house renovations

Dear all, those duties seem to peak these days.
we do the bathroom floor, install the toilet and do some cleaning as well.
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Our city is in a friendly relationship with the small city of Wageningen of The Netherlands. Some of you might remember my recollection and photos of my memories of my time in Holland. I was there in 2006 and in 2008 and now. Every second year a bunch of people travel there and every other year, the Dutch return.
During the 4 days of the visit, people from various ngos visit the other ngos of the other country, gathering experiences, listening to lectures, but basically, strengthening the ties between the two nations.
During both of my visits I was hosted by a friendly middle-aged couple and now our family is to host the husband of the same couple. He's a policeman, and is going to visit the local police station here, but his bread and breakfast is our duty.
He is to arrive Thursday and the toilet is not ready yet.
Hm... I'm off to help my husband out in the renovations...
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tunnel ----

this is what we've been doing - I'll be back with some writing soon.

summer has gone

School has started.
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My daughter is in the third grade, my son is in the seventh. He now starts in a yet another school. After our attempts to get him into a church-based school failed (reason: we, as a family do not attend services of any church. See? it's not your stand, but your reputation that counts. too bad for pagans like us, heh.) So I opted to remove him from his class, that did him no good at all. His classmates were underachieving and/or undergifted and/or disabled and/or of bad background. The level of education, for various purposed was extremely low and my son adopted himself to that low level. Which means he did not develope quite well.

This new school is an average state school, but his class is having extra singing lessons. I don't think *that* could be that bad.... There are 17 pupils in his class, and only 4 of them are boys. A much smoother atmosphere I guess. No more agressive behaviour from overaged mates I trust.

We'll just see.

My son has two more years in elementary education and at the age of 14 he'll be directed to a secondary school. Perhaps we'll head for the one state secondary school I wanted to avoid in my thoughs about his future this spring. But times are changing - and so are my thoughts. I want him a peaceful and strong community where he can boost up his abilities to his maximum.

Here they are, after the opening ceremony, still wearing their nice clothes.

Some photos of our summer menu:

the first one is a picture of an evening meal. bread slices are covered in egg and then are fried in oil. as a side dish, slices of eggplant are sauteéd and a ligth vegetable salad is there to balance off the juicy fat of the other two components of the meal.

this one here's a lunch. roasted chicken with sauteéd potatoes. and guess what, some salad. I love summer salads - they are so easy to make, so delicious... with a pinch of fresh hot pepper, there's a tint of spicyness to them just to tease the mouth.

this one's a cake, with apricots on top.

oh, what, another salad, yes.

summer offered lots of fruits and yes, we did take care of them - so that we don't have to worry about having a taste of summer in the winter :)

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and yes, the fourth anniversary of blogging has peacefully gone. I would like to express my thanks for all your heartfelt comments and good wishes I recieved during these four years. There were times when a simple 'I hear you - no matter how far away you practically are' meant half the world to me....

there were times I hope when my simple words were able to contribute to someone's faith in the ultimate good will and turn of events.

Even if my English sometimes has some hiccups - I'm sorry for that.

I learned a lot from you. and I do not confine to the language at all.

I will keep on blogging and continue to use the potential of this surface to connect people and keep those precious friendships and/or relationships I have been given over the past four years.

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with a view to another four years - God bless you all,

your crazy and indefinite tree...

does my reflection trouble me?

anyway, it's been a long time since I last posted any music on my blog.
keeping the upcoming 4th anniversary of this place in my mind, here I go with one piece I like to listen to these days -

if you can't see a thing, click here to enjoy Same Mistake by James Blunt.

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as I was unable to make YouTube embeddings work on my blog, here's another link to a much more complex and enjoyable version of the very same song, by the very same singer...Same Mistake... again.

oops: HERE

the Moon rested on his shoulders

He had a star held
in his left hand
with white trails of pillows behind

He heard the pumpkin growing
inch by inch
waiting patiently
for another turn of the sky

He smelled
the Earth gently puffing out
today's sudden rain
like it was the downpour of some desparate child
left alone among the crazed crowd of anger
and silence
kills it all

He kissed the star
and let it glow
alone

and the Moon rested on his shoulders

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the four meme

Here's another meme I saw at Aine's.

