the wheelchair in operation, but has a steering wheel instead of a knob. Actually Mr. Swiss was thinking of getting one, but is not absolutely certain. When I began to look at the details I realised it would be just what I needed: especially as a new supermarket is being planned on my way to town which would be ideal for shopping with such a vehicle for the odd bits and pieces.

I just like to make the most of what I have. Of course to have a look at this special vehicle I would have to drive to the place where they have them: that would be yet another new venture, such a long road trip I have not made on my own for some time, although it is only about 20 minutes by road. I seem to be getting bolder as I am getting older.

RDP Monday: Bold

RDP Monday: Speculate

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Swiss Apple flan with cream

Monday is a little more stress than usual. As the cupboard is bare I must refurbish food supplies in the morning at the store and clean away the bits and pieces from the week-end. This means that lunch is later and so is my after dinner sleep, leading to the result that I only rise from hugging the  bed some time between 2 and 3 in the afternoon. This is no problem really but whilst finishing my golden oldie sleep I was speculating on the remainders of yesterday’s Swiss Apple tart with some whipped cream.

This was the proverbial carrot dangling in front of my nose when I decided to leave my bed. Although someone had also taken a piece of the tart, there was still enough left for an afternoon refreshment.

Speculations

I also noticed that my local supermarket was also speculating with further business when I received their monthly letter today. For every rappen (cent) I spend in the store I get accumulated money tokens which I can exchange for their value in the store. I suppose it is all psychological to keep my custom as I cannot imagine a business gifting us with their products, but this month I received 84 Swiss francs worth of tokens which I will exchange with my next big week-end buys. The crafty bit is when I exchange them I no longer get an accumulated value for the money I spend at the time. They give with the one hand and take with the other I suppose. However, this is not all. In this information I also received 2 monthly 3x points which means more points at the end of the day, and if I tank up at their petrol station, which I probably will this month, I also get a 5 rappen (cent) advantage, although I am not quite sure how that one works.

If I decide to shop on line for a value over 100 Swiss francs I will not have to pay delivery charges. I am still thinking about that one. The last time I shopped online was because we had a snow storm and I could not get to the store. I actually like shopping and meeting other people and seeing other places.

This month seems to be full of speculations. Shopping is becoming a logistical training and I have special places in my purse for keeping all the various documents. I do not believe for one moment that my supermarket is being kind and benevolent. They look after themselves first of all, but I just go with the stream of other shoppers.

RDP Monday: Speculate