Spare time

The storks stayed around for some time while they knew cold and rainy weather was coming still. Since 3 days temperatures have risen considerably and summer seems to have started. The storks have moved on.

I have been without computer for a week, as Zakaria had weeweed all over the laptop. He was playing a game and could not take a pause to go over to his potty. He startled from my reaction and has been good ever since. We have gone to the next stage of his potty training, i.e. trying to use the bathroom. He would like to do that all the time, but is afraid to fall into it (we have got floor toilets).

There’s still much wrong with the laptop, but luckily the hard disk itself is functioning. The DVD-player works without image though and the keyboard is partially not functioning and partially behaving strangely and annoyingly. An external keyboard enables me to do the internet communication and the photo editor is still working perfectly. For the moment I’m going along with it until I’ve decided what to acquire : a tower or a mini computer. If the image on the DVD player cannot be restored, it will be a tower, for sure. Maybe both, why not.

Contrary to Europe, we had quite a lot of rain until recently. The wheat is ready to be mown and we are selling some of our crops. There is only so much you can eat of the inkydinya (small juicy fruit), not suited for jam. We will do the same with the figs and grapes in a few months.

We are awaiting the return of tourists to have a regular income again and are using this time gratefully to do the small outstanding jobs in and around the house.

Peace and tranquillity

While all around the world people think we are in the midst of a war, living without electricity and water supply, I have to say that live is normal in the Aleppo region and many other parts of the country.

The weather, on the other hand, is still cool at night and warm during the day. In the afternoon a few dark clouds tend to threaten with rain. I like this kind of weather, but late in the season.

The storks have arrived. While the previous years, they were just flying over, they are circling around for a week already and are waiting for good weather conditions to travel further.

Needless to say that most tourists stay away. This gives us time to get things done. I am progressively “working” through the house (spring cleaning) and Mohamed is finalizing 3 workshops downstairs.

Zakaria is learning to live without diapers. All is well when he is with me, but when he spends time alone with Papa or Khaliel and Tallal he usually comes back with his trousers wet. It is a matter of being alert.

Zakaria doesn’t stop talking from morning until evening. His Dutch is improving and as soon as Papa is sitting down he takes one of his books to go through the images asking : “Ishoe hada” (What is that?).

Zakaria is a privileged child around here, as he has access to both DVDs and books. The locals do not have the habit of reading books, let alone possessing them. Children’s books are completely unknown to the villagers.

I have picked the first green peas yesterday and have now 2 portions in the freezer. Soon there will be plenty more ready for picking.

A couple of what I believe turtledoves is in the garden. They look like doves, but are a bit smaller and leaner with a big white band crossing their tail feathers. Other kinds of birds are settling in the trees taking advantage of the peace and tranquillity in the garden.