It is called 'the four meme' - and just above her take on the blogosphere's contagious fun (a.k.a. meme) she's pondering about the importance of the number four for her and for mankind in general.

For me, the number five always seemed more attractive for some reason I can not name.

Number five makes me think of the four elements (earth, fire, wind and water) plus the spirit. There are five fingers on each of our hands and legs.

But now back to the meme ->

The compilation below reflects my attitude towards the worlds as of today - it's not a general picture of me, but rather a quick sample of my present state.

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Four Movies You Can See Over and Over

Lord of the Rings

S.Darko

The Butterfly Effect

Macskafogó (a Hungarian animated movie)

Four Places You Have Lived

the town I was born in, plus the one I've been living in since 1995

-now that's only two

Four TV Shows You Love(d) to Watch

no tv at the moment

Four Places You Have Been on a Vacation - (in cronological order)

Bulgaria, seaside

Prague

USA

The Netherlands

Four of your favorite foods

dark chocolate (I do love the 100% version)

hot herb tea

radicchio

beef

Four Websites You Visit Daily

Google (does it count?)

YouTube

a Hungarian version of an MMORPG site (y'all, I'm an addict)

my blog and your blog, too

Four Places You Would Rather Be

The High Tatras

canoeing on River Tisza

Mongolia

anywhere where's the weather is anything but bloody hot like right here and now

Four Things You Hope to Do Before You Die

Visit Tibet and/or Mongolia

Go skydiving

Hear that some of my writing(s) helped someone in some way in his/her journey to a more complex and balanced life

See my kids (grandkids) lead a happy life

Four Novels/Books You Wish You Were Reading for the First Time

(I guess this is for books that had the greatest impact of any kind on my life...a tough question)

Hundred years of solitude by G.G.Marquez

Oryx and Crake by M. Atwood

Poems of József Attila (an acknowledged Hungarian poet of the early XX. century)

Birdy by W. Wharton

a new wall

Reconstruction mode [ON]

This photo below depicts the installation of a fresh-new door between the old kitchen (going to be a bedroom for the parents) and the other parts of the house. By separating a bedroom a relatively narrow corridor is also created, but there are downsides to every coin.

We had two friends helping here.

Later on the same day. The wall is higher.

Outside, it's much more peaceful in the garden.

wine, good reading and chicken

Jason's having another writing contest. Check out all the fine entries HERE. the contest is open until 15 July.

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(I'm out of practice these times and don't really feel like entering. It's just not my time these days, no, definitely not...)

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This summer we only had two hatchings so far. I have already posted photos of the first litter, and these here are of the second one. Congratulations to Hajas (pronounce as huh-yush), who, despite her mature age (she's bordering 4 years, I guess, but that's just a guess..) managed to hatch 11 and raise 10 babies. These two photos were made in June 23 by my son, who found interest in recording his favourite hen.

The photos below were made on July 8 by me. Hens guarding youngsters are always allowed to have their way in the garden, while every other chicken are kept in a closed yard.

This summer we had lots of rain. This shows. Just have a look at our vegetable garden. In some of the rows there are the second sowings of salads and peas.

exposed again...

oh, what did I just do a few days ago...

I entered a room where a chorus held its normal Saturday rehearsal.

I said hello and told them I liked to sing. And also that I would like to sing in a community.

Oh and yes the chorister said allright no matter you were unable to read the notes, it's your voice that's important.

Oh yes and I am to be auditioned this Friday evening.

Keep your fingers crossed.

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Anyway...

If any of you think this crazy tree has just gone way too crazy these days, no thanks I am all right. On the plus side: I always loved singing. My range varies with my state of health, my ear is fine. I think singing with lots of people together is a fantastic experience.

