Why is the buzzing of a fly so annoying, while that of a bee is not? The buzzing of bees sounds intensely satisfied, that’s why If you have ever stood with your head in a huge wisteria (like me), or near a “wall” of jasmine, then you understand. Imagine you’re a bee or a bumblebee, […]
I want to take a small side road, but a white van is just ahead of me. He stops at the beginning, blocking everyone (not such a problem, noone there but me) who wants to get in and out. I wait patiently for him to continue, but after a few minutes my patience runs out
Buried in Portugal Read More »
Stephanie and Paddy are searching. For houses. Affordable houses. This now seems to be a major problem in half of Europe, due to the significantly increased number of greedy landlords everywhere. In the meantime, they will stay here for a while and their family will come to visit them. Visiting family is a celebration if
Farewell to one family, arrival of the other Read More »
“We discovered a special store,” Jeanne texts, “so we fly, do the shopping, and then drive to you. Good plan, huh? Then we’ll be there mid-afternoon.” For a gluten-free holiday you apparently have to go to a special store in Lisbon When she recently asked if and what I knew about gluten-free products, I unfortunately
Glutenfree holiday and the BBB Read More »
I stand on the dirt road next to the fields of neighbor Senhor Cavacas and take a deep breath. Through my nose. April is a month full of aromas, and of the Revolution of Carnations “I would like to have your nose, now,” I say to Mira, “but not your interests in scents.” Dogs are
April, Aromas and a Revolution of Carnations Read More »
“Girls!” I shout with my arms open, “That is a long time ago!” We hug each other warmly in the parking lot at the station where I pick them up. The last time they were there was 14 years ago, mother Astrid and her two daughters. As a single mother on holiday with your two
Single mother with two daughters on holiday Read More »
I had already spoken to her on the phone about how to get there. “Can you please send that description by email and on the phone, because we are not very good with computers,” and of course that is possible. “I will send you the link in the confirmation email,” I answer, but no, that
Visit of a renown sculptor Read More »
The itinerary was there, the mood for it was certainly there, and so the reservation had been made. On a beautiful day in February, the following email arrived. Whether I could organize a fado evening as a surprise for her birthday “Hi Ellen,Would you like to do something for us?We will arrive at your place
Fado and in the King’s Sleeve in Coimbra Read More »
The following all comes from a find at the Ecoponto: a mirror with a richly decorated gold frame and a 3-D Jesus in the middle. After all, Easter is about the crucifixion of Jesus, right? Since I love Catholic kitsch, I took it even though it was broken. Broken – a nice metaphor for a
Easter 2024, from the human world Read More »
“What do you think? Is cronyism a stop on the way to corruption?” I ask that question to a few people I know well, because it has been a theme since our previous government was accused of corruption. Last Sunday were the Portuguese parliamentary elections The previous government fell because there were serious doubts about
The Portuguese elections Read More »
