Cats, cardboard and creditcards **Cats** I wish I had some to catch all the mice above my head, inside or underneath the floor. It looks as if the bags with mouse poison are no longer eaten but each one of them is for fifty percent. We hear them walk on the ceiling and in the kitchen the spot above the lamp turns out to be favorite. As I cleaned a part of the hallway (quickly because it's so cold) I noticed a part of the floor was dug out. There's a hole which means I need…
Spies Other spies lurked in the city. You don't need to be one to notice them even a senile can identify them which was precisely what happened. The group leaving the nursery home for their annual day out in the city had pointed at them one by one. They must have reeked the traitors from far. No one warned something serious was going on, it just happened. Let me tell you if a group of drooling seniors start shouting and pointing at certain people, while running around…
Novel writer It was was after on one of these days he started writing. Not because he loved to but because his doctor told him writing was the key to everything. Someone's heart which meant it would work for him too. As the doctor spoke he laid on the sofa and most of what he said he didn't hear. It's hard to focus if your neck aches and you wonder how many people heard exactly the same song while laying on that sofa. Was it ever cleaned? Not just wiped off or vacuumed but…
Scum She loved the dark and warm places most of all. It's where she spent most of her time till the moment someone disturbed her good life. "It's time to clean up this mess," she said. She wasn't alone brought a bucket with water and soap and a vacuum cleaner along with her and switch on the light. Apparently, it was cleaning day or some other occasion coming up, important enough to switch on the light and empty every corner in the room that felt like a safe harbor, the…
Anytime "Sorry," he said, "but I can't answer you right now. I'm in the middle of a..." She swallowed as she heard his words, gathered all her courage and said, "you told me I can contact you anytime." "I did," he admitted, "but any time doesn't mean I have always time for you." "You explicitly told me you would if I was in need." She felt numb. Didn't know if she should cry or tell, what to think about the man she just called. He offered his help and at the moment she was…
December 4th, 2020 Today is a cold day. Freezing cold which means we have a hard time staying warm. Our house only gets colder and so feel we. The bus-kid already has the same issues as I. Swollen painful fingers (infected joints?) and the allergies continue. Those times it said it's nose is completely useless are countless. It's true, sad but true. If you can't smell anything with it, can hardly breathe and it only makes you feel miserable it's useless. It's not about the…
Coronavirus-outfit At this very moment the only thing I can think of is **cold**. It's cold, the house is, outside it is freezing and my feet are extremely cold. I suffer from headaches and it's hard to stay warm in bed and cover my ears. The cold cause me earpain. It's something I suffer from since about two years and even during hot summers the pain remains. I wear beanies inside, in bed included, literally wrap a fleece blanket around my head once in bed but it doesn't…
The future **2020** Shouldn't we live in the future, a futuristic world by now? If you watched films about how the world should look like in 1980, 1984, 1990, 2000 we are far behind. It's not said that it all will happen. I was there as the color television came, the walkman, video recorder, CDs came into our life and the record player disappeared. Newspapers started with weekend editions, the internet options grew fast and media became accessible to everyone. I saw the…
Braless I remember the time women went out on the street screaming and throwing their bras away. They wanted to decide what to wear and when to wear what. It was their good right just like being 'boss over your belly'. Let's be honest why should they look great, be the business card of an ugly, bold man with a belly, double chin who is badly dressed? Some called it 'freedom to all', others 'feminism' or 'crazy women who can't get a man'. No matter how you put it it's a good…
Don't go away It was on a cold December night he left to buy himself some cigarettes. The cigarette shops of the state were still open. It felt like a long time ago you could easily throw some coins in a machine and pull out your favorite brand. That time was a good time. Letting the dog out, smoking a cigarette, and having a chat with the other dog owners. As the machines were removed the supermarkets started selling them and by now they were no longer allowed to do so. The…
