Thirty thousand years ago. Then when people felt the urge to go elsewhere, they turned to their wise woman or shaman, packed their flints and coconuts, and started walking. We do things a little differently these days. We grab our phone and turn to a search engine We’re no longer as surprised as the old […]
A friendly number one in the eyes of search engines Read More »
No, don’t worry, this isn’t about the economy, or super-capitalism, or climate change. It’s about nature. This is about the excessive growth of trees. Especially olives Olives don’t grow fast, but they make it a point of honor. That’s probably why they stay alive for so long. The oldest olive tree in the world is
The fight against excessive growth Read More »
A peaceful Friday, early evening, just after dinner. The boys are like five little sweethearts gaming at the big table: “Look out! He’s behind you! Foda-se! kill him! kill him! … Ah, now I’m dead …!” I’m at my post on the other side of the curtain because on Friday nights there are always guests
The Solar King on solar cooking Read More »
I wake up with a quenched-burnt smell in my nose. Once you’ve smelled it, it’s unmistakable. It was to be expected, yesterday afternoon the whole sky closed up, and you could see such a typical red burning sun. “Ai, this is not a nice veil cloud, like monday, this is completely wrong” I sighed to
(Forest) fire and (well) water, and a few kimonos Read More »
When I turned 50, I thought it was time for a tea cozy. Fifty is a great age to introduce something like this into your household – the symbol of domestic swagger. Apparently others thought so too, because I got it for my birthday – with a lot of comment as well. He’s gone to
What’s missing? A portuguese apron! Read More »
Honestly – no idea. A lot of hassle with eggs, an Easter bunny, ditto branches, lots of chocolate, and for the faithful among us betrayal, crucifixion, sad mother Mary and more of that misery. Anyway: Happy Easter! But if you want to know what I really stand for, and what we stand for, click the
What’s happening with Easter? Read More »
All of a sudden I sit here as an informal caregiver for a pirate chicken on one leg! Strange things sometimes happen in Termas-da-Azenha. My son Broes and I walked to “the little houses” (next to the ElephantHouse is a refurbishment that serves as storage for anything and everything) to get something, when unexpectedly we
Surprise! Pet chicken fall from the sky Read More »
It doesn’t often happen that I think on Friday: “Oh dear, the blog, what should the blog be about?” – but that is the case this week. Usually the subject presents itself. Matter of writing it down. This time I couldn’t figure it out. Everything blank. Maybe it’s because there are a lot of things
Portuguese nature, part 1: chicory Read More »
Nobody knows how many times it has been. We’ve all lost count in all those years that we’ve been living here in Termas-da-Azenha. And it’s all caused by fear. O yeah? What’s up? Fear of flying, that is what’s up My brother doesn’t like to fly. Many more people have that (maybe they’ll save our
Family visit and golden rain Read More »
Meanwhile, everyone is back to everyday life, with a vague memory of the holiday. Life gobbles you up, and drags you on. This also happens here, but there is space here literally and figuratively to look back, to be equally nostalgic. It’s still dripping guests Two French brothers with a very small dog; a big
Porthola! There’s our Portuguese teacher from 20 years ago Read More »
