Oma

Three generations

My grandmother's birthday again. She was born 102 years ago, and she died 42 years ago. When she was born most of the twentieth century was still to come. Neither Amundsen nor Scott, nor anyone else, had reached the South Pole. No big wars to end all wars yet. Hardly any cars or trains, no real big cities, very few people taking holidays abroad. When she died, at the end of the sixties, there were no computers, no mobile phones, just a couple of tv channels. We have come so far in such a short time, and it feels like an entire way of life has vanished in just one generation.

Life is Skittles

Meteorologists everywhere tell me spring started today. So can one of them also tell me why my feet are so cold, why I am shivering even though I have the heating on? I know my house isn't the best insulated in the street, but still. Those same meteorologists also tell me that temperatures will go below zero during the nights still this week. So I will continue to be cold for a while. And yet again, in the tree opposite my living room window this afternoon I saw a couple of pigeons. Very romantic, obviously preparing for spring. So I guess, it's just around the corner, really, just around the corner. And if I try really hard, I can see it heading this way. Slowly.