The Saint Saint Nicholas was on national television. He arrived with a ship and his black helpers Piet I saw too. They are very acrobatic and make you laugh. I think most children like Piet since he makes you feel happy and fills shoes. If you go to the harbor and wait for the Saint Piet gives candies to the children. He throws them through the air and the children catch it or search for it. It's not true what they say 'those who are sweet get candies' I think it's the…
A new day His entire life he tip-toed. As a two-year-old, he had to share his toys and no matter how hard he shook his head or said 'no' he was ignored and told to 'no' was a bad thing, no social activity and it had been the first steps into violating his personal space. From that moment on people ignored his boundaries. It was clear his parents, grandparents, the teacher, and the rest of the adults-only liked him, showed their affection if he was exactly the one they wanted…
Dying She is there but at the same time she is not. I am not sure why she is hear. She cannot answer the phone, doesn't like the dogs or me and can't cook. I think she can't cook because she doesn't. I am not sure how old she is and where she hides. Perhaps in her room? I spent the day at school and only came home at noon to eat. She not awaited me and my mother wasn't home either. The back door is never locked though. The dogs guard it and won't let anyone in. They say dogs…
Hunting At the end of the day, Tom got into his SUV and told himself that he did not just put a clean shirt on and tuck it into a pair of khakis. Hunting season started. At least what he called 'the hunt' did. He had observed, followed his prey, and knew everything he needed to know. Habits, locations, way of moving, and more. He read books about how others succeeded and had practiced without being noticed. Today was the day and there was no reason to not feel confident…
Tasty, spicy almond treat *Zero is what my motivation is these days. The colder it gets the more I feel the need to stay in bed. I want my winter sleep and if that's not possible at least a winter rest. I notice I hardly eat and no, I am not hungry. Saint Nicholas passed by without any presents but I did my best and baked 'kruidnoten', 'pepernoten', and what we call 'filled speculaas'.* The filled spices biscuit (cake?), we call 'gevulde speculaas', I baked was awesome but…
Staying close **Connection** My internet connection is the worst of all and it's hard to continue homeschooling. Tonight there was a parent's meeting. This time online. What a waste of time and energy. My youngest listened while still doing homework and had to reconnect nearly every two minutes. What was the evening about? A social worker had a chat about problems (read badly raised children and those too lazy to make homework immediately) and a teacher said this class is an…
Today We went to the town hall for my child's driver's license. The past days I spent time making lists of what to do if we go outside and in between, I said "but at least you have your driver's license" to keep the spirit high. "No, I have not", was the answer. We made an online appointment for one o'clock. ID, proof of address, etc was handed over. Next, it had to sign and a photo was made. After that, the employee went back to his desk and told us he could not find my…
Masked From one day to the next it happened. At first, he had been treated as a rarity. Of course, people knew he had plenty to hide but in some way, it didn't bother them to see his real face. Many felt flattered by his appearance. It's what happens if you are a VIP and for sure the color of his skin had made his life easier, together with a few skills and a good promotion it had made him even more popular. Thinking back on how his life had been it all sounded like a big…
Lost in time 'The older the crazier' is a Dutch expression. Does it fit? Might be if you mean to say we all will have Alzheimer's disease at a certain point. They say 'painting the walls with your feces is what babies and (some) elderly have in common. True or? I never had a child who did, not even the twelve-year-old foster son who pooped into his trousers and walked around (and sat into it) without having any issues with it. I never met an elderly who did so either. My…
Chicken out It was hard to gather her thoughts but she not intended to give up on him. After he disappeared she had hurried home to find him. They had plans, so many, and this situation didn't feel good. Her parents came and his mother and brother flew over, and they sat around the table for the most serious family meeting ever. Happily married, just married, there was nothing in her that believed he had left her. Ray was an optimist, brought light and happiness and they…
The taste of blood It happened right around the corner where he lived. A young man of 19 years old he was. Indeed he was since he was found by another man more dead than alive. Stab wounds covered his body and help came too late, perhaps not always but this time they were. Not because of the coronavirus, or the fact they refused like they do a bit too frequently if you call 112 but because no one found him earlier. He laid in his blood on the schoolyard of a primary school.…
