Shoes or slippers?

A few days ago I returned from a 2 week visit to my home country, the Netherlands. It was great to see family and friends and to be able to spend some (albeit not enough) time with them. It was also great to walk around the shops where I shopped a bit but was amazed and overwhelmed by the abundance. This happens to me every time I visit. So much to choose from, so many things to get inspired by that in the end it is impossible for me to make a choice and I walk out without anything.

Where I didn't walk out without anything was the cheeseshop

Just a few pieces of my favorite cheeses. Not too much, I have to watch the weight. (Mine as well as the suitcase's).

And just when I was slowly getting used again to the -maybe too- perfectly organized life where everything is so clean and hospitals resemble 5 star hotels, with the perfect roads, the trains and busses running on time (I don't understand why they are complaining in Holland) I came back to the chaos of Greece on strike. And instead of spending the night in Athens I took the late bus to Volos. The next morning I found out that the ferry that usually takes us to the island had been sent to Libya to pick up people from all over the world that were trying to leave the country. And I realized once more.... there are worse things going on in the world.

So after an extra day in Volos I finally arrived back on my island that greeted me with cold and rain.

You might wonder what all this has to do with the blog title above.

Well, one thing that really struck me this time was that in Holland nobody took their shoes of in the house. This is the first thing we do here. Everybody therefore wears slippers. So the question I want to put out here now for you is:

Shoes or Slippers?

A special day

Because it is the birthday of my eldest son. He turns 19 today and I can't believe how time has flown; it is seems like yesterday that I held him in my arms for the first time and was overcome with these feelings of mother-love that I never thought I could ever have.

It is also a special day because it was my mother's birthday as well. It is also a special day because it was my father's birthday too. It is even more special because it was my father's mother (my grandmother) birthday as well. And finally it is a special day for my father's niece (therefore my cousin) as it is also her birthday!
How about that for a special day?

Oh No!

That is what you could hear me screaming this morning.

It started as a beautiful day with lots of sunshine and just a little wind. My fisher/man was getting ready for yet another day at sea. But then it was decided that the wind was too strong and that it was not a good day for fishing.

So the whole fishing crew stayed on land and got their hands on some gardening tools. I know it was to help me with the garden work and clean up some of the citrus trees and one apricot tree that I had asked them to do for me some time ago. So far so good ....but then I went back inside and left them in the garden with the tools! Big mistake! The next moment I looked out the window, one of them had crept under this beautiful shrub that I have been so proud of and that is making a natural barrier between our terrace and the public beach. And he was quite happily sawing away right on the bottom of the plant.

And that was the moment I started screeching OH NO!

Here is the unharmed side of the shrub. You have to believe me when I tell you that it has beautiful purple flowers all year long. And especially in spring it is full, full of flowers.

My poor shrub, half of it gone. I am not sure what to do now. Well, I know one thing....I am hiding my garden tools for the next few weeks.

Rollie

It is about time that I introduce my favorite pet to the blogworld. Her name is Rollie and she will be 16 years old this june. That is quite an age for a little dog. Apart from being deaf, she is in perfect health. Struggling a little bit with her weight but that is a general female issue.

She is what you would call a typical island dog...definitely not a pedigree but a mixture of all the different dogs that are around.

In the summer she is our little mascot. Over the years she has become friends with many visitors to the island and guests of our taverna. I am sure she remembers each and everyone of them and their little routines. Some like to take her for a walk on the beach early in the morning, others walk with her at night and during the day she finds shade under the beach chairs of her international friends.

There is one special friend that always feeds her the peanuts we serve with the cool beer. Someone else brings her special doggy treats. And almost everybody gives her a little tickle or cuddle.

Aaahh this is a dog's life!