Good morning All,
Lauren, have you investigated in using your time in
the car? I have months of listening to audio books and often
used the time to learn new skills. Lately I have problems to concentrate, so I
tried my poems a couple of times, but have not even started the Italian
course.
Philip, I checked online, and am amazed how much has been
translated. It is different, similar to translations from English into
German, but at least you can see the beauty and depth of German poetry.
My Bob Hope Camellia has just gone into flower, I love the
deep red.
Lauren, Holland is a great little country, but very
different to Switzerland as you mentioned. Are you planning another trip to Holland? Holland
is very flat and Switzerland is all about the Alpes. I miss the Alpes. I also
miss my family and friends, but I made a choice to live here and I am making new friends here.
Mary, people often get my country of origin wrong, as I have
lived in many places and my husband is from the UK – so I have adapted. I had
to look up what a ponytail tree is – wow that is amazing, I love trees!
Recently I made a little planter with bonsai trees, so I can bring the forest to
a room. I also have many different types of geranium.
Philip, I love the idea of a Japanese garden, it is amazing to create spaces around the house that have such a different feeling, we also have different little feature gardens at home and it feels like a little holiday chosing where to spend a couple of hours .
Creepy crawlies and snakes still make me alert, but I have learnt to spot the poisonous. Before I came to Oz I was told to check under the toilet seat for spiders - I did this for a year or so until I saw my first outback toilet - then I understood, that in my city home the likelyhood of having a redback under the toilet seat, was not really that high. Still makes me laugh, when I think about the things that spooked me when we first got here.
Mary, I don't think you can ever be too old for a pet - just consider if your pet may outlive you, like a large parrot, and make sure to have someone to look after them later in life. Recently my friend took over her grandma's Galah and I think this is important for the pet.
Have a lovely weekend!