The your front door *I use prompts for writing. Not always but during* *the past years, I do or at least try to write daily. If nothing pops up or I want to write something fast I free write, at least that's what I tell myself. Five minutes only. Even with a smartphone, it's not so difficult if you practice enough. I guess nearly three years writing apostles about 'nothing' or everything makes one faster, faster, and smarter. By the way, writing doesn't take much time but…
Sunday blues No matter what people say you never get used to being scolded. They say stick and stones can only break your bones but words do too. They do till you come at a point nothing can hurt you. You no longer mind if they kick you, how hard they beat you up. You are just standing there and wait till the mad person stops. Sooner or later they stop. No one has superpowers to beat you 24/7. My mother cannot although she comes close to it. She has many faces and I saw each…
A point of view *His father died and so did her mother and guess what? It was not because of the coronavirus but because of the restrictions or other health issues. I wrote it before. It's allowed to die of everything just not of covid-19.* A lot is going on in the country. In my case the Netherlands and no, our government didn't plan anything. We are doing fine but the virus is a great way to lock people in, make them stay home, and tell them not to travel. It all fits…
The facts **Calm down** We try to but it isn't easy although I cannot say we have a bad life it's just things fall apart and it takes energy to find a way out. It's easier said than done saying 'time solves everything' but in reality, it doesn't work that way. Too frequently time solves nothing and it's learning to live with the next disappointment or a new lifestyle. A life no one chose but we have to do with it. Strange how only a few people rule the world and only one…
Traffic noise I grew up in an area of big cities and city people are different from people living in the country. I am not sure if I am a city girl, ever been one. For an instance, I do not like shopping. No matter if it is shopping or window shopping. Shop in and out, trying clothes (how unhygienic), dragging around with bags, painful feet, and no chair or stool where you can sit down to let the painful feet rest. Maneuvering between vehicles, bikes, skaters is something I…
The universe told me He never could be trusted. Already as a toddler, he lied and stole. His behavior didn't become any better once he became a teenager. "It's a hard period in a child's life," his mother said to his father. "What do you mean? That kid is spoiled. Spoiled to death and behaves worse the longer it lives." She sighed, knew her husband was right. The boy was no good and she refused to blame herself for it. It wasn't at home there were no strict rules set but the…
Wishlist... Did you make a wishlist? I mean for the Saint? If I put my shoe, just one so he knows, I get candies. Today a chocolate mouse with something inside. It's white and sweet and I don't like it. They say the Saint knows everything but he doesn't know what I like. I don't like this sweet stuff it hurts my teeth. A piece of cheese I like. I guess I cannot write it down on my wishlist that's why I don't make one. I made a drawing, left a carrot and water for the horse…
Ridge How many times had he enjoyed the view? For year's he had lived here and watched out of the window without seeing. This time was different. He studied it for a long time and knew this was it. There was no reason to hesitate any longer. Hesitation had changed his life into what he became. No one said it but he knew what they thought 'loser'. If people say that long enough you start believing it and act like one. If you act like one you show they are right. Loser... For…
"Change your signature" Today we set the alarm early to be in time at the town hall. We received a letter passed Friday at 2:30 pm to come over as soon as possible with ID. No need to make an appointment. We intended to do this month's shopping as well, preferable before the town hall visit. From 9-11 the elderly can shop, they say. Immediately the door was opened by the guard. They clearly talked about us. What is going on? It is the third time we need to come over, show…
Grandpa Vampire They say the Japanese are great in reverse engineering. We call it "copy cat". You copy what someone else made and sell it cheaper and in some cases, it's even better if not way better. I am fine with it since the A brand is rarely better or lasts longer than the D, E, or whatever more brands there are and warranted is two years no matter what you paid for it. For sure the one who developed it doesn't appreciate it being copied but what can you do? Is it…
