Tag Archives: RDP Sunday

RDP Sunday: Muskrat

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We rarely see a rat here: perhaps in Winter if we have heavy snow, but they are usually on their last legs. All I can offer is this mouse that our neighbour’s cat caught and decided it was good entertainment. We do have rats down at the river, but I rarely see them. The Swiss lakes have quite a few. They usually live in between the stones at the edge of the lake. Actually I have never heard of a muskrat.

RDP Sunday: Muskrat

RDP Sunday: Memorial

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1st World War Memorial, Solothurn
Switzerland does not really do wars, at least not with other countries. They seem to have fought most battles with each other for grounding a new Kanton, or amalgamating with another Kanton. The last independnence day of a Kanton was when the Kanton of Jura was established in 1979. It used to be part of Kanton Bern, but after a few arguments and disagreements they gained their independence.

This has nothing to do with the memorial in the picture. As said, we do not fight wars, but defend our borders from those that might be fighting wars. This naked guy with the sword was our memorial to the 1st world war in our Kanton of Solothurn. It shows that even the Swiss were prepared to fight, although of course they were dressed for the combat. This memorial stands in one of our parks, although I often wonder if the youngsters know what it is.

As can be seen from the photo, the Swiss soldiiers were armed and dressed for the occasion. This photo shows my husband’s grandfather and his three brothers, great uncles, that were ready to stand by their country. They did not really have a choice I suppose.

RDP Sunday: Memorial

RDP Sunday: Snail

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It’s a funny thing with snails. When the warm summer days arrive, you do not see a single snail, but let there be rain and they appear from nowhere: not just one or two, but a tribe in all sorts of colours and sizes. Actually we have more slugs than snails in our garden. They are much the same, but are the naked variety without the house on their back.Of course they have it easy, no men or women, just unisex so they can to it all all on their own. Although I did discover once that you need two snails to make a family, although I have no idea of the mechanics.

Although I managed to capture this quiet moment of two snails together, doing what all good snails do I suppose.

I used to throw pellets to get rid of them but no longer. They have a right to enjoy the rainy days and nature takes care of itself. I have a plant in the garden called allium siculum, a relation of the garlic I suppose. It does smell quite strong.

It grows annually and it seems to keep the snails away from the plants. It just appeared on its own one day.

And then I have a snail that eats other snails.

It lives in the darkness of my raised bed between the stones. You rarely see him, but when the gardener arrives, he gets disturbed and comes out to see what it happening. Apparently his name is Leopard Slug and the nice thing is it eats other smaller slugs – a cannibal, but he is also one of the reasons why I no longer poison the slugs, they have their own system it seems. The Leopard Slug is twice as big as other slugs, but it keeps itself to itself.

And just to complete the picture, here is one of our local snails with a house on its back.

RDP Sunday: Snail

RDP Sunday: Sand

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The only sand around here is what they use for making concrete when building. This mixer was used for a new building which is now almost finished. Switzerland has no sea or ocean and thus we have very few beaches. We have lakes and now and again there might be some sand there, but nothing special.

However on a walk last week to the local farm I found this strange mound. I do not think it is sand, although perhaps a mixture of sand. I have no idea why this was there. It was next to the chicken run, but somehow I do not think that chickens would enjoy climbing. To me it looked like someone was planning on building a giant sand castle.

RDP Sunday: Sand

RDP Sunday: Precipitate

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What is wrong with a little rain, after all it is just water. Growing up in England there was no choice. Rain was a way of life. I remember my mum with her saying when we were expecting visitors and they were late. “Perhaps they are not coming as it is now raining”, which seemed to be a general excuse. We Brits thrived on rain, we had no choice. If you got some good weather, you could be sure that the rain cloud was preparing for the next deluge. Basically I do not mind rain, as long as I am indoors. Since being somewhat handicapped with mobility, rain is a reason why I stay at home. Driving on a schooter in a shower is not fun, you get wet and so does the scooter. On the other hand nature needs the precipitation for the tres and bushes and other green growths on our planet. Indeed it is one of the main signs that we have a living planet.

I must admit it is now at least a month since I have seen or felt a drop of rain. It it very cold and now and again we get an apology of a few snow flakes, but nothing dramatic.

RDP Sunday: Precipitate

RDP Sunday: Temptation

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An enpty plastic conainer that once contained a vanilla cream – eaten by myself of course: Last week when ordering my groceries I deicded to treat myself to some creamy delights. They arruved, I put them in the fridge and more or less forgot them. Today I visited mr. Swiss in his Golden Oldie home.I usually arrive in the afternoon when they are served something sweet. I can also have some as well, but I do not usually bother. Today it was caramel köpfli (which seems to have the same name in english). I let mr. Swiss get on with it, but helped myself to a few spoonfulls. As they make everything themselves in his home it was really good and fresh.

I eventually left him as it began to snow. When I got home I remembered my vanilla creams neglected in the fridge.

What could be better. I even found some whipped cream to go with them. It is not often that I can fulfil my temptations so well, but I really enjoyed it. There are still three left for another day. That is why I could only take a photo of an empty cup.

RDP Sunday: Temptation

RDP Sunday: Shilly Shally

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This morning was a shilly shally. My alarm sounded as usual at 7.30 a.m. and I switched it off as usual, but I decided it was too early to approach the outside world so I turned over and remained in bed. I am a golden oldie and for me actually week-ends do not really exist but this morning Sunday began for me at 9.00 a.m. I live with No. 1 son but it was out yesterday evening arriving home at 3-4 in the early morning hours so he sleeps in on Sunday until about 11.00 a.m. Oh, what a wonderful life.Otherwise morning continued as usual, with my first work being breakfast.: a cup of tea, bread and jam and my daily dose of Vitimin D drops.

I got my usual morning message on my phone from Mr. Swiss in his golden oldie home, so the world was in order. We have a strange married life, he being around the corner in huis home and me being at home, but it works. It is now almost a year since he has been living in the senior home. It was a difficult decision to make, but I could no longer cope and now he gets the care he needs. I visit quite often and have an insight into home life. I remember when I was younger visiting my grandmother in a home in England, I am glad that Mr. Swiss is in a home where he is cared for. Perhaps one day I will also need care. I never imagined that things change as you get older. I tend to forget things now, and have begun to keep notes of important things. I now have the responsibility of keeping the accounts, paying important bills and organising grocery shopping, Having MS I am no longer as mobile as I was, and have discoverred what a wonderful thing online shopping is. I order my provisions once a week and it is delivered regularly. I have a large freezer and have a vacuuming machine for freezing provisions. It is a new way of life, but it works. I have a cleaning lady that comes once a week mainly for my bathroom and shower which is difficult for me to clean. Otherwise general household chores with a vacuum cleaner are no problem.

Chores that used to be a matter of course, are no longer so simple. I seem to have a plan in my head of roads to cross which are no problem with a scooter. And if there is a doctor’s appointment to attend to you hope that the weather is scooter friendly and does not rain. – Organising a taxi is expensive.

Yes my life has changed a lot. I now realise more the problems that the golden oldies in my life, parents and grandparents, had as they grew older. At least I have a computer and Mobile phone to give me some mental support.

RDP Sunday: Shilly Shally