On the negative side howevere, there's the lack of musical training, the lack of vocal strength in certain ranges, and many more I can't even possibly think of.

I was open about not being able to read the notes and not having any experience in singing in a chorus at all.

The chorister was positive.

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Baby chicken, yes we have 10 more. Photos are coming soon.

whew

My first ever public appearance as a writer of poems and/or short stories has gone fine. As I mentioned in my other blog, I have joined a writers' club early this spring. We meet every month, learn things, solve problems, do homeworks, and so on. I find it extremely useful in having my creativity flowing.

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Yesterday we had an evening in the local library where everyone read her/his own poems/writings for a maximum of 8 minutes.

There were us, the leader of the group and attendants of the library and some yes, some other people, too. The evening was part of the events organized around the 80th National Week of Books.

I read three of my poems.

I was excited, talked about being excited to relax myself, took a deep breath, and began to read. Oh, my.

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The first poem was a short one about the ever-presence and continuity of water, the second was rather a pagan song to welcome the spring season, but the third one... that one was a tough one. Being therapeutic, as most of my writings are, it is a very personal poem.

Well, I survived.

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a Hungarian wedding

On May 16 we attended a wedding of a middle-aged baranta teacher. His pupils wore the red+white+black dress they use for trainings and shows. It was surely a sign of respect. Most of the people invited also showed up in one of their most traditional clothings. This is how we went from the meeting place to the church.

Inside the church.
Outside, the ceremony is over.

A herb garden that represents the area of Hungary.

Two scourges at a time. They both hit and crack!

Scourges were used not only to guide animals, but also as a source of exercise.

'I'm gonna show you baby that a woman can be tough'...

Two short sticks against one long stick. It is quite tricky to manage the long one, but you can slide it from one side to another, and surprise the attacker from a hit from an unexpected angle.

Two short sticks against one another. It is not unusual to fight in a lying position. Well, in an attack you just do what you must I guess ...

A curved Hungarian sword against a war-axe.

A pheasants could just as well use his scythe to fight with - the blade is dismounted from it's normal position so that a long object that resembles a sword is created.

A Chinadish is broken by the couple. The number of pieces are counted. If there are only a few pieces, say, 2-15 the guests chants something that means that the number of broken pieces represents the number of kids the couple is going to have together. If the china is broken into a 'hundred pieces' - the guests cry out that the couple is going to have quite a number of years together. Either way, it's a win-win situation...

An bowman on the horse, shooting fixed targets.

Paprika stew in in the making.

A cereal meat (spiced up with herbs and some veggies) is being prepared for the vegetarian guests.

Meat being prepared for serving. Note the traditional hat worn by one of the cooks.

The showman (?) delivers and presents the courses of the dinner with a small set of funny poems. The bride and the groom are now sitting at the main table (not seen in the photo).

A traditional meat-soup to start with:

My husband and our daughter having a helping from the second dish. It was a paprika stew made from sheep.

An apple pie, served at the end of the meal.

Love and Hate - facts

As I get older, the number of things I hate decreases. I focus on understanding instead.
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This is what I had in mind when I answered Jason's call on his Fun Friday.
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I have just finished watching 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'. I loved how many great insights it contained. I hated how selfish the main female character was. Yet, her behaviour at the time rang true. I loved the film.

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I like being loved - although there are times when I deny my need to feel so.

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Recently, I've met someone online. Blah, the usual story some of you might say.
No, not for me.

He's special, well at least, he is for me.

He is half my age.

Oh my, I did not know I was going to write a confession.

Do not read any further if this subject bothers you.

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These are my thoughts. For any help to anyone who's in need. And yes, I have my husband who knows every detail and loves me all the same. He, my man is just the finest ever available. Okay, back to the other man.... ;)

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He's just a silly boy who likes my virtual company. There are many things in life over which we disagree, yet I have learned so many things from him.

