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Thursday, 29 February 2024

Quirky Too

Last year, I wrote about some of the quirks I’ve come across living here.

It’s time to do a ‘part two’, I reckon!
Why’s that? Because I’ve always loved people-watching, a trait I happen to share with many of the locals.
I'm not yelling ... I'm Italian!
First off, there’s that habit of most people talking into their mobiles on speaker ... because they hold them horizontally in front of them. What this can mean is you’re often able to hear both sides of any conversation, of course.
None of your mundane ‘phone-to-ear’ thing here!
Then there’s that willingness to entirely block the footpath when they happen to meet friends on the street. Greetings and gossip must be exchanged there and then.
There’s no moving aside to let others pass: This isn’t the UK, y’know!
Now, a pet peeve of Alice’s is that individuals or groups will pass between tables at that cafe you’re sitting at, rather than go around. Even if there’s little room to do so.
They’re like water: Path of least resistance, and all that!
Next up, let’s cover that ‘no short conversation’ rule the majority comply with here. I mean, why use 10 words, when 100 can also convey the same message? Sicilians (and Italians in general) like a long conversation, and if’n it’s important to them, then it should be to you too!
Now this I don’t mind: I’ve never been one to shy from hearing my own voice!
However, and whatever their (many) quirks … gotta love ‘em!

Our Front Door


There are so many impressions, sensations and emotions colouring our lives on a daily basis.
These can easily, and equally perhaps, please or motivate us; or else leave us apathetic or agitated. But let’s not dwell on that last bit here! No.
What I’d like to talk about is that feeling of bliss you get when closing your front door firmly behind you on the outside world. Something I feel at least once a day, and often way more than that: We’re not hermits after all!
Why I bring this up is because it’s one sentiment I hadn’t really felt for the four years between September 2017 and August 2021. Four years when we didn’t feel settled. When we were ‘transitioning’ from an old life grown stale to a new one filled with endless possibilities.
Overly dramatic prose aside, there’s a good argument here for that period being longer than four years because, by 2017, I’d grown weary of (or maybe outgrown?) New Zealand.
It didn’t help that I’d been almost constantly questioning and reevaluating my life and career post-heart attack; that both of our sons were then overseas; and that we were rattling about in a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house in the ‘burbs. The latter being a constant reminder of the two former states, of course.
But nowadays, I once again get that nicely-blissful feeling when closing the front door behind me. The outside world can stay just where it is.
This is where I belong now.

Spring Has (Nearly) Sprung!


Spring is just around the corner here in southern Europe.
An almond tree in blossom...
I can feel it while taking my morning walk as it’s not (quite) as cold as it was last month. You can see it too, as many of the plants and trees (and weeds!) are flowering in Modica and its surrounds now. Especially those white-blossomed almond trees, which look so awesome against their still-green country backdrop.
Always a good sign, I have to reckon. And a sign that I, like so many others around here, must start getting busy preparing. Although, in my case, I’m preparing my cactus ‘babies’ for their Spring re-awakening!
So, I’ve been busy in the last few days carefully evaluating each and every plant of the (currently) 28 different types of cactuses I have in my collection. Why so? Because you have to remember the majority of ‘em were last watered on Thursday the 19th October 2023!
I know this because I keep extensive notes on all of ‘em. And ‘yes’, I’m particular and peculiar, ‘cause I wasn’t born with anything like a ‘Green Thumb’, I’m afraid.
Okay, those which remained outside have been getting rained upon from time to time, but that’s not been too common an occurrence around here for the last several months. And anyways, most of those outdoors are more mature plants, which can easily shrug off a bit of cold and damp.
It seems to have been a long time coming: I’m ready…
Bring on Spring now!

More Soon...