Some peace Last night was a loud banging at the door. A bag with presents was at the front door but no Saint or Piet. My mother made hot chocolate and we all unwrapped our presents. I had two books, a game, and some new clothes. Today I had to get out of bed at 6 .m. again. My mother doesn't allow me to sleep longer. It's30 minutes longer as on Monday's and Friday's but I feel so tired. My body feels tired and I have a hard time thinking. If I drop something my mother calls…
Curly It wasn't his curly hair that attracted her but what he held in his hand. A bit clumsy he held it but it was clear to her what it was. She tried to have a closer look at the brand. It looked familiar to her and she felt curious where and how he got it. Coincidence or a gift perhaps? From a distance, it was hard to tell if it was what she once had. Once a long time ago. So long that hardly anyone remembered its existence or perhaps those who did all died? How long ago…
Property damage "It's property damage and I'll sue you," he said as he lifted his dog off the road. It wasn't that he cared bout the ugly dog but that stupid neighbor kid damaged his dog, his property. Furious he went inside and his mother and brother knew what that meant. "That stupid kid killed the dog," he screamed as he threw what was left of it on the carpet. "Take it out of here," his mother ordered but he ignored the woman and searched the net for a lawyer. "I'll sue…
On your own *About today...* **Christmas** It doesn't mean much to me although December is the time of the year we spend together. I drive 24 hours to realize that. Twenty four hours in the winter. I sleep in the car for a short time and at times, if we wake up, the car is covered by snow. It means organizing for a few weeks before I leave. The house, the animals, what to take on our way (food, clothes, toilet paper, tea, etc). Lists what to buy abroad, what to arrange, et…
Vaccination time The first vaccinations arrived in Europe. East Europe and Italy and it's questionable if they do what some "experts", the developers, say they do. Besides an explosion in Germany, suicides, and Asians fearing for the second wave, life goes on. A supermarket is schooling managers within one week, the closed borders are open again and will close again because in the UK and Israel the next mutation of the coronavirus is found. This one was imported from…
Lost Today it's December 27, 2020. This platform became quiet. It's not typical for read.cash since I see the same people posting but I notice what I noticed everywhere. No one reaches out, no one pulls the wagon, and if so there's no help. It's not typical for this platform but it is for each platform and us humans, users. We expect others to reach out for us, fill our pocket but aren't willing to give anything back in return. We are busy. From the moment on the pandemic…
Fake vaccinations sold! Bold headlines, shouting text in the daily paper. Once it was meant for gossip magazines only and the "**Bild Zeitung**". A newspaper printed for what the author **Timur Vermes** described in his book, "**Er ist wider da**", a smart invention for those with bad eyesight. Photos accompanied by headlines printed in bold is what "Bild" shows us and the AD changed into a similar paper. They must have thought "If you can not beat them join them". Those…
The tower It wasn't intended it just happened. That was what he told himself repeatedly during the night. That night before the storm of the century started. A storm no one counted with although he had to admit the signs were given loud and clear but ignoring had been the easiest way. Overlooking was what he had done his entire life and no one had ever complained, dared to complain. Those he did he had removed silently. It had worked. That was what he told himself too. He…
Ugly pattern Gaming is what keeps me busy these days. Township, King of Avalon, and Manor Matters. So far I consider myself lucky I can load those games and they do not have that many ads. I tried 'Dragon city' but before I could play at all I had to click away 13-18 pop-ups with advertisements for the game. The playing part took about three minutes unless you liked to watch more advertisements. I don't. I skip them or close the game or shut down my phone. Such a high amount…
Old year's day 'New Year's Eve' what a strange expression is used for a day that has nothing to do with the last day of the year. With us in the Netherlands it's called "Old years day" and if the evening starts "Old year's evening". If you ask me these expressions fit better to the day it is today. December 31, 2020. I cannot help but the date sounds futuristic to me and the future I already live in disappoints me. It's by far not what the world should look like once shown…
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