Like other fellow virtual friends, talking with him taught me that the lack of similar education and background does not exclude anyone from finding friendship with another. Being friendly and sensitive towards the needs and suffer of the other has nothing to do with being similar.

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When I was a teenager, I was alone. I had like one or two friends and that was all.

I was always the one people for some reason or another rejected.

Now, I see that the main reason was ... me.

(off...David, or Steve - was it rather *I*? ... on again...)

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These days I have been given the opportunity to seek, find friends, to loose them, to fight for a friendship, to work on a friendship...

I am so thankful for these people.

Even for those who hurt me.

I sometimes think my life was incomplete somehow. Now it's not.

I found friends, kept some, lost some...

The trivial things of one's life.

So trivial everyone experinces between the ages of 10-20 and so on...

Everyone but me.

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Recently this fellow and I had a quarrel.

The fight lasted a bit more than a day, it resulted in some (thousands of) teardrops, two letters, one sent and one withheld; and for him, some terrible feeling of weariness.

Now, a few confessions and some more tears later, we are fine.

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I am inclined to think that the main reason behind our fight was the lack of self-confidence.

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The lack of self confidence on my part, resulted in clinging to my stance even when being stubborn risked this beautiful friendship. I thought that by sticking to my ideas I can keep myself for myself. And by doing so, I justify my existence. I feared that giving up any of my standing would have resulted in loosing my self-esteem. I was absurd and stubborn in holding fast to my opinion. It was out of control and, well, he was out of his mind.

His lack of self esteem however, resulted in refusing to accept a friendship. As far as I can tell he thought that he was not worth any kind attention and true friendship so...whenever he feels a true friendship is on the way towards him he does everything to ruin the relationship so that he can say himself: 'See, I'm not worth it. I am not good enough to have friends."

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These are my findings of yesterday. I wrote them here today, perhaps...

I thought I would share my insights with you.

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Just today, as I was collecting chamomile flowers, I was thinking about giving it all up and starting a farm somewhere.

I would just grow herbs and raise some chicken.

Picking chamomile is one of the fines thing one can ever possibly do.

The plant is upright, the leaves are soft. The plants are pale to bright green and their top is full of blossoms. The more you pick the more they grow. I dry them in the attic until they are ready to get boxed for the winter.

Picking those white flowers with their yellow center is one of the few things that gets you close to God.

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I consider the idea of of buying some land where I would be growing herbs.

Bordering the age of 40, I finally see this as one possible good way of living.

Am I in my right mind?

Am I confused?

Don't be afraid: I certainly would not do anything silly.

I just don't want to wait for any better, when something's good enough.

Is it the panic that stems from the fear of getting old?

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I just think I have to ponder about this a little while.

Thanks for bearing with me.

Any advice (grammar or life...) is welcomed.

Be careful with me, I'm fragile.

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Cheers,
your faithful, indecisive, indefinite and crazy tree.

a strange egg

Dear me, what was this hen thinking ?

Note the egg on the upper right.

This container shows yesterday's produce. Our hens are of various size, type and plumage - that explains the variety of shape, size and color of eggs.

But *that* one is way different. The shape is not oval to begin with. It rather looks like a large rectangular stone. There is a spiral line at the tip of the egg that seems to incise the shell.

Our bathroom

the one and only...

Spring photos

One of our hens decided to collect her eggs. Instead of laying them where the other hens do, that is, in a small wooden box specially made for the purpose, this particular one reached higher. Every day she flew up to the top of the chicken house and laid her eggs among the hay we collected last summer. For two weeks, every day she spent some half an hour laying the egg and returned to normal life again. After that she finished laying and stayed on the eggs. This she did for 21 days. Every day she left her unborn for a couple of minutes she spared for feeding and drinking. Each time she returned to the nest. And voilá - on May 1, there she was with 5 chicken. She is the mother of all, but there were three fathers.

Among the five babies, there are three yellow ones. These will turn white as they grow old. The two black babies will turn barred. Enjoy the pictures of our garden.