Random stuff

This evening my husband came home in a white Corolla and threw the key onto the windowsill. "We'll need 1700Euros to fix the Prius."

I knew it. We've had our 2nd Prius 5 years and have driven the heck out of it. I love it so. It's "only"  at 160K KM on the odometer. I was creamed by a semi truck on the Autobahn but the car reacted like a dressage horse, side-passing, and we humans were not injured (the Prius though..).

He furthered, "We should have sold it in February."

Yah, I know, I said, but I could not find a single car in the nation that I liked better. My husband would love a plug-in but the trunk is full of battery. You couldn't possibly put your Summer tires in there to exchange with your Winter ones (which happens ever 6 months - by law in Germany you must switch your tires by the seasons - and it's what keeps us from sliding off the roads). Let alone space for recycling bottles that we bring back to the store every few weeks.

I had a feeling it would be very bad at the Tuev today (in Germany cars must undergo thorough inspections regularly, not just emissions). Any car with rust on it, or visible oil under the engine will be most likely sent to car heaven.

Somehow our brakes crapped out again after only 1 year being replaced.  Our AC was blowing warm air in my face. Our Tuev was 700Euros as usual, plus the AC and brakes. Holy crap Prius hold it together!

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Bellis.

Ani came over today. We used to ride out together but since Corona we take walks with both Mag and Bellis. She gets Mag, cuz my plan is to eventually get him to allow her back onto his back. Crazy dream? We'll see.

I get Bellis, who has become slothful, walking with me. I've found myself dragging her down the trail as a ship drags an anchor.

I had enough today. I explained to her clearly in her ear, "If you do not walk properly on this line, I will tie you up and leave you."

Although I'm half-convinced that donkeys understand spoken English, today she did not.

I was not bluffing.

I tied her to a tree and left her.

Ani and Mag, far ahead, waited for us to catch up, as they often must, and Ani noticed I was alone. I said, "I'm not dragging that donkey another step today."

I'm sure she thought I was nuts. She started making up newspaper headlines, "Woman abandons pet donkey in woods." "Donkey found alone in woods, tied to an oak tree."

Surpisingly, the donkey didn't make a peep as we trekked further.

When we encountered dog walkers, Ani warned me in advance to warn. "Just so ya know, there's a donkey up there, no worries, I left her."

And in the end, it worked out. Bellis stood there patiently and nibbled the oak branches down to nothing.

No animal abuse protestors arrived to steal her away.

And I found out how to motivate her to keep up a walking pace on the rest of the way home. I stand behind her and drive her, and swish the end of my rope at her bottom if she starts to lag. On arrival at home, I proclaimed to Ani, "I'm more clever than a donkey!" and we enjoyed our half-frozen ice water bottles together. It's 80F out, day after day, and humid.

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I've got someone new coming on Sunday, a mid-level dressage/jumping instructor, to try to ride Mag. It will be interesting to see how a profi (level 4 of 7 in Germany's professional sport riding) will handle him. Until now I've only had self-proclaimed trainers to help me, 3 so far, all of which have failed miserably.

I haven't told Ani. I'm so thankful to J who saw the price of this new trainer and said, "If she's worth it, go for it."

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Below are two photos of my German life.


     
My husband the geocacher, preparing for many, many waterproof caching experiences. (He also gives them to me for food and small tack pieces, which I love, but I don't need so many!!)



     
This, however,  I do need many of. Best Foods Mayo (Hellmans) does not really exist in Germany unless you go to a specialty store with an International section, where you might find these tiny  travel-sized containers. Recently my Aldi had obviously taken over some excess from one of these specialty stores, and I found 12 containers. I bought all 12. They are only 236ml each (less than a cup). I don't care, I'm so happy to have them! My mom sends me Best Foods every Christmas, because it's so important to me.

You may have noticed I'm storing them in my closet. I'm not a food hoarder, it's just that German kitchens are tiny and my cupboards cannot fit them all.

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The amazingly gorgeous Mt Hood popped up today in my cloud server. I miss my home. This was the hike were I ruined my knees.

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Michi sent me this today. I love it so much, it seems to reflect the "real" Mag better than some photos, which exaggerate him. I sure hope she sends me the ones I starred on her camera...still waiting!